This week’s rock spans the full spread, from a teenager announcing himself with dirty blues riffs to seasoned bands chasing euphoria, defiance and a bit of sunshine. Loud, honest and built for the stage, every one of these swings for the back row.
Queens Fool – Bourboncy
“Bourboncy” is one of the most singable country-rock heartbreak anthems you’ll hear this week from Queens Fool, a barroom lament built for shouting back.
This is heartbreak you can raise a glass to. Built around a clever barroom hook, “Bourboncy” turns a relationship falling apart into a roots-rock singalong, following a narrator stranded on a barstool where the only therapy on offer comes from the bartender. I’ve been there mate. The production is warm and cinematic, melodic hooks doing the heavy lifting while the lyrics wring wry humour from last-call regret. It balances hurt against a chorus built for crowds, a kind of rare drinking song that feels really genuine and fun. Best of all, the breakdown before the last chorus is great.
Queens Fool is the artist project of Leonard Bernstein, a Napa, California songwriter working in melodic rock, Americana and country rock with a taste for cinematic emotional themes. His catalogue is built around reflective lyrics and modern full-band production, returning again and again to love, memory, resilience and personal transformation. “Bourboncy” sits right in that wheelhouse, a story-driven heartbreak song that leans on character and hook. It’s a fantastic single, and we hope there’s more coming.
Luca Cruz – Walls Fall Down
“Walls Fall Down” is a stunning debut from Luca Cruz, a blues-rock statement so assured it is genuinely hard to believe it comes from a 16-year-old.
This is a track that arrives swinging. Dirty, overdriven guitars ride in with a heavy groove while the vocal carries a weathered conviction that has no business sounding this lived-in. The whole thing pushes forward with bags of urgency, and I love the heady mix. It’s clear that there’s blues DNA in the tone and phrasing, but nothing here reads as throwback: the energy is modern and full-throttle, the hook defiant. ‘Play it loud and dirty, til the walls fall down’ really captures the vibe perfercely.
Luca Cruz is a 16-year-old guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer from Perth, Western Australia, who wrote, performed and self-produced this entire debut. He was guided in the studio by respected Australian blues guitarist Michael Vdelli, and raised on a wide spread of guitar music, from The Jeff Healey Band and Gary Moore to the heavier attack of Metallica and Pantera. That creative independence at his age is the real story here, an artist arriving with a distinctive voice, and this absolute banger already under his belt. A great track.
Sandra Vriese – Spotlight!
“Spotlight!” is a superb, high-energy rock-pop anthem from Sandra Vriese, a euphoric shot of nostalgia with soul harmonies and real bite.
This one is built to get a party started, and it knows it. Soul harmonies and unexpected rhythmic accents drive an infectious rock-pop rush. There’s a pinch of Pink’s brash confidence and the swagger of a classic En Vogue intro. There’s party vibes, a wistful streak and a longing for the carefree Friday nights of youth before adult weight settled in. Damn, I know the feeling, Sandra. Anyway, before I get teary-eyed, it’s bags of fun this one, celebrating and thriving in the spotlight while missing the freedom of the past. And what a guitar solo.
Sandra Vriese is a hands-on artist from Hummelo in the Netherlands who writes, records and even masters her own material, chasing a sound that stays authentically hers at every stage. In 2024 she assembled a full band on guitar, bass and drums to bring power and energy to her compositions, drawing on the positivity of Pink and the bold soul of En Vogue. This one’s huge, and we can’t wait to see what Sandra does next.
Delta Fire – Love Stops First
Delta Fire serve up “Love Stops First” – a brilliant, high-powered rock track and sound of a Glasgow band baring their teeth
This is rock with the amps pushed hard. High-powered and muscular, “Love Stops First” rips forward on blistering guitar work and a heavy, driving low end, the band clearly relishing the chance to let loose. There’s a classic rock and roll backbone here, with a smidge of 90s grunge in there too, but it all feels very current through it’s immediacy. The riffs are strong, the bluesy vocals great, and the whole thing sets your heart ablaze. Would be fun to see live too.
Delta Fire are a four-piece alt-rock band forged in Glasgow. “Love Stops First” is the third single from their upcoming album, currently slated for Spring 2027. These lads can definitely rock, some tasty guitar solos, heavy bass riffs and introspective lyricism. There’s plenty of fire in this, and we’re very excited to hear more from these lads. A great single.
Mick J. Clark – Anuther Sunny Hulliday
“Anuther Sunny Hulliday” is a gorgeous, unashamedly feel-good summer singalong from Mick J. Clark, an essential summer track for 2026
Mick J Clark’s new single is a holiday captured start to finish in one song. An impressive feat, and it walks through every beat of the getaway, from pre-trip anticipation to poolside bliss. And then to the bittersweet flight home. This could be awful, but it’s delivered in a crisp, knowing and beautifully produced way that it really works. Vocally, there’s a touch of Costello and it’s meticulously produced for something so light-hearted. This is feel-good music with genuine substance under the sunshine, built purely to lift the mood.
Mick J. Clark is a prolific Croydon artist who writes the songs, music and lyrics for his releases and plays a hands-on role in producing them, drawing creative inspiration from his passion for football. “Anuther Sunny Hulliday” comes from his album Notes Two, and sits within a busy catalogue that includes the EP I Want It More Than You. His whole approach is built on making accessible, joyful music that works for all ages. It’s worked a treat here, so check out this beauty below.