“Ursula” is about as melodically fey as a song can be without actually falling into the pit of introspection but Plant save it from consequent death by melancholia with some pretty lyrics and beard scratcher type posturing.
Super cool electro pop from Girl Ultra with the dual female vocals exuding pure style over the rigidly sequenced backbeat. “Mentirasmentiras” is good enough to make anyone wish that they were one of the cool kids too.
If not quite pure northern soul, “Hold On” shows that The Gold Tips still have enough in the way of organic qualities to make their song sound real and I mean blue collar real at that. This one might make moves on the dancefloor too.
Librarians With Hickeys have a serious case of the retro janglies with their pleasingly melodic song “1972” sounding like it would have made radio playlists back in, say. 1972. The sentimental sound of yesterday is here once more.
One minute I am listening to death metal and the next The Infinity Chamber. Funnily enough, “The Rose And The Moon” has a spiritual connection to the metal lyric pit although styled in a rather more effective, if bleak, gothic folk style.
If you were to imagine what a hard rock band from Los Angeles would sound like then the sonic result would undoubtedly be Blacklist Union with their song “Madame Butterly” being duly composed of muscular riffs and leather machismo.
I’m not entirely sure if Bauhofer actually has the blues as “Just The Blues” seems so bouncy and lightweight that it could be the kind of energetic pop rock song that would enliven an afternoon radio show or, perhaps, an advert for cornflakes.
Classy accurately describes “Angélique” by Karen Myatt. She has a voice that burns with civilised emotion and behind her elegant presentation is an arrangement that would make Dave Grusin fans go all dewy eyed.
I got to thinking that “Polaroid of Pain” was some sort of time warped hybrid of alt-pop and lo-fi folk musical sensibilities which, as it turns out, is no bad thing with Gurry Wurry easily taking the melody all the way to the endearing chorus.
There is evident maturity in the words of “Struck To The Heart” and those impassioned female vocals keep the intensity going for the duration of this song with a power chord infused guitar solo included if words are not your thing.
Putting on the retro style is Darling Nikki and her song “Stay” duly sounds like it came from a time when productions were big and full of drama with her voice steering a steady course straight to her destination in less than three minutes.
“Traposphere” is clearly a song with a point to it even if said point is disguised by some energetic indie rock musical moves. Bau Cat nonetheless sound like the kind of band that you would want to meet in a basement club after midnight.