BRISTOL MUSIC WEEKLY
New Releases (26 Dec 25 - 02 Jan 26) Copy
Each Friday we round up the freshest sounds from Bristol’s buzzing scene. From boundary-pushing underground acts to chart-ready anthems, discover the tracks and albums making waves this week. Dive in below and explore what’s new.
Bristol Music Weekly
Welcome to 2026! 🎆
Happy New Year, Bristol! We hope you survived the festivities and are ready for another year of incredible music. The period between Christmas and New Year is always a strange one, but the city’s output hasn’t slowed down. From deep, conscious dub and slick R&B reworks to confrontational noise and sharp hip-hop, the sounds ringing in the new year are as diverse as ever. Let's dive into the first selection of 2026.
Bandcamp Picks 🎶
Solace in Sound – “(F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal (ft. Steve ‘The Deacon’ Hunter)”
Taken from the Grounded EP, this track sees Solace in Sound deliver deep, conscious dub rooted in Bristol’s soundsystem heritage. Heavy bass, spacious echoes and Steve ‘The Deacon’ Hunter’s spoken-word presence give the track weight and purpose, tackling themes of perception, truth and control. Meditative, powerful and unapologetically political.
longman – “Uniform Killer”
“Uniform Killer” is a raw, confrontational release from longman, blending distorted electronics with a punk-leaning attitude. Chaotic, abrasive and deliberately uncomfortable, the track leans into Bristol’s experimental underground — challenging structure and expectation with noisy intent.
Steppin' Tones – “Lynx Beavers”
Steppin’ Tones bring deep roots energy on “Lynx Beavers”, a warm, rolling dub cut steeped in reggae tradition. Heavy basslines, skanking rhythms and classic echo treatments make this one for proper sound-system sessions. Timeless Bristol dub, built for community and vibration.
Spotify Drops 🔥
Adam Killey – “Care 4 U (NYC Version)”
Adam Killey reworks “Care 4 U” with the NYC Version, giving the track a slicker, late-night edge. Smooth vocals, understated beats and a sense of urban melancholy run throughout, blending R&B-leaning pop with electronic subtlety. It’s intimate, reflective and perfectly suited to headphone listening — a refined evolution of the original.
MicSmiff – “Setup”
MicSmiff drops “Setup”, a sharp, stripped-back hip-hop cut driven by clarity and confidence. The production stays minimal, allowing MicSmiff’s delivery and lyricism to take centre stage. It’s a focused statement track — grounded, direct and reflective of Bristol’s strong independent rap scene.
Gig Highlights 🌍
Coming Up: Cellar Door & Truthpaste @ The Louisiana
Bristol’s underground comes together at The Louisiana for a night of raw energy and boundary-pushing live music to kick off the year. Cellar Door bring their sharp-edged, noise-tinged intensity, alongside a very special support slot...
New Band Spotlight: Truthpaste
We are very happy to welcome rising band Truthpaste to the fold. They deliver twisted grooves and uncompromising attitude, making them a perfect fit for fans of loud, left-field and unapologetically DIY sounds. Get familiar with them now.
Here's to 2026!
If this first week is anything to go by, it's going to be another incredible year for the Bristol sound. Keep supporting local artists, get down to the venues, and we'll see you next week for more fresh finds.
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