New Music Review #46

Ten more releases you need to hear!

Bettie Serveert feat. Peter te Bos - Love Sick

Like a cross between Paramore and the Ting Tings this indie-rock number has a great pop-rock energy and a great call-and-response between the two vocals, plus a strong rough guitar riff. (7/10)

Black Lime – Pleasantville (EP)

The Pleasantville EP is a collection of four raw and rugged punk-rock that utilise the lo-fi sound of the production to great effect. Opener ‘Fight or Flight’ bursts with confidence and raw energy with a chorus and guitar riffs that prove to be on-point. ‘Rattlesnake’ is just as down and dirty but doesn’t quite have the same focus on hooks but is still a good number. ‘Feeling Wrong’ continues the vibe with some slick but dirty guitar riffs and licks, whilst the titular closer ties things up nicely. If you like your rock down and dirty and refreshingly unpolished then you’ll find much to enjoy here. (6/10)

Callaghan – Solid Ground

Another new track from Callaghan and this is one of my favourites, with its Coldplay-esque switch-up of instrumentation and her beautiful vocals flowing between the music. Lovely. (7/10)

Das Mörtal feat. French Fox - Midnight Rendez-Vous

With hints of Kraftwerk but with a bit more personality, this is a quirky club-inspired hit. It might lack the big chorus you’d hope for but otherwise is musically intriguing. (6.5/10)

Dead Lavender - Seasons Change

‘Seasons Change’ is a stripped back, dark-themed number with a catchy hooky chorus but heavily weighted towards chill-out, creating a strongly produced and unwinding number. (7/10)

Kid Astray – Fall to my Knees

With hints of MGMT ‘Fall to my Knees’ is a well produced chunky dance number with Daft Punk elements and a quirky, summery vibe that ticks over nicely. (7/10)

Kirsty Churchill - I Was Not Looking

Following her brilliant breakthrough single, last year’s ‘Who You Gonna Call?’ Churchill is back with another catchy European-sounding dance-pop tune that boasts a chorus that could well become as singable as its predecessor. Poppy, fun and summery, what more could you want at the moment? (7/10)

Leyya – Zoo

With an opening flourish of sitar ‘Zoo’ transforms into a catchy and summery pop number with a smooth musical riff and a flip-flopping flow that sounds like Izzy Bizu crossed with Eliza Doolittle. (7/10) 

Louise Lemon – Appalacherna

The first cut from her new EP, this is a dark and foreboding but well layered piece that suits the style of the old secluded cabin it was recorded in. Very atmospheric and paints a great audio picture. (6.5/10)

Yoe Mase – Lonely

A dark and foreboding single but one with heart and a strong ear for production, with a style that flows from ethereal moments to rockier sections, all glued together by the strong vocals and heartfelt delivery of the lyrics by the lead. (7/10)