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

Note from Del: Welcome to another set of faves! As always if anyeone is looking for airplay on my Islington Radio show drop me an email at del.owusu@gmail.com with an MP3 and bio – clean radio edits only – thank you folks! Over to Sherry!

ARPRAXIS – Some Kind Of Bliss (ft Rogue FX & Mayah Camara)

Friend and fellow Fresh on the Net moderator John Davis, from West London, aka Arpraxis has to be one of the most prolific, hard-working artists we know. Regularly hosting DJ sets around London and releasing an incredible volume of versatile club-oriented tracks, he still finds time to create cool playlists and give generous support to his fellow artists including attending their [and our] gigs on a regular basis.

Some Kind Of Bliss has a kind of mid-tempo Soulful House groove. The song starts with a strong beat that keeps the energy high for its 3-minute length. Mayah Camara’s vocals add feeling and emotion, blending well with the electronic sounds created by Arpraxis and Rogue FX. Some Kind of Bliss highlights the teamwork of Arpraxis, Rogue FX, and Mayah Camara, bringing a fresh and exciting sound to electronic music.

Linktree | Instagram | Bluesky | Twitter/X | Bandcamp

BLOKEACOLA – Perfect Silence

China-based Welsh Psychedelic artist Blokeacola is well known to regular readers and is a great favourite with them. Famous for his orange crash helmet and a penchant for prolific production of cool psychedelic pop tunes, he is originally from the Welsh Valleys and has had support from BBC Introducing in Wales and from BBC 6 Music. He is also a favourite of ours at Trust The Doc Media via our radio and online TV shows and our blog. Since last year, he has been managed by our friends at 122 Music Management.

Perfect Silence is a cool song with a vintage feel. The guitar has a classic strumming style that gives it an old money aesthetic vibe. The vocals also sound vintage, with a rich and elegant tone that feels stylish and timeless, like something from the old money era. The mix of smooth instrumentals and classy singing makes this track stand out, giving it a unique and nostalgic charm.

Instagram | Bluesky | Threads | Twitter/X | YouTube | Bandcamp

DUBWISER – Come Correct

Returning fresh faves, Oxford-based Reggae band Dubwiser have been busy since they made the faves in March 2024. They have collaborated with artist Sebastian Reynolds and played live dates in Oxford and Birmingham. Last summer saw them play the BBC Introducing-supported Truck Festival. They also include The Wiser Horns within their fold.

Come Correct has the perfect vibe for a holiday trip. It has a tropical energy with a smooth reggae groove. The mix of instruments and vocals flows together perfectly, creating a laid-back and feel-good vibe. The rhythm is warm and bouncy, making you want to sway like you’re on a beach or a cruise ship. The reggae beat, combined with the tropical melodies, gives the song a relaxed but lively energy, perfect for chilling out or dancing in the sunshine.

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Bandcamp

FRAN LUSTY – Made A Friend In Nashville

London-based singer-songwriter Fran Lusty has had quite a year. It involved being made redundant, fleeing to Nashville, Tennessee in the USA, making friends with someone in a bar and driving around in their truck, leading to this very song being written. But 2024 has also seen support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Scotland and BBC Introducing in Essex plus an appearance at the Cambridge Folk Festival and other live shows.

Made A Friend In Nashville has a soft and gentle sound. The guitar strumming is light and easy, giving the song a warm and cozy feel. In the background, emotional strings add depth and feeling, making the music even more touching. There are beautiful, flowing chords that bring a sense of melody and harmony. Together, these instruments create a heartfelt and soothing song that feels personal and nostalgic, like a story being told through music.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

MIDNIGHT AMBULANCE – Beasts Count Knives

Scottish Alt Rock duo Midnight Ambulance are Amelia (Drums & Vocals) and Fraser (Guitar & Vocals). These long-time friends have previously been shortlisted for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year; had support from our very own Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music and from BBC Scotland, BBC Alba and The Scotsman newspaper. They are also keeping busy with live shows.

The song features a blend of indie rock and alternative styles, characterized by energetic guitar riffs and dynamic percussion. The vocals are expressive, conveying a sense of urgency and emotion that complements the instrumental arrangement. If you are into energetic music, it’s definitely for you.

Official | Instagram | Linktree | Twitter/X | YouTube

PENNY & SPARROW – Breakdown

While we try not to make too big a deal of streaming numbers, it would be remiss of me not to mention that Penny & Sparrow have over half a million monthly Spotify listeners! That is not something we see every week at the Fresh Faves! Andy and Kyle are clearly doing some amazing stuff including their Lefty Spring Tour which takes in numerous venues across the Southern and Mid States of America. This follows the very recent release of their album Lefty In The Shoals. They have cool merch too!

Breakdown has a catchy chorus and group vocals that make it fun to sing along to. It’s the perfect song for a mid-day pick-me-up while you’re working. The guitar chords give it a cool vibe, and the combined vocals add a lively, energetic feel. The lyrics are easy to remember, making it a song you’ll want to sing along to again and again.

Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky |Threads | Youtube

SPANGLED – Perfect Recluse

Manchester quartet Spangled are having a busy time just lately. They have a Spring tour lined up with six of the UK’s largest cities covered and their home leg at Band On The Wall is already sold out two months in advance! Recent itinerary has included The YNot Festival and they will be playing the Sheffield indie festival Bring The Noise a few weeks after finishing their tour. This is a band with serious traction going on.

Perfect Recluse by Spangled is a lively and catchy track that instantly grabs your attention. The song has an upbeat rhythm, with smooth guitar strumming and a melody that sticks in your head. The chorus is especially memorable, with a rhythm that keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy indie rock with a fresh and feel-good sound, Perfect Recluse is definitely worth adding to your playlist. It’s the kind of song that gets better with every listen.

Official | Instagram |Bluesky | YouTube

TEALEAF – Son Of A Lord

Based in Falmouth, Cornwall in the far South West of England, Tealeaf are a Folk trio who mix acoustic strings (Cello, Bazouki, Banjo, Guitar, Harmonium) to create ‘… doomy choons for the end times’. They immerse themselves in the culture and folklore of Cornwall, having begun as a project interpreting traditional sailing songs of Penryn that, they say, tied into how the region was changing. They perform locally and have had support from BBC Introducing in Devon and Cornwall. Their attention to detail and deep understanding of the musical and socio-political culture and currents of the county have helped them shape something magical and alluring.

Son Of A Lord is a unique and powerful song with a mix of different musical influences. The deep, rich sound of the cello is one of the best parts, adding emotion and depth to the track. The song has a chanting, almost spiritual feel, giving it a mystical vibe. Blending folk and Nordic influences, the music feels ancient and story telling. There are also hints of Eastern themes, adding an exotic and haunting touch. The mix of sounds makes this song feel both timeless and otherworldly. If you enjoy music with deep emotion and a blend of cultures, this track is a must-listen.

Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

THE NEW MADRID FAULT LINE – Disruptor

Described, in their Soundcloud blurb, as existing from 2009 – 2024 and talked of in the past tense, it may be then that US band The New Madrid Fault Line are no more. Let us hope not if they are still submitting tracks of this quality. It comes from an album released in October 2024 called Terrorizer, one of two albums released on Bandcamp within about a week of each other. The Instagram link on their Soundcloud page takes you to Modular Rodeo but there are older posts that refer to The New Madrid Fault Line. Whatever the current status of the band, it did not prevent them submitting a track to this week’s in-box and that track has made it all the way to the faves.

The song features powerful guitar riffs and driving drums that create a sense of urgency and excitement. The whispering vocals are passionate, delivering lyrics that encourage listeners to think differently. The chorus is particularly catchy. Overall, Disruptor is a dynamic and engaging song that’s sure to resonate with fans of a dreamy rock vibe.

Instagram |  YouTube | Bandcamp

WE ARE ALL FOSSILS – Rapture

Featuring the striking upper register male vocals of singer Deist, the Indie Folk act We Are All Fossils have had an impressive year. That includes a BBC Maida Vale session, support from BBC Introducing in Cambridge and Essex, gigs for Sofar Sounds and opening for Canyon City and Arny Margret. Add to that their 85K monthly listeners on Spotify and singles that have achieved half a million and 400K streams respectively and it is clear that We Are All Fossils have serious momentum.

Rapture is a beautifully crafted song with deep meaning. The vocals are stunning, full of emotion, and draw you in from the start. The guitar patterns are smooth and flow perfectly with the melody, creating a calming and thoughtful atmosphere. The music project’s name , We Are All Fossils, already suggests something deep and reflective, and the artist Deist Oelofse brings that same depth to Rapture. The lyrics feel meaningful, and the soothing chorus adds to the song’s beauty. It’s the kind of track that makes you stop and listen, letting the music and words sink in. If you enjoy emotional and heartfelt music, this song is a must-hear.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube

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.