Neu Bulletin The Neu Bulletin (Uma, The Umlauts, Bojockey and more!)

An understated but irresistible track of swaying hips and shoulders, ‘Cicadas’ is the first song that Catalonian artist Uma has ever released in Spanish. Embroiled in love and the fear of unrequited feelings, it’s tugged along by plucky guitar strings and dancing percussion – punctuating Uma’s dreamy vocals in much the same way that fears of losing love can undercut the serenity of a relationship. It’s near impossible not to move to this track, and hopefully its release will encourage more Spanish offerings from Uma. (Caitlin Chatterton)

Having Kojey Radical as a co-sign on your debut collaborative single is quite the flex, but on ‘Dust’, Emmeline sounds as if she’s taken it all in her stride. Taken from her sophomore EP ‘Small-Town Girls and Soft Summer Nights’, there’s a pleasing contrast between her clipped spoken-word vocals - in many ways reminiscent of Kae Tempest - and Kojey’s looser delivery, both of which are underpinned by a slinky beat and punctuating strings. Lyrically, literary references abound, with nods to Shakespeare, Peter Pan, and Greek mythology weaving a rich tapestry of performativity, ambition, and legacy. (Daisy Carter)

Encompassing 2022’s debut EP ‘Malice In Tone’ and a now-trio of singles this side of the new year, Balancing Act’s rapidly-expanding discography speaks to a desire to modernize and refresh the annals of indie rock. Latest cut ‘Cheshire Smile’ is no different, incorporating driving drums and production from Richard Woodcraft (Radiohead, Paolo Nutini, The Last Shadow Puppets) to preserve the track’s raw edges. Having sold out all their headline shows thus far, their upcoming gigs are likely set to follow suit. (Daisy Carter)

On a solo outing from familial project BROODS, New Zealand-born Georgia Gets By has shared the latest single from her upcoming ‘Fish Bird Baby Boy’ EP. ‘Happiness Is An 8 Ball’ builds upon the throbbing, melancholic guitar at its centre with Georgia’s serene vocals, while pondering lyrics search for reasons to stay in a relationship gone cold. Cast in scarlet light, the accompanying video shows Georgia brushing her teeth in the bathroom mirror, an inherently contemplative activity befitting the ruminations of the track. (Caitlin Chatterton)

The latest release from Jalen Ngonda comes to us as an up-tempo recollection of the classic soul giants of the 60s. ‘That’s All I Wanted From You’ rolls over jangling instrumentation, a bobbing bassline, tapping keys, and powerful backing vocals, whilst still giving itself space to quieten into an appreciation of Ngonda’s gravelled vocal. The track is nothing short of radiant - a heartwarming nod to a sound so sorely missed. (Amber Lashley)

A four-and-a-half minute exodus into motorik, krauty rhythms, sitar-inspired guitar lines and a general psyche ambience that Kevin Parker wouldn’t sniff at, ‘300 Miles’ covers as much global ground as its title suggests. The project of LA-based Michael Gold, a full Mirror Tree album is incoming via Innovative Leisure next month; given the heady intoxication of his latest, we’re hoping for a full fug of mesmeric good vibes come 8th September. (Lisa Wright)

Taken from his upcoming EP ‘AGAIN’, Minnesota-born, Vermont-based Lutalo employs fuzzy guitars and a feedback-laden arrangement on latest single ‘PLPH’. An acronym for ‘Pretty Little Painted House’, the track title makes reference to the White House - a symbol of institution and hegemony - while lyrically, it explores the power structures of class and race that these systems uphold. Lo-fi, unassuming, and hard-hitting - all at once. (Daisy Carter)

Pegged as a ‘Jamie Oliver diss track’, the new cut from Bristol/Manchester duo Getdown Services is the latest in a string of singles taking on all that plagues England’s down to earth everyman: landlords, gentrification, the M5 - and now, the country’s most famous tv chef. Sardonic, deadpan vocals lie on a bed of funk instrumentation and extended, psychedelic riffs, undoubtedly whetting our appetite for the arrival of the pair’s debut album, ‘Crisps’, in November. (Daisy Carter)

Monotonic and tinged with doses of acid house, The Umlauts are back with their hypnotic single - ‘Dance & Go’. Repeating phrases like “he thinks I’m his, but he’s mine”, there’s a sort of poised confidence in the track’s deadpan vocals, one that bodes well with each member’s experimental contributions. The track revels in claustrophobic and cyclical synths before garnishing with beautifully unnerving strings - a blend that will quickly capture and then easily hold your attention. (Amber Lashley)

Taken from Bojockey’s just-released debut, ‘The Water’ is an infinitely fragile testament to doing a lot with very little. Running on a backbone of barely-there, finger-picked guitars with the occasional sound of a slow-running stream, the bulk of space is given to Sam Williams’ vocal; an earthy, emotive voice that speaks obliquely of grief and acceptance. Folky in a late-‘00s London nu-folk way, it’s a delicate delight. (Lisa Wright)

Edinburgh duo Gravelle deliver a formidable, dense slice of industrial-pop in the form of ‘Forever’, laden with sludgy textures grinding up against sleek, gothic synth melody lines. It’s an intoxicating mixture, with Kyle McNaughton’s suave vocals and the moody bassline bringing the retro tinge to the futuristic production. Gravelle are living in 2080, but there’s something timeless about ‘Forever’ despite the clear nods to moments of industrial, goth, and pop throughout the years. (Ims Taylor)

Newcomers bby toe the line between art-pop and skate-punk, and their debut single ‘hotline’ toes the line between a shimmery, cosy bop and riot-inciting banger - this is a band who know how to do duality to the max. ‘hotline’ blends sunny guitar lines and fuzzy DIY dynamics with obscured, distorted gang vocals and ad-libs, scrappy but charmingly so, with enough polish to radiate an infectious energy that’s exciting to hear from a brand new band. And with the shout-along choruses and spiky hooks, bby’s performance promises some serious energy from their live show, too. (Ims Taylor)

Tags: Balancing Act, bby, Bojockey, Emmeline, Georgia Gets By, Getdown Services, Gravelle, Jalen Ngonda, Lutalo, Mirror Tree, The Ümlauts, Uma, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin