New Music Review 2018 #4

Another ten songs you need to hear!

Boy Azooga - Face Behind Her Cigarette

With an ethereal mix of throbbing bass, drum work, synth and percussion this is a well layered, eclectic song with retro influences and a crisp, well built production. Smooth. (6.5/10)

Fall Out Boy - Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)

It might lack the originality of a lot of their classic - and more recent - songs but there's enough buzz and energy in the quirky track to keep you entertained, with a few vocal hooks that show themselves after a few spins. (7/10)

Invisible Minds - Yo Mae Leh

If you like the cool chilled-out instrumentalism of early Royksopp then you'd enjoy the laid-back electronic-stylings of this song. Quirky but cool. (7/10)


LOCKS - Skin

With hints of Nina Simone in the vocals and brush drum this is a classic sounding jazzy and funky number with plenty of cool. (7/10)

Manic Street Preachers - International Blue

It might be a little familiar in terms of the modern sound of the Preachers but it's upbeat perkiness and guitar licks are very welcome at this time of year and it roars along with energy and bounce. (7/10)

Mr Jukes feat. Lalah Hathaway and Barney Artist - From Golden Stars Comes Silver Dew

Another cool, laid-back funky track with elements of funk expertly woven in, with a great rap and rnb breakdown thrown in. The definition of cool. (7/10)

Nina Nesbitt - Somebody Special

I personally prefer Nesbitt when she's on energetic, punky form like on 'Chewing Gum' but this catchy rnb-influenced ballad is still a strong follow-up with a catchy central chorus and a good build up to the peaks. (7/10)

Paul Brand - Walking Up The Royal Mile

After his contribution to a recent Christmas single we get Paul Brand working on his own solo material. 'Walking Up The Royal Mile' is a delightfully gentle ballad with a strong instrumental track and a sweet lilt. Smooth. (7/10)


Shed Seven - Nothing To Live Down

With a memorable 'the change will do you good' hook this is a strong return track from the indie-rock band. A definite grower. (7/10)

Tune-Yards - Look at Your Hands 

With a very quirky outlook and a building, catchy hook built from the song title, this is quite a free form track but it has enough weird sunniness to keep you interested. With hints of Prince in the vocals and the Talking Heads in the break-down later on there are plenty of intriguing influences and adaptions. (7/10)

New Music Review #104

Ten more great songs you need to hear!

AVEC - Waiting For

A simple, stripped back sound with hints of country make for a smooth and gentle showcase of Avec's sweet and very listenable voice. (6/10)

Cimo Fränkel - Never Give up

'Never Give Up' is a soulful number with some hints of Bruno Mars in its cut-back sound. It's chorus is perhaps not as big as you'd expect but it has a nice little vibe to it and feels very summery (7/10)

Jazz Mino - Crush

Delivering a funked up cover of the classic song, this club-influenced song lacks the subtlety of the original but it does something fresh with the hit and injects some modern vibes in it, and Jazz Mino's vocals are as great as ever. Cool! (7/10)

Judi Jackson - Worth It

With a soulful, stripped back chilled-out vibe and a Macy Gray-lite sound to the vocals this is a cool, relaxing number, perfect for a quiet night in. (6/10)

Paul Brand - Standing Over Elvis

Though you could argue it's a little twee in parts this is a smooth and gentle country-lite number with some sweet little reminisces and a warming feel, plus the chorus is quickly memorable. (6.5/10)

Reggie 'N' Bollie - On The Floor

Though its off-the-shelf sound effects don't bode well for it this becomes a catchy club-number with a hook-filled Shaggy-like chorus that keeps the summer alive for a little bit longer, and Beenie Man's inclusion adds a bit extra bite. (6.5/10)

The Sheratons - Better Days

Ticking the indie box for this post, this is a simple but fun enough indie track with a nice lo-fi production and throwback sound. (6/10)

Soldier On - Ropes 

With a drum beat appropriate to the band name this is a cool indie number with an Arctic Monkeys vibe and some neat twists and turns in its production. (6/10)

Soulitaire - One Of Many Parts

In a post that seems to include lots of stripped back numbers this is another cut back song which focuses on the vocals, the catchy chorus and multi-instrumentation working well hand-in-hand. (6.5/10)

Swym - That's So Drugs, Man

As free-flowing as the hippy culture that quite possibly inspires the title, this is a song of two-halves where swaying vocals give way to a foot-tapping musical style. Nice. (6.5/10)