New Music: Beginner Boys

            

Legendary Scottish band Simple Minds premiered their new single "Beginner Boys" a week ago, now their sharing the official video directed by Laurie TB with formidable effects and visuals, the track is taken from their forthcoming album Sacrosanct. Kerr says that the brooding lead single "Beginner Boys" is about watching his grandsons grow up, "how strength, tenderness, courage, and gentleness might still belong together, even when the wider culture around them can send mixed signals. It's less a statement than a question I hope they'll spend their lives answering for themselves.

New Music: Be With You Tonight

           

Teenage Fanclub have released "Be With You Tonight", the latest taster of their upcoming album, Do Not Dare To Dream, to be released on 9 October. "Be With You Tonight" the the track reflecting on the happiness that singer Norman Blake finds in moving to a new house in the Glasgow countryside."I'm in a good place in terms of happiness and wellbeing, and my songs on this album are really just a reflection of that," Blake says. "I've found that the easiest thing to write about is yourself. It can be quite cathartic. It's sort of like doing your own therapy." About the video, it has been photographed on location at Black Bay Studio on Great Bernera by Donald Milne.

Rocktrospectiva: The Legedary Gen' X Anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Turns 35

Released on 10 September 1991, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by the US alternative rock band Nirvana, was the opening track and lead single from Nirvana's second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. Having sold over 13 million copies worldwide, it is one of the best-selling songs of all time. The success propelled Nevermind to the top of several albums charts and is often marked as the point when grunge entered the mainstream. It was Nirvana's biggest hit, charting high on music industry charts around the world in 1991 and 1992, and was number one on the charts in Belgium, France, New Zealand and Spain.

The guitarist and singer, Kurt Cobain, described "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as an attempt to write "the ultimate pop song", inspired by the soft-and-loud dynamics of the Pixies. The title derives from a phrase written by his friend Kathleen Hanna, the singer of the riot grrrl band Bikini Kill: "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit." Hanna was referencing the deodorant Teen Spirit, but Cobain misinterpreted it as a revolutionary slogan.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" was met with acclaim and described as an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X. It was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". 

It was one of several songs written following Nirvana's first recording sessions with producer Butch Vig in 1990. Lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain began writing it a few weeks before recording their second album, Nevermind, in 1991.He said it was an attempt to write a song in the style of the Pixies, a band he admired:

I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it. When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily that I should have been in that band—or at least a Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.

When Cobain presented the song to his bandmates, it comprised just the main guitar riff and the chorus vocal melody. Cobain said the riff was "clichéd", similar to a riff by Boston or the Richard Berry song "Louie Louie". Bassist Krist Novoselic dismissed it as "ridiculous"; in response, Cobain made the band play it for an hour and a half. Eventually, Novoselic began playing it more slowly, inspiring drummer Dave Grohl to create the drum beat, which drew from disco artists such as the Gap Band. As a result, it is the only song on Nevermind to credit all three band members as writers. 

The title derives from a phrase coined by Cobain's friend Kathleen Hanna, singer of the riot grrrl band Bikini Kill: "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit." Hanna and Tobi Vail, Cobain's then-girlfriend, had been at a grocery store earlier in the day, discovered Teen Spirit deodorant, thought the name was funny and joked that various things "smelled like Teen Spirit". Later on, Hanna wrote the phrase in sharpie on Cobain's wall. Cobain said that he was unaware of the deodorant until months after the single was released, and had interpreted it as a revolutionary slogan, as they had been discussing anarchism and punk rock.

