Tag Archives: New Music 2026

CLUB LEX.

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So, if I was to pin down my dream sound in a band it would be something along the lines of the smoothness of Sade, the energy and style of The Cramps and The Gun Club, the slickness of Ritchie Valens, the essence of the Ramones and the delightful strangeness of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Put that altogether and you’d have my ideal sound. I’ve found it in many bands I’ve written about (or not yet written about) and in bands I absolutely adore. In everything, I look for the same feeling I got when I heard Seventeen Seconds record by The Cure and Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain.

I only heard of Club Lex a couple of days ago where I saw they were playing a show with Divorce Finance (insane band!) and wanted to check them out. I am SO glad I did because I THINK I have found my new favourite band. The capture everything I love about music, everything I’d want my dream band to sound like. They are just perfect. I think the drummer is the lead singer so that’s another cool thing about them! They absolutely do sound a bit like The Cramps which is always a good thing. They have a sound that resembles the A Date With Elvis, which is fine by me! It’s up there as one of my favourite records. Club Lex have (I think) one release out, and it’s an EP from last year called Welcome To The Club.

Welcome To The Club is a perfect introduction to the band, and these 5 songs were made to fry your brain and hypnotise your mind and body. These 5 songs are bloody powerful, and they do make you feel like you urgently need more. We all have to be patient here. It’s such a strong record, and the whole thing feels like it could be the soundtrack to a really twisted film. Shirley definitely feels like it could be on the soundtrack to a questionable and creepy film. The best songs give off that feeling and Club Lex do it so, so well. Although they are a relatively new band, their sound does make you feel as if you’ve experienced this before. You feel like maybe in a past life, you heard this band. Bands like that are so special, and I really cannot wait to hear more from them.

Their music is like a glorious whirlwind. Like you’re in an old Western film and you’re trying to escape far far away from your surroundings. Every song is delivered with such urgency and passion that you want injecting into your soul. I love what I’ve heard so far, and I really cannot wait to hear more and more from them. A sound like this is hard to perfect and to just nail. They’ve made it sound so easy and if they sound like this on record, then I’m pretty sure their live shows will be equally as impressive and intense.

So, if you’re looking for something to throw you back and forth in time. Something that makes you feel like you’ve ended up somewhere you shouldn’t have or you just want something so beautifully weird to adore and listen to- then Club Lex are the band for you. I know nothing about this band and there’s nothing about them online, which is absolutely fine! It just means you’ll always be seeking this band out, waiting for them to appear in a town near you. And when they do, you must simply go see them because they are truly something else. I could write thousands of words on this band and why their sound just speaks to me, but the music does all the talkin’ here. I’m hooked; I’m all in.

They have this sound that I cannot quite describe but I know it’s just got that something I always look for in music. They’ll terrify you; they’ll make you buy whatever it is they are selling and you will thank them for it. Honestly, one of the most exciting bands we will hear all year. I’ve fallen in love. I am HOME!

BRUISE CONTROL: Bruise Control EP.

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The best band from Manchester are BACK with a bloody delightful EP and let me tell you- it will make your day brighter, louder, and so much better. Last night I had a nice, gentle, and delicate time at NoSo’s incredible show and now it’s time for some balance. That delicious grit. That decadent loudness and effortlessly slick sounds of Bruise Control. Something to add some spice to my Friday afternoon. And also, will be my soundtrack to the gym later on. Even though right now, I’d LOVE to go have nap for 12 hours.

This EP is 6 songs and 16 minutes long. This weekend they are celebrating the release by doing some special shows in Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester. I’ll be at 2 out of 3 of them, and I cannot wait. By Tuesday, I will be a shell of a person and probably unable to hear yet again. Last time I saw the Bruisers, I was stood RIGHT by the speaker and couldn’t hear properly until the following afternoon. Cannot wait!

Alright, so the EP is clearly a work of art. It’s brilliant and perfectly sums up why the Bruisers are the best around. The best at what they do. Nothing and no one comes remotely close to this band, and I just bloody love them. I feel that everything I could possibly write about this band has been done and I’d just be repeating myself but, sometimes you need to repeat yourself in order to be heard! So, for the (let’s exaggerate) MILLIONITH time, Bruise Control are excellent. They really are. That’s all there is to it to be honest. I just adore this band and all they stand for. I just love that you can tell how much they love what they do and how much they love each other. If you’ve ever been to a Bruise Control show, you will know how rowdy it can get but also how silly and full of love it is. It’s a beautiful environment to be in. Yeah, sure people are sweaty and slamming their bodies into each other, but it’s done with love and respect. Someone falls down, you pick ‘em up. Don’t be a dick.

The self-titled EP is a great into for those who may have never listened to the band before but it’s also a reminder for us obsessives that this band aren’t messing around. Bands like this are rare. They genuinely love what they do, and you truly sense that on this EP. The band sound so strong on this record, and that’s right from the jump on the opener Be Like You. That yell from Jim lets you know you are home. You’re right where you need to be. You’re listening to the band you should be listening to. Every single song has this beautiful snarl to it. My cat is currently sat next to me as I play the EP loud for the god knows how many times today. She’s not fussed. Little Mary is a Bruiser too! Be Like You is a solid way to start the record, and from there on in you are body slammed into some insane anthems. Left Behind will RIP live. There’s no way that anyone can stand still for this one!

On the EP are also the hits Spinners Mill and Gone To Ground (this live is unreal!) and these are moments again where the Bruisers truly shine. That’s all they ever do. Every song feels like you’re being thrown about and smacked upside the head, and you’re anything but angry about it. It’s like they are waking you up and making sure you truly feel alive. The EP was also co-produced by the band’s guitarist, Niall which makes it extra special.

