Editors' Picks

We’re constantly being told that listening to loud music is bad for our hearing and let’s be honest, very few of us ever actually listen and turn the music down. New findings by the World Health Organization say that 1.1 billion young people are permanently damaging their hearing by listening to “too much, too loudly” and suggest that we should only be listening to music for one hour a day in order to minimise damage.

No matter how much of a hardened connoisseur of music you are, it’s difficult to ignore that trends come along and have an impact on the industry, whether it be a small ripple in the pool something more enduring.
At the moment, the whole concept of twerking is extremely prominent in pop culture with Miley Cyrus bringing it to the forefront of our minds so that it has become more than just a dance move that one artist attempts to pull off. Brave any nightclub on a Saturday night and you will see plenty of people who think that they can also manage it. The move has become ingrained in our minds.

Plans have been announced to create a global release day for albums and singles to try and combat piracy. This would mean that instead of albums being released on a Monday as is currently the norm in the UK, they would instead be released on a Friday to fall into line with countries such Ireland and Germany.

The biggest event in the British music industry calendar is upon us once again. The Brit Awards bring together the very best and brightest names on the British pop music scene and over the years have showcased soon of weirdest and most wonderful collaborations.

Noel Gallagher has never been well known for mincing his words and he does not seem to have mellowed at all with age. In a recent interview, the former Oasis star pulled no punches when talking about Kanye West’s recent stage invasion at the Grammy Awards where West exclaimed that Beck, who won the award for Best Album, should make way for a “real artist”. He was referring to Beyoncé.

With Ellie Goulding’s latest single “Love me Like you Do” spending its third week at number one, could the days where songs cling on to that highly sought after top spot for weeks on end be making a comeback?

This weekend saw the last of the blind auditions on the BBC’s talent show “The Voice”. The novelty of the spinning chairs has always been an immensely popular element of the format; creating the drama that audiences crave from their Saturday night TV. Sadly for the BBC, this is where it all seems to go wrong for their answer to Simon Cowell’s “X Factor”.

In this age where promotion through social media has become highly prolific and important in getting both new and existing artists recognised, is funding new material through Kickstarter and similar sites the way forward?

For an artist who has spent almost three decades being closely associated with one of the biggest pop songs of the 1990s, Natalie Imbruglia has every reason to play it safe.

As part of the Blackpool Live series of gigs, which has brought a great selection of bands to the town, The Enemy arrived at the Winter Gardens last Friday to a crowd that was clearly ready for a lively night. 

Tiny Habits have released a new song called "Love Ruins Everything", and I did not expect this track to sound quite like this. The group is known for these gorgeous vocal harmonies and fairly delicate folk-pop arrangements, but this song basically walks into the room wearing sunglasses and a glittery suit.

Alabama Shakes are finally back with new music! "Tea Time" opens their first album in more than a decade, I Must Be Dreaming, and it is quite an interesting way to reintroduce yourself. Instead of immediately coming out with an enormous blues-rock song, the band gives us something much dreamier.

Queens of the Stone Age have released a new song called "Insignificant Other", taken from their upcoming album Perfecth. This song sounds like somebody put a rock band inside a smoky hotel bar at two in the morning and told them to keep playing until everybody went home. I absolutely love the atmosphere.

Blossoms have teamed up with Declan McKenna for a new song called "Additional Driver". Apparently, the inspiration for this song came from Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden getting into a minor car accident outside the Manchester Apollo. I love the fact that somebody can experience something as boring as exchanging insurance details and somehow turn it into a five-minute indie disco song.

Olivia Rodrigo has released a new song called "serena joy", and the first thing that strikes me is the bass. It has this dark, almost new-wave quality to it that I absolutely love. It kind of reminds me of something you might hear from New Order, but filtered through Olivia's pop-rock world. The bassline almost feels too gloomy for how catchy the song actually is, and I mean that in the best way possible.

OneRepublic have returned with a new track, 'Pay That Toll', delivering the kind of upbeat, driving sound that feels made for a summer road trip, while hiding a more cautionary message beneath its anthemic production.

