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TODAY’S HIP HOP BOPS // JESUS THE APOLLO

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This edition of Hip Hop Bops enters darker territory, blending cinematic flair with alternative hip hop energy and a taste for the surreal. Today’s pick is theatrical, eerie and strikingly original.

JESUS THE APOLLO – THE MOON MAN!

Jesus The Apollo delivers a bold, atmospheric hip hop piece that mixes esoteric imagery, cinematic tension and a magnetic performance presence.

THE MOON MAN! arrives as a haunting and imaginative release from London born, Manchester based artist Jesus The Apollo. Written and produced during the Halloween period of 2023, the track carries a cinematic chill that instantly sets the tone for its world. It fuses alternative hip hop with spoken word cadence, electronic edges and a sense of ritualistic drama, creating a soundscape that is both nostalgic and otherworldly.

The track draws from Apollo related esoteric texts and 80s pop sensibilities, blending ancient symbolism with modern flair. This gives THE MOON MAN! a distinctive identity, where ascending melodies and hypnotic rhythms meet inventive lyrical imagery. The result is a piece that feels theatrical yet grounded, dark yet strangely inviting.

Jesus The Apollo’s background in theatre and sound scoring shines throughout. Influenced by horror and thriller films, particularly Hitchcock’s Psycho, he brings a sharp cinematic edge to his music. His alter egos, including STEve, IVY, The Villain and The Moon Man, further shape the atmosphere, adding layers of character to his sonic universe.

THE MOON MAN! stands out as a mesmerising and unconventional hip hop release, full of mood, mystery and artistic ambition.

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TODAY’S ALT POP BOPS // EVA PAGÁN

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This edition of Alt Pop Bops embraces bright colour, emotional clarity and the energetic spark of artists blending cultures into something fresh and unmistakably their own. Today’s pick is vibrant, melodic and full of heart.

Eva Pagán – EP1

Eva Pagán delivers a bold and expressive alt pop moment that fuses Spanglish storytelling with glowing electro pop charm

EP1 arrives as a love letter to Eva Pagán’s immigrant family, carried through bright synth textures, sharp melodies and lyrics that jump effortlessly between Spanish and English. Built on the theme of “far”, the track acts as a thesis statement for her next chapter, celebrating the cultures she carries and the emotional depth she is ready to explore more openly in her music. It is lively, heartfelt and instantly catchy, shaped with the kind of confidence that comes from an artist stepping fully into her identity.

The EP sits comfortably in the world of artists like Rosalía, Charli XCX and Bad Bunny, yet it retains a warmth and sincerity that feels deeply personal. Eva’s vocal delivery is expressive and full of movement, giving the track a vibrant pop energy while still holding space for moments of honesty and reflection. As a Spanglish electro pop artist with millions of streams and a rapidly growing fanbase, she brings a unique perspective to the alt pop landscape.

With its infectious melodies and emotional openness, EP1 stands out as an exciting new chapter for Eva Pagán, marking her as an alt pop voice to watch closely in 2026.

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TODAY’S INDIE ROCK BOPS // DOG YEARS

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This edition of Indie Rock Bops taps into sharp left turns, cathartic energy and playful weird-pop rock. Today’s pick delivers a whirlwind of melody, chaos and charm that refuses to sit still.

Dog Years – A Different Animal

Dog Years twist indie rock into corkscrewing, kaleidoscopic shapes, creating something chaotic, heartfelt and instantly addictive.

Newcastle outfit Dog Years return with A Different Animal, the first single from their forthcoming album MEGAFAUNA. It is a restless, jagged, fast-switching track that feels like flicking through decades of musical memory in one breath. From 60s jangle to 90s alt-rock clang, the band collide eras and instincts, stitching them into a song that constantly tries to wriggle out of its own skin.

The band recorded the track in their shared practice room at Clothworks, a former clothing factory turned creative hub. Surrounded by dub on one side and a Blur tribute band on the other, Dog Years worked in the cracks between the noise, capturing big live performances in a tiny rehearsal space. The approach was scrappy, instinctive and immediate: one or two takes, then move on. That urgency bleeds through the track’s spiky guitars, tumbling rhythms and Carly Fee’s gleaming harmonies.

Songwriter Simon Fee’s stream-of-consciousness lyrics add another layer: abstract but emotional, obscure yet oddly profound. The result is a track that spirals between humour, catharsis, harmony and chaos. It is ambitious without being bloated, packed with ideas but never losing its melodic punch.

With its bold detours, rapid-fire energy and unmistakable personality, A Different Animal is a thrilling opening statement for the MEGAFAUNA era, proving Dog Years are more inventive, more confident and more fun than ever.

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TODAY’S ALT POP BOPS // PESKY KID

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This edition of Alt Pop Bops sits in the soft glow of oddball charm, gentle melancholy and the unmistakable warmth of lo fi indie imagination. Today’s pick drifts between sweetness and strangeness, offering something tender, off kilter and deeply human.

Pesky Kid – Holy Light

Pesky Kid delivers a fragile, lovely alt pop moment shaped by breezy melodies, meta modern quirks and a quiet emotional pull that lingers long after the song ends.

Holy Light arrives as the third release this autumn from multi media artist Pesky Kid, and it might be the prettiest yet. Sitting somewhere in the world of MJ Lenderman, Magnetic Fields and early Belle and Sebastian, the song carries a soft folk tint alongside a dreamy indie pop shimmer. Its charm lies in its understatement, letting lo fi texture, thoughtful phrasing and gentle melodic turns create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and a little surreal.

The track reflects Pesky Kid’s broader creative universe, which mixes breezy beach side nostalgia with the feeling of old cassettes melting in the sun. Influences like Beck and Still Woozy float through the production, but always through Benjamin Champagne’s own filter of underground indie electro pop. The result is light, summery and quietly affecting, with a modern touch that fits perfectly into the 2020s alt pop landscape.

Holy Light stands out for its subtle glow, offering a soft and slightly quirky escape into Pesky Kid’s colourful, genre bending world. It is tender, imaginative and unmistakably his.

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TODAY’S POP ROCK BOP // ADAM WEDD

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This edition of Pop Rock Bops blends heartache, hope and raw emotional clarity. Today’s pick is a Christmas release that carries more weight than cheer, offering a story that feels lived in, honest and quietly uplifting.

Adam Wedd – This Christmas (drinking 42)

Adam Wedd delivers a heartfelt pop rock moment built on candid storytelling, emotional grit and a message of resilience for anyone who finds the holidays difficult.

London based artist Adam Wedd returns with This Christmas (drinking 42), a poignant seasonal single that leans into vulnerability rather than sparkle. Instead of polished festive gloss, Wedd offers a raw, open hearted take on Christmas, shaped by emotive vocals and lyrics that sit somewhere between sadness, reflection and quiet determination. It is a song about getting through, holding on, and finding meaning when the season does not look the way you hoped.

The track blends pop rock warmth with a stripped back honesty that feels instantly relatable. Wedd’s delivery carries a weight that fits the subject matter, allowing the emotions to sit at the front of the mix.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Weezer, Frank Turner and Blink 182, Wedd brings a melodic edge and subtle grit to the arrangement, creating a sound that is both familiar and deeply personal. This Christmas (drinking 42) stands out as a thoughtful and moving pop rock moment, perfect for anyone seeking something real to hold on to during the festive season.

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TODAY’S ALT-ROCK BOPS // HIGHROAD NO. 28

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This edition of alt-rock Bops floats into hazy moods, deep bass warmth, and the soft emotional glow that sits in a alt-rock atmosphere. Today’s pick is slow burning, cinematic and full of feeling.

Highroad No. 28 – Ache

Highroad No. 28 offer a moody, atmospheric al-rock moment that blends brooding bass, emotional vocals and a cinematic sense of space.

Australian outfit Highroad No. 28 return with Ache, a track that leans into simmering intensity while remaining smooth, steady and hypnotic. Built on deep grooves and low rising energy, the song unfolds like a late night drive through memory, its heartbeat shaped by raw vocals and quietly powerful instrumentation. The band describe this as a darker and more mature phase, and that depth comes through clearly in the slow building tension and the reflective tone of the lyrics.

Recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne and mixed by James Taplin, Ache marries intricate melodies with clean, atmospheric production, giving the track a driven but emotionally charged feel. It sits in a sweet spot where house influenced rhythm meets alternative mood, creating the kind of track made for headphones, night windows and empty roads. The ache in the title is present throughout, captured in the cinematic guitars and the lingering sense of longing that threads through its core.

As the first single from their upcoming album The Will to Endure, Ache marks Highroad No. 28’s evolution into something more layered, more moody and perfectly suited to the alt-rock landscape.

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TODAY’S INDIE ROCK BOP // SCOTT SWAIN

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This edition of Indie Rock Bops drifts into dark atmosphere, cinematic tension and the slow build of a track that feels like a storm gathering on the horizon.

Scott Swain – There’s Something in the Wind

Scott Swain delivers a brooding indie rock moment shaped by noir ambience, haunting vocals and the slow rising pressure of a story caught between safety and danger.

London based artist Scott Swain returns with There’s Something in the Wind, a shadowy and atmospheric single inspired by the world of Stephen King’s Misery. The track leans into uneasy calm, layered vocals and a gradually intensifying pulse, mirroring the feeling of being trapped between comfort and threat. It is a song built for listeners who like their indie rock with cinematic edges, where mood and meaning move together.

Recorded with drums handled by Jack G Wrench, the production gives the track real weight, blending haunting ambience with a low simmering energy that never fully lets the listener relax. Swain’s storytelling is central here, channelling themes of delusion, obsession and the fine line between imagination and reality. The influences are clear, pulling from Queens of the Stone Age, The Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead, while still carving out a space that feels personal and distinct.

There’s Something in the Wind stands out as a tense, immersive indie rock release, full of atmosphere and emotional depth, perfect for late night listening when the world feels a little strange and the air has a charge to it.

