hubris.: Death

Swiss instrumental post-rockers hubris. found some solace in the works of Tolkien, wherein elves considers mortality as a plus. Their new single Death grew out of the opening chords that were written by the band's guitarist Jonathan Hohl after his grandfather passed away.

The band have his back all through the raw emotions that found their way into the song, with an ambient coda serving as a send-off. To keep a listener's undivided attention for a little over 8 minutes is no mean feat, but they pass with flying colours. It bodes well for their forthcoming new album White Shores, due for release in September.

All Them Witches: in-studio performance @ KEXP radio

Watch the video of the in-studio performance by American rock band All Them Witches on The Afternoon Show @ KEXP radio in Seattle, recorded on April 26, 2026. They performed four songs from their latest album House Of Mirrors and one from Lightning At The Door.

Great Lakes: Why Did My Love Go Away

American folk rocker Ben Crum concluded that most of the songs on the new album by his band Great Lakes are about trying to get to grips with the death of his close friend Ryan Trammel. Loss is the main theme of Fear of the Fear and lead single Why Did My Love Go Away, a gentle swaying song with an early 70s vibe, pictures him as "feeling like a stranger to your side". As a musical challenge he did not use a bridges in the track, which works wonders for the urgency of the lyrics.

Words about music (841): Kevin Ayers

Soft Machine were going more in the direction of fusion jazz and I didn't like that. They were going more in the direction of jazz, which didn't interest me. I was strictly pop. They were into what I consider really to be incredibly self-indulgent music. It's stuff you play for yourself, and "fuck the audience.

Kevin Ayers

Flower Show: I Want To Hold Your Man

Liverpudlian queer six-piece indie band Flower Show have unveiled a video for their new baroque pop song I Want To Hold Your Man. It is set in an non-descript office, with a bunch of singers and dancers trying to make an impression on a plain commitee to hire them. The track is a bit over the top, but with the serious message as well to take people at face value. It is the lead single for their new album A Cake In A Daydream, due for release on September 4.

» Flower Show on Instagram

Live date:

• 08/01 Bidston Observatory - Wyrd Wyrale 2026, Liverpool, UK

HCTF review of Painted Nails & Silver Bells