Song reviews

Sixth Wonder are undoubtedly made of metal with all the tick boxes expected of the genre being duly completed but “Thorn” proves they have not forgotten melody and drama with the song’s theatrical presentation being the evidence.

5pm to Nowhere take the, almost traditional, indie rock path with their song “One More Chance”. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and their combination of guitars, vocals and melody will indeed take you to the bridge.

It has been a week for traditional musical values and Ben Hemming duly does not disappoint as he emotes the drama into his song “Old Bones” with a suitably muscular rock backing contributing to the all-important counterpoint.

“One Day” is a nicely polished song from Madi C in the urban soul style of recent times and, piano led as it is, this song gives her the space to exercise her voice. Her voice has no problem meeting that challenge.

A modern take on that old time funk sound, “Sunlight Vampires” has all the modern day polish you would expect combined with a solid bass line and even a bit of vocoder action. Alex Fernet gets down on it with this one.

Tide Lines stamp their Scottishness all over their song “Better Days” with their indie sensibilities being mixed in with a traditional Scottish vibe to festival audience pleasing effect. Without a doubt, it’s one for a communal singalong.

“Yuma” is a thoughtful song from Lisa Oribasi that has enough credibility and complexity to make it seem much more than just another addition to your favourite coffee shop soundtrack. It’s worth that second listen.

Purrses clearly have plenty of musical influences and they duly throw rap, pop punk, and grrrl power into their neo arthouse song “??” with the result being endearingly different. The whole is certainly more than the sum of its parts this time.

Some spirited alt-rock with a side order of venomous bounce in the lyrics from California’s Plastic Rhino and “Takeitall” duly riffs, and even raps, past the three minute mark with the convincingly obsessive female vocals making it real.

I’d almost call “Why Do I Wake Up Every Morning?” by Michel Ducci quirky and, now that I have listened to it again, this one is actually quirky in that playful way that songs of long ago used to be. A feel good song.

“The Green” is straight down the line rock from Greek band Honeybadger and their song duly lays down the powerhouse riffage and macho vocals that will tick all the style boxes that fans of the genre expect.

I had it in my mind that Quad90 were some sort of dance duo but their song “Sentimental Sunday” ramps right up with harmonies and melody reminiscent of a chartbound seventies pop song. Sugar sweet all the way to the bridge.