TM Breakthrough Vol. 42
- Harvey
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
The first Townsend Breakthrough Blog of 2026 has landed, ushering in a brand-new wave of must-hear releases spotlighting some of the most exciting rising artists right now. This latest instalment of the Breakthrough Series brings together exclusive new music from The Kairos, ALT BLK ERA, Hetta Falzon, Twin S, Nieve Ella and The Itch - a diverse lineup spanning indie, alternative, rock and UK rap, and capturing the energy of artists on the cusp of something special.
The Kairos - Kneeslappas
For fans of: The K's, overpass
Formed in 2017 in the North West of England, Liverpool indie-rock quartet The Kairos began as four friends - Tom, Sam, Owen and Lewis - looking for a way to fill their time, unknowingly setting the foundations for something far bigger. Growing up immersed in Liverpool’s ever-present music culture, the band cut their teeth on the city’s legendary live circuit, spending their formative years playing packed rooms across the Ropewalks district, including venues such as The Zanzibar, Heebie Jeebies and The Arts Club. This relentless focus on live performance shaped an explosive, high-impact sound that quickly began to resonate beyond their hometown.
In 2023, The Kairos released their breakout EP Better Late Than Never, led by singles ‘Thick Of It’ and ‘Trip Through The Night’, both of which received national airplay on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X. Momentum followed rapidly, with shows across the UK selling out and word spreading among fans of guitar music. The success of the EP propelled the band onto landmark stages, including a historic appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival, stadium shows with James, arena dates alongside Red Rum Club, a Brixton show with The Reytons, a sold-out headline UK tour and a monumental homecoming at the O2 Academy.
Now firmly aiming for the next level, The Kairos are set to release their highly anticipated new EP Kneeslappas on 27 March 2026, building on the momentum of their breakout release and signalling their intent to push even further into big, bold territory.
"The aim has always been putting out good quality songs." - The Kairos on The Rock Revival
Kneeslappas is available now to pre-order on Clear & Orange Butterfly Vinyl, Standard Vinyl and CD. All formats are signed.
ALT BLK ERA - Our World
For fans of: Cassyette, VUKOVI
ALT BLK ERA are a British rock duo from Nottingham, formed in 2020 by sisters Nyrobi and Chaya Becket-Messam, whose boundary-pushing sound has quickly set them apart. Emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sisters initially began uploading cover versions to YouTube under the name Nyrxbi & Chxy, using the platform as a creative outlet at a time of global uncertainty. That early experimentation soon evolved into ALT BLK ERA, a project defined by its fearless genre-blending, fusing the weight and intensity of rock and metal with elements of drum and bass, dance, trap and pop. Following the release of their breakout EP Freak Show in 2023 and their debut album Rave Immortal in 2025 - both released via Earache Records - the duo now return with their eagerly anticipated new EP Our World, set for release on 22 May 2026.
Continuing to challenge expectations while carving out a world entirely their own, ALT BLK ERA remain one of the most exciting and innovative forces in contemporary alternative music.
"The journey from Rave Immortal continues! We’re so proud of this project and this is just the beginning of a new era." - ALT BLK ERA
Our World is available now to pre-order on Clear Vinyl and CD, with Merch also available. All media formats include an A4 poster.
Hetta Falzon - Henrietta
For fans of: Olivia Dean, Brooke Combe
Hetta Falzon introduces herself with striking clarity on her debut EP Henrietta, set for release on 13th March 2026, marking the arrival of a compelling new artist with a distinct and emotionally charged voice. Grounded in intimate, confessional songwriting, the EP explores themes of identity, vulnerability and self-definition, capturing moments that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Across Henrietta, Falzon balances raw, stripped-back arrangements with more expansive sonic textures, allowing her storytelling to sit front and centre while still hinting at a growing artistic ambition. The result is a debut that feels assured yet unguarded, positioning Hetta Falzon as an artist unafraid to lean into honesty and nuance, and signalling the beginning of a promising new chapter.
"A 40 minute journey about not getting to know love, and so instead, getting to know myself." - Hetta Falzon
Henrietta is available to pre-order on Standard Black Vinyl.
Twin S - Black Sheep
For fans of: Booter Bee, Kenzo Str8Drop
Twin S has cemented himself as one of the most compelling new voices in UK Drill, building a formidable presence within Black British music with millions of streams and over 250,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Known for his razor-sharp bars, fiery flows and raw, honest storytelling, he has carved out his own lane in UK Rap, with breakout tracks such as ‘Feeling Myself’ and viral appearances on Plugged In and Daily Duppy amassing millions of views. His performances earned three consecutive #1 spots on the YouTube Charts and secured him placements across Spotify’s biggest UK Rap playlists, marking him as an artist whose impact extends well beyond streaming numbers.
Hailing from Beckton, Newham in East London, and raised in an Arabic household,
Twin S emerged as a key figure within the ACG collective alongside his twin brother, Twin H. Following a brief hiatus, his viral return and standout Plugged In freestyle led to a deal with Potter Payper’s 36 The Label, solidifying his position as a rising force in the scene.
A meticulous and focused creative, Twin S’ authenticity and attention to detail have resonated deeply with fans, and as he prepares to release his debut album Black Sheep on 30th January 2026, he stands poised as a defining voice for the next generation of UK rap artists.
"This is a rapper putting up serious numbers and arrives in the scene eager to show off his potential. We could well be witnessing the blossoming of a huge talent." - Mixtape Madness
Black Sheep is available now to pre-order on Jewelcase CD with Bandana.
Nieve Ella - Lucky Girl
For fans of: Swim School, Chloe Slater
Nieve Ella marks the release of 'Lucky Girl' and 'All My Mess' with an exclusive limited-edition 7” pressing on striking green vinyl. Limited to just 500 copies, the double A-side also features a brand new track, ‘The Floor’, available exclusively on the vinyl and offering fans a deeper insight into her songwriting world.
Written three years ago when Ella was just 19, the song was born in her bedroom during a period defined by love and emotional uncertainty. In her first relationship, she found herself questioning her own worth, battling insecurity and self-sabotage, and struggling with self-image to the point of being unable to look at herself in the mirror. ‘The Floor’ stands as an apology to herself for the flaws she once believed defined her, capturing a moment of raw vulnerability that underscores the emotional honesty at the heart of Nieve Ella’s music.
"I hope this song reaches anyone who needs to be told they are beautiful, even when they can’t see it themselves." - Nieve Ella
Lucky Girl is available now on 7" Green Vinyl.
The Itch - It's The Hope That Kills You
For fans of: GANS, MOULD
The Itch’s highly anticipated debut album It’s The Hope That Kills You is set for release in April 2026, marking a major new chapter for the fast-rising duo now signed to Fiction and I OH YOU. True to their name, there are layers and contradictions at the heart of The Itch: inspired by a New Yorker article exploring how the sensation of an itch baffles scientists - existing somewhere between pain and pleasure, and defying clear interpretation by the brain - the band channel a similar duality into their lyrical and sonic approach. Splicing sharp indie sensibilities with synth-driven, dance-floor-ready instincts, their sound lands as both restless and irresistibly moreish. Latest single ‘Space In The Cab’, set to feature in EA’s forthcoming skate. video game, captures this tension perfectly, pairing euphoria with introspection in equal measure.
Formed around core duo Georgia Hardy and Simon Tyrie, The Itch have already begun generating a powerful word-of-mouth buzz across London and beyond, fuelled largely by their giddy, pleasure-seeking live shows that blur the line between gig and club night, and position them as one of the most exciting new acts to watch heading into 2026.
"Simon Tyrie and Georgia Hardy just want to have fun, and with their unpredictable, playful new project, they’re building a whole new world of pleasure." - NME
It's The Hope That Kills You is available now to pre-order on Limited Edition Pink Vinyl, Standard Black Vinyl and CD.
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