It is a bit warm now I grant you. But then we all spent most of the weekend sat indoors watching Glastonbury didn’t we? Some good sets. Glad nothing controversial happened and no one has overreacted about anything. It’s all good. It’s all very very good.
Anywho, for those that haven’t had enough of groovy new shit, here’s some groovy new shit. It’s Tracks Of The Week. Groove baby groove.
Chameleons – Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing
Why we love it: because eight days after their triumphant appearance at the inaugural Forever Now festival, post-punk pioneers Chameleons have travelled all the way from the National Bowl in Milton Keynes to the pages of GIITTV’s Tracks of the Week with their new single ‘Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing.’
“I see too many echoes of the 1930s in what’s going on in the world, which I see as being extremely dangerous both for the country I’ve chosen to live in and the Western world in general,” says vocalist/bassist Vox (Mark Burgess) of Chameleons when talking about, ‘Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing.’
The song is taken from their recently announced and long-awaited album Arctic Moon, which will be out on the 12th of September on Metropolis Records. “It was the last song to be completed for the album,” Vox continues. “I’m particularly pleased with the way it turned out, because it was our guitarist Stephen Rice who initially brought the rough idea to the table and we all then collaborated on it to produce the final song.”
At Forever Now, ‘Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing’ followed the Chameleons’ classic ‘Perfume Garden’ in the setlist and such is the enduring quality of their songwriting you would never know that 40 years separates these two songs. (Simon Godley)
The Lemonheads – In The Margin
Why we love it: because last week The Lemonheads announced details of their first album of original material in almost two decades. Love Chant is that record’s name and it will be upon us on 24th October on Fire Records. And to get us even more in the mood for this great event, they have just released, ‘In The Margin,’ the lead single from the upcoming album as well as news of an extensive tour that will take in the UK, Ireland, the EU and the United States.
Talking about ‘In The Margin,’ The Lemonheads’ leader Evan Dando says: “I wanted to have a riffy song, so I wrote riffs all over it. The body of the song was Marciana’s (Marciana Jones). It’s like a full-on 8th grade girl revenge song: ‘Stupidly I left the escape plans out so they could find my way.’”
You may well have thought The Lemonheads had gone, possible even forever, but now finding himself based in Brazil – where most of the new album was recorded – Evan Dando’s creative fires were reignited. ‘In The Margin’ is a far grittier reincarnation of the band’s earlier super-focused power-pop. Come on feel the noise. (Simon Godley)
pôt-pot – WRSW
Lisbon-based Irish quintet pôt-pot, release their debut album ‘Warsaw 480km’ on September 19th and sharing a first look at the album with single “WRSW“. With an ominous, scampering intent, mototirik rhythmic backbone riven with tremolo guitars, woozy harmonium, and a half-spoken vocal line that is spat out, it’s like a noir smothered exocet careering down the highway in the dead of night, Reminding one of Jesus and Mary Chain, or Suicide, it’s a impressive first offering.
About the song, he further explains, “‘WRSW’ is a chronicle of being driven in a very nice car to collect and deliver my father’s ashes, and how that odd comfort in such an awful situation jarred me; at one point the driver told me about a journey he’d taken from Ireland to Poland, where after days of driving, in the dead of night, a single road sign appeared, reading ‘WARSAW 480 KM’. I identified with that image of blackness punctuated suddenly by some faraway but tangible relief.” Musically, the song balances tight construction with a casual air; lyrically, it is diffuse and impressionistic, centred on the mantra, “How / Can we get there / Can we get there?”
Evolved primarily from demos by multi-instrumentalist and lead vocalist Mark Waldron-Hyden during a period of grief and personal upheaval, the album came to life through a series of live, full-band studio sessions that document an exceptional array of talents, unified in an embrace of raw catharsis with a sweetly sinister edge. (Bill Cummings)
Monoxide Brothers – Horses
Why we love it: Birmingham duo Monoxide Brothers just released ‘Horses’, the latest taste of their forthcoming EP Manic Pixie Dream Pop. Bouncing with filthy keyboards and a mule kicking beat ‘Horses’ is threaded with a dissonant stream of consciousness that was written during Monoxide Brothers’ earliest jam sessions. A rapier take-down of how of the patriarchy. From misogynist microaggressions in the music scene to the frank retelling of victim blaming, it’s sharp satire, withering put downs and dissonant cool bristles with a vital feminist two fingers up, it reminds one of electro clash and bedroom pop acts of the mid 00’s meets audiobooks, it fiendishly retools the spoken word thing into vital belligerent polemic that you cannot ignore.
