These Fresh Faves were picked by our readers over the weekend – and reviewed by Fresh On The Net’s NEIL MARCH and SHERRY SAHAYARAJ this week. You can hear all these tracks in a single Soundcloud playlist here.

SHERRY: After what feels like an eternity, we are back and ready to share ten incredible songs that have been the top faves this week. And, oh, do I have some stories to tell. It’s officially Fall — the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced everything, and a playlist that just hits differently. I recently co-organized Fresh on the Net Live, my first-ever live event for fresh on the net. Imagine a room filled with indie artists, their instruments, and a crowd eager to be blown away. The anticipation, the energy, the adrenaline! I had been involved in organizing events before, but being part of something so electric was a completely new experience.

Now that the leaves are turning and the air is getting crisp, it feels like the perfect time to sit back, press play, and let these ten tracks take centre stage. So, grab your favourite cozy drink, settle into that comfy chair, and get ready because this blog post is about to become your new fall soundtrack.

NEIL: How quickly things change. The last time I was writing faves reviews, we had just reopened after the summer hiatus. It was the morning after Day One of Fresh on the Net Live at The Lower Third and it still felt like summer had not quite given up the ghost. Now the Autumn is well and truly in motion, the days are getting shorter and the leaves are falling off the trees and covering the footpath in Ladywell Fields just the other side of Lewisham High Street here in South East London. Inside it is warm though and the energy from this week’s fresh faves is positive and fresh. Once again we have ten cool tracks to share with you, chosen by our discerning, music-loving readers. Here goes.

ALIEN ALARMS – Alone

Fresh from performing around the South Coast of England with the amazing Latvian composer and pianist Ieva Dubova, Jim Purbrick aka Alien Alarms is a tireless and prolific presence in independent music, innovating across a wide spectrum of electronic and synth-oriented genres while regularly collaborating with others and performing all over the UK. Based in Brighton, he has been a regular at BBC Introducing and Fresh on the Net over recent years and we have had the pleasure of him playing at a festival we curated in South East London and hope to involve him in further live events.

Neil: While another Alien Alarms track, Moloch, is currently on our Trust The Doc radio playlist, here we have Alone. It utilises an elaborate female spoken word track calmly delivering a scary narrative against which the beat is broken up, sometimes electro-Drum’n’Bass, sometimes nothing. Synths and ambient sounds intertwine in a spacy, enigmatic mist of music and sound, punctuated by bendy figures and later by rumbling and bleeping. Dark, daunting and dystopian seems to be a theme in Jim’s latest offerings and this will hold your attention as it delivers its lyrical message in a highly appropriate musical frame.

Sherry: Alone by Alien Alarms is an immersive experience that transports you to a dark, futuristic world. Jim’s music, exemplified in Alone, is both unique and thought-provoking, blending spoken word with dynamic electronic beats. The ambient synths create a haunting and mysterious atmosphere, complemented by cool female vocals that add a touch of mystery. Alone gave me vibes of a robotic invasion and is definitely a track worthy of being on everyone’s favorites list.

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BLOKEACOLA – Chasing Down Mountain Goats

China-based Welsh Psychedelic artist Blokeacola is a Fresh on the Net regular and someone whose music and videos we have regularly featured in our Trust The Doc Radio, [online] TV and blog editions. He has one of the most instantly recognisable sounds of any grassroots artist and has had support from BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Introducing in Wales. Known for his infamous orange crash helmet, he is a much-loved figure on the independent music scene but keeps his identity hidden.. He is now managed by our awesome friends at 122 Music Management.

Sherry: When you listen to Chasing Down Mountain Goats by Blokeacola, get ready for a wild, trippy ride. Blokeacola, known for his mysterious persona and signature orange crash helmet, has been a favourite on Fresh on the Net. Chasing Down Mountain Goats perfectly showcases why he is so captivating. The song features dreamy, distorted vocals that pull you in and keep you guessing, paired with synth guitars, creating a psychedelic atmosphere that feels both surreal and catchy. Blokeacola has a way of mixing elements that shouldn’t work together, but they totally do. It is one of those tracks that leaves you thinking, “What did I just listen to?”—in the best way possible.

It’s the kind of song you’d want on your playlist for a late-night drive or just zoning out. Blokeacola has once again proven why he’s such a beloved figure on the indie scene.

Neil: Sherry has perfectly encapsulated the wonder of Blokeacola’s music in her comments. Once again he manages to bring classic Psychedelic sounds with a contemporary Alt Pop sensibility. The keyboards, at times, remind me of The Stranglers’ Dave Greenfield although, not surprisingly, that also means a hint of The Doors’ Ray Manzarek. There is even a subtly French Pop element lurking in the arrangement. Meanwhile he delivers a cool melody in his instantly recognisable voice. Punchy playing and production goes without saying really.

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CAROL JARVIS – Time

Where do we start with Carol Jarvis? She is a top trombonist and in-demand multi-instrumentalist as well as a versatile artist and returning Fresh Fave. She has played with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney (we kid you not), Queen, Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Sting, Rod Stewart, Ellie Goulding and Elbow (whose singer and BBC 6 Music presenter Guy Garvey was reduced to tears by this track). She is also an inspirational speaker who endured a decade-long battle with horrendous, invasive cancer and knows only too well the trauma, sacrifice and emotional carnage of dealing with this at such a young age. We use the term awesome with probably a frivolous frequency these days but Carol Jarvis is one individual for whom the word genuinely applies. Awesome as a human being and awesome in terms of her musical talent.

Neil: Time is an extraordinary track that deals directly with the devastating feelings of losing the battle, seeing the light outside and comparing it to the darkness within and the feeling of being too weak to resist. Musically it represents a notable departure from Carol’s previous funk and jazz infused instrumental tracks. Long, reveberant piano chords add to the haunting atmosphere, set against legato Cello courtesy of James Jarvis. Carol’s vocals are soft but ghostly and ethereal, quietly shredding our emotions with the power of the lyrics and such a beautiful melody. There are echoes of Julee Cruise and perhaps a dash of Virginia Astley and This Mortal Coil too. She sings about battling ‘this unnivited visitor’. It is hard to properly convey how this track makes me feel but it is overwhelming. It is astonishing that this is the first time Carol has performed vocals on a recording. Of course, she turns out to be amazing at that too!

Sherry: Carol Jarvis’s Time is just stunning. The song, which has a hauntingly beautiful trip into intensely raw emotions, represents a significant departure from her typical jazz and funk-infused instrumentals, as Neil noted. Carol’s voice is a revelation on this song; it’s gentle, ethereal, and yet incredibly expressive. You wouldn’t guess this is her first time recording vocals; it’s as if she’s been doing this all along. This song feels like her most personal work. The reverb-heavy piano chords and James Jarvis’s cello blend together to create a deeply moving atmosphere, one that’s almost too beautiful to bear. As Neil said, Time examines the conflict with the ‘uninvited visitor’ and the emotions are heightened by learning about her experience. Carol has shared her creativity and tenacity with us, demonstrating that she is not just a remarkable musician but also a real survivor.

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CECE X – Kolar Goldfields

CeCe X is a dope Anglo-Indian electronic act from Norwich and she’s been doing her thing for over 20 years. From her start in the 1990s working with The Shamen, through her time working with The Prodigy and Moby, to her later stint with electronica and synth pop, CeCe’s eventually found her groove in the world of drum and bass. Uplifting lyrics with a sprinkle of angelic harmonies, topped with a heavy bass line and the pounding beats the genre is so well known for. She’s performed at Glastonbury and Leeds and received a great deal of support through BBC Introducing.

Sherry: When I decided to press play on Kolar Goldfields, I saw and heard the Indian side of CeCe right away. The bits of Hindi chanting incorporated into the song added a wonderful multiculturalism dimension that was unique. This song is not only a unique potential club hit; it is the fantastic combination of all kinds of sounds that puts you in the middle of the dance floor. The bass driving and the energy of the rhythm that catches you and does not let you stand still, and those otherworldly vocals – all of it makes you let go. CeCe X has made a track that features her talent with Indian flavours which makes Kolar Goldfields a special tune in her portfolio.

Neil: My immediate thought, on hearing this for the first time, was this is what Go! Team might sound like if they embraced Drum’n’Bass. It is such a joyous sound with CeCe’s upper register, distinctive vocals and such an uplifting tune set against the rolling energy of the beat and bassline. And once again, what a delight to hear Indian music influences on a track that has made our faves. More of that please.

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DAISY DOROTHY – Alicanto

Daisy Dorothy is a musician and a photographer from West Yorkshire and active in the Leeds music scene. Like in the case of impressive membership numbers, Daisy’s coverage is as varied as her gigs; or, more accurately, her brand of songs, which are not covers but creations of the unique vision of the singer. How she combined two things she loves most, music and photography makes her a real artsy person and a creative mind.

