Song reviews

Whilst distinctly minimalist in his presentation, Rletto nonetheless manages to squeeze in enough night club subversion to make “Whistle While You Work” worthy of a second listen if only to verify that the lyrics are in no way metaphorical.

Ksenia keeps it tidy with her song “Like It Or Not. Neither a note nor a rhyme is wasted in this cleverly cut and paste song that clearly asserts the dichotomy inherent in individuality and commercial success in the modern music business.

There is something about Dee Lunar that I find oddly appealing. She takes fashionable retro influences and throws them into a cauldron already full of irreverence to make a song like “Spread The Love” and gets away with it. Untidy maybe but tasty nonetheless.

Chrissy & The Get Gos get their engine warmed up with “Get Go”. It’s a commercial song that throws in passionate female vocals and the expected rock riffs then, of all things, interjects some reggae rhythms just to make sure your ears don’t get bored. Works for me.

Looped to the limit and casually paced, “Goldress” is as fine an example of the state of r&b music in this day and age as you will find. I would imagine that many BMW drivers will find themselves adding this one to their late night chillout playlist.

“Finally” is as conventional as a song can get with Eileen Carey playing it straight all the way down to the three minute line. In the background, synths vie for domination with rock guitars and a pedal steel but it is her voice that wins.

If a song could ever be described as laconic then it would be this one with Teeniest – a duo from New York – topping up “Set Me Up Boys” with enough Americana to win the broken heart of any barfly whether north or south of the Mason-Dixon line

Methinks people are likely to fall hook line and sinker in love with “Ya Ya Ya Ya” as Melting Mallows have thrown in enough retro riffs, good old fashioned hooks and melody to encourage you to join in on the chorus. Play it again, Sam!

The greatest blue collar band ever hit out at the hypocrisy of the world that we live in and light a fire under mediocrity with their song “Fetching Pitchfork”. Some might think that the Girobabies have gone a bit mellow but their knife remains forever sharp.

Those who seek the offbeat will find much to enjoy within the dramatic confines of “Still Good” as Tyra Jutai stomps her distinctly independent views into the lyrics of her song. It is good to hear someone who still has fire in their belly.

You can’t go wrong mixing wistful melancholy with guitars and a bucketful of reverb so it is no surprise that “Frederick The Younger” hit the mark with their song “Something Real” and duly make you believe that there will be a better tomorrow.

In truth, there’s not much to “Nice To Have a Break” yet Honey Mooncie, in her own low key and laidback way, turns her song into something that simply entrances your ears. It might just be the time of year but I feel quite sentimental about this song.