New Music Review #71

It's time for ten more songs you must hear!

DAWA - Open Up

Stripped back but with a friendly guitar riff and a distinctive voice line, this pushes into a great chorus that will get you singing along and your feet tapping. Great. (7/10)

Frequency Cowboy - Control

With hints of indie amongst its poppier harmonies, this is a cool and collected short two-and-a-half-minute song that abandons weird whistles to channel the Feeling. Fun. (6.5/10)

George Ezra - Don't Matter Now

Already known for his great little pop ditties with his distinctive vocals, here is another gem, a perfect summer hit with a catchy radio-friendly chorus, hummable riffs and positive outlook. (7.5/10)

The Hunna - Never Enough

Raw, emotional and powerful this is a strong indie-rock number that puts the lead's vocals bang in the centre. Lyrically it might be pretty simple but it gets the point across. (7/10)

Iffy Orbit - Slow Times

With hints of the Kooks and similar, this is a gentle, refreshing well sung and touching little indie hit that should prove successful for them. (7/10)

Mowbeck - The Basement

'The Basement' is a simple indie tune with a vibe of mid-noughties numbers but it's got enough heart to keep you listening. (6.5/10)

Nina Nesbitt feat. Goody Grace - The Moments I'm Missing

Though the path this treads is rather lyrically heavy than the radio-friendly poppiness of 'Chewing Gum' and her earlier songs, this is a touching, well written and personal number that overlays its simple music with some heartfelt words and a strong guest appearance from Goody Grace. Well put together. (6.5/10)

Vince Ripper And The Rodent Show - Scary Monsters

Here's a pretty unique take on a David Bowie song with a lead singer sounding like he could do with some cough syrup. Imagine Lordi meets Black Sabbath with more pantomime. (6/10)

Wildwood Kin - Run

Having already had plenty of airplay, here is another delightful stripped-back beautifully sung number from Wildwood Kin. Indie meets country meets chilled out. (7.5/10)

Worry Dolls - Miss You Already 

If you like your country music stripped back, beautifully sung and well written this is for you. More traditional in the genre than, say, Ward Thomas, this is a touching, heart-felt, laid-back nunber. (7.5/10)

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)