Willow Avalon has given Carly Simon’s iconic “You’re So Vain” a very different identity, turning the classic into a lively country-laced performance for Spotify Singles.

There is something fitting about Bryan Adams telling the story of Terry Fox through a guitar-led rock song.

This was my first time in the Olympia Hall at the Winter Gardens. It’s not quite as refined as some of the other rooms within the complex, but it worked well for the gig and suited it nicely. It was easy to enter and exit, had a friendly atmosphere, and the bars and other facilities were all conveniently located.

Dan + Shay have spent more than a decade perfecting the art of the country love song. They know how to build a chorus, how to turn a love song into a wedding staple, and how to turn a few simple words into a stadium singalong. That success has also given them a problem: when you become that good at sounding like yourself, how do you make yourself sound new?

Nickelback have never been afraid of going big. Big guitars, big choruses, big emotions and, naturally, big arenas. But “Leave Me Behind” shows the band taking a more reflective approach.

Twenty years after Taking the Long Way helped define a new chapter for The Chicks, the trio are going back to where it all began.

Stella Lefty is taking a chance on love with “Lean In, Kiss Me,” the latest single from the rising singer-songwriter’s forthcoming debut album, Long Way Home, out August 21.

Lulu is back with a feel-good new single inspired by her rediscovered love of life, music and dancing. 'I'm In Love Again', released on 7 August, is the first track from her forthcoming album 'Let The Girl Sing Out', marking her first studio album in more than a decade.

For Beat-Herder regulars, 2026 felt like another reminder of why this Lancashire festival continues to stand apart from the growing list of UK events.

Fireworks lit up the Thames as The Kooks delivered a career-spanning celebration at London's historic Old Royal Naval College, marking 20 years since the release of their landmark debut album, *Inside In/Inside Out*.

A new track has dropped by beabadoobee! "Switchblade" is the latest single from her upcoming album Pylon, and it is full of quirky sounds. It kind of sounds like a mix of grunge, pop, industrial, and punk. I love listening to artists who are constantly pushing the envelope. The last song I heard from Bea was "Ripples", which invokes a completely different, albeit similarly impactful, feeling. It is really cool to hear how much range she has as an artist without ever losing her identity.

Masego has released a new track called "Heaven". The song features a simple but absolutely fantastic sample of "Cheek to Cheek", the iconic jazz standard written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat. I believe the sample comes from the classic Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong recording, and it is used beautifully throughout the track.

Charlie Worsham's first independent album is an accomplished collection of nuanced songwriting, exceptional musicianship and timeless country storytelling that rewards listeners from beginning to end.

For country music fans in the UK, finding an authentic venue that captures the spirit of Nashville can be difficult. Thankfully, Lil' Nashville Country Bar & Kitchen in Chiswick has done exactly that, quickly establishing itself as one of London's most unique live music venues since officially opening its doors on January, 2025.

DRY CLEANING has released a new track called "Grass." The song is one of the new additions to the deluxe edition of Secret Love, and it instantly made me think of the Canadian duo Angine de Poitrine. I love that this weird strain of music seems to keep spreading, evolving, and finding new audiences.

Jordan Rakei is, I would argue, one of the most prolific artists making music today. Ever since I was a 20-year-old chap, now eight years ago, I cannot remember a single period where he has not been releasing something new. He never stops evolving, yet somehow manages to maintain an incredibly high level of quality. That is not something many artists can say.

Twenty five years after Camino Palmero introduced audiences to the soaring emotion of "Wherever You Will Go", The Calling continue their comeback with "Dust", a single that feels less like a reinvention and more like a confident reminder of why the band's sound resonated in the first place.

Nothing But Thieves are heading back to their roots with Stray Dogs, the explosive title track from their upcoming fifth studio album. Following the polished, futuristic world of 2023's Dead Club City, the band have swapped precision for instinct, embracing a rawer, more chaotic sound built around energy, connection and the thrill of playing together.

More than six decades into one of the most remarkable careers in music, The Rolling Stones have once again shown why they remain one of rock's defining forces. Released today via Capitol Records, Foreign Tongues arrives less than three years after the Grammy Award-winning Hackney Diamonds, and rather than resting on past success, it builds on it with confidence, energy and a willingness to keep evolving.

Bryan Adams has never been shy about his Canadian identity, but on 51st State, released to mark Canada Day, he turns that pride into one of his most direct and timely rock statements in years.

Some songs are made for playlists. Others feel destined for open roads, rolled down windows, and long summer evenings. Charles Kelley's newly reimagined "Driving And Listening To Music," now featuring Richard Marx, comfortably lands in the second category.

Country music's crossover moment shows no signs of slowing down, and Marshmello is making sure he's right at the heart of it.

Rock band Skunk Anansie turn melancholy into movement with a new remix of their emotionally charged track Meltdown, released today as the group continue a packed summer of live shows across the UK and Europe.

There are collaborations that exist for headlines, and then there are collaborations that feel genuinely earned. Nectar Woode's new single Wine Into Water, featuring Elton John on piano, firmly belongs in the latter category.

DMA'S have unveiled their latest single, "Hurracane", offering another glimpse into their forthcoming self-titled album and reminding fans exactly why the Sydney trio remain one of Australia's most dependable guitar bands.

Amy Jo steps into deeply personal territory with “Hold Your Horses”, the second single from her upcoming debut album la da di da, and it may well be her most affecting release yet. Following the sharp honesty of “Hypocrite (la da di da)”, this new track strips everything back and reveals an artist whose greatest strength lies in emotional storytelling that feels lived-in and painfully real.

A decade into their career, Nothing But Thieves are facing a challenge that quietly kills off a lot of modern rock bands: how do you stay ambitious without losing the thing that made people care in the first place?

Shakira has built a career out of turning global sporting moments into pop culture events, and “Dai Dai” feels like another carefully calculated entry into that legacy. The official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem, created alongside Burna Boy, arrives with all the scale and symbolism you would expect from a tournament that spans continents, cultures and generations of football fans.

Paris Jackson continues to carve out her own identity in alternative music with her latest single “teenage drama,” a raw, grunge-leaning anthem that leans fully into distortion, honesty and emotional friction. Released as the second preview of her upcoming album, the track sees Jackson stepping further away from any expectations tied to her name and deeper into a stripped-back indie rock sound shaped by 90s influence and modern disillusionment.

More than a decade after helping define the internet rap generation, Wiz Khalifa and mgk are diving headfirst back into the chaos, confidence and carefree attitude that first made them stars. Their newly released collaborative mixtape blog era boyz feels less like a calculated comeback and more like two longtime friends reconnecting with the sound, energy and rebellious spirit that shaped an entire era of online music culture.

Willow Avalon is quickly carving out her own lane in country music and “Hypothetically Speaking” might be the sharpest example yet of why so many people are paying attention. Featuring fellow outlaw-country firebrand Kaitlin Butts, the new single leans hard into dark humour, old-school storytelling and vintage Southern attitude, sounding like something that could have been pulled from a smoky jukebox in 1965 and somehow still feel completely fresh in 2026.

Issac Ryan Brown is making a serious case for himself as one of the most exciting young names in modern R&B crossover pop. At just 20 years old, the singer, actor and social media star continues his breakout run with the release of his latest single, “Life of the Party”, a polished, high-energy anthem that feels built for summer playlists, packed live shows and late-night party soundtracks.

Dan + Shay are stepping into a reflective new era with “Young,” the title track from their newly announced sixth studio album of the same name, due August 21. The gentle acoustic ballad arrives alongside news that the three-time GRAMMY-winning duo are preparing what they describe as their “most personal album yet,” one shaped by family, faith, and the realities of growing older after more than a decade at the top of country music.

Harleymoon Kemp has always understood the power of personality in country-pop, and “Wash” is a perfect example of everything clicking into place. Following her Celebrity Race Across the World victory alongside brother Roman Kemp, and the momentum of previous single “My Girls” topping the UK iTunes Charts, the British singer-songwriter returns with a track that is sharp, funny and emotionally charged.

Stella Lefty has obviously got a talent for writing an addictive hook, and her new single “I Know I Know” proves she knows exactly how to use it. Released via Atlantic Outpost, the track lands at a moment when her breakout “Boston” is still climbing the Billboard Hot 100, and instead of easing off, she sharpens the formula that is quickly becoming her signature.

There is no point pretending this is a subtle pivot. Diplo has been circling country music for years, but “Two Steppin’” feels like one of his most confident swings at bringing the dance floor straight into the honky tonk. Teaming up with rising voice Adrien Nunez, he delivers a track that is built less for quiet listening and more for movement, noise, and late night energy.

There is something quietly stubborn about the way Cody Johnson keeps leaning into traditional country sounds while the rest of the genre keeps stretching in different directions. “Hello Lonesome,” the second glimpse into his upcoming album Banks Of The Trinity, feels like a statement of intent more than just another single. It does not chase trends or try to reinvent anything. Instead, it settles into a familiar barstool and lets the story do the work.

Tori Amos returns with her 18th studio album In Times of Dragons, released via Universal/Fontana, and it is one of her most conceptually dense and politically charged works in years. Built as a protest record wrapped in allegory, mythology, and modern fairy tale imagery, the album explores themes of political instability, democratic collapse, environmental anxiety, and personal transformation through a fictional narrative of a woman escaping a dangerous billionaire and gradually becoming the very “dragon” she must confront.

There is a sense of timing to Natalie Imbruglia’s return. As pop leans back toward the dancefloor, her new single Upside Down arrives as a bright, defiant step into that space, previewing the album Algorithm, due 4 September.

Tiffany Stringer, the Texas-born rising pop star, has officially launched The Lone Starlet EP, a new project that merges the grit of Lone Star roots with the glamour of old Hollywood. Set for release on Friday, May 8 via Atlantic Records, The Lone Starlet marks a bold new chapter in Stringer’s musical journey and sets the stage for a cinematic pop era that will have listeners feeling the bright lights and big-screen emotions.

Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin steps back into the spotlight with “Working For The Man,” a long-awaited release that feels less like a comeback single and more like a statement of intent. Written when she was just 17 and carried with her for over a decade, the track arrives with the weight of lived experience behind it, and that sense of history gives the song a rare kind of authenticity.

Demi Lovato has released a new song called Low Rise Jeans. The first thing that strikes me in this song is the background melody, probably being played on a xylophone or some sort of cowbell synth patch. All the sounds go really well with Demi’s vocals, so big kudos to the producer of this track, Zhone.

Kacey Musgraves, the renowned country artist, has released a new song called Middle of Nowhere. I am personally a big fan of another artist’s country-leaning phase, namely John Mayer. He released an album called Born and Raised, and this track sort of gives me a similar feeling to some of the songs from that era. I am a big fan of that sound, so this immediately caught my attention.

The All-American Rejects return with “King Kong” sounding like a band that hasn’t just come back to relive old success, but to reframe it. As the latest single from their upcoming album Sandbox, out May 15, 2026, the track blends the emotional immediacy they built their name on with a slightly more weathered perspective.

Pixie Lott steps into a more reflective space with Good Wife, and it feels like a genuine shift rather than a calculated reinvention. The track leans into a softer, more organic sound, opening with guitar chords that immediately sets a stripped back, intimate tone. It does not rush to impress. Instead, it settles into itself, letting the emotion do the work.

Jamie Grey returns with a quiet kind of confidence on his new single How Did We Get To Midnight, a piano-led ballad that leans into stillness rather than spectacle. It is the kind of song that does not rush to impress. Instead, it settles in, lets the room breathe, and gradually reveals its emotional weight.

There’s a certain kind of pop song that doesn’t just arrive, it announces itself within seconds. ‘Delusional’, the latest single from Mae Stephens, does exactly that. Built around a bright, almost mischievous piano hook and a crisp, attention-grabbing click running through its core, it feels engineered for instant replay value. Or, as one early YouTube commenter neatly put it: “This is gonna get so viral.”

This incredible group of artists has just released a new track titled Awake Tonight, and I have to say, I absolutely love it. From the very first listen, it feels like an instant throwback to the golden Monstercat-era EDM of the 2010s. That sound is actually how I first discovered Sia, through tracks like Titanium by David Guetta and Sia. There is something special about this style of music. It brings hope, joy, energy, and a deep sense of nostalgia all at once.

ADMT has released a new track called “Turn The Page,” and right away I can hear some clear influences. That is not a bad thing at all, but it feels like the right place to start.

There is something undeniably gutsy about a jazz singer taking on Alice Cooper, but Eric Van Aro has never been one to play it safe. On his latest quartet release, a strictly limited, vinyl only affair recorded live to tape, Van Aro strips away the digital polish of the 21st century to reconnect with the “raw spirit” he has been chasing since his high school days in the late 70s. The result feels intentional, almost stubborn in its refusal to conform, and all the more compelling for it.

Rising Americana star Sam Barber continues to build momentum with the release of his new single “Just A Kid” today, accompanied by a cinematic short film featuring Elle Chapman, Cailyn Rice, and others. The track previews his highly anticipated sophomore album, Broken View, arriving April 3 via Atlantic Records.

This latest album sees the band refining their pop-rock identity while quietly expanding its musical scope. Still rooted in the bright, radio-ready charm that first defined them, the record leans into a sunlit, high-energy atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and freshly polished.

Manic Street Preachers delivered a suitably explosive performance to mark the 150th show in the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall series, performing at the invitation of this year’s guest curator, Robert Smith.

It's no easy task to fully capture the ever-evolving world of Gorillaz. Part band, part ongoing narrative experiment, their story stretches across decades of “Phases,” blending music, animation, and fiction into something far bigger than a traditional live act.

At Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena last night, that world felt more alive than ever. With a two-hour set packed with elite musicianship, striking visuals, and a revolving cast of collaborators, the group delivered a performance that was as emotionally resonant as it was sonically expansive.

Rising country star Ella Langley is trading grit for grace on her latest release, “Loving Life Again,” a stripped-back and deeply personal track that signals a new chapter in both her music and her mindset.

DMA’S have stepped back into familiar territory with their latest single My Baby’s Place, a track that feels both nostalgic and quietly confident as the band mark a decade since their debut album Hills End.

Long Island-based band Lina Maxine are unveiling a more organic side of their sound with the single “Feels Like Forever,” released on March 27. The track marks a shift toward a warmer, instrument-driven approach that blends folk rock textures with indie-pop sensibilities.

Singer and songwriter Natasha Hamilton, widely known as a member of Atomic Kitten, has released her new solo single “Fantasy,” marking another step toward her upcoming debut EP Extraction, due in June.

Multi-platinum alt-pop band LANY has released Soft 2, the expanded version of their widely acclaimed 2025 record Soft. The new edition adds five powerful tracks, including the emotional centerpiece “When Did You Stop Loving Me?”, which was debuted at The GRAMMY Museum earlier this month, accompanied by a newly released official live video.

Lining up outside the O2 Apollo Manchester, it was immediately clear that Jordan Davis has grown significantly in popularity with UK audiences since his last visit to the city. When he played Manchester Academy in February 2024, the scale felt modest. This time around, it was a different story.

Singer and content creator Talia Mar has returned with her new single ‘Suit & Tie’. The track, which premieres later today, blends polished pop and R&B with atmospheric production that highlights her vocal strengths and lyrical vulnerability.

Lana Del Rey has released her new single, White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter, now available via Interscope Records. The song arrives as a quietly striking introduction to her forthcoming tenth studio album, Stove, expected in approximately three months.

On their sixth full-length album, Balancing Act, Copenhagen duo Vinyl Floor sound comfortable living in uncertainty. The record, due February 27, 2026 via the band’s own Karmanian Records, explores the fragile space between optimism and doubt, clarity and confusion, both musically and thematically.

Charles Kelley has returned with a fresh take on “Can’t Be Alone Tonight,” now featuring Maren Morris. Originally appearing on Kelley’s 80s-inspired solo album Songs for a New Moon, this 2026 reinterpretation transforms the track into a romantic, ‘90s-style power ballad with subtle indie-pop elements.