Death By Love – In Unity (Wieloryb vs. Psychotribe Tribute Remix)
Trans Atlantic electronic duo made up of Pittsburgh music producer and multi-instrumentalist Peter Guellard and singer-songwriter Inga Habiba, who is based in Łódź, Poland. They say their debut LP 444 “Explores cycles of trauma and healing across cultures and our hyper-connected yet physically isolated world” I’ve pondered on that description yet honestly I’m not sure I understand it. Never mind, I appreciate what Peter and Inga are doing. They sound sincere and that’s important.
GHO$$ – 666
The Whitest Blackout is the debut LP from GHO$$ a Jakarta-based alt-pop trip-hop band. On first listen, I had to stop to look and see what year this recording was created – the scratching surprised me. Yet, it works! From the videos I have discovered on the interweb the lads of GHO$$ appear to enjoy their journeys around and performing, there is something kind of cute how they mug for the camera. At the same time I’m convinced GHO$$ are definitely serious about their music – and excellent music they make. The video they created for 666 reminds me how visuals can be a positive aspect of music promotion. Their album The Whitest Blackout should be thoroughly explored.
Component #4 – Captain America
First of all, do yourself a favor and head straight to the Wayside & Woodland Recordings site, this will set the course in understanding how important the releases are on this unique imprint. Founded by Ben Holton and Rob Glover, and is based in South Staffordshire & The West Midlands, Wayside & Woodland have chosen to selectively forge a path unlike most other labels. With acts like Birds in the Brickwork, The Toy LIbrary, My Autumn Empire, Charles Vaughan, The Balloonist and Component #4 you can be sure you have found different yet most agreeable music. Mike Rowley plays all instruments and writes all song as Component #4. Do not overlook!
Luxury Skin – Hope Dies Last
Juliet E. Gordon on piano and vocals presents as Luxury Skin with a host of superb talent accompanying her on the long-player, I’ll Get You Out Of Here. An exceptionally fine collection of songs, carefully crafted with a first-rate sophistication not so common these days. Kudos for the curiously cool sleeve artwork.
Esaïa – Tcheam
Produced, written & voiced by Swiss electronic, reggae and dub talent Esaïa who says “She keeps her music firmly rooted in the sound system and reggae culture while incorporating a dreamy, modern electronic sensibility”. That sounds about right. Esaïa is on the stellar Dubquake label out Lyon in France. Impressive.
Mary In The Junkyard – Crash Landing
Mary In The Junkyard – Muscles
Here is an English trio I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on, their LP Role Model Hermit is about to rank as one of top faves for 2026. London-based Clari Freeman-Taylor, Saya Barbaglia & David Addison are doing everything perfectly in my opinion. Inventive and listenable ideas going on with each cut. If you were constructing a Venn diagram for Mary In The Junkyard it may not make sense – and that is their charm. Crash Landing is everything I hope to hear in new music. Then, Muscles could have originated from another place and another time. Music so explorative and original as this prompts certain music scribes to get all wordy and referencey, allowing their limited high school literacy education take over, they apparently can’t help themselves from babbling on and on, trying to impress who knows, instead of simply being impressed by the music.Meanwhile, I hear wonderful reports of MITJ’s live shows and their video for Crash Landing is a must see. Indulge in the wonder of smart people making truly important music. Not since King Hannah’s first EP have I been so impressed.
Feverdreamt – Shadows Catching Up
Alex Donat is the brains and beauty behind the extraordinary Blackjack Illuminist label. He never fails to inspire with his will to move forward in whatever direction suits his temperament. Feverdreamt is Alex’s latest persona and what an intriguing direction he has taken. Mr. Donat is obviously a serious music aficionado, perhaps fan would be more appropriate. With his Feverdreamt LP, Our Only Fault Is Existing Alex displays how carefully he listens to all genres of music – music he delves into not necessarily for inspiration more importantly for character. As you’ll hear in Shadows Catching Up Alex has crafted yet another compelling work. Top marks and a big thumbs up for the sleeve artwork.
Munan – Not A Lose
Regular listeners will know I have a fondness for the superb releases our friends at Mammal Sounds consistently deliver. South Korean-Australian artist Munan AKA Mun Hwan Lee says about Not A Loser, “In the past, my songs felt like pieces of a puzzle. I was constantly searching for the missing pieces, trying different ideas and influences to find what fit and helped complete the bigger picture.” While earlier releases often drew inspiration from friends, family, and shared experiences, Munan’s latest material is deliberately more cohesive and autobiographical. “Not A Loser reflects on a period when I was younger and uncomfortable with who I was and how I looked” He says, adding, “I’ve become much more comfortable with myself.” An honest summation for self-revealing single. Looking forward to the upcoming LP.
Senseless Optimism – Miracle Worker
Out of the great state of Massachusetts, multi-instrumentalist, Brittany Tsewole AKA Senseless Optimism tells us, “I wanted to make songs that you could dance to while quietly falling apart.” I love that. Miracle Worker is from the Painfully Pop EP with songs about the exploration of love, heartbreak, and feeling left behind in a fast-moving world says Brittany who adds, “I wanted to capture the feeling of dancing through your lowest moments.” This is a good one and should be an invitation for you to search out more of Senseless Optimism’s releases.
Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon – Contact
The EP, Le Temps De L’amour or the Time Of Love from Suzan Köcher’s Suprafon features German-Turkish musician Suzan Köcher along with Julian Müller, Janis Rosanka & Dale Lohse who together are making music with a decidedly retro yet modern lilt. Suzan singing in French a German accent adds to the allure of their music. The band are based in Germany and suggest their songs are dealing with themes of current unrest and events in world history coping with powerlessness and the ever-growing cracks in our society. Another outfit with a cool back catalogue to investigate.
Tiger Dubs & Sukanya – Maya
Earlier in the show we shared a cut from the Dubquake label out of France, here is another glorious release from a label that certainly has a dependable grip on Dubplates. Akash ‘Tiger Dubs’ is a Leeds-based sound system activist and producer, Sukanya is a rising star in the Indian reggae-dub scene. They met at Goa Susplash 2024 and recorded Maya as a dubplate on Akash’s riddim. For those interested, the Sarodh is played by Soumalya Sareswari, plus the 3 versions of Maya are essential listening.
The photograph is by Rolling Stones fan, Christopher Bainbridge “French press and Stones’ books” 24” x 24” digital print 2004 on archival paper. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection