Category: Reviews

GG FEARN – Single Review: “Permanent Record”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews2 Comments

As a now old man, I’m continually astonished at how time seems to fly by at an ever-faster clip the older I get. With that in mind, I can hardly believe it was over five years ago that I featured Welsh singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist GG Fearn on this blog when I reviewed her terrific EP Black Mirror. Only 18 years old at that time, she already possessed a level of talent and maturity beyond her years that really impressed me.

GG (short for Georgia) started writing songs and learning to play the guitar and piano at the age of ten, then began busking at 12, which gradually gave her confidence as both a vocalist and performer. Influenced by some of her favorite acts like Fiona Apple, Kate Bush, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar and Melanie Martinez, as well as her love for pop music of all kinds, GG crafts songs that are not only melodic and catchy, but also lyrically compelling. Quite the wordsmith, she pens thoughtful and frank lyrics about life and the darker aspects inherent in many of us, which she expresses with a lovely voice brimming with character, sophistication and vulnerability.

In the five years since the release of Black Mirror, GG earned a law degree from Cambridge University, during which time she put her music career on hold. Now 23 and her intensive studies behind her, she can now concentrate on both earning a living and creating music again, and to that effect, she’s just released a new single “Permanent Record“, her first new music in five years. It was worth the wait, as the song is equal parts lush, captivating and dark. I love the dreamy atmospheric synths, luscious guitar notes, soaring orchestral strings and strong percussive beats, all of which create a hauntingly beautiful cinematic soundscape. GG’s smooth, vibrant vocals are seductive and lovely as she sings of the dangers of revealing too much about ourselves on the internet, all of which can become a permanent record of our thoughts and activities that might possibly be used against us.

In an interview with Oxford University’s independent newspaper The Oxford Blue, GG touched on her inspiration behind “Permanent Record”: “I wrote it because I read Edward Snowdon’s biography, [which] I really enjoyed. I did Law so all the privacy implications and stuff like that were cool. I went down a horrible rabbit hole for weeks just watching documentaries about whistleblowers and surveillance – I was turning into a twitter conspiracy theorist! I think when people listen to it, whatever they feel or think about, that’s what I want them to take out of it. Liking it or not, agreeing with it or not, understanding what I’m saying or not, I just want them to get what they get out of it. I think that’s what’s really important about listening to music for me. Projecting me and my inner emotional landscape onto what I create. That’s all art really is.“

Start scaling the ceiling
Start digging the hole
Start peeling the paint from the walls
Start paying the toll
You got a visit from the debt collector
Been a naughty boy
Now they found out the company you keep
And they know how to destroy

The world's ablaze, count the days
Is anybody keeping score?
A modern maze
And still we stay in 1984

Start hiding your history
Start secreting your spawn
Start stashing your secrets 
Cause baby you're just a pawn
Tangled in a web of our own making
As the soldiers form
And they tell us that we're doing fine
Calm precursors the storm

The world's ablaze, count the days
Is anybody keeping score?
A modern maze
And still we stay in 1984

Your whole life is up on a billboard
Now you've got a permanent record
Watch what you type on your keyboard
Now you've got a permanent record

The world's ablaze, count the days
Is anybody keeping score?
A modern maze
And still we stay in 1984

GG’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

Find her music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube / deezer

The 23s – Single Review: “Youth”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews4 Comments

The 23s are a collaborative music project based in Sheffield, England and comprised of singer-songwriter and electronica musician Rob Cohen, singer-songwriter Rob Gurruchaga, and producer Tom Taylor. With a shared love for acts like David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Blaqk Audio, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen and Thomas Dolby, the enigmatic trio began working together remotely during the Covid lockdowns, writing song demos using analog synthesizers and synth guitars, which they shared across the internet.

Naming their project after Taylor’s Channel 23 Studio, they eventually gathered in person at the studio to choose their favorites out of the more than 100 demos they’d recorded, finally culling them down to 23 songs. They put their finishing touches and overdubs on the 23 tracks, and decided to release them one at a time, at the rate of one per month over a 23-month period, on the 23rd of each month. All 23 songs will ultimately be released in a full album at the end of the singles run, scheduled for December 23, 2024.

The only photo of The 23s in existence

They launched their monthly parade of single releases a bit behind schedule on February 10, 2023 with “Never Be The Same” (which I reviewed), but from their second single on they’ve remained faithfully on schedule, diligently releasing each successive single on the 23rd of each month. I’ve really liked all their singles, and also the fact that no two sound alike. Their music style varies widely with each new release, with some songs having a strong electronic sound, while others are more rock or pop-oriented. Last August, I also reviewed their eighth single “My Kinda Girl”, a beautiful song I loved so much it ended up ranking #62 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list. 

The23s have created a cumulative Spotify playlist of all their songs, to which each successive new single is added each month as they’re released. To hear all their songs that will be included on the forthcoming 23-track album, click on this link:

Their latest and 18th single is “Youth“, a song about the passage of time inspired by the famous George Bernard Shaw quote “youth is wasted on the young” (although some have claimed that what he really said was “Youth is a wonderful thing. It is a shame it has to be wasted on children.”) But whatever the quote, the point of The 23s’ song is that youth is an unrealized gift that’s often taken for granted, and only fully appreciated much later in life. As someone who’s now old, I look back wistfully at my youth, and cringe at all the needless angst I experienced and energy I wasted fretting over trivial things, wishing I could go back and do some things over armed with the wisdom I have now.

The lyrics explore the bittersweet realization that comes with age, the fleeting nature of time, and the importance of cherishing each moment. “When I was younger, I thought all I knew was all there was to know. Now that I’m older, I realize that no one ever knows. She said ‘youth is wasted on the young’. Now that I’m older, I wish I was young like before.”

Musically, the song features a strong pulsating synth bass beat, upon which the guys have layered swirling orchestral synths, chugging percussion and a spine-tingling barrage of gnarly and wailing guitars, all of which create an exhilarating cinematic backdrop for Rob’s vibrant vocals. It’s another superb single from this talented musical trio.

Those who subscribe to their Bandcamp account, at a cost of only £5 a year, can buy the “Youth” single now before its released on streaming services, as well as a lot of free subscription tracks

The 23s Socials: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / deezer / YouTube

OLIVIA MICELI – Single Review: “Guys Like You!”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews16 Comments

Today I’m pleased to introduce Olivia Miceli, a talented young singer-songwriter and producer based in Staffordshire, England. In addition to her day job as a sound engineer for radio stations BBC 5 live, Radio 4 and The World Service, the hard-working artist has released an impressive amount of music over the past four years. Beginning with the release of her debut single “Fake” in March 2021, Olivia’s since dropped numerous singles and two albums – Road Signs in 2022, and Nostalgic Heartbreak in 2023 – which she quickly followed with her EP Times that were never ours. Last month she released her poignant Olivia Rodrigo-esque single “The Chaos of Growing Up”, and now returns with a cheeky and fun new single “Guys Like You!“.

Like all her music, Olivia wrote, recorded and produced “Guys Like You!” totally by herself in her little home studio set-up. Describing it as “bedroom-pop inspired by 00s rock and artists like Gwen Stefani and Chappell Roan“, she says it’s the coolest song she’s ever written. After listening to it, as well as a lot of her back music catalog, I wholeheartedly agree! The song has a lively toe-tapping groove, overlain with wonderfully melodic jangly guitars accompanied by a throbbing bassline, spirited drums and swirling synths. I like how Olivia’s sweet lilting vocals soar to a defiant croon in the exuberant choruses as she denounces a guy who’s an unlikeable louse: “Guys like you are why I’ve got trust issues / Guys like you should really get a clue.”

“Guys Like You!” is the perfect kiss-off tune, and I think it’s one of Olivia’s best songs yet.

And here’s the song on Soundcloud:

Olivia’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

Find her music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / Soundcloud / deezer

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 36 – ALBA, A. WAKE, CAITLIN LAVAGNA, LYIA META

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews9 Comments

For my latest edition of Fresh New Tracks, I’m thrilled to feature new songs by four confident, talented and lovely ladies with exquisite singing voices – Spanish and now England-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Alba, English singer-songwriter and musician A. Wake, Welsh singer-songwriter, musician and actress Caitlin Lavagna, and Malaysian singer-songwriter and visual artist Lyia Meta. I’ve previously written about A. Wake, Caitlin Lavagna and Lyia Meta, whereas Alba is new to me.

ALBA – “Are you really free?”

Alba is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who was born and raised in Spain, and began her musical career in her teens as front woman for Spanish band Sons of Rock. After relocating to London in 2016, she began recording and performing as a solo artist. She released her debut single “Lucky” in 2018, and has since followed with a number of singles. She also cares deeply about the environment and uses her music to make a difference and shed light on social and climate issues important to her.

On June 14, Alba released her debut EP Questions Unanswered, a concept work featuring four tracks, each of which poses a question on themes such as identity, purpose, relationships and social issues. In an interview with Marc Schuster for his blog Abominations, she explained “The idea was not necessarily to provide answers, but to invite the listener to reflect and engage with these questions on a deeper level to find their own answers. At the same time, this EP contains a little bit of everything in my musical palette. I’ve included undertones of R&B, pop, soul, rock, funk, latin, reggae and jazz, which I think should appeal to a wide audience.” Here’s my favorite track, the soulful “Are you really free?“, which features lyrics in both English and Spanish. Alba will be performing the EP at a release party in London on July 13 at the Old Blue Last, and a subsequent release party at Ateneo Cafe Universal in Burgos, Spain, on August 13.

Alba’s Socials:  Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

A WAKE – “Like The Sun”

A.Wake (short for Anita Wake) is a fascinating and innovative singer-songwriter and musician based in Sheffield, England who’s been actively making music for several years, both as a member of several bands (in which she played bass and sang backing vocals) and, more recently, as a solo artist. With a passionate interest in sound therapy, mysticism and the healing properties of music, she seeks to incorporate healing frequencies and modern music elements into her beautiful songs. Beginning with the release of her enchanting debut single “Lemuria” in July 2022, she’s since followed with several more singles, as well as her The Seed – Root Chakra Remix EP in April 2023, which I reviewed.

Today she returns with a mesmerizing new single “Like The Sun“, in which she’s embedded Crown chakra and Binaural frequencies to enhance creativity, serotonin boost and focus. A. Wake wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music with fellow Sheffield musician Rob Cohen, and the track was mixed by Dave Sanderson. I love the mysterious and cinematic Eastern feel of the music and A. Wake’s beguiling atmospheric vocals. The beautiful video was created by Cohen using stock imagery and footage.

A.Wake Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

CAITLIN LAVAGNA – “Pretty Alright”

My favorite Welsh songstress is Caitlin Lavagna, who since the release of her marvelous debut single “How Not To Start A Fight” in 2021, has consistently put out an unbroken stream of outstanding singles. I adore Caitlin’s vibrant and sophisticated vocal style and honest, relatable lyrics drawn from personal experiences and heartache, and have liked every one of her songs. I’ve written about nearly all of them, most recently this past April when I reviewed her previous single “Gold”, which has spent the past nine weeks and counting on my personal Top 30 chart. “How Not To Start A Fight” and her next single “Night Bus” also appeared on my Top 30, the latter spending 20 weeks and peaking at #2, finishing at #28 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list. 

Now she’s back with a terrific new single “Pretty Alright“, an uplifting song Caitlin says is “about breaking the cycle of negative thoughts that many of us feel about ourselves. It’s about overcoming self-doubt and body image issues, and understanding your bad habits and emotional trauma.” The song was co-written by Caitlin and Mark Liam Owens, produced by Alex McArthur, mixed by Joe Rodwell and mastered by Nick Lewis at Old Cottage Audio. The song has a bit of a retro 60s vibe, but with a fresh and exciting arrangement. I especially love the powerful driving rhythms, lush instrumentation, as well as Caitlin’s always commanding vocals and exuberant choruses.

Caitlin’s Socials:  Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

LYIA META – “Easier and Easier”

One of my favorite female vocalists and all-around artists is Malaysian singer-songwriter Lyia Meta, an immensely talented and gracious recording artist with a marvelous singing voice. Based in Kuala Lumpur and of Creole Portuguese ancestry, Lyia’s a multi-faceted artist in every sense of the word. With her smoky contralto vocal style, she can literally sing just about anything and in fact, has recorded songs in a wide range of genres including blues, jazz, pop, country, rock and even metal, bringing her international recognition and acclaim. A prolific artist, she’s released an impressive amount of music over the past eight years, beginning with her debut EP This is Lyia in 2016. Since then, she’s put out two more EPs an album Always You in 2023, and scores of singles, many of which I’ve featured on this blog, most recently last March when I reviewed her wonderful cover of the Beatles classic “All My Loving”.

On July 5th, Lyia released her latest single “Easier and Easier“, a lovely but bittersweet adult contemporary song addressing the end of a relationship. The song was written by her frequent collaborator, Los Angeles-based songwriter Denise Dimin, and co-produced by Lyia and her frequent collaborators, Nashville-based musician and recording engineer Bob McGilpin, who played guitar, bass and drums and Gene Rabbai, who played the soothing orchestral arrangement of piano and strings. As with most of Lyia’s songs, “Easier and Easier” was recorded remotely, with music recorded at both McMusicSound in Nashville and Studio A in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and her vocals recorded at Big A Productions in Kuala Lumpur. I love the song’s warm piano, lilting strings and jazzy horns, along with Lyia’s signature rich vocals that express a sense of sad resignation as she sings “Each time you leave, it gets easier and easier to let you go.” The song will be included on her upcoming second album NEXT, to be released July 26th.

Lyia’s Socials: Website / Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

PYLON POETS – Single Review: “Temptation”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews8 Comments

Hailing from the picturesque southwest England coastal town of Torquay, Devon are Pylon Poets, an alternative indie rock band comprised of Dan Hughes (lead vocals, guitars & synths), Nathan Hughes (bass, backing vocals), and Sam McIver (drums). (Dan and Nathan are not brothers, just both happen to have the same surname.) The guys have been putting out high-energy melodic rock since 2016, with songs featuring relatable lyrics touching on such issues as pop culture, love and politics. They’ve toured extensively and have played several music festivals throughout the UK, sharing the stage with such artists as Reef, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Scouting For Girls, Republica and ASH.

Photo by John McGowan

I first featured them on this blog in May 2023, when I reviewed their single “In the End”. Today they return with “Temptation“, which follows their previous single “Echoes of Desire”, released in early May. Recorded and produced by Tom Jobling at Mill Farm Music studio in Dorset, “Temptation” explores the notion of wanting and needing to be led astray by giving in to our deepest desires.

One of the things I like about Pylon Poets is that no two songs of theirs sound alike, which is a testament to the versatility of their songwriting and musicianship. And though their music generally sounds nothing like Duran Duran, I nevertheless get strong Duran Duran vibes from “Temptation”.

Perhaps it’s the sensuous pulsating groove, or Dan’s electrifying jangly, bluesy and wailing distorted guitars, Nathan’s powerful thumping bassline and Sam’s muscular smashing drumbeats, all of which sound fantastic. And while Dan’s vocals don’t exactly sound like Simon LeBon’s on this song, he nevertheless captures a similar smoldering soulful quality perfectly befitting the torrid lyrics describing unbridled sexual desire. It’s all absolutely marvelous, and I think “Temptation” is my favorite Pylon Poets song yet!

Do you know what you need,
Taking things as you please,
Do you want to believe or do you want to succeed,

It has all been conceived,
The making of your dreams,
Is this the time, is this your mind,
Are you the loving kind,

What would you take me for,
Your graces are your flaws,
Whatever you need you're going to receive,

I know you'll take me there,
Desires all laid bare,
Is this the time, is this your mind,
Are you the loving kind,

Tempting me, Tempting you,
Leading me, Leading you,
Dreaming me, Dreaming you,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,
Tempting me, I'm tempted,
Leading me, I'll be lead,
Dreaming me, I'm dreaming,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,

So close we're touching,
It's just a matter of time,
It's just a matter of time,

Come here and tear me apart,
Lend me your heart,
Give me the spark,
Make me the loving kind,

Tempting me, Tempting you,
Leading me, Leading you,
Dreaming me, Dreaming you,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,
Tempting me, I'm tempted,
Leading me, I'll be lead,
Dreaming me, I'm dreaming,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,

Temptation
Temptation
Temptation


Pylon Poets Socials:  Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / YouTube

HOMELESS RADIO – Single Review: “SleepNot”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews11 Comments
Cover art by Kostiantyn Borshch

This past January, I introduced my readers to Ukrainian indie rock band Homeless Radio when I reviewed their terrific hard-hitting single “Submarine“. To summarize, the band formed in the city of Kharkiv in 2016, and includes Andrii Yampolskyi (vocals/guitar), Fedir Orlov (guitar), Stepan Tkachuk (bass) and Ivan Orlov (drums). Guitarist Ihor Pankieiev is also technically still a member, though he’s currently away, fighting in the terrible war against their Russian invaders. Drawing from a dynamic mix of garage rock, alternative rock, skate punk, grunge and pop influences, their music ranges from pleasantly melodic to relentlessly intense.

Andrii, Stepan, Ivan & Fedir

Now the guys are back with a blistering new single “SleepNot“, delivering more of the raw, unbridled energy we loved with “Submarine”. Released on July 2nd via Arizona-based indie label Sunset Alliance, the track was mixed & mastered by Nikolas Quemtri at NRQ’s Studio. The appropriately-titled “SleepNot” features hard-driving instrumentals and emphatic lyrics that beautifully express the singer’s aim of keeping up with the frantic pace of modern life and enjoying all it has to offer. And yet, while on the one hand he laments “Sometimes I wish that I could never fall asleep, yeah. I’m not enough for a day!“, he then concedes that he just wants to sleep when his alarm clock abruptly wakes him. It’s a conundrum I’m sure most young people have experienced. I remember staying out late partying many nights in my college days, then having to wake early to finish a paper.  

Starting off with a deliciously dirty bass riff nicely executed by Stepan, the song blasts open with a volley of Ivan’s smashing drumbeats and Andrii and Fedir’s dual grungy and fuzz-soaked guitars. As Stepan’s dexterous bassline and Ivan’s pummeling drums continue driving the rhythm forward, Andrii and Fedir lay waste to the airwaves with scorching guitar riffs. I really like Andrii’s passionate heavily-accented vocals, which soar to spine-tingling fiery wails in the bombastic choruses. “SleepNot” is an electrifying rock banger, and another marvelous single by this talented foursome.

It’s admirable that Homeless Radio have still managed to keep making music, despite the fact their country has been waging a valiant defense again their Russian invaders for more than two years. I hope they will remain safe and able to continue doing what they love.

(Alarm clock rings, I just wanna sleep)
(Alarm clock rings, I just wanna sleep)

Every day when I open my eyes
I see a plan for a while:
I need to join a party,
get drunk in the nearby town
I want this, you can be sure
And today I've got one aim
I'm trying to finish my business
I worry about my brain

Sometimes I wish that I could never fall asleep, yeah
I'm not enough for a day! Yeah!

Every time when I see you
My country blows up
I wanna be somewhere near you
But my business is still undone
To be smart you must catch up with the rhythm
It's speed can make you insane
See, honey, I'm still in the middle
In this competitive game

Sometimes I wish that I could never fall asleep, yeah
I'm not enough for a day! Yeah!

Alarm clock rings, I just wanna sleep
Alarm clock rings, I just wanna sleep

Homeless Radio Socials:  Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / YouTube

BRAIN APE – Single Review: “mcmx. downing street”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews17 Comments

Since their inception in early 2012, London-based alt-rock band Brain Ape has consistently pushed the envelope, both musically and thematically, to create music that’s innovative, unorthodox and thoroughly original. Now a duo consisting of Minky Très-vain (a descendent of both Sir Francis Drake and Sir Christopher Wren) on guitar & vocals and Sol Alex Albret (descended from the Vikings) on bass, they’ve released music rather intermittently over the years, but their discography includes three albums, Dara O’ in 2014, Auslander and Ausländer, an all-acoustic album featuring five tracks from the original plus three new tracks, both in 2017, along with several singles. I reviewed Auslander, which you can read here, as well as several singles, most recently their unusually-titled “mcmx. drawing room”, which you can read here. 

Whereas their earlier sound was strongly influenced by grunge acts like Nirvana, their newer music is now influenced by contemporary pop and hip-hop acts like Billie Eilish, Childish Gambino, and Denzel Curry. They’ve also never shied away from tackling cultural and sociopolitical issues, and as such, over the past two years have released a series of singles exploring the rise of nationalism in the West and the glorification of false icons. Beginning with “mcmi. fenchurch king”, followed by “mcmx. drawing room”, Brain Ape has now released the third installment or chapter of songs within this narrative, “mcmx. downing street“, which will be included on their forthcoming third album SHREWD, BRITANNIA, due for release in November. They purposely released the single on the 3rd of July, on the eve of the July 4th General Election in the UK.

The band states the song is “an attack on corrupt modern politics, whilst keeping a keen eye on history, legacy, and accountability.” With a title named for the famed London street where the official residence of the British Prime Minister is located, as well as references to George Orwell and his dystopian writings, the song’s lyrics dive deeper into the story of Eric Tunglsson: son of the Auslander first introduced in “mcmi. fenchurch king”.

