Back in April, we were so impressed by SE London singer-songwriter Chris Marksberry’s second album, The Perry Vale Sessions, that we covered it not once, but twice! Amongst other words of praise, we described the album as: “…energetic and exhilerating.”

We’ve just received the nod that Chris has a third album in the pipeline. It’ll be titled Nicky’s Diner and, to get the juices flowing, Chris has just released the forthcoming album’s lead single, New York: My Friend. Chris has spent a lot of time in the Big Apple over the years and, with this new song, he revisits a few of the experiences he’s had there.

The song has a gentle start. A nicely-picked acoustic guitar provides the accompaniment to Chris’s soft vocals. His voice is packed with expression and his lyrics will strike home with anyone who has visited New York. And, they’ll be enticing to anyone who has yet to sample that pleasure…

“New York, I gave you my dreams. Now, I’m lost, there’s so much out of reach,” is the rousing chorus as, first piano, and then strings and horns, raise the ante to turn the song into a lush anthem.

And the video is a veritable travelogue…!

It’s quite a while since we heard from The Tenmours. But, maybe, the Skipton-based vegan, envioronmental crusaders only speak when they have something useful to say… Back in 2023, we were mightily inspired by the band’s forceful statements on the subjects of climate change (Eco Freak) and the effects of the invasion of Ukraine (We Are Listening).

And it’s climate change – specifically the wild fires that raged around the UK and elsewhere over the summer – that provides the inspiration for Wildfire, the new Tenmours single.

Wildfire is a heavy, intense affair. An omenous guiotar riff and a heavy, solid drumbeat get the song in motion. There’s both resignation and anger in vocalist Alex Johnston-Seymour’s voice as he delivers the opening lines: “Here we are watching our house burn down. Smashing the screen, suppressing the screams.” The same anger is present in co-vocalist Sarah Smout’s tones as she joins in to howl: “You can’t stop the wildfire!” And, as the fire takes hold, a hellish choir warns of the “…fire moon rising – vision in flames.”

Exhilarating, but also worrying…

A second reminder that London-based singer-songwriter-author Roxanne de Bastion has a new album on the way. Here Lies Human is scheduled for release on 12th February 2027 and we’ll be on the spot when it arrives.

In July, we savoured the energy of Simple Pleasures, the album’s lead single. Energy is the keyword, too, for Roxanne’s new single, Apocolypse Queen.

“I’m on the verge of greatness. Baby, you haven’t seen my good side yet,” warns Roxanne, by way of introduction to three minutes of determined, intense sound. The backing is gritty, driven by a punchy bassline that’s surrounded by swirls of electronic sound. Roxanne’s voice is clear and uncompromising – and the wall of sound that builds as the song surges towards its climax is, actually, quite scary!

The follow-up to Felix Hill’s spring release – Comfortable Silence – continues the singer-songwriter’s liking for observational lyrics with full-force band accompaniment. New single, Circumstance finds Felix re-living those moments when excitement and apprehension collide. In such moments, the thrill of the new is often offset by the weight of the unknown.

Speaking of the single, Felix says: “Circumstance was written after I went to Leeds Festival. i wanted to bottle up the energy and excitement of the festival and creatye a real singalong chorus that you could imagine being belted out in the fields. the build-up and release of the guitar solo was made for people to jump around to.”

Circumstance is one of those songs that starts with a spot of 1-1 communication. Felix sings to you – and you alone – before the band kick in with a sound that can only be described as ‘tight and joyful.’ His vocal style is natuarally very expressive and – it’s clear – that he’s living every line of the lyric. And that’s particulkarly the case when he gets around to delivering the song’s “I’ll believe it when I see it” refrain. And he’s so right about that glorious, soaring guitar solo. Jumping around is, indeed the only possible response…

Now that’s a good trick, for those that know if they know! Willie O’Winsbury must be amongst the best known and best loved of the old ballads, or Child 100, as it is otherwise gifted. For it’s the choon, innit? But here, duly lured in, it isn’t!

Craven are an Anglo-Welsh three-piece who, whilst adept at the tradition, are also unafraid to tamper, slyly subverting expectations, infusing elements of chamber music, electronic dance music and punk into the still fully visible ancient scaffolds they work around.

Using an alternate melody, and plying just fiddle melodeon and double bass, Elian Moisey, Will Bremner and Rhiannon Takel, rather than taking the broad and easy route, evoke a wholly more edgy atmosphere with their version. And, happy ending or not, you can still sense some idea that there is plenty that could go later wrong. The vocals wobble querulously with intent, and it is a spin I rather like. An album follows, next month, The Fruits Of Idleness, Disgrace & Death.

No, me neither, but that’s the joy of singles, discovering a new name, without all the baggage of a, no doubt, illustrious past. Butler has one, albeit based in the US. Not to be mistaken with his Irish namesake, this one has been largely silent these last seven years, this being his solo debut release. (The parent album is due before year end.)

Based around a slow swagger of strummed guitars, minor chord follows minor chord, resulting in an infectious confection of low-key melody. A voice that says all he needs, without histrionic, echoes of a buffed up and, simultaneously, scuffed down Velvet Underground vie with an almost Teenage Fanclub languor. Perfect for one of those lazy days where you can’t quite summon up the strength to seize the day, Pull over the blankets and enjoy.