Neil: This track is Folky but, from the outset, it has a toughness in the way the guitar is played and arpeggios accompany Daisy’s gutsy alto vocals. I can’t tell whether there is a violin or viola on this but it adds a refreshing Celtic lilt to the stormy, buoyant aura of the song. Daisy leads us through the bumps and waves with an invigorating performance and cool execution of a lovely track.

Sherry: In her last record, Daisy went more folky, scenic on Alicanto. The song is perfect and has that indie folk with a hint of singer-songwriter feel to it; something like Lizzy McAlpine, peaceful lyrics that paints pictures in one’s mind. A particular emphasis should be made on the qualities of the organ which gives the track a great natural ambience and contributes to the listeners’ perception. According to Maddie Armstrong from Leeds Living, the voice used by Daisy draws floating dandelions and a whispering wind across the latest landscape, and this has a calming effect. Bearing catchy and perfectly tuned tunes and touching lyrics “Alicanto” is certainly a song to listen to with Daisy Dorothy as an interesting performer worth following.

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DEAD THINGS – Frederick Holt

Hailing from Preston, Lancashire in the English North West, Dead Things are an all-male trio ‘… embracing the grit of garage rock, while flaunting fractured riffs and infectious melodies’. Influences include The B52s, Bikini Kill, The Fall and The Beastie Boys. They are Sic Turtle (Guitar/Vocals), Gang Fish (Bas/Vocals) and Ray Gun (Drums). The vinyl single this is from was released on a limited run by Cracked Ankles Records in June and sold out. It also picked up a rave review in Louder Than War.

Sherry: Frederick Holt by Dead Things, has a great feel of thriller because of the song and the feel of the video. The lyrics are rather cryptic and you’d wish to find out more about what they embody. Already beginning the track the distorted effected guitars are introduced to establish a mysterious atmosphere of the ride into the unknown. However, what I notice when listening to this track is energy in its raw form. The vocals consist of some screams and shouts that sound very grunge, which, overall, suits the band’s style. In my opinion, everyone who always enjoys that little darker and rebellious side of music should give this song a listen. It is a track that has impact on listeners as you are always left with some sort of thrill once the track is over. If you are in for something that brings the elements of grunge into the contemporary era, listen to Frederick Holt.

Neil: Frederick Holt kicks off with a meaty bassline and picking guitar with agreeably ‘live’ sounding drums and a semi-spoken vocal that, along with the teasing bendy lead guitar shrieks, has shades of early Pixies although it veers into harder core territory before ending very suddenly. I like how it breaks conventional rules of what happens where and then deconstructs so dramatically, leaving us wanting more.

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ROLLER DISCO DEATH PARTY – Keep The Balance

Roller Disco Death Party is a male-female duo from Glasgow [or at least somewhere near Glasgow]. The pair recently played Tenementrail at Van Winkles and have been featured on BBC Introducing in Scotland. They made their live debut at Houses Festival in April and they have big plans for 2025.

Neil: This is intriguing. In one sense the deep, resonating synth bass and ambient sounds lead you to expect a solid slice of synthwave but then the spoken word begins to remind me of Renegade Master and the beat simultaneously starts to recall 90s Big Beat and Electro-House. It has a nicely pulsating undercurrent that is periodically interrupted by a quirkier ambient swirl. The vocals have an intensity that is infectious. Then we are taken down more traditional synthpop territories that recall Visage but in a mash with Fatboy Slim while Nation Of Language keep a watching brief. Basically, a really enjoyable and invigorating mash-up of influences and styles. Love this.

Sherry: This song is able to offer a variety of appeals combined into one song, which is hectic but also listenable. Besides, Neil points out that the deep, resonating synth bass and ambient sounds make you listen attentively, and the phrase ‘keep the balance’ builds up a nice groove that you want you to follow throughout the track. The duo is innovative in delivering the sound, and it never gets boring throughout their performance. If you are interested in a track that fuses patterns with high tempo, you should not miss Keep The Balance!

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ROSIER – Feelings

Rosier is a British-Somali artist who appears to be augmented by something of a collective with Elliot Frost on Guitar, Tom Huna producing and others in specific non-musical roles. He has been prolific in releasing new material lately and places a great deal of importance on the visual elements that accompany his sound. He played in Dalston back in 2022. Otherwise information is a bit sketchy but the sense is that he is building something, ready to launch it on an unsuspecting world when the moment is right.

