There is a special kind of joy found in songs that sound like they were written by people grinning at the absurdity of the world rather than angrily kicking holes in it, and Suspex 78 ’s new single “ I Hate the Circus ” lands squarely in that glorious tradition. This is old-school punk stripped of aggression and sprayed instead with sarcasm, wit, and a slightly crooked smile. Rather than charging forward at breakneck speed, “I Hate the Circus” strolls in with jangly confidence, embracing the playful, observational side of punk that often gets forgotten beneath mountains of leather jackets and flying beer cups. The track feels wonderfully reminiscent of John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett at their most eccentric, while also carrying echoes of TV Personalities classics like Where’s Bill Grundy Now?. There is that same sideways glance at everyday nonsense, where humour and melancholy somehow share the same park bench. The lyrics tumble along with a delightfully scruffy charm, painting...
If scientists ever discover a gene responsible for uncontrollable dancing in the kitchen while waiting for the kettle to boil, Lady Impress ’s new single “ DNA ” may well be carrying it. This track arrives at full speed, armed with pounding soca rhythms, a glossy dancehall edge, and enough energy to make even the most committed wallflower consider a cautious shoulder shuffle. “DNA” is built around the idea that rhythm and connection are hardwired into us. Beneath the carnival-ready beat, Lady Impress explores shared origins and the way music travels through generations like a family recipe nobody wrote down properly. The result is a song that feels both personal and universal — soulful enough to mean something, but lively enough that nobody is standing around analysing lyrics with a clipboard. Lady Impress, born Sakeenah Nadirah Hasan, performs with the confidence of someone who has spent years around music and live performance. Growing up with a musician father clearly left its ...