New Music Review #60

Ten more songs for you to hear!

alt-J - In Cold Blood 

alt-J return with one of their best songs since their early work like 'Tesselate', with an electronic-indie single with enough drama and thematic changes to keep you interested. (7/10)

Cheat Codes feat. Demi Lovato - No Promises

The music is something you've heard hundreds of times before - seriously how many songs sound like this one around at the moment - but it's the vocals from Demi and the bridge that give it something more interesting. It's fun, but too sound-a-like to really buy a copy. (6.5/10)

Kygo & Ellie Goulding - First Time

As with the Cheat Codes song this is a heard-it-all-before club track but with a better inclusion from Goulding. Thank someone for interesting singers to combat the boring DJs. (6.5/10)

Maggie Lindemann - Pretty Girl 

The lyrics may be as cheesy as they are uplifting and the swearing feels forced, but compared to the sound-a-like generic tracks dominating this edition, this is a breath of fresh air with a strong sense of attitude, a memorable chorus and some lyrics that resonate. (7/10)

Mullally - Wonderful

Coming to our attention maybe six months late, this is a summery pop-indie crossover with hints of Adam Levine in its vocals and music. (6.5/10)

Muse - Dig Down 

A much slower song than you'd usually expect from Muse, this is a throbbing, cut back song with a catchy yet repetitive chorus. It's not one of their best - it certainly feels subdued for a lead single - but has enough interesting production to keep you listening. (6.5/10)

Robin Schulz feat. James Blunt – OK

Musically it's pretty much Robin Schulz by the numbers but adding Blunt's vocals to it makes it at least a little bit more interesting. You've heard it all before but it's still worth a few spins. (6.5/10)


Sheryl Crow - Be Myself

With hints of country, this is quite a laid back number from Sheryl, with a radio-friendly chorus and some sweet vocal work from her, but it could do with a little bit more energy to pep things up. (6.5/10)

Thea Gilmore - New

Musically inspired by ELO - at least at the start - this is a retro-sounding driving number with plenty of interesting musical and vocal stabs, but doesn't feel quite as satisfying as you'd hope as a whole. (6.5/10)

Tom Chaplin - See It So Clear

I have to say I preferred the acoustic version with the dual vocals, but this take from the album is still a touching ballad, though the lesser verses seem to take an age to get to the more appealing chorus. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #52

Another ten songs you need to hear!

Brad Paisley feat. Mick Jagger - Drive of Shame

Mick Jagger makes this surprise appearance on Paisley's country song. It might be choc-full of country cliches but it's a jaunty, upbeat little number with Jagger's guest appearance a fresh highlight. (7/10)

Callum Beattie - We Are Stars

Coming across as a cross between Coldplay and Keane this is a lovely little ballad with singable lyrics, a radio-friendly vibe and an emotive heart. (7/10)

Elkie Brooks - Love Ain’t Something You Can Get For Free

Classic singer Brooks returns with this retro-sounding love ballad that fits nicely into her already established discography, complimenting her new greatest hits. (7/10)

Imagine Dragons - Thunder

It's a complete rip-off of Mia's 'Paper Planes' but if you forget that this is actually a catchy, quirky little number that works for the band. Though it's so close... (7/10)

Kygo and Ellie Goulding - First Time

It loses a bit of its momentum when it get to Kygo's bland cookie-cutter instrumental chorus but whilst Goulding's vocals are the focus it works. (6.5/10)

Massive Wagons - Back To the Stack

Raising money for charity, this intentional Status Quo sound-a-like is a fun musical pastiche and whilst it might not have the same pop catchiness of the original band this is a fun and memorable tribute. (6.5/10)

Nickelback - Song On Fire

Nickelback have had more memorable songs recently but this mid-tempo soft-rock number still boasts Kroeger's likeable vocals and a powerful chorus. (6.5/10)

OneRepublic - No Vacancy

Ryan Tedder is a little bit on autopilot here but if you're a fan of OneRepublic it's nice to hear more from them. (6/10)

Tom Grennan - Praying

With hints of Imagine Dragons this is a dramatic indie number with rocky hints. (7/10)

Zac Brown Band - Real Thing

At the other end of the musical spectrum after their powerful 'Holiday Road' cover this is a more subtle affair and, though sounding at times like the musical equivalent of Trump's 'Keep America Great' in terms of business, is a slow yet catchy number. (6.5/10)