New Music Review #28

Here are ten more great songs we think you should listen to!

Cage The Elephant - Cold Cold Cold

'Cold Cold Cold' is a mid-tempo indie number with a poppier, sixties sounding, chorus that lifts up what is otherwise quite a downbeat, yet retro-sounding number. (6/10)

Delta Goodrem - Heavy

Delta Goodrem returns with a great new powerful ballad that builds to someone special, with her delivery almost rap-like in speed at times, giving it a fresher sound in parts. (6.5/10)

Hi, Charity - Dopamine

'Dopamine' is not quite as uptempo as the title might suggest but it's mid-tempo indie-rock sounds work well and the 'Panic! At the Disco'-esque feeling works well on the single, the title proving to be an effective little hook. (6.5/10)

Holly Brewer - I Wish I Loved You More 

The best of this year's nominee songs for Eurovision why this didn't win I do not know. Catchy, powerful and filled with hooks this is a great pop number with power. (7.5/10)

The Imagineers - If I See You Again

Another great little sixties throwback from Scottish band The Imagineers, its mid-tempo almost-Mavericks like sound giving it an interesting vibe and a gentle, warming throwback feel. (6.5/10)

Maggie Rogers - On + Off

Perhaps taking a little inspiration from Christine and the Queen for the video this is a fun indie-pop song with Rogers' voice suiting the funky electronic sound. (7/10)

Olivia Garcia - Freedom Hearts 

One of the unsuccessful nominees for the British entry to this year's Eurovision this is actually a corker and the second best of the half-dozen, with its catchy pop-friendly chorus and driving drum rhythm. (7/10)

Ryan Adams - Do You Still Love Me?

Now that he's left behind Taylor Swift songs, we can get some new original material, and this mid-tempo indie song is a good 'un, with verses that kick into a simple, yet hooky, chorus. (7/10)

Ryder - Nirvana

'Nirvana' by a Ryder is a delightful little indie-club number with eastern vibes mixed in with the sweet vocals of the lead singer. Gentle but a rewarding listen. (7/10)

Samuel Sim and Tracy Kashi - Hourglass

Used in the opening titles for ITV's 'The Halcyon', this is a deliciously thirties-sounding evocative number, almost Bond-like in its production, with Kashi's vocals a delight. (7.5/10)

New Music Review #19

Another ten tracks we recommend!

Adam Lanceley - Those Rose Tinted Days

'Those Rose Tinted Days' is a driving indie-number with a positive vibe that lifts it up, creating a strong indie feel to the piece. (6.5/10)

Chromatone - Fever

With a funky seventies vibe, 'Fever' boasts a catchy chorus and a great electro-synth vibe. Great. (7/10)

The Everly Pregnant Brothers - Chip Pan

There's a bit of a karaoke feel to this record that makes it less appealing but in terms of witty lyrics and a retro throwback it's hard not to laugh and enjoy the parody of Kings of Leon. (6/10)


Fancy Cars - Set Me On Fire

'Set Me On Fire' is a soaring indie-club number that builds up and avoids some of the expected tropes as it gets a little more dance-focussed. (6/10)

Hayley McKay - Unspoken

McKay boasts some great vocal chords and when combined with this touching, well written stripped back pop ballad it shines. (7/10)

The Imagineers - Utopian Dreams (Radio Edit)

There's a bit of a Muse feel to this dark sounding record, before it gets into more of a sixties-indie feel. Great and different. (6.5/10)

Janet Devlin & Jason Nevins - Outernet Song (Remix)




Here is a great bouncy remix of one of our favourite songs of the year, keeping the message whilst adding a more club-friendly feeling. (7.5/10)


The Lancashire Hotpots - Hotpot Funk (Don't Forget The Red Sauce)

We don't really need another Uptown Funk parody, especially one year on, but the Hotpots have recorded a cracking little parody, and though the music is more karaoke backing track than their usual offerings this is very funny and even boasts a sing-a-long section. (7/10)

Steve Aoki & Louis Tomlinson - Just Hold On

It's perhaps a little generic but there's something upbeat and likeable about the record that keeps you listening. A good one for the clubs. (6/10)

Tony Shaw - Take Me Away (Karrades Club Mix)

'Take Me Away', in its remix form, is a catchy, fast club track that grows with each listen. Well worth a punt. (6/10)

New Music Review #016

Another ten great tracks we'd recommend you hearing!

Bad Lip Reading - Seagulls! (Stop It Now)

Possibly the weirdest thing I've ever posted, this is a strangely compelling and catchy song, both independently to the video but especially with it. (7/10)


Bad Sounds - Wages

'Wages' is a bouncy, uptempo pop number that has a catchy central chorus. A great listen. (7/10)

Coucheron - Loud

'Loud' is a great little single with the Chrvches-like vocals leading into a simple, yet engaging, chorus that has enough pop to compliment its indie vibe. Plus the lyrics video is great. (7/10)

DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You

The chorus might descend into off the shelf beats but the verses are pretty fun and poppy, and better than their respective recent songs. (6/10)

Ibrahim - The Great Divide (featuring Robert Wyatt) (EP)

Ibrahim's three-track EP starts with a gentle cover of New Order's 'World (Price of Love)' which, with its dual vocals, haunting piano riff, and simple production values is the best of the piece. 'The Gone-Away World' is a nice original song but it's a bit ponderous in moments, and the third track was only available as an excerpt, but the opening saxophone is evocative and promising. (6/10)

The Imagineers - Utopian Dreams

Sounding like the lovechild of Oasis and Muse this is a surprisingly understated record without a huge hook but it somehow still grabs you thanks to its atmospheric vibe and solid indie stylings. (6.5/10)


Ingrid Witt - Babies Gonna Cry

'Babies Gonna Cry' is a quirky little single, grounded by Wiit's light, fairy-like vocals and the throbbing electronic backing track. Throw in a building tempo and you have a great little number. (6.5/10)


Linnea Olsson - Weekend



'Weekend' is a delightful mix of dreamy vocals, violin and nicely composed lyrics that all weave together into a beautifully gentle pop song. (7/10)

Naughty Boy feat. Kyla, Popcaan - Should've Been Me

It's a return to form for Naughty Boy with this fun pop-club track, though he has Kyla's loveable vocals to thank, working hand in hand with the summery brass moments. (7/10)


Thieves Like Us - Jennifer

The verses might be a little light-weight and airy for my tastes but the indie undertones and electronic notes of the chorus make for a better song, that grows on you. (5.5/10)