Going full retro in both style and content, “Heart of Coal” sounds like it could have fallen off the late sixties folk rock bandwagon yet, with maturity much to the fore, Martin John Henry has no problem selling his song to my ears.
Polish skate punk band CF98 hit the retro road with their upbeat anthem “1993” sounding just like it was actually from the halcyon days of pop punk. Any song that makes you happier just by listening to it works for me.
“New Eden” does not lack in emotional intensity and St Catherine’s Child’s confident approach to the delivery of downbeat songs full of melancholy and self-reflection is more than enough to make you hope and pray for a better tomorrow.
If your musical tastes stretch to pop punk then you will likely find “Forget My Name” by Dial Drive to your taste with frenetic drumming, power chords and square peg in a round hole lyrics all being present and correct.
Rodina’s “We Go Out Of Our Way” sounds remarkably natural with good old fashioned musicianship driving this seventies jazz funk style song along the road to ear candy land. It’s the righteous road to follow.
Sixth Wonder are undoubtedly made of metal with all the tick boxes expected of the genre being duly completed but “Thorn” proves they have not forgotten melody and drama with the song’s theatrical presentation being the evidence.
5pm to Nowhere take the, almost traditional, indie rock path with their song “One More Chance”. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and their combination of guitars, vocals and melody will indeed take you to the bridge.
It has been a week for traditional musical values and Ben Hemming duly does not disappoint as he emotes the drama into his song “Old Bones” with a suitably muscular rock backing contributing to the all-important counterpoint.
“One Day” is a nicely polished song from Madi C in the urban soul style of recent times and, piano led as it is, this song gives her the space to exercise her voice. Her voice has no problem meeting that challenge.
A modern take on that old time funk sound, “Sunlight Vampires” has all the modern day polish you would expect combined with a solid bass line and even a bit of vocoder action. Alex Fernet gets down on it with this one.
Tide Lines stamp their Scottishness all over their song “Better Days” with their indie sensibilities being mixed in with a traditional Scottish vibe to festival audience pleasing effect. Without a doubt, it’s one for a communal singalong.
“Yuma” is a thoughtful song from Lisa Oribasi that has enough credibility and complexity to make it seem much more than just another addition to your favourite coffee shop soundtrack. It’s worth that second listen.
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