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

A word from Del: Hey everyone, thanks so much to everyone who submitted a track last week and everyone who found time to vote on the listening post this weekend. As usual, the listening post opens on Friday morning and closes at 6pm on Sunday evening, if you can stop by and vote for your favourite 5 tracks to support your fellow independent artists we’d be grateful.

As usual, if you’ve made the faves please do not submit another track for 90 days. Thankyou!

Now, I’d like to make an introduction – Mia Wilks is part of our newest generation of mods, she joined the team 9 months ago and fun fact – she was introduced to me by my best friend from primary school Derek Pritchard a fellow DJ at Maritime FM. This is her first time reviewing the faves!

Over to you Mia.

Mia Wilks: It’s been 9 months working with the team at Fresh on the net and having the privilege of listening to so many amazing songs every week.

So many talented musicians; it’s an absolute pleasure to review the Faves this week.

So, iPhone and AirPods at the ready…excited to spend Sunday night immersed in new music!

ANNA RAN – Vultures With Guilt

We begin with Vultures of Guilt by Swedish artist Anna Ran who has been the recipient of a rave review from Paul F Cook in Joyzine, for this very track. She has also been involved in raising money for victims of war in Gaza.

Anna’s vocal is mesmerising, combined with hard hitting lyrics, makes this a stand out track. ‘The blood on your hands is the blood in our mouths’ alludes to how actions can sometimes reflect words that are said, but these lyrics remind us that not everything spoken is truthful. A beautiful song with a message you just can’t ignore. I really love the synth sounds and the guitar solo at 2:18 which creates an epic finale. Anna is also interested in the power of silence and what can emerge from it. This was reflected by her 2025 album Out Of Silence. She has also been getting out and playing important live shows. Vultures With Guilt was released on 22nd May 2026. It’s a ‘must listen’ with an important message.

Official | Instagram

CASUAL DRAG – The Talk

Next up is CASUAL DRAG – The Talk
Glasgow’s Casual Drag have been playing packed live shows around Scotland, building their reputation and receiving support from Vic Galloway on his BBC Introducing Show. Last month they set out on a UK tour that ends in July and takes in London, Brighton, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester.

I love this band. Scottish Garage Punk at its best. ‘The Talk’ is raw and intentional, with one of the best guitar riffs, and the gritty vocals from lead singer Richard Clarke. With Dominic MacInnes on bass and Matt Charlton on drums, this track is the epitome of punk – emotionally direct, and in places tense. With shouting in the mid section I really felt connected to the message – falling under the influence of someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart! It makes you sit up and listen, with a message that we can all relate to.

Instagram | Facebook

CORMAC LOOBY & PÁDRAIG HUGHES – Boundto

Irish artist Cormac Looby is based in Galway on the West Coast of Ireland and hails from Tipperary. Previously based in Manchester, he was a fresh fave way back in 2020. Pádraig Hughes has been making music with Cormac for at least 4 years and their last single Don’t Make Me Long For England narrowly missed out on the faves in April so it is great to see them get over the line with this one.

This is a stunning track. With a crazy good top line, that I instantly liked. It’s the sort of track you listen to once, and are hooked immediately.

This song has everything – a storytelling narrative that speaks to you personally, with a lyrical melody that feels so natural. Amazing authentic vocal which I feel has so much truth to it. This is the song you listen to at 2am when you are alone with your thoughts.

Instagram | Facebook

FREYJA ELSY – In My Veins

Cardiff-based Welsh singer-songwriter Freyja Elsy has been earning a reputation for her unique blend of dreamy Folktronica and cinematic arrangements over the past couple of years. She has been featured on BBC Radio 6 Music and is a favourite of BBC Radio Wales/BBC Introducing’s Adam Walton and Bethan Elfyn as well as with Fresh on the Net. She has also been the recipient of the BBC Horizons Launchpad Fund.

This song starts with the most beautiful harmonies. It reminds me of some of the early work by The Corrs. It creates a feeling of building emotions, with a rich full sound.

The lyrics resonate on a different level ‘Will it get better in the ever changing weather?’
This made me think how life continually changes. You can only control your own actions and emotions, yet you sometimes still feel uncertain about the future. The lyric ‘the ice feels cold in my veins’ I feel is an expression of that – alive but sometimes scared to move forward. If you need a song that lifts your mood, this is the song to add to your playlist.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

HAZY WATERS – High

Londoners Hazy Waters have been together for an amazing 16 years, and are returning fresh faves. They were brought together by a shared love of Radiohead but they also have a penchant for dreamy Shoegaze influences. They say their music is for fans of ‘90s nostalgia and grit’.

