Song reviews

Pleasing complex in execution, “Running” plays out with all the hallmarks of an intelligent pop song with Fredrik Svabø’s hand always steady on the tiller. Classy vocals from Thea Wang fit right into the song and make it soar.

Peter Nordberg mastery of mixing moody melancholy with laconically delivered lyrics is always evident in his song “Run”. Maturity is much in evidence here and this song will undoubtedly be added to the more discerning Spotify playlists.

Somewhat murky in the matter of lyrical intent, NNancy then uses as almost theatrical tempo shift to jump her song “Murder On My Mind” from the shadows to the dancefloor. The cool kids will like this one.

For a minute I thought I was going to dislike “Skeletor” by F.O. Machete but the supersoft vocals and cinematic swoop of the song convinced me that this band were more than capable of successfully mixing the enigmatic with mystical enchantment.

Peter Capaldi goes for retro eccentricity with his song “Is It Today”. Half sung and all drowned in reverb, he takes it to the bridge with all the verve that a respected thespian can and dives right into the river of artistic intent. Oddball it is.

In a distinctly light hearted and quirky way, Belgian band The Flemish Primitives dance their way through “Luckily I Don’t Look That Bad” with both humour and tempo shifts very much in evidence. A fun song from a fun band.

Going straight down the punk themed boulevard with the top down are Crash and the Crapenters. “All Geared Up” starts off like a lively weekend and then drops the tempo into the Monday morning blues (just like life).

Tora Luna make playful use of rhythm and quirky tempo changes to make their song “Wait For Spring” stand out from the crowd. That’s a rather organic, and worthy, approach to making music in these plastic coated days

If there is such a thing as a song filled with literate wistfulness then “Indentation of Life” would be it and Louise Connell skilfully loops her words in such a way as to capture the hearts of both the unwary and the forlorn.

Going all moody and misty are Oslo Twins and their song “I See Mountains” swoops and sweeps through mystical mountains made of loops and sorrowful synthesisers with the delicate female vocals triumphing over the melancholy.

In something of a stylistic about turn, Essex boys Bilk eschew their usual raucous behaviour in favour of an almost Britpop take on relationship matters with their song “Summer Days” reminding us that it’s always going to be cod and chips twice.

Taking the bus to the old school soul school is Austin band Honey Made with “Pass Me By” making the most of that post midnight mellow grove thang and, just as it should be, there are some super smooth vocals right on top.