Song reviews

The entrancing Francesca Lago continues her lyrically twisted journey into the darkness with “Black Thoughts #2”.  The laconic vocals and melancholic reverb make me believe that girls with guitars will inherit the world one day.  May that day be soon.

It is perhaps no surprise that “Sunbeams” highlight the smooth and laidback jazz funk summer grooving style beloved of the Soulnaturals. Singer Chantelle Nandi, again perhaps unsurprisingly, shows herself to be far classier than the song but isn’t that so often the case?

A young band obviously enamoured by the no-fi indie sound, The Alfedoras use youthful energy and attitude to power “Nobody Knows” through its overlong intro to the drop off the cliff ending. Grunge is where it is at.

A fine example of the mid paced pop song, “New Low” highlights Ms O’Leary’s unforced and naturalistic vocals although the band deserve credit for sounding like they come from a time when musical ability was actually prized. Nice is the word.

“I Always Knew It” is an enthusiastic (British) pastiche of that west coast (of America) psychedelic sound of the late sixties and eminently listenable it is too with the reverbed into the horizontal vocals striking the right note. If you’re going to do the past then do it right. Black Sonic Revolver do it right.

Dean Kernoghan is clearly an earnest singer songwriter drawing his inspirations from the great plains of Americana and he actually does a decent job with “Wherever You Go”. However, there are hundreds, probably thousands, just like him so he would do well to consider following the path called individuality for his next song.

Not sure what the intention was here but “80s Wavey” doesn’t exactly show Noah Smith as a particularly inventive musician and appropriating an over familiar sample as his inspiration doesn’t help his case either. In report card terms, he needs to try a bit harder.

Although another slice of endearingly sweet and melodic indie pop from Glasgow’s Lost Ghosts. “Summer Nothing” shows more “edge” than their previous songs whilst still remaining cardigan friendly. It is a tried and trusted approach but, nonetheless, I’d like to see this band do well.

Two minutes and change and the Girobabies have – once again – headbutted their intended audience with post punk attitude, alienation and a studious approach to regenerating the Scottish indie guitar sound. “Secret Animal”, as you will have gathered by now, hits the mark and that’s for sure.

Distinctly retro in its rigidly sequenced approach, “Top of the World” shows Saturn to be targeted , perhaps unsurprisingly, right at planet dance floor.  There is some dry humour to be found amongst the four on the floor plastic beats however so the song does actually have a sort of perverse appeal.

It would appear that there is more to Swedish music than bouncy electro pop with Leading Edge sounding positively American for the duration of “Never Gonna Change”. The big brash vocals of Anna Johannisson dominate the song but that’s no bad thing really.

“Back To My Youth” is written, produced, mixed and mastered by Billy Cullum, it says here. Unsurprisingly therefore, the song is dull, derivative and reeks of self-indulgence. Mr Cullum really must learn to play with others.