mp3hugger

Combo Move – Sell Out

hugger — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:55:02 +0000

Though it might not have ended up there the opening propulsion on ‘Sell Out’ had me thinking prime Pixies and a gathering storm of noise was likely on the way. And to a large degree Combo Move didn’t disrupt that line of thinking as there is a proper firebrand at the helm who is always willing to unleash rancour and agitation but in a fashion that never feels forced. In other words there is purity to ‘Sell Out’, a new force for the rebellion forming before our very eyes. KH

Sell Out by Combo Move

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Year: 2026

Date of Birth – Coral Castle

hugger — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:08:36 +0000

Every fibre in my being was telling me that Bergen’s Date of Birth (Birgitta Alida Hole and Pablo Tellez) were going to turn out something nostalgic and pop and quite likely dreamy. And ‘Coral Castle’ didn’t let us down in that department and into the mix came a baggy kind of rhythm section that might encourage the odd groover to respond in kind. No surprise really as there is a hypnotic quality here, full of doe-eyed observations and the levitation of an act who are utterly in thrall of the ways of the possibilities of innocence and imagination. So very lovely. KH

Seashell Eyes by Date of Birth

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Hear More Songs: Cali Santo
Year: 2026

Annika Kilkenny & Cali Santo – Cycles

hugger — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:08:04 +0000

We’d expect nothing but folk purity from Annika Kilkenny and Cali Santo appears to have read the script in that regard because his is a lovely early morning reflection. In fact ‘Cycles’ does feel like a form of rejuvenation on record, the clear chemistry when the singers combine to create a form of perfect waltz. One listen in and it was reminding me of the mastery of Magnet and Gemma Hayes on ‘Lay Lady Lay’, yes that degree of special – the kind to tuck us in at night. Perfect. KH

Cali Santo · Cycles

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Year: 2026

Richard Neuberg – Everything Dark Is Light

hugger — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:21:32 +0000

Such a lovely folk drift, the sort that is comforting and thoughtful and all things nice for those who want to shield themselves from the rigours of the day. Oxford’s Richard Neuberg comes at us in old school fashion and it feels like the most welcome of arrangements as a result. Add in strings and general embellishment to add an expertly curated manner and suddenly there is company that can’t but leave us in a better place every time. KH

Everything Dark is Light by Richard Neuberg

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Year: 2026

Color Palette – Killing It and Falling Apart

hugger — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:53:27 +0000

Oh Color Palette had me right back in the heart of the 90’s, probably mostly in the My Bloody Valentine corner but with the degree of frenzy toned a little so we get a bit more conventional tunage in there. And they’ve given it a baggy tone too so we could conceivably bop along to ‘Killing It and Falling Apart’. In fact I heard elements of Chapterhouse’s classic ‘Pearl’ here. So so very taken by the past but remains a tune that has made us happy right in the presence. Gorgeous. KH

Killing It and Falling Apart by Color Palette

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Hear More Songs: Color Palette
Year: 2026

New Age Healers – Moored

hugger — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:03:12 +0000

Percussion that rings different is more than enough to have us in the hallway of ‘Moored’ and wearing an intrigued kind of expression. Seattle’s New Age Healers sure do make it worth our while too as their epic drawn instrumental forays are made for the remainder of the Madchester audiences out there. Could be that we’re back in the early 90’s and acid house is working one half of the youth of the day into a tizzy, for the other 50% there is an indie dance to be getting on with. Jangle meets the hacienda and suddenly it feels like we’re home. Jagwar Ma fans rejoice. KH

Blowing Smoke Through The Choir by New Age Healers

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Year: 2026

Bluhm – Dirty Soul

hugger — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:09:45 +0000

There is always colourful antincs to be had from Bluhm, on this occasion it is of the classic arcade variety as the bleeps have a real 8-bit quality about them. ‘Dirty Soul’ packs a whole lot more besides too. Not least an increasingly buoyant degree of melody of the kind you know will lift all ships. So we get a piece of music that is great to have around the place, spot the shift in mood everything time and always in the direction of smile generation. Powerful stuff from the Detroit duo of Claire Bluhm and Cameron John Marion. KH

Dirty Soul by Bluhm

More Info: Official
Hear More Songs: The Kickdrums
Year: 2026

Stolen Days & The Kickdrums & Dub Sonata – Butterfly

hugger — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:22:13 +0000

Do love the way this track has a cascading effect, a groove that is understated but always finds a way to permeate beyond the hard shell we apply to stop anything beyond the tried and tested. ‘Butterfly’ though has the colour and charm to beguile, a montage of rhythmic devices that is headed up by a singer who knows that love is the reason for everything good that happens in the world. Yep, it is still possible to be smitten by a piece of music. KH

The Kickdrums · Butterfly

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Year: 2026

Jack Larkin – Colorburst

hugger — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:26:34 +0000

What a palate cleanser this is, a piece of tropical escapism that has a bright light switched on and willing to spread the goodness to the rest of us. Reminds me a lot of Panda Beat, electronica that never stays too far into experimental territory but eschews taking the easy way out. A midsummer glow, dreampop for all season long and the kind of presence that you know will provide an uplift for the happiness index. KH

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Year: 2026

Navah Sea – Push and Pulling

hugger — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:25:32 +0000

What a odd percussive effect to ‘Push and Pulling’ and I was immediately reminded of Animal Collective because while the harmonies are obvious there is also a clear run at melodic intervention. And Navah Sea (it being Phil Simmonds) as is their way corral us a bit in the direction of the Beach Boys. Comes across like sunshine pop to music, smile inducing and with a bit of devilment thrown in for good measure. A source of endless fun and frolics in other words. KH

More Info: Official
Hear More Songs: Navah Sea
Year: 2026

Babe Rainbow – Waterfall

hugger — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:03:05 +0000

What a fulsome arrangement this is, the kind that feels like it has surround sound because ‘Waterfall’ provides an immersive effect. And that effect comes with all manner of summertime upshots, not least the tropical mannerisms of an act that sound like they performing with giant grins on their faces. I picked up on a shade of Manchester too such was the beat structure, a win-win kind of groove that is very much in keeping with summertime. KH

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Hear More Songs: Babe Rainbow
Year: 2026

Wibes – Dive Down

hugger — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:36:37 +0000

Such a tropical quality to Norway’s Wibes, there was a clue in the moniker I guess and they reminded me a lot of Morcheeba (check out their ‘The Sea’) and they lavishly restful ambience. ‘Dive Down’ has picked its time well, perfectly in sync with holiday states of mind and offering up a gentle groove for those who are so inclined. All sounds so effortless, ebb and flow and companionship that always tend towards the bright side. KH

More Info: Official
Hear More Songs: Wibes
Year: 2026