Song reviews


  Aztec Jewel by Murdo Mitchell


Aztec Jewel cover art


Polished

Nicely polished and confidently performed, “Aztec Jewel” seems a safe choice for airplay with nothing that Murdo Mitchell does with his song likely to offend even the ears of the musically savvy. The soundtrack to any aspirational advert.


  Hellhound Heart by Shadow Smile


Hellhound Heart cover art


Loud

Metal bands don’t generally do melodies these days but Shadow Smile do and, even with the inclusion of all the stereotypical growls and steroid fuelled guitars, their song “Hellhound Heart” sounds like it could live on an acoustic guitar if it had to.


  Sweetest Addiction by We Ghosts


Sweetest Addiction cover art


Smooth

Sung in a most polite and controlled manner, “Sweetest Addictions” gives We Ghosts the opportunity to show that they have more than a bit of class. There’s not much to the lyrics but the laidback and contemplative vibe will convince many.


  The Devil’s Dance by Ben Hemming


The Devil’s Dance cover art


Class

Ben Hemming is a class act. Of that there is no doubt and “The Devil’s Dance” provides more than enough evidence of his talent with the steady path that he steers between rock and Americana giving the song a wide appeal. Maturity has its benefits.


Review date:  April 15 2023
  www.benhemming.co.uk

  Mourning Sun by Mike Brunacini


Mourning Sun cover art


Showtune

Piano led and elegantly contrived, “Mourning Sun” by Mike Brunacini tickles your ears with a combination of poetic literacy and showtune sensibilities. A song that does indeed sound like it would belong in a musical.


Review date:  April 15 2023
  instagram.com/mikebrunacini

  Slow Decay by Rose Haze


Slow Decay cover art


Shoegazey

There is concentrated goodness to be found in “Slow Decay” with reverb aplenty, cascading guitars, sweeping synths and wistfully ethereal female vocals combining in the mist to thus make Rose Haze more than just another shoegaze favourite.


Review date:  April 14 2023
  www.rosehaze.com

  Parasite by Cosmopolis


Parasite cover art


Foggy

Some songs have shape and form and some simply go with the flow. “Parasite” by Cosmopolis certainly falls into the latter category with the combination of a spaced out vibe and bleak and misty lyrics evoking the intended uneasiness.


Review date:  April 14 2023
  cosmopolis.com

  Animals by SunQ


Animals cover art


Artistic

Never content with driving down the centre line, SunQ veer between prime period rock and theatricality as they take their song “Animals” towards the sunset. Loads of guitars and appealing female vocals make the journey worthwhile.


Review date:  April 14 2023
  sunqband.ru

  Denial by SDH


Denial cover art


Cool

Sequencing charm into a song isn’t easy yet “Denial” is an example of the right way to do it. Looped old school electro beats keep the power coming on strong while those stylishly oblique female vocals sprinkle sugar on top. Cooler than a refrigerator.


  Break Away by Cani De Portici


Break Away cover art


Deep

It must be a European thing. “Break Away” rumbles and grumbles in that curiously retro way of post rock bands like Cani De Portici do to reinforce their determination to use the pure instrumental format to break down some invisible walls. Brooding.


  Raindrop by Gorgeous


Raindrop cover art


Midnight

Pleasingly jagged and oblique, Gorgeous take their lo-fi vibe and apply it liberally to “Raindrop” to thus alter it from a potential indie pop anthem into near arthouse posturing. Some songs are deliberately difficult and this is one of them.


  Hold On To Dawn by Teeniest


Hold On To Dawn cover art


Low key

Brooklyn duo Teeniest keep it low key and “Hold On To Dawn” duly makes a discrete run for the finishing line. The guitars mesh nicely with the vocals in the way things were done in more organic times and the end result pleases the ears.



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