Succulents / "Underdog"

    

The Skinny Review:
Indie newcomers Succulents make their debut with "Underdog," a song shaped by a period of seclusion and introspection. The track feels personal and intimate, with a wistful warmth and a sense of nostalgia. Mixing a lo-fi style with rock riffs, the poppy harmonies bring it all together in a catchy and accessible indie package.

In Their Own Words:
“’Underdog’ centres on a mischievous protagonist deliberately trying to provoke their partner, delighting in pushing buttons and watching the sparks fly. There’s a darkly playful edge to the narrative, not unlike the gleeful antagonism found in The Twits, wrapped in warm, fuzzed-out indie-pop textures.
 
"It started life as an acoustic, finger picking song and then I realised it would be better louder. At the time I was also playing in a kraut-punk band called Chew Magna and I was really into Can and kraut-rock middle eights, so there’s an obvious nod to that time in my life too.”

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Arkells ft. GROUPLOVE / "Ride"

    

The Skinny Review:
Arkells return with “Ride,” the fourth single from their upcoming album, Between Us. The single is a light, summery track featuring GROUPLOVE, and leans into an easygoing, feel-good vibe. With GROUPLOVE’s striking vocals balancing beautifully with Arkells’ indie-pop style, the song feels both uplifting and familiar.

In Their Own Words:
“On its face, the song is about riding a bike in the city,” admits frontman Max Kerman. “That unbridled feeling of pedaling along to the song in your head.  But beneath the surface, the bike's a metaphor. When life tries to bribe you with a litany of material things, can a simple, utilitarian object like a bicycle be all you need? We asked GROUPLOVE to join us because when Christian and Hannah sing together, we feel a chemical reaction to their voices. That pure, explosive freedom we needed in the song.” 

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Matthew Ryan Jacobs / "Never Tear Us Apart"

    

The Skinny Review:
Matthew Ryan Jacobs recently released a deluxe version of his self-titled EP, featuring a few added acoustic version of his songs as well as a new cover of an old classic, INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart". While the song has been covered many times over the years, Matthew's take is a refreshing one, keeping true to the original but also keeping his signature sound and style. It's a beautiful indie folk version, full of depth.


In Their Own Words:
““Never Tear Us Apart” is a song I have loved for as long as I can remember,” he says. “My older sister had Kick on a cassette as a kid, and I remember always listening to this song on little ‘80s boom box in her room. I’ve covered it live a few times over the years, and decided to give it try in my studio. 
I tried to stay fairly true to the original in terms of arrangement and how the song builds but used the sounds and vibe that I would have used if I had written the song myself.”


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The Boxer Rebellion / "The Satellite Above"

   

The Skinny Review:
The latest single from The Boxer Rebellion's upcoming seventh album looks at how real human connection is slowly slipping away. The song is carried by a catchy groove and smooth, rolling basslines that open into bright, memorable choruses. With themes of jealousy and sadness, it reflects the pressure to compare ourselves to others and the gap between being constantly connected and still feeling alone.

In Their Own Words:
“It’s a reflection on the type of society we currently live in - constantly monitored, observed, and living for the curiosity and entertainment of others. Our every move is tracked, our every action recorded. We have forgotten what it is to live without such distraction, to truly be in the moment, and instead we are forced into this never-ending ‘carousel of envy’ as we measure our own lives against the lives of others.”

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Baby's First Pistol / "Affirmation Celebration"

   

The Skinny Review:
“Affirmation Celebration” flips self-help language into something loud and sarcastic, taking aim at hustle culture and empty positivity. The in-your-face sound blends post-punk and noise rock, making the track feel raw and energetic. At its core, the song questions what happens when personal growth matters more than looking out for others.

In Their Own Words:
““Affirmation Celebration” is a political satire loosely masquerading as a self-help anthem,” says the band. “It takes the language of self-affirmations and toxic positivity while placing it against a furious backdrop of rising far-right populism, corporate consolidation, and widening inequality. The song mocks the idea that repeating the right phrases, buying the right products, or leaning into hustle culture can somehow protect us from systems designed to extract, divide, and control. It’s about how optimism becomes a coping mechanism when collective action is replaced with self-branding.”

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Gay Nineties / "Internet, Sex & Drugs"

   

The Skinny Review:
Vancouver band Gay Nineties bring a fast, catchy energy to “Internet, Sex & Drugs,” mixing sharp lyrics with a feeling of romantic tension. The song blends indie rock with touches of new wave and power pop, and explores how constant distraction can get in the way of real connection. With its bright sound, and a bit of humour, it feels both nostalgic and modern at the same time.

In Their Own Words:
 “After a full week of bashing my head against the wall every day, the chorus fell out of my mouth and the song wrote itself very quickly,” explains lead vocalist/bassist Parker Bossley. Inspired in part by the emotional dynamic of Robert Palmer’s song “Johnny & Mary,” the narrative follows a relationship unfolding in real time where one person reaches for something genuine while the other remains consumed by hollow distractions.

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The Trampoline Delay / Tandem Bike

  

The Skinny Review:
With “Tandem Bike,” The Trampoline Delay step away from big indie-rock choruses and sink into a denser, shoegaze-inspired sound built on texture, distortion, and mood.The track unexpectedly transformed during its creation, becoming louder, heavier, and far more atmospheric than first imagined. Anchored by Pete Marino’s introspective lyrics, "Tandem Bike" offers a relatable look at the idea of not needing to carry everything alone.

In Their Own Words: 

"'Tandem Bike' started as a song I was writing for someone else,” says frontman Pete Marino. “I met a local singer whose voice I really liked and thought it would be interesting to write something specifically for her. Before I even started, I asked if she had a theme or idea she connected with. The only thing that really landed was a tattoo she shared with a close friend, a tandem bike. They’d both been through a lot and got the tattoos as a quiet way of saying, ‘we’ve got each other’.”

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