New Music Review #85

Ten more tracks you must hear!

Ben Haenow - Alive 

Another strong pop song from the talent show winner. It's not the most memorable of songs after it finishes but its Biffy Clyro-lite vibe works well. (6/10)

Callaghan - Broken

Another beautifully written and performed track from the incredible voice of Callaghan. If this doesn't touch your heart strings not much else will! (7.5/10)

Carol Laula - 2nd Hand Joy

With folky undertones and the weaving in of a choir, there's an innocent and simple joy in this record with a bigger, catchy chorus. Delightfully different. (6.5/10)

Everything Everything - Desire

One of the most reliable bands around at the moment, 'Everything Everything' go a little bit Muse on this new release, a dramatically operatic falsetto-led number. (7/10)

Jack Found - Sundown

One of my favourite songs of the moment, this bouncy brass-hefty pop song sounds like Mark Owen with more energy and is a great catchy radio-friendly number. A must listen. (7.5/10)

Kele Okereke feat. Olly Alexander - Grounds for Resentment

The lead singer of Bloc Party shifts gear quite considerably on this slower ballad that has big echoes of the Feeling. Gentle yet touching this is a cool, chill-out number with strong lyrics and delivery. (6.5/10)

Lorde - Perfect Places

After the slightly off-the-wall 'Green Light' we get something more straight forward in 'Perfect Places' but the lyrics, delivery and driving pace all work well in creating a great little pop song. (7/10)

Pink - What About Us

Pink can often be relied upon to produce a great pop song and she does it again on this mid-tempo ballad. It's not a huge departure from some of her earlier material but it has enough heart and a strong enough chorus to win you over, and mixes in some nice dance elements too. (7/10)

Sea Girls - Call Me Out 

'Call Me Out' is a gentle slice of pop-indie that comes across as somewhere between the Killers and the similarly sounding Seafret. With a distinctive, foot-tapping chorus, this is a grower. (7/10)

Toddla T feat. Andrea Martin - Magnet

Keeping the backing track gentler lifts up the sweet and smooth vocals of Andrea Martin that gives this single its central emotional core. Chilled out and thoughtful. (6.5/10)