NEW Singles & Videos + Release Announcements + Brand New Signings
RINGLETS share new single | Check out 'I Was on That Roof Once'
Ringlets have shared the bewilderingly beautiful third single, ‘I Was on That Roof Once’, from their soon-approaching album The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies), set for release on June 27th via Flying Nun Records and Leather Jacket Records. Following up the world-weary ‘Heavenly Wheel’ and blistering ‘Street Massage’, ‘I Was on That Roof Once’ showcases the varied sound of the band’s upcoming sophomore album. Glistening guitar meets the ticking drums of Arlo Grey and gorgeous harmonies – courtesy of vocalists Arabella Poulsen, László Reynolds & Leith Towers – with a not-so-subtle introduction of the LP’s title in the track’s mystifying opening line.
DAVID BYRNE announces new album | Listen to 'Everybody Laughs'
David Byrne is proud to announce Who Is the Sky?, his first new album since 2018’s acclaimed and award-winning American Utopia, which will be released September 5th by Matador Records. The album was produced by the Grammy-winning Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), while its 12 songs were arranged by the members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. Musical friends old and new, including St. Vincent, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, The Smile drummer Tom Skinner and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco, also make appearances on Who Is the Sky?, which is led by the infectious single ‘Everybody Laughs.’ Along with the song, Byrne has released its official video, directed by multimedia artist Gabriel Barcia-Colombo.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE 'Alive in the Catacombs' audio release
By popular demand, Queens of the Stone Age are releasing the audio of their spellbinding Alive in the Catacombs performance. Appropriately, the music arrives this Friday the 13th across all digital platforms via Matador Records. The band has also announced a limited vinyl edition of the AITC audio. Only 5,000 copies will be pressed of this special one-sided vinyl edition. Housed in a gatefold jacket with foil print inside and out, the AITC vinyl edition contains an exclusive 24-page booklet of behind the scenes photos taken by long-time collaborator Andreas Neumann. Each copy will be individually stamped and numbered.
DRAIN announce new album | Listen to new hardcore banger
Hardcore Santa Cruz, CA trio DRAIN are back and announcing their new album …IS YOUR FRIEND today, due for release on November 7th via Epitaph Records. After crushing all expectations with 2023’s LIVING PROOF and spending the subsequent year on the road, the new record finds these best friends playing at the top of their game and flexing their instinctive chemistry. There’s no other hardcore band like DRAIN. The Santa Cruz band is an institution in their genre and an affable neighbour to their adjacent ones. Punks love Drain. Metalheads love DRAIN. Haters can’t help but love DRAIN. DRAIN is for everyone. Well, venue security guards might not love DRAIN. But to everyone else: DRAIN …Is Your Friend. Check out the lead single and bouncy hardcore banger ‘Nights Like These,’
MAVIS STAPLES shares Frank Ocean cover | Listen to 'Godspeed'
A lifelong performer with an unparalleled career and voice, Mavis Staples will turn 86 years old this July but continues to tour around the world, bringing her music and message to the people one show at a time. Ahead of next week’s Juneteenth celebrations – she shares her poignant interpretation of Frank Ocean’s ‘Godspeed’ from his famed Blonde album. Upon first listen it is about letting go and moving on, but it also becomes clear that the song’s protagonist is doing so with feelings of peacefulness, gratitude and unconditional love – three things Mavis Staples has always embodied.
MECHATOK announces debut album | Listen to 'Expression On Your Face'
The Munich-born producer, songwriter, and kaleidoscopic artist announces that his highly anticipated debut album – Wide Awake – will be released on 8 August 2025 via Young. The project launches with ‘Expression On Your Face,’ a track with Bladee and Ecco2k that has sent the internet into meltdown after its live debut at Bladee’s sold-out O2 Brixton show in December 2024. It follows the euphoric single ‘Addiction’ and vibrant follow-up ‘Virus Freestyle,’ both released earlier this year. The track arrives alongside a music video by award-winning director Anton Tammi (The Weeknd, Grimes, Tame Impala) – who previously worked with the trio on the Mechatok-produced track ‘Amygdala’.
LA DISPUTE drop new song from forthcoming album | Check it out!
Conceptual band La Dispute returned last month to announce No One Was Driving the Car, their first new album in six years. They’ve unveiled its second act: ‘Environmental Catastrophe Film,’ an eight-minute composition that’s meticulous in detail and devastating in its climax. It’s a meditative slow-burn, building with quiet restraint before erupting into the kind of emotional wreckage only La Dispute can conjure. The new track follows Act One of the album, a three-song suite made up of ‘I Shaved My Head,’ ‘Man with Hands and Ankles Bound,’ and ‘Autofiction Detail’—each a tense, poetic vignette, steeped in the band’s signature blend of spoken-word intimacy and post-hardcore catharsis.
