McKay are an act upholding the realness and talent of organic, man-made bands and songwriting, at a time when we need that more than ever. They write youthfully fearless, thoughtful and intelligent lyrics, with fresh melodies and blissfully harmonised performances, and for all of these reasons, they’re a personal favourite act from the past couple of years, and Casino is incredibly special as an original project.

Alt RockEmo RockFolk RockPop RockRockSongwriter

Noting fragments of speech from the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and JFK, Told You So is a bold and beautiful remedy for disconnection. It cries out with gritty realism and passion, on behalf of any and all who’ve felt disconnected or left behind during these trying modern times. It’s a song for the activists, the truth seekers, those who fight for justice, and it speaks volumes for those who are tired of being silenced.

Hard RockNew MetalPop PunkRock

Indie rock of anthemic highs and conceptual lows, darkness and upbeat optimism carefully combined. Dumpster Fire is Beldon Haigh’s latest poignant re-release, following a video that racked up over a million views in two years, and it’s set to launch in unison with the band’s Rock Opera Premiere at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Indie RockRock

Utah songwriter and devout creative Richard Tyler Epperson forever leads with an original sense of structure and production that’s unlimited by genre or expectation. His latest work, the full-length album Fragmented Night, is a colourful and impressive testament to that consistency and talent, and it delivers an engaging fusion of familiarity and outright unexpected design.

Alt PopAlt RockPop RockRockSongwriter

Tim Stewart, Jonny Drummond, and Tosh Peterson, have performed on some of the world’s biggest and most renowned stages – including The Super Bowl, Coachella, and even The Oscars. Their shared experience is second to none, but more than this, the clear freedom of expression and energy brought to the DAMNAGE album is boldly indicative of this being a genuine, carefree and committed passion project.

Punk RockRock

A superb playlist of thoughtful, meaningful pop-punk and rock tracks. Merit Maker bring something clearly original, creative and purposeful to the scene, and the tracks are not only a pleasure to escape into at volume, but help shine light on a sense of warmth and belief in better, particularly during such trying and conflicted times as these.

Pop PunkPop RockPunk RockRock

Already an impressive and consistently likable band, this latest offering injects a twist of something like soul and ska modestly woven into the band’s classic tapestry. The songwriting is catchy, the vocals sublime, and the faultless unity between musicians lets this spacious and genuine arrangement create a completely intoxicating groove.

Indie RockPop RockReggaeRockSka

Where Do We Go? is an absolute earworm of an indie rock single – a huge hook, harmonised voices united, a familiar existential crisis at the forefront, and catchy verses that feel familiar but fresh enough in this distorted, high-energy setting. The juxtaposition of confronting lyrical depth and joyful pop-rock escapism is mighty, and that makes this an easy favourite.

Blues RockIndie RockRockRock & Roll