Darkness can leave room for a joke, and heavy music can still move. On "Rustbelt Rejects", Akron artist Zmack puts that relationship to work through abrasive textures, grooves and odd humour. His original album brings hip-hop into contact with Memphis trap, Horrorcore, industrial, funk-metal and phonk. Yet the aim is not genre display. The range accommodates memory, loss, anger, pride, relationships and Irish-American identity. It gives...

Sometimes you hit play on a track and it immediately grabs you by the collar, refusing to let go until you hear exactly what it has to say. Maddy Carty does exactly that with her brand new charity single, 'How The Hell Can You Call This A War'. In a music scene that often prioritises escapism, the London based singer-songwriter has chosen to drop a...