London artist Coupdekat releases her debut album: "Goodbye 2012!". A collection of songs that charts a path back to the unselfconscious optimism of the pre-social media era nodding to electroclash, vapourwave and synthwave styles whilst paying tribute to pioneers like Sophie, Charli XCX, Erika De Casier, MIA and AG Cook. 

Coupdekat aka Katherine Reilly is a co-founder of Loud LDN and has been a key figure in the capital's (hyper)pop revival.

“I wanted this album to be a return to a time before having a phone and social media, before the self-awareness and pressure of being perceived. I missed the freedom and spontaneity of girlhood, I was so much more confident expressing myself back then. I wanted Goodbye 2012! to feel like a return to that moment in time.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Finding her own little smidgen of unclaimed hyperpop territory, somewhere between the boarders of Sophie, Erika De Casier and Charli XCX; we have Coupdekat - who's hyped-up, slickly produced ode to the pre-I-Phone era is a fun, face-paced injection of chaos and charisma. Most recommended.

TRACK LISTING

1. 2012
2. money ft NATHALIA
3. i still think about the band
4. violet
5. kisses
6. mwah
7. crushing blushing rushing!!!!! (⸝⸝⸝>﹏<⸝⸝⸝)
8. lip service
9. heyyy ft Natalie Red + Ruby Bell
10. trashy
11. boldfont
12. this could b something I could feel

YARD are the electrifying three-piece electropunk band from Dublin. Known for their intense and immersive live shows, YARD bridges the gap between electronica and post-punk, creating an auditory onslaught that leaves audiences sweaty, energised, and strangely unnerved.

Since their inception, YARD has shared stages with the likes of A Place To Bury Strangers, Psychotic Monks and Mandy Indiana. Their electrifying live performances, akin to Death Grips, Nine Inch Nails and The Prodigy, have earned them coveted slots at festivals such as Les Transmusicales, Haldern Pop and Into The Great Wide Open.

With a recent live performance on KEXP, continued support from Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 6, Clash and Louder Than War among others, a string of European festival appearances, featured tracks in Netflix’s ‘House of Guinness’ as well as Nicolas Cage’s ‘The Surfer’ and the release of their second self-titled EP, YARD are set to continue their meteoric rise in 2026.

A recent live review captured the YARD experience perfectly: “In their presence, you see and feel them painstakingly crafting every note and sound with their bare hands, wrestling with different sockets, switches, strings, or even their voices. The venue was transformed into this factory of raw, unadulterated noise which kept us all at the mercy of the sound - collectively banging our heads in synchronicity.”

TRACK LISTING

Side A (EP1)
Trevor
Appetite
Slumber
Sunlight

Side B (EP2)
Essential Tremor
Big Shoes
Friction
Lawmaker
Auto Erotic

New Zealand indie trifecta Mermaidens, are set to make a resounding splash in the music scene yet again with the announcement of their fourth self-titled album and release of the project's first single ‘I like to be alone’. The trio, comprising of Gussie Larkin (guitar/vocals), Lily West (bass/vocals), and Abe Hollingsworth (drums), has been on an impressive journey of musical excellence, boasting three critically acclaimed albums, international tours, and a slew of accolades to their name.

With a sound that is both bold and adventurous, Mermaidens' music is a testament to their unwavering creativity and relentless work ethic. Their upcoming self-titled album, a product of the band's tireless efforts between 2019 - 2022, promises to be a captivating sonic journey, delving into themes of self-awareness, introspection, long-term love, and even channelling political anger and frustration.

Recorded mainly at Surgery Studios in Wellington, with the engineering prowess of Lee Prebble and produced by Samuel Flynn-Scott of The Phoenix Foundation fame, the album also saw the band stepping up their production game with Gussie and Lily working their magic with Protools in their DIY home studios, showcasing their growth and versatility as artists.

“Working with Sam has really been a round-trip in our creativity,” as Lily explains, “we grew up listening to Sam’s early records and here we are getting the inside scoop on how to make that kind of magic. Listening to Pegasus today still transports me to a time when I listened to music on a Walkman. In the best possible way - sometimes it felt like we’d added an evil genius to the mix, we’d be working on a song and he’d come in like a mad scientist with fresh ideas to try.”

To give fans a taste of the upcoming album's brilliance, Mermaidens have released new single 'I like to be alone.' The song has been part of the band's live repertoire for a while and explores the fulfilling contentment of being alone and the struggle to convey this sentiment to a partner. Its relatable lyrics capture the essence of cherishing solitude while navigating the complexities of human connections. Gussie's candid and honest approach to self-discovery is complemented by the song's, Michel Gondry inspired video, as Gussie explains:

“The giant jean pocket and denim world were created by Hannah Webster, a textile designer and illustrator based in Wellington. Hannah took all the wild ideas for props and made them come true! I’m still in awe of how she managed to sew a 6x6 metre backdrop for the denim world out of whatever scraps she could find. The video captures our playfulness and sense of humour, and is a hint of what’s to come for the rest of the music videos. I love the way the story wraps up with the three of us together, literally playing “in the pocket”.

TRACK LISTING

1. Highly Strung
2. Sister
3. Foolish
4. I Like To Be Alone
5. Sour Lips
6. Dress For Success
7. Push It
8. Comet
9. Tear It Down
10. Greedy Mouth
11. Siren Song