Proving with beautiful purity and talent alike, that it’s never too late to start something – Mason Holiday was in his thirties before he took up learning guitar. His new single, the minimalistic yet sentimental Heaven, is one of 2020’s most heartfelt and intimate releases to date.

AcousticPopSongwriter

A three piece of guitar, bass and drums comes powering out of the traps here. It’s a fizzy capture, washes of cymbals and some heavy riffing on guitar creating a robust, muscular backdrop for some vocals with attitude.

Occupying the ground between Julian Cope during his Fried period and then the snarl and belligerent punky attitude of John Lydon, the lead vocal punches hard on the track Someone You Know. It then wanders into something more wistful and lyrically more exploratory on Waste of Time. There’s an ever-present natural vibrato when the vocal is more relaxed. But melodically, the vocals are making some very deliberate dissonant choices which reek of swagger and confidence and an overall looseness to proceedings which is genuinely original in the current climate.

Someone You Know also boasts interesting rhythm and arrangement choices. ‘Your expectations are too much,’ posits the singer. But they are actually served pretty well, thanks, with some smart arrangement chops which retain the interest well. These include a wandering exploratory guitar solo part and, in particular, a proper diversion into new territory just before the track’s conclusion, when a bridge part suddenly offers a sonic treat before resolving beautifully into a meaty post-chorus riff and the song abruptly concludes.

Waste of Time is more of a workout dynamically, with some questing guitar riffs adding a mystical air to the mix and the vocal gets to explore more tones, at times coming across like Gary Numan in terms of word-chewing delivery.

‘Waves crashing over waves,’ gets repeated in an intense repeating pattern in an exciting bridge part which again makes a welcome impression just before the song’s conclusion. It’s exciting and unexpected and really delivers.

A shot in the arm lyrically and in terms of attitude and energy, Microcosm’s EP is a breath of fresh air.

AlternativeAlternative Rock

Microcosms stylishly tumble through the speakers for this single, showcasing chaotic indie rock riffs and a grunge-like leading voice that sees the track slowly but surely gather strength and momentum as it fills the room. 

GrungeHard RockRock

Thamatic have crafted this one with careful attention to detail, and this shows on multiple levels throughout the release. Retro elements fuse with those that feel decidedly fresh and uplifting to offer a memorable and quite striking audio journey.

Alt PopDanceEDMElectro Pop

Introducing softly seductive, near-whispered vocals, Half Of Me leads with unwavering realness – Gregg James’ personal truth connects for its intimate presentation and a fine balance between detail and poetry.

PopRnBTrip-Hop

The music lights up the room by the end, the two singers uniting to stunning results, backing vocalists and dashes of additional instrumentation helping underline a sense of togetherness, of oneness – again, in stark contrast with the isolation and quiet from the beginning.

Folk PopSoft Rock