Beautiful things can be born out of unfavorable moments. Last year, FKA Twigs had visa issues that resulted in her canceling Eusexua shows, including a Coachella set. A couple of days ago, Twigs posted on social media about how she first handled the news. Initially, she couldn’t believe it, instead choosing to dance the pain away, hoping her circumstances would change with each twist of her body. The movement didn’t secure a new visa, but it did bring about the new song “On Your Mind” featuring Lil Yachty, which is out today.
The Strokes’ rollout for new album Reality Awaits has not gone smoothly. Some fans have revolted against Julian Casablancas’ use of Auto-Tune on “Going Shopping” and “Falling Out Of Love,” to the point that guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. felt compelled to go on the record insisting that he doesn’t hate the new material. The band’s other founding guitarist, Nick Valensi, took an unexplained hiatus from the group in the middle of the campaign, and he hasn’t yet returned. Then the release date was pushed back by a month, from June 26 to July 24. Now Hammond has offered a rationale for that moved.
ill peach’s CRASH COURSE DUMMY is a razor-sharp dose of grit-pop attitude, channeling social anxiety, awkward self-awareness, and outsider energy into something irresistibly infectious. Fueled by punchy guitars, punchier hooks, and a delightfully chaotic edge, the track captures the discomfort of trying too hard to belong while embracing the freedom that comes from eventually letting go. Beneath its playful sarcasm and rebellious spirit lies a surprisingly relatable emotional core, exploring the exhausting performance of social acceptance with wit and honesty. The duo’s knack for balancing raw emotion with explosive indie-rock energy keeps the song both cathartic and wildly entertaining. Equal parts snarky, vulnerable, and addictive, CRASH COURSE DUMMY hits like a sugar-rush anthem for anyone who’s ever felt out of place in a crowded room.
When Rivers Meet have released their fifth studio album, Rhythm Rust & Static, which is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
The UK duo of Grace and Aaron Bond continue to expand their signature blend of blues and alternative rock on the new release. One of the few fully independent UK acts to earn two Official UK Top 10 albums, When Rivers Meet have built a strong following while remaining outside the traditional major-label system.
The new album follows 2025’s Addicted To You, which featured a more polished and expansive production approach. For Rhythm Rust & Static, the band opted for a rawer, more immediate sound inspired by the atmosphere and imperfections of the records that influenced them growing up.
According to the band, the album was shaped by a desire to create something more instinctive and authentic, embracing a stripped-back approach that highlights the energy of the performances.
“We’ve never followed the music industry rulebook, and this album is another step in that journey,” said Grace Bond. “Every decision we’ve made has been about staying true to who we are as artists, and Rhythm Rust & Static reflects that freedom. As for our fifth studio album, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and grateful for the support that’s helped us get here. We’re so excited to take these songs out on the road and connect with people through them… these songs were written for the road!”
In addition to the album release, When Rivers Meet have also unveiled the new single “Horizon.” The track explores themes of uncertainty and perseverance, focusing on trusting the journey even when the destination remains unclear.
The release continues the momentum for the duo, who were named Planet Rock Radio’s Best New Band in 2021 and scored a Top 4 UK album in 2025 with Addicted To You.
The band will support the release of Rhythm Rust & Static with a UK tour later this year.
2026 Rhythm Rust & Static Tour Dates
July 23 – Arts Centre, Colchester July 24 – Forum, Tunbridge Wells August 7 – The Witham, Barnard Castle August 8 – The Cluny 2, Newcastle August 21 – Acapela, Cardiff August 22 – The Boileroom, Guildford September 3 – The Parish, Huddersfield September 4 – MacArts, Galashiels September 5 – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh September 6 – Lemon Tree, Aberdeen September 17 – The Fleece, Bristol September 18 – Norwich Arts Centre October 1 – Arlington Arts, Newbury October 2 – Black Prince, Northampton
Welcome to Four Records! Each episode, we feature one guest as they discuss the four records that helped shape them at four different times in their life. This week, Forrest speaks with Ben Haberland, singer and songwriter of the band Onesie. Their newest album, Way Thousand Bump To The Sky, is out now on Sell the Heart Records. The band has a record relase show, join them if you are in the area:
South Arcade have announced their biggest UK headline tour to date, and they’ll be hitting up some huge venues.
