New Music Review #103

Ten more songs that you need to hear!

Aminé - Spice Girl

It might run out of steam in its over-long verses but it's pop-grime crossover chorus has a wry smile on its face and a hooky feel. (6/10)


A Perfect Circle - The Doomed

Sounding a little like a piratic ELO, this multi-faceted single covers stripped-back instrumental, cinematic stylings and rockier sections in a surprisingly versatile and building hit. (6.5/10)

Cheat Codes feat. Fetty Wap - Feels Great

Though the chorus is pretty generic dance-pop it's ode to youth and the energy in the verse almost make up for it. A little bit too familiar but a strong enough distraction for three minutes. (6/10)

Kehlani - Touch

'Touch' is a gentle sultry little number with simple production that gives Kehlani's sweet and suggestive vocals room to breath. Smooth. (7/10)

Kodaline - Ready to Change

Though the chorus is perhaps not as catchy as previous ones it's great to hear Kodaline back as there's much to enjoy in this guitar-lick hefty pop-rock crossover with an anthemic central chorus. (7/10)

Louis Tomlinson - Just Like You

Though lacking the energy of his last single this is a sweet ballad with enough lyrical buzz to keep it together. (6/10)

Pink feat. Eminem - Revenge

Pink continues her succession of recent fun singles with this more tongue-in-cheek and poppy offering that offers a nice more fun alternative to her more introspective current numbers. (7/10)

Rita Ora - Anywhere

Quite possibly Ora's best single yet, this is a well written and performed introspective song that beefs up the music with something a bit more clubby, though the live stripped-back version is even better. (7.5/10)

Riton, MNEK and the The House Gospel Choir - Deeper

Though the lyrics are anything but deep this is a catchy pop-dance number with the mix of vocal talents contributing into something that keeps the energy and fun high. (7/10)

Tom Grennan - Royal Highness

A little bit like if Danny Dyer started singing, this is actually quite a catchy radio-friendly number thanks to its fun and poppy central chorus and energetic delivery. (7/10)

New Music Review #78

Ten more songs you need to hear!

Arcade Fire - Electric Blue

Not quite as catchy as their other single on circulation but the falsetto and electric-funk work really well and make for a catchy and quirky original hit. (6/10)

Echosmith - Goodbye

Though not quite having the pop credentials of 'Cool Kids' this more subdued number with a catchy electronic riff still has much to enjoy after a few listens. (6.5/10)

Galantis - True Feeling

A fun and optimistic dance tune brought to you by the power of autotune and a synthesizer. Familiar and generic but enjoyable enough as part of a dance playlist. (6.5/10)

Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry

A little generic for Lovato but there's enough bite in the production and lyrics to keep it on play, though the potty mouthed bridge feels a little unnecessary. (6/10)

Enrique Iglesias feat. Sean Paul - Subeme La Radio (Remix)

It can't do any harm to jump on the coat-tails of Despecatio with this very similar sounding track. Though not as distinctive as that hit, Sean Paul does at least 'do a Bieber' and make this a good balance of languages even if he's on fag-packet writing duty. (6.5/10)

Louis Tomlinson feat. Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals - Back to You

The next single from a former 1D member lands and it's a tad generic musically and the swearing feels a little tacked-on to make an impact, but it has enough pop-rnb crossover to keep the fans happy. It feels more like Rexha's single than Liam's though and autotune should be credited as the fourth member of the line-up. The video plays out like the worst Doncaster tourist board video though. (6.5/10)

OneRepublic feat. Tiziano Ferro - No Vacancy

Ignoring Ferro's inability to sing the word 'vacancy' in the chorus correctly and that OneRepublic have moved away from their more familiar sound, this is quite a catchy, summery track. (6.5/10)

Prophets of Rage - Living On The 110

Not quite as heavy as the band's title would suggest, this is a strong light-rock song that rests more on its lyrics and what they say rather than its music. Has quite a Rage Against the Machine feel to it though. (6/10)

PVRIS - Half

A gentle, unassuming track with a rocky heart. Not their best but it's got a strong heart behind it. (5.5/10)

Shy Luv - Time 

'Time' is a funky dance number with some bite to it, though it's perhaps a little bit generic for the genre. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #19

Another ten tracks we recommend!

Adam Lanceley - Those Rose Tinted Days

'Those Rose Tinted Days' is a driving indie-number with a positive vibe that lifts it up, creating a strong indie feel to the piece. (6.5/10)

Chromatone - Fever

With a funky seventies vibe, 'Fever' boasts a catchy chorus and a great electro-synth vibe. Great. (7/10)

The Everly Pregnant Brothers - Chip Pan

There's a bit of a karaoke feel to this record that makes it less appealing but in terms of witty lyrics and a retro throwback it's hard not to laugh and enjoy the parody of Kings of Leon. (6/10)


Fancy Cars - Set Me On Fire

'Set Me On Fire' is a soaring indie-club number that builds up and avoids some of the expected tropes as it gets a little more dance-focussed. (6/10)

Hayley McKay - Unspoken

McKay boasts some great vocal chords and when combined with this touching, well written stripped back pop ballad it shines. (7/10)

The Imagineers - Utopian Dreams (Radio Edit)

There's a bit of a Muse feel to this dark sounding record, before it gets into more of a sixties-indie feel. Great and different. (6.5/10)

Janet Devlin & Jason Nevins - Outernet Song (Remix)




Here is a great bouncy remix of one of our favourite songs of the year, keeping the message whilst adding a more club-friendly feeling. (7.5/10)


The Lancashire Hotpots - Hotpot Funk (Don't Forget The Red Sauce)

We don't really need another Uptown Funk parody, especially one year on, but the Hotpots have recorded a cracking little parody, and though the music is more karaoke backing track than their usual offerings this is very funny and even boasts a sing-a-long section. (7/10)

Steve Aoki & Louis Tomlinson - Just Hold On

It's perhaps a little generic but there's something upbeat and likeable about the record that keeps you listening. A good one for the clubs. (6/10)

Tony Shaw - Take Me Away (Karrades Club Mix)

'Take Me Away', in its remix form, is a catchy, fast club track that grows with each listen. Well worth a punt. (6/10)