Hungry / "Cambridge Is On Fire"

  

The Skinny Review:
Manchester band HUNGRY are back with their new single, “Cambridge Is On Fire,” packed with loud guitars and raw energy. After a big 2025 that saw them tour the UK with Gans and release their debut EP Are You The Best Yet?, the band return with a heavier sound and sharp, sarcastic lyrics. The song looks to history for inspiration, linking old enclosure laws to modern-day greed, and marks the start of a new run of “fenland gothic” releases.

In Their Own Words:
“The song began as a knowingly daft pastiche of noughties indie built on a silly bassline, ironic guitars and exaggerated Americanisms before our warped, post-punk-pop sensibilities kicked in. Scattered all over that is the thematic basis for the lyrics, expressing our frustrations with middle-class comforts, over-analysis without action, nimbyism, intellectual cowardice as a stand-in for material change and all too easy deference to business and power.
 
“The vast, desolate expanse of the fens, formed through profit-driven intervention, mirrors the cultural landscape we exist in, which struggles to thrive and breathe under cuts and times of national hardship. We’re looking to investigate the idea of the English nation and its role in mutual assistance and what we choose to celebrate as ‘England’.”

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Gatlin Black / "Lazy Susan"

  

The Skinny Review:
Gatlin Black return with their third single, “Lazy Susan,” a catchy track with an infectious melody. The song looks at the pain of watching someone fall deeper into addiction, repeating the same mistakes over and over, but it comes from a place of care rather than judgment. Recorded live to capture their raw energy, it closes with a hopeful message that change is possible and it’s never too late to turn things around.

In Their Own Words:
““Lazy Susan” is about watching someone slowly disappear into addiction,” says frontman Jake Weckwerth. “Caught in repetitive behaviors, burning bridges, and circling the same mistakes until there’s nothing left. It’s inspired by real people and real losses, not from a place of judgment, but from frustration, sadness, and helplessness. The title reflects that endless spinning, motion without progress, where everything looks the same no matter how many times it turns.”

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Alberta Cross / "Toy Soldiers"

    

The Skinny Review:
Alberta Cross cut loose on “Toy Soldiers,” a propulsive and gritty track that thrives on restless energy and sharp-edged momentum. Jagged synth lines and swirling guitars lock in with driving drums, creating a sound that feels chaotic yet deliberate, capturing tension without losing its sense of purpose. Lyrically shaped by the weight of the world rather than forced answers, the song turns uncertainty into a defiant surge of hope, amplified by its raw, live-band recording spirit.

In Their Own Words:
“There’s a heaviness running through the track, but it wasn’t something we chased - it’s just the world bleeding into the music. The song wrestles with uncertainty, but it doesn’t fake solutions. Recorded as a raw power trio with members from The Vaccines and The Temperance Movement at the legendary Wool Hall Studios (The Smiths, Tears For Fears).”

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Brain Leak / Put Back Together EP

    

The Skinny Review:
Brain Leak’s Put Back Together EP captures a turbulent period of early sobriety with unflinching honesty, turning vulnerability into something empowering. Led by Tara-Gabriella Engelhardt’s introspective songwriting and backed by a formidable lineup of UK alternative musicians, the collection traces emotional collapse, coping, and the slow work of rebuilding. Its deliberately varied production gives each track a distinct edge.

In Their Own Words:
The EP’s creation was intentionally fragmented; each track shaped in a different sonic setting by a different producer. “It’s a Frankenstein production in the best way,” Engelhardt explains. “This year I wanted to explore my sound, see how other people work, and figure out what I want for the next body of work.”

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Maddy Little / "All My Fault"

    

The Skinny Review:
“All My Fault” is a tender indie alt-pop track that unpacks self-doubt, emotional push-and-pull, and the realization that love shouldn’t hurt this much. With minimal, stripped-down production, the song lets its vulnerability breathe. The single lands as both a goodbye to a damaging chapter and a confident step toward self-worth.

In Their Own Words:
Built around a stripped-back, organic production style, “All My Fault” keeps its focus firmly on emotion. Little explores the toll of being caught in a cycle of unmet commitment, questioning her worth while mistaking manipulation for affection. “I was constantly either being blamed, or blaming myself,” she explains. “I didn’t think I was good enough, or I felt too weak to walk away from a situation where I wasn’t valued.”

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Birthday Squirrel / "Marc Maron"

  

The Skinny Review:
Birthday Squirrel’s first full-length album, Higher, Warmer, confidently weaves together alt-rock, folk, and psychedelic sounds with a cozy, offbeat spirit all its own. The record feels playful and inventive, embracing a warm, DIY charm that’s easy to love. The album's focus single is a fun, hooky tribute inspired by one of Frolick’s favorite entertainers, the inimitable Marc Maron.

In Their Own Words:
“I discovered the WTF podcast during the pandemic and immediately fell in love with it,” he says. “MM is a great interviewer and because he's so honest about his myriad of personal issues, he has the rare ability to get people to open up about theirs. He doesn't pretend to be perfect and he's funny to boot. That honesty is what hooked me -- you just feel like he's giving you everything, warts and all which is such a beautiful thing. In a world where 'empathy' has become a bit of a dirty word, Maron is a champion of the underdog. I listened to a lot of episodes while out for "pandemic walks" and after a while, it just felt like he was a pal I hung out with a couple times a week. When the podcast ended, I needed to do something to express my gratitude.”

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Desiree Dorion / "Red Wine"

 

The Skinny Review:
“Red Wine” is a warm, witty country song that finds humour and honesty in loneliness, inspired by quiet nights spent in familiar company. Built on classic country sounds like steel guitar and fiddle, the track feels timeless. With shared vocals and a strong sense of togetherness, it comes across as a heartfelt tribute to the small comforts that help us get through.

In Their Own Words:
“‘Red Wine” is a love song to wine being my best friend during COVID, and the boring lonely nights red wine got me through. It’s a classic Country song, shaped by the influence of the legendary Country greats like Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton.”

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