Songs of the Week - 25/05/2026
These are the essential tracks you need to check out this week!
Alessi Rose - 'Skin'
Alessi Rose has made her return with new single ‘Skin’, the first new music put out since last year's 'Voyeur (Deluxe)' EP. The track sits in that space where self‑reflection turns into something sharper, leaning into the feeling of losing your sense of self while trying to keep everyone else happy. In true Alessi Rose fashion, the emotional weight of the lyrics is paired with a vibrant production that lifts the tension without softening the impact. It is yet another incredible artist from the UK's next global superstar.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise - 'Never Have Ever'
‘Never Have I Ever’ finds Rainbow Kitten Surprise leaning into a darker, slow‑burn energy that suits them incredibly well. This new release moves with a steady pulse that keeps tightening until the chorus opens up into something that sounds rather euphoric. It feels like a song built from long nights and long tours, culminating in a release that feels tailor made for festival fields. Alongside their March single ‘Sixteen’, it sets the tone for what’s shaping up to be a standout 2026 for RKS.
piri - 'sex dreams do cum tru'
piri continues to make the most of this new solo era with 'sex dreams do cum tru’, a track that pushed her sound to new heights. It's a genre-blending release that intertwines jazz aspects into the alt-pop sound that piri has become so well known for. It is a bold combination which has resulted in a song unlike anything I have heard before, and that's exactly what's made me love it so much. There’s a real sense of experimentation, acting as a sharp preview of what piri's highly anticipated debut album might hold.
Maisi and the Disco - 'DISCO!'
Maisi steps into her new chapter as Maisi and the Disco with ‘DISCO!’, a track that feels built for the kind of night out you never want to end. It carries the same spark that’s always run through her music but with a louder, brighter edge that leans into the party world she’s been building with Cxnty School Disco. The song taps into that feeling of refusing to grow up and choosing fun every time, driven by an instrumental that sounds bigger and more experimental than ever.
The XCERTS - 'rinse repeat'
The XCERTS continue the build towards their new album i think i want to go home now. with new single ‘rinse repeat’. The track sits in the heavier, more reflective corner of their sound. The guitars feel raw and close, and the chorus lands with a relatable energy that has run through their recent work. It’s a powerful moment from a band who know how to turn difficult years into something that feels lived in and real.
Lois - 'Small Town Party Girl'
Lois builds on her stellar 2025 with her first release of the year, ‘Small Town Party Girl’, a track that bottles the kind of messy, glittery energy that carries a night from start to finish. There is a real sense of Northern nightlife nostalgia running throughout, but really it’s a song that will bring a smile to anyone who grew up somewhere small and had to find their own glamour in it. That doesn’t mean it’s only relatable to them though. Its shimmer, humour and warmth tap into something universal about wanting to feel larger than the place you’re from.
ROREY - 'Sudden Death'
‘Sudden Death’ pulls you straight into the intensity ROREY writes from, capturing the space where desire and self‑awareness blur together. Her vocal has an ethereal edge that sits in sharp contrast to guitars that feel rough around the edges. That contrast mirrors the tension in the lyrics in a way that feels deliberate without being overstated. The result is dark, hypnotic and strangely comforting, the kind of track that lingers long after it ends.
Lauren Amour - 'Billie Jean Is My Best Friend'
Lauren Amour puts a clever twist on a pop classic with ‘Billie Jean Is My Best Friend’, turning a familiar story on its head without leaning on nostalgia for the sake of it. The track moves with bright, punchy production that gives Lauren’s concept plenty of space to breathe, while still standing strong as a song in its own right. It feels like a fresh way of playing with something everyone thinks they already know, and Amour pulls it off with real confidence.
The Redwood Twins - 'Kaleidoscope'
‘Kaleidoscope’ shows how naturally Redwood Twins can turn something simple into something that stays with you. The acoustic arrangement running through the track feels warm and steady, and the harmonies fall into place with an ease that gives it a quietly catchy pull. It’s gentle and thoughtful, built for the moments when you need something honest to hold onto, in this case long‑distance friendship. The whole “song of the summer” line is beyond cliché at this point, but this is the kind of release that could wear that tag proudly.
Cherry i - 'Arctic Sun'
Cherry i push their sound into something darker with ‘Arctic Sun’, a track filled with sharp vocals and tightly wound instrumentation that completely stopped me on my tracks upon first listen. There is a real emotional, almost theatrical, feel running throughout the entire track, capturing the rush of wanting something uncomplicated and the frustration that follows when it slips out of reach. It is artistry to the fullest.
Anneka Shelley - 'Graceful Touch'
‘Graceful Touch’ marks Anneka Shelley’s first solo release in five years, arriving with a softness that feels instantly inviting. The track moves with a warm summery feel that lifts Anneka's vocals without ever overcrowding it. This allows the song's emotional weight to sit right at the surface, highlighting the tenderness of the songwriting. It’s a thoughtful, quietly romantic return that lands perfectly.
For the Birds - 'Junebug'
‘Junebug’ drifts in with an easy groove that feels sun‑soaked and unhurried, blending soft beats with bright synth touches that give the track a shimmer perfect for the summer months ahead. Layered harmonies pull everything together with an almost vintage glow. The result is a gentle look at the early rush of a romance and the reality that follows, carried by production that keeps things moving even when the lyrics turn reflective.
Jenny Gillespie Mason - 'Medicine of Light'
This week's Songs of the Week are rounded out by Jenny Gillespie Mason's stunning new release, ‘Medicine of Light’. The single opens with a soft, almost angelic feel, built around stripped string-backed instrumentals and a vocal that feels calm and clear. It’s a powerful preview of In the Safety of the Light, Jenny's new album arriving 12 June, which looks set to be a real work of art.
