A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers Are Cacophonous on “Towers of Silence” (EP Premiere)
A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, a Dutch experimental collective, is premiering their new EP *Towers of Silence* ahead of its May 9 release on Lay Bare Recordings. The six‑track record shuns conventional song structures, merging sludge metal, free jazz, and ritualistic doom while employing extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation. Band members describe the project as a deliberate backlash against AI‑driven, overproduced music, aiming for raw, unfiltered expression. The EP’s chaotic yet purposeful soundscape is positioned as a countercultural statement in an era where algorithms increasingly dictate musical trends.
Ebbb Announce Debut Album Shallow Hits and Drop Sun-Drenched Single “Now You Know”
London indie trio Ebbb announced debut album Shallow Hits, releasing July 10 via Ninja Tune. The album follows the new single “Now You Know,” their most pop‑friendly track, featuring riff‑driven guitars and soaring vocals. To promote, they will launch a...
Peter Evans ‘EXTRA’ Ft. Petter Eldh and Jim Black, Digbeth Jazz, 26 May
Digbeth Jazz, the award‑winning UK Jazz Venue of the Year, will host New York trumpeter Peter Evans and his trio EXTRA on 26 May at Birmingham’s Night Owl. The concert marks the sixth stop on the band’s EU‑UK tour and reflects the...
Review: Lip Critic – ‘Theft World’
Lip Critic’s sophomore album *Theft World* translates the band’s notorious live chaos into a studio record that fuses digital‑hardcore aggression with surreal, horror‑themed lyricism. Produced by Connor Kleitz, the album features twin drummers Danny Eberle and Michael Sandvig, creating a...
Jeffrey Alexander & The Heavy Lidders – “Critical Masses”
Jeffrey Alexander & The Heavy Lidders released their second single, “Critical Masses,” ahead of the forthcoming album Liquid Donnon, scheduled for June 12, 2026. The track weaves fluid guitar lines, Verrastro’s steady drums, and a saxophone solo by Tacuma Bradley, creating a...
Poll: What Are The Greatest Guitar Solos Ever?
Rolling Stone recently refreshed its "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" ranking, sparking discussion among music enthusiasts. In his Evil Speakers column, the author uses the poll to critique the list’s cultural relevance, noting that guitar solos still provoke strong opinions despite...
Neil Brogan Shares New Single
Neil Brogan, known for his work with Girls Names and Sea Pinks, has dropped a new single that blends jangling guitar riffs with his distinctive vocal dynamics. The track features a classic loud‑quiet‑loud arrangement, giving it an immediate hook for...
Good Taste and Short Songs: Teddy Thompson on Influence, Restraint, and Never Be The Same
Veteran singer‑songwriter Teddy Thompson releases his new album Never Be The Same, his first collection of original songs in years, produced with David Mansfield. The record emphasizes restraint, concise song structures and a Stax‑inflected, country‑soul sound, reflecting Thompson’s belief that...
Dusty Lucite Shares All Your Love’n Video
Dusty Lucite’s latest single “Shmaltz” debuted with a striking video on Bandcamp this week, showcasing the band’s evolution toward a sultry, smoke‑filled sound. The track fuses hazy psychedelia with garage‑rock grit while emphasizing a relaxed, love‑centric pacing. Early listener reactions...
Kidsmoke Share New Single
Kidsmoke released a new single that fuses angular pop guitars with a soaring, heavenly vocal style. The track’s chorus pivots toward an early‑90s indie‑rock feel, evoking the aesthetic of Sarah Records and the band’s debut LP from six years ago....
SNJO with Gil Goldstein – ‘Two Gils and a Bill’
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra presented a concert titled “Two Gils and a Bill,” featuring arrangements by Gil Goldstein that merged the orchestral palette of Gil Evans with the trio‑centric repertoire of Bill Evans. Goldstein, a former Evans collaborator, re‑imagined...
The Sleeves
Jack Cooper and Tara have issued a new album, *The Sleeves*, available on Bandcamp. The record departs from their earlier Mossy Tapes collaboration, favoring spare pop structures over improvisational instrumental passages. It relies almost exclusively on the duo’s intertwined guitars...
