Single Slam: Melrose Avenue, Scared Little Toaster, Keep this Up, Atlas : Empire, Hacktivist, Sick Joy, Cabin Boy Jumped Ship, HRTLSS, and Massive Wagons!

Today’s single slam features Melrose Avenue, Scared Little Toaster, Keep this Up, Atlas : Empire, Hacktivist, Sick Joy, Cabin Boy Jumped Ship, HRTLSS, and Massive Wagons. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Melrose Avenue – This is the End

Sydney alt rockers Melrose Avenue reveal a softer side of themselves with the release of ‘This is the End’.

Speaking on the new single vocalist, Vlado Saric shares:

As we progress as an act, we wanted to show our audience that is another dimension to Melrose Avenue. I wrote this song as a past relationship was falling apart – I didn’t want it to end, she didn’t want it to end.. but it had to before it destroyed us both! This is probably as open as you’ll ever get with me.

It really doesn’t get more emotional than this, and so much of that emotion comes from the authenticity of it all. Just vocals and guitar, super simple, with all the focus being on Vlado’s voice and words. It’s beautiful, and having seen it performed live, it has even more power in that environment too.

Scared Little Toaster – NUDIBRANCH

Scared Little Toaster, the experimental noise rock/noise punk bass and drums duo from London, have released their new single, ‘NUDIBRANCH’. A track that the band describes as:

‘NUDIBRANCH’ chronicles the sonic journey of the kidnapping into the black market of a disillusioned fashion model nudibranch (of tropical reef origin). This opportunistic nudibranch eventually escapes to find freedom and solace on a Holiday Inn breakfast platter beside stale toast.

Back to challenge, thrill, confound, and delight in equal measure, the London noise mongers bring us something with energy and groove. Which is a nice surprise, but don’t let that fool you into believing it’s not a track filled with experimental eccentricities, because it is. That’s Scared Little Toaster for you, and the bassy thrums of this one are really addictive. Check it out here.

Keep This Up – Remedy (For the End)

British post-hardcore outfit Keep This Up charge forward with unstoppable momentum, and have just revealed their new single and video, ‘Remedy (For the End)’.

Hell yeah, now this is a track to let loose to. A punchy and vigorous blast of intense post hardcore that has modern metal vibes, least of all their use of melody, warped by a vocal rawness and some old-school touches here and there. This is very cool.

Atlas : Empire – Rêverie

Prog/post rock Glaswegians Atlas : Empire are back with their latest track ‘Rêverie’ which is out now and streaming everywhere.

Says Atlas : Empire:

‘Rêverie’ is a song about learning how to accept love again. We’re all shaped by our experiences, both positively & negatively, and Rêverie explores the barriers we create following traumatic relationships, the process of overcoming those fears and ultimately allowing yourself to fall for someone again.

An immensely powerful track that creates a whirlwind of dark, post-driven melody and progressively tinged rockiness. The vocals are haunting, capturing the mind in a soft, but powerful grasp. It’s another exceptional track from an exceptional band. Check it out here.

Hacktivist – Masquerade

UK grime-metal pioneers Hacktivist have shared a new taste of their brand-new era in ‘Masquerade’, alongside a vibe-laden video. The track, mixed and mastered by Justin Hill (SikTh), was also co-written and produced by James Hewitt (ex-HACKTIVIST).

A brand-new era with one eye on the past, this new Hacktivist blends the band’s trademark biting commentary and honest intensity with ambience soundscapes and heavy flareups. It’s a really potent listen that has a unique vibe, and then along comes the breakdown. What. The. Actual. FUCK. My jaw hit the floor.

Sick Joy – Cinnamon Burn

Sick Joy have unveiled their brand-new single, ‘Cinnamon Burn’, the latest track from their anticipated second album ‘More Forever’, set for release on 30th January 2026.

Speaking about the new single ‘Cinnamon Burn’, vocalist and guitarist Mykl Barton shares:

A song for the broken hearted, that just don’t know when to quit.

I really dig what Sick Joy do, and this moody alternative banger really works for me. In fact, I find it a bit hypnotic, especially as the vocals are so strong. The powering up in the chorus adds some real singalong aspects too. My favourite track from the new album so far. Check it out here.

Cabin Boy Jumped Ship – Chemicals

UK electronicore heavyweights, Cabin Boy Jumped Ship, are back, and they’re louder than ever. After three years of silence, the band erupts with a brand-new single called ‘Chemicals’.

Cabin Boy Jumped Ship had this to say:

Chemicals is our first release since Sentiments (2022), exploring the natural chemistry in our brains that drives our emotions and connections. It’s about the rush, the comedown, and how overwhelming it can be when your own mind is the thing pulling the strings. Energetic and introspective, it reflects the intensity of feeling everything all at once.

It has been far too long, but if their time away reinvigorated them to such an extent that we’re going to keep getting music as good as this, the wait was worth it. Heavier, more intense, filled with startling drama, and as chaotic as it is anthemic, this is an evolved Cabin Boy Jumped Ship and I am all in on it.

HRTLSS – Breathe Me In

Cambridgeshire alt-metal risers HRTLSS have released their new single ‘Breathe Me In’.

The track dives deeper into the intoxicating pull of problematic romance – the kind you shouldn’t want, yet can’t resist. Exploring themes of adultery and affairs, the track carries an undercurrent of somber discontent, wrapped in a haze of seductive danger.

Explains HRTLSS:

‘Breathe Me In’ is about the kind of love that feels wrong but you can’t stay away from. It’s messy, addictive, and full of the tension between what you want and what you shouldn’t. We wanted it to feel like that moment when you know you’re crossing a line – but you do it anyway.

Pretty, heartfelt, and earnest, HRTLSS’ new track continues to show off the growth of the band. Far more comfortable infusing pop power with alternative rock and metal elements than ever. It’s an attention-grabbing listen. Check it out here.

Massive Wagons – Everywhere We Go

Lancaster’s finest rock export, Massive Wagons, release their brand-new single and video, ‘Everywhere We Go’. The track comes accompanied by a video filmed at the Iconic Winter Gardens in Morecambe.

Guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite comments on the track:

We wanted it to sound huge wherever it’s played… radio, kitchen, or concert hall. Matt O’Grady completely understood that and nailed the energy in the mix.

Vocalist Barry Mills adds:

Everywhere We Go is one of those songs you just know will go off live… big chorus, big energy, it’s built for the stage.

Are you ready to rock? Of course you are, especially as Massive Wagons know how to rock. Bringing a stadium sized anthem to welcoming ears. Ear-worm riffs, infectious vocals, a chorus that no-one will be able to stop humming, I’d say that it’s ‘par for the course’ with this band, but this is a particularly strong track from them.