mewithoutYou – ‘[Untitled]’

The growth of Philadelphian experimental rock troupe mewithoutYou over much of the past two decades has been fascinating to watch. From the direct and bracing post-hardcore of debut album Life, through embracing folk rock on 2009’s ‘it’s all crazy! it’s all false! it’s all a dream! it’s alright’,

Cursive: “Nihilism has been part of all the records we’ve written, but never so much as this one.”

Living With Lions – ‘Island’

In 2011, Vancouver’s Living With Lions released their impressive sophomore record Holy Shit, and for a moment seemed ready to welcome in a much wider audience than they’d been used to since forming in 2006. Within a year, lead vocalist Stu Ross had departed; he himself had replaced Matt

We Were Promised Jetpacks – ‘The More I Sleep The Less I Dream’

Sometimes a band has to retrace their steps to figure out where they’re headed; such was the case with Edinburgh’s We Were Promised Jetpacks. 2014’s ‘Unravelling’ had them temporarily expand to a quintet for that album cycle, but the departure of Stuart McGachan midway through touring that record was

Spring King – ‘A Better Life’

When it came to writing the follow up to their debut album, Spring King knew things had to change. ‘Tell Me If You Like To’ was primarily the work of front man and drummer Tarek Musa, but the band had learned from their

Jesus Piece – ‘Only Self’

They’ve been building up considerable momentum on the live circuit for a few years, but Philadelphia-based metalcore quintet Jesus Piece haven’t been given a proper chance to prove themselves on record until now. Their incendiary on-stage performances have helped to sustain the buzz around the band since they released

Delta Sleep – ‘Ghost City’

The perception that math-rock favours style over substance still lingers even as the genre has continued to carve out its niche on both sides of the Atlantic and elsewhere. It’s expanded into the revitalised American indie scene, and most every influential emo-adjacent label has a band on its roster

Foxing – ‘Nearer My God’

Success is relative. You can be in one of the biggest bands in the world and still be miserable, or you can be in a band who are struggling yet still be having the time of your life making the music you want to make, content in the knowledge

Arcane Roots – ‘Melancholia Hymns’

The last time we heard from Arcane Roots, it seemed like the band had hit a wall. The praise lavished on debut LP ‘Blood and Chemistry’ could only carry them so far, and the departure of drummer Daryl Atkins in June of 2015 —later revealed to be permanent —

Choir Vandals – ‘Dark Glow’

You’d be forgiven for thinking Choir Vandals fell off the face of the earth shortly after releasing their second EP ‘At Night’ in late 2014. The St. Louis, Missouri-based quartet emerged from hibernation last November, teaming up with Alcoa to release a split EP. They made the most of