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: Hello everyone! Big thankyou to all the artists who submitted tracks in the full inbox and also extra special thankyou to those who found time to come and vote this weekend..

I would like to make an appeal to everyone who make the faves. As you can tell, the faves aren’t decided by one person, and I’d love for you to be actively involved, we open the listening post early on Fridays purposefully for this reason and keep it open until 6pm on Sunday evening, please help your fellow artists – it’s not a competition – we purposely ask artists not to tell their friends to come and vote for them as that would defeat the point of what we do here. If you can come and check out the first listening post when we return and vote for your favourite 5 tracks that will be helpful.

Shares and likes are nice, but if we rely on just shares and likes alone we wouldn’t be able to function. I will tag you on social media as a reminder of course. Thankyou!

If you choose to share this, please tag the correct instagram accounts, our official one @fotnblog and this week’s reviewer MIA WILKS whose instagram handle is @_mia_wilks

Take it away Mia!

MIA: As a songwriter myself, it’s a real privilege to listen to so many songs each week and review them. I know how much love goes into creating the lyrics and writing the music. Sometimes, even when a song is ‘finished’
it doesn’t always feel finished, yet we let our music go out into the world, hoping that listeners will hear the same thing we did when we first wrote it.

It’s a big thing being a musician, you wear your heart on your sleeve. Being creative can be scary and amazing all at the same time!
I have loved listening to the top ten songs again this week. In fact, I’ve listened to them so many times, and each time I hear something new.

I think that’s what’s so special about music. You can listen to a song on repeat, and each time, it can feel like the first time you heard it.

ADELIDE – Circles

Adelide is a USA Alt-Pop Artist, based in Brooklyn. She combines Pop with a retro edge, catchy melodies with personal lyrics and an unforgettable cool vintage vibe!

Adelide has a new EP out soon, with a release show at the Brewery Palace New York on the 11th November. Ticket link in her Instagram bio.

‘Circles’ is Adelaide’s newest single. I have to say I was completely hooked on my first listen. It has a timeless appeal with a sound that’s also nostalgic. An electric guitar baseline paired with 80’s inspired synth pop. I love the combination; reminiscent of Sophie Ellis Bexter and Dua Lipa, but with an edge.
Dreamy vocals and beautiful harmonies create a sense of love lost. She sings ‘it all comes back to you’ and ‘I feel your heartbeat when I’m alone’. Great lyrics about longing to be with someone after the relationship has ended. She talks about going round in ‘Circles’. The feeling that you can’t let go of someone. The relationship feels emotionally unfinished.

Well-crafted lyrics with a bright dramatic chorus give this song an instant appeal.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

AMELIA & THE HOUSEWIVES – Top Of The Pops

Amelia and the Housewives are a band from Brighton who take fun seriously. The band formed in May 2024 when Amelia met Lola at a tribute night and decided to form the band. They will release their debut album in October; 10 songs combing pop, attitude and sharp wit.

Top of the pops is a track from the new album.

This is a stand out track. Witty candid lyrics, written in a conventional style.
Provocative lines about living with someone under the same roof who is your total opposite. ‘You’re on Match of the day, I’m on Top of the pops, you’ve been going to raves, I’ve been down the shops’

Dry humour delivered in a playful way. It makes you want to listen several times to feel the full story as it pans out! I really wanted to know happens in the end.
This to me is emotionally honest work, combining stand out vocals and harmonies, with a clean pop production. Up beat, poetic – a track that will put a smile on your face.
If you are fans of Kate Nash’s British lyrical storytelling and Lily Allen’s brutally honest words, this is for you.

Instagram | Twitter/X

FIRST SWIM – Formless Shapes

Formless Shapes is the debut single from First Swim, exploring anxiety, self-doubt and the frustration of knowing the battle is often within your own head. The band formed in 2024 and have been gigging across London.

Recorded DIY at home, it was mixed by Brett Shaw (Florence + the Machine), with the band soon heading into the studio with Shuta Shinoda (Hot Chip/Ghostpoet) for their next single.

