Discover some of the best new music from emerging artists in Liverpool, Manchester and all the beautiful places in between!
Pyncher
Manchester-based Alternative Rock Outfit Pyncher have released a new enthralling single titled ‘Get Along’. The young quartet’s latest single is crammed with layers providing a multifaceted listen, one full of depth, moodiness and just the right amount of playfulness.
It has a big energy to it provided by Britt Dewhurst’s skill on the bass, Harvey O’Toole’s fiery dexterity on guitar, Jack Rainbow’s zealous drumming and Sam Blakely’s electrifying and gritty vocals. Right from the start we see the playful side of Pyncher through the opening vocals which chant and echo eventually fading into Harvey's strumming. There’s a shift in energy about two minutes in, breaking with earlier repetitions.
This section provides a bluesy feel as you hear the soulful sound of a brass instrument in the background. While ‘Get Along’ provokes a primarily upbeat, headbanging sound, it has a prominent eerie and melancholic undertone that is maintained throughout, even during the bluesy shift.
Words by Beatrice Wright
Chloe Slater
Few artists capture the tension of modern disillusionment quite like Manchester's Chloe Slater. On her second EP, ‘Love Me Please’, she combines explosive riffs with biting commentary, establishing herself as one of the most compelling voices of her generation. This isn’t just another Indie-Pop record; it’s a bold declaration, a raw reflection of a generation that is both disillusioned and defiant.
The EP features snarling guitars, tight percussion, and lyrics dripping with frustration and strikes the perfect balance between assertion and quiet vulnerability, making it a raw, urgent, and instantly addictive collection. Flirting with Indie Sleaze and Rock bravado, tracks like ‘We’re Not the Same’ wrap searing class commentary in irresistibly bright hooks. Yet, ‘Fig Tree’ is the EP’s emotional core. Slow-burning and deeply vulnerable, its blend of vulnerability and conviction makes it an instant standout, evoking shades of Blur or Smashing Pumpkins.
With her second EP, Slater refines her sound and sharpens her voice, proving she’s more than ready to stand among the genre’s most astute social commentators. ‘Love Me Please’ is confident, intelligent, and deeply felt—a bold step forward for the rising star.
Words by Donovan Livesey
Parlours
'Paradox' by Parlours is a powerful rock anthem that bears weight from the first note. The opening instrumentals are loud and slicing, teasing hooks that emerge later in the track. As the song builds, heavy breakdowns accompany atmospheric vocals and instrumentation to create an elevating, cathartic release. The track is full of absorbing themes, in particular, the striking line “Come as you are” which serves as a reminder of acceptance amidst burden.
Experiential lines like “Father Time is calling, he said I’ve wasted it on you” evoke the frustration and regret of lost time, while “Finally found my purpose, it ain’t chasing after you” demonstrates a sense of self-realisation and independence. The imagery of clouds rolling over ties into the theme of time passing, adding a sense of inevitability which is reflected in the ever-imminent heavy instrumental segments. 'Paradox' leaves listeners with a feeling of raw emotion and empowerment, making it a powerful statement by Parlours.
Words by Cormac O'Carroll
Oh Dear
Providing a well-needed escape from the reality of British winter, Dream Pop duo Oh Dear take a shift in sound in their latest single ‘Backseat’, slowing down the tempo to take a moment to reflect. Perfectly encapsulating the feeling of driving aimlessly through the streets in the early hours of the morning, ‘Backseat’ has become our new favourite track to reconnect with life.
Katie’s soft vocals combined with layers of jangly, reverberating guitar, echo the need to take a step back and appreciate life. These layers blend together with roomy drum beats and twinkling synths to create a texture that makes you feel like you are dancing in the rain. Then halfway through the track we are able to pause and reflect along with the band as the beat slows, leading us into an intermission where the jangly guitar and glittering synths take a break before transporting us back into dreamland again.
Words by Annalyse Slater-Jones
Sleeping Together
With their bouncy new single ‘The Essentials’, Manchester's Sleeping Together, have captured a reckless and blurry moment of drunkenness and youth. Stern pulse on the drums and an addictive tone on the guitar instigate an easy and perky listen for their audience.
Repetition of vocals makes this a totally catchy tune, and the added reverb on the lyrics “there’ll be no recollection of tonight” cleverly imitates a drunken soundscape in our ears, whilst the humming groove of the bassline grounds us. Giving us a taste of what’s to come with the release of their second EP out later this year, this single brings us an upbeat excitement whilst we look forward to more from the band. An utterly thrilling Indie tune that is gasping for summer festival performances, surrounded by pints and pals.
