Alex Gallacher

Anna McLuckie’s ‘The Little Winters’ is a profound exploration of Cianalas—a deep, Gaelic sense of displacement. Her lead single, “Bitten Winter Skin,” serves as the record’s intellectual and emotional anchor, traversing the seasonal frosts of the soul and transforming the bitterness of transition into a resilient botanical metaphor.

London art-rock outfit Modern Woman will release their debut album, Johnny’s Dreamworld, on May 1st via One Little Independent Records. Fronted by Sophie Harris, the band fuses post-punk and folk into a cinematic exploration of “the strange poetry within the ordinary.” New single ‘Dashboard Mary’ is out now, accompanied by a 16mm film, self-directed by Harris and arriving just as the group embarks on a European tour with Ezra Furman.

The Notwist return with “How the Story Ends,” a vibrant, percussive reimagining of the Lovers’ folk original. Taken from their upcoming album, News from Planet Zombie, the track balances the tension of our modern era with a warm, collaborative spirit. By blending indie-pop energy with thoughtful guest arrangements, the band transforms a simple cover into a profound meditation on time and resilience.

Composer and puppeteer Tristan Allen returns with Osni the Flare, a mythic sequel exploring the origins of fire. Through “Act I: Garden,” Allen weaves an intricate tapestry of ocarinas and wordless vocals. The accompanying video documents a haunting “puppet ballet” filmed at La MaMa, bringing the mortal Osni’s transformation to life through experimental sound design and the ancient art of puppetry.

David Moore of Bing & Ruth unveils “Offering,” a mesmerizing preview of his solo piano debut, Graze the Bell. The track’s meditative, flickering keys explore the “human condition” through a trance-like ritual. The accompanying video, directed by Nick Vranizan, is a technical marvel that eschews generative AI in favour of human impulse.

L.Y.R. announce their third album, Dark Sky Reservation, out 3rd April via Real World Records. Featuring Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Patrick J. Pearson, and Richard Walters, the project explores the “messed-up weather” of our modern world. New single “Blah! Blah! Blah!” is out now, ahead of an extensive UK tour including a headline performance at London’s ICA this May.

Ora Cogan’s Sacred Bones debut, Hard Hearted Woman, arrives March 13th. Preceded by the smoky, psych-folk lead single and Paloma Ruiz-Hernandez-Directed video “Honey,” the album is a shimmering exploration of resilience and mystery. Recorded in British Columbia, it blends shadowy country with experimental textures, capturing the tension between isolation and collective joy. Cogan kicks off an international tour in Vancouver this March, including UK and Ireland dates.

North Carolina’s Anjimile announces his new album, You’re Free to Go, out March 13th. Led by the tender single and video “Like You Really Mean It,” the record marks a shift toward organic, folk-inspired sensibilities and nostalgic, late-’90s alternative pop melodies. Produced by Brad Cook and featuring Sam Beam, the project explores transformation, non-monogamy, and the courage to find liberation through vulnerability and “messy grace.”

Tashi Dorji returns with “burn the throne,” a haunting new single from his upcoming album, “low clouds hang, this land is on fire.” Accompanied by a monochrome video by Philippe Léonard, the track trades Dorji’s signature acoustic friction for meditative, reverb-drenched ambience. “Barbed with intention, it is a declaration of war rooted unshakably in peace.”

Katherine Priddy returns on March 6 with her third album, These Frightening Machines, via Cooking Vinyl. Priddy has just shared her new single “Hurricane” and accompanying video by Jay Bartlett; the record marks a bold evolution of her sound. Produced by Rob Ellis, the album explores womanhood and transition, supported by in-store dates followed by an extensive UK headline tour throughout April and May 2026.

This week’s brew draws the lens onto some of the new releases that are brightening up the short days of winter, including new tunes from Dry Cleaning, Iron & Wine, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Buck Meek and more.

A special subscriber Mixtape featuring Dick Gaughan in session for John Peel (1977), Alasdair Roberts, Dorothy Elliott, Robin Williamson, James Yorkston (Radio Session), Angel Olsen, Pentangle, Bonnie “Prince” Billy (with Meg Baird and Greg Weeks), Big Eyes Family Players & Friends (w. Adrian Crowley, Nancy Elizabeth and Elle Osborne) and Mike & Cara Gangloff and Kurt Vile paying tribute to Clive Palmer.