Prior to the album recording, the band sent Vig demos for songs including "Teen Spirit". While the sound was distorted due to the band playing at a high volume, Vig felt it had promise. Vig and the band recorded "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at Sound City Studios in the Los Angeles, California neighborhood of Van Nuys in May 1991. Vig suggested changes to the arrangement, including moving a guitar ad lib to the chorus and shortening the chorus. The band recorded the basic track in three takes, and used the second take. Vig corrected some timing errors created by Cobain switching between his guitar effects pedals. Cobain recorded only three vocal takes; according to Vig, "I was lucky to ever get Kurt to do four takes

The lyrics to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" were often difficult for listeners to decipher, both due to their nonsensicality and because of Cobain's slurred, guttural singing voice. This problem was compounded by the fact that the Nevermind album liner notes did not include any lyrics for the songs aside from selected lyrical fragments. This incomprehensibility contributed to the early resistance from radio stations towards adding the song to their playlists; one Geffen promoter recalled that people from rock radio told her, "We can't play this. I can't understand what the guy is saying." MTV went as far as to prepare a version of the video that included the lyrics running across the bottom of the screen, which they aired when the video was added to their heavy rotation schedule.

The book Teen Spirit: The Stories Behind Every Nirvana Song describes "Teen Spirit" as "a typically murky Cobain exploration of meaning and meaninglessness". Azerrad plays upon the juxtaposition of Cobain's contradictory lyrics (such as "It's fun to lose and to pretend") and states "the point that emerges isn't just the conflict of two opposing ideas, but the confusion and anger that the conflict produces in the narrator—he's angry that he's confused". Azerrad's conclusion is that the song is "alternately a sarcastic reaction to the idea of actually having a revolution, yet it also embraces the idea". Additionally, the "famously obscure couplet" in the chorus—"A mulatto, an albino / A mosquito, my libido"—is, according to Azerrad, "nothing more than two pairs of opposites, a funny way of saying the narrator is very horny". In Heavier Than Heaven, Charles R. Cross' biography of Cobain, Cross argues that the song is a reference to Cobain's relationship with ex-girlfriend Tobi Vail. Cross cites the line "She's over-bored and self-assured" and states the song "could not have been about anyone else". Cross backs up his argument with lyrics which were present in earlier drafts, such as "Who will be the King & Queen of the outcasted teens".

The music video depicts a high school pep rally which ends in chaos, inspired by Jonathan Kaplan's 1979 film Over the Edge and the Ramones' film Rock 'n' Roll High School. It won two MTV Video Music Awards, and was in heavy rotation on MTV during the 1990s. Amy Finnerty, formerly of MTV's programming department, said the video "changed the entire look of MTV" by giving the channel "a whole new generation to sell to". 

Smells Like Teen Spirit" was released to radio on August 27, 1991. On September 10, it was released as the lead single from Nevermind, Nirvana's major label debut on DGC Records. The song did not initially chart, and it sold well only in regions of the United States with an established Nirvana fanbase.

The single was intended to be a base-building alternative rock cut from the album, and was not expected to be a hit; the follow-up "Come as You Are" was planned as the single that could cross over to mainstream radio formats. However, campus and modern rock radio stations placed "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on heavy rotation. Danny Goldberg of Nirvana's management firm Gold Mountain said: "None of us heard it as a crossover song, but the public heard it and it was instantaneous ... They heard it on alternative radio, and then they rushed out like lemmings to buy it."

The video received its world premiere on MTV's late-night alternative rock program 120 Minutes on September 29, and proved so popular that the channel began to air it during its regular daytime rotation. MTV added the video to its "Buzz Bin" selection in October, where it stayed until mid-December. By the end of the year, the song, music video, and the Nevermind album had become hits. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Nevermind became a rare cross-format phenomenon, reaching all the major rock radio formats including modern rock, hard rock, album rock, and college radio.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" was also a critical and commercial success. The single peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart the same week that Nevermind reached number one on the albums chart. "Teen Spirit" hit number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and in April 1992 it was certified Platinum (one million copies shipped) by the Recording Industry Association of America. However, many American Top 40 stations were reluctant to play the song in regular rotation and restricted it to night-time play.

