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THIS WEEK’S ROCK BOPS

Hump day is the obviously best time to rock out, so here’s this week’s punchy mix of grit, reflection and classic bangers. From protest-rooted folk rock to seasoned blues storytelling, here’s this week’s rock bops ❤️‍🔥

Chris Oledude – The Choice

Chris Oledude delivers a vivid beauty of a protest, roots-driven rock moment

The Choice moves with a steady folk rock pulse, blending warm acoustic textures with purposeful, grounded instrumentation that reminds me of Rush. It’s on the reflective side but also incredibly direct, carrying a sense of urgency through a fantastic call and answer vocal arrangement. I’m a fan of Oledude’s work; and this by far is his most ambitious, together piece yet.

Chris Oledude draws from a deep lineage of protest music, informed by both classic folk traditions and progressive rock influences. The track reflects his long-standing commitment to social themes, channelling environmental concern and human decision-making into a focused, message-led release.

Rhys Hurd – Who the hell am I?

Rhys Hurd channels bold synth rock energy into a bright, questioning anthem built for big hooks

Who the hell am I? is all about those punchy synth lines and driving guitar work, serving up the most fun, vibrant, retro-tinged sound. The track feels immediate and has a real anthemic vibe, with a strong rhythmic push and a glossy finish. And there’s genuine craft to the arrangement, with verses cleverly pulling back a notch in order to make the most of the big chorus.

Rhys Hurd, emerging from the South West UK scene, continues to build a reputation for high-energy, crossover rock. This release highlights his hands-on approach to songwriting and production, pairing personal themes of identity and self-reflection with a colourful, accessible sound. This is loads of fun, and Rhys has got himself a new fan.

Aging Disgracefully – Blues Get Better With Age

Aging Disgracefully craft a warm, guitar-led blues rock track that celebrates experience with depth and character

Blues Get Better With Age kicks off with a lazy drum part, and organ, before letting it all out with a deliciously thick, expressive guitar tone. The rich, earthy vocals are the standout here, balancing classic blues feeling with a clean modern edge. Perhaps best of all though, the hook is great and I’m transported to the a cosy alehouse, and the accompanying whisky, pictured on the cover.

Aging Disgracefully lean fully into their identity as a blues-rooted duo, using this release to reinforce their focus on authenticity and lived experience. The track centres on themes of ageing and resilience, pushing back against industry norms while embracing a timeless, story-led approach to rock. Essential stuff.

AYCE Is Serving Up Rock With No Limits and We’re Starving For More

AYCE (All You Can Eat) is the project of Sara Bunge, Jessica Heming, and Ramsey Ord, and their debut EP is exactly what it promises: a generous, no-holds-barred spread of rock that refuses to sit still in one lane. With Sara’s raw, effects-free powerhouse vocals up front and Ramsey’s production threading the needle between gritty and gleaming, these three have something genuinely exciting on their hands.

We caught up with Sara and Ramsey to talk about the EP, the road to finding their sound, and why a perfect AYCE show might just be better than yoga.

“All You Can Eat” is a deliciously bold acronym for the band. What are you actually serving up for us eager listeners?

Ramsey: Jess actually suggested the name originally to mean “unlimited possibilities,” and that’s how we’re thinking about the music. We don’t want to get locked into too specific of a style and want to keep people guessing! The songs on the EP are all some form of rock, but they don’t necessarily all sound like each other. And I think that’s a good thing.

‘Go’ is my personal favourite on the EP. It hits that sweet spot between raw and polished. What was the production process like?

Ramsey: Once Sara came on board, the production became far easier and way more exciting. It was actually difficult to find that sweet spot because Sara has a strong enough voice that it didn’t require post-production effects, but most modern songs have a lot of effects. So we were trying to find that balance of having somewhat of a retro rock sound, but not too retro. Each song ended up with its own type of mix because of it.

The process had a lot of challenges, but we persevered. And honestly, it was a blessing in disguise that things took so long. Now we have a whole backlog of material ready to record, and the process will hopefully be a cakewalk compared to what it was.

We love it! If someone presses play on AYCE for the very first time, which track tells them exactly who you are?

Sara: I’m gonna say “Turn It Around” because I just love the juxtaposition in the music and lyricism. The sound of the song is dark, angsty, almost nightmare-ish, but the lyrics are literally just telling you “I know everything’s bad, but let’s try to turn it around, girl!” Like… okay! Sing me to sleep, why don’t you!

There’s a real sense of energy across the EP. What does a perfect AYCE live show feel like from your perspective?

Sara: I still have yet to crowd-surf… and dancing. Lots of dancing. A container to release whatever you’ve been holding onto through sound and movement. Like yoga, but a lot louder. And probably don’t wear leggings.

You’re getting some great traction on Spotify. What’s next? We’re excited.

Sara: We have new melodies and music rolling in, but before anything, we want to get out there and share our energy and gratitude with audiences.

Ramsey: We have strong roots in both LA and the UK and plan on doing gigs in both areas this year. Jess lives in Brighton, and Sara spent some of her formative years in the UK before landing in Southern California. We also plan on releasing more singles later this year!

Well, we’d love to have them on these shores. And AYCE’s debut EP ‘All You Can Eat’ is out now. Keep an eye on their Spotify and socials. This one’s just getting started.

THIS WEEK’S INDIE POP BOPS

Is there a better genre than indie pop? I’m not sure. Trendy people like it. Your grandma would probably like it. And kids will dance along too. We love this week’s indie pop bops; there’s emotional clarity, sharp pop instincts and cinematic synth builds. So let’s dive in 🏊‍♀️

Ava Valianti – Birthday Cake

Ava Valianti delivers a genuinely striking coming-of-age moment, turning bright pop textures into something compellingly dark

Birthday Cake opens with a polished pop sheen, a touch of indie cred, and all the song-craft of a Lana Del Rey classic. What follows is an introspective, airy journey, led by a steady, grounded vocal that stuns. It grows beautifully into a chorus section that lands easily, and even the short coda – a tinny phone recording that sounds like an early demo – grabs your attention.

Ava Valianti, a Newbury, Massachusetts songwriter, continues her shift into a more expansive pop sound, using the track to reflect on time, pressure, and self-expectation with notable clarity. She’s still young, but this marks a confident step forward, building on earlier releases while sharpening her emotional focus. It’s genuinely brilliant.

Luc Rushmere – Bonfire

Luc Rushmere delivers dark, sermon-like synth-pop that frames desire as ritual and absolutely nails it

“Bonfire” is the most cinematic thing we’ve heard from London-based indie-electronic artist Luc Rushmere. Produced by Craigie Dodds (the man behind records for Amy Winehouse, Gorillaz, and Ed Sheeran), this is their fourth collaboration together, and by far their most dramatic. The track uses imagery of blind religion, prayer, and self-destruction to explore forbidden devotion, all delivered over a wall-of-sound chorus that you’ll be thinking about for days. It’s the kind of song that earns the word “anthem.”

Luc Rushmere sits somewhere between MGMT’s restlessness and M83 at full emotional volume: beat-driven, cinematic, and emotionally direct. He’s also quietly built a sizeable following under a previous EDM alias, a completely different sound, but proof of how he moves. This is the more honest version of that.

Me.Kai – MISSMELIKEU

Me.Kai blends hyperpop chaos with a tender heart, cinematic strings against glitchy drops, and it all works.

Santa Barbara’s Me.Kai makes music that sounds like the inside of her own head, and “MISSMELIKEU” captures that perfectly. The track follows the push and pull of loving intensely while struggling to feel loved back with the same intensity, and the production mirrors it brilliantly. Tender, cinematic strings for the longing, glitchy dynamic drops for the turbulence, and a finale that releases all the accumulated chaos. It’s immersive, emotionally raw and just brilliant.

Me.Kai started her musical journey busking on the streets of Santa Barbara while attending UCSB, and over the past decade has built a reputation for raw vulnerability and emotional storytelling. She’s landed placements on Netflix’s All American and prominent Spotify playlists, and “MISSMELIKEU” leads a new hyperpop EP that marks a bold evolution in her sound. We’ll be watching this one very, very closely.

Tim Ellis – Spring Forward

Tim Ellis offers a quietly poignant meditation on clocks and confusion from one of Brooklyn’s sharpest singer-songwriter-comedians.

Tim Ellis is a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, comedian, and actor who has been documenting the full calendar year across four seasonal EPs. “Spring Forward” is the finale. The track opens his Remember Spring? EP as a gentle, witty, and surprisingly moving meditation on the disorientation of the clocks changing, that specific unmoored feeling when the time shifts before the world feels ready. Think Jonathan Richman’s deadpan charm crossed with a touch of Elvis Costello’s pop intelligence. It’s brilliant.

Tim’s credentials are wonderfully eclectic. He’s appeared on Law & Order: SVU, performed at Joe’s Pub and UCB Theater, and once worked in a marshmallow factory. He also plays guitar wrong, having taught himself after years of trombone, and that slightly left-field approach is exactly what makes his music feel so distinct. The lead guitar on the EP is handled by Phil from St. Divine and it absolutely slaps. There’s bags of character here, and we love it.

