New Music Review #106

Ten more songs you have to hear!

The Academic - Bear Claws

Sounding more mature than they look in the video 'Bear Claws' is a radio-friendly indie-pop number with a perky, singable chorus. Very promising! (6.5/10)

Bryan Adams - Please Stay

A ballad is the order of the day for this latest entry into Adams' catalogue and though it's perhaps a little familiar it's gentle pace and touching lyrics and delivery help it along. (6.5/10)

Ed Sheeran - Perfect

If you are a fan of Sheeran I'm sure you've already swayed along to this, and though the lyrics might be perhaps a little saccharine it's string-led stripped-back production brings out the love. (6.5/10)

Elkie Brooks - Rising Cost Of Love

Lyrically a little bit forced in parts this is still actually pretty funky and memorable, with Brooks' gravelly vocals and the upbeat rhythm bringing a smile to your face. (6.5/10)

Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending

It could be arguing that Franz Ferdinand are getting less and less poppy as the album's go by - not that they were ever that 'mainstream' - but their first post-FFS track has a Goldfrapp and Jamiroquai feel in its synthy riffs, switching up from the choral opening to something catchier and on more familiar territory. A definite grower. (7/10)

Isaac Gracie - Silhouettes Of You

With hints of Chris Isaak and Coldplay, this gentle piano-led ballad is a great smooth and soothing listen with Gracie's gentle vocals a delight to listen to. (7/10)

Leading Ladies - One Night Only

Originally from the 'Dreamgirls' musical this disco-enthused song sounds like a Meat Loaf song mixed with Diana Ross, and its camp yet powerfully sung credentials work well for us. (7/10)

Steps - Dancing With A Broken Heart

It's a little bit like Steps-by-numbers but if you've enjoyed their previous songs then this chunky pop-dance number with its catchy chorus will tick those boxes. Not sure about the forced post-chorus section though. (7/10)

Stormzy feat. MNEK - Blinded By Your Grace (Part 2)

At atmospheric, gospel-tinged number where the lighter vocals of MNEK stand well next to Stormzy's gruffer raps. A slow but strong ballad number with a higher power. (7/10)

Texas - Can't Control

Perhaps a little bit of a change in direction for the sound of the band, sounding more like Madonna crossed with Cheryl. Lacking Texas' usual huge radio-friendly chorus this is something a bit different, but plays out nicely and grows with a few listens. (6/10)

New Music Review #73

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

Arcade Fire - Creature Comfort

'Creature Comfort' is quite an unusual and eccentric track but somehow the mixture of vocals, paces and styles comes together. (6.5/10)

Axwell /\ Ingrosso - More Than You Know

It might follow plenty of the expected codes for the genre, but the larger-than-life chorus works well and is one of the best club songs around at the moment. (6.5/10)

BETSY - Little White Lies

One of the best artists around at the moment, 'Little White Lies' is a powerful, catchy, radio-friendly track with those vocals something else. (7.5/10)

Bruno Mars vs David Guetta - Versace on The Floor

There are Daft Punk vibes to this new song from Bruno Mars, a slow and sultry number. The lyrics may be a little bland and telling a pretty by-the-numbers story but it's all wrapped up in the strong vocals and rhythms. (7/10)

Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean - Feel

Calvin Harris comes back with his best song in a long time, thanks to the strong electronic backing and the great guest vocals particularly from Williams and Perry. With a summery feel and a catchy chorus, this is a great summer hit. (7.5/10)

Declan McKenna - Humongous

'Humongous' - a great word - is a subtle and gentle indie track but it has plenty of heart and is a definite grower! Stay alert for the end where it shifts up a gear quite considerably. (6.5/10)

HAIM - Want You Back

'Want You Back' is arguably HAIM's best track yet, a poppy, catchy, well-written ditty with strong crisp production and a catchy rhythm. (7.5/10)

Sundara Karma - Explore

Another act that can usually be relied on to bring out a good tune, 'Explore' is another sunny slice of catchy indie. (7/10)

Texas - Midnight

Though it's not one of their biggest hits, it's got the sound and vibe you like from Texas tracks and it's got a fun bounce to it. (6.5/10)

Tom Speight - My My My

'My My My' is a catchy and optimistic little indie number with plenty of heart and a strong indie feeling. Lovely. (7/10)

New Music Review #40

Ten more tracks you need to hear today!

Amy Macdonald - Automatic

'Automatic' is another great indie-pop song from Macdonald that fits in neatly with her older material. (7/10)

Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) - Runnin' Home To You

Taken from the Flash TV show, there's something a little bit Disney about this release but it's a simple, stripped-back, little love song with a pun in the title. (6.5/10)

DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj - Kissing Strangers

After the catchy 'Cake in the Ocean' comes another fun, tongue-in-cheek little pop tune. Minaj doesn't really add much to it, but elsewhere it's a nice little radio-friendly ditty. (7/10)

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - Vampires

With a strong breakdown, a hook-filled chorus and a driving rhythm this is a surprisingly perky soft-rock song. (7/10)

Imelda May - Should've Been You

A little bit of a change of direction for Imelda but this is a catchy, spunky little number. (7/10)

Little Mix feat. Machine Gun Kelly - No More Sad Songs

It's a little bit generic as per their recent material but it's got enough of a poppy heart to win you over. (6.5/10)

Michael Bolton - Cupid

Let's be honest, it's not a million miles away from the original but it suits Bolton's voice and the gruffness in his delivery gives it a new angle. (7/10)

The Shires - Drive

'Drive' is another catchy pop-country crossover from the Shires that is, fittingly, a good tune to put on whilst you go and drive. (7/10)

Texas - Tell That Girl

'Tell That Girl' is another bouncy slice of pop from a resurgent 'Texas'. (6.5/10)'

Tinashe - Flame 

'Flame' is a laid back little number that showcases Tinashe's sultry vocals. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #31

Here are another ten tracks that are worth listening to!

ARCAVES - Out of the Blue

Something upbeat to start this blog with, this is a fun and funky piece of indie-electro-pop.(6.5/10)

Beyond Recall - Get It Right

We always like a bit of bouncy uptempo emo rock so this high-energy number from Beyond Recall ticks those boxes for this week. (7/10)

Chance The Rapper feat. Knox Fortune - All Night

The lyrics might be the definition of fag-packet-written but the poppy chorus is catchy in its simplicity and the electronic-focussed understated verses are fun enough. (6.5/10)

Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm

Katy Perry returns with another poppy number. It takes a few listens to show its hand and even then the lyrics are a little tired and the pop style a tad artificial, but it's pretty radio friendly. (6.5/10)

Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely

It may wear its club-influences on its sleeve but the vocals for Dua Lipa give it a bit more heart and the strings and classical theme lift it up even more. (6.5/10)

Nell Bryden - Thought I Was Meant For You

Nell Bryden is one of the stars of the music circuit and this touching ballad is another example of some of her well written and brilliantly sung material! (7/10)


Sarah Darling - Halley's Comet

Amongst all the blandly written songs we have to listen to occasionally a song stands out, and in this case it's this from Sarah Darling. Beautifully written, sung and produced, give this one more than one spin! (7.5/10)

St Francis Hotel - Stay As You Are

'Stay As You Are' is a throbbing indie-electronic number with hints of 1980s Depeche Mode or Kraftwerk. Hauntingly intriguing. (6.5/10)

Texas - Let's Work It Out

A bit of a change in musical direction for Texas, the 70s-influenced vibe suits her voice and it feels like a grower. (7/10)

Wild Beasts - Alpha Female

The verses may drag on a little, but the bassy catchy choruses work better and there's steady driving rhythm and gritty guitars that work better. (6.5/10)