Smells Like Teen Spirit Track List: 

US 7" single (DGCS7-19050)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 
2. "Even in His Youth"

US/Australian/Australasian cassette single (DGCCS-19050)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 
2. "Even in His Youth" 

US & Australian CD single (DGCDS-21673)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 
2. "Even in His Youth" 
3. "Aneurysm" 

UK 7" single (DGCS 5)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
2. "Drain You"

UK 12" single (DGCT 5)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (LP Version)
2. "Drain You"
3. "Even in His Youth" 

UK picture disc 12" single (DGCTP 5)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (LP Version)
2. "Drain You" 
3. "Aneurysm" 

 UK CD single (DGCTD 5)

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 
2. "Drain You" 
3. "Even in His Youth"
4. "Aneurysm" 

New Music: Billy

           

Sports Team are back with their first new single since 2025's Boys These Days. "Billy," the new single from the London-based rockers, arrives alongside a music video by Kris R that features a masked character bearing a squint-and-you-see-it resemblance to Michael Fassbender's Frank from the movie Frank. Regarding about the track, songwriter Rob Knaggs shared: "It's a love letter to getting desperately, insanely drunk at a carpeted pub on a Tuesday night. We recorded it live at RAK studios over the first weeks of summer with Seth Evans and Adele Phillips. It felt like a return to how we made the first album. Fast, and loose and loud."

New Music: Touching From A Distance Too Far

           

The Inspiral Carpets have shared their new single "Touching From A Distance Too Far" taken from the band's first studio album in 12 years "Burn Like The Sun," due to be released on January 29th next year. Touching From A Distance is another classic Inspirals track, Said the band. "A nice blend of 60's psychedelia, 50's rock 'n roll and cool 21st century contemporary vibes." The lyrics, written by Graham, are a nod to one of the Inspirals' favourite and most influential bands, Joy Division. A song about regret and never truly knowing someone.

Rocktrospectiva: The Italo Disco Classic "Shy Like And Angel" Turns 40

Released between 1985-1986 "Shy Like an Angel" by New Romantique was a synth-pop track with a terrific blend of italo disco and new wave produced by The Feldman Brothers.

 

Originally released in 1985 as 7-inch and 12-inch in Germany and France. A series of limited editions such as the Hong Kong pressing were available in 1986. 

 

The track featured key contributions from vocalist and songwriter, Alex Elena, and producer, Jack Anderson. As a contemporary representative of the synth-pop genre, "Shy Like an Angel" blended nostalgic elements of 80s new wave with modern electronic music production techniques. 

 

The song grabbed attention for its dreamy, atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics, which explore themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery. Historically, "Shy Like an Angel" is notable for its contribution to the current resurgence of interest in synth-pop and new wave music, influencing a new generation of musicians and fans.

New Music: Mona Lisa

           

Wishy have shared "Mona Lisa," the final pre-release single ahead of the arrival of their new album Nature’s Pill, arriving October 2nd. The forthcoming LP, is the follow-up to the band’s 2024 debut Triple Seven. Singer/guitarist Kevin Krauter says of the track: A courtroom drama starring love and apathy. Was all that pleasure worth all that pain? Will the opposing witness withstand cross-examination? You be the judge!. Video by Nate Kahn.

New Music: Bad Zoo Rescue

           

Jesus Jones have released their latest single "Bad Zoo Rescue", the third track previewed from their forthcoming eighth studio album Twilight, the track follows ‘Shot In The Chevy’ and ‘All Falls To Me’, giving listeners another indication of the musical range of the British alternative rock band's first studio album in eight years. A video for ‘Bad Zoo Rescue’ was filmed between May and August 2026 at Doddington International Studios and in Alan' Bathroom

New Music: Break Out

           

Swiss electronic legends Yello release their new single "Break Out," a funky electronic dance anthem that captures the delightfully unique charm of the Dieter Meier and Boris Blank-led duo. With bouncing electronic synths, Dieter’s gravelly vocals and hypnotic lyrical hooks, Break Out is a glistening gem from the Zurich-formed duo. Break Out follows their previous 2026 single Around the Sun, with both tracks set to feature on Yello's upcoming new studio album Time Lab. The duo said:"Time begins where it ends, or vice versa. This applies to the cover as well as the music of the upcoming album Time Lab. The album marks the return of Zurich-based graphic designer and artist Ernst Gamper, who was responsible for the unforgettable sleeves of You Gotta Say Yes to Another Excess and Stella."

Rocktrospectiva: The Heavy And Brilliant "A Matter Of Life And Death" Turns 20

Originally Released on 25 August 2006 in Italy and Finland, and 28 August worldwide—excluding the US, Canada and Japan, where it was released on 5 September, "A Matter Of Life And Death" was the 14th., studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was the first album in Iron Maiden's career to enter the US Billboard charts in the top 10, achieving significant chart success in many other countries as well.

Iron Maiden began writing new songs near the end of 2005, after a break following their hugely successful festival dates in the US and Europe during the Eddie Rips Up the World Tour. After taking time off over Christmas, the songs were completed and the band began recording at Sarm West Studios in London, with their regular producer, Kevin Shirley. The album was recorded from 1 March to 4 May 2006.

To provide a more "live" sound, the album was not mastered. Shirley said, "Spoke to 'Arry (Steve Harris) on Friday, who has decided against mastering the Iron Maiden album ... It means that you will get to hear the new album exactly as it sounded in the studio, no added EQ, compression, analogue widening, etc., and I must say, I am pretty happy with the end result. Lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson commented that "Everyone was up for pushing things as far as they'd go, but the record was so easy to make." Dickinson went on to claim that they "finished the record with two months to spare," with Harris adding, "A lot of what you hear are first time takes." Speaking about the record's musical style, Harris states that "It is heavier than we've ever been, but also very progressive. And I don't mean that in the modern sense, but like Dream Theater, more in a 70s way."

A Matter of Life and Death is Iron Maiden's fourth studio album that does not have a title track, following Piece of Mind, The X Factor and Virtual XI. Drummer Nicko McBrain and guitarist Janick Gers claim that the band originally intended to name the album after one of its tracks, with both "The Pilgrim" and "The Legacy" being considered. According to Gers, "sometimes a title will just leap out at you as the obvious choice, but it didn't this time for some reason", so the band decided on A Matter of Life and Death, which, according to McBrain, was amongst "two or three ideas which we were kicking around". Neither Gers nor McBrain can remember who came up with the title, which they state was thought up by either Harris, Rod Smallwood (the band's manager) or "Drew" (an engineer at Sarm West Studios).

The album cover was created by Tim Bradstreet, an American artist, best known for his work on the Hellblazer and Punisher comics. A lifelong Iron Maiden fan, who drew much influence from Derek Riggs' artwork for them, Bradstreet described the opportunity as "one of my wildest dreams". He had a tight schedule, receiving for reference the songs to listen to and key art done by Peacock Designs UK, who directed the booklet's artwork. Along with redrawing a few of the original elements – which featured the tank described by Bradstreet as "Korean War era but with a twist" as the gun barrel is patched over from another vehicle – Bradstreet added Eddie as a general leading an army of skeletons. Bradstreet's colourist partner Grant Goleash finished the art, which was then retouched by Peacock. The back cover would originally feature Eddie shot on the back, but then the band opted to instead feature a detail of the tank icon featuring Eddie's head along with crossed guns.

The first single to be released from the album was "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", released on 14 August 2006.  On 10 August, "Different World" was made available for public streaming on the band's website,  as was "Brighter than a Thousand Suns" the following day. "Different World" was the second single, receiving airplay on many rock radio stations. The song also features an animated video, similar to that of "Wildest Dreams."

The album was met with highly positive reviews from music critics and rated 10, cause it contained everything fans want to hear; be it exciting, Maiden-style story telling; aggressive riffs; impressive solos; or melodic harmonies. BBC Music praised the band for "their uncanny ability to write great lyrics wrapped around guitar orchestration that rock fans crave", concluding: In this world of hopeless auto-tuned mediocrity here is a British band that consistently crafts fantastic music that surprises reviewers and fans alike.

 

A Matter Of Life And Death Track List:  

 

1. Different World

2. These Colours Don't Run

3. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns

4. The pilgrim

5. The Longest Day 

6. Out Of The Shadows

7. The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Bregg

8. For The Greater Good Of God

9. Lord Of Light

10. The Legacy