Neu The Neu Bulletin (House Of Protection, Greta Isaac, MOULD and more!)

House of Protection​’s newest single ​‘Afterlife’ is a whip-cracking electric shock, kick-starting a new era for the outfit following on from their 2024 EP ​‘GALORE’. Like two omnipotent gods of their own electronic/nu-metal subgenre, former Fever 333 members Aric Improta and Stephen Harrison ramp up the chaos, chanting ​“This is how I absolutely want to die / Go ahead and meet me in the afterlife” before devolving into uncaged yells. With earth-shaking drones which turn into thrashing, thumping snare drum choruses, this February anthem has enough energy to spark a power socket. (Sophie McVinnie) 

Lifted from her latest EP ​‘Productive Pain’, on the aptly-titled ​‘I’m Sad & I’m Angry & I’m Scared That You Hate Me’, Cardiff indie riser Greta Isaac explores all the confusing and frustrating emotions that come bundled with a breakup. As the title suggests, she lyrically has little time for anything metaphorical here, instead candidly expressing her feelings atop a floaty piano line that moves between tonality seamlessly. The track’s slow build majorly enhances such swirling emotions, raising the stakes until we arrive at a high-note finale that acts as the cherry on top for a perfectly put together breakup ballad. (Peter Martin)

Likened to Fugazi and Pile, Bristol post-hardcore risers MOULD have been blazing a rowdy trail of late, and potent new single ​‘SNAILS’ unleashes a riotous, insatiable energy that’s maintained from start to finish. Fuzz-laden riffs tear through the introduction before being exchanged for busy melodies propelled by tumbling drums and a plucky bassline, which ultimately land at a pop-centric chorus. Heavy and anthemic, its lyrics express dissatisfaction from the very first line, and yet there’s also a whimsical nature to the song — it centres on the story of a gluttonous snail that eventually reaps the consequences of its actions. Frantic, quirky and ultimately infectious, ​‘SNAILS’ nails the fun and multi-dimensionality which MOULD encapsulate with ease. (Kayla Sandiford) 

On latest EP teaser ​‘Babies’, Rosie Alena sings with the utmost precision, unfolding the track’s precious story like a gift: ​“You’re in season so I’ll let you grow…”. Beautiful, timeless, and wielding exactly the right amount of energy for an immersive balladic soundscape, nothing is wasted here: it’s all achieved with simple guitar lines, warm, laconic strings — which veer into clashing notes just when required — and, of course, finely honed vocals. And as Rosie nears the song’s end, you sense the excited restraint fizzing in her voice, deftly proving that sometimes minimalism can have the greatest impact. (Phil Taylor)

Having curated significant early buzz around last year’s self-titled release, indie duo Sunday (1994) are back with new offering ​‘Doomsday’ — a darkly romantic number that builds on their initial promise with ethereal vocals and nostalgia-laden jangly guitar. The transatlantic outfit have already proved themselves adept at delivering delightful vintage indie spruced with a fresh coat of paint, and this is no exception. (Chris Connor)

Throbbing into consciousness, ​‘I Wake Up Slowly’ paints exactly the picture its title describes: pulsating synths morph the track through ever surging sonic waves, while minimal, spoken-word vocals warp into glitchy song as the chords open themselves up. It is, however, hard to know if the titular waking up is a peaceful rise from slumber, or perhaps a more ominous awakening of something darker; Oslo Twins play heavily with ambiguity on their latest, and the song is all the better for it. (Phil Taylor)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, Greta Isaac, House Of Protection, Listen, Mould, Oslo Twins, Rosie Alena, Sunday (1994), Watch