In this, the first edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Bad Milk Blood Robot, Eleanor McGregor and Divorce...
EP: Rainbow Frog Biscuits - Crumbs
Quirky Leicestershire-based alternative pop singer-songwriter Rainbow Frog Biscuits (real name Amber Louise) is fleeting sunshine (and rainbows) personified in their debut EP. Commemorating the last few weeks of 2024 with its original release last November, the extended play also perfectly complements the fresh anticipation of 2025 ahead. Crumbs is RFB’s sentimental musical scrapbook; an anthology of lyrical anecdotes, upbeat acoustics, and relatable loops of spilling and spiralling romantic confessions, as she navigates and reflects on the world around us – leaving a trail of breadcrumbs wherever we go.
Five heartwarming tunes guaranteed to lift the frosty winter blues, perfect for any fans of Dodie, Beebadoobee or Mitski. @rainbowfrogbiscuits (Katherine Monk-Watts)
Single: Bad Milk Blood Robot - HOOCH
I'm late to the party and release of this single... massive apologies to Bad Milk Blood Robot and their followers who are known as "The Herd". Hooch is a single that has it all. Hard driving bass lines, tight-AF drum patterns, discordant guitar riffs and hard vocals about a hard drink. This has to be the ultimate party song in 2025 for Nottingham folks and all you Herdsters have been warned to drink Hooch at the next Bad Milk Blood Robot gig. @badmilkbloodrobot_official (Bassey)
EP: Eleanor McGregor - Muscle Memory
Muscle Memory is an intimate, vulnerable record in so many ways: here, Eleanor McGregor shares some of her most personal moments, exploring the visceral impact of relationships on every aspect of our emotions and lives. But, across the four tracks - which are recorded with stark simplicity - Eleanor develops strength. The first two songs, including the perceptive title track, are both gently sung with only an acoustic guitar for accompaniment. But then, there's a subtle upward shift with the addition of synths and vocal harmonies in Letting People Go. This ties in with an increasing sense of realisation and maturity in the lyrics which finds its conclusion with the stripped-back Inbetween.
This is a remarkable EP, proving the close connection between our human emotions and heartfelt, honest music. Eleanor will be launching the EP at The Grove on 22nd January. @eleanor.mgregor (Phil Taylor)
Single: Divorce - Pill
Notts indie alt-country dynamic foursome-of-nature Divorce have released another entrancing single, which is to be featured on their upcoming debut album: Drive to Goldenhammer (out on 7th March 2025). It follows on from Antarctica and All My Freaks. An experimental chamber-pop rock ballad over five minutes long, Pill is an auditory, transformational standout from Divorce, with its three stark instrumental sections and forthright lyrics from co-vocalist/bassist Tiger Cohen-Towell, as they share their intimate tendencies from the perspective of a long-distance relationship, as well as their prevailing euphoria of being seen.
Expect textured string arrangements, frenzied guitar riffs and earnest harmonic vocals accompanying a gentle piano interlude – it is a queer, euphonic portrait of love, self-discovery and acceptance. @divorcehq (Katherine Monk-Watts)
Photo credit: Flower Up & Rosie Sco
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