Neu The Neu Bulletin (My New Band Believe, 1000 Rabbits, Fiona-Lee and more!)

‘Numerology’ heralds the Cameron Picton-led outfit My New Band Believe​’s long-awaited arrival with kinetic intent. Driven by propulsive rhythms and an intensity that invokes spectacle, the track is a testament to artistic expression at its most primal. Maximalism entwined with unbridled charm propels the listener into unknown terrain. An auditory hallucination, My New Band Believe merges calculated chaos with deliberate disorder, resulting in an exploration of sonic unpredictability. Every note lands with intention, yet the overall effect remains wildly unrestrained. (Ria Serena) 

1000 Rabbits have already firmly established themselves on London’s live circuit, following an intense run of shows over recent months that marked them out as a compelling act to watch. Armed with their playful energy, the five-piece formerly known as Rabbitfoot unveil ​‘Virgin Soil’, this debut art-rock track, which gradually ascends towards an explosive post-punk finale. Guitar and synthesiser build a palpable tension, heightened by a violin that shifts between melodic clarity and raw, urgent abrasion. (Lorène Bienvenu) 

The next snippet of Fiona-Lee​’s upcoming EP arrives in the form of ​‘Every Woman’: a confrontation of those who continue to perpetuate sexual assault and an urgent call-to-arms that cries out for men to take accountability, whilst also acting as a reminder for women that it’s normal to feel anger toward the position society has put them in. Characterised by frenzied guitar and biting lyrics, it’s a deeply impactful assertion that, although difficult, this is a conversation that needs to be had until something is done. (Minty Slater-Mearns) 

Back with their latest track ​‘Placebo’, London three-piece VILLANELLE deliver raw, uncompromising energy. Backed by electrifying guitar lines and driving drums, the chemistry between the trio — fronted by vocalist/​guitarist Gene Gallagher — is undeniable. Opening with a sharp guitar riff that quickly builds tension before the drums kick in, there’s a sense of momentum throughout, as if the song is constantly pushing forward. Lyrically, Gallagher captures the feeling of waking up to something bigger, singing of ​“the morning rolling over” as the track itself seems to do the same, transforming into an immersive, satisfyingly heavy wall of sound. (Izabella Draczkowska) 

With ​‘Clay’, Stockholm’s waterbaby offers us the latest glimpse of her forthcoming debut album ​‘Memory Be a Blade’. Featuring harmonies from her brother ttoh, the track drifts from soft piano motifs and trembling strings into airy alt-pop shimmer, her feather-light vocals lending it an intimate, almost whispered quality. Improvised melodies curl around subtle electronic flourishes, drawing listeners into waterbaby’s quietly immersive world. At once fragile and luminous, ​‘Clay’ captures the wistful, nostalgic heart of her work so far, leaving an almost tangible emotional afterglow. (Gemma Cockrell) 

One of the most mysterious, infectious discoveries of the last year, Marsy (fronted by the lush voice of Hannah Rodgers) have carried over the sweet, indie charm of their debut offering ​‘Chance The Dancer’ with this next outing, ​‘Changes’. Here, delicate lyrics are bathed in pristine guitar sounds, sonically pleasing harmonies, and topped off with some call and response backing vocals, all of which conspire to create the undeniable appeal this track — and furthermore Marsy themselves — exudes. (Peter Martin) 

Blood Wizard lean into a heavier, more emotive palette on new single ​‘Lick The Big Star’, a bold step towards the heart of upcoming EP ​‘Lucky Life’. Guitars swell and crunch beneath Cai Burns’ searching vocal, capturing the rush of chasing fantasy without pausing to count the cost. Written collaboratively across South London, the track carries a restless, homespun energy, its layered samples and shifting textures marking a clear evolution from ​‘Grinning William’. It neatly encapsulates the shift in sound behind the upcoming EP, leaning back into the more intense sounds that first shaped Blood Wizard’s music. (Gemma Cockrell) 

‘Lewin’, the latest single from breezy Brighton five-piece AtticOmatic, is fraught with longing for its namesake – an Old English word meaning ​“dear friend”. Over delicate twangs and barely-there percussion, we find Kamran Kaur waiting by the door for a loved one, vocals flitting between sweet and strained as she searches restlessly for their presence. ​“Why won’t you come back?” she ponders, as strange time signatures and twinkling guitars adorn her grief. It’s mesmerising, heartbreaking, and comforting all at once, and situates AtticOmatic alongside rising indie-rock stars mary in the junkyard and English Teacher, as they craft songs that seem like worlds of their own — tactile, truthful, and a little uncanny. (Elle Palmer) 

Condensed, sharp and — as always — technically impressive, MOULD​’s new offering ​‘Falling Posture’ coincides with the announcement of their debut album ​‘Hoping as a Coping Mechanism’. The new track celebrates everything we love about MOULD, layering vocal harmonies to the drum part in a way that pushes things forward in a fantastic and motionful manner. It’s the guitar parts, though, that shine the brightest here, with scaling flourishes and plenty of ornamentation. MOULD are obviously very talented musicians, but, beyond their technical ability, they also demonstrate clever, well thought out songwriting. (Peter Martin)

If Black Country, New Road had a penny for every time they’re name-dropped in discussions of new genre-defying bands, they’d be millionaires. Listening to MLEKO​’s ​‘Tom’s Tune’, the temptation to mention the Cambridge act is strong, but the seven-minute single proves there’s much more to unpack. It dirties up Tapir!’s bucolic, brass-infused indie-folk with Honeyglaze’s murkier take on post-rock, keeping the listener hooked with some English Teacher-esque detours. If the Manchester seven-piece’s upcoming debut EP sounds anything like this, we might soon be name-dropping MLEKO the next time an exciting rock-something band emerges. (Gabriele Naddeo)

Having started out during lockdown, Platoon​’s initial casual collaboration has quickly developed into a serious commitment to crafting their own sound. New single ​‘Quarter Mile’ blends indie rock with a reflective, almost wistful tone, its gentle sadness capturing the feeling of moving forward whilst looking back. The guitar melody stands out as quietly powerful, guiding the song with a steady sense of motion. Subtle in its build, ​‘Quarter Mile’ feels sincere and self-assured. (Izabella Draczkowska)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, 1000 Rabbits, AtticOmatic, Blood Wizard, Fiona-Lee, Listen, Marsy, MLEKO, Mould, My New Band Believe, Platoon, VILLANELLE, Watch, waterbaby