SUMMER OF 2025 – Today: English Punks SOFT PLAY And Songstress KATE NASH Yesterday At READING FEST

24 August 2025

Last weekend was Reading Leeds Festival weekend.

English punk duo SOFT PLAY, formerly known as Slaves) appeared on Saturday and
invited songstress KATE NASH for a superheated delivery of their latest single SLUSHY.

Hit! Hit! Hit!
Hit! Hit! Hit!

Instagram – Spotify

20 BEST TRACKS OF THE MONTH – MARCH 2025

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK BY TRACK

– 1 –

Band: PUNCHBAG

Who: A new brother-sister party duo, from South London colliding the raw unfiltered energy of punk, with the overflowing ecstasy of pop. With fierce tempos and ferocious energy, their music is an explosively cathartic release of raw intensity and unapologetic fun.

Track: I’M NOT YOUR PUNCHBAG
From their upcoming debut EP. Details TBA.
It was written before they came up with their
moniker Punchbag.

TUTV: Ecstasy. Elation. Euphoria. Exhilaration. Yes, this electro-smack makes
you bounce and jump like a pogo-stick. Two singles in and Punchbag are already
a punky EBM sensation. They kick you in the teeth without asking while having
fervent fun.

Amazeballs.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 2 –

Artists: GANS

Who: 2-piece from Birmingham (UK) – Euan Woodman (drums/vocals) and Tom Rhodes (bass/vocals) – born in late 2023 over a shared love of noise, literature and late night shebeens. They write music about love and hate. They’re good for your soul.

Track: I THINK I LIKE YOU

TUTV: Warning. This insanely groovy punk blast will bulldoze all over your shocked speakers. Expect a superheated funky firestorm that attacks the Richter scale with a shattering impact. A manically jagged jackhammer it is. Trust me, you’ll think you like them, very much, while you bang your head into your fridge’s door.

Go nuts, go gaga, go gans.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 3 –

Band: SOFT PLAY

Who: British red-hot-steaming misfits, Isaac Holman (lead vocals, drums) and
Laurie Vincent (backing vocals, guitar, bass) started their rowdy ride back in 2012,
named Slaves. They have fabricated 3 earthshaking LPs so far.

Track: SLUSHY

It features British songstress Kate Nash,
a surprising guest appearance actually, but
it works blastingly well.

TUTV: What a ruthless jackhammer. Blimey.

Instagram – Facebook
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– 4 –

Artists: LAUREN MAYBERRY and JOE TALBOT

Who: Scottish synth-pop Chvrches‘s fabulous
vocalist and post-punks Idles‘ frontman.

Track: SORRY, ETC, ETC

A roasting reinterpretation of highlight from her magnifico solo
debut longplayer Vicious Creature that came out last year.

TUTV: Holy Moses. This rowdy master
blaster smashes your roof to pieces.

Instagram – Vicous Creature Stream
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– 5 –

Band: KLÄMP

Who: A collective with members scattered across the UK and the Netherlands. This group, now comprising seven members, has its roots in a trio that expanded over the past four years. The current lineup includes both current and former members of notable bands such as IDLES, Sex Swing, Tall Ships, Manatees, Do Me Bad Things, Pulled Apart By Horses, Petbrick and Mugstar.

They released their Self-titled Debut Album
in 2019, followed by 6-track Hate You in 2020.

New track: WET LEATHER
Piece from their upcoming, sophomore LP Total Technik,
out on April 18th. Pre-order info here.

TUTV: Kraut-rock and roll with an intoxicating impact. A wall-of-guitar-pyrotechnics rollercoaster. An overpowering tempest of rambunctious riffs. Voltaic psychedelia at
its spine-chilling best, bombarding your ears the way you like it. Fascinating, right?
You betcha.

Mind-bending.


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Instagram – Bandcamp
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– 6 –


@miksfiles

Band: ALISON’S FALL

Who: High-voltage indies
from The Netherlands.

Track: WHAT IF

TUTV: Raucous Royal Blood riffs, hard-hammering drum beats, a mean
bass machine, gutsy vocals and a knockdown chorus combine for a jagged
jackhammer that you’ll play louder with every spin.

Steamy smack.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 7 –

Band: THE LIVING PINS

Who: Flaring indie duo – Carrie Clark and Pam Peltz – who found each other on
the edge of the delicately ramshackle playground of the 1990s Austin (Texas)
music scene. They released their 4-track debut EP Let It Be So in 2023.

New single: GOLD

TUTV: Hallelujah! The pins do it again. Gold is a hip-shaking bluesy garage rock thrill
that has an instant impact on your greedy ears with its solid swagger, its gloriously cracking guitars with a feverish solo somewhere in the middle, and its cool duet vocals. Play it to your unicorn, and have a dance together.

1-2-3-4. Let’s roll.


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Instagram – Facebook – Bandcamp
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– 8 –

Band: THROWING MUSES

Who: Legendary indie group from Rhode Island founded in 1981, in by two musically marvelous stepsisters, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly who later co-formed The Breeders with Kim Deal but soon afterward she started her own group Belly.

Track: ALBATROSS
My fav piece from their new, supreme
album Moonlight Concessions.

TUTV: This spicy psychedelic strummer rotates
on and on and on until the slo-mo finale.


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Instagram – Website – All Albums
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– 9 –

Band: PREOCCUPATIONS

Who: Canadian post-punk outfit from Calgary, Alberta.
They formed in 2012 under the name Viet Cong, a name
they dropped in 2016 following lots of criticism related
to the Vietnam War.

Track: BASTARDS
New single from their upcoming 5th LP,
titled III At Ease. Out on May 9th.

TUTV: Never heard Preoccupations going
this synth-poppy and it works 100%.

Kicky knockout.

Instagram – Spotify
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– 10 –

Band: WORLDCUB

Who: A group from North Wales piloted by brothers Cynyr (guitar & vocals) and
Dion Hamer (drums & vocals). They produce material from their home studio on
the hills of Eryri, splicing together elements of surf guitar music, kraut-rock grooves
and hypnotic psych tinged vocal harmonies. Last year their released new album
Back To The Begining.

TUTV: From the first chord on, Exploding! swirls irresistibly fueled by heated guitars,
a magnetizing, bouncy bass riff, a non-stop, repetitive and footstomping drum beat and moody vocals, that bring former Super Furry Animals‘ frontman Gruff Rhys‘ smooth voice tone to mind. Bullseye.

Detonating drill.


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Twitter – Soundcloud – Bandcamp
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– 11 –


New album artwork

Artist: PETER MURPHY

Who: Former Bauhaus‘ dark-Goth-wave icon, now 67.

Track: THE ARTROOM WONDER
The second taster from his upcoming, 11th solo
full length, baptized Silver Shade. Out on 9 May.

TUTV: A thrumming electro-driven tune hitting
you again and again and again. Fabulous thrill.

Booming and boosting.

Instagram – Linktree – All Solo Albums
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– 12 –

Artists: THA FLICKER

Who: A duo with contrasting yet complementary artistic journeys. Giulia born in Sesto San Giovanni, infuses the project with her vibrant soul, creating intense melodies, profound lyrics, and a captivating voice. Marco born in Monza, brings an instinctive and meticulous approach to crafting their signature electronic sound.

Track: LAUGH
Second single following last year’s
excellent debut Faded Flowers.

The song is inspired by a true story. It tells the story of a woman who, after 30 years of domestic abuse, laughs at her husband’s funeral—not out of joy, but as an uncontrollable, cathartic release.

TUTV: Think Sharon Van Etten at her most heartfelt. Laugh is a purifying and soul-freeing rumination, invigorated with passional vocals, synth-shining orchestration and a steadfast drum beat.

Magnific accomplishment.


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Linktree
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– 13 –

Artist: EZRA FURMAN

Who: Glittery singer-songwriter from Chicago. He started
his career with a band called The Harpoons who released
3 albums.

Track: JUMP OUT
Piece from her upcoming 10th full-length,
named Goodbye Small Head. It arrives
on May 16th.


New album artwork

TUTV: An astounding, claustrophobic shriek.
Furman‘s furious vocals give you the creeps.

Stunning stonker.

Instagram
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– 14 –


Photo by Meg Molli

Artist: ADAM LYTLE
Who: Singer-songwriter from New York.
He released his debut album This Is The Fire
in 2023.

Track: HEAVEN
Brand new single.

TUTV: Heaven is a powerhouse ripper, that gets under your skin without asking
permission, fed by inflammable guitars, intense vocals and a titanic chorus.
Americana rock pschydelia at its hypnotzing best.

Electrifying energizer.

Instagram – Bandcamp
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– 15 –


Photo by Dave Paterson

Band: AUTOGRAMM

Who: Synth-driven power-poppers from Seattle, Chicago and Vancouver. Since their inception, The band have performed throughout Canada, Mexico,, the US, the UK, and Europe. References: The Fixx, The Cure, 20/20, The Dickies, Duran Duran, The Cars, Devo,
The Go-Go’s
.

So far they recorded/released 3 albums.

Track: RANDY


Impressive artwork

TUTV: Diana comes out for the gates like a speed train and never looks back.
Dynamizing synths start the whirlwind trip, the powerhouse drum/bass engine
pushes the rotating rhythm with vivid vigour, and zippy vocals complete the
accelerating sonic picture.

Pirouette yourself dizzy.


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Facebook – Linktree
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– 16 –

Band: LIFE COACH

Who: 4 dazzling Scottish indies.

Track: CRINGE
The first single taken from the upcoming second album,
named ‘A Love Letter To Your Yearning Heart’ which comes
out on May 30th.

TUTV: The alternating dreamy female and sinewy male vocals create
an intriguing contrast and give this speedy, puissant stroke a kinetic
twist. Dashing energy that makes your finger reach for the repeat button.

Stellar.


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Instagram – Spotify
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– 17 –

Band: TELL

Who: Vehement garage rockers from Boston. Last year
they released their 6-track debut EP Life In Reverse.

Track: SWEET PROXIMITY

David Wildman (guitarist/lead vocals) “I think there is a rock renaissance in progress.
This is a Margaret Thatcher-ruining-England level of trauma we’re experiencing. Trump and Musk have taken over in what was basically a (barely) legal coup, and it has ignited a wave of rage not seen in years, translating into important and meaningful music being made all over, and mostly under the radar so far. We’re proud to be part of that.”


Credit Dan Saltzman

TUTV: This guitar-frenzied riff buzzer resonates like an alarming wake-up call to counter Trump‘s Divided States Of America. The Times They Are A-Changin’ warned/sang Bob Dylan way back. And they drastically do, lately, but obviously, in the wrong direction. Tell are aware of the new blank generation, and let us know it, loud and clear, with puissant panache.

Join the riot.


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Instagram – Facebook
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– 18 –

Band: FRONT PAGE NEWS

Who: Group formed in Leeds (UK) by three schoolmates and a ‘drummer wanted’ poster on a lamppost. They turn rough-and-tumble, high-energy sound–injecting indie rhythms into punk sensibilities and subjects.

Track: BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR
From their kicky debut EP Stop, Drop & Roll

TUTV: Imagine The Fall fronted by Iggy Stooge. These cocky hound-dogs know all you need to know about indie (post)punk history to get up, stand up and form a band with an eager mission to kick ass. Great news, music junkies.

Don’t stop listening.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 19 –

Band: SPORTS TEAM
Who: London-based team,
active since 2016.

Track: MAYBE WHEN WE WERE 30
Single from their forthcoming 3rd LP
Boys These Days, out on 23rd May.

TUTV: Gloriously affecting and steadily boogielicious with musing duet vocals
all over it until sinewy guitars, slowly but surely, augment the intensity of this witty
mixed emotions tune.

Splendid piece.

Linktree
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– 20 –

Artist: PETE BRILEY
Who: English singer-songwriter.

Track: ALL MY FRIENDS ARE WASTERS

Musically, this track encapsulates the typical joy and experimentation within its composition – something for which, Pete is very much becoming renowned for.

​All My Friends Are Wasters is an ode to the bohemian friends that would never
be understood by this stranger at the party. Someone who could never understand
the square pegs in round holes all trying to catch a wave – and that just makes Briley
love the people in his life all the more.

TUTV: Compelling, profound and transfixing reflection.
Subtly and emotively arranged with fetching piano play
and expressive vocals.

Absorbing effort.

Instagram – Linktree

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SOFT PLAY & KATE NASH Join Arms For New Ruthless Jackhammer ‘SLUSHY’

Daily electricity to load your batteries

19 March 2025

British red-hot-steaming misfits, Isaac Holman (lead vocals, drums) and
Laurie Vincent (backing vocals, guitar, bass) started their rowdy ride back in 2012,
named Slaves. They fabricated 3 earthshaking LPs with Are You Satisfied? (2015),
Take Control (2016) and Acts Of Fear And Love (2018) and took a break afterward.

Two years ago they changed their name to SOFT PLAY
after a magazine published a list of provocative names
for music artists, included Slaves.

Musically they responded immediately with moshpit detonator, called
Punk’s Dead and last year they launched their first Soft Play LP Heavy Jelly.

For their first music of 2025, the duo invited British songstress Kate Nash, a surprising guest appearance actually, but it works terrifically cool on their brand new ruthless jackhammer SLUSHY.

Blimey.

SOFT PLAY: Instagram – Facebook