Photo credit Diaz Aliyah

Following an exceptional performance at last year's Swn Festival, I've been following Cardiff's Why Horses? intently, eagerly awaiting new music. And today it arrives, as the band announce their signing to Brace Yourself Records. Coinciding with the news, the recently expanded five-piece have unveiled their first single for the label, ‘Yr Big Day’, finding them in fine form as experimental folk guitar patterns intertwine with their signature delivery to maximum effect. Sharing more details, singer Gabriel Austin Lester explains, “My mom always told me that you could pretty much do whatever you wanted on your birthday. After a fight with my family last year on my 21st birthday, I started to question what I should actually be doing. The song is a reminder of what a birthday should be about: a celebration of your life and how amazing it is that you’re still alive. When I thought about my life I thought about times I’ve been reminded I’m alive, that’s where in the song ‘her laugh, her smile, your father’s eyes’ comes from, it’s listing a few memories of honest sentimentality.” Take a listen below with the Grant Lester directed clip. 

Live Dates
Aug 17th | Brecon Beacons, UK - Green Man Festival (Settlement)
Oct 03rd | Vienna, AT - Waves Festival
Oct 21st | Manchester, UK - Rat and Pigeon
Oct 22nd | Bristol, UK - The Croft
Oct 23rd | Cardiff, UK - Clwb Ifor Bach
Oct 24th | Brighton, UK - Mutations Festival
Oct 27th | London, UK - Blue Basement
Oct 28th | Paris, FR - They’re Gonna Be Big Festival

i: https://www.instagram.com/whyhorses_

Photo credit: Ren Faulkner

Cardiff's finest The Family Battenberg have revealed details of their highly anticipated forthcoming debut album Super Deluxe, due for release on 20th November via Stolen Body Records. Heading up the news is the band's ferocious new single Bed Bug, accompanied by a video featuring Getdown Services Ben Sadler in an Oscar nomination worthy performance. Speaking more about the track, the band say: “A lot of our songs sound like they’re about shagging, but aren’t, except this one sort of is. Bed Bug is about mites. How would a bed bug feel about getting obsessed with the person in the bed? We wrote it in a tent backstage at a festival in Orléans that we’d turned up three hours too early too because none of us speak French, demo’ing it there and then with no amps, and Billy hitting a guitar case for percussion. Even then we knew we wanted it to sound big. We’d spent nine months of 2025 not coming up with any new songs we were happy with, but this one thankfully broke our streak, and came to define the outlook of the new record”. Take a listen/watch below. 

Super Deluxe by The Family Battenberg - Due 20th November via Stolen Body Records

Full Tracklisting:
Cattle Driver
Fuzzy Features
Bed Bug
Feed Yer (Nganga)
Silver Doggy
Hold Me Like A Woman
Brand New Boy
I Wanna Be Your Bitch
Leatherguy
Me and My Mother

The Family Battenberg are: Eliot Jones - guitar/vocals, Ethan Duck - guitar/vocals, Billy Stillman - Drums, Jessica Pritchard-Simmons - Bass.

i: https://www.instagram.com/thefamilybattenberg

Photo Credit - Sam Stevens

Cardiff via North Wales bilingual outfit Cyn Cwsg return this week with their buzzy new single Mobius. Continuing their collaboration with producer Tom Rees (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, The Bug Club, Do Nothing, Panic Shack), “Mobius” takes inspiration from the notorious one-sided, one-edged mathematical phenomenon, weaving together dazzling psychedelic melodies and waves of fuzzy guitar. Speaking about the track, the band share: “A juxtaposition of the mind and something too complex to comprehend (a bit like your brain). A concept of projectile madness echoed through guitar tones and mental drumming. Also just a song about the möbius strip.” Take a listen below.

Live dates
22 AUG // Green Man Festival
30 AUG // London, Sebright Arms
23 OCT // Brighton, Mutations Festival

i: https://www.instagram.com/cyncwsg

Ahead of his forthcoming second album, if i don’t love you, who will ?, out October 2nd, Master Peace has this week revealed the video to latest single Sucker Punch. Directed by Ben Harris and Sophia Ogilvie, the clip sees Master Peace play out being dumped in the best way he knows how. Take a watch below. 