THIS WEEK’S INDIE ROCK BOPS

Spring is definitely here, so what better time to dive into some indie rock bangers. We’ve got stripped-back songwriting and brighter, full-band moments, but they all genuinely slap. So let’s rock ❤️‍🔥

Eddie Cohn – Weight of the World

Eddie Cohn delivers a beautifully thoughtful indie rock cut that genuinely stuns

Weight of the World unfolds with steady guitar lines, a wide and compelling production, and a genuinely fantastic vocal. There’s a lot of craft in this arrangement; and it really does keep things moving. By the time we have reached the fantastic middle eight, we’re barely a minute in. It’s punchy and fantastic.

Eddie Cohn leans into themes of information overload and modern pressure, shaping a track that feels both personal and broadly relatable. The release marks a continuation of his introspective songwriting approach, grounded in clarity and restraint. This is brilliant, you should definitely check it out.

Suzaman – Intro

Suzaman serves up honest slice of warm, homegrown DIY indie that you need to check out right now

Intro is built around soft guitar textures and a direct vocal delivery that keeps things intimate from the outset. The track carries a lovely sense of groove, all while holding a real emotional depth. There’s a lovely emotional DIY vibe which adds the kind of character that hundreds of tracks would kill for.

Suzaman, led by the creative instincts of Zak Crawford, focuses on authenticity over polish. Recording from a home setup, the project reflects a commitment to simple, purposeful music-making that prioritises feeling over scale. This really is promising stuff from Zak, so we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what he’s up to next.

Amelia – Heartsville

Amelia delivers a vibrant country and indie rock crossover that’s a one way ticket to our heart

Heartsville rides on lively guitar riffs and a rhythmic pulse that gives it a buoyant, forward-moving feel. It’s got a fantastic sense of character, driven by its upbeat arrangement – and would definitely be a favourite for my next road trip. The chorus, in particular, is a real earworm of a moment.

Amelia draws from traditional country textures while placing them within a contemporary indie framework. The track signals a confident step into a wider sound, with storytelling that centres on love and determination. It’s great, and an instant Spotify follow for me.

Dem Cowboys – What Dem Cowboys Say

Dem Cowboys deliver a playful, genre-blending indie rock banger with bags of character

What Dem Cowboys Say leans on punchy guitar work and a tight almost hip hop groove that gives it a distinctive, offbeat charm. It’s got great production, which alongside the clear vocal craft and carefully balanced humour, definitely puts this into a standout track of the week territory.

Dem Cowboys position themselves within a more experimental corner of indie rock, blending stylistic cues with a clear sense of identity. This release highlights their ability to keep things engaging without overcomplicating the sound. Essential stuff.

Lightning G – Give Me A Break

Lightning G serve up our favourite indie rock moment of the month so far

Give Me A Break is anchored by deliciously thick guitar tones, just the right amount of cowbell and a steady, driving rhythm that has me punching the air in no time. It gives ‘Give Me A Break’ a grounded, no-frills impact. There’s a zero-fat approach to songwriting here, as the song glides through sections in a brilliant, crafted way. And the chorus is fantastic.

Lightning G taps into a more classic rock-influenced edge within the indie space, focusing on immediacy and presence. This release highlights a straightforward, performance-led approach that prioritises feel over excess. This is a banger, and I love it.

CHILL HOUSE BOP OF THE WEEK

There’s a sunlit energy in the air, with all the right kind of warmth and gentle movement. So let’s present our chill house bop of the week ❤️‍🔥

SONICcontrol – Miracle of the Beach

SONICcontrol craft a serene, sun-washed chill house banger with a meditative blend of soothing textures

Miracle of the Beach drifts in on soft percussion and airy recorder tones, with a light rhythmic pulse guiding its calm flow. It’s got a really dreamy vibe which unfolds in all the right ways, bringing out warm synth layers and hushed vocal textures. The meditative, repeated vocal really nails that ‘anything can happen’ vibe and I love the 90s influence to the production.

SONICcontrol are a Finland-based group shaping a sound rooted in deep, emotive electronic music. This release centres on themes of love, freedom and presence, with a strong sense of place running through its beach-inspired imagery and reflective tone. It’s fantastic, and I can’t wait to hear more.

INDIE FOLK BOPS OF THE WEEK

Easter weekend is the best holiday of the year. None of the pressure of Christmas, all of the vibes. So it’s a perfect time to dive into some acoustic textures and honest songwriting. Here’s the indie folk bops of the week 🐰

Mitchell Young – Delicate Flower

Mitchell Young gives us a wonderfully warm, introspective folk moment with the best kind of sincere songwriting

Delicate Flower unfolds through soft acoustic instrumentation and a steady, comforting rhythm, creating a lovely sense of intimacy. It’s produced like a dream, and I like the arrangement choices – staying minimal – allowing the message of love to lead.

