First On | NME

Brooke Combe: Scottish social media covers star crafting her own soul-stirring hits

The Edinburgh multi-instrumentalist on how her deeply powerful covers paved the way for her attitude-packed debut single and her ambition to one day open for Arctic Monkeys

Aziya: “I didn’t have guitar role models growing up – I want to fill that gap”

London guitar hero Aziya talks cover versions, being the change she wants to see in rock and finding a fan in Oscar-winning artist H.E.R.

The Clockworks: Galway’s Alan McGee-approved breakouts relish the competition

Galway four-piece on working with the Creation Records co-founder, how a Talk Show gig changed their mindset for good and getting to grips with London life

Raheaven: “There’s little Eritrean representation in UK music – I would like to be one of the first”

Clouds, cherubs and angels are such a central part of Rahel Yohannes’ aesthetic, it’s little surprise that her stage name harks back to the...

Horsegirl: nu-gazers leading Chicago’s musical renaissance

Chicago's Horsegirl talk suburban inspirations and the songwriting lessons learned from their heroes Stereolab

Blanketman: soaring punk-tinged indie from Manchester

Blanketman on how following in the footsteps of Manchester's guitar heroes has shaped their own determined blend of playful indie

Creams: politically incensed dystopian dark-pop from Georgia

The Tbilisi-based writer, singer and producer's eclectic debut EP is a retaliation against the political tensions within her home country

NewDad: community-inspired lo-fi dream-pop from Galway

Galway’s shoegazing NewDad traverse their new EP, bare-footed buskers and fan appreciation

Kam-Bu: “‘Black on Black’ has negative connotations – I want to turn that on its head”

Kam-Bu reflects on his work with Leon Vynehall and writing a "revolutionary" song inspired by Fela Kuti

Nuha Ruby Ra: “These songs saved my life in many, many ways”

The art-punk’s debut EP sees her delving deep into her own truth in order to find a way out of the darkness