New tracks from a host of Reading Indie Life favourites, both expected and unexpected.

Single Of The Week: Only The Poets – Guess She’s Cool

This feels like a major tilt at chart success from one of Reading’s biggest bands. Huge 1975 vibes on this track, immaculately produced with a strong vocal performance.

Idles – Rabbit Run

Oh, hello Idles! What better way to celebrate their massive hometown Bristol gigs this weekend than with a cheeky new single. This unexpected joy is down to their involvement in Darren Aronofsky’s new film, Caught Stealing. Apparently, they have recorded four songs for it as well as being involved in playing much of the score.

Skunkworm – Burst

Finally, local legends Skunkworm have released a proper version of one of their many fine tunes. It was well worth the wait, ‘Burst’ sounds fantastic. Full of emotional drama and great guitar. More please.

Fat Dog – Pray To That

Hyper-kinetic new single from the mighty Fat Dog. Even by their standards, this is direct and aggressive.

Honeyglaze – Don’t (E L U C I D rework)

What a remix! Well, more than a remix – a radical rework that sounds fantastic. Like something from the Quannum label.

Lathe of Heaven – Oblivion

Another gorgeous tune from these 80s leaning throwbacks. Really looking forward to this album.

Suede – Dancing With The Europeans

After the long hiatus between 2002 and 2013, new music has come along with regularity. New album Antidepressants is shaping up to be a very fine effort.

Hayley Williams – Glum

A surprise seventeen track drop from Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, has left everyone playing catch-up. Not an album, but seventeen singles is either experimentation or misdirection. Paramore fans are crawling through every lyric, trying to decide if the band has a future since there is a whiff of heartbreak running through the releases and Williams has been dating Paramore guitarist Taylor York since 2022. I haven’t had a huge amount of time to digest this but ‘Glum’ just about stands out as my favourite, though ‘Kill Me’ runs it pretty close, and the cover of ‘Discovery Channel’ certainly raises a few eyebrows. ‘True Believer’ also stood out. ‘Glum’ has Williams vocals processed as though she has inhaled a small quantity of helium juxtaposed with a big epic chorus.

Esoterica – Burn

Another album we are very much looking forward to. This excellent new single has a real Sleep Token-esque edge to it.

Master Peace – Shake Me Down

After the fantastic Harley last week, this is another big moment. An artist rapidly gaining momentum.

Also, on the playlist: Chappell Roan, Drake, Biffy Clyro, Jake Bugg, Baxter Dury, Bastille and many more.