Song reviews

The dense production adds an oppressive atmosphere to “On The Rocks” and it is a much darker song than might be expected of the usually blinged to the max urban genre although, ultimately, it is Andrea Godin’s voice that leads Starkillers towards redemption.

Some songs seem designed to make you sigh and “I Won’t Change My Mind” is one such song with Remington Super 60 liberally seasoning their song with all that is wistful. Endearing female vocals carry the song forward into your heart.

Many might think that the events of 2020 would have put an end to the very idea of a Christmas song but no for, with her customary literacy and restrained sentimentality, Sofia Talvik skilfully turns her song “The Mess We’re In” into a message of hope.

A low key song with a delicate flute intro, “October Air” aims not to impress the charts but instead to give you something to drift off to sleep with. Mike Brunacini has enough retro keys to unlock the past and I think his intent is rather more spiritual than secular.

“So Far From Home” has an indie meets stoner rock groove and Bun rolls his song along the highway of life with a greater sense of purpose than most can manage. You can’t go far wrong with a guitar leading the way and duly it was so.

There is still mileage in minimalism with Omonoko neatly weaving a simple message into the strands of locked to the loop repetition that make up “Weight In Gold”. The end result is a song with hypnotic qualities and easy on the ear appeal.

It wouldn’t take much effort to figure out that Marie Naffah is a singer songwriter from London and her song “Gabriel” is therefore, unsurprisingly, literate and piano driven. If melancholy is your thing then this one is for you.

From Croatia, two man rock band Mechanical break out the beats and riffs to add weight to their song “Fluorescent Black”. It’s a straight down the white line rock cruncher that would go down well with beer. I know because I tried it.

You don’t get too many intelligent songs these days but “Scream Out My Lungs” is a fine example of one. Southpaw add some power pop moves and a side order of melody to help make the song more than just fast food.

Weaving her song neatly between soft rock and modern day country is Stefanie Clark Harris and “Spirit Moves” duly has the hallmark of musical maturity. Easy on the ear, destined for radio play and playlists, I like how she rolls.

Making a pretty successful attempt at filling their song “One Minute You Is” with riffs and attitude are VLLNS. The reliance on repetition moves the song straight down the centre line but their final destination isn’t, as you might expect, the stadium.

Vaughn has his finger on the pulse of the currently trendy eighties retro vibe and he duly takes his song “Miss America” for a walk down the yellow brick road to Paisley Park. I think he might even get there and claim his prize.