To coincide with the release of one of independent rock’s most interesting, enjoyable and impressive new albums, we caught an interview with the mighty Lion Drome, to find out more about the story and sentiments behind the superb 2026 album Hero Down. Here’s the conversation in full.
USA
Maypo Deluxe is one of indie’s most consistent artists, a songwriter with an authentic sense of heart and storytelling, holding closely to the organic rock sounds of a simpler era, and meandering from the soulful rock ballad set-up to the upbeat and addictive grooves accordingly, as we roll through more and more fantastic songs.
Built around the classic funky guitar rhythms of Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams, Drive You Crazy features a modern vocal blending subtle hints of rap, RnB and pop, as we move through short, snappy lines and metaphors that are quickly relatable in both lyric and melody.
UKofA has been experimenting with composition and music for over twenty years, and TIME WILL TAKE THIS AWAY FROM US is something of a fearless reminder of how passion, creativity, and unrelenting societal experiences can impact a real artist.
Catchy and evocative pop to drive fast and escape into – Luchino is a rising pop artist with a soulful but accessible and smart approach to making music, and My Whole Life is subtle yet effective in its blending of influences and simple, snappy melodies.
Unfiltered and fearless garage rock of volume, passion, distortion and warped crescendos – Estrogeno have been hard at work on the writing and performing of new songs, and we dive into a selection of 2026 releases from the nineties-inspired act.
Lion Drome are impressive, they’re interesting – first and foremost – they’re unpredictable, but they also make sure to engage listeners, with soaring riffs, powerful countering voices and energies, and stories that feel relatable but impossible to expect.
Another new single from the upcoming album The Hourglass Effect sees the pop-production AI and modern songwriting expand into piano-ballad acoustics of intimacy and romance. Sonic Pulse Project delivers an uplifting pop crescendo of loving images and ideas, for the devoted and evocative The Map.
The final moments unleash a chaotic and unsettling crescendo of sounds, almost expanding beyond comprehension – higher notes and volumes electronically squeezed through a sonic tunnel of colourful intensity.
Carefully connecting the intimacy of romantic songwriting with the infectious grooves of rumba and Latin dance, Princess Luminous follows on from the success of her version of Moon River, with the softly enchanting, cinematic entanglement of Dance Forever.
In celebration of the launch of their highly-anticipated and brilliant EP On E Street Remix, we caught up with lifelong musician Robert Allen, front-man of the mighty rock and roll act DownTown Mystic, to find out more about this unique and beautifully nostalgic collaboration.
With minimal lyrics and a low-key neo-jazz ambient groove underneath, the song features smooth and breathy, intimate vocals from our leading artist, and it’s a divine voice – delicate and impassioned, nuanced and skilful in meandering through these long-form questions.