20 BEST TRACKS OF THE MONTH – APRIL 2026

Best of the best of the past month

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

– 1 –

Band: GANG OF FOUR

Who: The widely acclaimed post-punk heroes who wrote history with
their jaw-dropping debut album Entertainment! back in 1979. Five
years later, they called it a day.

From there on, several reunions followed, with co-founder and
singer/lyricist Jon King returning between 2004 and 2011.

Then, brilliant, innovative guitarist Andy Gill, who sadly
passed away in 2020, aged 64, due to the COVID-19 virus.

Last year, the band came back once more with Jon King again
and original drummer Hugo Burnham for a farewell tour and
they now gear up for another handful of American gigs,
with this new crackerjack corker..

Track: NO KINGS HERE!
Inspired by the recent anti-Trump protests
in America under the banner No Kings.

TUTV: An amazeballs stunner. Vintage Gang Of Four pyrotechnics.
Funk punk frenzy. Adrenaline for headbangers and bass freaks.

Blimey!

Linktree – All Albums
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– 2 –

Band: TRIGGERFINGER

Who: Belgian rock vets Ruben Block and Mario Goossens
who started as a trio in 1998 So far they have released
5 albums.

Track: STARS.

TUTV: An archetypal finger on the guitar trigger
sledgehammer. Overwhelming rock bravado.

Helter skelter.

Instagram
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– 3 –

Band: CYPRESS HILL

Who: The weed-fueled hip-rap-hoppers
from South Gate, California.

Track: CAMPEONES

New piece from their upcoming 11th LP. A project performed entirely
in Spanish that aims to highlight their Latin roots and reconnect directly
with their cultural heritage. Tracklist & release date TBA.

It features fellow rapper Mellow Mace Ace.

TUTV: Vamos, rapeemos. Cypress Hill trigger your pelvis to move from left to right
and back to the accordion’s ambiance. Sickly sticking melodia. Fix yourself a cocktail
and sway your body to the motorik swagger.

Still insane in the brain.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 4 –

Band: BIG SPECIAL

Who: Indie rock tandem from the Black Country in
the English West Midlands with 3 albums under their
belt.

Track: ONLY FREE WHEN SLEEPING
Cut from their upcoming 10-track EP,
called O, JOY!. It’ll land on June 5.

TUTV: Joy to the world. These special guys offer a crazed corker
going wham bam bloody wham bam while rapping vocals roll all
over the boisterous beats.

Alright!

Instagram – Linktree
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– 5 –


Photo by Klankbild

Band: WHOLES

Who: Raucous noise outfit led by Belgian, musical chameleon Wolf Vanwymeersch,

Last year, the band scored big time with their heart-wrenching debut LP, named
A Mass In The Water. One of the best 10 LPs of 2025 according to TUTV‘s ears.

Track: THE MOMENT

TUTV: Frontman Wolf told us that this new tune is not as dark as the previous ones,
even a teeny bit romantic with a line that goes like this “If our eyes lock for a second,
we’ll share an eternity”
.

Besides that lovey-dovey line, The Moment sounds actually more like a brain-breaking nightmare, motorized by about 100 guitars and Wolf‘s ghostly vocals. It progresses
like a slow-burning torch that will, eventually, extinguish in the end. Spooky and
chilling if you ask me. Not really a whole lotta love here.

Catch the moment, folks.


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Instagram – A Mass In the Water
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– 6 –

Band: GETDOWN SERVICES

Who: Wacky and ironic disco-rap-punk duo from Bristol, UK
who made an instant impression in their home country with their
festive 2023 debut LP Crisps followed by a couple of EPs.

Track: THE RADIATOR
New single.

TUTV: Another rap-turous hip-shaker, simple but irresistible.
An upper to get you through your daily grind. Jive-tastic.

Move now.
Left and right
Up and down.

Instagram – Spotify
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– 7 –

Artist: COMMON FLAWS

Who: The solo project of Giacomo Oberti
the singer/songwriter for Italian synth-pop
act The Bankrobber.

Track: Can’t Sit, Won’t Sit

TUTV: Ecstatic 90s acid house the Soulwax way. Medication for addicted Ibiza partygoers. Electronic bass-cannonade mixed with chemical bros beats and gyrating, computerized voices. Nightclub magnetism.

Website – Instagram
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– 8 –

Artist: SPACEMOTH

Who: American psych-pop musician/producer Maryam Qudus.
She released her debut full-length No Past No Future, in 2022.

Track: DO WE EXIST?
New single from her upcoming 2nd album, titled Inward Eye.
It’ll see the day of light on June 26th. More info here.

TUTV: Anxious guitars, pounding drum/bass, frolicky synths,
and lighthearted vocals combine for a peppy electro earworm.

A-OK.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 9 –

Band: TEMPLES

Who: The British psychedelic-flavoured,
glam-poppers from London.

New Track: VENDETTA
Newest single from their forthcoming 5th album,
called Bliss. Out June 26th.

