Add to the playlist: the fierce predictions of the metal producers Burner and the best songs of the week | Music

From South London
Recommended if you like Converge, Trap Them, Misery Index
Next thing Nobody’s Coming To Save Us Released 25 September, touring the UK from 26 September

Burner is the best singer we need. They look at the world around them, they are very angry with what they see and they have no hope for the future. Just like the rest of us.

Formed in 2021, the four-piece released their debut single Ingsoc later that year, combining hard punk drums, death metal instruments and suitably Orwellian vocals. It was produced by Lewis Johns (Rolo Tomassi, Svalbard, Ithaca) and released on Church Road, a label founded by Justine Jones and Sammy Urwin of the metalcore brutes Employed to Serve: all loved in the UK underground. Their 2023 album Returning to Nothing expanded into metal, black metal and grindcore, but the band’s angsty spirit remained.

Now gearing up for a follow-up to No One’s Coming to the Rescue, Burner has taken on even more inspiration. He played the 20,000 capacity Midlands festival, Bloodstock Open Air and supported death metallers Deicide. It’s even more impressive when you consider the power of their words. Singer Harry Nott predicts nuclear doomsday on Sunrise’s latest single, Parabellum, which features a guest shout-out from Matt Heafy of US arena-fillers Trivium. And Blood River criticizes people’s violent ways, criticizing, “In this endless territorial war, everyone is shedding blood!”

In a time of anger over climate change, global conflict and elites amassing ever more wealth, Burner is a welcome burst of catharsis. He won’t save the world, but he’s a great voice as he descends into chaos. Matt Mills

This week’s best songs

Brennan Wedl – Beautiful Fantasy
Your new rock-rock sensation: a meeting between Courtney Love and Lucinda Williams, the Minnesota native gets a lot of fun with gender on this grunge ripper (produced by Waxahatchee and featuring guitar from Snail Mail). LS

Ravyn Lenae – Saturday Night
In the sweet spot between Italo disco and Rhythm Nation-era Janet Jackson, this is a great song to spin with your eyes closed, and it deserves to be bigger than her single Love Me Not. BBT

Lust – Summer Skin
It’s almost impossible to listen to Johnny Jewel and Megan Louise kick back without a spritz, a Vogue cigarette and an infinity pool. An indoor piano and the crackling of bongos elevates the delicious flavors of the season – and ephemerality. LS

Beabadoobee – The Sun Has Set
Following the No 1 success of 2024’s dreampop album This Is How Tomorrow Moves, the British songwriter has hired the cream of alt-rock to follow him (Hayley Williams, Turnstile, Deftones, Basement et al) – and he’s enjoying squalling groove-emo here. BBT

deBasement – Cut The Line (ft Nikki Nair & DJ ADHD)
A cool woman repeats dry club lyrics in the dying moments, the added sound of things like bass banging against the walls? Write me! From ketamine injuries to line cutters, the story is incredibly interesting. LS

Cold Light – Riot
This is a band from Portland, Bristol, London and Hungary, with a broad style in common: hip-hop that’s eloquent around a catchphrase about rebellious youth. BBT

Tubs – Who Will Love You Now?
Frontman Owen Williams speaks to him lovingly, torn between surrender and endless new beginnings – a raw energy, ducking, diving guitars and sparkling celebration. LS

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