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Fickle Friends Return Recharged on Joy-Filled Self-Titled Album

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

Fickle Friends Return Recharged on Joy-Filled Self-Titled Album

Brighton favourites Fickle Friends usher in a bold new chapter with the release of their self-titled third album, ‘Fickle Friends’, out now via their own Palmeira Music imprint. Entirely self-produced and creatively steered by the band, the record feels both like a homecoming and a fresh start — a vibrant, hands-on statement built on trust, independence, and rediscovering joy. The album launch is matched by a run of live shows, with hometown Brighton, London, and Oxford already sold out, underlining the band’s enduring connection with their audience.

https://open.spotify.com/album/77NcQbJCAIoymd5Z0VCJre?si=7um7Lx-AR3S4X-xpKBg6aQ

Across 11 tracks, the album captures the exhilaration and messiness of modern life, pairing warm, hook-heavy production with lyrics that are deeply personal yet instantly relatable. Standout moment “Fantasy” reflects a brief flirtation with emotional detachment, with vocalist Natassja Shiner admitting, “It captures this brief chapter where I was trying to convince myself I could be the carefree, ‘no strings, no feelings, no rules’ version of myself… Spoiler: that’s not me at all.” Ultimately, ‘Fickle Friends’ is an album about hard-won happiness — celebrating friendship, love, late nights, and the freedom of embracing who you really are, with Shiner calling it “the most authentic we’ve ever been… honest and FUN.”

Danny Arcane Polishes Heartbreak Into Gold on New Single “Precious Stones”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

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Danny Arcane Polishes Heartbreak Into Gold on New Single “Precious Stones”

Indie artist Danny Arcane returns with “Precious Stones,” a sharp, playful new single that turns self-worth and survival into something you can shout back at the world. Built around the idea that value doesn’t disappear just because it’s been buried, the track tackles trauma, bad relationships, and the quiet moment when you realize you deserve better. Crunchy guitars, relaxed bass lines, and a vocal delivery that swings between sly confidence and cutting bite give the song an effortless, hook-heavy momentum.

Lyrically, Arcane leans into clarity and confidence without losing warmth. “I wanted this one to feel like an anthem for anyone who’s been undervalued or underestimated,” he says, with lines like “Precious stones get thrown ’cause they’re scared to be alone” unpacking the push-and-pull of insecurity and toxic attachment. Fans of The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys, and The Killers will hear familiar grit and wit in Arcane’s guitar work and phrasing, while his continued run of singles shows a songwriter unafraid to experiment, evolve, and shine through whatever dirt gets thrown his way.

Celeste Corsano Confronts Perfectionism on New Single “XS”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

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Celeste Corsano Confronts Perfectionism on New Single “XS”

Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano returns with “XS,” a striking new single released via Magic Door Record Label and paired with a surreal animated video by Brother JT. Built around the dual meaning of “XS” as both extra small and excess success, the song unpacks body image, insecurity, and the relentless pressure to meet shifting standards of perfection. Wrapped in warm analogue textures, Corsano explores the cycle of comparison and the hollow calm that can follow the chase for an imagined ideal. “XS is about feeling like an outsider and trying to fit in,” Corsano explains, reflecting on how media, industry expectations, and personal history feed that internal struggle.

Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, New Jersey, the track features guitar work from James Mastro and bass by David Nagler. Sonically recalling the melodic edge of The Cars and the art-pop intuition of Kate Bush, “XS” continues Corsano’s recent run of deeply personal releases. The accompanying video mirrors the song’s emotional arc, ending with a symbolic release into nature that rejects perfection entirely. Intimate, thoughtful, and quietly defiant, “XS” captures Corsano at her most honest, turning vulnerability into a form of freedom.

The Penske File Share Reflective New Video for “Rocking Chair”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

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The Penske File Share Reflective New Video for “Rocking Chair”

Hamilton, Ontario punk rock lifers The Penske File have shared the official video for “Rocking Chair,” one of the most poignant moments on their album ‘Reprieve’. The song leans into the trio’s reflective side, exploring mortality, memory, and acceptance with a warmth that feels lived-in rather than heavy. “It’s a hopeful, yet bittersweet song about looking back on a full life from the end of the road,” frontman Travis Miles explains. Written during a quiet off night on tour in Germany, the track arrived naturally, shaped by stillness, conversation, and shared history.

Recorded live in producer Adam Michael’s living room and captured on film by longtime collaborator Victor Wiercioch, the video preserves the raw intimacy of the song’s origin. One live take, a few microphones, and decades of friendship are all it takes. While ‘Reprieve’ confronts aging, loss, and transition across its twelve tracks, “Rocking Chair” stands out for its restraint, offering a quiet moment of clarity that underscores the band’s enduring ability to find light amid the noise.

Frank Turner Releases ‘The Next Ten Years’ Triple Vinyl Set

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

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Frank Turner releases The Next Ten Years Triple Vinyl Set, a deep-dive archival collection that looks back on a decade of creativity beyond his core studio albums. A sequel to his earlier First Ten Years release, the 3LP set gathers rare tracks, B-sides, live recordings, covers, collaborations, and alternate versions spanning the eras of Positive Songs For Negative People, Be More Kind, No Man’s Land, and FTHC. Curated by Turner himself, the collection is designed to make the lesser-heard corners of his catalog easy to discover, many appearing on vinyl for the first time.

To mark the release, Turner has shared the focus track “Road Crew,” a tribute to the behind-the-scenes workers who make live music possible. “Road Crew was recorded for the #WeMakeEvents campaign in 2020, and it’s a tribute to the unsung heroes who keep the show on the road, literally,” Turner says. Housed in an elaborate gatefold package with clear vinyl, die-cut artwork, unseen photos, and individually numbered sleeves, The Next Ten Years stands as both a collector’s piece and a heartfelt reflection on the community, persistence, and people that have defined Turner’s journey on and off the stage.

The Next Ten Years Tracklisting:

LP1: ORIGINALS

A1 The Sand In The Gears (Live)

A2 Least Of All Young Caroline

A3 Little Aphrodite

A4 Cleopatra In Brooklyn

A5 Bar Staff

A6 How It Began

B1 Road Crew

B2 Eye Of The Day (Live at Earth, Hackney)

B3 Sister Rosetta (Live at Earth, Hackney)

B4 The Lioness (Live At Earth, Hackney)

B5 The Sand In The Gears (Electronic)

LP2: COVERS & FEATURES

C1 Delilah (Tom Jones cover)

C2 The Armadillo (Flanders & Swann cover)

C3 Mama Tried (Merle Haggard cover)

C4 Giraffes #1 (Chris T-T cover)

C5 Better Times Will Come (Janis Ian cover)

C6 Merry Christmas Everybody (Slade Cover – Radio 2 Session 13.12.17)

D1 This Year (Mountain Goats cover)

D2 Northbound (Grace Petrie cover)

D3 Julie (Levellers track feat. Frank Turner)

D4 Little Life feat. KT Tunstall

D5 Little Changes (Choir! Choir! Choir! Version)

LP3: ACOUSTIC VERSIONS

E1 Blackout (Acoustic)

E2 There She Is (Acoustic)

E3 Little Changes (Acoustic)

E4 Haven’t Been Doing So Well (Acoustic)

E5 A Wave Across A Bay (Acoustic)

E6 Punches (Acoustic)

E7 The Work (Acoustic)

Side F = Etching design

Fruit Tones Double Down on Raw Rock ’n’ Roll With New Album ‘Easy Peelers’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

0

Fruit Tones Double Down on Raw Rock ’n’ Roll With New Album ‘Easy Peelers’

Fruit Tones are back swinging with their third album ‘Easy Peelers’, released via Berlin’s legendary Alien Snatch! Records. Louder, faster, and more unfiltered than ever, the record captures the band’s no-frills philosophy in full force. Led by Tom Harrison’s infectious, sharp-edged songwriting and powered by the relentless rhythm section of Tomas Walmsley and CJ Wood, Fruit Tones continue to turn everyday chaos into punchy, life-affirming rock ’n’ roll that feels effortless and impossibly catchy. Mostly self-recorded in an old Manchester cotton mill and mastered by Mikey Young of Eddy Current Suppression Ring, the album wears its grit proudly, blending blown-out riffs, hiccuping melodies, and pub-floor momentum into a sound that refuses polish.

Ahead of the album, the band have shared a video for the title track “Easy Peeler,” filmed on tour in Australia by bassist CJ Wood and packed with cameos from underground favorites including Delivery, Gee Tee, Drunk Mums, and Vintage Crop. Harrison describes the song as something that “just appeared out of thin air,” born from time spent on the road and tied together by movement, momentum, and letting go of control. With past releases taking them from Manchester to stages around the world and continued support from tastemakers like Marc Riley and BBC 6 Music, ‘Easy Peelers’ finds Fruit Tones doing what they do best: promising nothing, delivering everything, and keeping the choogle rolling.

AFTERDRIVE Step Forward With Intense New Single “Necklace”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

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AFTERDRIVE Step Forward With Intense New Single “Necklace”

Ipswich four-piece AFTERDRIVE continue their rapid rise with the release of their latest single “Necklace,” a charged and emotionally raw track that sharpens the band’s sound with a new sense of urgency. Equal parts anthemic and intimate, the song leans into physicality and passion while staying rooted in the melodic hooks that have defined AFTERDRIVE so far. “Necklace feels like a statement,” the band share. “It is more driven, more physical, and intimate… still AFTERDRIVE, but with a different kind of energy.” The release marks the first step in a new run of music, with more announcements on the way.

The single follows a breakout year that’s seen AFTERDRIVE move from local buzz to national attention, earning regular airplay on BBC Radio 1 and landing major support slots, including a hometown stadium show with Ed Sheeran at Portman Road Stadium. Formed from early jam sessions between siblings Ben Watts and Joe Watts and completed by Ed Ruff and Luke Ellis, the band have built a reputation for high-energy live shows and emotionally direct songwriting. With momentum firmly on their side, AFTERDRIVE are quickly proving themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging acts.

ALFONSO CONSPIRACY Unleash Debut Album ‘The Explicit//The Exploited’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

0

ALFONSO CONSPIRACY Unleash Debut Album ‘The Explicit//The Exploited’

ALFONSO CONSPIRACY, the uncompromising project led by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Max James, steps fully into the spotlight with the release of his formidable debut album ‘The Explicit//The Exploited’. Forged in isolation in Northern England, the project grew from James teaching himself every instrument and taking total control of his sound, turning solitude and frustration into a focused creative force. The first glimpse into the album arrives via the striking single “Who Are We,” setting the tone for what follows.

Across ten intense tracks, ‘The Explicit//The Exploited’ dives into identity, trauma, and inner conflict without restraint. “It’s an album of two halves—literally,” James explains. “I address trauma, play devil’s advocate, and tell my story all in one.” Blending abrasive heaviness with dark atmosphere and confrontational honesty, the record is raw, cathartic, and unfiltered. ALFONSO CONSPIRACY doesn’t aim to fit in or soften the edges, instead delivering a debut that feels like a declaration from an artist ready to be heard on his own terms.

Jackson Dean Promises Forever on New Song “Over And Over”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

0

Jackson Dean Promises Forever on New Song “Over And Over”

Jackson Dean leans fully into romance on his new song “Over And Over,” released via Big Machine Records. Built around the idea of a love so steady it could survive being lived on repeat, the track pairs stripped-back production with layered harmonies that spotlight Dean’s gravel-toned vocal delivery. Written alongside frequent collaborator Luke Dick and award-winning songwriter Laura Veltz, the song feels tailor-made for first dances, offering a sincere meditation on commitment and emotional endurance. “I hope you all fall deeper in love to this,” Dean shares. “‘Over And Over’ is for the one who makes you unable to see straight and for which the desire is forever.”

The release arrives amid a banner year for Dean, following a global run of sold-out shows on his headlining tour and high-profile appearances alongside some of country music’s biggest names. With his breakout single “Heavens To Betsy” climbing toward the top of country radio, Dean continues to build momentum as he joins Brad Paisley on select dates of the Truck Still Works World Tour in Canada. “Over And Over” adds another heartfelt chapter to his growing catalog, reinforcing his knack for pairing raw vocal character with genuine emotional clarity.

Shenandoah and Nickelback Unite on Reimagined “The Church on Cumberland Road”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jan 24, 2026

0

Shenandoah and Nickelback Unite on Reimagined “The Church on Cumberland Road”

Legendary Grammy Award-winning country band Shenandoah and multi-platinum, diamond-certified rock group Nickelback have teamed up for an unexpected collaboration, releasing a new rendition of Shenandoah’s classic hit “The Church on Cumberland Road” via 8 Track Entertainment. The genre-blending take brings fresh energy to the beloved song while honoring its roots, born out of mutual respect forged while the two bands shared stages at major country music festivals.

“Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and I had the chance to talk about their music and ours and the parallels of some of the tunes that could be swapped out on the set lists,” says Shenandoah frontman Marty Raybon. “After a few text messages, we were off and running with what is one of the coolest things we’ve ever done.” Kroeger echoed the sentiment, noting Shenandoah’s lasting influence and the timeless feel of the song. The release arrives alongside an animated video created by Cartuna, which reimagines the original 1989 visual while weaving Nickelback into the story.