Elementary Chaos have returned with a brand-new album titled Dancing on a Wire, and its opening track, “Let Go,” sets the tone perfectly for what’s to come. The song immediately draws listeners into the duo’s world of layered instrumentation, heartfelt delivery, and atmospheric soundscapes.
For those unfamiliar, Elementary Chaos is the creative partnership of Ed Hubregtse and Addy de Hond. Both are passionate multi-instrumentalists who seamlessly switch between vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards. What makes their music even more compelling is the fact that it’s completely self-produced—the recording, mixing, and mastering are all done in-house, giving each track an intimate and authentic feel.
Their performances are often found in the theater setting, where their sound can unfold with cinematic weight and emotional depth. With over two decades of collaboration behind them, the duo has built a catalogue of albums and singles that showcase their evolution while staying true to their artistic core.
Musically, Elementary Chaos draw inspiration from New Wave, Rock, and Indie, with echoes of legendary acts such as U2, Simple Minds, and Editors shaping their sonic palette. This influence is clear in the soaring guitars, driving rhythms, and rich vocal textures that run throughout Dancing on a Wire.
“Let Go,” as the album’s first track, feels both like a statement and an invitation—one that pulls listeners into an atmospheric journey blending nostalgia with modern indie edge. It’s a powerful reminder of why Elementary Chaos have remained a creative force for more than twenty years.
Want to see a full article? Read it on the New Music Review website
Nashville-based heavy duo Friendship Commanders are gearing up for the release of their new album BEAR, arriving October 10 via Magnetic Eye Records.
The record was co-produced by band members Buick Audra (guitars, vocals) and Jerry Roe (drums, bass), alongside their longtime collaborator Kurt Ballou, who also tracked the instrumentals and mixed the album. At its core, BEARexplores the elusive concept of belonging—where it exists, and where it doesn’t.
Today, the band unveils their second dual single, “X / MIDHEAVEN,” paired with a brand-new music video for “X,” directed and edited by Jerry Roe and shot by Jarad Clement. The premiere launched via Everything Is Noise, and both tracks are now streaming across all major platforms.
Just like their earlier dual single “KEEPING SCORE / MELT,” these new tracks represent opposite ends of BEAR’s sonic spectrum—one leaning heavier, the other more spacious and melodic—each tackling themes of identity and influence.
Written in June 2024, just weeks after the passing of Steve Albini, Buick Audra reflects:
“I was grieving, but I was also watching a generation grieve in ways I’d observed my whole life—stoically, strongly, sentimentally, and somewhat individually. This song is a loving send-up to that lost generation. We wanted the track and visuals to honor some of the artists who raised us creatively, including Steve. The camera I’m holding in the second verse was his. Very moving to have and include it here. He was a young Boomer, but the absolute King of Gen X. Missed and loved.”
Audra continues:
“‘MIDHEAVEN’ goes wider; it gets into this idea of being born under a certain set of stars, and whether or not that has anything to do with who we are. As a person who feels like a lifelong misfit with a nature I can’t seem to change, I’m curious about where that starts. Is it written from the start? I’m willing to believe anything at this point. Some days, it’s tempting to blame it all on the sky.”
Drummer/bassist Jerry Roe also weighed in on the creative process:
“I wanted the video for ‘X’ to have the vibe and look of those by our favorite bands from the Gen X/Grunge era while still being its own thing. Everyone wanted to appear tough and cool while also not seeming to take what they were doing too seriously. There’s such a particular mood of the era that no one has captured since. It was the best time for the medium of music videos, honestly, and it was a lot of fun to try and channel it. I find it moving to watch in a way that surprises me.”
“‘MIDHEAVEN’ stands out in our discography for being so instrumentally driven. The vocals and melody are just as integral a part of the song as any in our repertoire, but large portions of this track are just the two of us ripping at each other—and it’s an absolute blast to listen to and play.”
With BEAR on the horizon and a growing catalog of dual singles, Friendship Commanders are shaping a body of work that’s as emotionally raw as it is sonically powerful. Stay tuned for more ahead of the album’s October 10 release.
Kittenhead is a five-piece powerhouse of veteran musicians, based across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Oakland, California. Using modern tech to collaborate remotely, the band fuses their ideas before coming together in person to add that unmistakable secret sauce—creating music that’s poignant, inclusive, and undeniably fun.
Over time, Kittenhead has sharpened their edge, crafting a darker and bigger sound filled with gender-bending swagger, hip-gyrating grooves, driving rhythms, and hooks that stick. Their lyrics cut straight to the core, blending rebellion with raw emotion.
The band’s lineup is stacked with experience, featuring members who have played in notable acts like Green Jelly, The Generators, Butt Trumpet, The White Trash Debutantes, Blackjack Betty, The Dirty, and Lisafer. Some members have even been playing together since junior high, giving Kittenhead a rare chemistry that shines through their music.
Kivi – Lead vocals, cowbell
dd – Guitar, backing vocals
Erin – Bass, backing vocals
Mike – Guitar, attitude
O-Face – Drums, more cowbell
Kittenhead has built a reputation as a high-energy live act, with standout performances on the main stage at Oakland Pride and Folsom Street Fair, as well as roller derby events nationwide. Their hit single “Derby Girl” has become a roller derby anthem, still blasted during team warmups.
Their music has reached international radio audiences, earning spins on Rodney on the ROQ, 93.1 Random Radio SF, XXXX Brooklyn Radio, and more. Beyond the stage, Kittenhead has never shied away from giving back. They’ve headlined Reno’s Marianarchy Festival, a charity event raising funds for medical expenses, and their philanthropy has earned them support from both a Colorado radio producer and an Orange County nonprofit.
What sets Kittenhead apart is their focus on authenticity. This isn’t a band chasing image or glam—it’s about raw rock and roll energy, rebellion, and inclusivity.
With their fourth release, #Authentic on the horizon, Kittenhead is gearing up for another bold chapter. You can stream their music on all major platforms, but to really experience Kittenhead, catch them live and see why they’re one of the most dynamic underground rock bands today.
With pulsing beats, untamed vocals, and raw intensity, “Live Long, Fen Tiger” drops on streaming platforms today, capturing the fierce independence of the legendary Fen Tigers — a people who stood their ground, lived off the land, and made themselves heard against all odds.
This isn’t just a song. It’s a celebration of survival and wildness — not only in nature but in spirit. An unorthodox anthem for anyone who’s ever felt the need to reclaim their voice in a world that tries to silence it. Channel your inner primal spirit — this track wants you to roar.
Following the release of their powerful single “Glorious” back in May, the band is turning up the heat in 2025. “Live Long, Fen Tiger” arrives August 22nd, marking a pivotal moment in their journey.
To celebrate, the band will play their first-ever headline show on the same day, featuring a double-sided release:
The fierce new single “Live Long, Fen Tiger”
Their bold reimagining of The Troggs’ classic “Wild Thing”
Fresh from storming revered East Anglian venues such as The Portland Arms, Louis Marchesi, and St Stephen’s Church, the band has also earned spins on Radio X and Louder Than War Radio.
The energy is undeniable. The Eels! Eels! Eels! wave is only just beginning.
EELS! EELS! EELS! are a rock ‘n’ roll/heavy blues band delivering raw, riff-driven songs steeped in East Anglian folklore, the beauty of wild landscapes, and the thunderous urgency of climate change.
Their sound fuses primal energy with storytelling — mixing lust-fuelled swagger, earworm hooks, and a shimmer of nostalgia. The result? A powerful cocktail that defines the essence of EELS! EELS! EELS!.
Aug 21, 2025 | Blog
Virtual Artist Alexis Barotelli Debuts Emotional Ballad “Second Chance”
Songwriter Craig Raybould has stepped out from the shadows—but not into the spotlight himself. Instead, he’s introduced Alexis Barotelli, a virtual vocalist designed to perform his deeply personal, human-written songs.
The debut single, “Second Chance,” is a soulful pop ballad about love finding its way back after heartbreak. Fragile, emotive vocals float over cinematic instrumentation, creating a sound that blends the intimacy of artists like Freya Ridings and Birdy with the intrigue of a voice that doesn’t technically exist, yet feels strikingly real.
“Second Chance” is part of Alexis’s debut album, The Moon Fell Down, now available on all major streaming platforms. While Alexis may be virtual, the emotions woven into her songs are undeniably and deeply human.
A Quick Look at My Yamaha SG1500 (1982, Cherry Finish) 🎸 In this video, I take a closer look at my classic Yamaha SG1500 electric guitar from around 1982. I originally bought this beauty brand new from Woodroffes Music Store in Birmingham, UK, and it’s still in fantastic condition today.
This SG1500 features: Stunning Cherry finish with an Ebony fretboard Push-release coil taps Twin humbuckers for that powerful Yamaha tone All-original hardware, plus the original case and receipts The Yamaha SG series is legendary for its build quality and tone, and the SG1500 is a true vintage gem for collectors and players alike.
Keep an eye out for my next video, where I’ll be featuring the Yamaha SG3000S in Gold!
“Talking to Myself” is a New Wave-infused indie rock track that turns the noise of
modern life — and the constant internal monologue we all carry — into a driving, synth-
and sax-laced anthem. The song was written after frontman Matt Rhea noticed people
talking to themselves on the street and reflected on how most of us do the same thing
internally — we just hide it better.
The song blends pulsing synths, tight guitar lines, stacked vocals, and brassy sax hooks
from John Roy (Smoke & Mirrors Sound System and Escape Hatch Records), with a
sound that nods to quirky icons like Oingo Boingo and Devo. The end result is
energetic, theatrical, and strangely relatable — a high-energy meditation on everyday
madness.
Recording Details
• Recorded & Mixed by: Ben Moore
• Studio: Singing Serpent, San Diego, CA
• Saxophone Hooks: John Roy
• Produced by: Manganista & Ben Moore
About Manganista
Manganista is a long-running indie band from San Diego, California, known for their
theatrical live shows, shape-shifting sound, and genre-blurring approach that mixes
rock, ska, and New Wave. Over the past 20 years, the band has built a cult following
with their quirky musical mashups and high-energy performances.
They’ve shared stages with acts like Flock of Seagulls, The Aggrolites, When in
Rome, and Unsteady, and have played iconic local venues like The Casbah and BellyUp Tavern. Their ever-evolving sound has earned praise from 91X’s Tim Pyles, who
dubbed them “San Diego’s answer to Oingo Boingo.”
Manganista recently released a 7” vinyl box set on Escape Hatch Records, and
“Talking to Myself” marks their return with a fresh but nostalgic take on mental clutter,
self-awareness, and pop weirdness.
Independent artist neurocrush has released their debut mastered single, Silhouettes and State Lines — an evocative track that weaves together lush synth textures, cinematic soundscapes, and hauntingly melodic vocals. Rooted in synthpop, dream pop, and ambient electronica, the single marks a bold and personal step into original music for founding songwriter Jay, who previously spent over a decade performing in live cover bands.
The song’s story is as intimate as its sound. The lyrics were penned during a long road trip by Jay’s close friend Skye, who captured themes of distance, memory, and movement with poignant clarity. Inspired by her words, Jay revisited a melodic stem he had quietly composed months earlier on a winter night in January — and began crafting a full arrangement to bring her writing to life.
To shape the track’s final form, Jay collaborated with a vocalist and producer he connected with through SoundBetter. Working in Logic Pro, the team refined and mastered the song, achieving a polished production that balances emotional depth with technical precision. Skye also contributed the hand-drawn cover artwork, adding another personal layer to the release.
“This track is about human connection — the ache of memory and movement,” says Jay. “It’s not about chasing commercial trends. I just want to share music that resonates with people who live for this kind of atmosphere and storytelling.”
Silhouettes and State Lines is now available on streaming platforms — a cinematic, heartfelt debut for listeners who crave atmospheric, story-driven music.
Based in Leeds, The Dulakes have been making waves with their distinctive brand of alternative rock, taking their sound to venues across the North of England.
Formed in 2024, the four-piece met while at university and consists of:
Ramsay Irwin – vocals, rhythm guitar
Joe Rainbow – lead guitar
James Gavin – bass
Nat Dowding – drums
Their live shows are a sonic rollercoaster – sometimes aggressive, sometimes melancholic, but always loud. Each gig moves seamlessly from one track to the next, often linked by atmospheric instrumental interludes.
To round off their first year of live performances, The Dulakes dropped their debut single No Clue on April 4th, 2025. It’s just the beginning – with a steady flow of singles lined up for release throughout the year, each track promises something fresh, defying easy genre labels and shifting effortlessly from mood to mood.
The Dulakes have already played both support and headline slots for various promoters across the country, while also organising their own shows in Leeds, often featuring other rising local acts.
With their bold sound and restless energy, The Dulakes are quickly becoming a band to watch in the UK’s alternative scene.
