Music – Page 2 – 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.

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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’:

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July 21, 2025

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

‘Minacious’ Drops Now – Valley Onda Blends Fear and Soundscapes

(Valley Onda / Ravyna Jassani)

On July 18th, 2025, Valley Onda launched their latest single ‘Minacious’ via Valley Onda Records, cementing their spot in the indie rock scene. The Sydney-based trio, born in 2019, has stacked over 350,000 streams and scored nods from triple j, Clunk Mag, and Where The Music Meets. Their stage game is tight too, with tour slots alongside The Money War and Brightness. Jordan Wilson, once of Georgia Fair, has gigged with Paul Kelly, Laurel, and John Mayer, while Michiya Nagai—a classically trained multi-instrumentalist—has rocked The Grass is Greener with Lamalo and synced up a TEDx Melbourne stream. It all started when Jordan and producer Galen Sultmann clicked in a restaurant, later bringing Michiya into the fold to shape their alt-rock vibe.

The single ‘Minacious’ delivers a punchy fusion of Western-tinged drama, moody synths, and jagged guitars, all anchored by a vocal that cuts through expansive, textured effects. It’s a fearless, genre-twisting track, think Muse meets Bon Iver thabuilt on tension and release, tackling fear and transcendence head-on. Years of warehouse gigs and cross-genre collabs shine through in its polished yet gritty studio sound.

Valley Onda summed it up: “‘Minacious’ is the spirit of going through to move beyond. It’s about confronting your fear and stepping into the unknown. With a Western Sci-Fi feel the song moves through eerie landscapes, unafraid to keep taking steps towards its transcendent destiny. A voyage if you will. Again this song has a heavy studio vibe, which combines all of what makes Valley Onda great, big guitars, synths and beats under a huge vocal.”

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July 21, 2025

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Vermantics’ The Pictures You Paint EP Lands with Raw Rock Power

(Vermantics / Courtesy PR)

Vermantics dropped their new EP, The Pictures You Paint, on July 4, 2025, and it’s already making noise across the rock scene. Born in Adelaide’s sweaty underground, brothers Stefan and Daniel Fedele built their chops in pop-punk before heading to Melbourne to chase a grittier sound. Teamed up with guitarist Jack Stevenson and their cousin Julian Perrotta on drums, the quartet fuses 60s hooks, 70s attitude, and 90s edge into a modern rock pulse. Their live rep is no joke—high-energy sets have scored them gigs alongside heavyweights like Highly Suspect, British India, and The Superjesus, and a recent UK tour packed with sold-out crowds proves they’re on a roll.

The EP’s four tracks carve out a sonic story of human ties and tangled lies. ‘Come Alive’ hits hard with its moody, rumbling kickoff, while ‘How Does It Feel’ digs into the itch to see through someone else’s eyes. ‘Fake It’ strips back the masks we wear, and ‘Open Up Your Dreams’ wraps it up with a bright, full-throttle lift. Every song lands with its own weight, blending sharp lyrics with a sound that’s got real teeth—think reverb-soaked riffs and driving beats that stick.

No polished fakery here—Vermantics tracked this EP live, keeping it real with no drum tweaks or studio gloss. Co-produced with Phil Threlfall, whose mixing packs a punch, and mastered by Andrei Eremin, it’s a tight, confident release. Hot off UK stages and with shows in Adelaide and Melbourne supporting Late 90s this week, plus another UK run later, the band’s momentum is undeniable. Stefan Fedele shared: “This EP’s about cutting through the noise—real songs, real moments, straight from us to you.”

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