The Neu Bulletin The Neu Bulletin (Lutalo, julie, Hope Tala, and more!)

Further expanding upon the lo-fi acoustic delicacies of their earlier EP, Lutalo​’s latest single ​‘Oh Well’ yields a simmering, intercosmic broth of hazy alt-rock shoegaze to warm your hands on. On this lunar new cut (taken from upcoming debut album ​‘The Academy’), the burgeoning Minnesota born, Vermont based artist speaks candidly and poetically about their mother’s mental health struggles in a levitational lyrical stream of consciousness atop a wall of thick, cavernous guitars. Gripping enough to give you knots in your stomach but gentle enough to subsequently cradle them in a fuzzy embrace, ​‘Oh Well’ feels like wading through puddles made of stars. (Hazel Blacher)

The title and opening sections of this track may epitomise a low-energy ethos, but it nevertheless hits oh-so-hard. julie​’s vibe is dark and brooding; the band excel at scuzzy, saturated grunge. But there’s a laser focus, too, and we all know that ​‘very little effort’ is by name only. Here, we’re delivered ultra-satisfying, gloomy guitars, intensely lazy vocals, and audibly-sweaty drumming — all of which dissolves into feedback and distortion, as it absolutely should. Epic beyond its four minutes, if lo-fi, dark art-rock can be heroic, here’s the paradigm. (Phil Taylor)

West London’s Hope Tala — one of the most exciting voices in the current R&B and neo-soul space — is back with another summer-soaked anthem, ​‘Thank Goodness’. Her signature honeyed vocals effortlessly glide over lush, soulful instrumentation, capturing that all-too-familiar moment of realisation that sometimes, dodging a bullet is the best thing that could have happened. It’s a track that reminds you to trust your instincts, wrapped in the warm embrace of Hope’s signature smooth and velvety sound. (Gemma Cockrell)

Accompanying the announcement of his debut album ​‘Building A Case’ (due this November), the new single from South London’s Lou Terry offers a joyfully awkward tale of private embarrassment. Ever the immersive storyteller, Terry sings about falling in love and not realising it, confusing it with the highs of a rollercoaster ride or a feverish cold before eventually landing on the annoying truth — ​“it’s the girl! It’s the girl!” Aptly told via loose-as-hell slacker-rock as brightened by an indie-sleeze filter, it’s all centred around a wonderfully endearing gravel-trap vocal that has Terry coming across like the Dylan of Deptford. Sheepishness personified, to listen to ​‘Rollercoaster Therapy’ might mean nothing else except a feeling of ​‘Yep, been there…’ (Elvis Thirlwell)

Following acclaimed comeback single ​‘Don’t Tell My Boyfriend’, Manchester-based songwriter Beth McKenzie​’s latest is an unapologetic indie-pop anthem telling a tale of power abuse over layers of delightfully clean drums and catchy earworm vocal hooks, that allow McKenzie’s unique vocal warmth to shine. Discussing the creation of ​‘She’s Finally Lost It!’, she has said: ​“The lyrics came easily but, at first, musically the song was very dark and sombre, and it just didn’t work. My producer and I decided on a radical change and created an upbeat, edgy sound that captures the sheer insanity of the whole situation.” (Kyle Roczniak)

A vibrant return for the BRIT-nominated songwriter, GRACEY revels in pulsating synthpop on ​‘Delirium’. Arriving almost three years after her last solo offering, it’s a gleaming entrance to a new chapter for the recent Glassnote signee. With effortlessly airy vocals placed against a punctuating, electronic backbone, the track blends ​‘80s-esque synthesisers with the visionary hyperpop of Charli XCX and Caroline Polacheck. Exploring the unguarded emotions of falling in love, it’s a far cry from the heartbreak anthems that she’s known for, but is one that finds GRACEY where she thrives most. (Emily Savage)

NewDad’s Julie Dawson has stepped out of her comfort zone with ​‘Silly Little Song’ — our first glimpse of the Galway artist’s solo project. Oozing with dream-pop deliciousness, Dawson’s debut takes an adventurous step into the world of lyrical introspection, confronting romantic deception with mind-bending dissonance. Once as fragile as the porcelain doll on ​‘MADRA’’s cover, Dawson’s vocals have taken on an otherworldly quality, nodding to the influence of Jack Hamill’s electronic production. One thing’s for certain — this is no little song. Big things are coming for Julie Dawson, and we’re welcoming them with open arms. (Neve Dawson)

Fronted by Jess Baker and her younger sister Boo, Isle of Wight’s hottest new band, ugly ozo, have rocketed straight out of the gate with debut single ​‘remains’. A satisfying blend of noisy alt-rock and grunge elements, it thematically discusses betrayal and revenge through haunting, occultic melodies and Los Bitchos-esque surf guitars, with an eerie twist. Accompanied by a self-made music video that channels the New Romantic aesthetic, the track is cathartic, rage-fuelled, and perfectly reflects the high-octane nature of the band’s live performances. Set to support fellow Islander Lauran Hibberd on her upcoming UK tour, ugly ozo have joined their homeland’s music revolution. (Kyle Roczniak)

A veritable slow burner, a strikingly real expression of life and emotion, and a beautifully crafted song on many levels, ​‘Screens’ is the latest offering from ARK IDENTITY​’s Noah Mroueh. There’s so much feeling here: take the stark opening guitar and subtly-processed vocals; the wide synths and thump of bass, which take the song into dream territory; or the plaintive, yearning electric guitar that reaches achingly high. Noah himself seems detached as well as close at hand as he reflects on our shared experience (“All we seem to do is look at screens”), yet there’s still a glimmer of hope beyond that sadly all-too-true statement. (Phil Taylor)

Catalonian-born vocalist/​producer Uma learns how to uplift herself with new track ​‘Elevate Me’. The latest single from her upcoming EP ​‘Luther’, it asks the uncomfortable question of whether a romantic relationship is all worth it. Set against a backdrop of freeform indie-pop beats, which themselves overlay the measured neo-soul inspired grooves that hold the foundation of the song, her lush vocals deliver a harsh truth: ​“You’re not worthy of my love.” A sense of freedom and confidence is woven into Uma’s words by the end, closing one chapter to start another anew. (Kayla Sandiford)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, ARK IDENTITY, Beth McKenzie, GRACEY, Hope Tala, julie, Julie Dawson, Listen, Lou Terry, Lutalo, ugly ozo, Uma, Watch