Hurt & the Merciless

Editors’ Notes The Heavy underwent some tumultuous changes following the release of 2012's The Glorious Dead—lead singer Kelvin Swaby got married, divorced, and then married again. Fortunately the Bath-based band's classic R&B-influenced rock remains on a steady keel, their spirit undimmed—and no doubt boosted following appearances on the soundtracks to Kingsman and Tarantino's The Hateful Eight. “What Happened to the Love” recasts Queens of the Stone Age as a Northern Soul outfit, “Turn Up” is all swaggering brass and sharp vocal interplay, while “Since You Been Gone” brings grit to classic Motown. Stylish stuff.