LISTEN: Nastazia Bazil – ‘Call Me Habibi’

Lebanon-born, London-based artist Nastazia Bazil never imagined she’d make music that others would want to hear – let alone be releasing an album. But, after forming a band through First Timers Fest (a festival giving new musicians the chance to start a band) a few years ago, she’s done exactly that. Her debut album, From Beirut To Anywhere, will be released next month, marking a powerful milestone in her journey as a musician.

Since her start, Bazil has already shared stages with fast-rising bands like Mary In The Junkyard and Vanity Fairy, building a reputation for her emotionally raw and sonically distinct performances. Her sound leans heavily into moody, ‘80s-inspired synthscapes – drawing comparisons to the likes of Kraftwerk and more contemporary artists like St Vincent, layered with unsettling textures and steady, minimalistic electronic drum beats. These brooding instrumentals are paired with close-mic’d vocals that add an intimate tone to her work.

Bazil’s DIY approach is central to her aesthetic. Rather than opting for polished studio perfection, her recordings retain a sense of authenticity and vulnerability that resonate deeply. It’s this honesty – both sonically and lyrically – that sets her apart.

Her latest single, Call Me Habibi, offers a poignant glimpse into the emotional landscape that defines her debut album. The track reflects on her experience as part of the Lebanese diaspora, grappling with the heartache of being unable to return to her home country due to political unrest, while still yearning for familiar comforts, like home-cooked food. The result is a stirring, deeply personal anthem of displacement and longing.

Nastazia’s debut album, From Beirut To Anywhere, is set for release on 5th June; a bold debut that captures the ache of exile with haunting textured melancholy. Keep an eye out for it on bandcamp!

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

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ALBUM: Neev – ‘How Things Tie In Knots’

Scottish-born, London-based indie-folk artist Neev has been making her mark on the UK’s indie-folk scene with her intricate storytelling and evocative vocals. Her upcoming second album, How Things Tie in Knots, explores the complexities of identity, heritage, and self-discovery through a rich, cinematic soundscape.

How Things Tie in Knots is an album of contrasts – tradition vs. progression, restraint vs. release, softness vs. intensity. Neev navigates these tensions with poetic lyricism, crafting an album that feels both personal and universal. Thematically, the album delves into the push and pull between letting go and holding on, the weight of expectations, and the nuances of self-acceptance.

Produced by an all-female team; engineered by Taylor Pollock (Cosmorat), mixed by Fi Roberts, and mastered by Izzy McPhee, the album is both expansive and intimate. With backing from Arts Council England, Neev’s vision is further enhanced by Brighton-based artist Rebecca Brandler’s individual paintings for each track, reinforcing the album’s rich aesthetic.

Drawing influence from Scottish folk traditions, blues, and alternative indie production, Neev’s work evokes artists like Weyes Blood, Agnes Obel, and Julien Baker, resulting in an album that is lush, warm and textured. The opening tracks are delicate and folk-tinged, combining gentle piano lilts with airy, melodic vocals. ‘I Put It in the Frame‘ is particularly catchy, bursting with rhythmic energy, big drums, and electric guitars, but it’s ‘He Built Himself’ that marks a sonic shift, introducing a darker, more urgent energy. From this point on, the album gradually expands its sound, moving into deeper, more dynamic territory.

‘My Own Back’ leans into bluesy grit with a Hammond organ-esque sound, violin, and layered harmonies, while ‘Keep Low’ carries a brooding urgency, driven by a cool electric guitar that adds raw energy. ‘A Sad Tightrope’ is the most melancholic track, its slow pacing and rich harmonies drawing the listener to contemplate.

How Things Tie In Knots is, overall, a really bold, polished body of work. With its sweeping arrangements, storytelling, and striking honesty, Neev cements herself as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary indie-folk.

How Things Tie In Knots, the upcoming second album from Neev, is released tomorrow – 28th March – via Trapped Animal Records. Pre-order here. And, following a gorgeous night at The Lexington last week, Neev will be celebrating it’s release with a special gig at The Folklore Rooms in Brighton on Saturday 29th March. Tickets here.