James Bagshaw: “Suddenly, you had this almost Justice-Daft Punk-sounding
sample that then goes into something that could be a modern take on dance
music, like a David Guetta or Avicii song.”

TUTV: Expect a dazzling ride, going in different directions. Vendetta is
a boggling symphony, sonically multicolored, and features another glittery
vocal performance by charismatic frontman James Bagshaw.

Blissfull.

Instagram – Linktree – Spotify
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– 10 –


Photo by Robin Laananen

Band: MODEST MOUSE

Who: Portland-based rockers formed by singer/songwriter
and guitarist Isaac Brock in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington.

They’re quite active lately. It started with the celebration of the 20th anniversary
of their 4th LP Good News For People Who Love Bad News, and a tour that
will run until summer.

Track: PICKING DRAGON’S POCKETS

TUTV: One of those cock-a-hoop MM moments. A blissed-out dancefloor
filler for eager limbs. Isaac Brock is still tune-crazy after all these years,
still rockin’ da house. Hail hail!

Instagram – Linktree – All Albums
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– 11 –

Band: HOLY COVES

Who: Highly passionate Welsh rockers, fronted
by singer-songwriter Scott Marsden.

Track: HOLE
Single from their 4th longplayer, titled Hiraeth, and
planned for release on August 14th. More info here.

Marsden: “After my Mum passed away last year it got me thinking a lot about death,
and what does all this really matter after we’re gone. We really do need to make the most
of the time we have, and to make each day count. There really is always a light at the end
of the tunnel, however hard it may seem.”

TUTV: Another fired-up, vintage HC steamroller with an uplifting tone, strung-out
guitars and avid vocals. A bracing and encouraging momentum for the future.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 12 –

Band: LONELY LITTLE KITSCH

Who: Two-piece alt-rock band from Niagara, Canada featuring
vocalist/songwriter Kristen Goetz and guitarist Nolan Jodes.

Track: SOMEWHERE ELSE
Their 8th single ahead of their debut full-length, coming out
later in the year. One of the first songs written by the couple.

Goetz: “It’s a song about people who copy and paste themselves. They see others
doing something interesting and need to believe they can do it better. You find it
everywhere, in music, in business, in everyday life. There’s always someone
who wants what you’ve achieved and is convinced they deserve it more.”

TUTV: Maybe mellower than their previous work, yet sonically, Somewhere Else
is propelled by a voltaic groove and peaks on the poppy chorus, colored with
tantalizing vocals.

Have fun with the hilarious skeleton.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 13 –

Band: THE ROOST
Who: An alternative rock band that shapes an atypical musical universe
whose energy is drawn from the roots of rock, nu-metal, and stoner.

Track: AS IT SEEMS
This single is the beginning of a major new chapter. The group’s new
six-track mini album, named ‘Black Mountain‘ is set to officially drop
on 22 May, 2026.

TUTV: Last week Foo Fighters released their new album, and this is one of the highlights. Oops. I’ll restart. Foo Fighters have a new album out and some tracks, as it seems, echo these Belgian power-rockers. Not kidding.

At the core of this firecracker, we have a poppy vocal melody, but a greedy artillery try desperately to dominate this juggernaut. Check out for yourself who wins the fight.

Here’s your new favourite toy.

Instagram – Facebook
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– 14 –

Band: SILK

Who: The musical project of Irish guitarist/songwriter
Michael Smyth of former shoegazers Virgins.

Track: AURALUX
The title track from the upcoming mini-album debut,
out on May 7th. Tracklist and pre-order info here.

Lyrically, the song cuts across themes of loss and
acceptance, catharsis via volume and reverb.


Album artwork

TUTV: Shoegaze at its transcendental best. After a fuzzy intro, your ears get engulfed by a wide-ranging flood of galvanic guitars, dragging you into a whirlpool of six-string electricity with a melodramatic and bombastic resonance, while Smyth‘s velvety vocals hover all over the voltaic storm. One of his best compositions to date.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 15 –

Band: REMINGTON SUPER 60
Who: Daydreamers from Norway.

Christoffer Schou (founder/songwriter): “Time to Breathe” is a little more energetic than our usual dream‑pop leanings — built around a groovy bassline and our singer’s soft, airy vocals. It was recorded in my living‑room studio, surrounded by guitars, basses, and a pile of well‑worn 80s Casio and Yamaha toy keyboards that have quietly shaped our sound over the years.”

TUTV: Entrancing dream pop music is about ear-catching, infectious, and stimulating tunes that bounce around in your head right away, and that you add to your favorite playlist (as I did).

Time To Breathe is one of that kind. Sensual vocals, sprightly melodiousness, a bass-driven groove, arresting chorusing, retro-romantic echoes synthesise here refreshingly. Summer is just around the corner.

Enjoy the sonic breeze.


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Instagram – Facebook –
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– 16 –

Band: THE GET ALONGS

Who: Canadian indie team formed in 2017 have spent the better part of a decade refining a sound that pulls from 60s garage, 70s power pop, and 90s psych without getting stuck in any one lane.

Track: COME ON
The first advance single from their upcoming,
sophomore LP, Second To None, due June 19, 2026

“The kind of track that feels right at home spilling out onto Queen West after
last call, guitars ringing out over the hum of streetcars and whatever’s left
of the night.” 

TUTV: Garage rock ruckus with all cylinders on. Filthy riffs, edged hooks,
unfaltering beats, and sinewy vocals. All those afire ingredients squeezed
together lead to a psyched-out slice of raw and rough exuberance. Come on,
press the play button and let your eardrums have some shuddering fun.

Dope stroke.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 17 –

Artist: TRICKY

Who: Co-founder of trip-hop stars Massive Attack, 38 years ago (I know,
sounds like ages). Not happy with his role in MA he left after 2 albums
and started a remarkable solo career.

Track: OUT OF PLACE
The lead single of his forthcoming 15th full-length,
baptized Different When It’s Silent. More info here.

 

TUTV: Trippy, spacey, and far-out as we know the now
58-year-old maverick for a long time. Still pushing the
right buttons.

Instagram – Linktree – All Albums
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– 18 –


Credit Pat Piasecki

Band: OTHER BROTHER DARRYL
Who: Country & Americana collective from Boston.
They released their debut LP Roll Shine Roll last year.

Track: TAKE IT WITH YOU
New single.

TUTV: Warm Americana at its nostalgic best. Sonically, harmonically and
melodically. Take It With You is richly orchestrated with both an acoustic
glow and steel guitar sparkles, mellow organs and piano now and then
in the back.

Feel-good country rock vibes, early Eagles come to mind, sooth our troubled
state of mind and make us dream about much-needed better times. There’s
always an encouraging light that shines at the end of the melancholia tunnel.

Instagram – Linktree

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– 19 –


Photo by Hannah De Vries

Artist: LEYLA EBRAHIMI

Who: Emotive New York via
Reston (Virginia) songstress.

Track: I’M SORRY MARIA
Piece from upcoming EP.
Details TBA.

TUTV: Alternating reflective moments with fired-up
emotions, Ebrahimi stirs with a tremendously vocal
score.

Fantabulous.

Instagram

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– 20 –

Artist: SUKI WATERHOUSE

Who: Songstress, actress
and model from London.

Track: TINY RAISIN
New single from her forthcoming 3rd album, called
Loveland. It comes our way on July 10th.

Waterhouse: “A love song at its core. It’s a song that stands by the fact that real love in its truest essence can be chaotic, ridiculous, and imperfect, while still being something that is absolutely worth choosing over and over again at the end of the day.”

TUTV
: Power pop glamour with witty lyrics and fabulous vocals. Dumpfounding class.

Instagram – Spotify

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TURN UP THE VOLUME

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BlueSky

TEMPLES – British Glam Rockers Drop 2nd Symphonic Piece ‘VENDETTA’ From New Upcoming LP And Annouce Big Tour

Daily electricity to load your batteries

15 April 2026

British glam rockers TEMPLES are back in town. A couple of weeks ago, they announced the birth of their 5th full-length album, the first in 3 years. It’s titled Bliss. It’ll come our way on June 26th.

New Track: VENDETTA
2nd shared single following the glitzy
first Jet Stream Heart.

James Bagshaw: “Suddenly, you had this almost Justice-Daft Punk-sounding sample
that then goes into something that could be a modern take on dance music, like a David
Guetta or Avicii song.”

TUTV: Expect a dazzling ride, going in different directions. Vendetta is a boggling symphony, sonically multicolored and features another delectable vocal performance
by charismatic frontman James Bagshaw.

WATCH/LISTEN

TOUR 2026

Instagram – Linktree – Spotify

20 BEST TRACKS OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY 2026

Best of the best of the month

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

– 1 –

Band: LIP CRITIC
Who:  Adrenalized indie
crew from New York.

Track: LEGS IN A SNARE
Lead single from their 3rd LP,
titled Theft World. Out May 1st.

TUTV: Wham Boom Wham Boom Bam! From the first chord on, you can stamp your feet, spin your head around, and punch your hands in the air. Lip Critic bop to the beastly beat, so does your itching body.

But as the track progresses, the funky ambiance gets ominous, aggressive, and brutal. Vocalist Bret Kaser goes nuts, the band goes bonkers, your stereo goes berserk, and
your ears go bananas. Hallelujah.

Fucktastic, right? You betcha.

Linktree
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– 2 –

Band: TEMPLES
Who: The glitzy British glam
rockers from London.

Track: JET STREAM HEART
Lead single from their forthcoming 5th full-length, the first
in 3 years, named Bliss. They will share it with the world
on June 26th.

TUTV: Frontman says James Bagshaw, the track sounds like Kylie Minogue
meets Daft Punk, meets Temples! My ears hear something a bit different,
more like good old T.Rex hanging out with Hot Chip at the disco. Most
important thing: T is back.