Curious about these characters, I asked Minky for clarification. He responded “the characters are a selection from a cast of people we’ve been writing about since the very beginning. Way back in 2012, the first mention of these people was included in the ‘Dead at 20’ EP that we were a part of all those years ago. Since then we’ve dropped a plethora of ambiguous material about these people, most notably on our second album ‘Auslander’. All the clues are there, and there’s plenty for people to sink their teeth into, but over the coming years we’ve decided to release more details with lesser ambiguity. When we release our third album, ‘SHREWD, BRITANNIA’, a lot more will become obvious, but even then we have plans to release more information after that. Like with everything Sol and I do, it’s a slow game but it’ll all pay off once the stars align.”

Like all their music, “mcmx. downing street” is a fascinating and trippy song, and more melodic than its two predecessors. The song kicks off with Minky singing the opening verse, with his seductive voice ending with an almost menacing breathy “ha” as he sings the words “Brittania” over a thumping bassline, accompanied by spritely synths. Then a sensuous throbbing dance beat takes over, overlain with extremely gnarly psychedelic guitars and sharp percussion that erupt in the delightfully edgy choruses. Everything turns darker at song’s end, when Minky’s echoed vocals turn downright savage over a fearsome backdrop of shredded guitars, grinding bass and crashing cymbals. It’s an incredibly impactful and most satisfying sonic feast for the senses!

Run, rum, run

He is Britannia
Run, run
We shall Lionise him

Oh well, whatever, we never did mind when he lusts
(Shame)
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind, can we trust?
(Shame)
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind all the greed
(Shame)
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind, can he bleed?
(Shame)
Oh well, Orwell, we never did read

Tension rising, air is blinding, he's igniting, costs are climbing
Sun is setting, still they're betting on the Lion
Is he lying? Ha

Oh well, whatever, we never did mind when he lusts
(Shame)
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind, can we trust?
(Shame)
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind all the greed
(Shame)
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind
Oh well, whatever, we never did mind, can he bleed?
(Shame)
Oh well, Orwell, we never did read

Son of the Auslander
He is our king
We rule Britannia
God save the king

Brain Ape have also included a seven-minute piece “mcmi. fenchurch king, drawing room, downing street”, a seamless combination of their last three singles, as a B-side to “mcmx. downing street”.

Also curious about the unusual video, which stars Minky as Eric Tunglsson, Sol as Wyn Pfaird and former bandmate and The Kid and I band frontman Jacob Powell as Trin O’ Gealach, I asked Minky about what they are trying to convey. He responded: “Sol and I put a lot of planning into the video for this single. Originally, we had floated the idea of shooting various location shots, some footage of the band performing in studio, some live footage, as well as the footage that has been included in the final video. But when we sat down with some trial edits we felt as though a busy video countered the blunt nature of the single, so we made the decision to strip back the music video to let the lyrics breathe more. It also helps balance the b-side which we released in tandem with this single, where the singles ‘fenchurch king’ and ‘downing street’ book end the busier, more conceptual ‘drawing room’. In many ways, the structure of that b-side mirrors those of classical symphonies’ first movements, which is not a coincidence.”

Here are “mcmx. downing street” and “mcmi. fenchurch king, drawing room, downing street” on Spotify:

Brain Ape Socials:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok
Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp / YouTube

MR BEWLAY – Single Review: “Honey”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews11 Comments
Photo by Ewa Palka

Hailing from Cardiff, Wales is art pop artist Mr Bewlay, who on the strength of his singular creative talent, unorthodox musical approach, charismatic personality and flamboyant performances, has built a loyal following in Wales and beyond. He began his foray into the arts on the stage, honing his performance skills in such classics as West Side Story, A View From A Bridge and A Streetcar Named Desire. He later transitioned to music under the mentorship and guidance of the Forte Project, a highly respected Wales-based artist development program.

He self-released his debut single “Project Blue Team” in June 2019, and in the years since has dropped many more singles, as well as two EPs, Electric Reason in 2022 and Black Reason in 2023, the first two installments of his Reason Trilogy. Late last year, Mr Bewlay signed with the Welsh indie music label Dirty Carrot and began writing and recording songs for his forthcoming third EP of the trilogy, Against All Reason. The first single from the EP, the Depeche Mode-esque “Worst of All Women”, was released in March, and on June 21st, he dropped the second single “Honey“. When his label reached out to me about the song, I liked it instantly, and am eager to share it with my readers.

