by Dave Bertram

Belle and Sebastian, Liz Lawrence, Tycho, Ty Segall, One True Pairing, Karine Polwart, and Kendra Amalie all make the grade in this week’s recommendations round-up.

Following a number of live UK dates supporting the brilliant Lucy Dacus, Liz Lawrence has released new single Navigator – a vibrant pop-rock anthem which ‘lays bare the truths about finding refuge in the love of another’ – and the first cut from her upcoming record, Pity Party.

Glaswegian indie poppers Belle and Sebastian are back with a new soundtrack album for upcoming film – Days of the Bagnold Summer, which is out in early September. The lead track, Sister Buddha, is an anthemic and transcendent song which comfortingly leads with Stuart Murdoch’s compassionate lyrics and big vocals.

San Francisco synth landscapers Tycho are set to release the follow-up to 2016’s GRAMMY-nominated, Billboard-topping record Epoch. Weather sees Scott Hansen track vocals for the first time and lead single Pink & Blue combines his vivid signature soundscape with soft, female vocals to luscious effect. Listen above.

Ty Segall has released the next instalment from forthcoming album, First Taste. Radio bombs along with all the gusto you’d expect from one of the most prolific singer-songwriters kicking around at the minute. LP out at the back end of the summer on Drag City.

After the success of former Wild Beasts’ man, Hayden Thorpe’s record, Diviner, his band mate and fellow Cumbrian, Tom Fleming, returns as One True Pairing. The first single from his upcoming record is the self titled track. His debut show will take place at the Bedford Tavern, Finsbury Park on 25th July.

We’ve featured Scottish-folk favourite Karine Polwart in previous editions of new music recommendations and she’s made it again with Chance – a re-imagining of Dunfermline’s Big Country’s big favourite, which will feature on her Scottish Songbook compilation.

And finally, Kendra Amalie is the latest addition to the Beyond Beyond is Beyond label and has her debut album, Intuition, out in September. Described as a shredding finger-style, 12-string guitarist she occupies ‘an ethereal zone between galaxy-brain cosmic transmissions and deep, personal expression’.