Songs of the Week - 04/05/2026
These are the essential tracks you need to check out this week!
Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato
Bellah Mae - 'Salt and Sugar'
Bellah Mae has continued her sensational 2026 with the surprise release of 'Salt and Sugar', the first taste of her upcoming EP 'Keep It Peachy'. The song captures the feeling of realising someone was never who you thought they were, delivering this relatable experience with the sharp wit and unapologetic honesty that has always made Bellah Mae's music so hard to ignore. It is another exciting statement from an artist who shows no signs of slowing down.
Mathilda Homer - 'Cathedral Walls'
Mathilda Homer follows up her recent comeback single 'Pretty In Blue' with the stunning new track, 'Cathedral Walls'. It is a song which may be the most personal Mathilda has ever put out and that emotion can be heard in every line sang. A hushed and deeply moving track about growing up alongside someone and choosing them at every turn, it is a song which really highlights the powerful songwriting abilities Mathilda possesses.
Borderline - 'That Girl'
New Zealand four-piece Borderline have announced the news of their highly anticipated debut self-titled album with new single 'That Girl'. The song is an absolute joy from start to finish, drenched in vintage synths and a modernised take on a retro energy. It is the sound of a band completely letting loose and having the time of their lives doing it. If the rest of the album sounds anything like this, June cannot come soon enough.
False Advertising - 'Next Big Thing'
False Advertising have just dropped their rapturous new album 'The Sorry Window', their first full-length release in six years. There are a number of standout tracks on the record, but for me, the pick of the bunch is 'Next Big Thing', a track that perfectly captures the friction between raw ambition and the creeping reality of self-doubt. It is a confrontational, self-aware anthem driven by a real post-punk urgency. This whole record feels like a band reinvigorated, channelling their frustration into a sound that is both melodic and wonderfully frantic.
Tom A. Smith - 'Put On A Record Tommy'
Tom A. Smith has reached new heights with his highly anticipated EP, led by the electrifying title track 'Put On A Record Tommy'. It is another confident step into this new chapter, blending driving indie rhythms with a theatrical, almost spoken-word edge that feels truly euphoric. It is a sonic world where the party is in full swing, but a deeper sense of vulnerability lingers just beneath the surface. The whole EP brings even more proof as to why Tom A. Smith is one of the UK’s most vital emerging voices.
Grace Calver - 'Love Me Not (Lounge Version)'
Grace Calver has hinted at a potential new era with the reimagined 'Love Me Not - Lounge Version'. The track sees her revisit a 2023 single, bringing it into 2026 with a stripped-back lounge styling that allows those vocals and musicality to truly take centre stage. It is a brilliant rework that highlights an immense growth as an artist, trading the energy of the original for a more intimate and nuanced atmosphere. This just highlights how versatile Grace's music is and builds even more excitement for what comes next.
Juliet Daniel - 'Jane Austen'
Last week saw Juliet Daniel release 'Jane Austen', a dreamy indie-pop track that feels like the ultimate soundtrack to a 2000s coming of age movie. The song blends a nostalgic glow with an anthemic chorus to explore the messy process of identity and self-discovery. Written during a period of change in Juliet's life, it captures the tension of choosing riskier paths in life. The result is a soaring indie gem that has not left my head since first listen.
Natalie Gray - 'Favourite'
Natalie Gray has just dropped her first solo release of the year, 'Favourite', a track that builds on the fun, dance-pop energy of her releases last year. It’s a flirty, infectious single that sees her doubling down on the sound she loves. By leaning even further into this unapologetic pop lane, Natalie sounds more confident than ever and that energy is completely contagious. You cannot help but want to move from first note to last, resulting in an absolute floor filler of a track
Madison Steinbruck - 'losers'
Madison Steinbruck has just released 'losers', a witty indie-pop admission to having questionable taste. Written as a lighthearted response to "poor taste allegations" from her friends, the track balances a sense of humility with relatable songwriting and infectious melodies. It shows Madison at her most authentic, delivering a sun-soaked anthem for anyone who has ever been told their choices are a bit suspect. As the third single from her upcoming EP, set for release in August, 'losers' is a brilliant taster of what’s to come.
Lianne Kaye - 'Doll'
Lianne Kaye has delivered her most vulnerable work to date with the euphoric new single 'Doll'. A poignant exploration of perfectionism and the heavy burden of growing up without the room to make mistakes, the track captures a rare balance of emotional honesty and sonic power. The soaring chorus feels like a genuine release of all that built-up pressure, providing a powerful reminder that being honest about the hard things is its own kind of strength.
Dolly Doops - 'I Need A Doctor'
Dolly Doops returns with 'I Need A Doctor', a stirring release that delves into the mental overload and "brain freeze" that comes with a neurodivergent mind. The track opens with a stripped-back nature before building into an expansive blend of synth-pop and darker sonic textures. It is an intentional shift that mirrors the internal escalation of a busy brain, pairing playful lyricism with a deep sense of empathy. It feels like a release which is so personal to Dolly Doops but will also mean so much to so many others.
Egotist - 'Persephone'
Egotist continue their momentous year with 'Persephone', a brooding alt-rock track that pushes their sound to new heights. Drawing on the Ancient Greek myth of yearning and forbidden love, the song is the darkest instalment yet from their upcoming EP 'An Ending'. Poetic lyricism is paired with a borderline-gothic aesthetic to create a real standout track. Recorded largely live to maintain that gritty, backroom feel, it captures the raw power of the Manchester outfit, proving why they are a real must-watch band.
laney lebo - 'Bitch'
Laney Lebo reveals her bold new single 'Bitch', a track that captures the Nashville songwriter at her most self-assured. Driven by razor-sharp lyricism, the song is a defiant celebration of refusing to apologise for who you are. It is a perfect introduction to Lebo's "sexy-sad" sound, balancing melancholic storytelling with a wink of drama and a level of confidence that marks her as a real artist to watch.
fina rina - 'Lucky Escape'
fina rina has just shared her stellar debut single 'Lucky Escape'. Carrying melodic neo-soul hooks throughout, the track captures the emotional messiness of moving on while still wanting to dance through the chaos. Created following a fresh breakup, it is a flirty, honest anthem that balances bite with catchiness. It’s a bold introduction that puts fina rina's personality front and centre, and based on this first outing, she’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Liilo Leon - 'Edge of the Sky'
This week's Songs of the Week are rounded out by Liilo Leon's 'Edge of the Sky'. The track opens with an atmospheric choral section that instantly pulls you into Liilo's world, before shifting gears into a cinematic blend of R&B and alt-pop. It’s a bold, well-executed introduction to this new project, highlighting Liilo Leon as an artist who has a real knack for building tension and knowing exactly when to let it snap. It makes the prospect of what’s coming next very exciting.
