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TODAY’S ROCK BOPS // SCARLET JOY AND PIRANHA PIRANHA

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This edition of Rock Bops brings two striking releases shaped by fire, rebirth and raw intensity. From cathartic alternative rock to spiritually charged heaviness, both artists carve powerful spaces in the rock landscape.

Scarlet Joy – The Burning Days

Scarlet Joy turns devastation into defiance, delivering an EP that burns bright with honesty, grit and emotional clarity

Lincoln-based alternative rock artist Scarlet Joy returns with The Burning Days, a bold and deeply personal EP written during the early days of sobriety. The record explores addiction, recovery and self-reclamation, all filtered through a sound that is both vulnerable and forceful. Haunting vocals, driving guitars and a sense of rising from the wreckage define the project’s core.

Recorded at Superfly Studios with Andy Banfield, the EP features Tom Latham on bass and Phil Wilson on drums, grounding the songs in a dynamic, instinctive energy. Influences like PJ Harvey, QOTSA and Nine Inch Nails echo through the textures, but Scarlet Joy’s voice is unmistakably her own. Each track feels like a moment of reckoning, a reminder that healing often begins at the edge of collapse.

The Burning Days stands as a cathartic, defiant body of work that transforms past pain into a blazing, empowering force.

Piranha Piranha – Fire Eye

Piranha Piranha ignite a spiritual storm, fusing explosive rock energy with themes of awakening and truth.

Akron duo Piranha Piranha make a striking debut with Fire Eye, a single inspired by a transformative Ayahuasca journey in Costa Rica. The song dives into spiritual awakening, consciousness and the unveiling of truth, shaping heavy rock with a transcendent edge.

The track opens with a match strike that triggers a fuse and a live-recorded explosion. The band captured everything by hand, from firecrackers in a parking lot to the final mortar blast that kicks the song into motion. This attention to authenticity gives Fire Eye a visceral punch. The riff, first written on a drone flute beneath a tree, evolved into its current driving form, retaining its meditative roots while surging with new power.

With its blend of force, message and boundary-pushing production, Fire Eye marks Piranha Piranha as a new rock act ready to make a meaningful impact.

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TODAY’S SINGER-SONGWRITER BOPS // JOHN MICHAEL HERSEY

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This edition of singer-songwriter BOPS centres on intimate storytelling and sharply drawn character work. With rich craftsmanship and a lifetime of musical experience behind it, this track offers thoughtful reflection wrapped in classic songwriting.

John Michael Hersey – Democracy

John Michael Hersey brings a storyteller’s depth to Democracy, shaping a song that feels lived in, compassionate and quietly cinematic

Veteran songwriter John Michael Hersey returns with Democracy, a track from his latest album of the same name. Set against the backdrop of a dive bar on election night, the song echoes the themes of the full project, capturing ordinary people watching history unfold on a glowing television. Their worries, hopes and private struggles create a human counterpoint to the larger moment. Hersey’s writing turns these scenes into something tender and reflective.

Across twenty-one albums, Hersey has developed a distinctive blend of rock, pop, folk, blues and country. That fusion is alive here. Democracy moves with a gentle rhythmic pulse, grounded by warm piano and unhurried guitar lines that support his clear, expressive vocal. His lyrics are thoughtful and precise, written with the care of someone who has spent a lifetime telling stories on stage and on record.

Critics have long praised his craft. Songweb described his previous album as “a masterclass in storytelling, soul and sonic craftsmanship,” while Pitch Perfect highlighted his combination of strong songwriting, Elton-like piano sensibility and Knopfler-styled guitar work. That same musical maturity threads through Democracy, giving the track both weight and ease.

The single reinforces Hersey’s reputation as a seasoned writer who captures everyday emotion with depth and clarity. Democracy is warm, observant and quietly powerful, the work of an artist still pushing forward after decades of creation.

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TODAY’S SYNTHWAVE BOPS // SLEEPNOWQUEEN

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This edition of Synthwave Bops dives into neon-lit nostalgia and uplifting electronic edge. With its blend of 80s atmosphere and modern emotional clarity, this track channels both retro mystery and a message built for today.

SLEEPNOWQUEEN – PUSH

SLEEPNOWQUEEN lifts a classic 80s mood into something hopeful, creating a track that glows with resilience and quiet determination.

Kansas City solo artist SLEEPNOWQUEEN returns with PUSH, a synth-driven single shaped by the shadowy charm of 1980s darkwave and the emotional realities of the present moment. Written during a turbulent period in the United States, the song carries a strong central message: keep moving forward, even when the world feels heavy.

Recorded at Uptown Productions, the track comes alive through its immersive production choices. SLEEPNOWQUEEN leaned fully into the mood of the song, allowing the beat and the atmosphere to guide the writing. That approach gives PUSH a unique energy. It feels lived-in, almost cinematic, with its pulsing low end, glowing synth textures and a vocal delivery that blends urgency with warmth.

The artist’s influences can be heard in the details. Fans of The Cure, darkwave’s moody synth palette, and retro alt-pop will find a lot to love here. Yet PUSH stands apart through its lyrical focus. It is an encouragement anthem built from a place of real experience, urging listeners not to lose hope. As the artist puts it, when life gets hard, no matter what, you have to continue to PUSH.

This release marks another step in SLEEPNOWQUEEN’s rise, showing a project rooted in nostalgia but driven by a forward-looking spirit.

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TODAY’S INDIE POP BOPS // FIR THE BAND

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This edition of Indie Pop Bops leans into late night reflection and tender emotional honesty. With dreamy textures and a bedroom-pop hush, this track captures the fragile space between memory and heartbreak.

Fir the Band – Twin Bed

Fir the Band hold onto the small emotional details, turning the closeness of a twin bed into something raw, nostalgic and beautifully human.

Edinburgh trio Fir the Band return with Twin Bed, a delicate indie pop cut built around hazy guitars, warm texture and soft but emotionally clear storytelling. Written in their flat while talking through old breakups and the nerves that come with looking ahead, the song captures the strange pull between what once was and what still lingers.

They built the early version at a desk in their guitarist’s bedroom, before finishing it in a small Leith studio. That closeness bleeds into the song itself. The arrangement is intimate, gently layered, and full of tiny production choices that let the lyrics breathe. It feels handmade in the best way, equal parts vulnerable and quietly confident.

Fir the Band’s style sits somewhere between bedroom pop and cinematic indie daydream. Their influences, from Clairo to Holly Humberstone and Wallows, can be heard in the mellow grooves and emotional openness, but Twin Bed stands on its own. It is personal, imperfect and quietly powerful, the kind of track that feels tailor made for late night drives and private reflection.

Twin Bed marks another strong step in the band’s evolution, showing how their DIY charm can support deeper storytelling and a richer emotional palette.

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TODAY’S INDIE ROCK BOPS // HERDS

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This edition of Indie Rock Bops spotlights a Nottingham band carving out a vivid new chapter. With sharp song-writing, wiry guitars and emotional clarity, this track brings a fresh spark to the UK indie scene.

Herds – Inside

Herds deliver a feisty, tightly written indie rock punch, wrapped in a vocal that hits with lived-in honesty

Nottingham psych-indie outfit Herds return with Inside, a track that channels the collapse of a relationship into something direct and unflinching. Recorded at JT Soar with Phil Booth and mixed by Robin Newman at Snug, it carries a raw edge that never slips into chaos, instead pushing forward with purpose.

Previously known as The Amber Herd, the band rebuilt and redefined themselves after a name and line-up change. Their new identity leans into sharper guitar work, more confident contrasts and a broader sense of atmosphere. You can hear the years on stage, the festival miles, and the influence of their progressive and Americana-tinged past, now shaped into something more focused.

Inside feels like a diary page set on fire, full of tightly observed details and a rhythm section that keeps the whole thing driving. The writing is lean, the production is clean without being polished, and the storytelling is delivered with a steady, understated intensity.

The release is paired with a special alternate version of Over the Lake, a song destined for their upcoming third LP. It hints at the expanded world Herds are building toward, suggesting a record with both muscle and emotional depth.

Inside is a confident step forward, marking Herds as a band in full motion toward a new era.

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TODAY’S R&B BOPS // ALASTAIR BENTLEY AND KARNEE

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This edition of R&B Bops leans into late night soul and warm confessions. With two rising artists exploring vulnerability from very different angles, these tracks bring heartfelt honesty, velvet smooth grooves and the glow of real emotion.

Alastair Bentley – Box Office

Alastair Bentley delivers melodies that feel instantly familiar, wrapped in a warmth that sinks straight into your chest

Halifax singer songwriter Alastair Bentley brings a breezy, heartfelt charm on Box Office, a track that moves with an easy confidence and a storyteller’s touch. Growing up in West Yorkshire, Alastair absorbed the pulse of the local music scene and the influence of icons like Paul McCartney, Mac DeMarco, Hers and Beach House. You can hear that blend of classic and contemporary in every line.

The song unfolds like a diary entry, full of small details and soft humour, carried by Alastair’s distinctive tone and a melody that lingers long after it ends. There is a simplicity to the production that lets the songwriting shine, and a sincerity that makes the song feel like a quiet, welcome conversation.

This release marks another step forward for Alastair, now firmly emerging as one of Halifax’s most promising young voices.

Karnee – Spent

Karnee’s voice holds a rare emotional weight, turning every line of Spent into something tender, vulnerable and unforgettable

Detroit artist Karnee returns with Spent, a soulful, emotive R&B track that leans into longing and the ache of unspoken feelings. Inspired by the heightened emotion of romantic films, Karnee writes with honesty, letting each lyric cut straight to the heart.

Recorded in Oklahoma City with producer Rob Stovall and master engineer Cutta Classic, the track carries a rich warmth. Soft percussion and understated production leave space for Karnee’s intimate vocals, creating a moment that feels personal yet instantly relatable. It captures a snapshot of emotional openness that many listeners will recognise.

Spent marks an important moment in Karnee’s artistic journey, setting her on a path toward even bigger stages as she continues refining her deeply heartfelt sound. It’s genuinely stunning.

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TODAY’S SYNTH POP BOPS // AVENIDA CORRIENTES

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This edition of Synth Pop BOPS dives into shimmering electronics, late night emotion, and the cinematic pulse of modern Spanish pop. Avenida Corrientes steps forward with a track that glows with drama and atmosphere, pulling you into a world of neon haze and quiet intensity.

Avenida Corrientes – Desaparecer

Avenida Corrientes brings a haunting beauty to synth pop that stays with you long after the final note

Avenida Corrientes returns with Desaparecer, a sleek and atmospheric slice of synth pop that fuses emotional storytelling with meticulous sound design. Recorded and mixed at the renowned Artesonao studio in Málaga and mastered at the esteemed 123 Studios in London, the track showcases an artist fully in command of their craft.

Desaparecer glides on cool electronics and a gently driving beat, pairing Spanish lyrics with brief touches of English to create a sound that feels both intimate and widescreen. The production is sharp yet sensitive, glowing with detail in the synth layers and vocal textures. Written in the summer of 2025, the track captures a sense of uncertainty, longing, and the quiet ache of something slipping away.

The Sevillian artist draws inspiration from electronic giants such as Moby and Depeche Mode, while also weaving in the atmospheric pop influence of Fangoria and La Casa Azul. The result is a crisp, modern sound that remains rooted in emotion. At just under three minutes, Desaparecer leaves its mark quickly and with intention, offering a moment of escape that lingers in the mind.

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TODAY’S POP ROCK BOPS // ARN IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS AND ALIEN FRIENDS, TALK IN CODE, AND ANDY SUNSHINE

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This edition of Pop Rock Bops brings together three artists who lean into warm nostalgia, timeless songwriting, and big melodic moments. From cinematic soft rock to stadium-ready anthems and heartfelt acoustic reflections, today’s selection is rich, emotional, and built for repeat listens.

Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends – The Crow

Arn Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends deliver soft rock storytelling with a cinematic sweep that is instantly captivating

The curiously named Arn Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends return with The Crow, a slow burning piece of soft focus rock that blends classic AOR warmth with a strange, dreamlike melancholy. The track carries a Bolero styled sway, cosy background vocals and a dramatic rise that feels built for old film reels and dimly lit evenings. The lyrics linger in the space between loneliness and longing, where love and regret blur at the edges. It is tender, weary and quietly striking.

Behind the project is Swedish songwriter Arne Flloyd, channelling influences from Roy Orbison and the rich melodic traditions of classic rock. The production brings in contributions from respected musicians like Andreas Quincy Dahlbäck on drums and background vocals from members of The Merrymakers and Mother James. Out on December 12th, the single is full of texture and emotional nuance, The Crow is a gentle reminder that some stories ache in all the right places.

Talk In Code – More Than Friends

Talk In Code hit a sweet spot between nostalgia and pure pop energy that feels effortlessly uplifting

Talk In Code lean into shimmering nostalgia with More Than Friends, a bright, late night rush of new wave pop rock. The song moves between reflective verses and a soaring, hands in the air chorus, capturing that bittersweet moment when you are waiting for someone to admit what you both already feel. The rhythmic groove keeps everything moving with an irresistible pulse, turning the emotional tension into something euphoric.