‘High’ took me back to my childhood, listening to 90’s music on long car journeys. Reminiscent of Garbage and No Doubt.

Hazy Waters has a distinct sound and this track is no exception. It combines a memorable melody with an organic feel. I instantly loved the song – the combination of a breathy vocal in the verse and then a gritty emotional vocal in the chorus – makes you feel like you are on a journey. The best songs make you feel emotionally invested, and this is definitely one of them!

Instagram | | YouTube | Bandcamp

IZZIE YARDLEY – Domino (Punk)

Izzie Yardley was a fresh fave as long ago as 2019 and this is at least her fifth time. Our readers definitely connect with her music. Next month sees the release of her long-awaited debut album Diving The Unknown. She has also played some cool festival stages and had support from BBC Introducing.
From the beginning ‘Domino’ is lyrically strong ‘time travels in a peculiar way’ makes you want to follow the narrative to the end.

I love a song with a surprise and this totally delivered. At 2:55 a pause. A moment to reflect, and then at that poignant moment it suddenly hits back in creating a dramatic point in the song.
I think this delivers on a number of levels. It gives the track a second bounce, and it builds tension.

At 5 minutes 28 this is a song in two contrasting parts. A musical journey that I wanted to go back to straight away. (and I did 😉)
Official | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Bandcamp

LUNA ROSA – The Luge

Indie/Alt Rock quartet from Corby in Northamptonshire, Luna Rosa are actively involved in campaigning against racism (see their Linktree page). They have been interviewed on The Shoutout Pod and their live itinerary has included a takeover at Blaggers Records in Brighton.

I love a story behind a song and ‘The Luge’ was created from a riff by their drummer, Jack Connolly during a drunken night in South America.

Great repetitive baseline and strong drum pattern – a defined sound combining punk attitude with early 2000’s Indy.

Love the Calgary ‘88 Luge stamp artwork too!

If you are looking for high speed energy with no brakes this is it.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Bandcamp

NEVER ENOUGH IN LOVE – Heart

Never Enough In Love is the artist moniker of Neil Durrant. His music has been recently featured on Netflix and had praise from a member of Hot Chip and Gorillaz among others. He describes his work as ‘anthems for the under-privileged’ which blend ‘textured electronics, fragile felted pianos, intimate vocals and slow-burning tension’.

I am struck initially by the fragile piano introduction. It amazes me how a few chords can grab your attention so quickly, but this song does just that. The first few seconds of this song creates anticipation, and my imagination is totally captivated. Then suddenly a change in vibe. The electronic layers unfold and you are immersed in a song that is both vulnerable and intentional. ‘When it gets dark, you take me to your heart’ seems to be about thoughts and knowing that at night these thoughts can seem more vivid.
Stunning distinctive vocals. This is a song you remember.

Instagram | Threads

RIVER ROOTS – Bells

Leeds-based duo River Roots’ Bandcamp page explains that they blend roots and folk influences with Reggae and Alternative Acoustic sounds. They have been getting out and about far and wide with their live shows and have had support from BBC Introducing in the South West which suggests a connection to that part of the country too.

Bells has a striking memorable top line which contrasts well with the tender vocals. I love the raw instrumental. Whilst the overall sound has an ethereal mystery to it, I felt that it was also epic in parts. At 2:49 the song builds and the emphasis is rhythm over melody by using percussion. I think this gives it a distinctive hypnotic feel.
A beautiful song – amazing vocals and lyrics.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube | Bandcamp

THE ANDREW HARTSHORN PROJECT – An Old Photograph

Leicester-based composer Andrew Hartshorn is head of Monochrome Motif Records, a label whose roster includes FOTN’s own Sherry and Neil (The Music Of Sound) and recent fresh fave John Serrano. Usually Andrew works alone but, for his new album, he has put together a band of musicians including John Serrano on vocals and guitar, another recent fave Richard Davies on saxophone plus other notable instrumentalists.

This is a wow track. The piano and trumpet is reminiscent of an era gone by; with its jazz influences and a retro vibe that reminded me of an 80’s soundtrack.
Smooth vocals and a great narrative.
This song comes from an album ‘No Birthday Cake’
which examines themes of Loss and grief.

I’m a big fan of a song with such a compelling back story and I love the instrumental detail. Even after the third time of listening, I noticed small intricacies that made the song seem new at every listen.
If you want a song that reflects real life, this is for you.

Official | Twitter/X | Bandcamp

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.