New Music Review #119

Ten more songs you have to hear!

Gordon Haskell - How Wonderful (Larry Peace Radio Edit)

This modern version of the classic song doesn't do much for the song other than thrusting a club beat under it and perking up the tempo. It's listenable and gets your foot-tapping but to be honest the original has more heart. (6/10)

Hydrocele - Shapeshifter (Remixes)

As fans of the original we were keen to check out the remixes and though the full length versions are a little too much to take outside of a club environment the radio edits of the 'Future House' remix and  'UKG' one, the most distinctive on the EP, do interesting things with the songs, but I wouldn't advise listening to each one after another as it gets repetitive quite quickly. Something for small doses methinks. (6/10)

Jon Lindsay - Zebulon

This bouncy, gospel-tinged number has a fun rhythm to it that compliments his more drawly vocals, with shifts in tempo and a fun piano riff holding it together, its big choral declaration towards 'Zebulon' and jazzy brass-led and clap-along breakdown lifting the track up. Cool. (7/10)

Kiol - Hard Things

'Hard Things' is a cool and stripped-back mid-tempo ballad with Kiol's cool and calming vocals giving some serious heart to a chilled-out Train-like number. Great. (7.5/10)

Modern Rome - Work in Progress

Including a member from 'In An Instant', who we've previously reviewed, 'Work In Progress' is a strong soft-rock number with a great shift of tempo changes and a build up to a lighters-out chorus. Boasting a great couple of guitar solos, a memorable falsetto lift at the end of the chorus, and a crisp production style, this is a welcome new sound for a new band. (7/10)

Ronan Furlong - Angel Symphony

With his fingers a blaze of activity on this Celtic-sounding acoustic number with a duelling banjo vibe to it, this is an uptempo, urgent little number with a foot tapping energy. (7/10)

Steve Ravensfield - Keep On Moving

With a gruff Chris Rea-like voice this is a solid country-tinged song with some great harmonica and a positive upbeat vibe. Fun. (6.5/10)

Suffer the Children - Doesn't Mean We're Free

A dark, almost-industrial chain-clanking, sound accompanies an ethereal, political-tinged record that growls along with a decisive and gritty vibe. (6.5/10)

Uppermost ft. Sora - Step By Step

Half-instrumental, half-heavily-produced club record, this has just enough swagger and heart to hold things together in a Chvrches-meets-electronica feel with Sora's vocals adding a strong element to the affair. (6.5/10)

Villa Rivercat - Morning Comes

With one of the most listenable voices in the business, this delightfully smooth and silky number is the perfect accompaniment to a winter fire and hot drink of your choice. (7/10)

New Music Review #83

Another ten tracks you need to hear!

Alessandra Grace - Something So Good

With the perkiness and catchiness of a Eurovision song 'Something So Good' does at least live up to its title with a radio-friendly anthemic pop song. (7/10)

Emilia J - Radar

'Radar' is a bouncy pop-electronic crossover with a mixture of tempos, styles and an overly perky, loveable feel. Nice. (7/10)

Hydrocele - The Shapeshifter (Radio Edit)

Landing firmly in the pop-indie camp, 'The Shapeshifter' is a bouncy summer-friendly pop song that might be perhaps a little normal to really grab the wider audience, but it's toe-tapping enough to keep you playing. (6.5/10)

Kaleida - Meter (Dan Carey Remix)

It takes a little to get going but the repetitive, yet catchy, chorus and the simple electronic bleep-bloops make for a fun little electro-indie number. A grower. (6.5/10)

Krucial Kidd - Closer

Sounding like Wiley rapping over a familiar riff from the 90s (I just can't put my finger on it!) this is a bouncy, sparky little number that mixes dance, grime and electronic into a heady mixture. Fun. (6.5/10)

Okenyo - Woman's World

Channelling Missy Elliot at her peak this is a catchy and punky number with lyrics that hit home and a simple, but memorable chorus, and some quirky, upbeat production values, and a surprising amount of variety in its style. (7/10)

Philip Rambow - The Writing's On The Wall

Fusing political lyrics with a folky-country sound, this is an intriguing nod towards modern news with a much older retro sound, and it manages to make both work. (6.5/10)

The Rah Band - Clouds Across the Moon

Remixed with new vocals, this re-appearance of the 1985 classic song is a particularly cheesy entry from that era but if you can get over the dated lyrics and pilot-based opening a fun pop ditty is here, and the new production gives it a bit of a slicker feel. (6/10)

Suffer the Children - Killing Hands

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'Killing Hands' is a slow and sombre number but it's this style that gives it a pleasing, gentle sway that takes its low-key production and builds up a strong, atmospheric soundscape, with hints of Enigma. (6.5/10)

Summer Heart - Follow



'Follow' is a smooth pop-indie number with a crisp, ethereal production style and a gentle relaxing vibe. Switch it on and chill out. (6.5/10)