new music – RCRD LBL

August 22, 2025

August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

2Z push creative boundaries with genre-blending EP Highness

2Z is breaking new ground with the release of their latest Highness, which dropped on 19 August via GOGO2020. Known for their awe-inspiring performances and eclectic rock soundscape, the Korean group venture into bold new territory with Highness.

The band collaborated with acclaimed electronic DJ and producer plomo which marked the beginning of their journey which blends rock with electronica. The five track EP merges 2Z’s raw energy with plomo’s refined electronic flair. The project includes two standout tracks, namely ‘Borderline’ and ‘Unreal’. It also features three remixes of previously released tracks, reimagined through plomo’s Techno and big beat lens.

‘Borderline’ unfolds in two emotional parts; the first confronts disillusionment, then it ascends with hope. The track draws inspiration from the unwavering support from the band’s global fanbase. Meanwhile, ‘Unreal’ offers a dreamlike meditation on beauty, fear as well as devotion, with “she” symbolizing music or the fans themselves.

Stream the EP below:

Follow 2Z:

Instagram – Facebook – YouTube

Follow plomo:

Instagram

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Miss Sunshine’ Shines Bright: Plain Mister Smith’s Latest Single Hits Today

(Plain Mister Smith / Image Credit: Image credit: Sandra Lockwood)

Today, Plain Mister Smith has unleashed his new single ‘Miss Sunshine’ through Amelia Records/Symphonic. This track kicks off a series of singles paving the way for his 2026 album drop. Once the guitarist for Canadian darkwave outfit Moev, he’s also a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing a layered edge to his indie-folk craft. His sound has caught the ears of heavy-hitters like CLASH Magazine, NOTION, Under The Radar, Earmilk, METAL, Noctis Mag, and Atwood Mag, marking him as a name to watch in the indie scene.

‘Miss Sunshine’ is a tight, heartfelt cut that pairs breezy guitar hooks with a solid drum groove, courtesy of John Raham, all polished up in the mix by Chris Perry. It’s got that indie-folk charm with echoes of Pixies’ raw energy, Tame Impala’s dreamy sway, Death Cab for Cutie’s quiet depth, and The Beatles’ timeless hooks. The track digs into empathy and admiration for someone being unfairly treated, with a flicker of romance in the air—delivered through Plain Mister Smith’s warm, earnest vocals.

Plain Mister Smith shared: “If you’ve ever worked with the loveliest person in the world and found them mercilessly taken advantage of by fellow workers, then you’ll know a ‘Miss Sunshine’, or you may even have a crush on her.” That line sums up the track’s soul—a light yet emotional ride that’s as relatable as it is listenable.

Stream ‘Miss Sunshine’

Follow Plain Mister Smith:

Instagram – Facebook – X – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube – Spotify

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

The ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’ Video Lands as under:tones Signal Big Moves

August 6, 2025, is a huge day for under:tones, the international electronic crew dropping ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’, the first single off their debut album, Encounters, due out in March 2026. It’s also the kickoff for Through The Void Records, a label all about bold, heartfelt electronic tunes. under:tones have been climbing the ranks, mixing different styles into something totally their own. Their past EPs showed off what they can do, earning them a tight-knit fanbase and some serious props from the music world. This album’s shaping up to be their big breakthrough.

The video, shot by director Cristina Principe, drops us in Los Angeles with Zeno, a teen stuck in a life where algorithms watch everything he does. He pops on wired headphones, cracks smiles with buddies, and lets music set him free. That’s the thing, music’s still our go-to when the daily grind gets heavy, tying us together in a way screens never will. The visuals blend this dreamy, upbeat energy with a sharp, film-like style that makes the track pop. It’s a vibe you can’t shake.

under:tones video nails getting their message across in this video. Music’s the heartbeat keeping us steady and connected, no matter what’s going on out there. With this release, under:tones are showing they’ve got something special, and it’s only the start.

Watch ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’:

Follow under:tones:

Spotify – Instagram – Facebook

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: