​‘Ugly Knots’ is a raw, genre-defying track that fuses industrial metal with hardcore grit and ambient textures. It opens with abrasive riffs and harsh electronics before evolving into a sweeping, melodic climax, mirroring the emotional journey the band intends for listeners.

​“This song is for the kind people we’ve seen be hated, harassed, and threatened. It’s written from the first-person perspective, but the spoken word section—contributed by our friend John Forget—comes directly from someone who lived that experience. It’s a message of strength in the face of cruelty,” says the band.

​Lyrically and musically, ‘Ugly Knots’ is one of The Fixer’s heaviest and most artful releases to date. Eschewing formulaic conventions, the band leans hard into their industrial roots while exploring themes of anger, sadness, and resilience. Fans of their heavier material will find plenty to latch onto, while new listeners will be drawn into its emotional depth.

British metalcore outfit DEFENCES have released a brand new single. The new music video, for the track ‘Lithium Kiss,’ is the brand new single from the Hertfordshire-based alternative metal band and marks their first new music since their latest studio album, Shadowlight, which was released in November last year, via Long Branch Records.

Speaking about the new song, the band shares, “the inspiration for ‘Lithium Kiss’ came from one of our members’ personal experience being prescribed the mood-stabiliser Lithium for a couple of years, and the frustrations and difficulties that came along with the benefits. When treatment stopped, rather than feeling like before, there was instead a feeling of being almost hyper-rational, rather than feeling like they could react instinctively and naturally.

“’Lithium Kiss’ is NOT about not taking your medication and taking care of yourself and we would never want it to come across that way. It’s instead a crystallization of a paranoia that we are consumed by illness and treatment, adversity and reconciliation. The Lithium Kiss is our way of referring to this relationship, the symbiotic necessity for difficulty to bring about individual growth, whilst ensuring that it does not come to consume you.”

LIVING DEAD GIRL gets bloody in the bath tub in the sanguine video for new single ‘Succubus.’ The song lives (or dies?) on the new album CONSPIRACY, out now.

“‘Succubus’ is a song written from the perspective of a mythological sex demon that seduces you and kills you in your sleep — need I say more?,” says LDG herself. “It’s sultry, it’s alluring, and it’s sure to be your new go-to song for passionate nights.”

FRAYLE have released a brand new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Boo’, is the final single lifted from the Cleveland-based doom metal band’s upcoming album Heretics & Lullabies, which is scheduled to be released on October 10 via Napalm Records. The track features a guest appearance from Jason Popson (ex-MUSHROOMHEAD) and arrives ahead of the band’s upcoming USA tour supporting occult rockers DOGMA.

Speaking about the new single, FRAYLE shares, “’Boo’ was inspired by an incident in Germany, when Gwyn, walking alone on a dark street, startled a woman traveling with her companions. She screamed, and the entire group hurried to the other side of the road. The song is a tongue-in-cheek response to moments like these – because for some of us, every day is Halloween.”

After the announcement of their signing with Art Gates Records in the summer, it has been confirmed that Italian Melodic Death Metal band 5Rand will release their long awaited third album Ordhalia on November 28 via the label. Produced by Marco Mastrobuono (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour Of Penance) and mastered by Jens Bogren (Kreator, Opeth), the album features a guest vocal appearance from Fear Factory vocalist Milo Silvestro on ‘The Nihilist’. Portraying life when anxiety and anguish become constant companions, new single ‘Bloodlife’ is now streaming in music video form.

Italian power metal band ELETTRA STORM return with their electrifying new single and video, ‘Hero Among Heroes,’ the third track unveiled from their upcoming sophomore album Evertale, due October 24 via Scarlet Records.

‘Hero Among Heroes’ pays homage to the golden age of ‘80s melodic metal, while keeping a modern, energetic edge through addictive vocal hooks, groovy drum patterns, and a dazzling guitar-keytar duel. The song celebrates everyday heroes, those who fight life’s battles beside us, set to a soundtrack of epic proportions.

Holy Wars have unveiled haunting single ‘Metamorphosis’. Written in the aftermath of the devastating loss of vocalist Kat Leon’s parents and sister, the LA band are back with another soaring, emotional anthem.

Speaking on ‘Metamorphosis’, Kat has shared: “‘Metamorphosis’ is about bringing closure to the shadow self and surrendering… It’s about allowing yourself to heal so the light can come in.”

Chrissy Costanza has shared powerful single ‘Rope’, taken from the deluxe edition of 2024 EP VII.

Speaking on ‘Rope’, Chrissy has shared: “I wrote this with @josh_gilbert & @josephcmcqueen before I even knew I was going to create a solo project and have been holding on to it because I knew it was just so special and agonized about releasing it right. iIthought at first my solo project wouldn’t do it justice, but this song means everything to me. it’s the first time I’ve written about this particular concept and has opened a deeper well for me to go down. It was a wake up call & coming of age moment for me in more ways than one. I love this song SO much it is deeply etched into my soul, I hope you love it too.”

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

BEYOND THE BLACK’s sixth full length Break The Silence is a concept album rooted in melodic metal with ethno influences, it explores themes of communication, inner strength, resilience and the urgent need to reconnect in a divided world. Tracks like ‘Let There Be Rain‘, ‘(La Vie Est Un) Cinéma‘, ‘Ravens‘ and ‘The Flood‘ examine how words – and their absence – shape our reality. It’s an emotional, multi-layered experience that mirrors today’s complex world and invites fans to be part of this new chapter.

Guest musicians on Break The Silence include Chris Harms from LORD OF THE LOST as well as Asami from popular Japanese power metal band LOVEBITES.

Singer Jennifer Haben commented: “On Break The Silence, we opened the door to new influences and collaborations. From symphonic to ethnic elements and guest artists who brought their own style into the mix — this album reflects everything we love about making music without boundaries. It’s a powerful blend of who we are and who we’re becoming“

Los Angeles-based “fairy-doom” trio Faetooth are taking us to the forest with the latest elemental preview of their forthcoming Labyrinthine, a sludging epic titled ‘Hole.’

The group’s new single, which follows earlier album teases ‘Death of Day’ and ‘White Noise,’ undulates through varying slow-gloom tempos, with the band injecting it all with a mix of skies-clearing coos and earth-cracking cries.

The supremely cinematic music video first finds a woman survival-mode sprinting through a forest clearing, and then she collapses in agony when faced with a fiery scene within the brush. Gutting personal loss gives way to the figure dancing with a burnt talisman in the charred cedar scene, though it gets profoundly more spiritual and otherworldly as the song moves on. Faetooth also drop by for a quick cameo.

“‘Hole’ is a meditation on the choice of confronting the past, or burying it,” bassist-vocalist Jenna Garcia explains of the song in a statement. “Sobering, waking realizations of cycles find themselves bared, culminating in an invocation-like verse that declares severance to all ties to a creeping past.”

French progressive metalcore outfit Novelists have unveiled their latest music video for ‘Adam And Eve’, a track from their most recent album, CODA, which dropped in mid-May. The visual was directed by Pavel Trebukhin, known for his work with acts like Amon Amarth and ERRA, and brings the song’s concept to life with a striking cinematic flair.

The video arrives as part of Novelists’ continued push behind CODA, their first album released through ACKOR Music—their own independent label launched with members of Landmvrks. With full creative control, the band has leaned into more personal and ambitious visual storytelling, as seen in this latest release.

‘Adam And Eve’ explores the story of a character who descends into a cult, with the video mirroring the track’s dark emotional arc. It even features a clip from televangelist Kenneth Copeland, used to underscore the song’s themes. Musically, the track blends heavy progressive riffs, soaring melodies, and a raw emotional tone that’s become a hallmark of the band’s current era—especially with vocalist Camille Contreras now fronting the group.

Holy Wars have just unveiled a new single and video, ‘Crucify’. Following May track ‘I Feel Everything’ – plus appearances at the likes of Download Festival and supporting Kittie this summer – the band are keeping up momentum with a new metalcore banger that has a painfully dark backstory.

“’Crucify’ was written as a reckoning,” explains vocalist Kat Leon. “Years ago, I got out of a toxic relationship – the last words my ex said to me were, ‘I wish you nothing but the worst.’ Within six months, both of my parents had passed away.

“I’ve carried the weight of those words like a curse, buried in grief and silence until now. Writing Crucify became my way of purging that pain and finally reclaiming my power.”

CASTLE RAT have released a new song. The new single, titled ‘WOLF I’, is taken from the mystical heavy metal band’s upcoming album The Bestiary, which is scheduled to be released in September this year, via King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).

Speaking about the new single, guitarist and vocalist Riley Pinkerton (The Rat Queen) says, “’WOLF I’ marks the gateway into The Bestiary, setting the stage for the epic journey ahead. The Wolf—fierce, solitary, and primal—serves as both symbol and sentinel, embodying the shadow self and guiding listeners through peril with instinct and ferocity. The track is a tempest of layered riffs and surging energy, building toward a thunderous, headbanging climax. With its haunting vocal chants and immersive atmosphere, ‘WOLF I’ expands the CASTLE RAT sonic universe—introducing, for the first time, a blistering, razor-edged solo by Franco ‘The Count’ Vittore, delivered with surgical precision and flair.”

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

To celebrate the album’s release, Aexylium has also unveiled the official music video for the track ‘Hexe’. ‘Hexe’ perfectly represents the spirit of the album—a high-impact, rhythm-driven song that combines rich melodic lines with a powerful vocal performance from Sam Biganzoli delivering intensity and momentum without ever losing the folk essence that defines the band’s DNA. Visually and sonically, the video amplifies the track’s energy and emotion, offering a powerful introduction to the album’s vision.

UK alternative musical artist and supernatural influencer Brocarde returns with a vengeance on her latest single, ‘Identity Theft’. The new track is a raw, emotionally charged anthem that cuts deep into themes of alienation, acceptance, and the chaos of growing into one’s true self. Produced by Chris Collier (Whitesnake, Mick Mars, Korn), ‘Identity Theft’ blends theatrical rock and alternative metal with haunting melodies and a lyrical journey that begins at birth and storms through adolescence into adulthood, all with Brocarde’s trademark cinematic flair.

The music video for ‘Identity Theft’ released alongside the single was shot inside Gloucester Prison—one of Britain’s most haunted locations. During the shoot, Brocarde claims the ghosts of the Kray Twins—notorious gangsters and former inmates—interrupted filming by headbanging to the track. The video features Brocarde writhing on an autopsy table and giving birth to a blue/pink alien, all layered in eerie, paranormal energy.

Following the haunting release of ‘Seaweed Braids,’ Italian melodic death metal band Hellfox returns with a powerful new chapter: ‘Atlas,’ the second single from their upcoming album The Spectrum Of Human Gravity, due out via Rockshots Records.

Combining heavy melodic death metal foundations with modern textures and acidic synths, ‘Atlas’ is a crushing and introspective anthem. Lyrically, the song draws on the myth of the Titan condemned to bear the weight of the sky — a metaphor for the emotional burdens we carry and the silent expectations imposed by society. “We have no control over what happens around us,” the band explains, “but letting go of that weight may be the most liberating act of all.”

Calva Louise continues their frenetic vision on the explosive new single, ‘Impeccable.’ It pulls you with both hands into their complex cinematic sci-fi universe with a mesmerizing blend of punk, metal and electronica. They’ve dropped another incredibly hypnotic video, once again directed with visual effects by singer/guitarist Jess Allinac.

Set in 1994, ‘Impeccable’ is a direct sequel to ‘W.T.F.’, which introduced the protagonist, Louise, who is experiencing bizarre happenings inside her home and encounters a feeling of dread signalling danger: someone is inside her house and stalking her. She catches glimpses of what has been stalking her: an uncanny version of herself, her “double.” “It is about that feeling of powerlessness that occurs when we are in situations beyond our control, ” said Jess Allanic.

Another high-energy collision of futurism, riffs, apocalyptic drums, and haunting electronics, ‘Impeccable’ continues its journey down the rabbit hole and tells the story of a young man called Jonnie, who has been deadly poisoned and has no choice but to act impeccably to survive.

“I follow you anywhere you go. Death spoke to the warrior, Who was looking for a chance. I follow you anywhere you go. He said to the abyss, On the edge of life, ” the lyrics hypnotically yearn.

“For this, he has to follow his double into another world, the Fractalworld, or death will strike him,” the band says. “Jonnie will have to quickly understand who his double is and cross over the threshold to overcome his fate. ‘Impeccable’ is the direct sequel of ‘W.T.F.’, where we meet the main character Louise and her own encounter with her double.”

HOLY WARS have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘I Feel Everything,’ is the brand new single from the Los Angeles-based alternative band and follows on from their previous single, ‘TENSION//RELEASE’, which was released in January last year.

Kat Leon shares, “’I Feel Everything’, lyrically, is about how dissociation and remaining numb for so many years since my parents’ passing could only heal so much. With the loss of my sister this past year, every pain and every emotion eventually rose to the surface.”

“We want to bring the chills factor back into our music,” guitarist and producer Nick Perez states, with Leon in agreement noting, “As a band, we have been reflecting on where we are at in our lives and the legacy we want to leave behind and I feel like we lost some of that raw vulnerability of earlier material,” Leon admits, adding “But with how far we have come in our career, we can now take these themes to a broader place and show the journey of where we are at today and ultimately, the journey of life after death.”

HANABIE have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Spicy Queen’, is the brand new single from the Japanese metalcore band and follows on from their previous single, ‘Tasty Survivor’, which was released back in February. The new single is a counterpart to the band’s 2021 track ‘WE LOVE SWEETS’.

Speaking about the new single, vocalist Yukina says, “the song ‘WE LOVE SWEETS’, which we released in 2021, has become a gateway track for listeners to discover our music. It’s a very meaningful track for us. As time has passed and we have matured, we thought, ‘Let’s make a spicy version of the song!’ during our tour. Inspired by the famous Nashville Hot Chicken, we decided to create this new rendition that features a spicy and stimulating musical progression. It also has an addictive quality that will make you want to ‘eat’ (listen to) the track on repeat!”

Guitar/vocalist Matsuri shares, “this song was born during our US tour from the sudden thought, ‘let’s create a track that marks our 10th anniversary year’. It’s also the first track we crafted collaboratively as a band through constant discussions and was incredibly fun to make!! We included plenty of moments for our fans to shout along with us, designing the track with the vision that all the parts will come together during a live performance. So, we hope you listen to it a lot and come join us at our live shows!”

Bassist Hettsu adds, “to celebrate our 10th anniversary year, we created this song that captures the essence of HANABIE.! It’s a track where everyone can shout together during the chorus and has parts that pay homage to our past songs. We feel it encapsulates the 10 years of HANABIE.! Listen to it a lot and let’s sing this track together at our live shows!” And drummer Chika says, “this song was created through discussions among us during our US tour and marks the milestone for the band’s 10th anniversary year! My favorite drum phrase is in the second verse, where the rhythm alternates every measure between on-beat and off-beat! Aside from the drums, I also love Matsuri’s vocal slides at the beginning of the second verse! I hope everyone will shout along with us during the chorus when we perform at live shows.”

