Media Monarchy plays Lorne Balfe, Kit Sebastian, The Altons and more on #PumpUpThaVolume for October 2, 2025. ♬
Prince – “17 Days (The Rain Will Come Down, Then U Will Have 2 Choose. If U Believe Look 2 The Dawn And U Shall Never Lose.)” (Vinyl)
‘When Doves Cry’
Warner Bros. Records – May 16, 1984
*Prince – “17 Days (The Rain Will Come Down, Then U Will Have 2 Choose. If U Believe Look 2 The Dawn And U Shall Never Lose.)” (Vinyl) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G6p8rb9LSg // https://www.discogs.com/release/10486762-Prince-And-The-Revolution-When-Doves-Cry // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Doves_Cry // “When Doves Cry” was Prince’s first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single, staying there for five weeks, and was also a worldwide hit. According to Billboard, it was the top-selling single of 1984. It was the last single released by a solo artist to receive a Platinum certification before the certification requirements were lowered in 1989. The B-side was the cult fan favorite “17 Days”, which was originally intended for Apollonia 6’s self-titled album. The entire title is now the longest-titled flip side of a Hot 100 No. 1, with 85 letters and/or numbers. Gifted by Fasemelta!*
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Lorne Balfe – “We Didn’t Get The Rights” (Inst. w/Joshua Pacey)
‘The Hack (Original Television Soundtrack)’
Silva Screen Records – September 24, 2025
*Lorne Balfe – “We Didn’t Get The Rights” (Inst. w/Joshua Pacey) https://youtu.be/1R83ehyVJMo // https://open.spotify.com/album/6CjjeEzgCce1d0Z3vjpgig // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35615598/ // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hack // From ‘The Hack (Original Television Soundtrack),’ available now via Silva Screen Records.*
Simone Cilio – “Snake Manor” (Inst.)
‘Snake Manor (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
Plaza Mayor Company – September 19, 2025
*Simone Cilio – “Snake Manor” (Inst.) https://youtu.be/ZWPqWaMZy-Y // https://open.spotify.com/album/3qczrEAKuoBIUHvlcrxvYG // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37989044/ // From ‘Snake Manor (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),’ available now via Plaza Mayor Company.*
Armando Trovajoli – “Straziami Theme”
‘Straziami, ma di baci saziami – Torture Me But Kill Me with Kisses (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
Beat Records – September 19, 2025
*Armando Trovajoli – “Straziami Theme” https://armandotrovajoli.bandcamp.com/track/straziami-theme // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063650/ // From ‘Straziami, ma di baci saziami – Torture Me But Kill Me with Kisses (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),’ the just-released soundtrack of ‘Straziami, ma di baci saziami – Torture Me But Kill Me with Kisses,’ the 1968 Italian comedy directed by Dino Risi. Available now via Beat Records.*
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Magick Knives – “The Plague”
Digital Single
Library Of The Occult Records – September 19, 2025
*Magick Knives – “The Plague” https://libraryoftheoccult.bandcamp.com/track/the-plague-2 // This song is the lead single to preview the forthcoming album (TBA) by Sonoran Desert quartet, Magick Knives. Available now via Library Of The Occult Records.*
HiFiKlub & Alain Johannes – “My Hand With a Knife” (Inst.)
Digital Single
Library Of The Occult Records – September 26, 2025
*HiFiKlub & Alain Johannes – “My Hand With a Knife” (Inst.) https://libraryoftheoccult.bandcamp.com/track/my-hand-with-a-knife-2 // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_Johannes // Here’s the new single by French band HiFiKlub, with Chilean-American multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer, Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, PJ Harvey, Chris Cornell, Arctic Monkeys, Mark Lanegan). Available now via Library Of The Occult Records.*
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Trace Mountains – “The Dark Don’t Hide It” (Magnolia Electric Co. Cover)
‘I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina’
Run For Cover Records – September 5, 2025
*Trace Mountains – “The Dark Don’t Hide It” (Magnolia Electric Co. Cover) https://runforcoverrecords.bandcamp.com/track/trace-mountains-the-dark-dont-hide-it // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Molina // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trace_Mountains // This cover of Magnolia Electric Co (from their 2005 album, ‘What Comes After The Blues’), by Trace Mountains, is included on the just-released various artists compilation album, ‘I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina’. Available now via Run For Cover Records.*
Haylie Davis – “Golden Age”
Digital Single
Fire Records – September 24, 2025
*Haylie Davis – “Golden Age” https://hayliedavis.bandcamp.com/album/golden-age // https://www.haleydavismusic.com // Here’s the just-released Fire Records debut single by Los Angeles singer-songwriter, Haylie Davis. The song, available now, will appear on her upcoming debut album, due in 2026.*
Kit Sebastian – “Certain Things You Can’t Explain (I’ll Just Let Myself Go)”
Digital Single
Brainfeeder – September 24, 2025
*Kit Sebastian – “Certain Things You Can’t Explain (I’ll Just Let Myself Go)” https://kitsebastian.bandcamp.com/album/certain-things-you-cant-explain-ill-just-let-myself-go // Here’s the new single by London duo, Kit Sebastian, available now via Brainfeeder.*
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Michelle David & The True-tones – “Speak To Me”
‘Soul Woman’
Record Kicks – February 27, 2026
*Michelle David & The True-tones – “Speak To Me” https://michelledavidandthetruetones.bandcamp.com/track/speak-to-me // The lead single to preview ‘Soul Woman,’ the upcoming album by US-Dutch gospel and soul powerhouse, Michelle David & The True-tones. Due on February 27, 2026 via Record Kicks.*
Freya Beer – “Bonsoir”
Digital Single
Rhiannon Freya Beer-Jones – September 19, 2025
*Freya Beer – “Bonsoir” https://freyabeer.bandcamp.com/track/bonsoir // https://www.freyabeer.com // Here’s the new single by West London singer-songwriter, Freya Beer, available now via the artist.*
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Bad Ida – “Red Flags”
‘Ending Things’
konkord – October 31, 2025
*Bad Ida – “Red Flags” https://konkord.bandcamp.com/track/red-flags-2 // From ‘Ending Things,’ the upcoming sophomore album by Vienna-based band, Bad Ida. Due on October 31st via Austria-based label, konkord.*
The Altons – “Love You Like That”
Digital Single
Penrose Records – July 15, 2025
*The Altons – “Love You Like That” https://thealtons.bandcamp.com/track/love-you-like-that // https://daptone.ffm.to/lylt.GTQ // Here’s the recently-released feel good soul number by California quartet, The Altons, available now via Penrose Records.*
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Chuck Berry – “Little Marie” // “Go Bobby Soxer”
‘St. Louis To Liverpool’
Elemental Music / Chess / Geffen Records / UMe – August 29, 2025
*Chuck Berry – “Little Marie” // “Go Bobby Soxer” https://open.spotify.com/track/3Hh5o5GUOveghI5l7DrvgT // https://open.spotify.com/track/4thIUA9RxwUcsjiUVo33Lt // https://www.discogs.com/release/34994096-Chuck-Berry-St-Louis-To-Liverpool // Here’s two from ‘St. Louis To Liverpool,’ the 1964 album by Chuck Berry. The album included four charting singles and is considered one of the greatest rock n’ roll records of all-time by many critics. From the fantastic reissue by Elemental Music, released back on August 29th of this year.*