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!
ALL TOGETHER
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
———————————–
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
Every week 10 new rad tracks added
In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.
Check the 10 new rad cuts just
added to this rad 2024 playlist.
ALL TOGETHER
.
TRACK BY TRACK
1. ‘No Economy’ by MANTARAYBRYN (Wales)
No Economy is a battle cry against the hyper rich properties and second homes bursting from Cornwall’s ancient clifftops. Taking the perspective of the desperate Cornish native, the song holds back zero punches, laying all the problems of London Money with zero subtlety.
TUTV: From the handclaps and a-cappela intro on, you feel ecstasy running throughout your veins. This tantalizing tune is just irresistibly sticky. If your body doesn’t react when this high-spirited protest chant hits your headphones, check your meds.
Striking stroke.
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2. ‘Oh Shit’ by THE LIBERTINES (London)
The British infamous mavericks release their 4th full-lenght,
called All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanada, on April 5.
To keep us happy while waiting, the Libs have
dropped single number 4 from the longplayer.
TUTV: Oh Shit is an inflamed crackajack sung by Carl Barât
and joined on the chirpy chorus by his buddy Doherty.
Oops, shit is coming.
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3. ‘Mirror Muscles‘ by SOFT PLAY (UK)
Press photo
This British post-punk duo know as Slaves until 2022. (“The name ‘Slaves’ is an issue
and doesn’t represent who we are as people or what our music stands for any longer.”
TUTV: This new track off their upcoming 4th LP is a reckless shocker
combing hardcore aggressivity and punk dynamite. Hallelujah.
“We love to work out. We frequent the local gymnasium.
These are some thoughts we had while we were there”.
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4. ‘Pistol Whip’ by TOTALLY SLOW (North Carolina)
Photo: Melanie Mae Bryan
Pistol Whip is this ferocious band’s third single from their forthcoming fourth LP,
titled The Darkness Intercepts will be launched on March 22 via Refresh Records.
Scott Hicks (guitarist and vocalist): “We wanted to find a more dynamic balance for this record. The track order wasn’t taken lightly and there are lot of interesting samples and between-song transitions that I hope folks can find the time to receive fully as a whole piece. “Pistol Whip” is a tone-switch, and brings the BPM down a bit. The intensity level is still peaking but it still feels like breathing space – with lyrics conveying that we live inside of chaos and trying to find some peace in accepting the intractable nature of “being”. So it’s a sonic break and really an emotional break as well.”
TUTV: With this riff-insane projectile Totally Slow goes totally hard. Although the band says they’re taking a breather here – oh my, what a hazardous volcano album is waiting around the corner to be unleashed? – the combative level is huge. This in their face middle finger for all rotten politicians is loud and clear.
Hell yeah.
.
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5. ‘My Favourite Place’ by CADET CARTER feat. Kayleigh Goldsworthy (Germany)
Photo Credit: Nikki Lindner
Pop Punk and Emo music has seen a remarkable resurgence over the past year. Although Cadet Carter consider themselves very much part of this genre, their sound is much closer to the likes of Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday. CC have a new album, called Self-Maintenance out on April 12, 2024
TUTV: This new piece has an instant electrifying impact with its bouncy riff rhythm
and vivid duet vocals and goes wholly heartfelt on the ardent chorus. You know
where to find the repeat button. Top thrill.
Enjoy.
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6. ‘Strangers’ by TUSKS (London)
London-based artist Emily Underhill aka TUSKS will have her new album GOLD out
on April 12. Strangers is the newest track off the longplayer.
TUTV: Synth splendor, affecting pop melodiousness,
and impassioned vocals come together here and will
undoubtedly seduce your ears.
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7. ‘Wild God’ by NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS (Aus)
Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds have canned album number 18. It’s baptized Wild God and will be shared with the world on August 30. The LP is produced by Cave and his buddy Warren Ellis.
Along with the news came the title track.
One word: BRILLIANT.
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8. ‘Working Hard’ by DARK MEAN (Hamilton, Canada)
The musical project of Dark Mean refuses to slip away for good. The collective has been quietly chipping away in their Hamilton, Ontario studio. Once again they have focused their spontaneous fits of inspiration, typically captured on basic phone apps and wired between Ottawa and Hamilton, into something concrete.
About the new composition: “In terms of what inspired the song, or the lyrics… umm probably desperation. Feeling so desperate for something to happen while full-well knowing time is not on your side and there is nothing you can do but wait. So the opening of the track begins with this sort of cathartic release “Working hard, killing time. I woke up wrong, just to feel right.” Doing nothing is often harder than doing something, right?”
TUTV: Despite the mixed emotions at play here, there’s one thing this Canadian trio does to the limit: working hard on this new emotive mid-tempo cry out. You can just feel the agony in Mark Mean‘s voice. Bone-chilling and spellbinding. Don’t go away again, guys, keep on sharing your desperation. We love it.
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9. ‘Box’ by NEPTUNE’S CORE (Chicago)
Photo credit: Sloane Johnson
Chicago‘s double sisters indie act just released two new songs: Box and Anyway
About BOX: “A life-changing” experience. We all were beaming and screaming and we just felt so good. The four of us all hopped in the vocal room and together, recorded the lyrics, ‘over again, never be all yours.’ Creating this part of the song is one of my favorite memories of being a musician.”
TUTV: Totally captivating. This goosebumps power ballad grabs your aural intention
right away. The contrasting vocals create an echoing intenseness fueled by incandescent guitars. The build up/break down vehemence feels as if an emotional eruption is about to happen any second, but instead we get a surprising choir-like finale and an abrupt end.
Fascinating.
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10. ‘Wounded’ by TODDY (Vancouver, Canada)
There are seemingly endless possibilities to self-expression, and Vancouver-based comedian and trained opera singer Toddy is out there breaking new ground. With a winning combination of drag, standup comedy, opera, classical and pop music, Toddy (she/they) is redefining the very idea of pop stardom.
Debut single, “Wounded,” is very strategically written to be for several different types
of relationships whether it be family, romantic or friendship. Inspired by abusive relationships Toddy has been in, they wanted a wide variety of victims to be able to
put themselves into this song.
TUTV: Toddy‘s heart-and-soul touching voice stands out on this stunning debut. Wounded is an arresting piece of melodrama that stirs and arouses feverish sentiments. Impressive, artistic introduction.
Discover here.
TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter
Daily noise that works faster than any stimulant
23 August 2023
Photo: Tommy Davies
British red-hot-steaming gunslingers, 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 next.
Last year they changed their name to SOFT PLAY after a magazine
cited Slaves as one of their list of provocative names for music artists.
As expected, they got negative too soft reactions
to their new moniker. As if, they rightly so, care.
This Summer they returned to the live scene and this Autumn
veteran techno turbo The Prodigy take them along on their UK tour.
On stage they operate as human Molotov cocktails. Saw them live
several times, wanna see them again!
But first the comeback single, dubbed PUNK’S DEAD.
A metallic projectile that pierces your ears the way you like it.
It’s an instant moshpit detonator with Laurie Vincent still spitting
and sneering with in-your-face panache. Somewhere midway the
fireball slows down for some voices including Robin Williams (yes, him)
popping up and making comments on the name change.
SLAVES is dead! Long live SOFT PLAY!
“Soft play (what matе?) should’ve done your resеarch
I want my money back, boys, for the t-shirts
Should’ve run it by me first
Is your back sore?
I bet your knees hurt
Is this another publicity stunt?
Thought you were rowdy
Thought you were punks
What the fuck’s with the new name anyway?
Soft play? More like soft cunts”
Fucktastic
.
SOFT PLAY: Instagram – Facebook