Ivo Neame and Walter Smith III Quartet at Ronnie Scott’s
Ivo Neame’s quartet debuted at London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s, pairing the British pianist with US tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, who flew in from Boston. Both leaders are seasoned educators—Neame teaches at Guildhall and Smith chairs woodwinds at Berklee—bringing academic...
One More Slippers Single
Slippers, the indie pop trio, is set to release their new LP *Slippers 08* on June 5 through K Records/Perennial. The record delivers season‑appropriate warmth, catchy hooks, and upbeat bops that capture the band’s playful aesthetic. Lead songwriter Madeline Babuka Black shot the...
Don+t Settle (Vol. 1 – Transmissions East)
Irish singer‑songwriter Glen Hansard has issued the first installment of a career‑spanning live double‑album, Don’t Settle (Vol. 1 – Transmissions East), captured over two nights in Berlin. The record showcases a richly layered band, with brass and guitar crescendos that reimagine...
10/10 You’re Great: ‘Believes in Patterns’
The latest episode of the "10/10 You’re Great" podcast featured Alternative critic Elias Amini discussing the underrated screamo album *Believes in Patterns* by I Would Set Myself on Fire for You. The hosts also examined why teenagers should move beyond...
“The Concert that Awakened America"
Marian Anderson, the pioneering African‑American contralto, overcame segregation to become a global music icon. After being barred from Washington’s Constitution Hall in 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s protest helped secure a historic open‑air concert at the Lincoln Memorial before 75,000...
Steve Wilson – New Album ‘Enduring Sonance’ (with Renee Rosnes, Joe Locke, Jay Anderson & Kendrick Scott)
Acclaimed saxophonist Steve Wilson releases his new album "Enduring Sonance" on May 1, 2026 via Smoke Sessions Records, marking his 65th birthday. The record assembles a stellar quartet—pianist Renee Rosnes (also arranger), vibraphonist Joe Locke, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Kendrick Scott—with French‑horn virtuoso...
Modern Diet – For Now
Modern Diet, an emerging indie pop act, dropped its new single “For Now” in 2026. The breezy track, described as a summer‑stroll anthem, is available on SoundCloud and linked to the band’s Instagram presence. Reviewers note its sugary melody and...
Chance Meeting Leads to Fruitful Collaboration on Goal Weight’s “Keep Telling Yourself That”
Goal Weight’s debut album Keep Telling Yourself That emerged from a serendipitous encounter between violinist Jennifer Gersten and double‑bassist Marguerite Cox at a celebrity yoga retreat during the pandemic. The eight‑track record is fully improvised, weaving folk motifs, microtonal experiments, and avant‑garde noise...
Rising South African Soprano Is Dead at 32
South African soprano Khayakazi Madlala died unexpectedly at age 32, prompting a heartfelt statement from Cape Town Opera. Madlala, a native of Matatiele, had risen quickly in the operatic world, earning a debut at London’s Royal Opera House last year as the...
Diva Employs AI on New Videos
Bulgarian‑Swiss soprano Sonya Yoncheva has debuted IÇON, a series of AI‑augmented video singles featuring arias by Bellini and Donizetti. The videos were shot in a theatre with more than 120 on‑stage participants, and the AI studio required an additional twelve...
Pink Turns Blue @ The Lexington, London, UK, May 3, 2026
Pink Turns Blue headlined a dark‑themed concert at London’s Lexington on May 3, 2026, delivering a set that spanned their 1985 debut to the 2025 album *Black Swan*. Opening acts Greenhaus and The Snake Corps, both veteran goth‑inspired bands, warmed the crowd...
Han-Earl Park Uᴉɐƃ∀ ʍǝN sI plO sI ʇɐɥM (Buster & Friends, 2026)
Berlin‑based Korean American guitarist Han‑earl Park has released the avant‑garde album “What is Old Is New Again,” a collection of 21 solo miniatures recorded between January 2024 and February 2026. The tracks are largely first‑take improvisations that explore bizarre guitar mechanizations and...
