New Music Review #2

Our regular look at new releases we're sent or find for your listening and viewing pleasure!

Affairs - Life Of Leisure

Sounding a little like the Editors meets Morrissey this is actually a little more upbeat than that comparison would suggest. After a string of strong songs this is a driving, catchy little number that bodes well for the band. (7.5/10)

Anne-Marie - Alarm 

Starting with some skitty electronic blips and bloops the scattering verse soon gives way to a catchy, larger than life chorus that avoids many of the over used tropes of dance music that it sounds like it's heading for. Great. (7/10)

Echoes - Fiction

A bombastic electro-rock number with a delightful lead vocal, powerful electronic vibe and a bass-heavy build-up that adds to the energy and theatrics of this huge number. (7.5/10)

Eugene Twist - Halloween Drama Queen

We don't often get new songs for this season but here is one, building a story of love and loss around the period of ghosts and ghouls. It's a slow, sombre number but one that will hopefully haunt you after a few listens thanks to Twist's stylish, nostalgic vocals. (6.5/10)

FELIN - Bored

Filled with punky energy this is a ballsy, attitude ridden number built around a powerful drum beat and some high-power vocals. Turn your speakers up, get ready for the mid-song chant and play. (7/10)

Franko Fraize - Tell Me A Word

With shades of the rhythm of Will Smith's 'Switch', Fraize's flow is addictive and though the music is pretty ambient and stripped back (until the dance-influenced chorus) there's something about the speed and clap-track that will hook you in. (7/10)

Goldsands - A Place Far Away

'A Place Far Away' is a sombre, slow number led just by the piano and the haunting vocals of the lead singer, but this is a touching, emotional love song that has to be heard. (7/10)

Ivy Levan - Science Fiction / Double Feature

Taken from Fox's remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show comes this opening song, headed up by the powerfully voiced Ivy Levan. Bombastic, energetic and full of character thanks to Levan's great personable vocals, this is a great re-make of a cult song. (7/10)

James King and the Regals - Kemosabe Shore

A slowly building, upbeat pop song, with a great little chorus and driving drums. A summery track for the months that are now turning colder. (7/10)

Le Couleur - L'amour Le Jour

Finally, something a little French to end on. Though the lyrics don't mean anything to me, the lure of the vocals and the funky electronic sound are great whatever your linguistics. (6.5/10)