London’s art-pop quintet Playing House have returned with their brand new single, ‘Not Good’. The single shudders with an unforgettable groove that recalls both the best of ‘70s floor fillers and off-kilter ‘80s bangers.

“‘Not Good’ is a surrealist look at the absurdity of the ambivalence to all things not good.” Mel Patman tells us, “It’s a song that could only be written in the surreal reality that we're living in right now, in the middle of the destruction of the planet, consumerism, inequalities, sexism, increased anxiety and depression. The song takes a pop at ambivalence, watching everything go wrong and doing nothing. It’s also about how those abuses take place in relationships. It was written following a really damaging relationship where there was gaslighting and manipulation but I couldn’t leave. Sometimes the safest thing is ambivalence when you are not permitted the power by people or society to change things. I wanted to write something that is both truthful and empowering."

Candid and honest, Playing House openly identify as queer, feminist, body positive and readily support such causes, playing at queer spaces and charity events. The group make subversive, vibrant pop music that doesn't conform and express ideas of love, identity, politics, as well as growing up and living outside of the heteronormative.

‘Not Good’ was produced and mixed by Joel Davies who assists Grammy Award winning producer Dan Grech-Marguerat and as such has worked alongside the likes of The Killers, MUNA, Two Door Cinema Club, George Ezra, and Liam Gallagher. This is Davies’ first solo producing project, seeing him step out on his own, and he picked Playing House after seeing them live.

For your entertainment during another working week here's five more hand-picked delights from the Scruff Of The Neck stable.

Lunar – 'Showboater'

Fresh off the back of a headline Academy 3 show that belied the young Mancunian's age, Lunar are an indie-pop four-piece on the cusp of big things. Latest single 'Showboater' is two and a half minutes of button-bright garage-pop, built around a deft dichotomy of pop-polish and DIY sensibility that's sure to make people sit up and pay attention.

Playing House – 'Haircut'

Drawing influence from a host of decade-spanning art-pop, Playing House are an East London three-piece with an ear for a melody and their eyes to the future. Their latest single 'Haircut' is an upbeat and off-kilter pop number that's all spiky guitars and autobiographical lyricism. Having emerged from the East London queer community a little under a year ago, the band are already off to a flying start.

Delamere – 'Kill It'

Those in the know have been waiting on new material from Delamere now, and recent single 'Kill It' doesn't disappoint. Subtle and anthemic in equal parts, it's as uplifting as it is understated, and sees the band's trademark electronic melodies reach dizzying new heights. The first taste of the band's pending debut LP, 'Kill It' marks the beginning of the next stage of the band's career, and we can't wait to see where it takes them.

Broken Flags – 'Faith'

It wouldn't be a Top 5 without us letting you wrap your ears around another band from Stoke, and this week is no exception. Broken Flags are upbeat and optimistic four-piece who swerve the swagger and arrogance of your typical indie acts in favour of more melodic sound. 'Faith' manages to encapsulate the band's charming perkiness perfectly.

The Leathernecks – 'Do Ya Fuck'

Closing out this week are Rotheram's The Leathernecks, a four-piece whose live shows are as racous as one might expect from hearing their tracks. 'Do Ya Fuck' is a spiky, frenetic outing that subscribes to the jangle-pop of yesteryear almost as much as it does indie's more recent iterations. Catch these guys in a small venue whilst you still can.