Fresh from dominating Download Festival’s main stage over the weekend, the Welcome to the Real World Tour will kick off in Belfast on February 07. From there, the band will be stopping off in Dublin, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham, Nottingham, Norwich, Cardiff and Bristol, culminating with a massive London show at O2 Academy Brixton on February 25.
Speaking about the tour, the band have shared:
“We are so excited to be back out touring the UK and Ireland again, as well as our first time headlining in the EU! This is easily our biggest tour to date and it cannot come soon enough – now we just need to make sure we have enough space in our trailer for all the amps!”
Check out all of the dates below.
FEBRUARY
7: BELFAST Limelight 8: DUBLIN 3Olympia 10: LEEDS O2 Academy 12: MANCHESTER Academy 1 13: NEWCASTLE NX 14: GLASGOW Barrowlands 16: BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy 18: NOTTINGHAM Rock City 19: NORWICH UEA 21: CARDIFF Great Hall 22: BRISTOL O2 Academy 25: LONDON O2 Brixton
Def Manic’s NO DRAMA is a sharp, confident slice of contemporary hip-hop that thrives on charisma, attitude, and infectious energy. Blending sleek production with effortlessly fluid delivery, the track moves with the swagger of an artist fully in command of his craft. Def Manic balances playful bravado with razor-sharp lyricism, creating a sound that feels equally suited for late-night drives, packed parties, and repeat listens through headphones. The production remains polished yet punchy, providing the perfect backdrop for his dynamic flow and memorable hooks. Catchy, stylish, and packed with personality, NO DRAMA is an undeniable banger that reinforces Def Manic’s knack for crafting hip-hop that is both accessible and distinctively his own.
In early 2027, metalcore unity Bury Tomorrow will embark on headline tour over the European lands. Stick To Your Guns, Elwood Stray and Windwaker will be joining them as support. Read more…
Boundaries have shared another taste of their upcoming album ‘Yearning: the unbeautiful after’, and it strikes the perfect balance between beautiful and blistering.
Photo credit: Perrier Leigh
Titled ‘May this pain never leave’, it’s a brutal, visceral depiction of grief, and the unpredictable, ever-changing process of going through loss. Written in the wake of the 2025 plane crash that claimed the lives of Dave Shapiro, Kendall Fortner, and Emma Huke along with three others, it’s a painfully poignant listen at points, but an extremely vital one.
Speaking on the track, vocalist Matthew McDougal has said:
“The premise of the song is laid out very plainly and intentionally. It exists as an extension of the Colin Parkes quote: ‘The pain of grief is just as much a part of life as the joy of love; it is, perhaps, the price we pay for love, the cost of commitment.With the sudden and violent loss of a number of people close to the band this past year it became impossible to not write about the bereavement and the subsequent emotions. As much as it hurts to miss these people, I hope with all my heart it never stops so that I may miss them with the weight and significance they deserve.”
Boundaries’ latest album ‘Yearning: the unbeautiful after’ will be released on July 17 via Sumerian Records.
On the album, Matthew has said:
“With the record, we aimed to be uncompromising and really plant our flag. As more time passes, heavy music continues to lose its teeth. This genre is supposed to be threatening; it should have an edge and make you feel something. We tried to create an album with urgency.”
“The title, Yearning, is base level. What do you want from life, relationships, or whatever you spend time on? Time is the only resource with any real value; it’s the only thing you can’t get more of. You should deeply consider anything you choose to spend time on. The subtitle, the unbeautiful after, refers to the eventuality of what you’ve spent your time doing. The main questions are ‘What did you give yourself to? What is important to you? Where did it lead you?’”