The Swindon based band have grown into festival favourites, celebrated for mixing 80s cinematic charm with 90s indie sparkle. Recorded with producer Sam Winfield, More Than Friends sits proudly alongside their previous releases which have earned BBC Introducing support and hundreds of thousands of streams. With chart ready hooks and heartfelt delivery, Talk In Code continue proving why they are one of the most reliable pop rock outfits in the UK.

Andy Sunshine – I Believe In Christmas

Andy Sunshine brings a touching honesty to Christmas music, crafting something tender and beautifully sincere.

Andy Sunshine offers a heartfelt seasonal moment with I Believe In Christmas, a soft pop rock ballad wrapped in nostalgia and gentle emotion. The song leans into the ghosts of Christmas past, mixing sadness, sweetness and hope in equal measure. The chorus rises with a classic feel, promising to linger long after the final chords fade. It is sentimental in all the right ways and feels built for quiet December evenings.

Hailing from Guernsey, Sunshine combines melodic acoustic elements with earnest pop rock writing. Working with producer Finn Connolly, he shaped the track during a relaxed summer studio session, letting the emotional weight guide the arrangement. As he grows his catalogue and audience, I Believe In Christmas shows a writer who knows how to tap into memory, warmth and human connection with real sincerity.

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TODAY’S INDIE POP BOPS // COSSMO AND THE SNOW PONIES

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This edition of Indie Pop BOPS drifts between late night introspection and bittersweet charm. From quiet thoughts that bloom into catharsis to a jangly indie gem with storytelling at its core, these two artists deliver songs that glow with feeling, craft, and a little emotional truth.

Cossmo – home alone

Cossmo turns quiet loneliness into something tender and luminous, crafting indie pop that feels like a late night truth

Cossmo captures that quiet ache of growing older and realising you have to learn how to sit with yourself, how to turn loneliness into something softer and more forgiving. The song moves from hushed, late night confession to a dynamic, surging bridge, and the emotional shift feels earned and incredibly human.

The Swiss songwriter specialises in intimate writing that reads like snapshots from a journal. His songs wander through thought spirals, healing, and the strange spaces between melancholy and hope. “home alone” is one of his most moving yet, threading vulnerability through a melody that feels both tender and resilient. It is indie pop for anyone who has ever convinced themselves they are fine and then suddenly realised they are not.

The Snow Ponies – The Long Way Home

“The Long Way Home” is a wistful, beautifully eccentric slice of indie pop storytelling

Phil Dean’s project leans into warm guitars, soft grit, and melodies that feel like walking through a familiar town at sunset. There is humour in the band’s origin story and sincerity in the songwriting, and that combination is what makes this track shine.

Recorded in rural Aotearoa and shaped by Dean’s years of touring and writing, the song blends indie pop shimmer with touches of alt rock and classic jangle. It is grounded, melodic, and quietly charming, carrying a simplicity that lets the feeling land without fuss. “The Long Way Home” plays like a gentle reminder that the small steps back to yourself are worth celebrating.

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TODAY’S RNB BOP // SHELITA

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This edition of RNB BOPS falls head over heels for Shelita and her lush new single I’m So In Love With You. It is a track that bottles the moment love stops being a feeling and becomes a force, filling the room with warmth, clarity, and that rare sense of emotional awakening.

Shelita – I’m So In Love With You

Shelita glides between eras of R and B with stunning cinematic grace

Blending the golden glow of 90s soul with the polish of contemporary R and B, I’m So In Love With You is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. The production sways with smooth basslines, crisp hip hop inspired drums, and a gentle pulse that leaves plenty of space for Shelita’s vocals to shine. Her voice carries a soft power, moving from tender confession to confident declaration with effortless control.

Lyrically, the track leans into the quiet magic of love that arrives unexpectedly. It captures the shift from butterflies to a deeper kind of certainty, the moment you realise someone has changed the shape of your world in ways you cannot undo. Shelita sings with honesty and emotional clarity, grounding the song in lived experience rather than cliché.

A genre blending artist with a global outlook, Shelita draws inspiration from her travels, her advocacy for the ocean, and her wide range of creative pursuits. She has been praised by outlets such as NPR and Forbes for her distinctive voice and fearless storytelling. Raised in Seattle before building her career in Europe, she has toured internationally and amassed over 20 million streams, proving how far an independent artist can go with vision and determination.

I’m So In Love With You is the kind of R and B track that lingers long after it fades, offering warmth, depth, and a genuinely uplifting emotional space. It feels intimate, cinematic, and unmistakably her.

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