Glimmering stroke.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 3 –


📸 Tina Gross

Band: THE DARTS
Who: Garage rock Amazons based in Seattle, Washington,
fronted by charismatic singer-songwriter Nicole Laurenne.

Track: APOCALYPSE
Cut from their upcoming 6th longplayer, named
Halloween Love Songs, out on March 3rd.

TUTV: Jumpy. Bouncy. Zippy. Cacophonic overtones, frolic organ blitz, sinewy vocals,
and psychobilly guitars drenched in an Eastern frenzy, blast out of your stereo. If this is what the Apocalypse will sound like, I wanna be there. Trust me, so will you.

Woohoo!

Instagram – Website – All Albums
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– 4 –

Band: NIMBUS CART
Who: Steamed-up dropouts
from Belgium.

Track: PRIVILEGE

“An energetic, confrontational track about power and the everyday things we tend
to take for granted. No preaching, but something we could all be a bit more aware of. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

TUTV: These Belgian motherrockers trigger your maddest pogo-stick moves and
your insatiable appetite for sweaty moshpits with this fervent flamethrower, fueled
by a bulldozing drum/bass artillery, schizophrenic guitars, and crackbrained vocals.
Consider it a privilege to be able to go out-of-your-mind to this punk dunk.

All together now, loud and proud,
La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La.

Instagram – Spotify
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– 5 –

Band: REMEMBER SPORTS
Who: Ohio-rooted and Philadelphia-based indie
quartet, formed in 2014, named Sports for a while.

Track: THUMB
Standout cut from their brand
new album The Refrigerator

TUTV: Fast forward from the kick-off with squeaky guitars, a cranky rhythm section,
and hurry-scurry vocals. Speedy punk Gonzales for all you sonic sprinters out there.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 6 –


Press photo

Band: VILLANELLE
Who: Fresh Brit-rock trio led
by Liam Gallagher‘s son Gene.

New track: PLACEBO
Their 3rd one. It’ll feature on their
debut EP, which will land on May 6th.

TUTV: Placebo is a haywire riff wallop. Gene Gallagher doesn’t follow in
his father’s band footsteps. His motto is more like ‘tonight I’m a grunge star‘.

Yep, his band don’t look back in anger at the Nirvana days. They’re
definitely, maybe fans of Kurt Cobain‘s unpolished and unbridled
exuberance.

Smells like new teen spirit.

Instagram – Facebook
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– 7 –


Photo by John Parrillo

Band: JENNIFER TEFFT & THE STRANGE
Who: A fired-up, energizing outfit who create earthy music
from its roots and breathes fresh, rock and roll life into them.

Track: A LITTLE MORE

Tefft: “This song was written during a point in my relationship where I felt like it was
too one-way. Where I really wanted ‘A Little More’ from my significant other, communication, time, emotion, etc. – but I was afraid to say it out loud. I think it is a pretty common theme in relationships.”


Art by Stephen ‘Sharky’ Beccia; design by Jennifer Tefft

TUTV: If I tell you that riff-riveting blues rock duo The Kills are one of my all-time fav
bands, you’ll absolutely understand why I love this amazeballs crackerjack. Jennifer
Tefft
voice matches Alison Mosshart‘s warm-blooded one. Both passional and sensual.

A Little More is a magnetic mid-tempo turn-on, energized by
a striking drum/bass artillery and sparked by anxious guitars.

Get more here.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 8 –

Artist: PEACHES
Who: The fabulous/controversial/notorious performer/producer and
feminist/gay activist born Merrill Nisker, 58 years ago in Toronto, Canada.

Track: GRIP
Piece from her brand new, 7th album No Lube So Rude.

TUTV: Peaches is alive and kicking, once again, on the
glittery dancefloor. Get a grip on her euphoric beats.

Shake your booty.


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Instagram – Linktree
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– 9 –

Artist: LEG PUPPY 2.0
Who: Seasoned techno freak from London who has released a ton
of longplayers (so far). Take a day off and move over to Spotify to
check out as many as possible.

Track: LANYARD MAN

TUTV: As my therapist once said: rich company owners are psychos. No morals,
no respect, no tolerance. Workers are tools abused to help them make even richer.
Leg Puppy 2.0 translates this ongoing criminality into a brain-breaking midtempo techno club-hammer. It easily could be the theme song for George Orwell‘s yet-to-be-made
1984‘ movie.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 10 –


Press photo

Band: THE BLACK KEYS
Who: Ohio‘s famously rowdy blues tandem,
singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer
Patrick Carney

Track: YOU GOT TO LOSE
First single from their 3rd LP in 3 years.
It’s baptized Peaches!. It’ll hit the streets
on May 1st.

TUTV: BK go back to their inflammable blues roots with this unbridled
boogie-woogie stomper. They rattle and ramble like in their early days.

Boss.

Instagram – Linktree
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– 11 –

Band: FOO FIGHTERS
Who:
Former Nirvana drummer Dave
Grohl
fav grunge rock toy, since 1994.

Track: YOUR FAVOURITE TOY
Title piece from their upcoming 12th LP,
which will show up on April 24th.

TUTV: The Foos punk their butts off as never
before on this raging riff-ripper. Never too old
to rock hard, Dave.

Linktree
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– 12 –

Band: HUNGRY
Who: Unabated guitar energized
team from Manchester, UK.

Track: CAMBRIDGE IS ON FIRE

Jacob Peck (frontman/lyricist): “ The song expresses our frustrations with
middle-class comforts, over-analysis without action, nimbyism, intellectual
cowardice as a stand-in for material change and all too easy deference to
business and power.

TUTV: These Manchester punk dropouts hit hard. All greedy sharks in
our collapsing society better run and hide. Hungry go on a roasting rampage,
powered by a propulsive bass/drum tandem, neurotic guitars, and cranked-up
vocals.

Ferocious.

Instagram – Facebook
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– 13 –

Band: MONT LOSER
Who: A deformed creature born from the depths of a late-night Parisian haze, half kamikaze, half blood-drunk bat. ML invite you to dive headfirst into the void of a rock scene that always seems to rise from its ashes, when we sometimes wish it would stay dead.

Track: CONFESSIONAL
The title track from their upcoming
album, out on April 17th.

“It’s only reality tv confessionals — people alone in a booth, crying to
the camera, saying things they probably never meant to say out loud.

TUTV: Ballistic guitars, chaotic screams, mindbending verve and head-twisting changes of speed combine for a roasting 5-minute rollercoaster. Be ready for a dizzying experience.

Instagram – Spotify
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– 14 –


Credit Teodora Nenadov

Band: GERECKI
Who: Art rock ensemble from Serbia, known for blending 60s- and 70s-inspired
rock’n’roll with chamber-pop intimacy, subtle psychedelic hues, and jazz-inflected
textures.

Track: IT GETS DARK
New piece from their upcoming debut album, named
Athanasios (Greek word for immortal), out May 7th.

The song draws from a quiet, deeply personal memory: a family visit to the zoo.
Seen through the eyes of a three-year-old daughter — curious, overwhelmed, moved to tears by the crocodile house, then distracted by ducks flying over seemingly empty cages.

TUTV: Gerecki produce a hook-hungry groove, reminiscent of The Beatles‘s classic Get Back jam. No kidding. That’s what my experienced ears (big Beatles fans) told me immediately. A-OK, right? Far and away. It Gets Dark thrives on it and repeats its infectious throb after slowing down here and there.

Rad!

Instagram
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– 15 –

Artist: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Track: STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS

After the brutal killings, in cold blood, of two American citizens – Rennée Good
and Alex Pretti last month in Minnesota, several musicians called out Trump and
his ruthless Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

So did The Boss.

“I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it
to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of
Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent
immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”

Instagram – Tour Dates
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– 16 –

Band: KULA SHAKER
Who:
British psych rock vets, fronted by charismatic
vocalist/songwriter Crispian Mills. Their 1996 debut LP,
titled K made them instant indie stars.

Track: DUST BENEATH OUR FEET
From their new LP Wormslayer.
Their 8th one.

TUTV: Part acoustic/electric psych groove with
a 60s organ-juiced resonance. Back to the future.


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Instagram – All Albums
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– 17 –

Artist: KYE ALFRED HILLIG
Who: Singer-songwriter from
Tacoma, Washington.

Track: OUR REMAINING PIG
New taster from his upcoming 9th full-length,
called The All-Night Costume Company.
More info here.

KAH: “I drew a man on his family farm wading across a river toward the final living pig, knowing he had to slaughter it. You can tell he doesn’t want to do this, but sometimes the
hard thing is exactly what must be done.”

TUTV: Arresting from the start. KAH’s puissant Americana voice and the song’s rock-solid Mellencamp flow merge seamlessly together, resulting in a stem-winding gem. Both electric and absorbing.

youtube.com/watch?si=uRqpInLUxku1q-xwnne&v=YtsTszEYkw0&feature=youtu.be

Instagram
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– 18 –

Artist: MATTHIJS VERSTEGEN
Who: Belgian singer-songwriter.

Track: CLEAN PAGE

Verstegen: “As a songwriter, I have a love-hate relationship with the “blank page.”
As long as I don’t put anything on it, anything is still possible. It’s a promise of everything
song could ever be. But I also find that emptiness intimidating. What if I mess it up?
What if I have nothing meaningful to say?

That uncertainty and doubt reminded me of how I feel after a broken relationship.
You suddenly have to turn the page and write a new chapter. A head full of doubts
and a heart full of hope. And before I knew it, I had a page full of sentences about…
a blank page.”

TUTV: Dim the lights, sit down, relax, and let your thoughts run free. Verstegen will soundtrack it all with this new restful reverie. His near-whispering vocals and acoustic, sepia-colored sonority echo Matt Berninger‘s soft, romantic touch. Candelight music for relaxing moments.

