One of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Manchester’s music scene in recent years is The Slow Readers Club. Their new album Cavalcade (released April 13 via Extenso Music) perfectly showcases the brooding, electro indie masterpieces that have won them such a huge fanbase across the UK and more recently in America and Europe.

The Slow Readers Club regularly receive rave reviews for their live shows and 2014’s highlights include a sold out show at Manchester’s Night and Day and appearances at Tramlines Festival, Party in the Pines and Blackthorn Festival together with support slots for Catfish & The Bottlemen, The Struts, Reverend and the Makers and The Sunshine Underground.

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“Cavalcade” by The Slow Readers Club

From the passion of Andy Watson and Danny Hayes’ rhythm section, to the raw power of Gareth Smedley’s guitar work, each tune from The Jade Assembly (TJA) has a clear sense of purpose, nothing is contrived.

Central to their main point of difference is John Foster (Foz), a true northern poet and songwriter that places honesty above favor. He also plays lead guitar for TJA.

On the surface, their demeanor is typical of an indie rock outfit. But brimming underneath the exterior is a thousand emotions, waiting to be exposed. Emerging unscathed from years of well-trodden paths of punk and indie is a band that now display all the hallmarks of a new northern treasure.

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“One Last Time” by The Jade Assembly

Soul-inspired singer-songwriter Stephen Langstaff released the track “Sirens” on March 23 via Hug Records Absolute/Universal. According to Langstaff, it is “a song about a girl with a bad reputation and a big heart.”

With support from BBC Merseyside, BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music and with his songwriting skills in demand form other artists such as Blue Miller and Artful, this debut release gives us the first glimpse of an incredibly talented and exciting musician.

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“Sirens” by Stephen Langstaff

Songwriter Hannah Curwood originates from the stark, remote region of Central Otago in New Zealand. Now based in London, Hannah in the Wars is a new project, the result of working alongside Roger O’Donnell of The Cure and a handpicked group of musicians.

Her self-titled debut album showcases a collection of lyrically robust emotional narratives. Curwood’s distinctive and powerful vocals are accompanied by telecaster, piano, synth, delicate string arrangements and the brooding pulse of an orchestral percussionist.

O’Donnell has supported the band by providing his country home studio as a recording base, and lending guidance with vocal performance, arrangements and his expertise in synth programming.

The album was mixed by Paul Corkett (The Cure, Nick Cave, Bjork) and will be released via O’Donnell’s 99X/10 label on May 25.

Curwood’s previous releases, Sky Above, Horse Below (2007) and The Blind Love EP (2009) both received resounding critical acclaim. They showcase Curwood’s use of dark lyrics, twisted imagery and ethereal melody.

Have a listen to Hannah in The Wars via SoundCloud.

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“Sweet Release” by Hannah in The Wars

Bringing you music that blends acoustic folk with upbeat Scandinavian pop, Ingrid Frosland, writes captivating music led by a variety of fragile fingerpicking, electric guitar and delay, or banjo groove.

Forsland currently divides her time between Liverpool and Norway, and her ambiguous relationship with her sense of home is a recurring theme in her song-writing. Over the last few years, she has played festivals like Liverpool Sound City and Musikkfest Oslo.

Have a listen on SoundCloud, or below, to the track “Dare to Believe.”

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“Dare to Believe” by Ingrid Frosland

Michelle Harris and Alex Dopierala (Dop) make up the Liverpool-based contemporary R&B act, Delilah. Their latest track, “Any Last Words” was released on March 16.

The combination of Harris’ soulful voice and Dop’s intricate guitar playing bring a certain class and retro vibe to their groove. Harris and Dop met at their auditions for the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

Since their creation in 2013, the band has played countless shows, becoming regulars at local events as well as appearing at Fiesta Bombarda and Liverpool International Music Festival. More recently, they have travelled further afield to perform in venues up and down the country, recently supporting Anthony David at London’s Jazz Cafe and appearing on numerous radio stations including the BBC.

Have a listen via SoundCloud.

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“Any Last Words” by Delilah

Liverpool-based, singer-songwriter Helena Johnson fronts an eleven piece band, yet her captivating vocals are never in danger of being overshadowed. Her performance on her new single “Take Me Home Tonight” is effortlessly beautiful.

Soulful and slick, Johnson has created and mastered a unique and powerful sound. She has impressed audiences and critics alike with her stunning live shows, complete with the comedically-named horn section “The Horn Supremacy.”

Since joining The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in 2011 to study, Johnson has grown from a talented musician to a potential international singing success, with recent interest from a major label. 2015 promises to be a year to remember for the rising star. She is definitely one to watch.

Have a listen via SoundCloud.

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“Take Me Home Tonight” by Helena Johnson

According to Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR, SeaWitches have an aura around them that is incredibly compelling and that comes through in their music really clearly. Furthermore, she notes, “Stars is one of the most gorgeous slices of eighties indie pop I’ve ever heard.”

“Stars” was released on The Label Recordings on February 16, 2015.

Based in Liverpool, Jo Herring and Laura Caldwell met in 2007 through friends; a meeting that resulted in an explosion of creativity where songwriting, musicianship, and visual art collided to create SeaWitches.

2012 saw Tilo Pirnbaum joining the band on drums, and SeaWitches entered the studio to record their first EP Spacegun, which received positive reviews and helped secure a loyal and diverse fanbase.

Jamie Jenkin was recruited on guitar in 2014 and, seven years in the making, the line up is complete and the band is ready to take its music to a wider audience.

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“Stars” by SeaWitches

UK singer-songwriter, Little Lapin, has been making her mark on audiences all over the world, from New Zealand where she was based for five years, to New York where she recently performed the last leg of her acoustic tour. Her sophomore release Remember The Highs, delivers infectious indie-pop gems reminiscent of her 2013 debut EP. The album was released on February 9, 2015.

“Little Lapin has a voice that sits nicely between Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Prentenders’ Crissy Hynde…” ~ Notes For a Road Sign Blog

Celebrated New Zealand producer, and ex-member of Goldenhorse, Ben King guests on all tracks including “Remember The Highs.” he also arranged the electric guitar and synth parts.

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“Remember The Highs” by Little Lapin

Formed in 2012, Cable Street Collective combine catchy tunes with dance-inspired beats and a whole host of other sounds from in and around their home bases in East London and Brixton.

The band have enjoyed airtime on XFM and played at a series of high profile festivals including Bestival, the Isle of Wight Festival, Secret Garden Party, Boomtown Fair and the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi.

Their debut EP The Best of Times was released on February 16, 2015.

Cable Street Collective are: Dave, Rowan, Tristan, Ash, Fiona and Alex.

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“Can’t Take Me Under” by Cable Street Collective