The Neu Bulletin The Neu Bulletin (Bull, The Natvral, Mealtime and more!)

Why choose a singular path when you can pick two for the price of one? That’s the question that York quartet Bull seem to have been posing to themselves on ‘Eugene’ - their newest ahead of forthcoming, recently-announced debut ‘Discover Effortless Living’. Its first half is a twinkling, doe-eyed thing that shuffles into view backed by doo-wop harmonies and bashful whistles; its second, a ramshackle rattle with all the fuzzy charm of ‘90s indie America. Slightly bipolar? Yes. Does it work very well? Also yes. (Lisa Wright)

Ask anyone the question ‘why don’t you come out anymore?’ at the moment and, well, the obviousness of any answer might make you might feel a bit silly. Yet, when frontman of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Kip Berman, does so, it all seems to make a lot more sense. The first track to come from his new solo project The Natvral, ‘Why Don’t You Come Out Anymore?’ comes packed with nostalgic guitars, and an Americana sheen, making the new track - inspired by reconnecting with an old friend - feel intensely comforting but still a little bit raw. (Sarah Jamieson)

Our fave Mancunian alt-poppers (Mealtime, duh) are back, sharing new track ‘4UOnly’. Delivered with the classic Mealtime charm, their latest is a swirling electronic-infused dance-pop number, driven by their joint vocalists mesmerising melodies, and bop-a-long beats. The newest taste of their forthcoming EP ‘Discord’, the six-piece continue to craft instantly catchy alt-pop bangers, and we can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for us next. (Elly Watson)

The solo project of Crack Cloud’s Daniel Robertson, Peace Chord’s latest is as fragile and gorgeous as his other band is experimental and abrasive. Helmed by simple, plaintive piano notes that gently flicker to expressive life and Robertson’s trembling vocal - somewhere between early Perfume Genius and Sufjan Stevens at his most heartbreaking - if ‘memo’’s goosebump-worthy audio doesn’t get you then its self-directed, stop motion video surely will. A genuinely beautiful thing. (Lisa Wright)

Having initially introduced themselves with debut single ‘Ferry’, Chicago’s Moontype are back with another intoxicating slice of fuzzy garage-rock. Written about “missing a friend who had gone abroad for the semester”, ‘About You’ is gloriously intriguing in both a musical and lyrical sense, with it exploring the transient nature of friendship, and the way it changes and adapts. “There’s something about you,” coos Margaret McCarthy for its sugary hook; there’s something enticing about Moontype too. (Sarah Jamieson)

Recruiting the vocals of rising Brooklyner Samia, ‘Questions’ finds Sister James - aka Quinn McGovern - crafting the kind of euphoric, cathartic alt belter that feels like a long-lost friend. The classic boy/girl harmonies; the big, thrashing chorus; the slight Pixies twisted melodic charm - it’s all there. Though Samia’s own career path is clearly going just fine, we’d happily press play on a whole album of this pairing. (Lisa Wright)

When she’s not touring alongside Caroline Polachek, Blu DeTiger is crafting groove-filled bops, and latest track ‘Vintage’ is further proof of her rising star status. A shimmering funk-laden number showing off Blu’s legendary bass skills, it’s a refreshing take on disco-pop, and the catchy AF chorus will likely be going round in your head all day. Expect to see her name up in lights as soon as debut EP ‘How Did We Get Here?’ drops next month. (Elly Watson)

Tags: Blu DeTiger, Bull, Mealtime, Moontype, Peace Chord, Samia, Sister James, The Natvral, Listen, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin