New Music Review #76

Ten more songs you need to hear!

Bonnie Li - Mallory





With a very listenable voice and a song with intriguing production, this is a delightful refreshing listen. (6.5/10)

Capital Cities - Drop Everything

Having released some great songs over their short career, this is perhaps not as explosive as those singles but it's still got a delightful rhythm, witty lyrics and an optimistic feel. (7/10)

Chris Simmons - Gold Dust

'Gold Dust' is a delightfully gentle and touching little track with some silky smooth production, creating a relaxing and heartfelt atmosphere. (6.5/10)

Coldplay & Big Sean - Miracles

Though their sound hasn't changed hugely, Coldplay are certainly branching out recently with their collaborations to do something a bit different, so although this isn't hugely revolutionary or as hooky as their big hits has moments of interest. (6/10)

Fjokra - Bang On The Door

After the great 'Sick Kids' Fjokra return with another quirky and catchy song that mixes up dual vocals, style shifts and didgeridoo with sitar, creating an eccentric but memorable number. (7.5/10)

The Ghibertins - The Less I Know The Better

We really loved their last single, but this is even better from the great didgeridoo opening to the downbeat but yet quickly catchy chorus, and some well written lyrics. (7.5/10)

OneRepublic and Seeb - Rich Love

It might be a bit bland and formulaic compared to OneRepublic at their non-dancey best but it's got enough of a summer-friendly vibe to hold things together. (6.5/10)

Ooberfuse - Why Oh Why

Electro-swing is one of the genres that is really growing on me, and here we have a classic example. Having seen Ooberfuse live a couple of years ago it's great to hear them back, and this catchy, radio-friendly quirky little number is their best song yet! (7.5/10)

Reverend and the Makers - Juliet Knows

Quite different for a song by them as it doesn't have Jon McClure on lead vocals, this is a nice and gentle stripped back tune with a warming, summery feel. Nice. (6.5/10)

Vance Joy - Lay It On Me

Vance Joy has always been on my radar thanks to its stonking breakthrough track 'Riptide' and though is a quieter number than that it has enough fun in its brassy breakdown and heart in its lyrics and delivery to raise a smile. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #36

Here we are with ten more songs you need to hear!

Alexander James - Faith

'Faith' is a cool little indie number with a dramatic driving rhythm and a gritty feel that works well with James' harmonies and perky pop-indie vocals. (6.5/10)


Alison Krauss - Losing You

With tinges of country, 'Losing You' is a gentle, atmospheric ballad that showcases to great effect Krauss' beautiful voices. Stripped back and simple, it's a delightful ballad with a retro throwback with modern production twists. (7/10)

The Amazons - Black Magic

Sounding like a cross between the Wombats and the Arctic Monkeys, this gritty rock-indie song doesn't perhaps have a huge memorable chorus but the general style and solid production effects make up for that. (6.5/10)

Casey Lowry - Trampoline

'Trampoline' is a sweet little indie song with a positive, upbeat chorus, and a strong electro-pop vibe and drum pattern that will raise a smile with its simple instrumental and quaint lyrics but ultimately fun feel. (7/10)

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This

I'm not a huge fan of the music of the Chainsmokers, and I'm sure people will have their own opinions on the sound of Coldplay, but together they've created quite a fun and perky indie-dance track that actually merges their strengths together into a cool pop hit. (7/10)

Frances - No Matter

'No Matter' is a mixture of things - electronic effects, vocal trickery, and indie vibes - that come together in a fun, perky and quirky song, held together by Frances great sunny vocals. (6.5/10)

Maren Morris - My Church

Continuing the increasing rise in popularity of country music, Maren Morris delivers 'My Church', balancing the attitude and guts of Kasey Musgraves with a more traditional country sound. Catchy, quirky but thoroughly country this is a great sing-a-long ditty that will please the country classic fans and those who prefer a more modern take. (7/10)

Martin Jensen - Solo Dance

It's chorus might be as generic and off-the-shelf as many other dance numbers but the choruses are catchy and uplifting, and the lead vocals sweet and involving. Worth a spin. (7/10)

Megan Lara Mae - Mask

If you want a track that's smooth and relaxing sung by a singer with a beautiful voice then you could do far worse than this great little song. It's choruses is perhaps not as big as you'd expect but the vocal work is great and emotive. (7/10)

Take That - Giants

Take That have taken a bit of influence from their recent collaboration with Sigma in this latest single as it has a stronger electronic focus than we may have had before, though it's still as poppy as you'd expect from the lads. It's safe, radio-friendly and generic, but it's still a worthwhile distraction from the man band. (7/10)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 8)

We reach the top 30 of our countdown of the best songs of 2016!

30 Busted - Coming Home (Released: May)

29 Dagny - Backbeat (Released: May)

28 Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling! (Released: May)

27 Juno im Park feat. Hannah Trigwell - Never Gonna Give You Up (Released: July)

26 Tiggs Da Author feat Lady Leshurr - Run (Released: January)

25 Tor Miller - Surrender (Released: June)

24 Dragonette - Lonely Heart (Released: May)

23 Coldplay - Up&Up (Released: April)

22 Janet Devlin - Outernet Song (Released: October)

21 The Strumbellas - Spirits (Released: September)