News – Page 9 – RCRD LBL

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

KEYS Drop Acid Communism, a Sonic Ode to Collective Creativity

(KEYS / Courtesy PR)

On July 18, 2025, KEYS unleashed their latest album, Acid Communism, via Libertino Records, marking their most ambitious project yet. The Welsh psych-rock outfit, led by vocalist and songwriter Matthew Evans, channels the unfinished theories of the late cultural theorist Mark Fisher into a vibrant tapestry of sound and ideas. Known for their raw, collaborative energy, KEYS have carved a niche in the UK’s indie scene, blending lo-fi aesthetics with expansive psych-pop. Their previous release, Homeschooling, captured the intimacy of lockdown creation, and this new record builds on that foundation, cementing their reputation as a band that thrives on instinct and community.

Acid Communism spans twelve tracks, weaving sunlit psych-pop grooves with jagged guitar riffs, introspective piano melodies, and ambient textures. The double A-side singles, ‘Your Shoes’ and ‘The Greatest Joke of All’, showcase the album’s emotional range. ‘Your Shoes’ is a live-wire, rhythm-driven jam, its chorus honed over years in rehearsal rooms, pulsing with the thrill of collective creation. In contrast, ‘The Greatest Joke of All’ is a tender, piano-led reflection written in a fleeting 15-minute burst during lockdown, its delicate minimalism offering a counterpoint to the band’s more raucous energy. Recorded using a mix of 8-track tape and digital tools, the album balances gritty warmth with crisp precision, echoing the free-spirited vibe of Jerry Garcia while staying rooted in KEYS’ DIY ethos.

Matthew Evans shared: “As a younger man, I’d blag my way through anything. But since hitting my 40s, that confidence isn’t always there. Playing in a band with your mates becomes therapy. It keeps you sane. Especially for men as they get older, it’s essential to have that kind of social network.” This sentiment highlights the album’s core: a celebration of togetherness in an era of disconnection. Acid Communism is a call to reconnect, create, and find solace in shared expression, making it a vital addition to the psych-rock landscape.

Stream Acid Communism:

Follow KEYS:

Spotify – X – Facebook – Instagram

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

‘Elektro Punk EP’ Lands: Shizo van de Sunflower’s Latest Is a Techno-Punk Knockout

(Shizo van de Sunflower / Elektro Punk EP Artwork)

Released on August 1, 2025, the ‘Elektro Punk EP’ proves Shizo van de Sunflower, aka Daniel Blum, still brings it. He blends personal edge with beats that smack you right in the chest. His influences in music started back in the 1980s with C64 and software design, building a sound that’s deep and electrifying, often lacing his music with undertones of dealing with depression and advocating for mental health. He teamed up with Sternentramper for the 2024 “War noch nie Kalifornien – Summer Remix” and caught the ear of acid icons Yves Deruyter and Emmanuel Top. You’ve also seen him at Dresden’s underground joints and Mittelgrün Con 2024.

The EP’s four tracks pull from DAF’s fearless electro-punk vibe, mixing German spoken word with sounds that grab you. ‘Das Mikrofon’ catches you off guard with Kristina Sop’s soprano clashing over a tough EBM beat. ‘James Bond’ pokes fun at the spy legend, its bassline dripping attitude. ‘Ich war mal Punk’ calls out faded punk dreams lost to crypto and property, sharp and biting. ‘Herz aus Stein’ finishes it off with a no-vocals techno rush that’s all adrenaline. It’s a shoutout to the genre’s roots, twisted with a fresh, no-filter spin.

Shizo van de Sunflower revealed: “I was inspired by the raw sounds of DAF’s pioneering era and created four tracks that oscillate between anger, irony and pure dance fever. German lyrics, no compromises.”

Stream Elektro Punk EP:

Follow Shizo van de Sunflower:

Spotify – Facebook – Instagram – Soundcloud

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Steve Aoki, Marnik & MR.BLACK Ignite Dance Floors with Explosive Revival of Trance Classic ‘Instant Moments’

Steve Aoki, Marnik, and MR.BLACK have joined forces for a turbocharged revival of a ’90s trance classic with their new single ‘Instant Moments’, out now via Dim Mak Records. A bold, mainstage-ready reimagining of the iconic R.O.O.S. track, the collaboration channels the trio’s collective mastery of high-impact, emotionally charged electronic music.

Between them, they’ve clocked billions of streams and rocked the stages of Tomorrowland, Ultra, and beyond. Steve Aoki, the Grammy-nominated powerhouse and founder of Dim Mak, continues to shape the global dance landscape with his big-room dynamism. Italian duo Marnik are known for their euphoric, melody-driven blend of EDM and psytrance, while Israeli trailblazer MR.BLACK pushes sonic boundaries with a genre-blending, high-octane style that’s earned co-signs from Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, and W&W.

With ‘Instant Moments’, the trio have turbo-boosted the trance original into a modern rave weapon, complete with pounding percussion, searing synth lines, and an adrenaline-pumping tempo that’s tailor-made for peak-time festival chaos.

Follow Steve Aoki:

Spotify – Facebook – Instagram – X

Follow Marnik:

Spotify – Facebook – Instagram – X

Follow MR. BLACK:

Spotify – Facebook – Instagram – X

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Finnegan Tui Ignites the Indie Folk Scene with “Fuel on the Fire”

(Finnegan Tui /Image credit: Godenschweger Photography)

UK-based indie folk standout Finnegan Tui dropped his latest single, ‘Fuel on the Fire’, via Eywa Music Ltd on January 17, 2025, and it’s already making waves. With 7.7 million streams racked up across platforms and regular spins on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Introducing South West, Tui’s carved out a solid rep as a must-hear voice in the scene. He’s clocked serious miles touring Europe, backing FINK for over 30 dates and opening for acts like RY X, Cosmo Sheldrake, and Junodream. Festival slots at Secret Garden Party, Boomtown, and Shambala, plus a confirmed gig at Kernowfornia Festival this September, show he’s no stranger to big stages. Add collabs with heavy hitters like Charlie Andrew and Matt Lawrence, nods from outlets like The Guardian and CLASH Magazine, a sync in Walker Independence, and sold-out nights at Omeara, La Boule Noire, and Lark, and you’ve got an artist on a steep upward climb.

The track itself, ‘Fuel on the Fire’, is a slow-burn gem produced by Jasper Trim and mixed by Andrew Scheps. It kicks off with sparse acoustic guitar, giving Tui’s vocals, deep, raw, and brimming with soul, room to breathe. The arrangement builds steadily, layering in pulsing beats, mournful strings, and atmospheric touches before hitting a choral climax that’s got real weight, blending folk roots with a widescreen vibe.

Finnegan Tui shared: “‘Fuel On The Fire’ explores the poignant theme of no longer recognizing a loved one, yet it ultimately offers a message of redemption. It feels like a phoenix rising from the ashes, mirroring my own journey from loneliness to joy. I hope this song resonates with listeners, offering them light and strength in their own challenges.”

Stream ‘Fuel on the Fire’: