Charlie Ashcroft’s Musosoup Round-Up June 2025

Let’s begin with some hard-hitting, classic-leaning rock from Certain Death. It was only in October last year that we enjoyed the release of their invigorating debut album. Now they’re back, shredding their way through a new 6½-minute belter in the form of ‘To The Sea’. An instant anthem! 

Over in Nashville, Tennessee, we find Gin Wife, whose innovative take on grunge-influenced post-punk is a joy to behold. ‘Caveat’ is their third official single - a cathartic cry to let out that often-paralysing sense of frustration at not being able to create and produce music. It’s an excellent song, from an artist to watch!

I was really impressed too, with the new track by th0rn, whose lo-fi bedroom pop finds a perfect sweet spot between lovelorn yearning and a nostalgic, sun-soaked haze. ‘Love me knots’ is a superb introduction to an undeniably special artist from Chicago.

Blue Loop is a London-based songwriter, whose latest track ‘The Knife’ serves as a letter to her surgeon, written in the lead-up to a mastectomy. It’s a jaw-dropping piece of work, with influences coming from post-rock, the early 90s Bristol trip-hop scene and a more contemporary, cinematic electropop sound. A highly impressive release. 

Changing genre significantly, how about some French hip-hop?! KA BERRA is a Paris-based artist, whose delivery and harmony, even if you’re encountering a bit of a language barrier here, makes a really great impact. Check out ‘Délires d’une Mélomanie’.

Austel has been a mainstay of my show on Amazing Radio for many a year now. It’s fair to say that she continues to produce the goods! ‘I’m No Home’ sees her teaming up with Heren Wolf and Blánid for an all-round beautiful record, carrying on the momentum from the recently-released Extended Edition of her much-lauded ‘Dead Seas’ LP.

Over in Belgium, Levi Parent is making some charming, beguiling music under the moniker Think Denim, dad. June saw the release of his four-track EP, ‘Something More’, featuring standout song ‘Well (Ain’t It Fun)’, which has shades of Belle & Sebastian and John Myrtle about it. 

Newcastle outfit The Avelons also returned on great form midway through the month, with a fresh slab of stadium-ready alternative rock in the shape of ‘Follow’. Catch them at Y Not Festival later this summer! 

One of my favourite Musosoup discoveries last year was Anna Josephine. After a prolific 2024 and putting out a stirring cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ more recently, she’s back with a stunning track called ‘Saturn Return’ which, from quiet beginnings, builds into a shout-from-the-rooftops anthem. 

Finally this month, some rhythmic, ambient deliciousness, courtesy of Soek. New song ‘Shania’ is a mesmerising opus, with dramatic synths and strings aplenty. This new era from composer and songwriter Grant Borland is definitely a project to keep an eye on in the second half of 2025!