Holy Youth Movement – Fearless

Bristol’s Holy Youth Movement have returned with their new single ‘Fearless’. It was produced and mixed by the legendary Jagz Kooner( Sabres Of Paradise/ Primal Scream / Andrew Weatherall) at his Stone Circle Studio.

*banner image credit: Alan Wells

Previous releases have conjured a mesh of Primal Scream and Kasabian. Intoxicating as they have been, in truth, they lacked their own presence to catapult them to the big time.

Step forward, ‘Fearless’.

The sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll of their previous work remain strong as they finally tip over into club classic territory. It’s a realm so many bands flirt with; few have the confidence or the skill to take the plunge, leaving it to others to remix.

Not HYM!

Frontman Tom Newman strikes a poignant tone in his delivery, whilst Tom “Schmidt” Smith’s synths distil the ecstatic joy of Underworld’s ‘Rez’ into a sensational hook. Whilst the gas has been stepped off, the potency remains prominent. The out-and-out club sonic has delicate guitars chiming with the lightest of touches, and basslines destined to be the catalyst for success.

As we approach closing party season, ‘Fearless’ is set to soundtrack lifelong memories and love-fuelled friendships with the skittish synths and defiant vocals soaring through night skies.

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Ryan Dunn – Lovin’ You

Former Gazelle frontman Ryan Dun released his second single, ‘Lovin’ You’, last week. It followed his debut solo venture ‘Ale House Blues’ in 2024, can it stack up to the promise shown/

‘Ale House Blues’ was indebted to Dylan circa ‘Bringing It All Back Home’. This time out, we see Dunn in a buoyant Motown mood akin to the back end of his former band, Gazelle.

Image % artwork courtesy of Ryan Dunn.

Dun lands himself instantly in the melody and beats of Stevie Wonder and Frank Wilson on this soul-pop gem. At points, he counters the uplifting northern soul with moments of real drama and intensity as a wall of sound eclipses the sunnier climates.

Vocally, this is Dunn’s most varied performance to date. He moves from Smokey’s angelic side of soul to Sam Cooke’s defiant nature with a grace that warrants serious attention!

Two singles deep and any ghosts of his former band are showing no sign of haunting Dunn. His eyes are focused on reimagining the classics for the modern age, and the results are triumphant.

Siracuse - Chase The Morning

Cheltenham’s Siracuse returned with their first single of 2025 ‘Chase The Morning’ at the end of May. Released via Vibrant Sky Records, it was produced by Dave Draper in Pershore, at The Old Cider Press Studio. It follows last year’s hedonistic ‘Simple Pleasures’ with both expected to feature on their new album due in 2026.

The thunderous intro lands you in ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’s rabid intention of world domination. From there, through a divine key change, they depart from Oasis and forge a new path of intoxication and aspiration but with greater heart.

With each circling year, Ben Zakotti - frontman, guitarist, poet in chords - edges closer to the ranks of the almost-forgotten greats. Once, the phrase belonged to the slow-blooming, the ill-starred, the haunted. Now, in 2025, Zakotti stares down a music world hollowed and hunched. Even the stations that once swore by bands have drawn up the ladder, leaving echoes where anthems should be.

With hope now an almost bygone era sentiment, Zakotti’s performance becomes more vital. As his hypnotic vocal decrees, “take your chance to electrify” and “chase the morning”, a generation of guitar fans fed up with the lack of exposure have their clarion call. Images of stadiums shaking with limbs flying to this electrifying anthem become the goal, an insurrection among guitar lovers imminent. Their time miust be now!

2025 is going to be the year that Oasis came back. It should be about Pastel’s debut and The Bracknall’s seminal second album. It should be about Marseille, Rolla, and The Crooks selling out venues. It should be about Siracuse!

The Cases – Where Is It (That You Wanna Go)

Preston outfit The Cases recently released their latest single, ‘Where Is It (That You Wanna Go)’. It follows last September’s eye-catching ‘Just Like You’. Can it maintain the momentum?

*banner image credit Izzy Scott

Where ‘Just Like You’ was indebted to current indie darlings Lock-In, ‘Where Is It (That You Wanna Go)’s soul belongs to the 00s greats! The achingly infectious licks evoke the carefree abandon of The Maccabees beginnings. They summon the humble glory of Battle and the raucous collectivism of Kubichek on this ode to self-discovery.

00s revivalism. It’s been done, right?

The cascading guitars and angelic vocals are a divine combination, making those sweat-filled nights at Frog and the decadence of Club NME at Koko pertinent once again.

It’s a single blessed with the effortlessness of youth, which only The Goa Express has achieved recently. They conjure images of friendships bonded by intense love. Every generation needs great coming-of-age stories. The class of ’25 has it’s first!

The Crooks – Carry On

Chesterfield’s The Crooks return This Friday with their new single ‘Carry On’ produced by Embrace’s Richard McNamara.

*image and artwork courtesy of the band.

Photos taken for cover by @Buncity_ on Instagram

It’s a marked difference for the band sonically but a natural one for them. Through the vocals and primordial drums, the nomadic spirituality of Stone Roses’ ‘Your Star Will Shine’ and ‘Tightrope’ emerge alongside their inclination for rock ‘n’ roll’s bombast.

The guitars during the build flicker with the grandiose stature of ‘Champagne Supernova’ and howl with heaviness as life comes on top. It’s through Duncan Couch’s lyrics and Jacko’s defiant vocal that light finds a way in:

“My heart kickstarted up again, and beat so hard It shattered all my chest / But I still breathe.”

Modders’ guitars in the closing stages, whilst huge and deafening, are beautifully understated. His connection to songwriter Couch’s lyrics brings an integrity and humble reflection of the times we endure.

Pre-Covid, the band was unleashing lights up fist aloft singalong anthems. Upon return, they nailed the noise and confusion of the psychedelic banger. This was enough to make their debut album one of the hottest prospects. In ‘Carry On’ they’ve strayed into the explorative world of Pastel and The Verve and opened up their future cannon. Key to its success is the gradual step. They’ve retained their sense of death or glory amid the new nodes of shoegaze and psyche. The anticipation of the debut album has now skyrocketed.

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