Enchanting.

Instagram – Facebook
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– 19 –

Artist: RYAN THOMAS SMELLE
Who: Canadian singer/songwriter with an acoustic approach to storytelling, using
hook-laden songs in the areas of folk, alternative, North Americana and pop.

Track: NOTHING LEFT OF MY HEART

RTS: “Some songs are stories of moments from our life. As a songwriter, this short
and sweet lyrical tale is a snapshot of a love’s farewell and how we can stew in the
feelings.”

TUTV: Vocally Ryan Thomas Smelle reminds me of The National’s Matt Berninger‘s tranquillising hush-hush timbre, which benefits the heartrending emotions and
the saddening nature of Nothing Left Of My Heart downright.

Acoustic and electric guitar sparks, think Mark Knopfler, paint cloudy images.
This is a melancholic reverie for silent pondering and soul-searching reflection.
A touching and moving ballad.

Facebook Instagram
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– 20 –

Artists:
Damon Albarn
(Blur/Gorillaz),
Grian Chatten (Fontaines D.C.)
and Kae Tempest.

Track: FLAGS

One of the 23 tracks performed by big-name bands/artists on a new album,
named Help, with all benefits going to War Child. An organisation that shapes
systems that protect and support the well-being of children affected by conflict.

The record is out on March 6th. More info here.

Slo-mo vibes.

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TEMPLES – British Glam Rockers Announce 5th LP And Share Glitzy Lead Single ‘JET STREAM HEART’

Daily electricity to load your batteries

22 February 2026

British glam rockers TEMPLES are back in town. They just announced their
5th full-length, first in 3 years, named Bliss. They will share it with the world
on June 26th.

James Bagshaw (frontman) told NME the following about lead single JET STREAM HEART: “For me, it’s Kylie Minogue, meets Daft Punk, meets Temples! “These days we’re always just trying to make stuff that’s fun. That song started the whole thing for this record. The song is about being enticed by music itself, and it does it on its own. You’ll be walking past a club
or a venue and there’s an allure to it. What is that pulls you in?

Kylie Minogue? Daft Punk? My ears hear something different,
more like good old T.Rex hanging out with Hot Chip at the disco.

WATCH

STREAM


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Instagram – Linktree

Turn Up The Volume’s 10 BEST ALBUMS OF 2023… So Far

1. ‘Heavy Heavy’ by YOUNG FATHERS

This sizzling Scottish trio nailed it with their 3rd LP. Heavy Heavy is one of those remarkable records (one every 3 months or so) that arouses from start to finish, with the cliché no fillers, all killers all over it. You hear its sonic brilliance, you feel its dauntless vocality, you realise quickly that this LP is special, very special.


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Antwerp 2023)

An undisputable first-class work where vitalizing soul, ecstatic pop melodiousness
and self-willed hip-hop come together in an organic way. A spiritual happening.

Funk-punk drunk virtuosity with astonishing vocal teamwork.

STREAM


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2. ‘First Tow Pages Of Frankenstein’ by THE NATIONAL

I second the multiple raving reviews for this brilliant album. It’s not the first time that troubled and depressed artists (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and others made a living out of it) come up with healing music.

Despite a temporary writer’s block and severe depression, Matt Berninger (aged 52)
found his way in his chaotic mind and came back to express the psychic fights with all of his demons in a most affecting manner. And his crooning voice, once more, is instrumental for The National‘s sound.

STREAM


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3. ‘Ignore Grief’ by XIU XIU

This Californian experimental act, founded in 2002 by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart surprise every time they come up with new music. Also with Ignore Grief, already their
13th full length, XX impress mightily.


(Press photo)

Ignore Grief is not happy music, it’s grim reality music, it’s mind-absorbing music.
Inventive, capricious and ideal as the soundtrack for one of David Lynch‘s hallucinatory films. Although after a couple of spins, you’ll find out that Xiu Xiu‘s bone-chilling sonic exorcism is more accessible than you thought at first. Their orchestral manoeuvres in
the dark are flabbergasting.

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4. ‘Shook’ by ALGIERS

With Shook this American/English outfit drew tons of critical praise. Rightly so.
It’s a tremendously varied work. They jump from zestful hip-rap-hop to forceful
post-punk-rock, to soulful lullabies, to arresting spoken-word protest, to sparkling
gospel. 54 minutes long, but you get sucked in every second. Wowzers!


(Press – FB Algiers)

A solid gold triumph.

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5. ‘A Headlong Fall Into The Vast Ocean Of Anxiety’ by EYEMOUTH

Expect atmospheric synth-scapes for soundtracks of sci-fi movies, mellow Pink Floyd echoes, dark-electro-wave surrealism, and an overall synth-symphonic sonority.

All mesmerizingly orchestrated with both classical and venturesome music structures. Now and then composer Marcus Lilja‘s ghostly voice adds an extra mysterious touch to the instrumental grandeur at play. The power of nature in sonic motion.

