New Music Review #120

Ten more songs you have to hear!

Ashton Lane - Breathe You In

One of the next contenders for the big name in British country this delightfully written and sung harmonised ballad with a radio-friendly chorus should help gain them bigger traction. Stripped-back yet with a big sound and a surprising energy this is a promising new single. Lovely. There's also an acoustic version with it which, though not that different really, gives more space for their vocals to breath. (7/10)

Chlöe Howl - Do It Alone

A slower affair than you'd usually expect from Howl, but this chilled out, rnb-influenced number has her usual punky attitude sweeping through the lyrics. I prefer her when in a faster tempo mood but this is a cool little number. (6.5/10)

Cimo Fränkel - Never Give Up (Filous Remix)

Not a huge departure from the original, 'Never Give Up' is still a cool, crisp, laid back song that is a welcome injection of summer to this time of year. Well worth another spin, in whatever form it comes. (7/10)

Declan McKenna - Why Do You Feel So Down?

Perkier sounding than the title would suggest, this is a low-key but quirkly catchy little indie number that walks its own path. Interesting. (6.5/10)

Flora Cash - The Bad Boys (Mountain Bird Remix)

This remix perhaps ticks too many of the remix cliche boxes but as a gentle chill-out track it works well, offering bite to its relaxing vibe. (6/10)

Mary and The Ram - The Cross / The Dream

At three and seven minutes respectively, 'The Cross' and 'The Dream' have the word experimental flowing all the way through them, its mixture of electronica, dream-like production, spoken word and more clearly not to everyone's tastes but creates a fun, ethereal soundscape, though the shorter more timely first track is more enjoyable to me than the country-tinged second number, though the latter does unexpectedly burst into a chugging guitar-heavy number in its final half to inject some energy. (5.5/10)

Morrissey and Marshall - Beautiful World (Acoustic)

As stripped back as you'd expect from an acoustic track this isn't quite as memorable as, say, 'Cold November Sunrise', but the sixties-style and solid harmonies make for a retro-sounding listen that ticks the right boxes, its call-and-response closer really working well as it hits a crescendo of energy. (7/10)

Naughty Boy feat. Joe Jonas - One Chance To Dance

Naughty Boy returns to his strong production form with this throwback-sounding Christmas disco favourite with a verse just as singable as its simple, yet, catchy chorus. Fun and perky and feels like a cert for adverts for dancing, or a certain popular TV show next year. (7.5/10)

Percival Elliott - Forever

Making an appearance on my radar two-and-a-half years after it appeared on YouTube, this string-led number that combines Elliott's touching and strong voice with a smooth musical accompaniment makes for a warming, delightful little number that deserves a second chance at fame. (7/10)

To Kill A King - The Spiritual Dark Age

Sending us in three tracks, these are hints at something big coming for this band. The main track, 'The Spiritual Dark Age', is a catchy little indie-rock track with a hooky chorus and a cracking, fast-paced feel with nods towards the Kings of Leon if they went and cheered up a bit. 'The Good Old Days' continues the theme, the production spot-on in generating a great atmosphere with its simple chorus and background calls proving quickly memorable even if it does get a little repetitive near the end. 'My God & You' has an older, more sixties feel to its production and with its 'my god and your god / they don't get along' hook making this my favourite of the three. A trio of great songs which make me keen to pick up their album. (7/10)

New Music Review #104

Ten more great songs you need to hear!

AVEC - Waiting For

A simple, stripped back sound with hints of country make for a smooth and gentle showcase of Avec's sweet and very listenable voice. (6/10)

Cimo Fränkel - Never Give up

'Never Give Up' is a soulful number with some hints of Bruno Mars in its cut-back sound. It's chorus is perhaps not as big as you'd expect but it has a nice little vibe to it and feels very summery (7/10)

Jazz Mino - Crush

Delivering a funked up cover of the classic song, this club-influenced song lacks the subtlety of the original but it does something fresh with the hit and injects some modern vibes in it, and Jazz Mino's vocals are as great as ever. Cool! (7/10)

Judi Jackson - Worth It

With a soulful, stripped back chilled-out vibe and a Macy Gray-lite sound to the vocals this is a cool, relaxing number, perfect for a quiet night in. (6/10)

Paul Brand - Standing Over Elvis

Though you could argue it's a little twee in parts this is a smooth and gentle country-lite number with some sweet little reminisces and a warming feel, plus the chorus is quickly memorable. (6.5/10)

Reggie 'N' Bollie - On The Floor

Though its off-the-shelf sound effects don't bode well for it this becomes a catchy club-number with a hook-filled Shaggy-like chorus that keeps the summer alive for a little bit longer, and Beenie Man's inclusion adds a bit extra bite. (6.5/10)

The Sheratons - Better Days

Ticking the indie box for this post, this is a simple but fun enough indie track with a nice lo-fi production and throwback sound. (6/10)

Soldier On - Ropes 

With a drum beat appropriate to the band name this is a cool indie number with an Arctic Monkeys vibe and some neat twists and turns in its production. (6/10)

Soulitaire - One Of Many Parts

In a post that seems to include lots of stripped back numbers this is another cut back song which focuses on the vocals, the catchy chorus and multi-instrumentation working well hand-in-hand. (6.5/10)

Swym - That's So Drugs, Man

As free-flowing as the hippy culture that quite possibly inspires the title, this is a song of two-halves where swaying vocals give way to a foot-tapping musical style. Nice. (6.5/10)