With a variety of influences and a voice past her years, Birkenhead’s Lois Levin can be releasing her highly-anticipated new EP Motions on 4th July.
Since releasing her debut single, Lois has change into one of many hottest new abilities within the North West with a number of editorial playlists from Spotify, A-Listing provides with Jazz FM, and airplay on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6Music and BBC Merseyside. Having beforehand collaborated on an EP in 2023 with Baltic Jazz Recordings, the upcoming launch Motions (out 4th July) marks the primary EP to be recorded solely below Lois Levin’s title, providing a extra unfiltered glimpse into her artistry and the totally different aspects of her id.
‘I really feel the EP’s fairly direct – I’m not that good at hiding how I really feel which is why quite a lot of my songs are fairly literal,’ explains Lois.‘There’s sarcastic lyricism, vulnerability, frankness and romance all throughout this EP. It’s not a lot totally different from my earlier music, extra of a private perception to who I’m.’
Opening observe ‘Name Me Names’ is a good introduction to the world of Lois Levin; candid lyrics, enchanting musicality and engaging vocals aplenty. The bouncing beats of ‘Sugar’ enable a bit playfulness to come back by (‘Sugar, darling… Honey, I’m free’), described by Lois as ‘one of many few uplifting tracks I’ve written!’ On the flip facet to the enjoyable of romance, latest single ‘Felt’ aches with a quiet intimate desperation, in search of actual connection in a distant world.
With Lois’ admission that hidden meanings aren’t her fashion, she means that ‘you might say the overarching theme to Motions is “time” – to not waste it and spend it nicely.’ That is fairly clear in EP spotlight ‘Excuse’, its clean and gradual sway contrasting in opposition to delightfully blunt lyrics calling out the bullshit of combined indicators and losing one’s time.
Nevertheless, this theme takes on a complete new which means for the gorgeous closing observe (and Lois’ favorite), ‘Go You By’ – a tune devoted to her late mom.
She explains: ‘I wished to reframe how I felt about her passing and speak about these moments we had collectively and immortalise them. “Go You By” is a message I wished to share about not taking the love that exists proper now with no consideration, as a result of I suppose in some methods I’ve regrets that I did as I used to be naive to how briskly life can just do that, “go you by.”’
Evident all through the EP, Lois’ old-school influences combine with new-school prospers to showcase a fully-formed artist prepared for the eye she deserves.
After almost a decade-long hiatus, The Albert Sq. makes a strong return with Swallow You Entire, a brand new EP out August 1 through Sneak Canine Data. The lead single, “Ready for the Heartache to Heal,” is out at present alongside a brand new music video.
“Ready for the Heartache to Heal” captures the second the sunshine on the finish of a really darkish tunnel is discovered. Grappling with themes of acceptance, resilience, and self-forgiveness within the aftermath of trauma, the observe fuses Castro’s punk power and melodic sensibility into an anthem for anybody studying to reside with their scars.
“I feel it’s very easy to be cynical and throw your palms as much as destiny or resign to horrible circumstances,” stated Castro. “Retaining some sense of hope and channeling that into discovering a path ahead is really the onerous work.”
Initially shaped within the coronary heart of San Jose’s DIY scene, The Albert Sq. started because the songwriting car for Sim Castro, whose mix of jagged guitar melodies and heartfelt lyricism rapidly discovered a house alongside friends like Exhausting Women, The Sidekicks, and Jeff Rosenstock. Following the discharge of the band’s debut album I (Assume I) Know What I’m Doing in 2015, Castro stepped away to contribute his abilities to bands like Kitty Kat Fan Membership, Ogikubo Station, Cloudbusters, and Teenagers in Hassle, sharpening his craft on the highway and within the studio.
Now, with Swallow You Entire, Castro reclaims The Albert Sq. as an area for uncooked emotional fact. The EP explores the psychological toll of trauma, the load of cumulative grief, and the gradual, usually messy means of popping out the opposite facet.