Sophie Hack, Monoxide Brothers, vocals + synths, says of the track:“‘Horses’ was one of the first songs we wrote and it’s one that has evolved with us. It’s empowering to look the crowd in the eye while performing it and make them think about how they or someone they know has treated women in the past and for them to reflect.”
Emily Doyle, Monoxide Brothers, synths + beats, continues:“‘Horses’ has been a staple of our live set since day one, so we can’t wait to share the EP version; Manic Pixie Dream Pop is a collection of cuttingly smart lyrics and big idiot bass lines, perfect for getting a rage on. The video is an uncanny piece of cut out animation, inspired by shows like Angela Anaconda and the old Steve Madden big head adverts. I love experimenting with animation, and this one’s turned out equal parts creepy and cute.”
Monoxide Brothers are Birmingham’s Emily Doyle (she/her, synths & beats) and Sophie Hack (she/her, vocals & synths). The duo first met at a seance in the attic of a real ale pub and bonded over a love of garage rock, horror movies and Animal Crossing. Since their inception in May 2024, the pair have played in some of the most-loved music venues across the West Midlands, and at Supernormal, Supersonic and Psychic Dancehall Festivals. Debut single ‘Spine’ caught the ear of DJ Deb Grant. (Bill Cummings)
Cyn Cwsg – Pydru Yn Haul ((Rotting in the Sun)
Why we love it: North Wales quartet Cyn Cwsg just released their debut EP this summer. “Blending harmony-soaked dad rock, pop, and oddball country, Cyn Cwsg’s debut EP offers five rich, melodic snapshots — firmly placing the band among the latest wave of Wales’ off-kilter, deeply melodic alt tradition.”
The title track ‘Pydru Yn Haul’ is a melodic gem. Lurching from uncertainty into the sunshine blast of a chorus line that carries you aloft on its shoulders with great big shiny riffs and a percussive lurch that echoes the likes of the Pixies or early Super Furry Animals. A cathartic, sun-drenched anthem it was the first true co-writing moment between Tomos and Obed. The song’s looseness, warmth, and bite speak to the instinctive chemistry that underpins their creative partnership. It shows why many are talking of Cyn Cwsg as one of the best new Welsh bands around.
Produced by Cardiff’s Tom Rees (of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard), the tightly packed five-track EP marks a new direction for the band, trading in their previously favoured dream-pop drift for “something sturdier, with wiry guitar lines, dry vocals, and melodies that do all the emotional heavy lifting,” as lead singer and guitarist Tomos Lynch puts it. (Bill Cummings)
Lyves – For Eden
Why we love it: Lyves has returned with a new EP Out of the Blue created during a profound chapter in her life, including the birth of her son, it finds her in reflective mood, on the evocative and confessional, with ‘For Eden’ she dives deeply into love and compassion, with a translucent vocal and enveloping instrumental tides, it blurs the lines between neo soul and r&b, with a touch of pop too.
“It was written for someone I love deeply, and for all the beautiful and brave souls I’ve had the privilege to meet and support.”
With a professional background in mental health, she added “I spent many years working in mental health settings—amplifying the voices of children and adults navigating some of life’s toughest moments. Destigmatizing mental health is something I care about deeply… I hope this song offers a moment of comfort, a sense of being seen. Healing is always possible.”
The EP is written and produced by Lyves with additional production from SamTRax (SiR, Brent Faiyaz) and Sam Crowe (Little Simz, Cleo Sol), and engineered by Adam Jaffrey (Loyle Carner, Obongjayar), and Zino Mikorey (Fred Again, Metronomy).
‘Out of the Blue‘ traces her journey through motherhood, healing, and emotional clarity, and marks a clear evolution from the artist who first emerged with ‘Like Water‘ and went on to tour with Coldplay. (Bill Cummings)
