“What’s normal anyway?” ask Akron, Ohio singer/songwriter duo, DreamStates, in their new single ‘Normal’. “As we say in the song, you’re more than any stereotype.” DreamStates is equal parts the creative handiwork of Madeline Eckhart and Natalie Grace Martin. While they previously honed harmonies working together in Natalie’s live ensemble during her “She/Her/Hers Tour” — including a critically acclaimed performance at Akron’s inaugural Pride Festival last year — they quickly learned a newly-inspired iteration of working together could be so much more than just a band.

“We have a really strong mutual desire to expand the roster of transgender musicians in the entertainment industry,” DreamStates explain. “For us, it goes far beyond our personal musical goals and over into the realm of activism, equality and empowerment for what is an embattled community of beautiful people. We like to say, DreamStates is ‘love made aural’.”

Speaking of love, “Normal” was an act of self-love and -care by Natalie this past winter as she celebrated her annual milestone. “This song was a birthday present to myself,” reflects Natalie. “I wanted to write something that felt like a gift to myself. I made sure that it included everything I love. The song came together through a combination of FL Studio 10, Audacity, and sheer musical determination,” she laughs. “I composed the whole thing in a single 10-hour sitting.”

“The world’s never had a hugely successful and popular transgender female pop vocalist. The biggest challenge we face (sharing our music) could be simply introducing people to the trans feminine voice. I know my tone fluctuates; I have moments of masculinity and moments of femininity in what is, overall, a totally androgynous vocal performance."

The video is polished and engaging, which is especially notable considering the creative rigging DreamStates created to pull it together. “I used an everyday kitchen mixer — a whisk — propped up in a small metal bucket to hold my iPhone in place,” Natalie laughs, detailing her impromptu ‘cameraman.’ “I then used Vegas Pro 12 with the very multi-talented Madeline to edit it. We simply wanted to show a transgender individual giving a message of hope, love, and positivity,” DreamStates share. “We think we got there.”

Idles have shared new material in a searing takedown of toxic masculinity entitled ‘Samaritans’. A live favourite for sometime, the Theo Watkins-directed music video compiles archival clips displaying traditional masculine imagery.  Speaking of the song’s message, front man Joe Talbot says: "There's been a long line of bullshit that has pushed men into a corner, where simple masking becomes a trope of masculinity and a catalyst for insanity. What we wear, what we eat, what razor we use, high performance chewing gum, go faster shampoo, how we treat women, how we treat ourselves, how we die. I truly believe that masculinity has gone from an evolution of cultural praxis to a disease. I wanted to encourage a conversation about gender roles by writing this song."

‘Samaritans’ is the third song to be released from Idles 's much-anticipated upcoming album, Joy As An Act Of Resistance. Produced by Space and mixed by Adam Greenspan & Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kate Bush), The album takes aim at everything from nationalism and immigration to class inequality - all while maintaining a visceral, infectious positivity. Talbot summarises: “This album is an attempt to be vulnerable to our audience and to encourage vulnerability; a brave naked smile in this shitty new world. We have stripped back the songs and lyrics to our bare flesh to allow each other to breathe, to celebrate our differences, and act as an ode to communities and the individuals that forge them. Because without our community, we’d be nothing.”

This autumn, Idles will embark on their first ever global tour, including their biggest London headliner yet at O2 Forum Kentish Town on October 18. Their last London headliner, at Heaven, sold out nearly six months in advance.

'Tour of Joy' 2018 dates:

16 Oct -  Bristol, UK - SWX

17 Oct - London, UK - Roundhouse *

18 Oct – London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town

19 Oct – Manchester, UK - O2 Ritz

20 Oct – Glasgow, UK - O2 ABC

23 Oct – Newcastle, UK - Riverside

24 Oct – Leeds, UK - Leeds University Stylus

25 Oct – Nottingham, UK - Rock City

26 Oct - Birmingham, UK - Institute

27 Oct – Brighton, UK - Concorde 2

29 Oct - Oxford, UK -  O2 Academy

* Q Awards show with Wolf Alice