Russian metal band Fallcie has released their latest single, ‘Taste of Blood,’ accompanied by an intense official music video. The track showcases frontwoman Maria Balyasova’s dynamic vocal range, seamlessly transitioning between aggressive growls and melodic passages.

‘Taste of Blood’ is featured on Fallcie’s new album, The World Cataclysm, which dropped on May 30, 2025, via darkTunes Music Group. The album continues the band’s exploration of heavy themes and complex compositions, solidifying their presence in the global metal scene.

Halestorm have unleashed the title track from their upcoming album, Everest, set for release on August 8. The anthemic song is accompanied by a music video that can be streamed below.

“Our song ‘Everest’ is the summit of everything we’ve fought for — every scream, every scar, every triumph,” stated Halestorm singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale. “This album is us, louder and bolder, and more brutally honest than ever, standing tall in the face of the storm.”

The track starts out with Lzzy talk-singing the verses before showcasing her powerhouse pipes in the chorus. Guitarist Joe Hottinger gets a spotlight early on in the song with a solo at that begins roughly a minute and a half into the tune.

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

Ignescent are a dynamic hard rock band from Chicago who will release their debut album, Fight In Me, on November 10 via Frontiers. A first single from it for the song ‘Not Today’ that features Kevin Young of Disciple is out now. Its video features Billy Grey of Fozzy and was directed by JT Ibanez. Lead singer Jennifer Benson explains the album title and its central theme by stating: “We will come out stronger in the end through the pain with our hearts ignited. I will never stop the fight in me.”

Brazilian metal act Semblant have just made a brand new video available for a song entitled ‘The Human Eclipse’. Included on their current album, Vermillion Eclipse, it coincides with the announcement of a 2xLP format (including limited edition red vinyl) of the highly regarded release, which will be made available on October 20.

Canada’s thrash maniacs Hyperia have been shredding across stages since their conception in 2018 and have released three albums to wild global reception. Their latest work The Serpent’s Cycle is coming out this November and will be a continuation of the aggressive riffs, melodic vocals, and all-around party nature that the band has come to be known for. The next single ‘Automatic Thrash Machine’ embodies that energy and draws listeners in with its endorphin rush of thrash technicality. The band describes the single: “A tongue-in-cheek nod to our favourite party thrash songs, this track is our homage to partying and having a good time with your friends. It’s accompanied by a full-out kegger of a music video that shows the fun side of Hyperia. It’s one of the more straightforward thrash songs on the album but still has lots of intricate parts from all members.”

West coast-based metal unit Death Dealer Union – featuring Elena Cataraga (aka Lena Scissorhands of modern metal leaders Infected Rain) – have released their debut album, Initiation via Napalm Records. Following recent singles ‘The Vow Of Silence’ and ‘The Integument’, the band has released a third single – the dynamic ‘Ill Fated’. The track juxtaposes 80s-influenced clean guitars and sinister metallic riffs as Lena displays her soaring trademark vocal delivery and introspective wordplay. The video features eye-catching imagery, sets and costumes, making for a striking viewing experience. Says the band: “We wanted to present something a little different with this video – everything from the fantastic Cherry Bombs dance troupe to the actors involved. We sought to do something not usually done in heavy metal videos. Enjoy!” [via Brave Words]

After properly announcing themselves with August single ‘Deus Ex Machina’, Holy Wars are keeping the momentum going with a new track: ‘BODY//TEMPLE.’ Released via Pale Chord and with an accompanying video, the band – vocalist Kat Leon and guitarist/producer Nick Perez – collectively state that their new tune “embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery, navigating through ego dissolution and the depths of the shadow self”. Holy Wars continue: “Its lyrics serve as a poignant cautionary tale on the path to enlightenment, shedding light on how our egos and self-projections can become insidious adversaries. This composition urges us to scrutinise every facet of our lives – be it religion, society, or our very essence – for authentic revelation and personal liberation.” Speaking about its video, they share that the clip “mirrors this primal intensity through its visuals, escorting viewers on a transformative journey alongside Kat as she confronts her shadow self. This duality is perceived, both from the vantage point of the audience and the stage, encapsulating a gut-deep resonance.” [via Kerrang!]