Alongside the album, Master Peace has also announced a series of physical releases, including a limited deluxe double vinyl edition via Dinked, available exclusively through independent record stores. Fans who pre-order the deluxe vinyl will also gain access to tickets for an intimate UK record shop tour, while standard vinyl editions, signed posters, CDs, T-shirts and keyrings are available through his official store - https://masterpeace.ffm.to/loveyourselftour

Instore touring: 
September 30 - Fighting Cocks/Banquet - Kingston 
October 2 - Truck - Oxford 
October 3 - Rough Trade - Denmark Street 
October 4 - Rough Trade - Nottingham
October 5 - Vinilo - Southampton
October 6 - Just Dropped - Coventry 
October 7 - Jacaranda - Liverpool
October 8 - Jumbo -Leeds
October 9 - ASSAI - Glasgow
October 10 - ASSAI - Edinburgh  

i: https://www.instagram.com/masterpeaceldn

Photo Credit: Clémentine Schneidermann | @clementine.schneidermann

Following hot on the heels of previous single's ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ and ‘Pin Up Boys’, Manchester's Westside Cowboy return with the excellent Dobro - the final taster of their upcoming debut album It Goes On, set to land August 21st through Island Records. Making its debut with Huw Stephens on BBC 6 Music, the track pairs Jimmy Bradbury’s commanding lead vocal with the signature harmonies of Aoife Anson O’Connell, unfolding through crisp, skittering percussion and fuzz-laden guitars. Speaking about the single, Westside Cowboy shared: "This is our strut song, over 2 minutes in length but just under 3. A song for perhaps a younger self? For that moment of waiting and isolation in the hopes of a return. Or it could just be a song about a weird guitar. Who knows!" Take a listen for yourselves below.

 

LIVE DATES
06.08 - Haldern Pop, Haldern, Germany
08.08 - Winterthurer, Winterthurer, Switzerland
09.08 - Weinturm Open Air. Windsheim, Germany
12.08 - Paredes De Coura, Paredes, Portugal
14.08 - Oya, Oslo, Norway
15.08 - Way Out West, Gothenburg, Sweden
19.08 - Resident Brighton (Record Store Show)
20.08 - Rough Trade East (Record Store Show - 4pm)
20.08 - Rough Trade East (Record Store Show - 7pm) (Sold Out)
21.08 - Green Man, Wales, UK
25.08 - Jumbo Leeds (Record Store Show)
27.08 - Rough Trade Liverpool (Record Store Show - 4pm)
27.08 - Rough Trade Liverpool (Record Store Show - 7pm) (Sold Out)
28.08 - Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK
30.08 - Reading Festival, Reading, UK
03.09 - Rough Trade Nottingham (Record Store Show - 3pm)
03.09 - Rough Trade Nottingham (Record Store Show - 6pm) (Sold Out)
28.10 - Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands (Sold Out)
29.10 - Paradiso THT, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Sold Out)
30.10 - Helios37, Cologne, Germany
01.11 - Voxhall, Aarhus, Denmark
05.11 - Lille Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
06.11 - Lido, Berlin, Germany
07.11 - Bike Jesus, Prague, Czechia
09.11 - Arci Bellezza, Milan, Italy
10.11 - Exil, Zurich, Switzerland
12.11 - Botanique (Museum), Brussels, Belgium
13.11 - Petit Bain, Paris, France (Sold Out)
14.11 - Aeronef, Lille, France
24.11 - St Lukes, Glasgow, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
25.11 - NUSU, Newcastle, United Kingdom
26.11 - Crookes Social Club, Sheffield, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
27.11 - Irish Centre, Leeds, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
29.11 - XOYO, Birmingham, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
30.11 - 1865, Southampton, United Kingdom
01.12 - Chalk, Brighton, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
02.12 - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
04.12 - Electric Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (Sold Out)
05.12 - Albert Hall, Manchester, United Kingdom (Sold Out) 

i: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecowboyyy  

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

Following its Hottest Record first play on Radio 1 last night, Nothing But Thieves return with their third single Baby Kool (Evelyn), taken from the upcoming album ‘Stray Dogs’ released on 25th September via RCA/Sony Music. Offering more details about the single the band share, “This one felt like we wandered back into Dom's garage, where the band started. It's got one foot in glam and the other in grunge. Those two worlds’ probably shouldn't get along, which is maybe why they did. We often find that's where the interesting stuff is.” Accompanied by an intriguing (and possibly haunting) video by Maxim Kelly (Hot Chip, Shame), the track's streaming below. 

