Ever-emotive songwriters By Small Ruin get all the more intimate and contemplative with this classically warm, country-pop look at long-distance love.
Rebecca Cullen
Electronic duo Black Lab have crafted a deeply emotive, cinematic beauty for this latest single. From mellow beginnings, soaked in anticipation, a softly expressive vocal rides alongside a wash of synths, a rising and falling riff melody, and a light trip-hop beat, to lay bare a scene – the start of the story. Soon enough … Continued
A quirky concept made relatable and memorable, plenty of energy and bounce, a striking bit of artwork. Off Gate does everything it needs to do, and it does so in a stylish, surprinsgly quiet, non-intrusive manner.
Essentially bringing together contemporary selling points with a notably poetic, intentional and passionate hit of songwriting and performance, How To Dance is a beautiful single, and a fine introduction to the creativity and professionalism of Gallows Hill.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. So whether the colours have fallen away, or are about to fall – any day now – the EP encapsulates that state of change, that calm before the storm.
The improvisation process in any case is fascinating, and here we get a fairly raw, genuine bit of insight as to what goes on when musicians meet to revel in the moment.
One recent collection is the EP Devil In Denim, a fine example of the creative sound-play and contemporary rap style that consistently unite to make up Yng Spk’s sound.
Sniper Girl is fascinating, the verses draw you in with darkness and difficulty, then the hook resolves with a sense of optimism and self-belief – the inspiring notion that better is always possible, regardless of how dire your circumstances may be.
Stylishly blending ambient, cinematic sound design, with smooth vocals & poetic, personally reflective story-telling, DRAMA/QUEEN is a haunting & addictively immersive track – the perfect way to kick off this re-emergence of SUNDERWORLD.
“Love, revenge & murder are certainly not original themes for entertainment. But doing this in a love song was fun.”
Blending the immediately joyful simplicity of a spacious, minimalist yet colourful soundscape, with an equally carefree, clean-cut vocal style, Polite kicks into gear with a softly hopeful bounce of good vibes, and it continues to impress unexpectedly throughout its lifespan.
The single hits with a little of that empowering confidence and vocal supremacy that once made waves through the likes of Christina’s Beautiful. Here we get a funky vibe though, a notable level of optimism, and a singer who seems to belong to a rare style these days.