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Content Breakdown Vukovi - My God Has Got a Gun Slowly Slowly - Forgiving Spree What is out on this #NewMusicFriday? Take me to the Playlist It's rather a busy #NewMusicFriday this week. For starters, there are new albums from Vukovi and Slowly Slowly, which you can read more about below. However, beyond that there is the return of influential instrumentalist Mogwai. Their eleventh album, 'The Bad Fire', maintains their ominous and cinematic approach, comfortably delivering measured build-ups and compelling crescendos. And of course, the occasional interesting song title - 'If You Find This World Bad, You Should See Some of the Others'. Nottingham sister duo Alt Blk Era will be looking to leave their mark with their debut album, 'Rave Immortal'. They scurry their way between genres, taking in elements of rock, drum n' bass, metal, electronic, and more. It sees Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam deliver a narrative of unity, representing diversity and inclusivity. While Nyrobi's chronic illness provides a sharp, vulnerable core, shielded by the blend of DnB and alt-rock. There is also a new EP from fellow UK upstarts - State Of You. Featuring personnel from Outcry Collective, Polar and Hildamay, 'On A Knife’s Edge' is a visceral blast of hardcore that has seen comparisons to Cancer Bats, Beartooth, and The Bronx. Whereas Beneath A Steel Sky emerge from Glasgow to deliver their promising debut - 'Cleave'. Firmly part of the post-metal scene, the sextet provide a well-executed mix of thunderous riffs and foreboding atmospherics. You can also hear new releases from August Burns Red, who celebrate 20 years of 'Thrill Seeker', ONI, DITZ, blacktoothed, Bilk and many more. Vukovi - My God Has Got a Gun For 15 years, Vukovi have forged their own path. Unapologetically unique, and refusing to get lost in the shuffle of their peers, the Scottish duo have repeatedly shown confidence to do it their way. Having grabbed our attention with their 2017 self-titled outing, the Glasgow outfit has evolved from their highly energetic brand of rock. 2020's 'Fall Better' and 2022's 'NULA' stretched into electro-rock and industrial-pop territory. Meanwhile, as songwriters, Janine Shilstone (vocals) and Hamish Reilly (guitar) have grown to deliver personal and complex songs. The arrival of 'My God Has Got A Gun' marks a bold new chapter that considerably captures Vukovi at their creative peak. Read our full review here. Slowly Slowly - Forgiving Spree For almost a decade, Melbourne band Slowly Slowly has been delivering heartfelt rock rooted in introspective songwriting and melodic sensibility. For their fifth album, 'Forgiving Spree', vocalist/guitarist Ben Stewart leaned into names such as The Killers, Bruce Springsteen, and John Farnham as influences. It's paired with a set of sensitive and personal songs that allow the album to develop an emotional anchor. Recorded between their hometown and Los Angeles, Stewart and company serve up an admirable set of catchy and earnest songs. However, despite this being their fifth album, there are consistent and distinct reminders of other bands and artists. Surely, a band this far into a career should be able to hone in on an unmistakable sound? Unfortunately, Slowly Slowly wants to either be The 1975 (see 'That's That') or 'Futures' era Jimmy Eat World ('How Are You Mine?'), or generally an '80s radio-rock-inspired band. Sure, that's a harsh opinion to share but there are a sprinkling of highlights. For starters, Slowly Slowly commendably has a proven flair for writing uplifting rock songs. 'Gimme The Wrench'. and the aforementioned 'How Are You Mine?' indicate their ability to write anthemic hooks. Musically, their scope is wide with a nostalgic tint. As a lyricist, Stewart broadly explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Nonemoreso on 'Hurricane'. Backed by a Killers-like surge, the track allows Stewart to sing of his wedding day, the news of expecting their first child, and sadly, a miscarriage. It sees Stewart paint a detailed, compelling narrative that is delivered with complete sincerity. The ebb and flow of joy and tragedy is finely towed throughout 'Forgiving Spree'. 'All Time' conjures up images of destined love with jangly guitars. It's followed by 'Love Letters' with its sultry balladic groove. Album closer, 'Born Free', counters the spirited display. Stripped back and ominous, it allows Stewart to look inward, reflecting on the passing of several family members, and his purpose. It's a tender, poignant finale, bringing musical depth, and a contrast to the upbeat radio-rock. Even though 'Forgiving Spree' doesn't give Slowly Slowly the chance to carve out a distinctive sound, their strength lies in their ability to write praiseworthy melodic rock songs. What is out on #NewMusicFriday? Vukovi - My God Has Got A Gun Mogwai - The Bad Fire Alt Blk Era - Rave Immortal Linkin Park - From Zero A Capellas August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker: 20th Anniversary Edition ONI - Genesis Slowly Slowly - Forgiving Spree State Of You - On A Knife’s Edge DITZ - Never Exhale Bilk - Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll blacktoothed - Headway Young Knives - Landfill Let Me Downs - North by Southwest Beneath A Steel Sky - Cleave Vacant Home - Can You Show Me Who I Am? ¡Ponce! - ¡Ponce!… does Anime Cascade Riot - New Disguise Sleepbomb - The Sleeping Dead Sunmancer - Everything Falls Apart Wardruna - Birna Watch My Dying - Egyenes Kerőlő Oh The Humanity! - Ground To Dust Avatarium - Between You, God, The Devil And The Dead Beaconfire - Sudden Trauma Corroding Soul - Corroding Soul Days To Waste - Forget Me When The Summer Ends The Veils - Asphodels If you think I've missed something or have a new album/EP/song to tell us about, tell us about it here. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QJ3ivfXxJG8bc1CvaAjzy?si=a152801622704497 If you're looking for the latest tracks focusing on rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, then check out our 'Newish Music' playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.

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