New Music Review #82

It's time for ten more songs that you need to hear!

Allana Verde - Bad Side

'Bad Side' is a smooth, stripped RNB number with Verde's sweet vocals centre stage, with a catchy little bridge and chorus that build together to create a poppier centre. (6/10)

Coco - Up

Reveling in some of the more weirder elements of grime culture - singing about chicken take aways for instance - this is a bit more for fans of the genre, but outside of its repetitive chorus, shout outs to uber and mobile phone ringing sounds there's a fun attitude and vibe that has further reaches. (5/10)

Double S - Radio

We've featured several songs by Double S in the past and he continues to release some fun and quirky pop-grime crossovers, including 'Radio' which mixes a radio friendly more commercial chorus with some fast-paced and well written rap verses, and a dance-hall vibe here and there. (6/10)

Electric Six - Arrive Alive

The first cut from their upcoming 13th studio album 'How Dare You', 'Arrive Alive' is not the band's strongest lead single but its determined beat, quirky lyrics, breakdown and building conclusion work together well to make this a neat and surprisingly low-key number for the band. (6.5/10)

The Killers - Run For Cover

Sounding more like the Killers of old than, say, 'The Man', this is like a faster paced 'Just Another Girl' with an incredibly catchy beat, pace and lyrics. Throwing in references to 'Fake News' alongside a really singable chorus, this is a big balls-to-the-wall return for the band. Brilliant. (8/10)

Matinee - Empty

'Empty' is a surprisingly dark entry from the band that feels quite minimalistic at the start but grows as the song progresses and by the time it ends just after three minutes in a spark of electronics it's shown it's hand. 'Empty' is a song with some strong lyrics and a weirdly involving chorus and world view. (6.5/10)

Picturehouse - Cup of Life

With a slight nod to the sound of REM lead-singer Michael Stipe, 'Cup of Life' is another mid-tempo yet optimistic pop number from the band off their throwback album. It's difficult not to smile and feel a little uplifted when you put this on. (7.5/10)

Rosie Nimmo - Hold Up

'Hold Up' is a gentle, delightful little ballad that stripes back the production to simple piano and string, showcasing Nimmo's gorgeous voice in full. Simple but very good. (7/10)

Steal the City - Beating Heart

If you like your guitars crunchy and your pace fast and punky then 'Beating Heart' will do that for you. Like a rockier Foo Fighters looking back to their older sound this is a stomp-along number with the obligatory darker lyrics, guitar section and singable breakdown. (6/10)

Ta'shan - High

'High' is a smooth RnB number with cut back production and a strong Caribbean vibe from the lead singer. Lyrically it's not that high brow but its sweet, chill-out vibe makes it well worth a listen. (6/10)

New Music Review #30

Another batch of tracks recommended by our ears!

BETSY - Waiting

Her previous breakthrough single was incredible and whilst 'Waiting' doesn't compare at all BESTY's vocal power and the poppiness hold it together. (6/10)

Charlotte OC - Darkest Hour

This mid-tempo indie hit wins thanks to Charlotte OC's loveable vocals and a strong flow of music. (6.5/10)

Earl - Tongue Tied

'Tongue Tied' is a great retro-sounding pop hit that sounds like it's been dragged off the Halcyon soundtrack and given a modern polish. (7/10)

The Hunna - Piece By Piece

'Piece by Piece' is a fun little slice of indie with a good mix of riffs and a central poppy chorus. (6.5/10)
Illenium - Fractures

The club breakdown is a little cliched but the sweet Chvrches like vocals and production work sort of make up for it on the verses. (6/10)

JP Cooper - September Song

Coming to prominence in a month that's a little wrong, this is a catchy little piece of indie-op with some club-influenced moments. (7/10)


Matinee feat. Pier Ferrantini - Satellite

A slow building verse gives way to a chorus that sounds like it should be on an album by 'The Killers'. Its perhaps not as all-out as their last single but the indie-pop-electro vibes work well. (6/10)

Robbie Williams - Mixed Signals

The Killers must be kicked themselves that they gave this song away to Robbie. Sounding so much like their music aside from the vocals this a great driving mid-tempo song with a great little story central to the indie-pop-rock vibe. (8/10)

Sam Way - Home Piano / My response 2

Taken from a longer EP these two gentle stripped back tracks focus on Way's dream and listenable voice. There's perhaps a little bit of energy that could be injected here and there but they're both neat little gentle ballads with heart. (6.5/10)

Stormzy - Big For Your Boots

The lyrics might be naff at times and the video almost parody-like but the crisp production, fast flow and electronic sounds make up for it. (6/10)