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)
Let's have another ten songs you need to hear! Fall Out Boy - The Last Of The Real Ones
'Fall Out Boy' continue to release some great singles with great beats and catchy rhythms, and this is another strong one. (7/10) FELIN - 21st Century '21st Century' is a punky number with hints of the Ting Tings at the time of their first album, but with much more bite. Catchy and interesting, this is a cool little indie hit. (7/10)
Flora Cash - Roses On Your Dress
'Roses On Your Dress' is a beautifully sung and flowing ballad held up by Cash's very listenable and emotional voice, with the simple production escalating well, with the Enigma-like breakdown adding to the relaxing and touching feel. (7/10) Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso (feat. Florida Georgia Line & watt) - Let Me Go
A little bit clubbier in production than I was expecting from Steinfeld, but this collaboration of four artists works well, giving a bit more bite to their regular country sound with a powerful chorus. (7/10) Hermitage Green - Lions Share With a dark swagger in its verse leading into a more positive and faster bridge and chorus this is a building indie number that stands out as a great Kasabian meets Kings of Leon style number with strong production values and interesting use of instrumentation. (7/10)
Iffy Orbit - Not Good Enough 'Not Good Enough' is a smooth and gentle downbeat slice of electronic-indie with a chilled out vibe that compliments the introspective lyrics. (6.5/10)
Jordan Klassen - Housefly
'Housefly' is a delightfully classical sounding stripped back number with Klassen's ethereal and gentle vocals complimenting the string sounds beautifully. (7/10) Kelly Clarkson - Love So Soft
Quite different from what you'd expect from Clarkson this rnb-enfused number gives a bit of polish and variety to her usual sound. Nice. (7/10) The Moods - P.O.P (Profit Over People)
One of my favourite songs around at the moment, this is a political-heavy tune but one that will get you dancing as well, it's mix of upbeat dance and fast-paced grime and RNB work really well together with hints of the LaFontaines. Brilliant. (8/10) Tom Dibb - Hit The Road
'Hit The Road' is a delightful little pop-country number with an ear-pleasing stripped back vibe and a positive, optimistic tone that will get the edges of your mouth curling into a smile. Plus it's very singable. (7/10)
Our ten latest must-hear tracks! FELIN - Destruction Therapy
Like a cross between U2 and the Chemical Brothers this is a gritty, rocking number that sounds like it's been ripped straight from a punky soundtrack. Great. (7/10) Flora Cash - California
'California' is a gentle little number that takes things gentle over its four-minutes running time, but does leave itself enough energy to create a catchy light-pop chorus. (6.5/10) Hannah's Yard - Doin' It For Myself (Radio Edit)
Country and folk come together on this relentlessly perky and happy pop number with a strong production mixing up several instruments and leading to a bouncy summery chorus. (7/10) J-Fresh x Tubby Boy - Refills On Deck It might not be too different from other songs in the genre but its fast tempo, determined beat and quirky breakdown allow it to stand up above many of its contemporaries. (6.5/10) The Killers - The Man
Finally, one of my favourite bands of all time are back, and this is quite possibly their biggest change in sound after a couple of albums of rather similar production. Here they have embraced a seventies disco Chic-like sound and although the chorus doesn't quite have their usual stadium feel it's certainly a fresh and intriguing take and suits their style and feels more sing-a-long and danceable than their more recent bits. (7.5/10) Mat Treiber - Go All Around the World
With a live feel to the production this a gritty soft-rock number with an Oasis-style vibe and hook. It might lack a big central chorus but it has enough guitar licks and rock sensibilities to keep you listening. (7/10) Nina Schofield - Beat Another Rhythm
With hints or Europop and Eurovision in its delivery, this is a catchy pop-club number with a foot-tapping beat and an enjoyable, developing production style. (7/10)
The Rocking Horse Club - Straight White Man 'Straight White Male' is a spot-on sarcastic take on gender, LGBT and skin-colour discrimination and politics, delivered in a bouncy, pop-rock hit. It might have hints of ZZ Top's 'Sharp Dressed Man' in its sound but if you like your music radio-friendly and saying something then you need to hear this and then possibly blast it in the direction of your nearest Conservative or UKIP MP. (7.5/10) tape.machines feat. Sam Seg - s.t.u.p.i.d
This acronymed 'stupid' is a cool, laid-back tune with Seg's vocals a pleasure to listen to. Delightfully smooth. (7/10) Triggah - Believe
We make the comment on its religious or drug statements but as a funny yet catchy song with a really poppy background hook this really hits all the right places. (7/10) Ten more great songs you need to hear!
Here at KBPS we bring you some more songs to listen to and enjoy as well as an EP and two albums! Divisionists - Daybreak (Album) 'Daybreak' is a gritty lo-fi album of twelve tracks, each strongly produced and offering a focussed indie-rock vibe that plays along well for over 45-minutes. With strong lyrics and a good mix of tempos, paces and vibes, this is a strong album to put on and chill out to that's not afraid to make it quieter when it needs to, though it does at times get a little too maudlin for its own good. (6.5/10) Eugene Twist - Stuntman
'Stuntman' is a well produced indie number with retro throwbacks with some great changes in pace and emotion that hold your interest. (6.5/10) Fancy Cars feat. Foy - Heart of Stone
'Heart of Stone' is a great track of electronic swagger with a catchy central chorus and some strong production effects with a big bite. (7/10)
Flora Cash - Nothing Lasts Forever (And It's Fine) Brought to you by the sweet and listenable voice of Flora Cash this song mixes some neatly written lyrics that come with a message and a quirky, poppy electronic riff. (7/10) Fufanu - Liability 'Liability' is a neat little mid-tempo electronic number that sounds like Kraftwerk meeting Gary Numan. Fans of that era will get much out of this fun little track. (5.5/10) God Damn - It Bites
A little heavier than the music I would normally listen to there's still plenty of fun in the catchy chorus and strong flow of lyrics to hook in people who aren't maybe into as guitars as loud as this. A crossover song with good appeal. (6.5/10) KOYO - Tetrachromat
The intriguingly titled 'Tetrachromat' is an atmospheric electronic number with an otherworldly vibe that really suits its musical aesthetic. Nicely produced. (6.5/10) Thieves Like Us - Thieves Like Us (Album) This nine-track album has a strong indie, ethereal vibe and though no particular tracks stands out as a radio-friendly single (though 'Jennifer', the concluding track is the best contender), the overall vibe as each song flows into the next works really well, and there a few more uptempo pieces amongst the sultrier ones to lift your mood. As an atmospheric, electronic-heavy concept album, though, it works very well. (6.5/10) Tuxedo - Fux with the Tux (EP)
Opening with title track, this is a seventies sounding EP mixing up the sounds of Chic and Earth, Wind and Fire but with the benefits of modern production values. Catchy and funky in equal measure, the opening track sets the mood for the piece with its quirky and catchy effects and riffs. 'Special' is the second track and has shades of 'Ladies Night' in its vibe and it continues the sound from track one, whilst the third and final song 'July' drops the tempo and brings you a more soulful number, rounding off a really strong and well produced seventies sounding vibe. (7/10) Vanbot - Collide (Krasnoyarsk) 'Collide' is a hazy, fuzzy little electronic number that growls along with its genuinely intriguing production style, lifted up with its simple but perky synth riff. (6/10)
