New and new-to-me music 2026-W31

I have actually fallen in love with Mouth Ulcers. The band. Obviously. Seven-track EP "Silent Pictures" (a bargain at £5 on Bandcamp) is simultaneously fresh and 40 years old. Aside from the obvious comparisons to Joy Division and The Cure, the goth four-piece from London channel Long Blondes and Maven (ex-Nitzer Ebb); a confident swagger pervades the frosty guitar and militaristic rhythm section. In the proud tradition of bands like Visage, Depeche Mode, and Mesh, we also have Actors — darkwave synthpop from Vancouver; the weather really infects the music up in that Pacific Northwest, huh?! Shannon Hemmett (from Leathers) adds that "Steve Strange" dispassionate murmur lost in the mix that feels isolating in a dreamlike way. Jason Corbett brings a lovely Bowie impression at times. One of those bands I am surprised I haven't come across before but will listen to again. The disturbing video for "Face Meets Glass" (YouTube link, sorry) is worth a watch. Thanks for reading this post via…