Media Monarchy plays Richard Ashcroft, David Guetta x Teddy Swims, Ice Cube x LL Cool J x Chuck D and more on #PumpUpThaVolume for October 17, 2025. ♬
!!! (Chk Chk Chk) – “The Hammer” (Vinyl)
‘AM/FM b/w The Hammer’
Warp Records – Jul. 5, 2010
*!!! (Chk Chk Chk) – “The Hammer” (Vinyl) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifopJefKBeg // https://www.discogs.com/release/2343342–AMFM // https://www.allmusic.com/album/strange-weather-isnt-it–mw0002004380 // By the time of their fourth album Strange Weather, Isn’t It? !!! had been making records for almost a decade. Not too many bands can keep going for that long and continue to make records that have all the energy and quality they began with, but !!! have managed it. While many of the alumni of the dance punk boom of the early 2000s have faded away or changed their sound or just plain lost their way, !!! remain as good as ever and Strange Weather is full of the kind of ferocious and funky dance punk that they’ve always done.*
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Richard Ashcroft – “Heavy News”
‘Lovin’ You’
Virgin Music Group – October 10, 2025
*Richard Ashcroft – “Heavy News” https://soundcloud.com/richard-ashcroft/heavy-news // https://richardashcroft.lnk.to/LovinYouAlbum // Here’s a potential bell-ringer from ‘Lovin’ You,’ the just-released album by Richard Ashcroft, available now via Virgin Music Group.*
The Format – “Holy Roller”
‘Boycott Heaven’
Vanity Label – January 23, 2026
*The Format – “Holy Roller” https://soundcloud.com/theformatofficial/holy-roller // https://theformat.lnk.to/boycottheaven // The lead single to preview ‘Boycott Heaven,’ the upcoming album and first new music since 2006 by indie pop duo, The Format. Due on January 23, 2026 via the band’s Vanity Label.*
Robbie Williams – “Pretty Face”
‘Britpop’
Sony Music UK – February 6, 2026
*Robbie Williams – “Pretty Face” https://open.spotify.com/track/44OPAYWTOY8ju0L0Bi5H7E // https://robbiewilliams.com/collections/britpop // Here’s the latest single to preview ‘Britpop,’ the upcoming album by Robbie Williams, due on February 6, 2026 via Sony Music UK.*
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David Guetta – “Gone Gone Gone” (w/Teddy Swims x Tones And I)
Digital Single
Warner Music UK – October 10, 2025
*David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone” https://youtu.be/_kwiNpRZlDI // https://davidguetta.lnk.to/gonegonegone // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Guetta // Here’s the new single by international pop star, DJ and record producer David Guetta – with an assist from Teddy Swims and Tones And I. Available now via Warner Music UK.*
Lucius – “Thick As Thieves”
‘Thick As Thieves’
Fantasy Records – October 8, 2025
*Lucius – “Thick As Thieves” https://ilovelucius.bandcamp.com/track/thick-as-thieves // https://www.ilovelucius.com // Here’s the title track of the just-released four-song digital EP by Lucius, available now via Fantasy Records.*
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The Dollyrots – “You Don’t Own Me” (Lesley Gore Cover)
Digital Single
Wicked Cool Records – October 10, 2025
*The Dollyrots – “You Don’t Own Me” (Lesley Gore Cover) https://soundcloud.com/thedollyrots/you-dont-own-me // https://orcd.co/dollyrotsyoudontownme // This cover of Lesley Gore’s classic song is the new digital single by The Dollyrots, available now via Wicked Cool Records.*
James Morrison – “The Man Who Can’t Be Loved”
‘Fight Another Day’
Cooking Vinyl – October 3, 2025
*James Morrison – “The Man Who Can’t Be Loved” https://jamesmorrison.bandcamp.com/track/the-man-who-cant-be-loved // https://jamesm.lnk.to/fightanotherday // From ‘Fight Another Day,’ the just-released album by James Morrison, available now via Cooking Vinyl.*
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Ice Cube – “Before Hip Hop – Premix” (w/LL Cool J x Chuck D)
Digital Single
Lench Mob Records / Hitmaker Distro – October 10, 2025
*Ice Cube – “Before Hip Hop – Premix” (w/LL Cool J x Chuck D) https://youtu.be/2hQ46lBWwis // https://shop.icecube.com // Here’s the new single by Ice Cube, (a reimagined version of the track from ‘Man Up,’ his just-released 12th album), available now via Lench Mob Records / Hitmaker Distro. (Ed. note: lol aww now it’s all pre-gangsta boolshit nostalgia… yeah i ‘member before hip hop, things were actually more diverse before that nihilist shit mixed with the kill yourself grunge monkeys.)*
Doves – “Spirit Of Your Friend”
‘So Here We Are: Best Of Doves’
EMI North – November 14, 2025
*Doves – “Spirit Of Your Friend” https://soundcloud.com/doves-official/spirit-of-your-friend // https://doves.lnk.to/Best // Here’s a previously unreleased track by Doves that will be included on the upcoming collection, ‘So Here We Are: Best Of Doves’. Due on November 14th via EMI North.*
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Ramones – “I Believe In Miracles” // “All Screwed Up”
‘Brain Drain’
Sire – May 23, 1989
*Ramones – “I Believe In Miracles” // “All Screwed Up” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCee-vToE_M // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol6UQLrAasY // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Drain_(album) // https://www.allmusic.com/album/brain-drain-mw0000199913 // Though it contains one of the Ramones’ biggest radio hits, “Pet Sematary” (written for Stephen King’s movie of the same name), 1989’s ‘Brain Drain’ finds the “bruthas” from Queens at an all-time inspirational low. And since the aforementioned track is actually reviled by most of the band’s hardcore fans, the listener has to make do with opener “I Believe in Miracles” and closer “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight),” which bookend the amazingly dull tracks in between with the record’s only bright moments. The final Ramones album recorded for Sire Records (their label from day one), ‘Brain Drain’ was sadly also the last to feature bassist and creative leader Dee Dee Ramone.*