Editorial TeamFrom indie-rock and alt-pop to punk, neo-soul, and experimental garage, this month’s Don’t Miss Them playlist showcases the freshest voices and most compelling tracks on the scene right now. Established acts like Kneecap, Embrace, or Crooked Fingers remind us why they remain more than relevant, while rising stars such as Carrie Baxter, Brandon Statner, and Sam Sauvage bring new energy, emotional honesty, and genre-blurring sounds.
Each track is a snapshot of its creator’s world — from Baxter’s intimate neo-soul confessions to Hot Face’s blistering Abbey Road garage-punk, from KNEECAP’s confrontational hip-hop to HAVVK’s ferocious alt-rock bursts. Across 13 tracks, the playlist captures urgency, vulnerability, and sheer musicality, offering something for those who love discovering both the artists shaping today’s music and the songs that will define the months ahead.
“Road To Nowhere”, by Embrace
With over three decades at the heart of British alternative music, Embrace return with “Road To Nowhere”, the lead single from their forthcoming ninth album Avalanche. Known for pairing emotional openness with anthemic warmth, the band lean into that legacy here, reflecting on the slow realisation of a relationship heading for collapse. There’s sadness in the hindsight, but also optimism in the journey — a reminder that even when the destination fails, the feeling was real. Honest, human and quietly uplifting, it’s a confident return from a band still finding new depth 30 years on. Avalanche is due for release via Cooking Vynil on June 12, 2026
“do it to myself”, by The Xcerts
The Xcerts just released their new single “do it to myself”, an exciting grunge-leaning alt-rock banger that taps into the urgency that first defined the band. The band was Formed in Aberdeen in 2001. The trio still operates with the same line-up over two decades one. They have built a reputation as one of the UK’s most emotionally direct alternative bands. Here, bright, driving guitars collide with Murray Macleod’s vulnerable vocals, as he song deals with self-doubt and self-sabotage. Raw, uncomfortable and anthemic, it feels like a confident statement of intent for what comes next.
“Bumble Been”, by Hot Face
London trio Hot Face just released their debut album: Automated Response. This strong and authentic first effort was recorded live in one continuous take at Abbey Road Studios and produced by Dan Carey on his own label Speedy Wunderground. It’s garage-punk in its purest, most volatile form. All spit, sweat and barely-contained momentum. It captures the pure essence of the band exactly as they sound on stage. There’s no polish, no safety net, just songs driven by panic, propulsion and instinct, with Carey acting as a fourth member, pushing the chaos as it unfolds. A white-hot, nerve-jangling release that prioritises energy over perfection and bottles the thrill of live music at breaking point.
Their first single “Bumble Been” is a perfect teaser.
“Liars Tale”, by KNEECAP
The unapologetic hip-hop trio KNEECAP have recently announced their upcoming sophomore studio album, Fenian. Last week, the lead single “Liars Tale“ was dropped and certainly struck our interest. A scaggy, dark dance beat provides endless energy for the boys to spit over. Taking absolutely no prisoners, the confrontational deliveries take shots at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, referencing him as “NÃl ionat ach tory” (“Nothing but a Tory). If it’s any indication of what’s to come from the lads, there will be plenty of controversy and absolutely no prisoners taken.
“Owe You a Lot” , by The Riptide Movement
Marking a monumental double decade of making music, the Dublin indie-rockers have announced a new era with this latest single. Acting as both a piece of gratitude to fans and a turning point, “Owe You a Lot“ sees guitarist JPR Dalton step into the role of lead vocalist for the first time. Built around driving guitar rhythms, the song is a euphoric powerhouse of introspective and nostalgic feelings. A statement of grandiose proportions from The Riptide Movement indicates that this is the beginning of something new.
“Insomnia”, by Crooked Fingers
After nearly 15 years away, Crooked Fingers return with “Insomnia”, the final preview of Eric Bachmann’s forthcoming album Swet Deth. A spare, gently grooving track built around acoustic guitar and restless motion. It features excellent songwriting reckoning with sleeplessness, mortality and the quiet anxieties that surface in the dark. There’s wry humour alongside real vulnerability, Bachmann’s voice sounding intimate yet resilient as the song moves forward rather than inward. It’s a subtle but powerful reminder of Crooked Fingers’ emotional depth — and a compelling sign that this long-awaited comeback still has plenty to say. The upcoming album is due for release on February 27th.
“Change”, by Carrie Baxter
Emerging neo-soul artist Carrie Baxter continues her rise with “Change“, a reflective and emotionally open track. Blending soul, R&B, and jazz, the song is deeply personal. Dreamlike verses, spoken-word passages, and a gospel-tinged chorus create an honest dialogue between Baxter’s present self and her inner child. With themes of growth, self-acceptance, and emotional clarity, “Change” is a defining moment ahead of her debut album Seven, due on March 11. The track reminds listeners that healing isn’t about fixing yourself, but learning to move forward with compassion.
“The Burning of Your Life”, by Brandon Statner
Dublin-based newcomer Brandon Statner makes an arresting debut with “The Burning of Your Life.” A former physics student turned songwriter, Statner channels introspection and quiet existential dread into raw, expressive music. The track balances melody and confession, favoring feeling over polish. Recorded at Dublin Studio Hub with Larry Hogan, it is an intimate and thoughtful debut. Statner signals an artist focused on emotional truth rather than comfort.
“On Time”, by HAVVK
Irish alt-rock trio HAVVK deliver a fierce burst of punk energy with “On Time“. At just 90 seconds, the track is driven by pounding snare, ascending guitars, and Julie Hawk’s piercing sprechgesang vocals. Lyrically, it captures the stress of endless goals, self-imposed deadlines, and life constantly on the brink. “On Time” is ferocious, focused, and introspective, showing HAVVK at their most direct while maintaining the emotional depth of their recent work.
“Sweet Goodbye”, by Fya Fox
Fya Fox returns with “Sweet Goodbye“, a tender and emotionally open track that marks a new chapter for the Irish alt-pop songwriter. Written as a tribute to loved ones no longer here, the song sits in the fragile space between grief and acceptance, pairing intimate guitar lines with subtle electronic textures. Stripped back, sincere and beautifully restrained, it leans into honesty rather than drama — a quietly powerful return that lets vulnerability lead the way.
“Les Gens Qui Dansent (j’adore)”, by Sam Sauvage
Sam Sauvage (Hugo Brebion) is a 25-year-old French singer-songwriter from Boulogne-sur-Mer, blending cool, catchy pop with effortless charm. He first gained attention on the other side of the Channel when BBC 6 Music played his breakout single “Les Gens Qui Dansent (J’adore)“, whose stylish Paris-set video has amassed over 350,000 views. With his floppy hair, baggy suits, and danceable beats, Sauvage exudes a nonchalant joie de vivre. He just released his debut album Mesdames Messieurs! in which he digs deeper in darker emotions with the same nonchalance.
“At My Funeral”, by Spiritual Cramps
San Francisco punk outfit Spiritual Cramp return with their sophomore album Rude, out October 24, 2025. Blending classic punk, new wave, 1990s alternative, and reggae influences, the band deliver a genre-hopping, energetic record. Their first single “At My Funeral” release in july last year, showcases the band’s sharp songwriting, intense performances, and continued evolution within the California hardcore and alternative scene.
