Tennyson King / "The Great Unknown"

 

Credit - Jen Squires

The Skinny Review:
Tennyson King’s “The Great Unknown” transforms a terrifying near-drowning experience into an exhilarating folk-rock reflection on mortality, surrender, and the uncertainty of life. The track stands out through its inventive fusion of Western rock and Chinese instrumentation, with the zhongruan 中阮 creating the electric guitar-like sounds.“The Great Unknown” is the artist's latest single from his forthcoming album 100 Cities 百城, out on November 6th.

In Their Own Words:
The inspiration came while Tennyson was freediving and snorkeling near Australia’s Sunshine Coast, where he found himself caught in a current and nearly drowned. The experience eventually became a metaphor for the moments in life when fighting against forces beyond our control only leaves us more exhausted. Rather than continuing to swim against the current, sometimes the only choice is to lean back, catch your breath and allow yourself to be carried somewhere unexpected. 

“The experience became a metaphor for something much larger: the realization that sometimes, no matter how hard we fight, we simply cannot control the current carrying us,” Tennyson explains. “We can exhaust ourselves trying to swim against it, or we can lean back, catch our breath, and surrender to where it takes us.”

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The Falls / "Blink"

 

 

The Skinny Review:
“Blink” captures the thrill and fleeting nature of youth, where life can move so quickly that its most meaningful moments pass before you even realize it. With its poppy imagery and rollercoaster-like sense of momentum, the indie rock track balances the rush of living in the moment with the reality that nothing stays still for long.

In Their Own Words:
“You blink and it’s gone. This scene, this stage, this chapter. So many good people have come before us, and ‘Blink’ reminds us to hold onto it while we can, because it’s relentless and it doesn’t wait. It’s reminiscent of everything that got us here, of the heritage of the Manchester music scene, but it’s already looking forward, re-written the second you look away.”

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Kurtys Kidd / "Out On The Spiral Arm"

 

 

The Skinny Review:
Kurtys Kidd’s new single “Out On The Spiral Arm” is the first release from his upcoming album This Dirty Machine, due out later this month. The single mixes the sound of ’90s grunge and alternative rock with a fresh, modern spin on the genres. The gritty guitars and catchy melodies make it an exciting preview of what’s to come.

In Their Own Words:
“’Out On The Spiral Arm’ is a song about isolating yourself because you're hurt, but then finding out that wherever you go you can find love if you open yourself to it,” Kurtys says of the new single. “Love is all around us in this universe - but you have to be open to it to receive it.”

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Raised On Candy / "Pickle Eyes"

 

The Skinny Review:
Raised On Candy return with “Pickle Eyes,” the first single from their upcoming album Play Marbles on the Turnpike. The track blends catchy melodies with loud guitars and plenty of raw energy, making it an exciting listen from start to finish. It’s a strong introduction to what sounds like a memorable new record.

In Their Own Words:
"This song is about the personal enrichment that comes from having the courage to embrace the people and things that appear to be different from you.  Without curiosity, we are choosing  a life unlived, opting instead for intolerance and ignorance.  Buy the ticket, take the ride," says Joe Penna.

"We assembled this one as sort of a short scale boardwalk roller coaster - set the table with anticipation then let it all go with a couple of nice releases.  After that, we give you a little time to catch your breath then bring it all back around one more time for the big finish. Once it stops, push the bar up and go get some zeppoles."

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Matthew Ryan Jacobs / "Matches"

 

The Skinny Review:
Matthew Ryan Jacobs' new single “Matches” is a warm and heartfelt folk-rock single with strong Americana influences. Its stripped-back arrangement gives the song a natural, authentic feel, while the pedal steel adds a rich, timeless touch. Honest and easy to connect with, “Matches” is a simple yet memorable preview of his upcoming EP.

In Their Own Words:
“”Matches” is about feeling helpless in a situation or feeling a weight that you can’t shake off,” Matthew says. “The chord progression felt so moody and had a vibe, so the lyrics came fairly easy and quick. It was also written during a very difficult time in my life that was totally out of my control, which is the helplessness reflected in the lyrics.”

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Lauren Minnear / "Ghost"

 

The Skinny Review:
Lauren Minear’s “Ghost” is a compelling alternative pop single that pairs infectious energy with deeply personal songwriting. With a powerful chorus and emotionally raw performance, the song explores the feeling of wanting to disappear while still longing to connect with others. Vulnerable and open, “Ghost” delivers a heartfelt listen.

In Their Own Words:
The song grew from Lauren’s own experience of navigating intense emotions, particularly within the demands of parenthood. Feeling everything deeply can sometimes create an urge to numb, isolate, or retreat, but over time she’s come to recognize that distance rarely brings the relief we’re searching for. Instead, “Ghost” became an act of confronting those impulses head-on.

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Junior VP / "Red Cardigan"

  

The Skinny Review:
Junior VP’s new single "Red Cardigan" is a heartfelt indie rock song about the lasting feelings of a first love. With dreamy guitars, catchy melodies and strong drums, it balances sadness with an uplifting feel. There's a very early-2000's indie rock vibe to it, perfect for those craving a bit of nostalgia for their current playlists. The new single offers a preview of their debut album, Do You Feel The Same?, arriving in 2027.

In Their Own Words:
Speaking on the track, vocalist and lyricist Ross Macintosh says, “I think this is one of the only tracks on our upcoming album that has three verses. We usually try to keep songs short, sweet and going in different directions but I really like the narrative that we managed to put together here. It tells the story of a sort of ‘long-lost first love’ and we hope it resonates, or at the very least that people find themselves humming along to the chorus afterwards. It’s a weird one because the chorus lyrics came whilst I was writing the melody, but I have no idea who Grace is… There’s a lot of playfulness in the instruments and magic moments that can only come from being in the studio.”


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