Seb Zukini: Honestly

Dutch indie band Seb Zukini goes for mainstream rock on their new single Honestly. And while some it feels a bit like painting by numbers, they have grown significantly in getting it right in the studio, feeling more confident that using hills and valleys is a far smarter move than putting all the faders up. It could have been a bit rougher to do justice to their live sound, but then again that would probably scare radiofriendly playlisters.

Live date:

• O5/05 Assen, The Netherlands @ Bevrijdingsfestival

» sebzukini.nl

HCTF review of The Devil You Know.

Golden Alphabet: I Found Love, But I'm a Hater

Brooklyn based psych folk band Golden Alphabet are dealing with some kind of reality check on their new single I Found Love, But I'm a Hater. Things that were considered to be decidedly uncool turn out not to be as bad after all. Propelled forward by a catchy, almost country-alike backbeat, they lock into a groove, with Garrett Weinholtz's trombone as the icing on the cake: "I found love, but I'm a hater // I'm vacant of all pain // I push a broom, but i'm a painter // I have no room for shame".

Subterranean Street Society: tour dates

Danish/Dutch grunge-tinged folk trio Subterranean Street Society will be on tour in the UK and The Netherlands to promote their Bleep album.

The Speed Of Sound: The Great Acceleration

Manchester based psychedelic power pop veterans The Speed Of Sound have some issues with the rise of technology on their new single The Great Acceleration. As the current rate of advancement, it won't be long that it could be controlling humanity instead of the other away around. The dreams of a blissful, shiny utopia can turn into post-apocalyptic dystopia if people don't come to their senses.

The World of Dust: new album "13 Holy Nights" in June

Between December 24 and January 6 Dutch musician Stefan Breuer shared 13 brand new tracks on social media by his lo-fi The World of Dust project, documenting a kind of spiritual quest. Don't look for them now, because he took them all down, preparing the collection for a proper release named 13 Holy Nights. No biggie if anthroposophical teachings are not your thing, because the music is achingly beautiful. The opening track Wild Boars can be heard on the Bandcamp page of his Tiny Room Records label.