New Music Review #41

Another ten tracks you need to hear!

Disciples - On My Mind

Much of the song falls firmly into generic dance but it's the hooky, deeper chorus that means the track stays more on my mind. (6.5/10)

Harry Styles - Sign of the Times

Heavily influenced by the late David Bowie, this is quite a brave first single from the former 1D member. A little slow and ponderous but it grows on you, and feels pretty mature. (7/10)

JP Cooper - Passport Home

'Passport Home' is another smooth, lighters-out song from JP Cooper that is well written and produced. (6.5/10)

The Kooks - Be Who You Are

Taken from their new greatest hits compilation, this isn't quite up to their classic big hits but it showcases their ear for a great tune really well and has that fun sing-a-long indie-pop chorus they're known for. (6.5/10)

Melanie C feat. Alex Francis - Hold On

Mel C can usually be relied on for a few single and though this is more slower than her usual release it has a good heart to it. (6.5/10)

San Cisco - Hey, Did I Do You Wrong?

If you want a gentle, summery indie number then you can't go far wrong with this little number. (6.5/10)

Sigrid - Don't Kill My Vibe (Acoustic)

Much more emotive in its acoustic form, this is a delightfully stripped back little number. (6.5/10)

Tinie Tempah feat. Tinashe - Text From Your Ex

Mr. Tempah continues his journey moving away from his urban routes to something much more commercial and though this song isn't a patch on his early work the balance between his raps and Tinashe's perky choruses works well. But I long for his Labrinth collaborations. (6.5/10)

Urband Soul - Struggle

Coming to our attention after a bit of a gap this is a cool, slow rap with some solid metaphors making a cracking chorus. (6.5/10)

Will Joseph Cook - Beach (I Wanna Make You Mine)

Cook has yet to find a song as brilliant and poppy as 'Girls Like Me' but he's still doing well enough with this single which balances his indie and pop loves. (6.5/10)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 6)

It's time for the latest part of our countdown of the best songs of 2016, entering the top fifty!

50 Will Joseph Cook - Girls Like Me (Released: February)

49 Dave Hanson - Midday Sun (Released: June)

48 The Allergies - Rock Rock (feat. Andy Cooper) (Released: April)

47 Teddybears - Best You Ever Had [feat Gorilla Zoe] (Released: August)

46 Rick Astley - Dance (Released: October)

45 Kirsty Churchill - Who You Gonna Call (Released: March)

44 P!nk - Just Like Fire (Released: April)

43 KT Tunstall - Maybe Its A Good Thing (Released: August)

42 Blossoms - Charlemagne (Released: August)

41 Emeli Sandé - Hurts (Released: September)

KBPS Interview: Will Joseph Cook

Will Joseph Cook is an incredible new singer-songwriter from Tunbridge Wells who has followed up his ‘Proof Enough’ EP with the incredibly catchy song ‘Girls Like Me’, and we were lucky enough to get him to answer a few of our questions, such as whether the song was inspired by his own experience.

“Yeah, it’s about the mandatory turbulence nearly all young relationships go through. It’s something I experienced but fortunately it isn’t unique to me so it makes for a good pop song.”

‘Girls Like Me’ has just been playlisted on Radio 1, something that Cook told us is “great”.

“Being embraced by any platform that gets the music out to that amount of people is amazing.”

Alongside the catchy song there is a bright, funky video to go with it that sees the singer take on a rather intriguing split role in the speed-dating themed promo.

“At first I was taken aback by the reality of people working on and bringing my dumb idea into fruition. It was my first video and first time doing any degree of acting on camera. I enjoyed it a lot, essentially my job for a weekend was to dance and wear girl’s clothes so no complaints.”

With the single now getting plenty of air-play Will Joseph Cook is preparing for a series of live dates. Cook describes his show as “very energetic”.

“There’s four of us and we like dancers at our shows. This summer is gonna be a gas, we’re bringing our A game.”

His new live dates come on the back of a set down the road from KBPS HQ at ‘Live At Leeds’.

“Leeds was great, compared to playing similar festivals last year it was weird to see a crowd that hadn’t walked in by chance and knew the words. It was a shame that we didn’t have more time to see the city as I had never been before. That said, we came pretty close to staying another night as our tour van died!”

Cook has also been performing further afield such as the famous SXSW festival. 

“It’s definitely been the highlight of the year so far. SXSW is on another level though. There’s more going on there than I thought was possible, literally a live band in every building.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Cook told us that he’s just finished recording his debut album though there isn’t a set release date yet. “It’s looking like the end of the summer. Another single and video is up next so that’s what I’m working on putting together at the moment.”

And what about any big ambitions for 2016?

“Play more shows around the world. I would love to do more European and American dates. I also desperately want to play in Japan so I’m gonna try and make that happen. Also, to make a really great collaborative track/project but we shall see.”

This interview will feature in KBPS #9 available Saturday 14th May.