Olly Pitcher – “Floating Through a Dream”
Olly Pitcher, the Brighton‑based electronic producer, dropped the single “Floating Through a Dream” in May 2026. The track weaves house‑inspired beats with lush, alternative synth textures, moving from tropical brightness to a moody, nocturnal vibe. It appears on Obscure Sound’s...
Hollow Howl – “Gap In The Sky”
Hollow Howl, a New Jersey post‑punk quartet, dropped their new single “Gap In The Sky” on May 5, 2026. The track showcases Rachel Mackow’s dynamic vocals over moody guitars, synth‑tinged bass and thunderous percussion, creating an art‑rock soundscape that blends brooding tension with...
The Willful Deaf – “Spirit of Youth”
The Willful Deaf’s new single “Spirit of Youth” fuses psychedelic folk with dub‑inflected rhythms, showcasing Matthew John Watts’ vulnerable, layered vocals. Guest musicians contribute banjo, mandolin, bass and keyboards, adding depth to the three‑minute track. An extended mix further amplifies...
Kreng ~ Wormhole
Belgian composer Kreng releases his first album in 11 years, "Wormhole," shifting from his signature haunted‑house ambience toward a sci‑fi narrative. The record unfolds like a film score, layering glowing drones, dissonant strings, and unconventional sounds such as crustacean skitterings...
Malcolm Todd – Earrings
Emerging indie artist Malcolm Todd released the single "Earrings," a track that heavily leans on the instrumental and sonic palette of Steve Lacy’s hit "Bad Habit." Critics across several outlets describe the song as derivative, with flat mixing, a whisper‑yell...
Weekly Listening: May 2026 #1
The weekly roundup spotlights a wave of indie releases slated for June 2026, from Alden Hellmuth’s genre‑bending album *Tether* to Alice Bradley’s meditative EP *Seismic*. Atta Boy prepares the bright pop record *Lilt*, while Brenna Bruce returns with the introspective...
Album Review: Aldous Harding, ‘Train on the Island’
Aldous Harding’s fourth album, *Train on the Island*, expands her indie‑folk roots with a kaleidoscope of synths, harp, and pedal‑steel textures. The record’s lead single “One Stop” sets a loopy piano‑driven tone, while guest musicians H. Hawkline, Thomas Poli and Seb Rochford add...
Zoh Amba – “Eyes Full”
Zoh Amba, known for sax and flute work on projects like Beings and Iggy Pop’s recent tour, is releasing a new guitar‑driven album titled "Eyes Full" on Matador Records. The record drops on June 5 and features Jim White on drums and...
The Best Albums of April 2026 – Stream Them All Here
UnderTheRadar’s April 2026 “Albums of the Month” roundup spotlights 22 full‑length releases ranging from Foo Fighters’ surprise record “Your Favorite Toy” to indie‑label gems like deary’s “Birding.” The list, compiled by editors and supplemented with Bandcamp or Spotify embeds, serves as...
🎧 Approved: Pigeon
British‑based five‑piece Pigeon has released their debut album “OUTTANATIONAL,” a genre‑spanning record that fuses afro‑disco, krautrock, punk‑funk and post‑punk. Frontman Falle Nioke delivers lyrics in six languages, drawing on West African griot traditions while navigating his own naturalisation journey. The album...
Johnny Bell – “Caldera Repose”
New‑Mexico banjoist Johnny Bell drops his third album, Mountain States, on May 8 via the indie label Centripetal Force. The record’s lead single, “Caldera Repose,” pairs low‑tuned banjo ostinatos with droning synths, distorted guitars and bowed cymbals, creating a cinematic tension....
Of Montreal Shares Video for New Song “Already Dreaming” Directed by Kevin Barnes’ Daughter
Indie pop collective Of Montreal announced its ninth studio album, aethermead, slated for release on June 5 through Polyvinyl. The band unveiled the second single, “Already Dreaming,” accompanied by a music video directed by Kevin Barnes’ film‑school daughter, Beatrice Barnes. Barnes...
Andy Martin – Tierra De Nahuales
Mexican producer Andy Martin releases the concept‑driven EP *Tierra de Nahuales*, inspired by the shapeshifting nahual of pre‑colonial mythology. The record juxtaposes heavy, earthbound bass with airy, celestial synths, most notably on the evolving track “Pleiadian Sound Clash.” Other cuts...
