Neu Bulletin The Neu Bulletin (Tiña, Julius Black, Baby Queen and more!)

The latest cut from forthcoming LP ‘Positive Mental Health Music’, ‘Golden Rope’ trots into view as a self-described “cowboy gallop away from suicide on a horse named self-compassion”. A very… specific analogy, but one that actually works perfectly. Drums canter along beneath chintzy, fairground organs, as singer Joshua Loftin’s characterful vocals meander through lyrics that are somehow both abstract and strangely clear. It’s a strange ride on Tiña’s particular magic roundabout, but you you’ll find yourself sticking 20p in for another spin. (Lisa Wright)

Sharing his debut single ‘Mirrors’, New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Julius Black has crafted an elegant gem of a track, reminiscent of Ryan Beatty, Rex OC and Frank Ocean-esque vibes. Written during a time when he’d just relocated, broken up with his girlfriend, got fired from his job, and was feeling all-round super isolated, the song finds himself connecting with himself for the first time. A stunning debut, keep your eyes peeled for what he conjures up next. Because if he’s making this magic under super shitty circumstance, think of what he might do when it’s all a little brighter… (Elly Watson)

With a chorus that takes Lorde’s breakthrough smash ‘Royals’ and reimagines it as a mopey anthem for Gen Z ennui, the second single from Baby Queen – aka South Africa-born Bella Latham – is likely the most rallying, ballsy ode to being a party pooper that you’ll hear all year. Filled with dead-eyed, speak-sing verses that would make Daria seem positively peppy in comparison (“It’s like I’m living in a dream but all the characters are me/ I’m disillusioned by the world and I am filled with apathy”), it’s both piss-taking and painfully accurate – a track that swings between sonic moods, but marks its author out as one of the most exciting young pop newcomers since Ella Yelich-O’Connor came to claim her crown. (Lisa Wright)

A brooding statement of intent, Sarah Walk’s latest track ‘unravel’ is a powerful and poignant number about the institutionalised entitlement of men, with lyrics such as, “Nothing’s hurt me more than men that grew up with no consequences / Why is it my job to fix this mess? / You’re always ready to defend / You hear my concern as anger / And no-one wants an angry woman”. Both delicate and defiant sonically, invoking similar striking sounds as Nadine Shah’s latest, the LA-songwriter’s forthcoming second album ‘Another Me’ is set to be as equally mesmerising. (Elly Watson)

In recent years, the best British guitar music has tended towards either a) angsty and abrasive, or more recently b) post-punk and literate. Both, of course, are good things – but what of the prettier end of the spectrum, we ask? York lads Bull have clearly been pondering the same question, and so in they ride with ‘Green’ – a lazy, hazy offering that’s a bit like R.E.M’s ‘Shiny Happy People’ on a ’90s slacker trip. Sounding more North California than North Yorkshire, there’s some jangling melodies that underrated ’00s types The Thrills wouldn’t hate, while you imagine Bull have probably popped a Pavement record or two on the stereo in their time. Who needs a holiday when you can hop on an LNER train and find the same vibes? (Lisa Wright)

Neither a paean to disco biscuits or the Eels frontman, ‘E The Real You’ (actually a play on ‘ethereal’) takes the notion of drifting slightly aimlessly through life and turns it into a throaty, dappled tune to cling to in moments of uncertainty. “Dreams so bittersweet/ Pour us some company,” croons Jake Passmore as his south London bandmates weave gentle, comforting guitar lines around him. Drawing a little from the jazzy likes of Puma Blue, but funnelling it into a more direct band manifesto, SCORS’ newest is like a mellow band-aid for the ears. (Lisa Wright)

Previously leading shoe gaze band DAZE, North London’s Hongza is now stepping out on his own, unveiling vibey debut track ‘GONE’. Penned during those super rough early hours of going through a break-up, the track oozes hypnotic melodies and is packed full of emotion. An intriguing introduction to his solo endeavours, if you’re looking for that perfect track to gaze out the window to during an emotional car journey (‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’ style), or soundtrack your coming-of-age moment, Hongza’s got you covered. (Elly Watson)

Tags: Baby Queen, Bull, Hongza, Julius Black, Sarah Walk, SCORS, Tina, Listen, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin