2023 has been a big year for music and Music News Monthly. We have seen incredible new albums, E.P.s, singles, live performances and videos from some of the biggest names in the industry as well as outstanding debut albums from some of the fastest rising stars of the moment.  It's never easy to pick out your favourites but here is our music highlights from 2023.  Click here to find see our 2023 highlights  

Heavy Water, the band created during lockdown by legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford and his son Seb, are back with their second album, 'Dreams of Yesterday'. The album, which is due for release on September 29th via Silver Lining Music, is a ten-track collaboration of musical ideas that will surprise people in places and delight across the board. Read on to find out what we thought. The title track and album opener, which look back with a nostalgic longing to the ever-changing music scene of the mid-1960s, The song is a good introduction to the album, with a heavy as you like bass line. The song showcases both Biff and Seb Byford's vocals, which complement each other's vocal styles perfectly. Seb's voice is strong with a modern rock aesthetic, which blends seamlessly with Biff's iconic, powerful metal vocal style.  The groove-infused ' Don't Take It For Granted', keeps the momentum going, which is a powerhouse in itself. But if you thou

Grammy-nominated musician and singer-songwriter Brent Cobb is back with his fifth studio album, 'Southern Star'. Recorded at the renowned Capricorn Studios in his home town of Georgia. The album is the first that Brent has produced himself, with help from Oran Thornton.   Not only did Brent record the album in Georgia, 'Southern Star' is very much a tribute to the southern state. This is no more apparent than in the opener and title track, a stunning song that starts the album off on an upbeat tone. Brent reminisces on his past and affirms his love of where he comes from and the sense of security and belonging he feels when he is away from home; he knows he "can always count on the Southern Star", a great sentiment. On to 'It's A Start' which is smooth as you like with a groove that just resonates with the soul. Brent paints a vivid picture of a chilled-out day with loved ones. His words evoke scenes of a hazy summer get-together with f

K.Flay has returned with her fifth studio album, ‘ MONO’. The album’s title is inspired by K.Flay’s recent and very sudden on set of an extremely rare hearing condition called SSNHL (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) and Labrynthitis. The condition has left the musician and singer-songwriter completely deaf in her right ear. The first track on the album deals with this head-on. ‘Are You Serious?’ explains exactly what happened, with clever use of sound to reflect the confusion and difficulties faced by K.Flay as she talks about how it feels to be suddenly faced with a brand new way of living and the reality of the condition. As an experienced singer-songwriter, K.Flay uses all of her creativity and skillful lyricism on this album. Almost ten years since the release of her debut record back in 2014, K.Flay has managed to create an album that feels fresh and exciting. ‘The Punisher’, is one of my personal favourites; the beat throughout is on point, but more importantly, for

SHELF LIVES ANNOUNCE THEIR DEBUT EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR FOR MARCH 2024 'YOU OKAY? EP OUT NOW VIA MODERN SKY - LISTEN HERE London electro punk duo Shelf Lives have announced their first European headline tour today, extending their upcoming UK run onto the continent for March 2024. The announcement follows a remarkable year, performing at major festivals like Glastonbury, Liverpool Sound City, The Great Escape, Shambala, and more. Their headline London show was a sell-out success, complemented by landing the Introducing Track of the Week on BBC Radio 1 and securing funding from the PRS Foundation's Open Fund. Additionally, Shelf Lives have supported acclaimed acts such as Snayx, Slotface, The Kills, and Jehnny Beth (Savages), while their EP ‘You Okay?’ sold out swiftly after its exclusive release this October via Blood Records.x Looking ahead, Shelf Lives is gearing up for a UK headline and debut EU tour early next year, along with appearances at New Colo

After three phenomenal SOLD OUT performances last week, it is proudly announced that Glasgow’s finest THE ALMIGHTY will be back to play more headline shows!   Check out the tour promo reel  here The band’s original lineup of Ricky Warwick, Stumpy Monroe, Floyd London and Andy “Tantrum” McCafferty will continue the three in a row concept under the title ‘THREE ‘N’ EASY’ with shows at the end of November 2024, but also have taken the unprecedented move to also announce three more shows at the end of November 2025 at the same time!   Both runs will end at the famed Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on November 30th each year to celebrate Scotland’s Patron Saint on St. Andrews Day.   Lead Vocalist / Guitarist Ricky Warwick: “Well what can we say … we wanted to see how the reaction was to the band reforming before deciding anything going forward and the fans last week made it a no brainer for us … we had to play more shows!  So here we are announcing two years worth of shows at onc