Single Review: “Shut The Door” – LEHI. Words: Sammy Stein

Hailing from Hartlepool, England, Lehi is a solo artist who writes, plays, records, and produces his music. Lehi began composing music as a child and became a guitarist in a band at a young age. In 2015, he began recording music with a friend in his college music studio. He and a school friend formed …

Single Review: “Bump Into Me” – Maya Lane

Maya Lane is back in 2024 with a great indie pop track that screams summer hit for me! The muted guitars under Maya’s voice are like idling engines – this song is about escaping so it fits in nicely – poised ready to go! I love the fact she’s got a picture of a camper …

Single Review: “West End Girls” – Pet Shop Boys

On 11th January 1986 The Pet Shop Boys scored their first UK No.1 single with ‘West End Girls.’ The first version of the song was released in April 1984, becoming a club hit in the United States, after the duo signed with EMI, the song was re-recorded with producer Stephen Hague. Now I remember the …

Single Review: “Queen Of Every Night” – Cassandra

This song combines opera with pop. POPERA! The operatic vocal at the beginning will fool you – but when that beat drops? You’re in trouble. This is a banger, and it’s done so well! Probably my favourite track of the year so far! I like opera, and the crossover for me works, it’s combining classical …

Single Review: “Vienna” – Ultravox

On 1st January 2013 Ultravox’s 1981 hit ‘Vienna’ was voted the UK’s favourite number two single. The song topped a poll by BBC Radio 2 and the Official Charts Company to find the greatest track to miss out on the number one spot. Vienna was held off by novelty track ‘Shaddup You Face’ by Joe …

Single Review: “Ruby” – Offing

This is the new single from my friend Offing. It’s not your run of the mill indie pop song, it’s a different time signature to most, 6/8 time with a slight swing to it. I love the stops and starts and the synths deployed here – having looked at her instagram I think she’s using …

Single Review: “Aurora” – MEUTE

A mix of electronica and a brass band? From Germany you say? Go ahead. I’m listening! This track fuses horns and drums with electronic sounds on the bed of a steady beat… there’s a marimba too. The percussion mixed in is down so well, shakers highlighting the hi hats… this is a banger! The thing …

Single Review: “Air, Part 2” – Lycio.

What I like about this track is the use of synthesisers on it, it’s nice and spacious overall! The crackle of the vinyl at the beginning gives you the feeling this could have been recorded in the 80s, and this is reinforced with the way that the drums have a bit of a swing to them …

Single Review: “It’s Never Been Better” – The Goa Express

I like the way this begins, the phases in straight into the jangly guitars.. you don’t expect it! This song is a reflection on a summer relationship of some sort, now it’s the winter it’s great to look back on the summer of 2023 now the year is almost over My favourite par of the …

Single Review: “Somebody’s Daughter” – The Deep Blue

This song….  It got me through my morning cuppa and emails. It then got me through my walk around sainsbury’s. It got me through putting my shopping away.  I’ve been sat at the keyboard playing around with the chord progression too.  What a beauty! The electric piano is what did it for me, especially in …