Recorded with Cardiff-based producer Lee House and guitars by musician Shish, “Honey” is a sweet pop song of love and adoration. Starting with a irresistibly sensuous and funky bass groove, Mr Bewlay and company layer breezy synths, lush piano keys and richly textured guitars, all of which create an intoxicating backdrop for his colorful emotive vocals. Sprinkled throughout the track are wonderful little touches like whistling and what sounds like a triangle instrument. I love the exuberant anthemic choruses in which Mr Bewlay’s vocals are backed by lilting female voices.

The cheeky lyrics are directed toward a romantic partner, describing the singer’s feelings of passion and desire with equal amounts of naughty and nice:

I’ll be your cardiac arrest
Steal the focus of your breath
Last night we danced in silver rooms
Spinning you round the open lights
Drowning in my eyes
I’ll be your prophet divine
Scream your feelings to the sky
Cos’ honey I like you
Honey the taste of you

Now call my bluff
And fall into my arms

Start to lose your breath
Feel the world in our embrace
I kiss that part you said you like
Shockwave through your spine
Made you come into the room
The focus you instilled
Could push through ennui

All that it took
Was this icy moment's look
You cast a penetrating thought
Vibrations through the void
And every woman, every man
Had a spell cast on their minds
Throughout the globe

Now call my bluff
Fall into my arms
And all of my love
Falls to dust

Let me lay
Lie, in your honey
Let me lay
And lie, in your honey
All that it took was a momentary look

And here’s the song on Soundcloud:

Mr Bewlay’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / Bandcamp / YouTube 

HEALER – Single Review: “War”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews18 Comments

Hailing from Grimsby, England is HEALER, an alternative indie rock band comprised of Steve (lead vocals), Kirk (guitar), Dave (guitar), Tony (bass), and Jazz (drums). Since forming in 2022, the talented five-piece have already built a strong following in the British music scene on the strength of their outstanding songs and riveting live performances, as well as garnering recognition and airplay on BBC Music Introducing and Amazing Radio UK/USA. Since the release of their debut single “Hurricane” in December 2022, the busy guys have followed with seven more singles, two of which – “Bones“ and “Wake Me Up” – I’ve previously featured on this blog. “Bones” spent three months on my weekly top 30 and ranks #67 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list.

Photo by  Misha Warren

Their songs explore themes of love, loss, and hope, wrapped in infectious melodies and beautiful arrangements, and delivered with ace instrumentation and Steve’s wonderful distinctive vocals that make HEALER’s songs immediately identifiable as theirs and no one else’s. This is nicely showcased by their latest single “War”, released on June 21st. Though my initial impression was that the song describes a person’s devotion to their partner or loved one, and that they’d go to war to defend and protect them, I reached out to the band to see if I was even close in my interpretation. Lead singer and songwriter Steve responded with an eloquent explanation that I’ll just quote in full:

“The meaning of war can be different for every person. Being a hero for instance could be as large as a soldier in the grand scheme of things, but individual people just enduring the repetition of everyday life and work can make them a hero in their own story. To the characters that walk, their own story arcs with them. I do what I do for my sons and my partner and you will do what you do for somebody or something; it doesn’t make any one of our struggles or efforts bigger or smaller than the other because they exist by themselves within our own little worlds. I would do anything for my family and that is what war is about, and my family started with the girl I reference in the song. The line from the song that sums it all up is ‘I’ve given all I have to give you but I could always find some more’. Even when we have nothing left we will always get up and go out and do whatever we have to do for our kids or the people we need to support.“

“War” starts off slowly, with Steve’s warm, vulnerable vocals accompanied by a gently-strummed guitar. Twenty seconds in, the song expands into a beautiful rock song with colorful guitars, Tony’s thumping bass and Jazz’s spirited drumbeats, Steve’s vocals growing more impassioned along with the music. Kirk and Dave’s dual guitars are a gorgeous mix of jangly and twangy chords, nicely complemented by Jazz’s wildly crashing cymbals. The guitar riff in the anthemic chorus is fantastic, and one of the finest, most memorable hooks I’ve heard in a while, boring itself into our brains, but in a good way. With “War”, the guys have another hit on their hands.