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TODAY’S ELECTRONIC BOPS // JEHIAHSAX AND STOMP BOX CHOIR

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This edition of Electronic Bops spans two very different corners of the electronic world, from bright dance floor uplift to deep late night introspection. Today’s picks showcase how electronic music can carry warmth, emotion, and real human connection.

JehiahSax – Coalesce

A glowing, heartfelt dance track that blends electronic drive with live instrumentation and a story anchored in reunion, unity, and belonging.

New York artist JehiahSax arrives with Coalesce, a vibrant and emotionally rich dance single that marks a milestone moment in his career. Built from sessions in NYC with co producer Ken Fitzpatrick and completed over video call with Miami based vocalist James Delisco, the track captures a spark of creative reunion after twenty six years apart. Electronic beats meet live musical textures, creating a sound that feels both modern and warmly organic.

Inspired by artists like Ed Sheeran and Justin Timberlake, Coalesce aims to deliver both uplift and message, weaving themes of connection, love, and togetherness into its rhythm. Delisco’s expressive vocal brings soulful lift, turning the song into an anthem of unity that invites listeners into a world where emotion sits at the centre of the dance floor. It is catchy, confident, and full of colour, a track shaped to leave listeners glowing long after it ends.

Stomp Box Choir – Magnifier

A rich, textured electronic piece driven by deep bass, melodic guitars, and a warm, melancholic atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.

London based collective Stomp Box Choir debut with Magnifier, a genre defying track that blends soulful songwriting with modern electronic production. Led by producer Howsie and songwriter Joe Stratton, the project thrives on freedom of expression and the joy of transforming simple musical sparks into emotionally layered pieces.

Magnifier is built on deep bass lines, melodic guitars, resonant synth textures, and the expressive vocals of Burcu Bahar Aydin, which bring cultural nuance and vivid energy. The track carries a soft, brooding ambience while still feeling warm and inviting, drawing influence from Massive Attack, Daft Punk, Air, and Maribou State. It is music shaped for late evenings and quiet thoughts, full of emotional depth and carefully crafted detail.

As a debut, Magnifier sets the tone for Stomp Box Choir’s world, one defined by authenticity, collaboration, and a commitment to sound that moves beyond strict genre boundaries.

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TODAY’S SYNTHWAVE BOPS // COLOUR OF THE SKY

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This edition of Synthwave Bops dives into neon glow, late night mood and the emotional pulse of retro inspired electronics. Today’s pick blends cinematic tension with warm disco shimmer, creating a track that feels both nostalgic and sharply modern.

Colour Of The Sky – Only Answer

Colour Of The Sky shape a dark electronic dream that twists into bright disco lift, offering a synthwave moment full of emotion, momentum and unexpected colour

Czechia based artist Colour Of The Sky returns with Only Answer, a track that moves with the cool confidence of retro synth textures while opening into something warmer and more euphoric. Built on electronic tones and acoustic touches, the song shifts from brooding mood to groovy 70s inspired disco energy, creating a journey that feels alive with late night atmosphere. Its simplicity is part of its pull, drawing listeners in with clean lines, soft tension and a melodic hook that lingers long after the final beat.

Entirely written, recorded, produced and mastered by Michael Marek in just three days, Only Answer highlights his instinct for blending styles without ever losing cohesion. The track carries the feeling of driving out of a job on a cold winter evening, headlights reflected in rain and the sense that something new is beginning. It is emotional, relatable and shaped by lived experience, which is why its soundscape hits with real depth.

With its sleek transitions, glowing synths and cinematic rise, Only Answer stands out as a captivating synthwave release from an artist who continues to infuse electronic music with honest storytelling and atmospheric flair.

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TODAY’S INDIE FOLK BOPS // THE STORM WINDOWS

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This edition of Indie Folk Bops leans into slow warmth, timeless storytelling and the soft glow of a winter evening. Today’s pick feels like a well-loved blanket, a familiar voice, and the gentle hush that settles when family gather close.

The Storm Windows – Santa Goes to Space

The Storm Windows deliver a slow, cosy Christmas moment, carried by warm vocal grit and the kind of homely charm that feels like sitting beside the fire with people you love

Upstate New York and Vermont trio The Storm Windows return with Santa Goes to Space, a tender Americana leaning Christmas single that trades flash for feeling. It is slow, glowing and quietly humorous, built on soft folk roots and a warm, well-worn vocal that feels lived in and comforting. The track leans into the simplicity of gathering close during the holidays, offering a story that is playful on the surface, yet grounded in the gentle sincerity the band have made their signature.

The Storm Windows, built around brothers Rob and Don Mathews with Erik Anderson on drums, have long carried a musical ethos shaped by road trips, nostalgia and the small details that make ordinary life worth singing about. Their sound blends folk, rock and Americana into something homely and familiar, described by critics as “new Americana”, and by the band themselves as part travelogue, part reflection, part hope.

Santa Goes to Space continues that tradition with a holiday twist, offering a cosy fireside moment that is warm, slow and beautifully understated, a song that invites you to gather the family round, breathe in the season and let its soft glow fill the room.

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