Neu The Neu Bulletin (Mandrake Handshake, mary in the junkyard, Chloe Slater and more!)

Arriving alongside the exciting announcement of their debut LP ​‘Earth-Sized Worlds’, ​‘The Change and The Changing’ is the latest addition to psychedelic groovemongers Mandrake Handshake​’s iridescent collection. It glimmers through minimal brushes of acoustic guitar, a delicate percussive touch, and cosmic synths which round out into a soulful, sonorous backdrop for the velvety stylings of vocalist Trinity Oksana. The production feels clear, crisp and refreshing, much like rising from an ice cold plunge. Oksana has noted that the spacious, introspective lyrics are ​“a reflection on returning to Self after being changed by the Other, on connecting with the ultimate autonomy of the Self as a form of empowerment beyond relational turbulence, and a testament to the healing power of nature.” Each element of ​‘The Change And The Changing’ feels like a thoughtful consideration of what it means to return to a renewed self, making for another mesmerising piece from the ensemble. (Kayla Sandiford)

A band of consistent intrigue, mary in the junkyard surrender to stillness on new track ​‘bear walk’. The trio has tirelessly burned through London’s live circuit with their exploratory sound, brimming with ethereal expressions and well-articulated ​“chaos rock”. ​‘bear walk’, however, sheds the chaos in favour of folk influences, a sylvan landscape of oaky acoustic guitar, trodding percussion, the willowy drape of weeping violin, and Clari Freeman-Taylor’s silk-spun vocals. The track is full of vivid imagery, conveying the feeling of being lost to a forest escape through both instrumentation and lyrics. Closing out 2024, mary in the junkyard have illustrated another fantastical world which leaves only one question to bring into the new year: where might their imagination continue to roam? (Kayla Sandiford)

Chloe Slater doesn’t waste a single moment with ​‘Fig Tree’: one bar of electronic beats and she launches into a warm, fuzzy but upbeat bedroom-pop anthem. It’s an instantly likeable track which quickly grows under Chloe’s passionate lyrical delivery, and from those intimate first moments, we’re pulled forward as the song opens up dramatically into a forceful, guitar-led stomper with throwbacks to ​’90s grunge. As she decries the barriers to living a free life as a woman, Chloe offers hope — as well as a firm kick in the teeth to society. (Phil Taylor) 

Bursting with aggression but managing to stay technical, Bristol’s MOULD never fail to entertain, and are on top form with latest cut ​‘CHUNKS’ — their first single on 5dB Records. The band manage to compact all their flourishing ideas into under three minutes, as we see Joe Sherrin execute a spirited vocal performance above an artful guitar riff, while Jamie Luxton keeps the band tied to their compound rhythm. An outfit who keep proving themselves with every lesson, bonafide musicians, and talented storytellers, we’re likely to be hearing much more from MOULD in the new year. (Peter Martin)

The latest single from Housewife (aka Brighid Fry), ​‘Divorce’ sees the Toronto-based artist paint a vivid picture of someone whose world has fallen apart due to a break-up, via the mediums of mournful vocals, pensive grunge riffs, and palpable pop hooks. The 21-year-old has explained that she ​“wrote it after experiencing really bad heartbreak that kind of blindsided me and completely uprooted me”, capturing a relatable sense of frustration that often follows such emotional upheaval. The moody sonics later progress towards an explosive finale and an impactful refrain of ​”I’m not the enemy” — an ending which leaves a lingering impression far beyond the song’s demise. (Matthew McLister)

A rich, expansive extravaganza, Candy’s Room are proudly strutting their stuff with latest release ​‘No Illusion’. A glammed-up, disco-meets-experimental-rock song opening — complete with the funkiest of bass lines — morphs into a track replete with electro-breaks, falsetto vocals and retro string hits, turning what could easily be a cheesy number into something quite irresistible. Shared vocal duties add another layer of interest (it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many voices there are), and the wending guitar solos are the icing on this particular candy-flavoured cake. (Phil Taylor)

LA-based outfit Dutch Interior have been making a name for themselves with a distinct sound that draws on fairly disparate influences. Take latest single ​‘Sandcastle Molds’, which begins with an almost jazz style intro, built around a lengthy drum opening that gradually interlopes with other members of the band. It’s certainly not the start fans might expect, but it really showcases their quality and breadth. While it’s hard to put your finger on this band’s exact sound, such clashing of styles and easy experimentation make them an incredibly exciting prospect. (Chris Connor)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, Candy’s Room, Chloe Slater, Dutch Interior, Housewife, Listen, Mandrake Handshake, mary in the junkyard, Mould, Watch