Fresh, raw, uncompromising, honest, intelligent and focused, Knocks really delivers. It’s a visceral, entertaining delight, packaged with a whip-smart video and attitude in spades.
Chris Porter
An accomplished and beautiful song with an authentic and very feminine vocal performance that belies its actual message. Haunting.
Repeat listens reveals a thoughtful episodic structure lashed together with a chugging 80s heart that allows modern yet dramatic vocals to flutter and shimmer high above. It’s fun, and also comes across as strangely sincere in its unabashed openness and primary-colour aesthetic.
I’m reminded of the quality and spirit of Joni Mitchell throughout certain phrases of Mockingbird, and I’d like to think that Alpha cat would approve of such a comparison – as she’s something of an ‘alpha cat’ herself. A very clever song, with memorable lyrics and a very deliberate production.
As it turns out, the Belle Sounds are aptly named, and I Lose Myself manages to sound both nostalgic and forward-looking whilst remaining very much its own entity.
Genre-busting in the way that only music with disparate influences can be, Optimist bears many repeat listens as you unwrap its sonic charms.
As experiments go, I’d rate this as a highly successful one: nothing feels like it’s been crowbarred in, and this respect for the material has reaped genuine rewards.
There’s melancholy, sure, and wistfulness and tunefulness and I’ve already talked about the earnestness and authenticity on display. It’s a regular smorgasbord of thought, narrative storytelling and emoting and it doesn’t hang about.
It’s a tremendous, accomplished slice of nostalgia-drenched songwriting that puts a big smile on my face.
Tthis track is utterly individual, compelling and worthy of listening time and discussion. It’s merits are thought-provoking, visceral and genuinely interesting.
It’s a big, brash mayfly of a tune and makes its whopping great point before putting the cat out and turning off the lights. Epic, truncated fun!
What a treat to review such a well-realised and tastefully-produced song. Impressive, wide-screen, spacious, addictive.