Something for the Weekend: New Music Recommendations
Video of the Week
Suki Waterhouse – “Model, Actress, Whatever”
This week, Suki Waterhouse has unveiled an epic new video for “Model, Actress, Whatever,” a standout track from her forthcoming album Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, releasing this Friday, (today)September 13th ( Listen HERE), via Sub Pop. Directed by Tyler Falbo, the video mirrors the song’s brilliance as Waterhouse navigates a tumultuous movie set, dealing with an irate director who seems to have more anger issues than Donald Trump. In a moment of poetic justice, Waterhouse manages to get her soggy revenge before heading off for “facials and lymphatics.”
New Singles
Sophie Thatcher Shares Title Track From Debut EP Pivot & Scrape, Out October 11 Via Bathsheba
Musician, songwriter, singer, and all-around creative polymath Sophie Thatcher (pictured in header) has unveiled the sublime title track from her debut EP, Pivot & Scrape, out October 11 via Bathsheba. After hearing the full EP, I can confidently say it’s stunning—Thatcher has a Cohen-esque or Cave-like ability to weave dark, glittering narratives that simply mesmerise. Her unique voice is spellbinding, stopping you in your tracks, and Thatcher’s musical talent shines brightly throughout this magnificent debut. Her lyrics may initially appear opaque, sidestepping conventional narratives whilst avoiding any clichéd “I feel sad, my ex is bad” tropes. Instead, Thatcher crafts poetic lines that conjure striking imagery with remarkable economy, adding depth and real emotional heft to proceedings.
“Pivot & Scrape” opens with religious undertones—“God saved the world/ All my troubles lessened,” Thatcher sings, before delivering a biting chorus: “I’ll kill them all, you’ll be/ Laughing when I break.” She describes the song as a vocal “fuck you to someone, at least that’s how I see it.”
Though many may recognise her from Yellowjackets ( Playing the younger version of Juliette Lewis – and looking a bit like Mallory Knox ) or Pavement’s “Harness Your Hopes” video, Thatcher has long been a passionate musician. Her abstract, improvisational lyrics come from a deeply instinctual place. “I’m not really thinking about anything, and then words just kind of come out to the melody,” she says.
Recorded at Drop of Sun studios by Adam McDaniel (Angel Olsen, Avey Tare, Wednesday), the EP pairs her mesmerizing vocals with vivid imagery. On the track, she adds: “The imagery and lyrics were inspired by recurring dreams I had about throwing myself into glass. It felt guttural, a strong contrast to the dreamy sound… the ‘scrape’ represents picking up the pieces and moving forward.”
She’s In Parties – “The Times”
Essex-based indie rock band She’s In Parties has just released their latest single, “The Times,” a reflective piece that delves into lead vocalist Katie Dillon’s discontent with the social media-driven music industry. This track offers a third preview of their upcoming EP, Puppet Show, which drops on October 25th via Submarine Cat Records. The release is accompanied by a poignant video directed by Polocho and the announcement of their UK tour starting this November.
“This song is about my internal battle with the social media era,” Dillon shares. “I had to rethink my expectations as a musician and get with ‘the times’—if I don’t adapt, someone else will.”
She’s In Parties, known for their ethereal shoegaze and chiming dream-pop sound, is led by Irish-born Katie Dillon (vocals/guitar), alongside Herbie Wiseman (guitar), Matt Carman (drums), and others.
Half Happy – “Bloom”
Welsh indie band Half Happy have released their latest single “Bloom” ahead of their debut EP Conversation Killer, out September 20th. Rising fast in Cardiff’s music scene, Half Happy blends dream-pop, indie-rock, and post-punk, and they’ve already snagged the Welsh Music Prize 2023. They’ll hit the UK tour circuit this December, having previously shared stages with English Teacher, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, and Pale Blue Eyes.
It’s a cracking single, and the vocals do remind me of Rose Elinor Dougal at times, which is of course a very good thing. Coincidentally, Half Happy’s singer is another Rose—Rosalie Miller—who explains the inspiration behind “Bloom”: “The song is about being stuck in the middle of your friends’ relationships, not knowing how to help or what to say. The buildup feels like being trapped in an awkward conversation, but the chorus brings a sense of relief, like jumping into the sea.”
If You Listen to One Album This Weekend, Listen to:
Hinds – Viva Hinds: A Refreshing Blast of Raw Energy and Indie Pop Perfection
Viva Hinds almost didn’t happen. The Madrid-based quartet abruptly became a duo, leaving founding members Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote at a crossroads. Should they call it quits, or did they still have more to say? Fortunately, the latter won out, and Viva Hinds is not just a triumph—it’s their best album yet.
On their fourth album, the Madrid-based duo elevate their scrappy, sun-soaked indie sound to new heights. Known for blending jangly garage rock with infectious, wonky pop hooks, Hinds have always thrived riding a wave of scuzzy, melodic DIY charm. But Viva Hinds feels like the moment where their chaotic energy meets a more refined sense of purpose—without losing any of the carefree spirit that made them stand out.
Recorded in rural France and produced by former Vaccines member Pete Robertson (who is fast becoming my favourite producer), the album opens with the joyous rush of “Hi, How Are You,” featuring shrieking synth flourishes and punchy guitar licks. Tracks like “Superstar” and “Coffee” showcase Hinds’ knack for crafting glorious sing-along anthems while hinting at a more sophisticated sound with layered rhythms and bolder songwriting.
Their first venture into Spanish-language songs—“Mala Vista” and the soaring rush of “En Forma”—adds another dimension. Collaborations with Beck on “Boom Boom Back” and “Stranger,” featuring Bono-In-Waiting, Grian Chatten, Fontaines D.C.’s frontman and resident poet, work beautifully.
But the true stars remain Hinds themselves, crafting an album that’s joyful, emotional, and chaotic yet purposeful—blending punk swagger with irresistible pop melodies. Viva Hinds encapsulates the duo’s infectious spirit and evolving sound, keeping listeners hooked from the get-go. It’s an album that surprises as much as it delights, proving that Hinds are far from done shaking things up. A brilliant, sparkling, life-affirming record. 9/10
And finally – The weekly playlist (which changes every week – hence “weekly” – has been updated . So dive in and enjoy the music and the weekend (don’t worry Abel Makkonen Tesfaye ain’t on it)