HEALER always makes interesting and compelling videos for their songs, and the one for “War” is no exception. The heartwarming video, shot by the photography and cinematography team of Lola and Joel, was filmed on location at several local sites, including The Number 1 Pub in Cleethorpes, Transpennine Express in Grimsby and Cleethorpes Stations, and Andy’s Seafoods in Grimsby, and stars Lisa February, Thomas Humphreys, David Snook and Andrew Crane.


Upcoming Healer Shows:

July 6 –DocksFest, Cleethorpes (withLottery Winners, Feeder, Frank Turner & Razorlight)

July 25 –BelladrumTartan Heart Festival, Inverness (with Ocean Colour Scene & Jake Bugg)

July 27 –Scartho Fest, Grimsby

September 20 –Heal Fest, Shrewsbury (with Embrace, The Farm, Tom Meighan)

Healer Socials: Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube / Pandora

OLI BARTON – Single Review: “You Just Played My Mind”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews6 Comments

Anyone having even a cursory knowledge of the music industry knows that the UK is blessed with a plethora of talented music artists and bands, ranging from legendary acts to independent ones known  only to a local following, and everything in between. One of my personal favorites is London-based singer-songwriter Oli Barton, an exceptionally talented and creative guy who’s been making music for nearly eight years, both as front man of his backing band the Movement, and more recently as a solo artist. Oli’s music, released via his independent label Coke & Dagger Records, has been featured many times on BBC Radio, and he’s supported such acts as Starsailor, Kid Kapichi, and Baxter Dury. I’ve been following him since early 2017, and over the past seven years have featured him eight times on this blog, most recently in February when I reviewed his single “It’s Over Now”, which has become his most popular track in terms of streaming numbers. 

Photo by Alice Denny

His eccentric yet sophisticated style of alternative rock is a colorful mix of post-punk and psychedelia, fortified with touches of funk, pop and grunge, and I can honestly state that I’ve loved every single one of his songs. Five of them have appeared on my Weekly Top 30 charts – the provocative 2017 single “Kinky”, which went all the way to #1, as well as “44”, “Martyr”, “Just Like Always” and “Paid Off”, all of which reached the top 5. Now the dangerously charismatic charmer is back with “You Just Played My Mind“, which is also being released as a B-side to “It’s Over Now” in a limited edition 7-inch vinyl pressing of 100 copies. The vinyl copies, which will become available on September 24th, can be pre-ordered from his Website.

For recording of the song, Barton was joined by former bandmates Jamal Aggoun on guitar, Marco “Fuzz” Paone on bass and Josh Needham on drums, all of whom he complimented “I really wanted to make a more aggressive, gnarly track and I think the lads smashed it out here.” The track was produced by Alex O’ Donovan, who also played additional percussion, arranged and tracked by Jules Gulon, engineered by Luke Ferrero, mixed by Cenzo Townshend and Robert Sellens, and mastered by Barry Grint.

Drawing inspiration from doomed romances plagued by extreme incompatibility, Oli’s lyrics explore the conflicting emotions of two people who just don’t work together. “Well it’s been a while since I’ve seen a style that’s quite like yours./ Well the way you spoke, well it broke my heart. And you know that someday I’ll be calling you, and know that you just played my mind.”

Musically, the song is an exhilarating rock banger that’s every bit as good as “It’s Over Now”. I really like the opening dark and ominous reverb-drenched gnarly guitar riff, and how the song quickly explodes into a raging beast, courtesy of Jamal’s distorted guitars, Marco’s powerful driving bass and Josh’s explosive drums, before settling down to sultry verses, beautifully sung by Oli’s distinctive accented vocals that I adore. I’ve long admired the ace musicianship of the above-named musicians, but they really take things to the next level here. Jamal’s multi-textured guitar work is fantastic, and the strength and dexterity of Josh’s drumming are a thing of wonder. As always, Oli’s colorful vocals are incredibly satisfying, running the gamut from sensuous croons to spine-tingling impassioned wails. Also, I must compliment the engineers and producers who contributed their respective talents on this track for the outstanding clarity of the instrumentation and overall sound quality.

“You Just Played My Mind” is much more than your typical B-Side, and those who purchase the 7-inch vinyl copy will be getting two equally great songs in one package.

Oli Barton’s Socials:  Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube / Soundcloud