I like the synths on this one, especially the arpeggiated intro and crunchy lead. The vocals are spoken / sung, the main vocals go up and down on the scale. I like the way it switches from a major to minor key by singing one semitone down on one note. This is definitely worth a …
Single Review: “Butter Side Up Boy” – Laurie Wright
Laurie Wright is back with a track with strong vocals, guitars, drums and…. Harmonica! This song comes roaring out of the gates with attitude, and it’s a cracker. I really like Laurie’s vocals on this, it sounds like he’s having a blast recording it, but this belies the dark feeling behind the lyrics, there’s a …
Single Review: “Solo” – Fran Minney
I like the soulfulness of this tune. Fran starts off in the lower range of her voice but what really took me by surprise was when she hit the chorus and the multiple layers of harmonies. Beautiful work! The production on this is so good too, I love the synths on this – poppy but …
Single Review: “Boys From Jungle” – Junior Bill
I’m trying to decide whether this is a punk protest song or not. It’s definitely punk, the attitude is there. But the lyrics are definitely interesting, it’s the reality of immigrants coming to the UK, and their stories, it’s loud, it’s aggressive. But do you oboe what? It’s getting the message across. For me the …
Single Review: “Sidecar” – Prima Hera
I have heard this song so many times now, I think it’s part of my soundtrack of 2023. It’s such a simple song, Prima Hera’s vocals are gorgeous on this. She has a touch of reverb on her vocals, and she’s able to harmonise comfortably going from a major to minor harmony with the other …
Blog interview: Dave Britto, Arrows
Hello Dave how are you? Hello Del, I’m good and thank you for speaking to me. Congratulations on the release of “Another Avenue”, how does it feel? Thanks! It’s great, there’s always that feeling of nervousness and excitement that comes with every release. I’ve been holding on to this song for a very long time, …
Single Review: “Only Just Begun” – Marseille
Marseille are a problem. These guys write infectious tunes that just make you want to sing along to, and “Only Just Begun” is no exception. This is a song that’s all too easily relatable being the one that the person you have your eye on knows that you want to be there for them. I …
Single Review: “Blue Monday” – New Order
As today is supposed to be Blue Monday I thought I’d revisit an 80s classic. This song has all the synthesiser goodness incorporated with early samples. The version I’ve picked out is the original 1983 mix, which clocks in at 7:30 – this would have set the dance floors alight back in the day, because …
Single Review: “I Need Ya” – Somebody’s Child
The thing that caught my ear the most about this song was the distorted bass, The song chugs along at a fair pace, starting off with analogue drums, I’m getting the feeling that this might be a hybrid of analogue and acoustic, but whatever it is, it’s not unpleasant to the ear for sure. Lyrically …
Single Review: “Jellyfish” – Lizzie Esau
Lizzie is back! Catchy guitar riffs, half rapped half sung lyrics with the usual fire…. Lizzie was one of my predictions for big things in 2022, and I’m glad she’s not lost any of that passion in her music since I first heard her with “Bitter Weather”. So, what’s this? Well this song is a …