Words by Rachel Puk
GONDOLAS
Irish/Liverpudlian Indie Rock band GONDOLAS have returned with their new single ‘All For The Best’. From the very start, the song conveys the clear message that in life it isn’t about winning; but the struggles, lessons and quiet victories along the way. The standout line, "ran the rat race, crossed the wrong line / kept my own pace, took my damn time" captures that defiant acceptance of choosing your own path in life rather than a route that’s been imposed on you.
Musically the track blends raw energy with nostalgic Indie influences. The distorted, heavy guitars channel the untamed energy of early Strokes records, whilst embodying the spirit of embracing your own journey in life. The guitar solo is both technically impressive and expressive of this idea, allowing frontman Ben to deliver the next chorus with renewed intensity and belief. Meanwhile, the backing bass melodies provide a melodic lift that add an extra dimension to the song. With its blend of raw emotion and determined resilience, ‘All For The Best’ tells you to take the long road; a key reminder that the journey matters more than the destination.
Martha Cowan
Martha Cowan’s recent single ‘Helpless’ is a call of fear in an ever changing world. Martha wrote the single after the results from the recent US election and the feelings that emerged consequently. The stripped-back single encapsulates a vulnerability. This vulnerability is exhibited through her soft, angelic vocals and the steady strums of the acoustic guitar throughout.
The strumming sets to slowly rock the listener in an ultimate feeling of melancholy. But not to worry, it's not all helpless as the title of the song suggests. The introduction of the violins later in the song builds the texture and creates a sensation of comfort. Cowan’s fearlessness to be vulnerable is comforting, she uncovers a strength in sadness which is admirable. Meanwhile, the song discovers a beauty in sadness, which results in a listen that pulls on your heart strings.
Words by Lula Ljamalari
See Emily Play
Singer-songwriter See Emily Play has developed a musical sound that transcends multiple genres. Her previous work has been likened to Alt-Country and Indie-Rock. Having developed a love for music in childhood, the artist has collaborated with her brother Tom on this newest single, bringing a unique synergy to the recording process. Describing the sound of her latest release the Liverpool-based musician said "I wanted Do You Love Me to sound like the female-fronted rock bands of the 70s and 80s" attributing this sound to the punchy Fender Rhodes, pulsing bass line and a driving rhythm section.
The blending of musical influences is heavily apparent in the musician’s newest single ‘Do You Love Me’ a track that although released on Valentine's Day, is not necessarily a love song but more so fueled by lust and longing. The track opens with a moody, understated groove before building into a dynamic, emotionally charged anthem. As the song progresses, the instrumentation swells, driving the momentum forward till it reaches urgency, mirroring the repeated plea, "Do You Love Me". The Vocals, reminiscent of an early Kate Bush, begin with a haunting quality that only grows in strength and intensity as the track develops.
Words by Mya Kupfuwa
Pet Snake
Under the shiny new alias of Pet Snake, singer-songwriter Evelyn Halls is carving her own path into the Indie Folk mountain with her latest EP ‘Hard (Easy Versions)’. It is a sentimentally uncouth exposè of beautiful sadness that takes the bones of her 2024 EP 'Hard' and informs it with fragile, stripped-back instrumentals and stellar vocal work.
Evelyn Hall’s nuanced lyrical sentiments offer a sense of literary vulnerability alongside tear-provoking acoustics almost akin to the likes of Boygenius and Clairo. Inspirations stemming from the Indie Folk scene are dynamically layered to produce a rich warmth in each track.
Her vocals shimmer delectably, creating a well-rounded run of whispering stories. Evelyn Halls is clearly taking her new path in her stride, opening up her heart as she goes along to truly examine the brief nature of human existence and the emotions existing alongside life. (Read the full EP review here).
Words by Michaela Roper
Permanent (Joy)
Permanent (Joy)’s first offering of the new year boasts an exploration into distorted guitar riffs and gloomy vocal work backed by high-power drum beats.
Their new single ‘I Wanna Go Home’ turns the page of a new chapter for the band as they re-emerge onto the Indie Rock scene. The Merseyside rockers have conducted a clean sonic break from their former journey under the alias of Blondes, leaning into their heavier musical inspirations to produce a track infused with darker, postmodern elements.
Holding a likeness to some of Fontaines D.C’s latest work, the song is bold in nature but infused with the pre-loved dinginess associated with Indie Rock. It’s heavy, energetic, and manifests a landmark turn towards the band’s domination of the local music cycle.
Permanent (Joy) are certainly one to keep your eye on as they come off the back of stellar performances supporting Inhaler and The Guestlist.
Words by Michaela Roper
catbandcat
If you can think back to the last time you chased a slightly tipsy spirit through a densely packed forest, you can imagine catbandcat’s new EP, ‘I Don’t Know Much About Rocks’. The EP begins with a cacophony of wobbly sound effects creating a bed on which a beautiful, piercing voice lays. Hauntingly melancholy atmospheres blend with classical strings and a voice that tiptoes around a wonky synth.
They have a healthy degree of experimentation mid way through, as is seen in ‘Giv£ M£ Mon£y’ where the eccentricity of Cosmo Sheldrake meets the electronic beats of SOPHIE, a combination that may sound strange if it wasn’t found in this EP, where it sits quite perfectly. We can only think that by the end of the EP, the spirit must be laying, like a child does after a party, in blissful wonder, having been launched from the static glow of space to the murky depths of the sea, tired by their evening yet yearning for more. catbandcat will give you this experience, just let them lead you.
Words by Esme Morgan-Jones
Funeralcare
Funeralcare, an Electro-Indie group with a fresh energetic sound, have delivered an engaging debut EP in 'Marathon' that blends athletic themes with reflective lyrics. With its mix of upbeat tempos and introspective semantics, the EP showcases their potential to carve out a unique space in the Indie scene.
The group’s sound is anchored in the blurring of lines, blending melodic guitar with danceable rhythms. Their tracks are laced with layers of electronic textures that create a dreamy yet grounded vibe. Lyrically, the EP’s themes revolve around the struggles of unrequited love and the uncertainty of romance, often comparing these emotions to the experience of running. Tracks like 'Semi-skimmed' echo this metaphor, with lines like “I can’t ask you what you came to the track for” and “can’t keep up like I did before” illustrating the exhaustion and disconnection felt in a one-sided or miscommunicated relationship. With their unique fusion of electronic and Indie elements, coupled with evocative lyrics, they’ve set a solid foundation for future releases.
Words by Cormac O'Carroll
better joy
better joy is the ultimate cool girl, perfect for fans of Rachel Chinouriri and Baby Queen. Her newest single ‘Waiting on Time’ strikes a perfect balance with a toe-tapping rhythm and an upbeat chorus, combined with beautiful storytelling that perfectly captures a sense of yearning and longing.
With lyrics like "I see a ladder to a midnight star" and "I see a forest / I see the roots on fire", this song is pure poetry. More poppy than some of her previous singles, the pre-chorus in particular is a masterpiece and the highlight of the song, doing a brilliant job of building tension ahead of the earworming chorus
‘Waiting on Time’ is the latest in a series of singles, each as impeccably well-written and polished as the last, and we can’t wait to hear what she comes out with next. Catch her on tour this Spring, which includes Night & Day Cafe in Manchester.
Words by Beth Turner
Odelia
Although originally from the other side of the pond in Baltimore, Odelia is currently based in Liverpool and is leaving her mark on the Northern music scene. With the release of her most recent single ‘Run’, it's clear that she has perfected the art of blending hauntingly emotional lyrics and distinct guitar instrumentals to create a strikingly experimental and complex song.
Accompanied by a visually beautiful music video, Odelia manages to exhibit her artistic talents and potential for future projects. Through her assertive lyric “I was not prepared to run” that creeps up throughout the song, Odelia makes it clear she’s confident in crafting a motif that resonates with listeners. As the story unfolds we are reminded that she is escaping something and, although it is a personal story she tells, it resonates with all of us struggling with finding an escape.
Odelia has crafted a single which is not only beautiful to listen to, but gets us excited to see what she's releasing in the future.
Words by Matilda Jane Sangster
Leeroy Salmon
Leeroy Salmon, a Manchester-based Jazz Punk band, released their first debut single ‘Kim Chi’ it does not disappoint.
‘Kim Chi’ offers a concoction of genres with its juxtaposing verses of loud Punk Rock shouting and quieter harmonious lyricism, that embody the elements of Jazz. The intro blends together the sounds of beautiful Punk drums and catchy electric guitar riffs, so that it is impossible not to instantly love this song.
Despite being a small fish in the big music production pond, Leeroy Salmon have already made a splash in the industry, performing some high intensity, high energy gigs last year. In light of their new release plan on doing many more. The band writes that “this has been in the pipeline for a long time and we are super hyped to be kicking off the new year in style”.
With loads more on the horizon this year this band is definitely one to add to this year's playlist.
Words by Megan Howard
Mayflower
Mayflower combine mellow vocals with grungy guitar to create a Garage-Rock sound. New single ‘My Girl’ is a story of unrequited love and longing - lyrics like "I wish you were mine" and "she’s my world / give anything to see her smile / but I’m not alone" are melancholy and nostalgic, but the guitar keeps the track moving and keeps it the right side of maudlin.
If you’re a fan of Grungey Indie-Rock, ‘My Girl’ is definitely one to add to your playlist. Catch them headlining The Castle Hotel in Manchester on January 31st.
Words by Beth Turner
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