Ella Patenall
@ella_patenall

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WATCH: Roller Derby – ‘Emily’s Dance’

Hamburg-based dream pop duo Roller Derby have released their latest single, ‘Emily’s Dance’. This is the fourth single from their much-anticipated debut album, which is set for release early next year. Following performances at Reeperbahn Festival, SXSW, and opening for German band Madsen, the duo have cemented their reputation as a consistent and distinct force in the dream pop genre, earning airplay from Radio X’s John Kennedy and Amazing Radio’s Charlie Ashcroft.

Accompanied by a vibrant and engaging masterpiece of an animated video crafted by Johannes Walenta, ‘Emily’s Dance’ reflects the duo’s signature style: blending dreamy, contemporary influences with nostalgic ’80s vibes. The song opens with luscious synth-driven melodies supported with softly delivered vocals, adding a layer of melancholia and vulnerability; complemented by delicately dreamy guitar riffs. Subtle changes in dynamics and texture keep the song engaging, with swirling melodies, funk-fuelled basslines, and floating guitar licks that dance over the track’s rich layers.

Produced by Moses Schneider, the production feels polished and satisfying, balancing stripped-back verses with expansive choruses, which are marked by thick vocal harmonies, enveloping the listener in a lush warmth.

Lyrically, ‘Emily’s Dance’ is an introspective exploration of time, space, and human connection. The track delves into themes of insignificance and loneliness in this vast universe. Yet it offers a glimmer of hope — that “one day the planets will align” to bring harmony. It reflects a common human struggle, of existentialism and our yearning for meaning and companionship.

With their signature nostalgic sound, Roller Derby continue to captivate and I look forward to what their album has to offer.



When The Night Comes, the upcoming debut album from Roller Derby, is due for release on 28th February 2025. And you can catch the duo live when they’re over in the UK for a small run of live dates in May, including at The Lexington in London on 9th May – tickets and info here.

Ella Patenall
@ella_patenall

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WATCH: Roller Derby – ‘Ready To Forget’

‘Ready to Forget‘ is the latest single from Hamburg-based dream pop duo Roller Derby. The track opens with a solid, simple drum beat before a lush, nostalgic ’80s-style synth riff sweeps in, supported by a warm, driving bassline and jangly guitars. The vocals, delivered with a delicate lilt, are filtered to create a slightly muffled yet effective sound. The song’s layered, textured arrangement feels upbeat but is tinged with a signature melancholic edge, culminating in a larger-than-life, uplifting chorus that lingers long after the track ends.

The melody weaves around subtly, set low in the mix with a soft, understated delivery. Blending elements of ’80s new wave, melodic indie and jangle pop, ‘Ready To Forget’ captivates the ears with its shimmering synth-filled soundscape. It’s reminiscent of artists like Beach House, Men I Trust, and Alvvays, with vocals evoking the style of Angel Olsen. The slick production, handled by Moses Schneider, enhances the track’s polished, dreamy atmosphere.

The song delves into themes of change and acceptance, accompanied by a quirky, fun, and tongue-in-cheek video. The video creatively unfolds through a series of computer and phone interfaces, featuring video calls, emails, texts, online chats, and Google searches. Adding to the playful concept, it follows a humorous storyline of taking a flight to “nowhere” – nowhere being Greenland. Watch the video here:

Roller Derby is made up of Philine Meyer (vocals, keys) and Manuel Romero Soria (guitar). Following the success of their 2023 EP Always on My Mind, the duo has been selling out shows across Europe over the last couple of years, including The Shacklewell Arms in London, and with performances at Reeperbahn Festival and SXSW.

When The Night Comes, the debut album from Roller Derby, is set for release on 28th February 2025. Pre-order here. To celebrate the album’s release, Roller Derby will be heading over to the UK for a run of gigs next May, including The Lexington in London on 9th May, and The Rossi Bar in Brighton on 10th May. Tickets on Dice now!

Ella Patenall
@ella_patenall

Photo Credit: Lili Albrecht

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