Aaetheria is here to jettison you clean off this planet with their catchy new single and accompanying music video, ‘The Fallen’. Both the single and music video was created solely by Aaetheria at their own home studio, Andromeda 6. [via Metal Injection]

As they barrel towards their upcoming tour dates, Canadian melodic metal outfit LUTHARO are excited to announce they have joined new label home, Atomic Fire Records. To celebrate this announcement, as well as to give you a preview of what to expect live, the band have revealed a fresh new single, ‘Ruthless Bloodline,’ along with an electrifying live shot video showcasing the band’s powerful stage presence. “You wanted new music? You got it!” LUTHARO exclaim proudly. “‘Ruthless Bloodline’ is officially out now and ruthless it is indeed! This is our heaviest yet catchiest song to date and is a good omen of what’s to come.” [via Metal Planet]

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.

Last week, Philadelphia indie-punks Mannequin Pussy announced some big plans. They’ve bought back their masters from Tiny Engines, their former label, and they’re reissuing their 2016 sophomore album Romantic on their own newly-formed label Romantic Records. But Mannequin Pussy aren’t just reissuing their older music. They’ve also just released a brand-new single. Mannequin Pussy recorded their new single ‘I Got Heaven’ with veteran indie rock producer John Congleton, and it’s a revved-up anthem that moves from stomp-scream fuzz-rock fury to twinkly shoegaze melody and back again. Lyrically, bandleader Marisa Dabice is on her Patti Smith shit: “And what if we stopped spinning?/ And what if we’re just flat?/ And what if Jesus himself ate my fucking snatch?” It’s Mannequin Pussy’s first new song since their 2021 EP Perfect, though Dabice appeared on the remix of Dazy and Militarie Gun’s ‘Pressure Cooker’ last year. Mannequin Pussy haven’t announced a new record yet, but there’s more new music on the way. Here’s what Marisa Dabice says about ‘I Got Heaven’: “‘I Got Heaven’ is a song intended to merge the sacred and the profane and to serve as a reminder that we are all perfect exactly as we have been made and that no one gets to decide how a life should or should not be lived. Heaven is here on a planet that gave us everything we needed to survive. Heaven is in the plants and in the water and in the animals who we share this world with. Heaven is inside of me and inside of you. The weaponization of Christianity for political means, for individual profit and power, as a tool to intentionally divide us, is one of the greatest threats to our modern world and a threat to our ability to find solidarity through love. To allow the hatred and the violence and the noise to rise is to reject our sacred purpose as individuals, which is simply to love.” Mason Mercer and Anthony Miralles directed the ‘I Got Heaven’ video, which has a sunlight gothic folk-horror storyline and which might be lightly NSFW. [via Stereogum]

Sheffield’s Gia Ford has shared her striking new single ‘Alligator’. Word of mouth hype in her home city indicates that Gia Ford is pretty special, playing cafes and bars around the city. New single ‘Alligator’ is out now, a superb distillation of her influences. You can hear aspects of Nick Cave’s brooding torch songs in her work, alongside a penchant for Fleetwood Mac at their deliciously dark best. There’s a vein of originality, however, with Gia Ford pushing her own voice high above those reference points. The lyric yearns for emotional validation, with the songwriter urging others to accept her feelings as being real. Beautiful but also flecked by intensity, ‘Alligator’ is a fine start from a bold talent. She says… “‘Alligator’ is a song about a desperation to be seen and heard. I am being facetious by painting myself as multiple unbelievable creatures to garner attention. In the opening statement, I am an Alligator. Then, when that goes ignored, I am “Ten feet off of the ground, with feathers” — a whole new creature, perhaps still the Alligator, perhaps something different. The emotionally human nature in the first lines of verse two; “too far along now, I wouldn’t even know how to turn around” sees the Alligator swimming through a broken and contaminated landscape that it is getting used to and triumphantly withstanding. In the chorus, the final line “Albatross in the sky, aim my crossbow in the night” is a reference to ‘Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner’ by Coleridge. In the poem, the mariner is cursed after he shoots down the bird; it represents a self-inflicted burden.” [via Clash]

Problem Patterns have announced their debut album. Recorded and mixed by Niall Doran at Start Together Studios and mastered by Peter J Moore at The E Room, the Belfast-based punks will drop Blouse Club on October 27 via Alcopop! Records. To celebrate the news, the band have also shared new AA single ‘Lesbo 3000’ / ‘Poverty Tourist’. Bethany Crooks says: “‘Lesbo 3000’ was written partly out of frustration and also to reclaim and have ownership over my sexuality. The frustration is that lesbianism is consistently invalidated, we’re told that we just haven’t ‘met the right man’ yet or that some random man in a bar has a magic appendage in his trousers that will completely negate your attraction to women. The reality is that homophobic attacks are becoming more and more consistent with right wing social media emboldening bigots, while ‘lesbian’ remains one of the top search topics on all porn websites. (Mostly) men think that lesbians exist for their sexual gratification, but if they see two women holding hands they go absolutely berserk. I also thought it was important to reclaim the slur ‘dyke’. I’ve been called a dyke multiple times by homophobes who want to hurt me, but if I can reclaim that word it completely takes the power out of it. Yes I am a dyke. And that feels really powerful to say.” [via Dork]

The Kills, the long-running collaboration between Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, haven’t released a new album since 2016’s Ash & Ice. In 2020, Mosshart and Hince released the B-sides/rarities collection Little Bastards, and last month they released a pair of singles, one for each of the coasts: ‘New York’ and ‘LA Hex.’ Now, the Kills have announced their sixth studio album, God Games, which is coming October 27 via Domino. In addition to the album announce, the duo are sharing a new single, ‘103,’ which comes with a video directed by Steven Sebring. According to a release, ‘103’ is a temperature measured in Fahrenheit and “highlights the brutal reality of daunting uninhabitability through the lens of a dark twisted love song.” [via Stereogum]

Holy Wars have signed to Pale Chord, and are celebrating the news with an explosive single, ‘Deus Ex Machina’. The Los Angeles duo – vocalist Kat Leon and guitarist/producer Nick Perez – are building on early momentum with an impressively realised sound and vision, with Kat sharing of the band’s new song and what it all means: “’Deus Ex Machina’ was inspired by my love of psychology and how fascinating the brain is. The God of the human machine. Deus Ex Machina meaning God from the Machine really helped shape the message of what I wanted to say lyrically in this song, how our personal narrative is powerful. We often rewrite our stories as the hero’s tale but we very possibly could be the villain in another’s. Our words are powerful and our story is our legacy. In this song I wanted to display the attack side of the narrative, how any issue I have had with another has stemmed from projection, a choice and the power I allow it to have. The ghost in the machine haunting my thoughts and puppetting my actions. ‘Deus Ex Machina’ is a hard-hitting wild sonic ride of the mania that lives underneath us all.” [via Kerrang!]

Canadian-Dutch-Korean singer-songwriter Jeon Somi has shared the music video for her single ‘Gold Gold Gold.’ The music video comes fresh off the heels of her EP, Game Plan, of which’“Gold Gold Gold’ is the first track on the album. Game Plan marks Jeon Somi’s comeback after two years. That era was capped by the release of her debut album XOXO. Now she begins a new chapter, evolving both musically and as an artist, offering a more elevated look and sound. Jeon Somi participated in the songwriting of ‘Gold Gold Gold,’ showcasing her growth as a singer-songwriter alongside TEDDY and Danny Chung with production by 24 and Dominsuk, who are known as the hitmakers behind BLACKPINK. ‘Gold Gold Gold’ has Jeon rapping and singing with overflowing confidence over a trendy and infectious beat with a melodic bridge and addictive chorus. In true Somi fashion, the music video for ‘Gold Gold Gold’ is colorful, energetic, and full of glitz, glamor, and unbeatable choreography. [via uDiscoverMusic]

Following on from 2019’s Flamboyant and 2020’s My Agenda, Dorian Electra’s pending third LP promises to continue building their fantastical world of boundary-pushing pop – at least, that’s if new track ‘Puppet’ is anything to go by. Playfully merging traditional musical influences (the intro samples Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’) with thoroughly contemporary touches, it explores notions of control via both its lyrics and accompanying video (which you can watch below). [via DIY]

Following on from the success of her hit track ‘Padam Padam’ everyone’s favourite Australian popstar, Kylie Minogue, is here with another banger to see us through the end of this drizzly old summer. Her new single is called ‘Tension’. And so is her upcoming album, available for fans to gouge on in full come September 22. Of course, the 55 year old looks about 20 in the new music video – as she does – which sees her rocking a number of different guises, including a red-haired, silver-sequined goddess and a gothic, lace-clad blonde. As if some funky outfits weren’t enough, Kylie is also frolicking around in an imagined ‘retro future’ alternate reality. ‘Tension’ is the fourth song on the album, the second single to be released after ‘Padam Padam’, and was written by Kylie and long-term collaborators Biff Stannard and Duck Blackwell. Never has ‘do, do, do, do’ been so catchy than it is in the chorus of this instant club classic. It’s full of the enthusiasm of ‘Padam, Padam’, and laced with sass queen energy. The music video sees retro Kylie strutting into a futuristic world, with a sparkling, huge Kylie hologram stepping out of a screen and into reality. Retro Kylie – in a vintage hat and dress – sheds some layers and has a little flirtation with gothic, blonde Kylie, and the film unravels into disco chaos. ‘Tension’ gives seriously empowering vibes, and seems to be more about self-love than a partner when Kylie sings repeatedly in the chorus ‘touch me right there.’ The end of the music video sees the Kylie multiply into many forms in an electrifying crescendo, as the pop queen exits the world with energy still visibly buzzing in and out of her body. [via Metro]

Listen to the euphoric folk of Karin Ann Masters’ ‘a stranger with my face’. The symphonic folk-tinged tune is about losing parts of yourself when gaining feelings for someone else, becoming a version of the other person, or who you think they want you to be. Backed by bluesey guitar lines and flawless, Fleetwood Mac-esque harmonies, Karin Ann sings on the theme of over-idolisation. Of the track, Karin Ann says: “Some of the lyrics almost felt religious to me, so I wanted it to sound like a choir on the chorus. It’s almost like you’re making that person your God, you’re worshipping them in a very toxic and unhealthy way. You end up talking their slang, adapting to how they speak… it’s not even about trying to make them like you, more so that you like them so much that you almost want to be more like them. You end up not knowing who you are without them.” The accompanying video is part 1 of a short film by American director duo, TUSK (Camila Cabello, Alessia Cara, Tate McRae). Shot in Prague, Czech Republic, the visual follows a queer spy romance, set in 1950’s Hollywood. Starring Karin Ann alongside British-American athlete and actor Gus Kenworthy, and US actress Ashley Moore, the story follows a young secretary (Karin Ann) at a Hollywood film studio, who is tasked with finding out the truth about a movie star’s (Moore) scandalized love affairs with various men. Upon spying, the secretary finds out that such affairs are all a cover up for her true sexual identity, very much taboo at the time. During the film, it seems as though the secretary and actress may indeed have a connection between themselves… To be continued, part 2 will follow as the music video for Karin’s next single, coming soon. [via Soundsphere]

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.