With its heart-on-sleeve vulnerability and dynamic, fuzzed-out preparations, Swallow You Entire is each a homecoming and a rebirth. The Albert Sq. is again – louder, wiser, and extra trustworthy than ever.
Submersion Competition returns October 2–4, 2025, for its fifth version at Paradise Lakes Campground in Hammonton, New Jersey. Independently produced by Aspire Increased and Transmit, Submersion has grown right into a staple occasion for underground music followers throughout the East Coast and past.
Following a powerful Section One reveal that includes artists like BLAAP (Of The Bushes x Freddy Todd), CONDUCTA, EAZYBAKED, IVY LAB (D&B Set), Ok MOTIONZ, MONRROE (US DEBUT), MOODY GOOD, TAIKI NULIGHT, TERNION SOUND, and VIBE CHEMISTRY, the competition is now proud to unveil Section Two, increasing the lineup with one other wave of groundbreaking expertise. Additions embrace BUUNSHIN (US DEBUT), CHAMPION, CHEF BOYARBEATZ (DOWNTEMPO YOGA SET W/ SKODA), CRAZE x Chris Karns, DIGITAL MYSTIKZ, EPROM, GENTLEMENS CLUB, JUSTIN MARTIN (Dawn), KURSA & ALICIA KIAH, ROME IN SILVER, THE WIDDLER b2b THELEM, VCTRE, and plenty of extra. Plus Label Takeovers from Mike Wallis’s Colony Productions, and Of The Bushes’ Reminiscence Palace Data
With over 75 acts already introduced and extra nonetheless to come back, Submersion continues to blur style strains; fusing dubstep, drum & bass, storage, home, experimental bass, and every thing in between.
“This yr’s lineup introduced collectively a mixture of fan favorites and up-and-coming artists we genuinely imagine are pushing the boundaries of sound,” says Ryan Karolyi, founding father of Aspire Increased and co-producer of Submersion Competition. “With Section Two, we’re doubling down on that mission. We hope this lineup evokes you to dig deeper, uncover one thing new, and perhaps even discover your subsequent ceaselessly favourite.”
“We actually wished to give attention to an inclusive lineup that touches all spectrums of sound this yr: from the dubstep to the dance, storage, drum & bass, and experimental bass,” provides Jesse Boyer, founding father of Transmit and co-founder of Submersion Competition. “We will’t wait to share the dance ground with everybody for our fifth yr of Submersion.”
Identified primarily for his work because the composer behind the enduring scores for Veronica Mars, Excessive Potential, iZombie, Deadly Weapon, and extra, Josh Kramon goals to develop his musical opus on the model new atmospheric folk-rock challenge, KRAMON. Most not too long ago, Josh is gearing as much as obtain a BMI Award on Could 14th for his impeccable songwriting talents. With the brand new challenge Evolutions KRAMON, Josh expands his artistry as a author, musician, producer, and collaborator, delivering twelve unique tracks that mix good, introspective lyrics with infectious, upbeat pop grooves.
Icelandic pianist and post-classical composer Eydís Evensen has launched her second single from her upcoming album, Oceanic Mirror to be launched October tenth on XXIM Data.
Written within the depths of Iceland‘s winter, “Everlasting” unfolds because the second chapter of the brand new album – a sonic elegy for gentle and heat in a season the place daylight barely lingers. Brass sighs into gradual, spiraling piano strains, capturing the load and great thing about darkness. “There was a heaviness and melancholia behind this piece, so I like that it’s popping out within the summertime – a way of positivity even when it’s so darkish,” shares Evensen.
She has additionally introduced a sequence of worldwide tour dates, inviting audiences to expertise the music reside. You’ll find tickets right here.
That Summer season Feeling… Rain, sleet, hail, or snow, Benny the Butcher is at all times servin, however there’s one thing about Summertime Butch that has a unique really feel.
In August 2024, Benny The Butcher re-emerged to carry you down for the remainder of the summer season with Summertime Butch, which was his first solo-project because the Grammy-Nominated and Emmy-Award-winning artist delivered his Def Jam Recordings debut Everyone Can’t Go. In Could of this yr, he was outdoors once more and launched, Excelsior, which featured collaborations with Boldy James, Kinds P, Harry Fraud, Daringer, and his BSF household.
Now, Benny The Butcher is re-activated in summertime mode, with the discharge of a brand new single and video “Summer season 25,” and with the announcement of his forthcoming new challenge, Summertime Butch 2, which can be launched on 7.16.25 (generally known as “716 Day” in Buffalo).
Benny The Butcher’s Summertime Butch 2 can be launched on 7.16.25.
world music powerhouse, Alesso, formally releases his newest single, “Freedom”. A collaboration with Australian brothers DJ trio, Sentinel, the observe is a turbo-charged symphony of sound – arriving on Friday, July 4, 2025 through Alesso’s label BodyHi.
Constructed for the dancefloor, “Freedom” is energized from the onset by high-powered synths and booming drops earlier than being propelled ahead with a driving bassline. The observe’s vocals embody its very essence by one remarkably highly effective assertion – “I want freedom”. Alesso has ignited audiences throughout the globe with the observe in 2025, enjoying it on a number of the most coveted levels together with Extremely Music Competition Miami, EDC Las Vegas, and most not too long ago, World DJ Competition in Japan.
Indianapolis-based various pop artist and songwriter BAYEM has launched his thrilling, collaboration-infused new EP, TAPE 3.1. The 5-song assortment options appearances by a few of music’s most fun new artists, together with Chloe Parché, girlhouse, TheARTI$t, Tom Ferry, and PARAFRAME.
Toronto, Canada-based post-punk/alt-rock artist ThxSoMch sinks into nostalgia on the unrelenting, equally onerous and gentle “Sound of You Laughing” out now through Atlantic Data and captures the wistful longing of flipping by outdated photographs in its matching music video.
The most recent commanding observe took form after musician Flawed Mangoes despatched the artist varied instrumentals, whose evocative guitar riff grew to become the tune’s basis. After enjoying round with them and sending them to collaborator LMG for drum additions, ThxSoMch was so impressed, he freestyled almost the entire tune in a single go. The artist shares, “I recorded it the subsequent day and couldn’t cease listening to it. It sat on my pc for some time till I revisited it with grayskies whereas making extra music. ‘Sound of You Laughing’ is each consolation and discomfort.” Defiant and uninhibited, every line is delivered with the slight twinge of ache that comes with digging up the previous.
Philadelphia band Her New Knife are excited to share their cowl of Björk’s “Pagan Poetry,” digitally out there in every single place now through the tastemaking Philly label Julia’s Battle Recordings. A guitar-forward tackle the fan-favorite observe off Björk’s 2001 document Vespertine, at present’s cowl sees the band infuse discordant instrumentation right into a deeply emotional soundscape. Her New Knife strives for sonic innovation, turning a well-recognized observe into a totally new expertise.
“Björk as an artist has at all times impressed me. In her songwriting, I’ve at all times discovered one thing crucial to be aware of. Whether or not that be her lyrical imagery, sonic texturing, expression and inflection of the voice, or the pursuit of one thing new and private and uncooked in her music,” guitarist and vocalist Edgar Atencio explains.
“In 2024, Ben [Kachler] and I recorded largely guitar (classical and electrical) and voice (further vocals by Dylan Vaisey & Cassidy Hammond), in juxtaposition to the various and plush orchestration of the unique observe, I wished our model to be sparse and extra centered on simply guitar and voice- in an try and embody the rawness of Björk’s efficiency. This cowl is one thing that I felt we may do in our personal means, as a tribute to all these facets of her music that I maintain shut.”
- E mail: neill@outloudculture.com
