In the end, whether every experiment hits you the same way or not, the creative force Belew unleashed during his Atlantic years is undeniable.

In support of Hammock’s new album The Second Coming Was A Moonrise, the duo share the three key influences that guided its sound and themes.

Rooted in jazz tradition yet shaped by a wide range of influences, from flamenco and bossa nova to neo-classical minimalism, funk, soul and 90s hip-hop, Robin Katz has performed widely across the UK, collaborating with artists including Disclosure, Reuben James, Georgia Cecile, Giacomo Smith, Kourosh Kanani, the London Django Collective and Joseph Lawrence.

To celebrate the re-release of Kludde’s Langs Scheld- en Denderland, we asked the band for the 3 key influences behind it.

With their live performances getting you as close to real magic as you can get, Sans Froid are undeniably one of the UK’s most exciting bands. The Froid’s intent is clear, to make you feel like you’re not the only one going crazy.

Formed in 2016 in the aftermath of a fire-damaged practice space, Newcastle-based Dutch Elm have steadily honed a distinctive sonic identity, one that balances the expansive dynamics of post-rock with the precision and complexity of math-rock.

Isabel Pine debuts with Fables, a string-and-field-recorded suite that was released recently on Kranky. We asked Pine break her key musical influences.

Born in Namibia, Emmaleen Tangleweed is a dark folk musician and songwriter whose work blends gothic Americana, traditional folk influences, blues balladry, and dreamlike storytelling. Her music explores themes of memory, displacement, folklore, grief, and human fragility through sparse arrangements and emotionally resonant songwriting.

The Mon returns with Songs of Embrace, a dark, instrumental, ritual-leaning suite that expands on 2025’s Songs of Abandon. Main man Urlo talks through three releases that helped shape the project.

Haggard Cat are a critically acclaimed British post hardcore/alt-rock duo composed of drummer/backing vocalist Tom Marsh and vocalist/guitarist Matt Reynolds. We thought it about time we got a “feline” for what makes Haggard Cat purr, so we asked Matt and Tom to share four records that have been huge influences on their song writing.

Gnaw’s debut EP is a fuzzed-out pop blast—discover the influences behind it in our Under the Influence feature.

Harboured return with their sophomore album entitled We’re Only The Love That We Lead. Growing as a band in every way imaginable, the trio power through styles and genres with a confident and aggressive stance that declares them as one of the most original acts in the metal scene today.

American Sharks is a three-piece band hailing from Austin, TX. Their punk-metal hybrid sound blends pop hooks with blasting in-yer-face riffs resulting in something akin to if Weezer went Stoner Rock. Coupled with hook-laden singalong lyrics, American Sharks’ forthcoming 2026 album Not Dead Yet is, well, a breath-taking return. 

Deploying a double hit of heavy riffs and soaring vocals, OKAY YOU WIN have quickly built a solid reputation in the UK underground, bringing their blend of driving rock with stoned psychedelics and doomy breakdowns to a string of shows and festivals across England and further afield.

You feel as if you are a part of this incredible journey Verdeaux is taking the listener on its voyage throughout these five albums from the classical concerto-like pianos, into the synths and mellotron in all of its spiritual guidance.

With Closed City out soon, Michael Cloud Duguay unpacks the three influences behind their low-brass-laced blend of avant-metal, drone, and orchestral folk world-building.

‘Is anybody’, I ask, ‘going to do a STRANGEFORMS 2026 preview’? ‘That’ll be you, then’ comes the reply. Oh. Well, I DID ask.

With Blood & Honey out now, Summer of Hate unpack the 3 influences behind their lush, noise-drenched take on global shoegaze and post-punk.

Trip-tastic Radio-length single from the loudest space-rockers in the universe and some intergalactic cephalopods. Taken from forthcoming LP Beyond The Beyond via Heavy Psych Sounds.

With Super Sonic Rock Saga landing today, Sick Shooters’ Laurens den Haan breaks down the key influences behind the band’s bass-less, hook-loaded garage punk attack.

The Temple of the King isn’t just an incredible box set, it’s a journey to the myths and wonders of how this band were revolutionary, amazing, and having the balls to bring their story-telling arrangements to fans in its true metallic foundation.