Featured on BBC Introducing London.

I was immediately drawn to this track with its dreamy Indie / electro-rock sound that gradually erupts into an intense finale.

At 1:18 the emotive guitar solo kicks in, giving the listener another aspect to the song’s journey. I really felt a sense of emotion, like the guitar was carrying the weight of the song.

Completely immersed, then the poignant lyric ‘I’m my own worst enemy’ brings you back to the songs theme of self doubt, and battling emotions in your head.

Fantastic lyrics and a vocal tone you could listen to all day. A totally unique sound with a hint of Wolf Alice, this is a must listen.

Instagram | YouTube

FREYJA ELSY – Control

Freyja Elsy is a classically trained musician and composer from Wales, seamlessly blending orchestral and chamber influences with electronic, folktronica, and synthpop genres, creating a distinct and captivating sound inspired by artists like AURORA and Massive Attack. Control – Freyja Elsy vocals and piano with Steve Kenward on guitar, Richard F Jackson on double bass and Zach Breshkall on drums. I love a track with hard hitting lyrics ‘I thought I had control…I had it under control’ it’s a question we all ask. We all just carry on, outside strong but underneath doubts. These lyrics, combined with those vocals….Soft, cool, and beautifully understated. It reminds me of Everything but the girl – an intimate vocal – understated but deeply emotional.

The contrast of this with the lyrics, creates a song that is emotionally powerful. Hinting at influences from ‘Unfinished Symphony’. I can hear the 90’s vibe whilst it retains a very clear 2026 edge. It’s beautifully written and a song you can’t help but listen to repeatedly.

Official | Instagram | Facebook

GENTLEMAN’S DUB CLUB X MUNGO’S HI FIX SOLO BANTON – Good Good

Gentleman’s Dub Club are originally from Leeds. The band have been active since 2006, with live performances at Bestival and Glastonbury. They have built a reputation for energetic live shows, and the group have played all over the world. Their records remain in the Top 40 album Reggae charts on iTunes, with huge support from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music. They have supported a number of established artists including Roots Manuva and The Wailers.

Good Good was released on August 21 2026 by Easy Star Records. With Solo Banton on vocals, this track marks the first major collaboration with Mungo’s Hi Fi since the 2011 remix of the track ‘High Grade’

This is the song you play to feel good. High energy, and a vibe that transports you from your normal everyday life to a chill weekend with friends.
One listen and you just feel differently! The warmth in the song is there to lift your mood, whilst the repetitive song pattern creates a hypnotic, almost meditative feeling.

I really love this track. The lyrics state ‘everything’s gonna be good, good. Better than it’s ever been, good good’ and that’s exactly what the song does – just makes everything good.

Love Solo Benton’s vocal too – so cool and crisp. I am hooked!
In their own words, ‘Good Good is made for big speakers, outdoor sessions and getting people moving’ and honestly, I can smell the vibe; freshly cut grass, warm summer air, and speakers on full blasting this track!

Instagram | Facebook

GEORGE BOOMSMA – Orthallerton

George Boomsma is a singer / songwriter from North Yorkshire. George has spent the last ten years crafting his unique sound. His music touches on themes of family, relationships, self-acceptance, and grief. George has toured internationally with TV appearances on Jools Holland, BBC Glastonbury Festival 2023, and a tour earlier this year.

George’s music is thoughtful Indie / folk-rock with Americana and folk influences and Orthallaton is no exception.

I am struck by the earthy acoustic instrumentation. It feels like something that has real soul, not overly polished. Sort of quirky in a way. I love how the song is allowed to breathe – it’s not over produced. It just lets you hear every element of the song.

You literally feel the story, and it takes you on a lyrical journey. Then a steady build to a stunning guitar solo which gives the listener a time to pause and reflect. Love the conversational vocal. It feels like George is talking directly to you. Stunning track.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

KITTY PERRIN – Look Alive

Kitty Perrin is a London singer-songwriter. At the age of 11, Kitty began songwriting under the guidance of Gordon Russell. She quickly discovered her love for narrative song-writing styles of pop artists like Lily Allen and Kate Nash.