LETLIVE. announce The Blackest Beautiful Revisited | Listen to bonus track
Los Angeles, CA – Cult favourite post-hardcore band letlive. returns in full force this summer, reigniting their legacy with a newly remixed and remastered edition of their iconic 2013 album. The Blackest Beautiful Revisited arrives on all digital streaming platforms June 13, 2025, featuring two powerful bonus tracks and marking the band’s first digital release since reuniting. To kick off the campaign, letlive. has dropped a blistering new single: ‘The Dope Beat Rendition (ft. Dan Campbell)’, a reimagined version of a fan favourite featuring vocals from Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years.
JOHN MAUS returns with 'I Hate Antichrist' | Take a look at the video
John Maus returns with a new single and music video: ‘I Hate Antichrist,’ his first new music in 7-years, which arrives via his new label home YOUNG. Built around a rhythm that feels both ritualistic and futuristic, ‘I Hate Antichrist’ is a spiritual confrontation – part protest, part prayer, part digital exorcism. Delivered with Maus’ distinctive raw conviction, repetition of the titular phrase becomes more like a mantra than a lyric – its meaning deepening through sheer exertion and duration. The animated music video, directed by Andrew Norman Wilson, is a surreal and haunting visual depiction of the loop of self-devouring destruction caused by contemporary antichrists. In the video a group of false saviours – tech moguls, corrupt bishops, politicians, war-mongering-military and media influencers – succumb to the relentless churn of vanity and brutality.
SUNKING pay homage to old school Detroit techno beats |'Circuit City'
One month from today sunking will release their simultaneously pro and anti- technology sophomore album I DON’T LIKE MY TELEPHONE, also their second release with ANTI- Records. Out now is the final pre-release track, ‘CIRCUIT CITY’, which forays into vintage Carl Craig-style Detroit techno yet also feels in conversation with contemporary artists Overmono and Folamour. The trio’s unique harmonics and strong sense of melody—nostalgic but hopeful at the same time—come together for something that sounds like Boards Of Canada or Plaid, if they were powered by an extremely good drummer.
Heads Up!
KIM DEAL shares 'Big Ben Beat' BTS video + New Merch
The Richard Ayoade-directed music videos for 'Big Ben Beat' & 'Spacewoman' (by The Breeders) have been added to the esteemed Criterion Collection as part of a new Kim Deal/The Breeders & Richard Ayoade folder. In addition, a film poster designed by Athens-based artist Vasilis Marmatakis (who has previously collaborated with directors Yorgos Lanthimos and Oliver Sim) is also up for pre-order on the 4AD webstore for a limited time (through June 15).
SLEEP THEORY share BTS glimpse of 'Gravity' video |Watch it here
Breakout four-piece Sleep Theory — vocalist Cullen Moore, guitarist Daniel Pruitt, bassist Paolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt — have shared a behind the scenes glimpse of the making of the video for Afterglow hit 'Gravity'. Watch it here. The song, with its pop-inspired bounce, heady grooves, generously sprinkled synths, and Moore's soulful, arena-sized voice, is about the winners and losers who keep playing the game of love.
Tours, Events and Festivals
David Byrne coming to Aotearoa for one off show | Get Your tickets today!
American musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker, David Byrne will return to Australia and New Zealand in January 2026 in support of his new album Who Is The Sky? – out September 5, 2025, via Remote Control/Matador.
BRAD COX - NZ Tour moves to November + new shows added | Check out the new dates
ARIA-nominated Australian singer-songwriter Brad Cox is shifting gears: his much-anticipated New Zealand tour, originally set for June, will now take place in November, with new South Island shows added to make it a bigger, better summer visit. While the Wellington show unfortunately won’t be going ahead this time, Christchurch and Auckland tickets will remain valid for the new November dates. Refunds for Wellington tickets are available through the original points of sale, and Brad sincerely thanks all his Wellington fans for their support and understanding.
On Tour, Live Shows, Gigs, Concerts and Festivals
Not long to go now until Melbourne's alluring Folk Bitch Trio head to Aotearoa for their Now Would Be A Good Time Album Tour. Now Would Be A Good Time is the trio's debut album. The team of Heide Peverelle, Jeanie Pilkington & Gracie Sinclair will bring their new songs to Tāmaki Makaurau's The Tuning Fork, Pōneke's San Fran, and Loons in Ōhinehou Lyttelton.
PLUS... Check out our other favourite happenings coming up...
Interviews & live performances
PULP Live interview and performance on Later With Jools Holland | Watch it here
After 25 years Pulp have appeared on Later With Jools Holland to promote their new album More Check out the interview with Jarvis Cocker, and the following songs performed live! 'Spike Island', 'Farmer's Market', and 'Something Changed'.