Music
LABRAN Releases Debut Album “Never Let It Show” Released 21 October 2022

With flourishes of alternative rock, post-punk, metal, emo, and a lineage of influential British bands, LABRAN looks to leave his mark with his debut album ‘Never Let It Show’. Released on October 21st, 2022, the album ends a productive year for the Birmingham singer-songwriter.
About LABRAN
Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, Richard Labran experienced the life of an independent touring musician. The West Midlands native went from appearing on legendary radio DJ John Peel’s ‘Peel Sessions’ with Solway Fifth to opening the first Supersonic Festival in his hometown with Deadsunrising, and later returned to the festival with Formation Flight. While his last band, IONS, released two albums before splitting up in 2014.
Through a combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, boredom, six years of studying, and an ambition to strike out on his own, Richard Labran returned under the simple eponymous moniker of LABRAN. Accompanied by former IONS drummer Andrew Langford, LABRAN sees Richard branching out as a singer-songwriter.
“I guess I just got the itch to write music again, but this time wanted to do things differently, without having to go to loads of rehearsals, band practices and having to coordinate everything else that goes with being in a band,” says Richard. “It is always a pleasure working with Andrew though. He’s a dedicated, reliable, and passionate professional who pays small attention to detail to get his drums right.”
“We want people to enjoy our music and appreciate the diversity of song writing. We want them to come back and listen to future releases.”
About Never Let It Show
“Never Let It Show” showcases a diverse range of guitar driven compositions. The opening track ‘Host A Ghost’ sees LABRAN serve up a harmonious slice of melodic post-hardcore through an introspective telescope, leaving you mesmerised.
“‘Host A Ghost’ was the catalyst for a new way of writing and recording music and gave me the confidence to continue recording more songs. It was inspired by someone I know who spiralled down after a difficult breakup, they found it hard to form relationships with others and obsessed over the love they’d lost. They became a drifter with little focus. It’s about others like her – people who have had difficult relationships and experiences trying to start again.”
Preview/Share Host a Ghost Here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/bKRG6NdmtIg?feature=oembed
Track two ‘Juno’ features electric guitar driven folk inspired by the tunings of Nick Drake. The song is a romanticised hybrid of Roman/Greek mythology told through NASA’s Juno space shuttles journey to investigate the origin and evolution of Jupiter. The song’s lyrics are carefully crafted and bring a level of intellectualism that begins to set the tone for the remainder of the album. Then comes ‘Rare and True’, a song which has some beautiful chord progressions and interweaving delay driven guitars that capture the imagination and let you know that this is an alternative guitar players album.
‘If I Can’t Stop by Now’ introduces synth to the album and is another well-crafted song that delivers the groceries at 165BPM and quite literally showcases spellbinding lyrical construction. The song is told through the perspective of death referring to serial killers, death rituals, witchcraft, and the finite nature of our solar system.
‘When You Are Not Around’ weaves together intricate, rhythmic, and dark acoustic,electric, and bass guitar accompanied by a faultless drumming performance that really grabs listeners attention.
“I really found my feet when writing ‘When You Are Not Around’, the track is one of thirteen songs that I decided to record at home, and I’d started to feel more confident in the delivery of my vocals and the recording process. The same could be said for Andy who had nailed and got to grips with recording on an electric drumkit by this point. The track is basically about unrequited love, rejection, and the realisation that feelings can be entirely our own experience. There are so many great works of fiction in this area, and I wanted to try and create a song that captured the same type of mood.”
Preview/Share When You Are Not Around Here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ObFp71DAwZ8?feature=oembed
There are tracks on the album which strike political notes:
‘Having just finished spending six years studying the social sciences, national and international politics, and economics, lockdown came at a time I’d been reflecting on my own country and the wider world. ‘Find Your Own Way Back’ is a song that deals with my own thoughts of the Tory party and Brexit. I couldn’t help but feel a lot of damage had been done both to the mindset of what was once a tolerable and proud society, and to the international system because of Brexit Whereas ‘What Has Become of Man’ was inspired by a documentary made by a famous former resident of my hometown Joe Lycett. It deals with the influence of the fossil fuel industries on the international system, national crisis, and warfare.
Preview/Share What Has Become of Man Here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ObFp71DAwZ8?feature=oembed
Then there are the tracks ‘Eyes on The Road’, ‘Lost Not Found’ and ‘Never Let It Show’, all of which deal with topics like abuse, PTSD, ill mental health, suicide, and the difficulties of trying to cope and get by in contemporary society. For example, ‘Eyes on The Road’ sees LABRAN provide a thought-provoking take on being dependent on Antidepressants, highlighting a yearning to escape.
“‘Eyes On The Road’ is about societal pressures to conform to a certain way of being and the impact on our mental health,” he explains. “It’s about labelling people who do not conform or diagnosing them when they behave differently i.e., ADHD. In many ways, it’s about the need for escapism from negative life experiences and societal pressures.”
Preview/Share Eyes on The Road here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nx4JArodgWw?feature=oembed
The final and title track of the album ‘Never Let It Show’ has an eery feel to it which LABRAN describes as having been told through the perspective of artificial intelligence in a post-apocalyptic future.
“Never Let It Show is about AI reflecting on modern humans, how they shaped and experienced the world and how the AI feels having processed this information and replaced human undertakings in economic activity”.
What’s clever about the track Never Let it Show is the robotic like synth loop underpinning it and how this all comes together and is captured in the albums concept artwork designed by Richard Labrans’ friend stoo_cgi.
“Never Let It Show” is an impressive debut album inspired by multiple influences and genres such as alternative rock, post-punk, post-rock, brit-pop, and metal. What’s certain is LABRAN can’t be accused of trying to replicate the sounds of other bands or accused of being genre specific and perhaps this will mean the album struggles to find a space in any given scene. Regardless, the album certainly has its moments, is well crafted, and it will be interesting to see how LABRAN evolves over the coming
years.
“Never Let It Show” is Released October 21st, 2022 and is available on Spotify, Amazing Radio, Apple Music and other streaming platforms.
LABRAN can also be found on FACEBOOK, YouTube and Instagram
Artist Spotlight
Honk Magazine’s Artist of the Week Spotlight on Rising Talent

At Honk Magazine, we take pride in finding and backing the next wave of the hottest artists that will shape the music industry. Our Artist of the Week spotlight is on five artists with one-of-a-kind sounds, lives, and grinds that set them apart in the music world. From emotional rap to genre-defying Afro-fusion and gritty indie rock, the following songs are a vibrant reflection of the future of music.
Tuknight – “Campagne”
Starting off our feature is a Canadian Rapper based out of Sarnia, Ontario, Tuknight. Spelled “tuknight,” the name is great for boys with a deeper, human story. He started making music at 14, taking to it as an outlet for coping with the pain of losing his older brother to an overdose. That visceral feeling he translates into his music, and it really shines through in his most recent song, “Campagne,” a stripped-back and reflective number that delves into the heart of affliction and adversity.
Performing live for his second year, Tuknight shows no sign of slowing down. He’s opened for big names such as Roney, Mar Mar Oso, MLNY, and Kryple, slowly but surely carving out a spot for himself in Canada’s underground rap landscape. His centered energy and earnest lyrics establish him as one of the genre’s most promising new voices.
M For The Movement – “I’m Alive”
Up next is an enlightening act, M For The Movement, a deep-thinking emerging artist with old-school influences and too much fire. Their recent single I’m Alive is a sonorous cry of resilience, of being and of being present. With this album, M’s been waiting for the come-up, with collaborations with Juno award-winning Choclair and the iconic Snoop Dogg being teased.
M For The Movement has already commanded opening duty for some of music’s big names, including Sean Paul, Sean Kingston, and Nelly. By no means do they fit into that small talk; it’s big league stuff. A veteran in Performance, M is crafting a legacy rooted in Art and Activism with lyrical storytelling that captures both personal evolution and cultural momentum.
Huss Nem – “Lemme Tune In”
Raw energy, street-wise wisdom & versatility are what you can expect from Chicago’s own Huss Nem. The music industry is not new to Huss, who has been writing songs for over a decade. And on his latest offering, Lemme Tune In, one can see that KOK’s grimy delivery and larger-than-life stage presence prove that the street rap purveyor has street rap in his blood.
Aside from music, Huss Nem is a seasoned actor with a couple of movies, ” Chi-town Down for Life and 8 Dayz: Part 2.” He is also shooting for his second season of Decatur, Where It’s Greater, to show his multitalented side. A real hustler, he manages two streetwear brands, Rip Clown and Chitalo, bringing that entrepreneurial swagger to his impressive resume. Huss Nem is building a cultural empire.
Drela – EP “RAIN”
Up-and-coming Afro-Fusion talent Drela is changing the concept of what it means to be genre-fluid. With a new “RAIN” EP this May, Drela combines smooth vocals, AfroBeats, alternative R&B, and pop for a heady concoction. Her songs are incredibly personal, grounded in self-examination, change, and emotional pain.
Drela has cultivated a dedicated following with its live shows and frequent single drops on topics ranging from love to perseverance. She’s bridged the gap between sonic identities and still been true to herself in one of the toughest meccas of hip-hop. RAIN is shaping up to be a refreshingly different project that takes risks and pushes the art while helping to transcend its listeners.
Inland Years – Album “Keep Your Eyes On The Road”
Lo-fi indie rock fans will want to remember the name Inland Years. About Inland Years is the solo project of Brooklyn’s Ryan Daniels, who crafts warm, nostalgic tunes strung with tape warble and fuzzed-out emotion. Titled after the recently released album “Keep Your Eyes On The Road,” Elements breathe is a reflective voyage through pensive songwriting and analogue tones.
And, influenced by Lou Barlow and the ’90s four-track phenomenon, Inland Years has earned praise in underground circles. WFMU spins, playlist love, yay-di-over from DIY tastemakers. The music is close. It hums softly, imperfectly in just the right way, dripping with the simple honesty from which great music arises. Daniels’ method for making music seems like a love letter to anyone chasing clarity through chaos.
The music industry is changing, and guys like Tuknight, M For The Movement, Huss Nem, Drela, and Inland Years are the living proof that they are in good hands. Be it raw lyricism or experimental sonics or, in one case, an impressive lifestyle grind, there’s something all four artists this week share: they’re all a little different, but more importantly, they’re all themselves. We’re looking forward to following their progress and invite you to do so. Met someone on this list that you’re vibing with?
Let me know in the comments if you think someone else deserves to appear on the crown this week! 👑👇
Artist Spotlight
Marnix Emanuel drops a heartfelt anthemic ballad with his recent single, “You Got Me Hurt”

Marnix Emanuel infuses emotion into every note in his newest single, “You Got Me Hurt.” This beautifully crafted soulful pop ballad captures the lingering pain of losing a love that seemed irreplaceable, destined to last forever. Right from the first note, Marnix reels audiences into his world with a unique voice that’s equal parts raw silk and aching steel. He exudes a genuine vulnerability paired with a confident stage presence that only a truly seasoned artist can deliver.
What’s striking about this track is how effortlessly it balances heartbreak with resilience. The song doesn’t merely wallow in sorrow; it channels that bittersweet emotion into something intimately powerful, pulsing with the quiet strength and endurance, a timeless anthem that feels personal and universally relatable. “You Got Me Hurt” hits home in all the right places with its poignant lyrics and soaring melodies.
Marnix’s talents shine through as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Every element of the song’s production feels intentional, from the heartfelt lyrics to the lush, timeless pop instrumentation. The chorus has a warmth that touches modern and nostalgic, showcasing why the melody resonates so deeply. It features an undeniable rhythmic hook that echoes long after the tears have dried, inviting listeners to experience it repeatedly.
Coming out of the Netherlands as an emerging independent artist and singer-songwriter, Marnix Emanuel continues to build on a promising career with a strong foundation. “You Got Me Hurt” is a bold sonic statement affirming that his music is here to stay. For anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and is seeking to navigate the complexities of love lost and desire to rebuild after love falls apart, this single offers genuine emotional gravity. It perfectly represents heartbreak done right: soulful, innovative, and utterly human. As he looks toward new releases in 2025, this single sets the tone: honest, compelling, and impossible to ignore.
For more information about Marnix Emanuel, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Marnix Emanuel’s “You Got Me Hurt“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Marnix Emanuel | Instagram | Facebook |
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