REVIEW: The Empire Police – The Human Condition 👊

Lancashire heavyweights The Empire Police bring their prolific year to an end with a bang, with the release of their brand new single “The Human Condition“. After performing across the North West, at venues such as Night and Day, The Ferret, and putting on their own festival Rock AM River in Preston at The New Continental, they’ve established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the North West, and ones to definitely keep an eye out for in 2024.

📸: Liam Maxwell

We were massive fans of their previous release “Northern Bones” earlier this year, a track that blended grungier and punkier elements with intricate storytelling and poetry from lead singer Jordao – whilst maintaining catchy hooks, infectious melodies and huge soundscaping; just some of the class qualities that we’ve come to expect from The Empire Police’s offerings. Their songs are laden with accurate, yet often bleak descriptions of society and the modern climate, written with passion and expertise – and their musical capabilities behind the lyrics give the songs a huge impact on the listener. Every element of the track works in perfect unison with one another to ensure that the music has just as much power and impact as the lyricism does.

This new tune “The Human Condition” not only is another classic from The Empire Police, but sets a real standard, it’s an incredible track from the fellas. Opening up with a wavy, dream-like soundscape, the track gives a strong backdrop for Jordao to command the listener’s attention – and his lyricism throughout is quality, taking a real look at the nature of humanity, a real reflection of the society of today. His rhyming pattern throughout is lovely, always maintaining freshness – and the tight rhythm section behind creates a real foundation on the track. There’s a gorgeous guitar tone within the verses, picking lovely riffs and then opening up to a huge wall of sound in the choruses, giving such a ferocity to it. The breakdown is a short breath of fresh air, and calm, within the track – and the build up to the final section is huge, with a real sense of power and command throughout it all.

📸: @fgskay

“Airport Runs” out in a week! ☀️

there’s only a week to go til our next release through the label, “Airport Runs” by Narwhals 🙌

we can’t wait for you to hear this one, another incredible addition to our discography – Jacob’s ability to convey his emotions through his storytelling is second to none, and the grungy, atmosphere nature of the track is incredible. 👊

it’s available to pre-order on Bandcamp at https://narwhalsuk.bandcamp.com/album/airport-runs – or you can pre-save it on your preferred streaming platform at https://hypeddit.com/th4tz2 🍞

Tay Temple @ The Castle Hotel last Thursday 👊

what a way to kick off Tay Temple‘s tour last Thursday at The Castle Hotel for her hometown show! 💥

such a fantastic night, Tay and her band were sensational as always, and our support acts BARDS and Evergreen were incredible – so great to see. 🙌

a big thank you to everyone who came down, you can find all of our upcoming gigs on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk/events 🍞

📸1-3: @_courtney.turner

Tay Temple @ The Castle Hotel tonight 🤘

today we’re down at The Castle Hotel with Tay Temple kicking off her UK tour with a hometown headline 💥

it’s gonna be a super special night, celebrating Tay’s brand new EP “I Can See Everything” – plus, with support from the amazing talents of BARDS and Evergreen it’s sure to be a fantastic show of the talent here in Manchester 🙌

you can get last minute tickets over on Fatsoma at https://fatso.ma/YxEI + cash and card accepted on door! find out more at our event Tay Temple + Special Guests @ The Castle Hotel 🍞

Bards & Evergreen announced as supports for our show with Tay Temple at The Castle Hotel 🙌

we’re super stoked to be able to announce BARDS and Evergreen as our supports for our headline with Tay Temple next Thursday 👊

two of Manchester’s finest acts, we’re so excited to catch them perform – plus with a hometown show for Tay on her UK tour, it’s gonna be a proper night to remember. ✨

you can still get tickets over on Fatsoma at https://fatso.ma/YxEI – don’t miss out! 7pm doors, find out more at our event Tay Temple + Special Guests @ The Castle Hotel 🍞

Tay Temple – “I Can See Everything” EP (REVIEW) 👊

Unapologetic songstress Tay Temple has returned with an explosive EP that only solidifies her position as one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in the UK, with a fighting spirit present across the entirety of the tracks that really show her determination and prowess as an artist.

Each of the tracks has its own sense of identity, but they are interconnected through Tay’s musical style, a grungy, alternative rock genre with singer-songwriter roots that set her apart from the rest. Her lyrical capability and raw, personal and honest songwriting are only exemplified by the musical ability and connection of her band. 


The first track “Still Here” is an unapologetic fiery burst of passion, a huge introduction to the EP with its powerful, grungey undertones. The track is a real outpour of feeling, a huge question posed to Tay’s romantic interest asking for clarity – whilst balancing the desires of love whilst simultaneously avoiding the stereotypical relationship that has been printed into society. The aggressive nature of the track sets it as one of the heaviest on the record, but it perfectly depicts the topic of the lyrics, a real proof of her songwriting ability, and the band’s ability to match her energy.

“Ain’t Me” follows, a desperate call to help from the constraints of society, working life and the media. It retains the lyrical proficiency of the first track, with a real clear image of Tay’s situation, the confusion that she is experiencing with the mundane and repetitive routine of her life, and the expectations that are put on her as a young woman in the society of today. The guitarwork in this track from lead guitarist Jordi is luscious, creating a dream-like atmosphere around the space, adding to the blur and confusion that Tay is depicting through her lyrics. The loose and driving rhythm only furthers this – really creating a soundscape that is reflective of the song’s theme. 


The grunginess in these two opening songs really shows how far Tay and her band have come in terms of their sound, moving away from the acoustic singer-songwriter elements that she had in her first EP and to a darker, angrier and more mature state.


The title track of the EP, “I Can See Everything”, opens back up with an acoustic guitar, and a more relaxed element, and as she sings the opening lyrics, you feel that she has a reflection upon her previous release, but it suddenly jolts into her modern style, proving that she’s come all this way. The flow of the track here is gorgeous, the chorus is massive, with the lead guitar complimenting Tay’s vocal melodies in perfect harmony, and the bassline and drums maintaining a steady yet explosive backdrop for the track. The song only continues with the topic of Tay’s struggle with the expectations of society, seen in the lyric “The lights are shining, with the broken mirror you use, to try to convince us of anything but the truth” – an apt reflection of the way that the media, political figures and even tradition attempts to disguise anything that is deviating away from their viewpoints. The main lyric shows Tay’s outlook, she’s able to see the situation finally for what it is – again, proving the maturity shown throughout this release. The track ends in luscious chaos, with her vocal and the lead guitar battling throughout that last chorus, only to end in a wave of distortion and noise.

The next track “Lost Myself Again” takes a more calm and relaxed approach, it’s a hugely mellower song that returns to an introspective stance – depicting the struggle with a wavering mental state, feeling that you aren’t able to progress, yet thinking this lapse in progress is actually part of the process, and that it is necessary to proceed. The second verse is a beautiful lyrical balance to the first, opening up with a contrasting line, but falling back to that initial self-doubt that was present in the first verse. The backing vocals in the chorus and the bridge really give it a huge sound, almost giving a feel that not only does Tay struggle here, but there is a plethora of people who experience these thoughts and that she’s not alone in this predicament. It’s a beautiful song, depicting her struggles poetically, whilst at the same time creating a sense of hope for the listener, in that there are better times coming and that there must be lows in order for there to be highs.



The penultimate track “Sunglasses” sees Tay return to a punky, grungey sound – proving that the rage and power behind her is still intact. Opening with the line “I’m sick of uneducated men, who prance around like nothing affects them”, you can tell she’s down for business. It’s an anthem for those who have been pushed to the side, who no one cares for, and whose cries fall upon deaf ears. The ferocity of this track is unparalleled, with Tay singing at the top of her voice over a huge and violent soundscape – it’s a real call-out to the manipulators, the abusers and the selfish within society. Her sound here is reminiscent of 90’s riot grrrl bands, who were avidly going out to make songs and raise awareness of the treatment of women in society; a topic that Tay is referring to in this song throughout. The huge sound behind her only gives her a real pedestal to shout from, the band working in perfect unison to provide her with a real sense of support. This song is a perfect representation of Tay’s personality, her ferocity and passion for that which she cares about, and how unapologetic she is for just being herself and standing up for those in need.

The fade into the final track “Haunting Me” is absolutely gorgeous, a lovely fall into the serious nature of this song – plus, the feedback and distortion of the lead guitar provide a beautiful soundscape for the first few lines. The calm and soft nature of the bassline creates a lovely space for Tay’s vocal to glide over, and to speak her thoughts. A perfect conclusion to the rest of the EP, the song discusses her relationship with her mental health, how it controls her life and the way that it’s affected her. The chorus is almost a cry for help, a need for control for her to live the life that she wants, to enjoy the journey that she’s on and not have to worry about anything that comes in her way. As the track flows into the first chorus, the addition of the instrumentation gives a beautiful backdrop and soundscape for the track, proving the chemistry and quality of her band, their ability to connect with her songs and the way that they are able to only accentuate the power of these tracks. 


“I Can See Everything” is a real insight into the feelings, emotions and life of Tay Temple, portraying her experiences and showing off her songwriting ability, being able to convey this into musical form, in a way that is not easy to find in the modern music industry. Her signature sound not only shows off her talent but her maturity, the quality of her band and the authenticity of her as a creative. The full EP is a poetic depiction of the struggles of a young queer woman in today’s society, and both the rage and misery of dealing with the modern world are illustrated in abundance throughout the record – proving that she is one of the finest up-and-coming artists in the UK. Her resilience and determination to create and perform only ensure her future as a musical force, and we’re sure that she will go above and beyond all and any expectations that people have of her.


Tay Temple headlines The Castle Hotel for the Manchester date of her UK tour on the 2nd of November! Get your tickets here.

All images remain the property of the rights holders and are used with permission from the artist.

Just The Crust 25/09/23: Mad By Mourning – Creature of Habit 🤘

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single “Creature of Habit” from Plymouth-based gothic punks Mad By Mourning 🌙

following the release of their debut single “Veins” last year, they’ve returned with a stunning subsequent single, expanding on their gothic, industrial sound with a heavier, and punkier soundscape – with walls of distortion, a grungey and spooky atmosphere behind the track and a real attitude present throughout 🤘

there’s a proper groove behind the track, and an unparalleled energy carrying it along, with the rhythm working in tandem perfectly to carry the track whilst vocalist Alfie is in full command, leaving the listener hanging to his every word. with a gorgeous guitar solo and a constant and eerie power present throughout the entire track, it’s well worth a listen! 💫

you can find the track on all streaming platforms, and the full music video is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/13UFu2m_6Hc – check it out! 🙌

all of our features, reviews, music and more can be found on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk 🍞

Tay Temple + Special Guests @ The Castle Hotel 🙌

we’re absolutely stoked to be able to welcome the wonderful Tay Temple and her band back to The Castle Hotel in November as part of her UK tour ❤️

we’re honoured to be able to put on her third headline show in a row, we love her music and her motivation and drive is second to none – not only a super talented artist but with the commitment that is hard to find these days. 🤘 her brand new EP comes out next week, but she’s just dropped the title track “I Can See Everything” today and it’s a must-listen for any alternative rock fans 💫

you can find tickets on our Fatsoma at https://fatso.ma/YxEI – only £7+bf in advance, don’t miss out on what’s sure to be a fantastic night! find out more at our event Tay Temple + Special Guests @ The Castle Hotel 🍞

Just The Crust 18/09/23: Sweet Beast – The Others 🤘

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Sheffield-based Sweet Beast “The Others“! 🙌

this is their second single, they’ve been performing across the North at gigs and festivals in preparation for the release of their debut EP later this year – they’ve been smashing it 😎

the track sounds luscious, opening up with a dreamy guitar melody line, energetic rhythm and a real groove holding it all together, giving plenty of room for the vocals to flow over. as it progresses to the chorus, it builds almost effortlessly to a massive sound – expanding so well and grabbing the attention of any listener. 🤘 with a proper singalong chorus, a gorgeous guitar solo and a quality energy behind the track, we can’t wait to hear the full EP!

you can find the track on all streaming sites, including Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lbSQyzEwYXBAcdXpjWphc – it’s well worth checking out, alongside their debut single!

find all of our features, reviews and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk 🍞

“waves / complainin'” turns 5 years old today! 🎧

our very own michael webster‘s single “waves / complainin‘” turns FIVE years old today 🤘

it feels like a lifetime ago since we released this, being before the pandemic and so much going on since then – but it’s a stark reminder of how political and direct michael’s songwriting and music can be. 🎸 a big shout to everyone who has supported throughout the years!

you can find it on all the streaming platforms, and michael is performing a show down at The Fitzgerald with Harrison Rimmer and support from Lydia Prettyman and Ayanam Udoma Music from 7pm! might even catch these tunes being played! 🍞