In 16 minutes, they give you 6 very good reasons as to why they are the best band around. The EP is fast, loud, raw, and unapologetically in your face. Everything a solid record should be. It’ll wake you up for sure and it’ll make you feel alive. It’s the kind of record you stick on repeat and shout every single word to. They’ve outdone themselves once again, and it’s just further proof that these Bruisers get better every single time. The future is theirs to grab and do whatever they want to it. What a bloody band!

What I love about the band is their way to get across the pains of daily life. Those frustrations that are caused by corrupt scumbags in power, who are painfully out of touch with the world around them. Thank god we have bands like Bruise Control. Put them in power!

The band are doing some in-store shows this weekend and also headed out on a bigger tour. All dates can be found here: UPCOMING GIGS | Bruise Control – Punk/Garage/Indie from Manchester.

Go see ‘em and go have your mind fully blown (as well as your eardrums.)

VIVA BRUISE CONTROL! Free Palestine. Protect the Trans community. Be fucking nice to each other.

WHTVRMNS.

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Writing about bands who have only a couple of songs out can be tough but, BUT when they sound this good- it’s pretty easy to write about how great they are.

I’m on a serious gig comedown from seeing Deftones in Glasgow last week. My heart belongs to Glasgow. I don’t think I’ve ever fallen so in love so fast with a city before. Anyway, pining for a city out of the way- I need to write about a really cool and exciting band called WHTVRMNS. There’s only a couple of songs available online for you to fall helplessly in love with. They’re supporting WAVVES in Manchester tomorrow night, and honestly, there’s no better band to support them.

The two songs they have up on Spotify (yes, I know Spotify is bad) are killer. They’re the perfect introduction to the band and they make you feel like you’ve stepped back and forth in time. There’s no way you can pin a label on this band, and something tells me that their live shows will be just as ethereal as sitting listening to their gorgeous sounds through headphones. I’ve struggled to want to write about music for a little while, but when you find bands like this- something clicks.

Whatever Remains and Silence (Calling Your Name) are the two songs they currently have online, and whatever they grace us with next will also be a treat for the ears. Whatever Remains reminds me slightly of WAVVES which I guess makes them a solid choice for support but that aside, it’s a heavy anthem to blast as loud as you possibly can. I think the band are from Manchester which is probably why they are so good! The North know how to do it. They make the kind of music that makes you feel like you can close the world off for a bit and fall into your own mind and thoughts, then you come up for air, and all is okay again. That’s what I get from Whatever Remains, and I really cannot wait to hear more from them. You know instantly when you’ve found something to truly treasure, and I got that instantly from WHTVRMNS. Silence (Calling Your Name) has this early 90s Grunge feel to it, but not in a way that others have tried to copy. This feels different, and it sounds right. You can’t help but play it loudly, and on repeat. This band are doing something truly special here and if they can do it with just two songs then there is no telling what is next for them. A real joy to listen to.

There’s a lot to love and adore about this band, and I love the heaviness in their sound. I really cannot wait to see them tomorrow night. Always go for the support bands. Always, always make time for them because you may just find your new favourite band.

This won’t be the last time I write about the band for sure. I really cannot wait to hear more from them.

KÜKEN : PALERMO EP.

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Part of me was wanting to sort of stop writing about music for a little while, but a couple of days ago a band I am utterly obsessed with released an EP. Now, whenever KÜKEN release anything, I HAVE to write about it, and this EP is definitely worth writing about.

The new EP, Palermo is around 6 minutes long and in those 6 minutes you can absolutely hear why KÜKEN are one of the best around. It was a lovely surprise on Wednesday to get a notification that a new EP had been released and I’m still holding out for a UK tour. Maybe I should start playing the lottery so I can fund my favourite bands to tour! Anyway, enough of the dreamin.’  This EP is wild and it’s a beautiful way to start 2026. Let’s hope it’s better than 2025 because last year as fucking awful.

The 4 songs on the EP are perfect for those who have yet to listen to the genius and wonder that is KÜKEN, and for those of us who are already obsessed with them- well, it’s just bloody great to have the best band from Germany back. The title track smacks you right in the face, and my god it feels GOOD. For me, KÜKEN are a band I just need to see live because not only does their music mean everything to me, but I just also adore the energy their music has. They just have this way of making you feel like you’re watching them record these songs for the first time and it’s just you and them. But you know that their live shows are probably the wildest you’ll ever see. I can only liken that a KÜKEN show is probably like a Bruise Control show. Carnage and a joy to witness.

I’ve played the EP countless of times since Wednesday and although it’s around 6 minutes, having it on repeat is good for the soul and ears. For me, it’s all about Grass Green. This could be up there as being one of my favourite songs by them. The whole record makes you feel like you’re on a road trip with the band. Neither of you know where you’re going or how long it’ll take to get there, but who cares! That element of freedom in their sound is what’s addictive. They have such a distinctive sound and it’s so obvious on this EP, and their sound is one to constantly fall in love with. Split Mind is the band at their loudest and makes you feel like you’re riding a motorbike exceptionally fast (but safe) without a care in the world.

The EP ends with the sensational Ocean Breeze; I love how the EP feels like a holiday with the band. Palermo is the start of the trip, Grass Green and Split Mind are the events in the middle of the trip and Ocean Breeze concludes the getaway. In just 6 minutes, KÜKEN have created a beast of an EP and one I will be having on repeat for some time- they’re a band I always listen to, and sometimes when I want to get that love for music and to write about it, they massively help. If the EP is an indication to a possible new full-length album, then it will definitely make this year truly special.

Some bands right from the jump become a massive part of your life and record collection, and KÜKEN are easily one of those bands. The Palmero EP is the band at their very best and of course, at their loudest. Play it loud, constantly.

Palermo is out now via Alien Snatch! Records.