STREAM/BUY


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5. ‘Secret Life’ by FRED AGAIN… and BRIAN ENO

Weird collaboration? No, certainly not. The very popular EBM/house/hip-hop/DJ Fred and the legendary ambient wizard Brian Eno complete each other here perfectly. They create a sonic labyrinth where Eno‘s hallucinatory ambient waves progress in slow motion, causing a trance trip in a foggy environment while Fred‘s phantasmal vocals seem to come from an unknown universe.

Secret Life is a hushed, soothing companion for late-night mind entertainment after
another busy day and too much noisy music. Relaxing, calming and triggering lazy dreaming.

STREAM


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6. ‘Islands In The Sky’ by DEATH VALLEY GIRLS

The L.A. garage rock fury led by vocalist/guitarist/organist and natural-born
charismatic front-Amazon Bonnie Bloomgarden hit bullseye with their 5th LP.


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Brussels, 2023)

Islands In The Sky is, without a shadow of a doubt, according to my trained ears, their best achievement (so far). When you combine pop/rock songwriting quality, richly layered orchestrations, Bloomgarden‘s full-hearted vocal dynamism and tons of tunes (if anything else tunes are key) wrapped up in party-igniting vibes, you have a winner. FACT!

STREAM/BUY


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7. ‘Exotico’ by TEMPLES

The British glam and glitter popsmiths delivered
their best LP since hitting the scene back in 2014.

It’s their 4th one.


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)

This album grew on me spin after spin. It’s still a mellow, laid-back, and familiar
resonating collection of tunes. But its sunlit spirit, its vivid vibe, and its melodies are so infectious. Let your thoughts ignore reality and drift away in your happy-go-lucky cocoon. Top-tier effort.

STREAM


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8. ‘This Stupid World’ by YO LA TENGO

No pension yet for these veteran indies from New Jersey who started their journey
in 1984 and recorded/released 17 longplayers so far (new one included).


(Press photo)

They’re experts in creating uncomplicated, electrifying melodies and then giving them a psychedelic edge with distorted guitars. Different moods, different sonic tones. We all know that we live in a stupid world where political ‘me, myself, and I’ leaders use the 2000-year-old trick of divide and conquer. YLT know too, of course, and it inspired them (again)
to can another topmost record.

STREAM


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9. ‘Quiet Part Out Loud’ by FILIBUSTER (Belgium)

It’s the second longplayer from these 4 Belgian mavericks.

Both sonically and lyrically, you get a mood-swings record that evokes both eerie and profound emotions. Filibuster fabricate a melting pot of grunge (Nirvana), slacker rock (Dinosaur Jr.) and anything post-punk edged. You can rock out to it, take a breather now and then, and go quiet/loud all the way through. Overall an impassioned job well done.

STREAM/BUY


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10. ‘Back In The Room’ by THE DHARMA VIOLETS (Wales)

THDV embed 60s psychedelia in a blistering mix of flaming garage rock mania,
swaggering mid-tempo grooves, an impressive, amplified slo-mo jam right in the middle and a stunning opener with horns snippets of Primal Scream‘s e-tastic classic Loaded.

Back In The Room is a hell of a must-hear-now record.

STREAM/BUY


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Album Of April 2023 – British Psych Pop Outfit TEMPLES With Their Best (So Far) ‘EXOTICO’

Standout album of the month

30 April 2023

Band: TEMPLES
Who: Glam and glitter popsmiths
from Kettering, England formed in 2012 by
charismatic frontman James Bagshaw and
bassist Tom Walmsle.
Active: Since 2012 / 4 LPs (new one included)

New album: EXOTICO

Clash Magazine says: “Indie rockers Temples demonstrate an illustrious way forward for traditional guitar music. Taking place in a mystical, dream-like utopia, this supremely ambitious sixteen track presentation is the broadest, most eclectic palette of sound yet to be released by the neo-psychedelic, alternative ensemble. There are no bounds. ‘Exotico’ let’s go of control, so remarkable things can happen. It’s the closest Temples have been to releasing a masterpiece, and that’s saying something.” Full review here. Score: 8/10.


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)

TUTV: I became a Temples fan since their 2014 debut album Sun Structures. A psych
retro pop record sounding like 5-star sonic sugar. But the weirdest thing happened now with this new longplayer. I was really disappointed after my first listen. It all (16 tracks) sounded too mellow, too laid-back, too familiar, and too much.

But being a fan I didn’t want to quit on them and I had several spins thereafter.
At one point it felt like my ears made sense of it all, helped by the images of sunny beaches, cocktail bars, and palm trees that popped up on my inner dream screen.

This album grew on me spin after spin. It’s still a mellow, laid-back, and familiar-sounding collection of music. But its sunlit spirit, its vivid vibe, its infectious melodies are SUPREME. Let your thoughts ignore reality and drift away in your happy-go-lucky cocoon. Top-tier, top-tier record, their best so far, hands down.

