Oswald Slain / "Heaven Is The Place"

    

The Skinny Review:
"Heaven Is The Place" is the latest single from Oswald Slain. It pays heartfelt tribute to his neighbourhood pub, capturing both its comfort and complexities through the artist's wit and poignant storytelling style. Propelled by energetic percussion and emotionally charged vocals, the song is warm and intimate, with an underlying indie rock anthem vibe.

In Their Own Words:
“There is an inevitable breaking point that I feel this song reflects. Between success, failure and everything in between. I often feel trapped in purgatory waiting for something to happen as an artist, surrendering to hope and suffocated by anxiety. Though there are moments, and more so recently where clarity, acceptance and a humbling gratefulness step in and take over. This song was always that for me. A moment of clarity. It took me a year to write this song. I had the first bit for a year and just couldn’t finish it. Then I started drinking again and it happened pretty easy. There’s a pub I had my first pint in, after my hiatus from drinking, called Sugar Loaf in Bristol. I guess Heaven Is The Place is a love letter to the present and my favourite pub.”

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Ellie Heath / Pushing Forty

    

The Skinny Review:
Canadian singer-songwriter Ellie Heath blends a multitude of styles in her debut album, Pushing Forty. Using influences from pop, synth, indie, and rock, Ellie hits the mark on the the varying feelings during a new life chapter. The album's lead single, "The Sunshine's Mine" is the perfect introduction to the themes, and to the artist herself, with it's bright pop-rock sound.

In Their Own Words:
“Pushing Forty began as a way to document a specific season of life,” Ellie explains. “I was entering the final year of my thirties, moving in with my partner, settling into a home and just about to welcome a dog into our lives. It felt like I was closing certain doors while opening others and I wanted to capture that emotional crossroads; the excitement and the nerves!”

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Your Friend, Death / "Oh Come On!"

    

The Skinny Review:
The latest single from Your Friend, Death is a catchy alt-rock song with big guitar riffs and an energetic sound. It tells the story of trying to hold on to a past relationship before realizing you're better off moving on. Blending catchy melodies with a confident message of self-worth, “Oh Come On!” is a solid rock anthem that leaves a lasting impression.

In Their Own Words:
“Oh Come On!” tells the story of chasing a past lover who’s already moved on and committed to someone else. The lyrics capture the tension of reckless longing and romantic self-destruction, having to put on a facade while knowing you missed your chance. “Our favourite lyric that engulfs the story of the song is: ‘I’ve got room for one more heartache, but that's not enough, not even for me’.”

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ARK IDENTITY / "Closer"

    

The Skinny Review:
“Closer” is a dreamy indie-synthwave track that blends nostalgic sounds with honest songwriting to capture the feeling of chasing big goals. Inspired by Noah Mroueh’s personal journey, it balances excitement and reflection, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere. The result is an emotional, feel-good song that stays with you long after it ends.

In Their Own Words:
“One of my favourite lines is ‘Coming home from Hollywood leaves me wanting more.’ That lyric captures the song’s essence, the feeling of chasing something bigger and realizing no matter how close you get, there’s always another level you want to reach,” Noah explains, “I hope listeners connect to the message and are inspired to pursue their own dreams and passions.”


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Matthew Ryan Jacobs / "Slow Down"

    

The Skinny Review:
Matthew Ryan Jacobs is back with “Slow Down,” a slow-burning single that stands out with its unique structure and reflective lyrics. The song feels personal yet open-ended, with the artist's usual knack for great lyrics. Smooth vocals and a sharp blend of folk and indie rock give the track a rich and engaging sound.

In Their Own Words:
“The inspiration behind “Slow Down” was to just be honest,” says Matthew Ryan Jacobs. “I wrote almost all of the lyrics before there was any of the music. It also seems that the more personal a song is, the less I typically want to say about it. I don’t think it’s too cryptic, so if you’re listening closely, you can probably figure some of it out.”

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MOONRIIVR / "Force of Habit"

    

The Skinny Review:
"Force of Habit" mixes upbeat indie rock energy with a darker emotional edge, as well as vintage-inspired rhythms and surfy guitar tones. The song moves from feelings of loss and frustration into a loud, emotional ending that feels freeing and powerful. The newest single from the upcoming album,  MOONRIIVR Vol. 2, it balances catchy momentum with genuine emotional weight.

In Their Own Words:
At its core, “Force of Habit” is “...about letting go of the past and searching for a new way forward,” the band explains. That emotional arc drives the song’s momentum. What begins as reflective and restrained gradually unravels into beautiful, noisy chaos.

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Flair / "Ritual"

    

The Skinny Review:
“Ritual” is a dark and gripping release from Flair, capturing the harsh realities of addiction and mental struggle. The band builds an eerie atmosphere with distorted voices and raw lyricism, giving the track a heavy emotional weight throughout. Taken from their forthcoming EP For Lack of a Better Word, the single shows Flair continuing to sharpen their intense post-indie sound.

In Their Own Words:
"Ritual is a hate letter to addiction, and to the ritual of crack dependency. This track was originally our second ever single release. With high hopes as it really was our first attempt at deep, meaningful lyrics that portrayed who we are as a band. As the song has grown and developed, we felt strongly that we should match its growth with a fresh new recording and breathe new life into a song that gets our strongest crowd reaction. We felt Ritual demonstrated the darker, grittier side of our sound, and the perfect complement to Nausea, reminding you that it's always darkest before the dawn."

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