Neu The Neu Bulletin (late night drive home, Kings Elliot, Real Farmer and more!)

With their glitchy new single ​‘terabyte’, late night drive home take a bold step into the digital abyss, confronting modern internet culture with both intrigue and unease. The track — the first from their upcoming debut album ​‘as I watch my life online’ — blends raw indie-rock energy with electronic textures, mirroring the disorienting push and pull of online addiction. Lyrically, ​‘terabyte’ explores the relentless cycle of digital validation and self-destruction via Andre Portillo’s aching vocals (“over-exposed and over-stimulated”), encapsulating the modern condition of living through screens. Sonically, the track builds on the band’s grunge-inflected indie roots but leans into a sharper, more synthetic soundscape, with jagged beats and distorted melodies capturing the emotional turmoil of endless scrolling. The single sets the stage for what promises to be a compelling debut album — one that doesn’t just critique the internet age, but embodies its contradictions. late night drive home have never known a world without it, and with ​‘terabyte’, they offer a visceral, thought-provoking glimpse into its impact. (Gemma Cockrell) 

Kings Elliot​’s sound is like a time capsule of the early to mid-noughties, her infectious blend of neo-soul and pop transporting any listener straight back to those halcyon days. Having recently confirmed details of her debut album ​‘Born Blue’, she’s also offered up new single ​‘Starcrossed’, too — a track that places her vocals front and centre, conveying a real sense of earnest vulnerability. Balancing her influences with elements that feel like her own, it’s an intriguing introduction to the world of her debut LP. (Chris Connor)

True to its name, Real Farmer​’s latest single ​‘Big Stepper’ is the definition of stamping punk rock: with a head-thrashing core and thrumming bassline that are stapled together by the Dutch band’s punchy vocals, it’s a seamless addition to any rejuvenating playlist. If last year’s ​‘Compare What’s There’ project saw the foursome conquer their bold local music scene in Groningen and begin to edge closer towards mainstream consciousness, then, with any luck, this new banger will propel them thoroughly on their way to wider recognition. (Sophie McVinnie)

Bracing to ignite London’s indie-rock scene, False Futures’ debut single ​‘Fire Movement’ unearths a sound which embraces both coarse edges and the lighthearted skip of classic guitar pop, leaning into this duality for a captivating introduction. Warm, quizzical guitar melodies glide against a tense bassline, creating a compelling atmosphere for hollowed-out kicks to slot into, locking in a cynical groove. As vocalist Mat Conner — his cadence smooth and simultaneously cutting — reels off a calculated character study of a subject balancing strategy and rebellious instinct, we’re presented with a gripping interplay between the ever-present nature of opposing forces. Building carefully and breaking with detonative intensity, ​‘Fire Movement’ is a bold expression from a band unafraid of exploring the tension between conformity and chaos. (Kayla Sandiford)

A haunting and deeply affecting listen, ​‘Smothering’ is a track that solidifies BEEFCAKE​’s position as one of the most intriguing emerging acts of 2025. Taken from the duo’s upcoming debut EP, ​‘Detrimentors’, the song blends delicate strings, harps, and ethereal synths to create an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere. Classically trained singer Dora’s striking vocals glide effortlessly over the sparse instrumentation, carrying a raw emotional weight that lingers long after the track fades. Lyrically, meanwhile, she explores the pain of abandonment at one’s lowest point, delivering a personal and cathartic reflection which transforms sorrow into something both poignant and beautiful. (Gemma Cockrell)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, BEEFCAKE, False Futures, Kings Elliot, late night drive home, Listen, Real Farmer, Watch