Song reviews

Pleasingly poppy in a Postcard Records kind of way, “Love Bites” gives Blush Club the opportunity to show the world that Scottish bands still have what it takes when it comes to mixing melody with arthouse quirkiness.

Don’t know how long this song has been about but, no matter, for this is one that should be in everyone’s ears. “Lessons To Learn” has a message full of fractured insecurities yet Janet May has made it akin to an anthem for today.

The proof is in the pudding or so they say anyway. Wearing their power pop punk influences on their sleeve, High Waisted add enough sugar to their song “Boys Can’t Dance” to make it into a most suitable dessert. I’ll have seconds!

“I Think You’d Know By Now” keeps it on the downbeat for Dolly Zoom with the oppressive rhythms of the synthesiser and the casual pacing reinforcing the overwhelming feeling of urban angst that pervades this song.

Laying down some solid retro power punk moves are Welsh band Ignitemares and “Letters to Lauras” duly resonates with all that made such things great whilst having enough in the way of pithy lyrics to make it into something of a story song.

Raucous and right to the point, We Three Kings crank up the riffs to kick their song “S’Alright” straight out of the park and into the streets from whence it came. Play loud, drink beer and sing along. It’s alright.

Slye dives deep into the retro influence pool and emerges with enough in the way of emotional sincerity, loops and sequenced moves to make “Into Colour” into the kind of song that might take you from dancefloor to morning.

Pulsating with the oppressive beats borne of urban decay, “Spread Out” is about as clearly focused song as you might get in these troubled days with BYSTS bringing the walls in on themselves and us. Anarchy will be upon as all soon.

In her rather bleakly theatrical way, Tyra Jutai strikes out once more for our attention with her song “Nudes”. Her words have an edge sharpened to the point that most do not have and she therefore easily engages both heart and mind.

“One Eyed Snake” might sound like the title of a fun song but this is the world of Lush Puppy and this bouncy ball of angular social commentary manages to ricochet itself across the road into a world of looped anger. This is telling it like it is.

Another robust song from The Runaway Models, “Riot” throughs in enough anger and, dare I say it, political posture to add streetwise attitude to the growing number of reasons to listen to this local band. It’s a three minute song too. Sweet!

There is an organic quality to Kerry Hart’s voice that gives her song “Screaming Quietly” a depth that is far from fashionable in these synthetically enhanced days and that makes for a refreshing change. A song that, for a change, speaks sense rather than shouts silliness.