Song reviews

There is plenty of mainstream appeal to be found within the three minutes of “Lovers” with the duo known as KEØMA pulling enough retro influences to make fans of nineties music happy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this song turn up in an advert.

Some might accuse Plotz of simply ticking all the indie pop style boxes with their song “Baby Shakes” yet the offbeat lead vocals suggest the resulting quirkiness is more affection for rather than blind adoration of the fan’s expectations of the genre. I feel the warmth.

Whilst definitely downbeat and seemingly low on positivity, “Low” by Sal The Musician is nonetheless not really a lo-fi slacker anthem as the song takes an inspirational turn towards the end. The song could do with more musical polish but his heart is in his words.

At sub two minutes, “Be My Man” is brief and to the point yet, despite said brevity, this rough edged song from J.R. squeezes in enough vocal angst and full on lo-fi guitar riffs to make the song seem of deeper and darker purpose than you might expect.

“Broke” marks the welcome return of the long thought lost punk poet genre with Scott Lavene maxing out on a hypnotic blend of ironic observation, downbeat irony and laconic pacing. That might not sound appealing but it bloody well is.

With her customary theatrical flourish, Maya Lavelle makes the world seem like a stage and duly trips the light fantastic throughout “Dancing With A Bottle”. This is a quirky song with undeniable burlesque appeal and it will be essential ear candy for the trendy.

Driven by Americana tinged female vocals, I thought “The Day You Tried to Save Me” would turn out to be a modern country song but, instead, Glasgow’s Red Hearted Vibrations redirect the song, with the help of a muscular guitar solo, in the direction of a festival crowd pleasing singalong.

“Church” reeks of class with Aly & AJ adding their uptown style and harmonies to the electro pop beats thus giving the song both airplay and Mommy rocket appeal. Upmarket is where it should be at and this song is there already.

Ticking off all the indie rock (north of the border) style boxes are Glasgow’s Ohnova and their song “Banjo Mac” duly cranks up the guitars and eschews virtuosity in favour of visceral impact and humour. Sometimes sweaty is good though so play loud.

Endearing electropoppiness from Norway’s Amanda Tenfjord with “The Floor Is Lava” adding in enough indie pop cuteness and youthful lyricism to make her song seem both poetic and completely uncontrived. That’s sweet enough for me.

Closet Organ sound like a product of Glasgow’s guitar powered underground music scene with their song “Fat And Die” nearly overdosing on low number power chords, stylistic discord and downright quirky vocals. Add cheap lager to enjoy this at its best. I did.

Not much in the way of classical music passes my reviewing ears these days so “Modular Winter” by Justin Wright made for a welcome change. He is a man with a cello and a penchant for musical eloquence. Both serve him well here.