Song reviews

Folk music normally goes straight by me into the blue yonder but “Four Letter Words” by Reema had the mark of modernism stamped upon it and, with a theme from today driving the song firmly forward, it wasn’t long before this understated gem became something of an intoxicant.

I would even go as far as calling “Do It All Again” by Praa a cool tune – not something I am prone to doing at the best of times – for there is something hypnotic about this entirely commercial yet entrancingly emotional song.

Americana is an international musical language with Croatian band She Brought Me Gasoline making their bid for the spotlight with “Since I Don’t Have You”. The song and performance walk the line but the banjos, as always, have it.

“Soveraine” is the kind of song that exudes an excess of melodrama, but Midas Fall succeed on keeping the song on track for its extended duration whilst evoking the ghosts of times long forgotten.

Whilst ticking all the fashionable downbeat and retro boxes, Miami based band Tremends nonetheless manage to stamp enough urban style on to their song “Now We Know” to make it radio friendly.

Lines keep it routine within the electro pop confines of their song “Lockdown” whilst displaying the kind of musical persistence that would make any sequencer jealous.

I suppose that “Undone” by Art of Shades can be regarded as a song from the streets of today with that laidback urban beat providing an appealing post-midnight vibe that is sympathetically balanced by the voice of Sylo Nozra.

A song that is nothing if not melancholy, “A Pit” is nonetheless blessed with an attention to detail seldom seen these days and a melodramatic vocal performance that could easily be that of a tortured poet.

Right on trend for yesterday and today, “Take Your Name” should bring Martha Ffion some welcome attention with her sonorous voice sailing upon a glorious sea of reverb and retro intensive style towards the port that is my wallet.

There is something antique about a jazz flavoured instrumental and “Cascade” by The Lydian Collective does seem more of the past than the present but, as with fine wine, those with a few too many years on the clock will find this song much to their taste.

Coolly hypnotic, “Heat” nudges Austrian duo Leyya one step further up the ladder to Euro electropop success and there is a certain wistfulness to the female vocals that provides more than sufficient Justification to avoid any accusation of a robotic takeover.

A song that does what it says on the tin, “Feeling Good” by John the Martyr relies on that old-time soul groove for motivation with Bill Hudson’s voice having the mark of a man who tells it like it is. The song might well sound like yesterday but it still works today.