Mitchell Young is a UK-based artist whose work draws on classic singer-songwriter influences, and this release marks a shift towards a more open, uplifting sound. Excitingly, he looks like he’s picking up traction, and no wonder – these themes of love, healing and connection, reflects a clear sense of purpose. Love to hear more of this.

Boyce Thompson – Groove of Debt

Boyce Thompson crafts a richly textured folk moment with an important narrative for our times

Groove of Debt is built around a fireside acoustic vibe and organic instrumentation. It’s got a natural, unforced flow that gives the track a timeless feel. And the knowing, narrative-based approach is really working here, and I’m hooked by two things; the music, but also to hear the outcome of Boyce’s pretty compelling story.

Boyce Thompson is an artist rooted in Americana and folk traditions, and this release highlights his ability to reinterpret classic forms with a modern perspective. His work draws from a wide musical palette, shaping songs that feel both familiar and distinct. More of this please, Boyce.

Oneway – Breakdown

Oneway delivers the best kind of emotionally direct folk rock banger that gives you all the feels

Breakdown builds around a wide palette of instrumentation, drawn from rock, folk and some fantastic boy/girl vocals to give the song a gradual sense of emotional lift. There’s definitely an expansive, anthemic feel to it, and by the time of the second chorus I’ve got my lighter out and waving my hands in the air.

Oneway is the project of a US-based songwriter whose work is shaped by personal experience and community focus, and this release centres on themes of struggle, faith and perseverance. It stands as a heartfelt expression designed to connect and reassure. A brilliant track.

THIS WEEK’S SUMMER BOPS

Sun-soaked and immediate, this week’s summer picks are all about the warmth, rhythm, and emotional openness. I know it’s early, but here’s the best bops to prep for summer ☀️

Kwame Ultimate – Say I Luv U

Kwame Ultimate delivers a vibrant, sunlit pop track that blends reggae and Afrobeats into a feel-good celebration of love and connection

Say I Luv U rides in on a laid-back groove, shaped by rhythmic percussion and warm melodic hooks that give it an easy, uplifting flow. The production is crisp, it all feels expansive and carefree. Honestly, it’s a joyful reminder of the importance of connection in difficult times we’re having.

Kwame Ultimate is an independent artist rooted in reggae and dancehall traditions, and this release sees him expand into Afrobeats-influenced territory with confidence. Centred on expressing love openly and in the moment, it captures a universal message with a global sound. It’s genuinely great.

Eshan Agarwal – That One’s On Me

Eshan Agarwal serves up a stunning melodic pop moment with introspection and vulnerability at its heart

That One’s On Me moves in with clarity. Serving up soft, melodic layers and unfolding with a sense of genuine craft. It’s the best kind of pop rock, with a late-evening road trip atmosphere. So it’s no surprise that this one is picking up a lot of traction on Spotify, and we’re 100% glad to see it.

Eshan Agarwal is a New York-based singer-songwriter whose work blends pop with influences from jazz, R&B and theatre, and this release highlights his thoughtful approach to storytelling. Exploring accountability and self-discovery, it offers a grounded, relatable perspective. Essential stuff, more of this please Eshan.

ELECTRONIC BOP OF THE WEEK

A single track leading the charge this week, built on atmosphere and emotional detail with a 100% club-ready focus. Hit the kick drum and let’s get ready 💡

DJ Thomek – A Little Bit

DJ Thomek serves up warm, melodic electronic banger ready for summer 2026

A Little Bit settles into a steady house groove, layered with soft synth textures and a warm vocal that gives the track its emotional centre. Stuff like this needs to have crisp production, and DJ Thomek definitely delivers in that department, providing the foundation of a genuine house banger.

DJ Thomek is an independent producer working across EDM and house, and this release highlights his focus on combining visual creativity with sound. Rooted in atmosphere and feeling, it reflects a clear intention to create music that connects both emotionally and physically. This one’s an immediate playlist add, especially for the summer season. Essential stuff.

THIS WEEK’S POP BOPS

All the pop bops for Easter weekend. We’ve got polished songwriting with left-field production choices and the odd late-night moods. And what do they all have in common? Absolute BOPS.

Asmi Aderay – I’m That Woman

Asmi Aderay serves up a bright, bold, vocal-led pop anthem with a strong sense of self-worth

I’m That Woman does not mess around, opening with immediate intent, driven by dynamic production and a powerful vocal performance that carries both strength and vulnerability. The track’s melody builds into a confident, expansive sound that I can’t get enough of.

Asmi Aderay is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter whose work sits between alt-pop, rock and soul, and this release highlights her expressive range and lyrical focus. Rooted in themes of love and self-belief, it marks a clear statement of identity and artistic direction. It’s an absolute bop this one.

Korda Korder – I Was Your Witness

Korda Korder craft the dream pop moment of the year so far

I Was Your Witness drifts in with wavy, layered guitar textures and soft, ethereal vocals, creating the best kind of dreamlike atmosphere. It’s genuinely great dream pop, moving with a gentle, insistent momentum, pulling the listener into its detailed sonic world. The chorus is also an absolute bop.

Korda Korder are an emerging act shaping a sound rooted in dream pop and melodic indie influences, and this release reflects their growing presence. With nods to nostalgic textures and modern production, they continue to refine a distinct and transportive style. More of this please guys, it’s really great.

Nada UV – Here’s to the Amicable

Nada UV serve up a warped, genre-blurring pop moment that’s experimental in all the best of ways

Here’s to the Amicable is built on warped samples and off-kilter grooves, creating a slightly surreal, immersive feel. The spoken word delivery really works, and it’s kinda got a Bran Van 3000 vibe which I love. The production leans playful yet precise, allowing its emotional undercurrent to surface gradually.

Nada UV are a Los Angeles-based group whose sound blends experimental pop with alternative influences, and this release captures that balance with confidence. Exploring the complexities of relationships, it brings both wit and depth to its storytelling. I really like this.

Ion Odagiu – Stay Close

Ion Odagiu crafts a minimal, late-night afrobeat pop banger track with infinite groove

Stay Close settles into a stripped-back groove, built on soft electronic textures and a steady, looping afrobeat rhythm. It’s produced well, keeping its palette punchy and minimal, and where it ends up in the chorus is stunning.

Ion Odagiu is an independent artist blending pop, hip hop and dance influences, and this release highlights a more restrained, intimate side of his sound. Centred on connection and simplicity, it captures a quiet but effective emotional pull. A real highlight this week.

THIS WEEK’S HIP HOP BOPS

This week’s bops move swiftly introspection and impact, with artists balancing sharp lyricism and atmospheric production. It’s got all the attitude that we’d expect, so let’s get stuck in.

William X Nietzsche – Fight No Moor

William X Nietzsche delivers a confrontational, politically charged track that pairs hypnotic production with direct, uncompromising lyricism

Fight No Moor unfolds over a steady, hypnotic beat, compelling chants, and a stunning lyrical flow to allow its important message to take centre stage. The delivery is measured but firm, with crunchily good production choices keeping the focus on lyrical detail and intent.

William X Nietzsche is a conscious hip hop artist whose work connects personal history with wider political themes, and this release stands as a clear statement of purpose. Drawing on global and historical references, the track challenges systems while asserting independence and self-definition. It’s brilliant, and I’m really excited to hear more this year.

Earatik Statik – Slap (feat. Ed OG & Black Silver)

Earatik Statik deliver a hard-hitting boom bap track built on sharp lyricism and uncompromising underground energy

Slap is driven by punchy drum patterns and stripped-back production that gives space for each verse to land with clarity. The track leans into a traditional hip hop structure, keeping its focus on rhythm and lyrical precision.

Earatik Statik, led by Los Polk from Chicago’s underground scene, continue to carry forward a legacy rooted in authenticity and craft. This release reinforces that foundation, bringing together seasoned voices with a shared commitment to raw, unfiltered hip hop. This is big.

ROVESKiii – My Speech

ROVESKiii crafts a beautiful moment late-night, introspective hip hop wi

My Speech drifts through wavy, spacious production, built on soft synth textures and a steady, understated beat. The track feels immersive, pulling the listener into its reflective, nocturnal tone. And damn, it flows.

ROVESKiii is an emerging artist with roots in Tuscaloosa, shaping a sound that merges alternative R&B with hip hop sensibilities. This release highlights a growing identity centred on vulnerability, self-reflection, and melodic storytelling. This is great.

Sheena-Rae – Baddie Like Me

Sheena-Rae delivers a confident, hook-driven hip hop moment with a bold personality

Baddie Like Me is built around catchy hooks and a clean, modern beat that gives the track an immediate, upbeat feel. This really pops, the production is tight, and the vocal can lead with clarity. And we love the attitude.

Sheena-Rae is a London-based pop and rap artist whose work leans into themes of confidence and self-expression, and this release captures that energy with focus and intent. It marks another step in her growing catalogue, reinforcing a clear and accessible sound. A real banger, more of this please.