Song reviews

Samfire sounds like a singer with an artistic purpose and “Take” might well get her further along the path towards the approval of those who like a bit of class served up with their listening snack. Arty but worthy nonetheless.

“Unhinged Byproduct” is the kind of song that sounds like urban discontent bottled alongside big city anguish. No idea who Jesus Cringe is but he is probably incompatible with the majority of electric cars. Play loud and scream.

Vibrafonics do a nice line in retro soul with a bit of seventies rolling off into the sunset psychedelia added to keep “14 Days and 14 Nights” interesting. Decent vocals and a horn section take the groove out of town.

There is some notably indie rock guitar moves to be found in “Nine Lives” and Greet The Chief does also keep the song solidly on anthemic street yet it is also undeniable that there is energy aplenty to be found in this song.

Straight down the line dramatic rock from Dreem Weapons with “Angels of Rain” ticking all the right style boxes right down to the ones marked retro synth sounds. I think I will like this one more once I have another beer. Or two.

It is, of course, possible that Conscious Pilot have their own time machine for “Human Poultry” sounds more like original style post punk than anything that a band of today wishing to emulate the style might make. Jagged edges everywhere!

Energetic electro pop from Ellen Benediktson and she duly processes her way through her song “WID4L” with considerable energy. The retro stylistic touches add a veneer of familiarity that helps your ears get from start to finish.

The ghost of Americana may well haunt “Can You Read My Mind” yet there is little doubt that Sofia Talvik has lost none of her ability to mix sentimentality and literacy to poetic effect. This is a song that exudes musical maturity.

I’m not sure why I thought Scottish band Decade would be just another indie rock band as their song “Athens” supplies more than enough evidence of an artistic intent greater than being mere purveyors of guitar riffs. Really rather good.

“True Love” is indeed pleasing electro pop with Line Glow demonstrating her own particular style rather successfully. Her voice is appealingly wistful and her, rather smarter than average, words are weaved neatly through the loops.

The mainstream is where Sofia Gillani chooses to reside and “Wake Up” duly contains all the processed goodness that results from such an artistic decision. Unsurprisingly therefore, there are no surprises from this aspiring pop princess.

Combining some appealingly delicate female vocals with synthetic loops and swoops gives Eidetic Dreams the kind of stylistic advantage that the cool kids will want to hear. “Eidetic Dream “ – their song – is most definitely a style thing.