Listen to White Lies soaring new single, ‘Blue Drift’

Bartees Strange has released his first single for the year, ‘Heavy Heart’. It arrives alongside news the Washington-based singer-songwriter has signed with iconic label 4AD.The new song, which follows on from last year’s ‘Weights’ and 2020 album ‘Live Forever’, opens with a sparse, slow-burning guitar line before pivoting into an emotive, high-energy indie rocker. “This song is a culmination of some beautiful things,” Strange says of the track.‘Heavy Heart’ arrives alongside a music video directed by Marisa Dabice of Mannequin Pussy.

PUP have shared a new song called ‘Matilda’ alongside details of a UK and Ireland headline tour.The track will appear on the Toronto punk band’s fourth album ‘THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND’, which is released on April 1 via BMG/Rise Records (pre-order from here).Following on from previous singles ‘Robot Writes A Love Song’ and ‘Waiting’, PUP’s latest track ‘Matilda’ was inspired by frontman Stefan Babcock’s “favourite guitar” of the same name.“She was a gift from my friend Ryan, after watching me accidentally break the only guitar I owned in the middle of a long tour,” Babcock said. “I had no money to buy a replacement, and Ryan’s act of kindness is up there on my list of ‘nicest things anyone’s ever done for me’.“I played Matilda nonstop for 7 years at every PUP show, even when my bandmates started complaining that she sounded like shit.

Video: Charli XCX interview (The Independent)Apartment buildings in Kiev damaged as Russian forces shell Ukraine capitalCyrano trailerJohnny Depp and Amber Heard arrive at the High Court as libel hearing continuesNEWS OF THE WEEK: Bob Saget's family reveals cause of deathElton John at UN peace concertUN reports says ban smackingCelebrity Mastermind contestant gets confused between Greta Thunberg and 'Sharron'Brit awards 2019: George Ezra wins British Solo MaleSam Hunt's pregnant wife files for divorceSuper Pumped: The Battle for Uber trailer 2022Classic children’s cartoon Arthur ends after 25 yearsBill Bailey and Oti Mabuse dance to 'Rapper's Delight' on StrictlyCharlie Sheen posts bizarre first TikTok videoKate Garraway gives heartbreaking update on Derek Draper's 'worrying' COVID-19 battleGlastonbury Festival in numbersSmallville star Kristen Kreuk reveals she hated ’gratuitous’ episodeThe star recently described her forthcoming collection as "the most pop" she's ever been. "I've just never committed, I suppose," Charli told Fader about the theme of her new record earlier this year. "Instead I've always made breakup songs or really emo love songs.

Sharon Van Etten has shared her latest single ‘Used To It’ – you can hear the new track below.The song marks Van Etten’s second solo release of 2022, following on from last month’s ‘Porta’.Speaking about ‘Used To It’, which was originally written for the score for the 2020 HBO documentary Baby God, Van Etten explained: “Ultimately, the film team changed their musical direction, but I found myself welcomely challenged to the idea of writing a song about the concept of family, connection through blood, nature vs. nurture, while attempting to incorporate ideas of love and the complexities of science and technology.“I am grateful for this song to be able to have a new life, relating more to the times we have all been living through and redefining the meaning of this song by focusing on the positives of seeking connection and understanding what family means to the individual.”The track’s accompanying video, which you can see above, was created by Van Etten’s musical director and bandmate Charley Damski, and features the dancer and choreographer Hayden J Frederick.Van Etten said of the clip: “Together, they helped me convey the feelings of internal struggles, while also finding space for oneself and embracing that pain in order to move on.” Van Etten will head out on a UK and European tour this summer.

Nilüfer Yanya has shared her latest single ‘The Dealer’ – you can hear the new track below.The song is the final preview of the London artist’s upcoming second album ‘Painless’, which is the follow-up to her 2019 debut ‘Miss Universe’ and is set for release on Friday (March 4) via ATO Records.Speaking about ‘The Dealer’, Yanya explained: “When I was writing this song I was thinking about the transient nature of life and the cyclical nature of the seasons.“I find it interesting how we attach certain memories and feelings to different seasons and tend to revisit them time and time again, yet our lives move in a more linear motion and even when we feel like we are going back we never really get to go back anywhere. Musically speaking, it’s a bit more playful and relaxed.”‘The Dealer’ follows on from Yanya’s previous singles ‘anotherlife’, ‘Midnight Sun’ and ‘Stabilise’.

One of the UK's most reliable hitmakers of the past five years, Jax Jones, has entered 2022 with a bang thanks to Where Did You Go? featuring MNEK.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is refusing an offer to evacuate his country.

Abby Roberts has returned with a new track – watch the video for the lovestruck ‘Pink Champagne’ below.The new track follows Roberts’ viral debut single ‘Paramaniac’, and has had success on TikTok ahead of its official release. It comes ahead of a number of UK festival appearances – including London’s Community and The Great Escape in Brighton – as well as a summer tour of the US in support of Halsey.Speaking of the motivations behind ‘Pink Champagne’, Roberts said: “I wrote ‘Pink Champagne’ because I wanted to have a go at writing a love song but without making it cliche, there’s so many love songs out there and I didn’t wanna be all soppy!“It’s essentially a breakup song reminiscing about the nicer parts of a not so perfect relationship, I think it’s super visual and manages to bring you on a journey with the dreamy vibes.”Watch the track’s official video, directed by Grow Up Sad, below.Having gained fame through TikTok posts about make-up, beauty and art that have received many millions of views, Roberts has since worked with the likes of Yungblud, Zara Larsson, Liam Payne and more.Speaking to NME earlier this year for an In Conversation video interview, she spoke of her upcoming six-track debut EP, and dream of working with Arctic Monkeys.Explaining that she hadn’t played guitar before starting work on the EP, Roberts told NME: “Guitar came to me before I knew that I wanted to ever put music out there.

James Arthur has dropped a punchy new single titled ‘Lose My Mind’, for which he’s teamed up with You Me At Six frontman Josh Franceschi.In a Tweet announcing the guitar-driven pop tune – the first shared from a deluxe edition of his recent fourth album, ‘It’ll All Make Sense In The End’ – Arthur said he was “so excited” to release it as he’s been a longtime fan of rock acts like You Me At Six.“As I grew up listening to rock bands, this song means a lot to me,” he wrote.Have a listen to ‘Lose My Mind’ below:‘It’ll All Make Sense In The End’ was released last November via Columbia. The forthcoming deluxe edition adds six new tracks, bringing it up to a hefty 20 songs in total.

Bloc Party have released a new single called ‘Sex Magik’ – you can listen to it below.Following on from last month’s ‘The Girls Are Fighting’ and 2021’s ‘Traps’, the latest song from Kele Okereke and co. combines hypnotic verses with a euphoric, soaring chorus.

The Snuts have taken aim at social media on their lively new single, ‘Zuckerpunch’ – you can listen to it below.The band’s new track is the second taste of new music since the release of their debut LP, ‘W.L.’, which topped the UK’s Official Albums Chart in April last year, marking the first time in 14 years that a Scottish band scored a UK Number One album.Produced by Detonate and Coffee, the introspective number – which follows November’s ‘Burn The Empire’ – hears The Snuts examine the detrimental effects of social media on society and its psychological impact.“Zuckerpunch’s broken beat aesthetic reminisces the sampled-up, 8-track golden age of pre-internet music,” frontman Jack Cochrane said of the track. “Lyrically, everything is derived from feelings of screen fatigue, social media burn out and an overwhelming sense of anxiety about the fast moving internet world that is becoming closer by the day a part of us.He added: “It depicts hard hitting messages around the more impactful pitfalls of social media, the internet enmass and the protection of your identity and privacy.”You can listen to ‘Zuckerpunch’ below:The Snuts will hit the road this spring for a trio of headline UK gigs, marking their biggest shows to date.They’ll play at Manchester Academy (April 27), Northumbria’s Uni SU (28) and the O2 Academy Brixton in London (30). Remaining tickets for the shows are on sale here.The Snuts have also been confirmed for Tramlines 2022.

Sabrina Carpenter has the need for speed on Fast Times, her unexpectedly genre-fluid new single, which kicks off her 2022 with a bang. 

After Florence + The Machine teased a potential new album campaign earlier this week, the group have released their first track from the project; King.

The Vaccines have returned with their first new music of 2022 – listen to ‘Thunder Fever’ below.The new track follows the London band’s fifth album ‘Back In Love City’, which came out late last year.Discussing how ‘Thunder Fever’ came to be, Vaccines frontman Justin Young said: “‘Thunder Fever’ plays on the idea that falling in love can feel as powerful, intense and as sudden as something meteorological. Something heaven sent.