Austin City Limits Announces 2026 Lineup for Landmark 25th Year
Austin City Limits marks its 25th anniversary with a two‑weekend festival on Oct. 2‑4 and Oct. 9‑11 at Zilker Park. The 2026 lineup blends pop megastars like Charli XCX and Lorde with indie heavyweights such as The xx and electronic acts like...
ACL Fest 2026 Lineup
Austin City Limits Festival announced its 2026 lineup, featuring headliners The XX, Turnstile, Lorde and Blood Orange. Organizers and fans note that this set of headliners is among the weakest the festival has offered in recent years. The bill is bolstered by...
La Securite Drop Deny Video
La Sécurité has released a new single that reviewers describe as a thumping, dance‑ready indie rock groove. The track features a rolling bass line, spoken‑word interjections, and sharp guitar accents that lock listeners into a natural, bobbing vibe. The band announced...
✘ How Many People Does It Take to Change a Band?
The article examines how lineup changes affect a band’s identity and longevity, citing examples from Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Steely Dan, The Fall, and the Velvet Underground. It argues that a band can survive, reinvent, or collapse depending on whether a core creative vision...
See You at Carnegie | May 13-19
Daniel Zinn’s Substack post offers a curated lineup of concerts and performances scheduled for May 13‑19, 2026, spotlighting marquee acts such as pianist Evgeny Kissin, the NYC Ballet, the Handel and Haydn Society, Curtis at 92NY, and a production of Turandot. The...
New Synth Pop Groove From MASKS
MASKS, the anonymous project of sFox, has dropped a new synth‑pop single titled “Everybody Ever.” The track mixes airy, dreamy production with a nostalgic nod to early‑2000s indie pop acts like The Postal Service and Stars. It serves as the...
Go Public Prep Debut LP
Atlanta‑based band Go Public is set to drop its debut LP "You Are Traffic" on July 24 through indie label HHBTM. The record blends dance‑punk energy with art‑rock sensibilities reminiscent of Talking Heads and Orange Juice, featuring dual vocalists and...
Langhorne Slim on Big Macs, Playing Hard Softly, and His Touring Dream
Langhorne Slim sat down for a tour Q&A, revealing his evolution from cramming a Toyota Camry with a bass and gear to traveling in a rented Sprinter van. He discussed how his diet shifted from beef‑free Big Macs to healthier...
Black Country New Road, Ye Vagabonds, Perfume Genius, Lisa Hannigan's SIRENS and More for The National Concert Hall
The National Concert Hall in Dublin unveiled a slate of concerts running from September 2026 to March 2027, covering its Perspectives contemporary‑music series, the annual Tradition Now festival, and several one‑off events. Highlights include Ye Vagabonds performing with the National Symphony Orchestra, Black...
Kevin J.B. O’Connor Shares New Single
Kentucky‑based indie songwriter Kevin J.B. O’Connor has released a new single that showcases his signature delicate pop‑ballad style. Critics compare the track’s acoustic texture to a Galaxie 500 LP, noting its layered arrangement and restrained melody. The song is now available...
The Complicated Relationship Between Hit Songs and Longevity
Keith Jopling’s "Riding the Rollercoaster" explores why longevity remains the holy grail of the music business and how a hit record can be both a shortcut and a trap. He outlines five routes to a lasting career, with the first—scoring...
Red Vanilla’s Where I Should Be: A Gritty New EP
Scottish alt‑rock trio Red Vanilla will self‑release their second EP, Where I Should Be, on May 8 2026. The seven‑track record builds on their 2024 debut Days of Grey, adding electronic textures, acoustic moments and heavier stoner‑rock passages. Lead single “Ask Her...
Upcoming Metal Releases: 5/3/26 – 5/9/26
The week of May 3‑9 2026 brings a wave of new metal releases across grindcore, black, death, and avant‑garde subgenres. Swedish grindcore act Gadget returns with *Coerced*, its first material since 2021, featuring new vocalist Emilia Henriksson. Veteran Norwegian band Darkthrone drops...