The first one went down so well that I’m back to rattle through some of the best new music on offer, either recently released or coming in the not-too-distant future. I’ve still got a bit of mileage in the Singles Club metaphor, too – especially since a few of these heavy hitters are going to drop just in time for Valentine’s Day. Get the headphones on and turned up loud, and let us know what you think of these.
First up is “Blackwater” by Edinburgh’s Nothing Speaks. Winners of Bloodstock’s Scottish Metal 2 The Masses final last year, these guys are keeping up the momentum in 2026. Described by the band as their most technical and diverse song to date, the four-piece bring a blend of old-school grunge and a more modern flavour of groove-metal – think Alice In Chains covering Gojira.
The song is rooted in the 90s; the groove, the gritty vocals, the lyrics, and the breakdowns. It would’ve worked well over the load screen of an old WWF game or a fight scene in Buffy. If you’re not a fan of the 90s, don’t worry – the band’s tight and heavy playing, especially the intricate bass work in the middle, and the energy they give on the song is enough for you to spend five minutes with this one. These guys are flying the flag for grunge in 2026 while bringing their own little twist to it. Check them out and give them some love; they deserve to have as many ears on them as possible. “Blackwater” will be released 13th February 2026.
Nothing Speaks: facebook | instagram | spotify
Another band who operate with their own unique blend of styles is Dublin-based Gather The Lost, who are releasing their new single “War At Dawn”. This time, we’ve got a mix of atmospheric alt-rock and some heavier progressive undertones, with the star of the show being Carolyn Dunne’s powerhouse vocals.
If you haven’t heard Gather The Lost, these vocals aren’t going to hit you in the way you think they are. This isn’t your typical alt-metal style; these are low-down, soulful, and brooding vocals that draw you into the song and keep you hooked with sheer intensity. The music under the vocals carries the song along perfectly, providing extra punch and punctuation. The band is gearing up to release their debut album this year, and they’re definitely a band you’ll want to get behind early doors. “War At Dawn” will be released 13th February 2026.
Gather The Lost: official | facebook | instagram | spotify | bandcamp | tiktok | youtube
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After eight years of silence, Arcane Roots are back with a new single that’s worth shouting about. The band have dropped their first new music since 2018 with “A Wave, Across The Sea”. If their absence has left you wanting and you’ve worn out your copy of Melancholia Hymns, then this song will be an overdue treat.
Clocking in at just under six minutes, the track refuses to stay still, evolving from a delicate introduction to a climactic sledgehammer of a close. It’s a massive, progressive return that proves they haven’t lost a step during the hiatus. This is a welcome comeback, and it only builds the anticipation for what’s to come next from them. “A Wave, Across The Sea” was released on 27th January 2026.
Arcane Roots: facebook | twitter | instagram | spotify | youtube
Taken from their upcoming album Above, Below and So, the new single from Matador, “Glitter Skin”, is one you should be excited about. Released on Church Road Records – co-run by two members of the brilliant Employed To Serve and one of the best independent British labels about – it’s a safe bet. If Church Road is putting out a record, it’s worth your time and money.
The song takes its time to draw you in; it’s almost hypnotic in the build-up. It gains your trust over a restrained first half before breaking down into a heavy, crushing soundscape in the vein of Russian Circles. It’s music you want to immerse yourself in. It’s music to let wash over you as it blasts out from the Bixler Stage at ArcTanGent, which is handy because they’re playing the Thursday this year. To quote the first verse, “the fun’s just about to begin”. This song is the perfect set-up to get you ready for the album coming on 27th February 2026. “Glitter Skin” was released 4th February 2026.
Matador: facebook | instagram | spotify | bandcamp | youtube
Brighton’s Chalk Hands are another band getting ready to release an album soon. Second single “Pauvre de Moi” is the latest offering from The Line That Shapes the Coast of Us, out 27th March 2026 via Dog Knights Productions. The band described this as one of their fiercest songs yet, and if you’ve listened to them for a while, you’ll probably agree.
It feels like a proper contrast to “Breaking Waves”, which was a lighter first offering. “Pauvre de Moi” is a reflection on self-pity, with the title translating to “poor me”. The band bring their usual blend of post-rock and hardcore, and with the song being sung entirely in Antoine Mansion’s native French, there’s another dimension to it. It almost flows better off the music in French than it ever would have in English. If you’re a fan of the screamo legends Envy, there’s a bit of that here. There aren’t many bands in this scene making music like Chalk Hands at the moment. “Pauvre de Moi” was released on 30th January 2026.
Chalk Hands: facebook | twitter | instagram | spotify | bandcamp | youtube