Mahalia has dropped off a brand new single called ‘Letter To Ur Ex’ – you can listen to it below.Produced by BKay, Cadenza and Flip_00, the R&B singer’s short but soulful new record hears her get retrospective, as she asks her partner’s ex to let him go so that she can start a fresh journey with him.“I wrote ‘Letter To Ur Ex’ the morning after me and my guy had had a really bad argument due to a text that had been sent by his ex partner the night before,” Mahalia explained. “I think when everybody begins a new relationship, it’s vital that it feels like a fresh start.

Cassyette has shared her riotous new single, ‘Mayhem’ today (February 17) – listen to it below.The punk influenced track is said to “detail a love that has run its cause and the mayhem that ensues as a result.”Speaking about the new track, Cassyette said: “Over the last year I’ve learnt that nothing good lasts forever and sometimes you have to let things go. I loved him, and he loved me, but after going through so much, it changed things between us and we had too many problems beyond repair.“I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach that our time was up, and we both wanted to let go. We had reached the bottom line and my whole world turned upside down.I don’t think you ever fully get over heartbreak.

Nilüfer Yanya has shared the latest taste of her forthcoming second album – you can see a luxurious video for new single ‘anotherlife’ below.The visuals were shot while on holiday in Sri Lanka, and were directed by the London musician’s sister and frequent collaborator Molly Daniel.Yanya said of ‘anotherlife’: “At the core of the song it’s just about being OK with things and accepting that this is where you are at. However, the ‘I’ll do anything’ line hints at a desperation of wanting to let that be known.”‘anotherlife’ is the third single to be released from Yanya’s upcoming second album ‘Painless’, which is set to arrive on March 4 via ATO and follows 2019 debut ‘Miss Universe’.

Future Islands have returned today (February 16) with a brand new track – listen to the groove-led ‘King Of Sweden’ below.The new song follows the standalone track ‘Peach’, which the band released last summer and was their first original track since their sixth album, ‘As Long As You Are’, came out in 2020.It’s not clear yet whether ‘King Of Sweden’ and ‘Peach’ are tasters of the band’s seventh studio album, which they confirmed in 2021 they had already started work on.For now, listen to ‘King Of Sweden’ below.Next week (February 21), Future Islands are set to head out on an extensive UK and European headline tour, their first since 2018.See the full list of dates, which include a show at London’s Alexandra Palace, below.FEBRUARY 202221 – Helsinki, The House Of Culture23 – Stockholm, Annexet24 – Oslo, Sentrum Scene26 – Copenhagen, VegaMARCH 20221 – Berlin, Columbiahalle2 – Warsaw, Palladium Warszawa4 – Munich, TonHalle5 – Zagreb, Tvornica Kulture6 – Milan, Fabrique8 – Barcelona, Razzmatazz9 – Madrid, La Riviera10 – Lisbon, Camp Pequeno12 – Nimes, La Paloma13 – Paris, Olympia15 – Utrecht, Ronda17 – Frankfurt, Batschkapp19 – Lille, Aeronef20 – Antwerp, De Roma21 – Cologne, E-Werk23 – Manchester, Academy25 – London, Alexandra Palace27 – Belfast, Ulster Hall28 – Dublin, Vicar Street31 – Newcastle, Northumbria SU InstituteAPRIL 20221 – Edinburgh, Usher Hall2 – Glasgow, O2 Academy Reviewing Future Islands’ new album ‘As Long As You Are’, NME wrote: “‘As Long As You Are’ maybe an unexpected handbrake turn for Future Islands and it may not be as hit-laden as its predecessor, but it’s a refreshing record in its own right and one that throws up plenty of existential quandaries.”

Vince Staples has shared his new single ‘MAGIC’, which was co-produced by Mustard – you can hear the track below.The song is the first preview of the Long Beach rapper’s forthcoming new album ‘Ramona Park Broke My Heart’, which is set for release in April (date to be determined) via Blacksmith Recordings and Motown Records UK.The first single from the upcoming LP sees Staples team up with the LA producer and DJ Mustard for the collaborative ‘MAGIC’.The track, which you can hear below, was co-produced by Lewis Hughes, Mustard, Nick “Unknown Nick” Audino and My Best Friend Jacob, while Kenny Beats also contributed to the song as a recording engineer.Speaking about ‘Ramona Park Broke My Heart’ in a press release, Staples said of the title: “It’s symbolic of home. And everyone has a home.

Rex Orange County has shared the music video for his new single ‘Amazing’, the second offering from his upcoming album ‘Who Cares?‘. Watch below.The upbeat and sunny-sounding ‘Amazing’ is described as an ode to falling in love, with visuals featuring finger puppets directed by Chris Ullens.