LeftLion's Latest Listens #38: Notts music we're currently spinning

Single: Divorce featuring Marcus Mumford - Antarctica

Divorce have experienced a meteoric rise to stardom since the then-teenagers formed the band back in 2021, with radio plays on various platforms as well as a shed load of gigs in Nottingham, Glastonbury and abroad. The band, who describe themselves as alt-country, really started going places about a year ago after Marcus Mumford saw a feature on the band in the NME and was so impressed that he asked them to tour with Mumford & Sons. This latest single, Antarctica, in which Marcus sings with the band, is a powerful reworking of the opening track from their album Drive to Goldenhammer.

This composition is a collaboration that might have been conceived of in heaven. It’s beautifully borne along with delicate and exquisite acoustic fretwork from Felix Mackenzie-Barrow and Adam Peter-Smith, with Marcus’ distinctive vocals blending delightfully with the crystal clear tones of Tiger Cohen-Towell.

The song’s lyrics tell of love and loss and an account of a rescued calf on a late night drive. It’s a gentle comforting song that will warm and reassure you on a cold winter’s evening and gives a quiet reassurance of better times to come. @divorcehq (Claire Spencer)

Photo credit: Skylar Watkins

Single: Blackadder - Traverse

Nimble and organic, Traverse evolves beautifully over it’s sub-three-minute runtime, packing in an array of trills and melodies that expand the soundscape, while still ably cohering into something altogether greater. You can hear echoes of Floating Points throughout, alongside Blackadder’s long-stated love Bonobo. Yet here he is again demonstrating a unique intelligence, assimilating his influences and reworking their core sounds in the context of the feelings and emotions he wants to elicit with great sensitivity. Instantly impactful and undeniably joyful, Traverse stands as a hopeful signifier of more to come from one of Nottingham’s most relentlessly intriguing producers, who enters 2026 in fine fettle. (Kieran Lister)

Single: Bloodworm - Bloodlust

It's hard to believe this is only Bloodworm's third single to be released, such is the confidence, the swagger, the self-assured focus of the trio. As Bloodworm make waves on the live circuit, Bloodlust feels like a firm and unwavering statement. The song is at first dark and gloom-tinged post-punk, then elevating into jangle-rock territory, with a simple four-note motif acting as a consistent guide. That motif is started by a rich, slappy bass guitar before being taken up by a chorus of guitars and then firmly beat drums.

With a raucous guitar solo tamed only by a generous drench of reverb, and strident baritone vocals, the song's shifting style is emblematic of a band who are hard to pin down but very weaving themselves into this city's musical fabric. @bloodwormband (Phil Taylor)

Photo credit: Jacob Harris

Single: Make Strangers - Underestimated

Brand new music from a new four-piece Nottingham band. Underestimated is upbeat and polished with a relentlessly rhythmic vibe foreshadowing brighter months ahead (hopefully). The vocals are crisp, the guitars are bright and sleek, the bass is prominent... rich ingredients for a winning song which establishes a great reputation for the band. With this promising song, Make Strangers have adopted an excellent formula, melding soulful indie with the best of 80s-pop. Perhaps Underestimated is a pointed message for those watching them emerge into a competitive scene. @makestrangers (Phil Taylor)