Fresh off of heading up pretty much every “Sound of 2018” list in existence, indie-pop darlings Pale Waves are giving us yet another example of why they’re the hottest band around with new track “The Tide”. The latest glimpse at what is certain to be their triumphant debut EP “All The Things I’ve Never Said”, it’s the perfect slice of dream-pop perfection to get your week off to the best start.

Returning with their first piece of new music since 2015’s sophomore album Every Open Eye, CHVRCHES are back and life is good. A beautiful anthemic return from the Scottish trio, the new song was produced by the award-winning Greg Kurstin. Speaking on the latest cut, the band say: “Working with Greg was so different to what we’d done before, but it also felt so comfortable and like he’d been in our band forever. He doesn’t try to make you write a certain kind of song. He just listens and then Jedi puppet masters the best work out of you. The opening synth riff of ‘Get Out’ was the first thing to emerge on our first day in the studio with him.”

Having dropped their fantastic new album Microshift last week, Hookworms are fully establishing themselves as our new faves. Releasing “Each Time We Pass” on the eve of the record release, the track sees the group collab with Virginia Wings’ Alice Merida Richards. “This track was the first time we have ever truly collaborated with an artist external to the band, in the most modern sense of the word,” the group explain. “It was an extremely rewarding experience and it is one of the only Hookworms songs where I can happily stand back and admire it as it had been written by another band.”

After making his highly-awaited return late last year, Mike Skinner is back under his Streets moniker with even more music. Sharing reflective bop “If You Ever Need to Talk I’m Here” last week, it’s the latest taste of what we can only hope will be the artist’s soon approaching sixth record.

An exciting look into her upcoming album of the same name, “Kindness of Strangers” is the gorgeous new track from country babe Courtney Marie Andrews. “’Kindness of Strangers’ was written directly after some legendary musicians took their own life,” she explains of the poignant song. “It sparked this long and deep thought about how we all feel disconnected with each other at some point in our lives. When you’re at your lowest of lows, even a friendly cashier can make your month. Human connection is essential for survival, and I’ve felt that void at so many different points in my life. This song portrays that void, and how even the smallest amount of kindness can save you.”

Yet again showing why she’s one of the best pop names around, Kate Nash spoiled us last week with the release of new banger “Drink About You” and the announcement of a new record Yesterday was Forever. “Yesterday was Forever is an excerpt from a teenage diary,” she explains of the highly-anticipated new album. “I used to be mocked for being a silly little girl writing in her teenage diary, but these days I feel like the teenage girl is far more respected than she used to be and it’s teenage girls that have fought for that and taught people that lesson. ‘Yesterday was Forever’ is your dreams being trapped in a time capsule, being caught in a moment for too long, and looking back through heart shaped glasses.”

Teenage vocalists, multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth – aka Let’s East Grandma – have just shared their latest slice of modern pop perfection, and oh, we’re into it. Produced by SOPHIE, “Hot Pink” is a vibrant and fresh new cut, which makes us even more excited to hear more. Speaking on the track they say, “‘Hot Pink’ is about the misconceptions of femininity and masculinity and the power of embracing both of them. It’s about self-expression and appreciation for an underrated colour.”

Strokes’ legend and all-round songwriting master Albert Hammond Jr. is back with another indie banger. Taken from his upcoming fourth studio album Francis Trouble, “Muted Beatings” is our first look at the deeply personal new record. “What the music says may be serious, but as a medium it should not be questioned, analysed or taken too seriously,” says Albert of the new LP. “I think it should be tarted up, made into a character, a parody of itself. The music is the mask the message wears and I, the performer, am the message.”

Wonderbabe Madison Beer is making the start to your February fantastic with the release of her debut EP “As She Pleases”. Full of absolute pop gems that show off her signature smokey vocals, if you weren’t already obsessed with the 18-year-old sensation you’re about to be.