Songs of the Week - 14/07/2025
These are the 10 tracks you need to check out this week!
Mabes - 'No Regrets'
This week’s Songs of the Week kick off with ‘No Regrets’, the defiant comeback single from Mabes. Returning as an independent artist must be daunting, particularly after a four-year break, but with a song this strong, Mabes should indeed have ‘No Regrets’. Her soulful vocals throughout pair perfectly with the vibrant backing, delivering a real positive message of self-love and self-worth. Blending her familiar folk-inspired roots with a fresh pop soundscape, ‘No Regrets’ marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one that could see Mabes rise higher than ever before.
Au/Ra - 'CRACK!'
Alt-pop artist Au/Ra has stepped into the second act of her musical career with the stellar new track ‘CRACK!’, a gritty, emotionally charged anthem that explores the emptiness of modern existence and challenges the false sense of connection in today’s hyper-digital age. When creating such a dynamic alt-pop song with so many textured elements, it can be easy for the sentiment of the track to be lost, yet Au/Ra has managed to ensure the emotional brilliance of ‘CRACK!’ remains very much at the forefront, providing an exciting introduction to the new narrative-driven approach she’s embracing in her releases.
Lois - 'SEVEN'
‘SEVEN’ marks Lois’ third spectacular release of the year, and in turn her third appearance in my Songs of the Week. The song is an introspective yet soaring soundtrack to becoming a new version of yourself. Lois’ ethereal vocals glide throughout, occasionally lifted by a catchy, chant-like backing that adds even more texture. Soaked in nostalgia, it perfectly captures a coming-of-age moment, feeling tailor-made for the summer season. ‘SEVEN’ also acts as the last single release before Lois’ highly anticipated sophomore EP, which will undoubtedly be one of the year’s best.
Kanadia - 'Too Late Now'
After releasing ‘Going Nowhere’ at the back end of May, alt-rockers Kanadia are back with their second single of the year, ‘Too Late Now’, which also acts as the band’s second single from upcoming album ‘The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home’, set for release on September 26th. This mercurial release flawlessly blends moments of soft delicate guitar work with thunderous indie riffs and anthemic choruses, capturing ,perfectly the threads of darkness that exist amongst moments of radiant clarity. ‘Too Late Now’ is one of the four-pieces most accomplished releases to date, and offers an exciting preview for the upcoming LP.
Amber T - 'Don't Give Me That Look'
Last week saw long-time SBTM favourite Amber T release her first track of 2025, ‘Don’t Give Me That Look’, a standout track that fuses indie guitar lines with rich piano melodies, delivering an empowering message about pushing through even when progress feels stagnant. Writing the song as a pep-talk to herself in moments of procrastination, Amber has managed to create a track that is as infectious as it is relatable. Her vocals are as good as they have ever been, elevated further by a vibrant backdrop that adds warmth and depth throughout.
zara smile - 'Fight Back'
Another incredible new single released last week was zara smile’s ‘Fight Back’, a raw and powerful exploration of imposter syndrome. The track sees zara lay bare the quiet turmoil of self-doubt and the fear of not being enough with haunting vulnerability and sharp lyrical precision. Further stamping her mark on the alt-folk scene, zara has perfectly captures the emotional weight that can come with simply trying to keep going, even when it feels like you're fighting a losing battle. Her vocal work throughout is impeccable, capturing perfectly the emotional depth of the situation to deliver a moving performance.
Maphe - 'you're so cool'
Electro-pop artist Maphe also released her newest single last week, ‘you’re so cool’, delving into the hidden pain of unrequited love and the bittersweet act of pretending a casual relationship is enough. Despite the song’s sombre theme, Maphe has crafted an irresistibly catchy, upbeat track that creates a striking, almost ironic contrast to its heartfelt lyrics. Describing the song as a ‘self-aware tragedy’, Maphe has created a track that is strikingly brilliant on first listen, and yet somehow grows richer with every listen.
Emily Alice - 'Muse'
Another long-time SBTM favourite who released new music last week was Emily Alice. Despite already having more Songs of the Week appearances than I can count, Emily still somehow gets better with every release, and her latest track ‘Muse’ is no exception. Brimming with emotional intensity, ‘Muse’ explores the deep pull of romantic desire and the emotions that come with it. It’s a beautifully tender portrayal of longing, vulnerability, and the quiet hope of becoming essential to another person’s joy, delivered in the most vocally stunning manner.
Pseudopomp - 'Rise & Shine'
London-based duo Pseudopomp have just rounded out their first year together as a band in blistering style with the release of their new single, Rise & Shine. The track channels the disorienting intensity of re-entering society after time away, capturing the uneasy attempt to strike the right tone, only to come off as raw, anxious, and on edge. Musically, the band mirrors this emotional tension, carefully building a sense of alienation and pressure before unleashing a cathartic, explosive second half that brings everything to a head. If this is how Pseudopomp are ending their first year, then I cannot wait to see what the second year has in store.
Moni Jean - 'Don't Stop'
This week’s Songs of the Week are capped off by Moni Jean’s radiant third single, ‘Don’t Stop’. The emotionally charged lyricism captures themes of denial, longing, and the desperate wish to hold onto something that’s already slipping away, exploring the aching in-between space where a relationship is ending, but one person isn’t ready to let go. Moni’s lyrical work continues to impress, delivering deeply personal lyrics that resonate on a truly relatable level. Her vocal work is spellbinding, being complemented perfectly by the song’s indie-pop backing.