Neu The Neu Bulletin (Cosmorat, Automotion, Cate and more!)

Opening with a good minute of mysterious atmosphere-building that sounds like they trapped Liz Fraser in a miniature church, cellos howl and Shangri-Las-style backing vocals bawl in this widescreen baroque-pop epic from London-via-Pennsylvania trio Cosmorat. Coming as the lead single from forthcoming EP 'Evil, Adjacent', 'No Sleep' grows high, wide, tall and proud, its reflections on loved ones' struggles with mental illness and addiction making for an engrossing and deeply moving statement of sublime pop magnificence. (Elvis Thirlwell)

South London staples Automotion are back with their first release of the year, and what better way to preview the next twelve months than with a gnarly slice of genre-splicing, guitar-led intensity? They've shared bills with similarly eclectic outfits like Fat Dog and Butch Kassidy, and on 'Liquify' Automotion really flex their technical chops; it's a busy knot of riffs, underlying dance beats, and a lyrical delivery that lands like the sonic equivalent of squaring up to someone, five pints deep and pool cue in hand. (Daisy Carter)

Canadian singer-songwriter Cate usually delivers high-powered pop ready to take firm root inside your brain for the foreseeable. But she can also drive a ballad home with the same power, and her latest cut is testament to that. ‘Rocket Science’ might sway rather than bounce, but it also bristles with barely restrained fury at an ex. It’s an exercise in female rage, as she put it on her Instagram, growing from tongue in cheek pettiness and stoic tears to all-out hurt. (Caitlin Chatterton)

Like The 1975’s raucous ‘People’ filtered through the cheeky pop smarts of either ‘Parklife’-era Blur or Sports Team, depending on which decade you like your analogies to come from, ‘Workwear’ is a delightfully irreverent slice of capitalism-bashing hi-jinx. It’s scrappy and rough around the edges, as you’d expect from a band whose name almost equates to their output (this is actually their second single but never mind), but there’s something winning about My First Time that certainly merits coming back for seconds. (Lisa Wright)

New York-based quintet Slow Fiction have cemented themselves as an act to look out for in 2024. Their latest single 'Apollo' is full of energy - a throwback to guitar bands of old, with  an unpolished, raw feel and almost grunge-like guitars. Julia Vassallo’s vocals recall icons of the past, yet they still retain her own distinct tone. Having just signed to So Young Records, the band's early signs are full of promise. (Chris Connor)

Manchester-based artist Lei Hope has announced his signing to the Heist or Hit label with new single ‘Boyfriend’, an infectious fusion of indie, bedroom-pop, R&B, psychedelia, and soul. Languorous guitar tones generate a sense of longing for the warmer months, before horns come to the forefront of the instrumental in the latter half of the track, giving hints of Tyler, The Creator’s ‘Flower Boy’ LP. Lei Hope has already made waves with his self-released debut EP ‘Autonomous Affection’, and ‘Boyfriend’ proves that these waves are only going to get bigger this year. (Gemma Cockrell)

Lola Wild transports us back in time on ‘Get Up’, a retro track which leans into traditional band instrumentals and focuses on clear harmonies. The short but sweet song gives Wild a chance to bare her soul and share personal experiences, from a dislike of family gatherings to ‘being scared of dying young’. In a busy music scene, taking a step back in time with Lola Wild is certainly refreshing. (Amrit Virdi)

Leeds five-piece VENUS GRRRLS - citing Riot grrrl as their direct ancestors - made waves in 2023 with their infectious brand of self-described ‘girly goth rock’. They’re kicking off the new year with ‘Divine’, an earnest confession of infatuation with a Libra (continue at your peril, etc.). A brewing storm of soggy guitars, drums, and frontwoman GK’s urgent musings (“If only he knew / that you’re just my type / I think I like you”), the track is a glorious start to 2024 for the alt-rock group. (Caitlin Chatterton)

Providing a 3-minute deep-dive into an all-consuming relationship fantasy, Alessi Rose’s latest may be a decidedly delusional take, but it’s equally one that confirms her status as one to watch in 2024. ‘eat me alive’ is the Derby-born newcomer’s third release to date and continues to cement her genre-blending pop ethos. Underpinned by ambient instrumental textures, its evocative leading vocals recall a sound that lies somewhere between Gracie Abrams and Nieve Ella. (Emily Savage)

Tags: Alessi Rose, Automotion, Cate, Cosmorat, Lei Hope, Lola Wild, Slow Fiction, VENUS GRRRLS, Listen, Watch, Neu, Neu Bulletin