August:
Fri 21st – Edinburgh – Royal Highland Showgrounds (with Biffy Clyro)

Headline 2027 Tour Dates
January 2027:
Tues 12th – Paris – Zénith
Weds 13th – Cologne – Lanxess Arena
Fri 15th – Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome *sold out*
Sat 16th – Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome *sold out*
Mon 18th – Zurich – The Hall
Wed 20th – Munich – Olympiahalle
Thurs 21st – Lodz – Atlas Arena
Fri 22nd – Prague – O2 Universum
Sun 24th – Milan – Unipol Forum
Mon 25th – Vienna - Gasometer
Wed 27th – Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena
Fri 29th – Berlin - Max-Schmeling-Halle
Sat 30th – Hamburg - Sporthalle
Sun 31st – Antwerp – AFAS Dome

February 2027:
Tues 2nd – Dublin – 3Arena
Thurs 4th – Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena
Fri 5th – London – The O2
Mon 8th – Cardiff – Utilita Arena
Wed 10th – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
Fri 12th – Manchester – Co-Op Live
Sat 13th – Birmingham – bp pulse LIVE

March 2027:
Tues 30th – Vancouver – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Wed 31st – Seattle – Paramount Theatre

April 2027:
Thurs 1st – Portland – Crystal Ballroom
Sat 3rd – Oakland – Fox Theatre
Sun 4th – Los Angeles – Hollywood Palladium
Tues 6th – San Diego – SOMA
Wed 7th – Phoenix – The Van Buren
Fri 9th – Denver – Mission Ballroom
Sun 11th – Minneapolis – The Fillmore
Mon 12th – Chicago – The Salt Shed
Tues 13th – Detroit – The Fillmore
Thurs 15th – McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania – Roxian Theatre
Fri 16th – Philadelphia – The Fillmore
Sat 17th – New York – Brooklyn Paramount
Mon 19th – Boston – House of Blues
Tues 20th – Montreal – Mtelus
Wed 21st – Toronto – Massey Hall 

i: https://www.instagram.com/nothingbutthieves 

Credit: Anya Good

Asher White has today shared the brilliant new single Stage Diva, taken from the forthcoming new album Love Aggregates, out Aug 28th on Joyful Noise. Fuelled by fuzz-drenched guitars and effortless slacker melodies, the track serves up another irresistible glimpse of what’s still to come. Speaking about the single, Asher White shares, “A tongue-in-cheek speculative fantasy of fame and fortune wherein I admit to feeling a little uncertain about the ‘Point’ of developing a pop music enterprise; whether it reflects or belies a true love of the Scene and the Community; what the threshold of public perception is and how it may only be masturbatory ego meglomania. Like if you’re pulling up the DIY show and leaving before it’s over, for example. ‘I used to watch you shave…’ is about how I once communed with myself while shaving as a meditative workshop in gender dysphoria and vulnerability but as of last year I now only do it in the shower, blindly, where I don’t have to see myself. Musically I was thinking: ‘I would like to be in Alvvays.’” Take a listen below. 



Live Dates
Oct 20th | Boston, MA - Cantab
Oct 21st | Providence, RI - AS220
Oct 22nd | Queens, NY - TV Eye
Oct 23rd | Philadelphia, PA - Grays Ferry Warehouse
Oct 24th | Baltimore, MD - The Compound
Oct 27th | Dublin, IE - The Grand Social
Oct 29th | Glasgow, UK - Nice N Sleazy
Oct 30th | Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club
Nov 1st | Manchester, UK - The Abbey
Nov 2nd | Bristol, UK - Rough Trade
Nov 3rd | London, UK - Pitchfork Music Festival
Nov 4th | Brighton, UK - The Hope & Ruin

i: https://www.instagram.com/trasherwhite

Photo: Yana Van Nuffel

Returning with news of her highly anticipated second album I think I spoke too soon, out 16th October 2026 via Parlophone/Atlas Artists, Rachel Chinouriri has shared her glimmering new single One song away from crying. Leading with a pulsing synth beat and driving vocals, the track offers a compelling glimpse into what’s to come. “‘One song away from crying’ is about the precipice of a night out where you know you need to leave and have to make a decision. It’s a deeper decision because it’s less about the night itself but more about a reflection of a deeper internal conflict with your self value that you haven’t looked at yet”, Rachel shares. Take a listen below. 



Rachel Chinouriri live
26th August – El Rey, Los Angeles, CA
29th August – Daisy Chain Fields, Irvine, CA^
31st August – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
5th September – The Academy, Dublin, IE
8th September – 26 Leake Street, London, UK
10th September – Botanique, Brussels, BE
11th September – Trabendo, Paris, FR
13th September – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam, NL
16th September - Säälchen, Berlin, DE
2nd December – Ball Arena, Denver, CO*
3rd December – Ball Arena, Denver, CO*
6th December – Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA*
7th December – Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA*
9th December – Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ*
10th December – Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ*
14th December – Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA*

2027
16th February – Enmore Theatre, Sydney, AU
17th February – 170 Russell, Melbourne, AU

^w/ Olivia Rodrigo
*w/ Gracie Abrams

i: https://www.instagram.com/rachelchinouriri

Photo credit: Jeanne Elbez

Following on from earlier single's Go Fuck Urself and Cancel Me (I'm Tired), Fat Dog have this week unveiled their latest effort - Shit Love. Taken from the band's second album Cancel Me (I’m Tired), due October 2nd, the track leads with hyperbolic synths and pulsating electronics as its 90's rave sound takes hold. It is about “two fucking insane people who argue constantly and they are world-enders every time” says frontman Joe Love. Take a listen below. 

Instore tour
Fri 2nd October – Kingston @ Circuit (via Banquet)
Sat 3rd October – Bristol @ Rough Trade Bristol – matinee added
Sun 4th October – London @ Rough Trade East – matinee added
Mon 5th October – Sheffield @ Foundry (via Bear Tree)
Tues 6th October – Nottingham @ Rough Trade Nottingham – matinee added
Wed 7th October – Liverpool @ Rough Trade Liverpool
Thurs 8th October – Edinburgh @ Cab Voltaire (via Assai)
Fri 9th October – Newcastle @ HMV Newcastle 

Pre-order the album HERE for access.

Upcoming live dates
Sat 8th August - Pop Messe, Brno, CZ
Sat 9th August - Summer Well Festival, Buftea, RO
Sat 16th August - PALP Festival, Valais, CH
Sat 29th August – Rock’n’Roll Circus, Sheffield, UK 
Fri 4th September - PHE Festival, Tenerife, ES
Sat 5th September – End of the Road Festival, Larmer Tree Gardens, UK
Sat 12th September- Baroeg Open Air, Rotterdam, NL
17th – 19th September – Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, DE
Fri 23rd October – Mutations Festival, Brighton, UK
Sat 24th October – O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK
Wed 28th October - Doornroosje, Nijmegen, NL
Thu 29th October – De Roma, Antwerp, BE
Fri 30th October – Tivoli, Utrecht, NL – sold out
Sat 31st October – Elysee Montmarte, Paris, FR
Mon 1st November – Stereolux, Nantes FR
Tue 3rd November – Le Grand Mix, Tourcoing, FR
Wed 4th November – Die Kantine, Cologne, DE
Fri 6th November – Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin, DE
Sat 7th November – Loppen, Copenhagen, DK
Sat 14th November – Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, UK
Wed 18th November – Whelans, Dublin, IE
Thu 19th November – Whelans, Dublin, IE – sold out
Fri 20th November - Limelight, Belfast, UK
Tue 24th November – Depot, Cardiff, UK
Wed 25th November – O2 Academy, Bristol, UK
Thu 26th November – O2 Institute, Birmingham, UK
Fri 27th November – O2 Academy, Leeds, UK
Sat 28th November – Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, UK 
Thu 3rd December – Rock City, Nottingham, UK

Tickets

i: https://www.instagram.com/fatdogfatdogfatdog_  

credit: Hannah Jane Murrell

Following on from last month's single Lunch Money, Naarm/Melbourne new wave/post-punk outfit Radio Free Alice have today shared their scintillating new effort Kick in the Shins. "‘Kick in the Shins’ is a fusion of two songs that never felt all the way complete," Learmonth says of the new track. "We loved the verse of one of them and the chorus of the other, and it worked when we combined the two. At its core, it explores the feeling of being confused by the culture around you, and the isolation that often comes with that confusion." Take a listen below. 

Live Dates
24th Jul - Sheffield, UK - Tramlines Festival
25th Jul - Abingdon, UK - Truck Festival
31st Jul - Derbyshire Dales, UK - Y Not Festival
8th Aug - Newquay, UK - Boardmasters Festival
14th Aug - Gothenburg, SE - Way Out West Festival
21st Aug - Saint Pölten, AT - Frequency Festival
23rd Aug - Istanbul, TR - Babylon Soundgarden Festival
27th Aug - Oost-Vlieland, NL - Into The Great Wide Open Festival
29th Aug - Reading, UK - Reading Festival
18th Sep – Chicago, US – Riot Fest

i: https://www.instagram.com/radiofreealiceband/