Neu The Neu Bulletin (Fiona-Lee, she’s green, Y and more!)

Fiona-Lee leans fully into emotional self-reckoning on ​‘Not My Friends’, a slow-burning indie rock cut that pairs raw confession with a steadily mounting sense of release. Written from the perspective of someone stuck in the ​“something is better than nothing” cycle of relationships, the track balances vulnerability with resolve. Soaring guitars gather around Fiona-Lee’s earthy yet expansive vocal, pushing the song toward an anthemic crest without losing its intimacy. It’s a striking showcase for the Yorkshire songwriter’s emotive instincts and a compelling glimpse of the depth that will be explored across her forthcoming ​‘Every Woman’ EP. (Gemma Cockrell) 

she’s green purvey the purest kind of shoegaze; it’s music which is drenched in shimmering reverb and paced sedately, of course, but their compositions also carry a huge weight. On ​‘mettle’, after setting the scene with a quiet, reflective start, momentum builds quickly and carries the song through with a sense of barely-tamed force. The Minneapolis five-piece seem to glide through the song on a wave of their own passion — a wave formed of swirling guitars, subliminally crashing cymbals, pulsing drums, and Zofia Smith’s dream-sharing vocals. (Phil Taylor)

What better way to announce a new EP than with ​‘May’, a track that encapsulates everything Y does best: sharp guitars, an anxious saxophone, and a captivating energy that makes you want to dance your anger away. Over this sonic whirlwind, Sophie Coppin delivers gloomy vocals touching on politics, growth and decay — according to the South London band, ​‘May’ refers to the month when Britons go to the polls. Though it does retain a touch of humour, this is a track defined above all by a sense of urgency and anxiety that echoes the current political climate. (Lorène Bienvenu) 

Just like a shot by Martin Parr, there’s something remarkably authentic and unmistakably English in Pollyfromthedirt​’s music. Forget the highly saturated colours, though, and swap that Nikon for an old, pixelated smartphone camera. Unlike the bright tones of the iconic photographer, ​‘Don’t shoot now’ sinks yet another infectious melody from the Darlington-born riser into hazy synths and glitchy drum machines. Even through the track’s misty landscape, Polly’s knack for capturing unique snapshots of our fragile, everyday lives in decay shines vividly. (Gabriele Naddeo)

‘Dolomites’ is a warm and irresistibly soulful track, beginning as a gently lilting waltz led by a warbling organ before expanding with sparkling surprise, like the breaking of sunlight through trees. East London based singer-songwriter Ella Clayton uses her sublime and remarkably versatile vocals to great effect throughout the song: at first, she croons with close, hushed intimacy, gently dropping the scene-setting lyrics one by one; then, a break and Ella is dramatically soaring. ​“I want to be alone” she begs, as the song accelerates into a new phase. ​‘Dolomites’ explores two sides of one relatable emotion, and showcases an incredible emerging talent. (Phil Taylor)

With a new track which skirts the boundaries of chaos and breakdown, London quartet Tooth repeatedly succeed in building beautiful, rhythmic structure. Built on layers of bass and guitar, the song veers between sections of relative calm, paced with a sweet pulse, and rowdy outbursts of barely-restrained passion. Tooth keep things melodious, too, showcasing the ability to write a song which flows and bubbles even while satisfying the noise-lovers. (Phil Taylor)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, Ella Clayton, Fiona-Lee, Listen, pollyfromthedirt, she’s green, Tooth, Watch, Y