Song reviews

I like a song that encourages delinquency and “No Ghosts Walk” by Paper Tigers does just that. A conventional rock start soon develops into a rasping, crash your car into the wall, three and a half minute house brick. Play loud.

Bleak synth pop has become something of a fashion statement these days with the robotic minimalism of “Under The Gun” ticking all the style boxes whilst allowing Violent Vickie to deliver her message on the dangers of conformity.

I’m glad to report that someone has remembered how to write a proper pop song and “The Battle Is On” is a fine example of just that. Forces season with a big pinch of quirkiness but the song remains ear candy to the end.

About as unassuming song as you might get in these troubled times, “Flies” nonetheless neatly demonstrates that Jasmine Rodgers can take us on a wind powered journey through the shadows into the dawn.

Infused with enough wistful intent to induce a sugar craving, “The Paper” is plenty sweet and sufficiently hypnotic to easily introduce the low key wonders of Leyya to the curious ears of a wider audience.

It may be kind of old school to give a lyric some metaphorical substance but that is just what Nico Ev has done betwixt start and end of “Hunter”. Adding in some supporting cello allows the song to exude class before discreetly fading out.

Poised and pleasingly robust of voice, Melissa Bel traverses the reverb barrier with passionate ease to take her song “Sunshine” all the way from the inside to the big outdoors. Without doubt, a singer and a song with ambition.

A rather better than average pop song, “Just Life” got me thinking of appropriate Taylor Swift comparisons yet Blü Eyes has enough in the way of individuality to keep her clear of being the next corporate musical toy.

Slow paced as The Bow take it, “Desire” nonetheless successfully makes the case for saving a song through the use of a suitably intense vocal performance. Somewhere out there is a movie soundtrack waiting for this song.

Once more into the land of heartfelt love songs, dear friends. Kayla Diamond keeps it earnest all the way through “Always Been You” and the song pretty much steers itself in the general direction of mainstream Spotify playlists.

Emma Miller’s voice drifts delicately across her song “Sail Away” without ever letting the words and music that convey her message wander from the course set by those mistily programmed loops. I feel the wind in my face.

Keeping themselves securely within the boundaries of commercial expectation are Club Beirut and their song “Stay” confidently meshes retro synth pop influences with just enough muscular guitars to duly guarantee airplay.