Sherry: I am now in love with this track Feelings by Rosier. We are presented with children chanting, which is so heartwarming and cute throughout the song. The beat is very pop Dance friendly and has a laid back feel that is hard to resist moving to. I also enjoy the raps present in the song; each of them, when combined with the children’s chants, give the song a fresh feel that I love. Such a mix creates a wonderful impression for the listeners, which makes you feel energetic and more cheerful. I particularly like it when the singer sings ‘I’ve got so many feelings,’ and everybody sings that part and it’s really very engaging. All in all, if you are into listening to a type of track that has playful elements and cool beats, this one should be on your list – Feelings.

Neil: Sherry has captured exactly what makes this track work. It is uplifting, makes great use of contrasting voices and timbres and has a positive energy. Commenting on his Instagram page, Rosier says the band should sing this in a stadium. It certainly has an anthemic quality.

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THE BIG DRINK – Sycamores

The Big Drink is a band formed by London musician Michael Baker with Brighton’s Tom Anderson and Oli Hinkins. They wasted no time in being picked as a Fresh Find by Spotify in May 2022 and, since then, they have had a number of tracks out. This month has seen favourable reviews from Uptohear Music and The Wild Is Calling and they are amassing over 2K monthly Spotify streams so things are certainly going well for the trio.

Neil:This begins with just a straight four-time beat with picking guitars and corresponding synth arpeggios while a harmonised male vocal sings a soft-toned but potentially anthemic melody. You can feel this building as more sounds enter the fray and the singer rises into a sweet falsetto. Before we know it, that epic anthemic leaning begins to drive events. It is poppy and even laid back in a sense but it is also tailor-made to be performed on a big festival stage while thousands wave arms and sing the chorus back at them. The production is perfect and enables the band to emphasise the dynamic shifts, reinforce an infectious melody and achieve a sense of completeness.

Sherry: Sycamores by The Big Drink takes listeners on a cinematic journey with its lush soundscapes and atmospheric vibes. The cool, reverby guitar picks creates an enchanting backdrop that pulls you in, while the dreamy, steady vocals float effortlessly above it all. The overall effect is mesmerizing, making you feel as if you’re drifting through a beautiful, surreal landscape. Sycamores is a track that perfectly captures the essence of a daydream, inviting you to lose yourself in its soothing melodies and captivating rhythms. If you’re in the mood for something that feels both cinematic and introspective, this song is definitely worth a listen!

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YELLOW BELLY – Luna Sea

Neil recently reviewed Yellow Belly’s album Ghostwriter for our Trust The Doc blog and rated it as one of the outstanding works in independent music this year. Welsh BBC Introducing show presenter and broadcasting legend Adam Walton agreed and got her onto his Saturday night show to talk about the album. Yellow Belly is Dominique Finnegan and she describes her music as being for ‘… fans of the deeper, darker side of music’. She recently performed at Cardiff Music City Festival and has also been featured in Bethan Elfyn’s Wales Music Mix on BBC Radio Wales.

Sherry: Yellow Belly – Luna Sea is an art , taking the listeners to dreamt night near the sea shore where the moon owns the whole night. I picture the sky getting full of harmony light from the ball of moon as Yellowbelly continues the chorus of the song. This makes the music heavenly in nature so that the whole thing is so sensual. The vocals are extraordinarily engaging. They carry you off on their eerie tunes rather smoothly. Each note feels like a gentle caress, making it impossible to resist getting lost in the music. Luna Sea is a stunning piece that evokes a sense of wonder and tranquility, making it perfect for late-night listening under the stars. If you’re looking for a song that captures the beauty of a moonlit night, this is definitely one to add to your playlist!

Neil: The whole Ghostwriter album, from which this is taken, is an astonishing piece of work that marks Yellowbelly out as a stand-out artist. Luna Sea has all the characteristics that make the album so magical. It has ethereal, mystical synth tones and harmony, coupled with an ability to create sparse and translucent soundscapes in which so many little nuances come and go. Dominique’s vocals are soft-toned but have an undeniable authority. We are, whether we like it or not, carried gently away into her alternative sound world where we are only too happy to stay as long as possible. What a fantastic track to round off another outstanding and diverse selection as chosen by our readers.

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PS from Del: If you’ve submitted a track that hasn’t been picked for the Listening Post, our team has definitely listened to it and there’s no need to send it again: feel free to send us an even stronger track another week. The same goes if you were picked for the Listening Post but didn’t feature in our Fresh Faves.

But if we’ve recently featured you in our Fresh Faves – please wait three months before sending us another track, so we have space to help other deserving artists… For more info see Robinson Has A Good Old Moan.