New Music Review #63

Another ten songs that you need to hear!

Alex Hulme - Flow

Though not quite as emotive or hook-filed as 'Family Tree', an earlier cut from the same EP, 'Flow' once more showcases Hulme's great voice and ability to make a great, flowing, well produced indie number. (6.5/10)

Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut To The Feeling 

Another jaunty pop-single from Jepsen; sure it's not earth-shattering or anything but is fun enough. (6/10)

Jonas Blue feat. Gina Kushka - Heartbeat

A rather stripped back tune for Blue, it's once more Kushka that really lifts the song, its heartfelt soaring lyrics complimented by the simple piano and strings. Sweet. (6.5/10)

Natasha Bedingfield - More of Me

Taken from the new Tangled television show, this is a perky sunny optimistic pop tune that sees a welcome return for Bedingfield. It's inoffensive but fun. (6.5/10)

NEIKED feat. Mimi - Call Me

'Call Me' is a bouncy, EDM-club song that outside of its generic chorus has a fun warming vibe thanks mainly to loveable vocals of Mimi. (6.5/10)

Olly Murs - Unpredictable

Though the song might be called 'Unpredictable' the song is pretty predictable itself and by-the-numbers, but if you're a fan of Murs then you'll enjoy this light-heared pop-number. (6/10)


Reverend and the Makers - Too Tough To Die

The Rev goes all White Stripes on their new single that has a delightful lo-fi feel and some poppy moments but the weird production effects on the vocals damage the words and delivery - what a weird production decision. (6.5/10)

Sia feat. Labrinth - To Be Human

It's perhaps not as great as you imagine a collaboration between two great artists should be but it's well produced and sung and there's a pleasing emotion flowing through it. (6/10)

Take That - New Day

You can always rely on Take That to produce a slice of uplifting summery pop and though the video may be quite weird and at odds with the sunny optimism, this is another unashamedly radio-friendly pop song. (7.5/10)

Zedd and Alessia Cara - Stay

Though like many of the songs in the genre the post-chorus breakdown is cliched, the verses and Cara's delightful vocals and the general catchiness of the song's concept win out in an annoyingly catchy, quirky pop-EDM number. (7.5/10)

New Music Review #36

Here we are with ten more songs you need to hear!

Alexander James - Faith

'Faith' is a cool little indie number with a dramatic driving rhythm and a gritty feel that works well with James' harmonies and perky pop-indie vocals. (6.5/10)


Alison Krauss - Losing You

With tinges of country, 'Losing You' is a gentle, atmospheric ballad that showcases to great effect Krauss' beautiful voices. Stripped back and simple, it's a delightful ballad with a retro throwback with modern production twists. (7/10)

The Amazons - Black Magic

Sounding like a cross between the Wombats and the Arctic Monkeys, this gritty rock-indie song doesn't perhaps have a huge memorable chorus but the general style and solid production effects make up for that. (6.5/10)

Casey Lowry - Trampoline

'Trampoline' is a sweet little indie song with a positive, upbeat chorus, and a strong electro-pop vibe and drum pattern that will raise a smile with its simple instrumental and quaint lyrics but ultimately fun feel. (7/10)

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This

I'm not a huge fan of the music of the Chainsmokers, and I'm sure people will have their own opinions on the sound of Coldplay, but together they've created quite a fun and perky indie-dance track that actually merges their strengths together into a cool pop hit. (7/10)

Frances - No Matter

'No Matter' is a mixture of things - electronic effects, vocal trickery, and indie vibes - that come together in a fun, perky and quirky song, held together by Frances great sunny vocals. (6.5/10)

Maren Morris - My Church

Continuing the increasing rise in popularity of country music, Maren Morris delivers 'My Church', balancing the attitude and guts of Kasey Musgraves with a more traditional country sound. Catchy, quirky but thoroughly country this is a great sing-a-long ditty that will please the country classic fans and those who prefer a more modern take. (7/10)

Martin Jensen - Solo Dance

It's chorus might be as generic and off-the-shelf as many other dance numbers but the choruses are catchy and uplifting, and the lead vocals sweet and involving. Worth a spin. (7/10)

Megan Lara Mae - Mask

If you want a track that's smooth and relaxing sung by a singer with a beautiful voice then you could do far worse than this great little song. It's choruses is perhaps not as big as you'd expect but the vocal work is great and emotive. (7/10)

Take That - Giants

Take That have taken a bit of influence from their recent collaboration with Sigma in this latest single as it has a stronger electronic focus than we may have had before, though it's still as poppy as you'd expect from the lads. It's safe, radio-friendly and generic, but it's still a worthwhile distraction from the man band. (7/10)