At the back of Mascara Bar in Stamford Hall, where a tiny doorfront retreats further and further to a living-room style boudoir, Die Twice are preparing to perform at the first of three shows across April and May named ‘Mascara Nights’. The first saw a surprise appearance from Nieve Ella - read about the evening here.

Those who committed to make it to The Kairos’ show at Colours in Hoxton last night with special guests Florentenes would know they’d made the right decision from the first few notes; for all in the audience were treated to a thrilling evening from some majorly exciting artists emerging in the modern rock scene.

Ahead of new EP ‘Put On A Record Tommy’, TOPNOTE went down to The Lower Third in Soho’s Denmark Street to see the North East’s Tom A. Smith on the London date of his headline UK tour for a night of undeniable stage presence and promise.

Out on Friday via Fontana, the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer Jordan Rakei welcomes a different collaborator for each of the 5 tracks on brand new EP ‘Between Us’. Borrowing from the talents of Femi Koleoso, Nubya Garcia and more, read TOPNOTE’s review of the project.

This album was instrumental in so many teen soundtracks, as well as becoming the record that took The 1975 from an underground indie band to a household name… but why? We’re uncovering what makes ‘I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It’ our April album spotlight.

Back with her second record, ‘Cruel World’ sees Holly Humberstone sharpen the pen, this time on the topics of growing up and long-distance relationships. Dipped in the influence of dark fantasy, read TOPNOTE’s album review.

This month’s collection of new music picks is a real chocolate box of variety. From the restrained darkness of Die Twice to the toffee tones of Sienna Spiro, there’s a decadent selection to pick from here. March also brought us two huge albums from Harry Styles and RAYE – putting maximalism back on the menu.

With her microphone and storytelling skills, Holly Humberstone brought Kingston into a quiet, private garden within her meticulously imagined ‘Cruel World’. Read our review of the acoustic show hosted by Banquet Records ahead of the British singer’s second album.

Read TOPNOTE’s review of Tom Misch’s intimate album showcase gig hosted by Banquet Records in Kingston, two days before the release of ‘Full Circle’, the new record from the British artist and his first solo release since 2018.

In one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, a lucky few attended the screening of Ed O’Brien’s film ‘Blue Morpho: The Three Act Play’, before a fascinating Q&A led by journalist Dorian Lynskey. Directed by Kit Monteith, the film was produced for Radiohead’s guitarist's second solo project, ‘Blue Morpho’.

Partnering with Opus for the publisher’s first band-focused publication, renowned portrait photographer Simon Emmett is letting the world in on the full scope of the Oasis ‘25 World Tour. Learn how fans are being invited onto the pages of the official photographic chronicle.

With support from unflirt, America’s unlikely poet-indie-pop artist returned to London yesterday, touring his new record and regreeting fans with old favourites. Check out our review of Del Water Gap’s show at the Camden Roundhouse.

In honour of the return of 5 Seconds Of Summer to London next month, we’re shining a beam on lead singer Luke Hemmings’ 2024 solo EP ‘boy’ for our March album spotlight.

For International Women’s Day(IWD), we asked those in the TOPNOTE team who identify as women to share a song that makes them feel seen or heard. We asked the contributors who identify as male to spotlight a female artist along with their favourite song/s.

With help from producer Kid Harpoon, Harry Styles asks you to leave your logical brain at the door, and submit to an album that spans genres, broaches the silly and serious, and at times makes little sense at all. Read our full review of ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally’.