New Music Review #115

Ten more songs you have to hear!

Calum Scott - You Are The Reason

It's slightly familiar lyrics and heart-string pulling choral effects and soaring verses may feel at times a little clawing and overly emotional but Scott's delightful vocals and the building production make this a seasonal-sounding emotive song with plenty of heart. Beautiful. (7.5/10)

Choirs With Purpose feat. Michelle McManus - We All Stand Together

Former X-Factor winner Michelle McManus returns with this delightfully seasonal offering. Simply produced and backed by a chorus, this is a sentimental yet rousing charity number that builds nicely. (7/10)

Dan Owen - Hideaway

With a distinctive sounding voice this dramatic and thumping indie-rock number pushes along with serious gusto and energy. (7/10)

Enter Shikari - The Sights 

After a really strong last single, the synth and fast pace of 'The Sights' makes for a poppier entry into their discography and though it doesn't have the big hook of it's predecessor there's enough variety in here to keep you entertained. (6.5/10)

Jamie Lawson - A Little Mercy

You usually know what you get from Jamie Lawson and 'A Little Mercy' is no different, a beautifully written and sung heartfelt ballad. If that's your sort of thing then this will tick all the boxes for you. (7/10)

JP Cooper - Closer

Another artist who can be relied upon to deliver a strong song, 'Closer' is another nicely produced and sung mid-tempo ballad. It's not hugely memorable but gives you a warmth whilst it flows. (7/10)

Not3s - My Lover

Shakespeare it isn't but Not3s deep voice and the simple production values work well together to form a cool, chilled-out number. (6.5/10)

Sigrid - Strangers

In a week where Sigrid has been announced as one of the stars to look out for in 2018 she drops this electro-pop number with a catchy beat and upbeat feel that will get you bouncing along. Fun. (7/10)

Stereophonics - What's All The Fuss About?

Quite an unusual sound for the Stereophonics but all the more intriguing because of it. With a strong western-influenced sound, this is quite a dark sounding number and its soberness is beautifully echoed in the mournful trumpet and production sound. (7.5/10)

Tom Walker - Leave a Light On

With a few nods towards Imagine Dragons, this is a joyful indie track that matches a slower, more introspective set of verses with a building a bridge to a distinctively gruff chorus. (7/10)

New Music Review #93

How about another ten songs you must hear?

The Cadillac Three - American Slang

We love a good upbeat country song and in 'American Slang' The Cadillac Three have nailed a foot-tapping perky number that will bring a smile to your stetson. (7/10)

Ella Eyre feat. Ty Dolla $ign- Ego

Poppier than her previous material this is a catchy radio-friendly number that will hook you in with its happy chorus. (7/10)

Halsey - Bad At Love

With a punky, pacey delivery this is a fun pop number with bite in its more ballsy chorus. (6.5/10)

Hurts - Ready to Go

Hurts are one of those bands that can usually be relied upon to bring you some great tracks and the poppy 'Ready to Go' with a quickly catchy chorus is no slouch. Great! (7/10)

Jamie Lawson - Can't See Straight

It might be familiar territory for fans of Jamie Lawson but when the music is as sweet and catchy as this it's hard not to be won over. And any song that includes the word 'discombobulation' is a winner with me. (7.5/10)

Jazz Morley - Safe Place

'Safe Place' is a beautifully written and sung number that brings a musical tear to your eye thanks to its evocative atmosphere. (7/10)

The Maine - Taxi

'Taxi' is a strongly written indie-rock number with a very singable central chorus. (7/10)

Martine McCutcheon - Any Sign of Life

Even better than her previous comeback single, this is a ballsy, powerful pop song with an incredible catchiness. Brilliant. (7.5/10)

Sheryl Crow - Alone In The Dark

With hints of Alanis Morrisette, this is a perky and punchy pop-country number with a killer chorus. Fun! (7/10)

Tom Walker - Heartland

With an anthemic sound and a strong voice this is a rousing number from a strong singer songwriter! (7/10)

New Music Review #23

Here are our latest ten recommended tracks!

Amy Macdonald - Dream On

It's been a long time since we've heard from Amy Macdonald but this is a very welcome return. Bouncy, poppy and very singable this is a great comeback track and now one of her best. (8/10)


Biffy Clyro - Flammable

Biffy Clyro's recent singles haven't been their best but this feels more like a return to form. It doesn't have the huge chorus that we expect from them but it's good for a quick spin. (6/10)

Bon Jovi - Born Again Tomorrow

'Born Again Tomorrow' is another one of those uplifting little numbers that Bon Jovi occasionally whip out, and if you can overcome the cliched vibe and lyrics it's actually pretty fun. (6.5/10)

British Sea Power - Bad Bohemian

Stripped back and so indie it hurts, the latest from 'British Sea Party' never really steps up above a one-level tune, but it's chorus is pretty catchy and it's one of their best recently. (6/10)

Hayley McKay - Unspoken

'Unspoken' is a beautifully sung track with verses and a chorus that both compliment each other, with plenty of heart injected into the lyrics. Beautiful. (8/10)

Jesse & Joy - Helpless

Their last single 'More than Amigos' was an absolute joy and whilst this doesn't stand up to that song (it was a real corker) this is still a great follow up, delivering a smoother more heart-felt ballad with a bigger country sound and a touching chorus. (7.5/10)

Maximo Park - Risk To Exist 

Even speaking as a big of the Park, it's difficult not to feel that there's been a law of diminishing returns on their albums and though 'Risk To Exist' is in the band's mold and a strong enough listen it's still pretty average compared to their heights. (5.5/10)

St. Paul & The Broken Bones - All I Ever Wonder

'All I Ever Wonder' takes a little bit to get going but when it hits the chanty, layered vocals of the chorus then the heart of this gospel-tinged number shows itself. Nice. (7/10)

Tom Walker - Play Dead

With his husky voice, 'Play Dead' is the breakthrough single from Tom Walker and it's a great little showcase of what is to come. (6.5/10)

Una Healy feat. Sam Palladio - Stay My Love

Here at KBPS we have a soft spot for country, and this ballad is a beautiful example of the genre when the lyrics and vocals are spot on. Beautiful. (7.5/10)