New Music Review #116

Ten more songs you must hear!

Banners - Someone To You

'Someone to You' is a really fun and catchy pop-rock number with a singable, radio-friendly chorus which suggests this will be a grower once it gets that airplay breakthrough. (7/10)

Gavin James - Hearts On Fire

It's been a strong year for Gavin James and if this new song is anything to go by it should be a strong 2018 for him as well. 'Hearts On Fire' is another bouncy, catchy number from him. (7.5/10)

Green Day - Back In The USA

Taking its lead from their famous 'American Idiot' album this boasts the poppiness of that album's title track with more subtle politics, in a surprisingly poppy entry into their canon, taken from their new greatest hits compilation. (7/10)

Hey Charlie - Young & Lonesome

A quirky and funky indie number with strong harmonies and a gentle, yet building presence from the trio, with more bite coming from the guitars and the sing-a-long closer. Neat. (6.5/10)

Liam Gallagher - Come Back To Me

Liam Gallagher continues to roll out some catchy singles, and this fast-paced indie-rock number with a pacey and powerful bridge and chorus keeps up the standard. Cool. (7/10)

Little Mix - Is Your Love Enough?

A little more interesting than their recent singles, the reggae, summery feel to this record gives it a refreshingly distinctive feel. A fun pop single with the work done by the production. (6.5/10)

Queens of the Stone Age - The Way You Used to Do 

Going back to the more traditional sound of QotSA, this is a fun rock number with a simple yet strangely compelling dark chorus. A grower. (7/10)

RedFaces - Take It or Leave It

Mixing in indie and electronic, like a more modern sounding Arctic Monkeys, this is a smooth and friendly number from a youthful band. Promising. (6.5/10)

Stephanie Cheape - I Am A Soldier

Built around a funky rhythm and the distinctive vocals of Cheape, this is a stripped-back yet involving number that showcases the talents of this singer-songwriter. (7/10)

Winter Mountain - Platinum and Gold 

We recently reviewed the EP from which this is taken and enjoyed it, and this cut from it is a delightfully warming indie number that will delight you. (7/10)

New Music Review #44

Ten more songs that you must hear today!

Fazer - I Woke Up (Radio Edit)

Another riff on the grime genre, ‘I Woke Up’ is well produced and balances the modern feel of urban music with a classical-influenced backing. The lyrics are familiar, of course, but the package is fun and enjoyable to listen to. (7/10)

Felin – Shackles

‘Shackles’, written for International Women’s Day, is another soaring and touching number from the very promising talents of Felin. Beautifully sung and going straight to the heart, you have to love Elin’s lead vocals. (7/10)

Gavin James - I Don't Know Why

‘I Don’t Know Why’ sounds like one of those songs that you think you’ve heard for a long time. With a simple but alluring chorus, this stripped back song is delightful in its delivery and lyrics, and continues to highlight the big promise of Gavin James as the Passenger of 2017. (7.5/10)

Hands of Industry - I Swear

With hints of Depeche Mode, this dark dance track brings back the 1980s and fits well into that sound with stronger modern production values. With some good effects and vibes, this is a distinctive and strong number. (7/10)

Harrison Bond - Fallen Out Of Love

‘Fallen Out of Love’ is a song with two personalities: there’s the slow pondering verses and the fastest, poppier choruses, and both work well to complement each other. A musical journey in three minutes, it’s an experience you’ll want to enjoy. (7/10)

I See Rivers - DA RAM

Short but sweet at two-and-a-half minutes, this song is quirky in its delivery and sound but pretty memorable because of it. Jaunty with oriental hints, this is a sweet little piece that plugs a small gap in your playlist thanks to its harmonies and optimistic feel. (7/10)

James King & The Regals – Murphy’s Law

A sunny, indie guitar led number, it’s not quite as memorable as their last single but once you get to the energetic guitar breakdown mid-song the song shows its hand and becomes a great fun indie banger. (6.5/10)

Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello - Bad Things

The lyrics may be a little provocative and un-radio-friendly but it’s all wrapped up in such a great package from Cabello’s sweet, innocent vocals, and Kelly’s gruffer rap. A great, sexy number. (8/10)

Mike + The Mechanics - Don't Know What Came Over Me

Like Blondie and Deep Purple mentioned previously, Mike + The Mechanics have returned with another song that sounds like it could have just been ripped from their back catalogue. A modern classic, this touching and well-produced soft rock number is touching both lyrically and in its music. (7.5/10)

Ninajirachi feat. Freya Staer - Pure Luck

With hints of AlunaGeorge, this is an eastern-sounding quirky pop number that using its production as an instrument to create a flowing and smooth little piece that is cool in its vibe. (7/10)

Gavin James - Winter Songs (EP)

Irish singer-songwriter Gavin James brings you a six-track stripped back EP of Christmas classics ready for the festive season.

On 'Winter Songs' the classic 'Fairytale of New York' becomes a stripped-back guitar led emotional ballad even if it's strange hearing the famous curses sung acoustically. Elsewhere we get well produced versions of 'The Christmas Song', 'River', 'Have Youtself A Merry Little Christmas' and 'White Christmas', with the mood ramped up for the final cover, an energetic rendition of 'Driving Home for Christmas'.

It may be an EP that's pretty similar until the final number but it's well sung, nicely produced and atmospheric. (7/10)