Indie-art-pop heroes Tune-Yards have released one of THE best album of 2025, and they’ll be airing songs from it when they visit Sunderland this November.

And that album is the very brilliant ‘Better Days’, a release that sees the band confronting the sundry calamities of our age with some of their funkiest and off-kilter poppy beats to date. But – as ever – it’s a sound that is a complex, joyful tapestry woven from a seemingly disparate array of elements: powerful, looping drumbeats, wonky riffs, and Merrill Garbus’s distinctive, multi-tracked vocals. This isn't just music; it's an auditory adventure. The songs feel both handcrafted and expansive, built layer by layer in a way that’s both intricate and raw. What makes them so good is this perfect balance of chaos and control. Garbus’s vocal delivery is a masterclass in versatility, shifting from melodic hooks to rhythmic chants and soaring, soulful wails. The lyrics are equally compelling, often tackling social and political issues with a clever, poetic grace that avoids being preachy. They’re a captivating live proposition so let yourself be captivated. JL

Tune-Yards, Thursday 27 November, The Fire Station, Sunderland, 7.30pm, £26, thefirestation.org.uk