Singles/clips: Afterlife / Cicada / Gamma Rays

– AFTERLIFE –

– CICADA –

– GAMMA RAYS –

FULL ALBUM

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TEMPLES: Facebook – Instagram

HIGH FIVE – 5 Big Ones For The Weekend

14 January 2023

Band: WHITE REAPER
Who: Garage punks from Louisville, Kentucky
Active: Since 2012 / 4 LPs (new one included)

New album: Asking For A Ride
Out: 27 January 2023

New single: PINK SLIP

Start the engine here.

WHITE REAPER: Facebook – Instagram
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(Press photo YF)

Band: YOUNG FATHERS
Who: Blood-tingling Scottish dance-funk-punk trio
Active: Since 2008 / 4 studio LPs (new one incl.)

New album: HEAVY HEAVY
Release: 3 February 2023

New single: RICE

Psych chant!

YOUNG FATHERS: Facebook – Instagram
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(photo by TUTV)

Band: SHAME
Who: Fiery post-punks from London
Active: Since 2014 / 3 studio LPs (new one incl.)

New album: FOOD FOR WORMS
Release: 24 February 2023

New single: SIX-PACK

Wham bloody bam!

SHAME: Facebook – Instagram
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(photo by TUTV)

Band: TEMPLES
Who: Power guitar pop outfit from London
Active: Since 2012 / 4 LPs (new one incl.)

New album: EXOTICO
Release: 14 April 2023

New single: GAMMA RAYS

Summer is coming.

TEMPLES: Instagram – Facebook
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Artist: KELE OKEREKE
Who: Frontman of British indie greats Bloc Party

New album: THE FLAMES PT. 2 – his 6th solo one
Release: 24 March 2023

Funkin’ and groovin’.

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KELE: Facebook – Instagram

Best Concerts Of 2019 (Pt 9) – Here Are Euphoric British Glam Popsters TEMPLES…

Turn Up The Volume looks back at his favourite concerts of 2019…

TEMPLES – Botanique Venue, Brussels – 19 November 2019

Here’s the original review

Never change a winning formula is definitely British quartet TEMPLES‘ chosen strategy.
After listening to their recent, third album Hot Motion it was quickly clear that the band had decided to keep doing what they do best since their debut LP Sun Structures back in 2014, which is writing glam and glitter pop songs with the three inseparable ingredients you need to succeed: catchiness, tunefulness and euphoric sing along choruses. Mind you, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Many tried/try that formula over and over again but only a few become successful at doing it as it should be done to get the listener in an elevating mood.

And it also helps when you look like young God-like pop stars too. Anyway, last Tuesday
in Brussels, after a short false start, due to technical problems, the ecstatic Temples show took off and turned the full house, with a large fanatic fans representation, pretty fast in
to a state of euphoric elation, with a clever mix of old stompers (Keep In The Dark / Shelter Song / Certainty ) and new standouts (The Howl / Holy Horses / Hot Motion). As I’ve seen the band a couple of times before I had a déjà vu once in while but seeing the greater part of the audience going nuts frequently was a pretty sight to see and keeps yourself exultant too. And with turning the one and only encore ‘Mesmerise‘ into a sort of Jimi Hendrix like psychedelic guitar outburst the band reminded us that 90 minutes with them is about a thousand times more entertaining than sitting in your lazy couch all evening long watching crap on TV.

The whole set reproduced on Spotify

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TEMPLES: Facebook

(All pics by Turn Up The Volume!)

British Rockers TEMPLES Excite BRUSSELS With Their Euphoric Glam Pop Formula

TEMPLES – Botanique Venue, Brussels – 19 November 2019

Never change a winning formula is definitely British quartet TEMPLES‘ chosen strategy.
After listening to their recent, third album Hot Motion it was quickly clear that the band had decided to keep doing what they do best since their debut LP Sun Structures back in 2014, which is writing glam and glitter pop songs with the three inseparable ingredients you need to succeed: catchiness, tunefulness and euphoric sing along choruses. Mind you, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Many tried/try that formula over and over again but only a few become successful at doing it as it should be done to get the listener in an elevating mood.

And it also helps when you look like young God-like pop stars too. Anyway, last Tuesday
in Brussels, after a short false start, due to technical problems, the ecstatic Temples show took off and turned the full house, with a large fanatic fans representation, pretty fast in
to a state of euphoric elation, with a clever mix of old stompers (Keep In The Dark / Shelter Song / Certainty ) and new standouts (The Howl / Holy Horses / Hot Motion). As I’ve seen the band a couple of times before I had a déjà vu once in while but seeing the greater part of the audience going nuts frequently was a pretty sight to see and keeps yourself exultant too. And with turning the one and only encore ‘Mesmerise‘ into a sort of Jimi Hendrix like psychedelic guitar outburst the band reminded us that 90 minutes with them is about a thousand times more entertaining than sitting in your lazy couch all evening long watching crap on TV.

The whole set reproduced on Spotify

.
TEMPLES: Facebook

(All pics by Turn Up The Volume!)