LeftLion's Latest Listens #51: Notts music we're currently spinning

Single: Stone Black Witches - Neverborn

Here’s a band that’s been making waves in their home town of Retford of late, with gigs in Nottingham as well as some really positive publicity courtesy of BBC Introducing, too. Stone Black Witches' fast and furious new release, Neverborn, will grab you by the throat and just might make you reassess the priorities in your life if you’re used to a safe and predictable routine. The song is packed chock full of no nonsense, frantic guitar riffs from the word go that echo the exciting punky rhythms of early singles by The Damned et al. The lyrics are pretty cool, too, encouraging you to take a risk by diving headlong into the maelstrom of your desires without a second thought of the outcome - life’s too short to be burdened with worries of what might happen; just do it as you might never get another chance. @stoneblackwitches (Claire Spencer)

Album: Amantes - Amantes I

Since forming last year, Nottingham three-piece Amantes have had an exponential rise with their brand of soulful indie. Now, with their debut album they have stood their ground on why they matter. For an album so concise, it really speaks to the heart of humanity, as every single track is both hauntingly beautiful and stunningly optimistic. Intricate guitars, a driving rhythm section and stunning vocals lead every track into perfection. For a band so young, they have full grasp of their craft and seem to have no intention of losing their grip.

Disaster Artists is perhaps the standout performance on the record, as the funky and intimate instrumentation beautifully complements the yearning vocals of Louis Guy. But this entire album is a collection of introspective and deeply personal tracks: it captures tenderness in a bottle and is inspiring and amazingly human in the best ways possible.

Amantes have only up to go from here - and they will reach heights that some can only dream of. Long live indie music and long live Amantes. @amantesband (Josh Turner)

Single: People Laughing - Three Eyes

Nottingham trio People Laughing have entered a darker yet endearingly quirky zone with their fourth release. All angular guitars, half-spoken vocals and start-stop pacing, Three Eyes blends listenability with attention-grabbing intensity. Sonically, the mix is excellent, with every note and beat crisp and clear yet blending into a somewhat frenetic surge of sound.

People Laughing explain how the song explores “the strange and unpredictable places the mind can go when confronted with fear, mortality and uncertainty” – yes, that’s clear to hear but don’t be fooled. It’s a riot, it’s a laugh, it’s semi-serious introspective commentary… it’s all those and more, and that’s why this band stands out from the crowd. @peoplelaughinghq (Phil Taylor)

People Laughing will play their first ever headline show at The Bodega, on 18th December 2026.

Single: Revenge of Calculon - Elevator Lizard

Nottingham's own masked electronica pioneers are back with a squelchy new single ahead of their new album WELCOME TO FUNKTRONIKA! Elevator Lizard utterly defines this band, presenting as a mix of enigmatic and in-your-face sounds which get right under your skin and into whatever part of the brain deals with irresistible sounds. It opens with a flanging synth buzz and quickly settles into its relentless stride. Pulsing with danceable energy throughout, the track veers into silliness on occasion before being pulled back by a four-to-the-floor cowbell and other assorted sounds - both organic and digital. 

A generous slice of madcap brilliance which somehow could only have been cooked up in Nottingham. @revengeofcalculon (Mark Porter-Task)

Revenge of Calculon's new album will be launched with a party and live show at Rough Trade Nottingham on 2nd October.