Her bold, pop-tinged folk-style songwriting has earned acclaim from BBC Radio 1.

With songs that show you what happened, how it happened, who was involved and how things changed, I was excited to delve deeper into this song by Kitty Perrin. Look Alive did not disappoint. Full of emotional lyrics and a story narrative –

You showed up on her worst day
Begging for something back
At dinner you were stone faced
Ruined the photograph
She said that you were like a brother
But red faced in the street
A solipsistic bitter lover′s
Closer to what I see

These could be lines from a book. A broken relationship – he turned up?
This is a stand out track for lots of reasons.

Simple, catchy melody that lets you hear the words, and a deliberately conversational style vocal, with a perfect guitar top line. Absolutely love it!

Instagram | Facebook

ROWENA WISE – Dimond In The Rough

Rowena Wise is a Melbourne-based artist. Her music is grounded in indie rock, garage pop and alt-folk, with strong lyrical storytelling.

Her 2024 debut LP, Senseless Acts of Beauty, was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize and a follow-up titled Bad Things Feel Good was released in August. Diamond In The Rough is from this album.

I am immediately struck by the organ which creates a theatrical opening – like a scene is about to unfold.

This is so clever as it creates an atmosphere long before the vocals kick in.
This song delivers on a number of levels. It creates a sense of a story about to develop.

I could easily have been sat at a table in a dimly lit theatre waiting for a performance to begin. It took me to a bygone era. Magical.

In part the track also feels epic, with stunning vocal layering, and instrumentation that has a country vibe to it.

If you are looking for total escapism then this track is for you. Four minutes that will magically transport you to a different time and a different place.

Official | Instagram | Facebook

SARAH IRVINE – Florence

Sarah Irvine is a musician from Edinburgh. Backed by Creative Scotland, she released her album Painted Light which she says is a ‘kaleidoscopic stamp in time, a precious capsule of ten collaborative tracks chronicling love, grief, and change’.

She wrote this album whilst navigating her new life as a mother and full-time caregiver.

I love that this album is a legacy for her daughter, born out of love.
Intimate and emotionally raw from the start, ‘Florence’ combines acoustic guitar with vocals that have a vulnerability.

The stripped back sound makes emotions feel more exposed – as though the words are being spoken directly to her daughter.

You can feel an element of self doubt at the beginning, or it could be a feeling of change and how time goes too quickly. Then 46 seconds in, the tempo becomes more up beat revealing a new found confidence, like a new beginning.

The lyrics – ‘watching birds in the city your face lit up so alive’
It gives us a peek into the special moments. Just a look or a smile can become an endless memory.

Effortless vocals. Reminded me of Karen Carpenter with the contrast between strength and vulnerability. Florence is such a beautiful song.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

SHORT SHARP SCRATCH – THAT SUMMER SUN

Short Sharp Scratch is the funky synth-pop and eclectic groove project of Brighton-based songwriter and producer Jak Chantler.

He combines funky synth-pop, groove, and eclectic pop.

The songs feature notable contributions from Mo Pleasure on keyboardist/synth (former musical director for Earth, Wind & Fire, and keys/bass player for Michael Jackson and Ray Charles) as well as various guest vocalists.

Praised by our own FOTN Tom Robinson (For BBC Radio 6 Music) who noted that Chantler ‘channels his inner Prince’ …and ‘That Summer Sun’ is no exception, with a strong bass line, electric guitar and catchy melody this is a stand out track. Really love the vocals from James Craise which are rhythmically cool – almost like another percussion instrument.

The drums form a key part to this song with strong syncopated patterns.
I love the bright guitar hook at the start of the song, really reminded me of Viola Beach.

There’s so much to love about this track. It really takes you back to the 80’s and 90’s Prince era with a touch of James Brown to add another layer.

After hearing this, I’ll be first in line for tickets when they’re next playing live!

Instagram | 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.