Reviews
‘Becoming a Baddie ep’- The Real Jobs, letting everything come apart
There’s a wonderfully unstable quality to ‘Becoming A Baddie’. Here, The Real Jobs spend much of their new release sounding as though they are deliberately testing how far a song can be bent before it collapses, filling the EP with nervous guitars, mangled electronics, sudden melodic turns and rhythms that remain oddly inviting beneath all the […]
‘Beautiful Day’- Andy Smythe, letting the light shine in
After the broader social commentary and more elaborate ideas that shaped ‘Quiet Revolution’, Andy Smythe’s new single ‘Beautiful Day’ feels deliberately uncomplicated. It’s a song about recognising when life briefly falls into place and allowing yourself to enjoy it. Built around acoustic guitar, Mellotron, organ and a warm live-band arrangement, ‘Beautiful Day’ has an easy sense […]
‘Backbone’- Joseph Turner & The Dudes Of Hazard, digging deep into the soul
There’s something immediately likeable about the way Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard approach resilience on ‘Backbone’. Instead of turning perseverance into a grand, earnest declaration, the track gets its hands dirty, building its message around stomping feet, acoustic guitars, gang vocals and the very literal sound of a shovel hitting the ground. Right […]
‘Derelict Crawl’- The House Flies, making a roaring comeback
The House Flies waste no time making their return felt on ‘Derelict Crawl’. The first single from forthcoming album ‘Lions and Ore’ is dark, forceful and full of momentum, pushing the Illinois band’s post-punk foundations into something heavier and more immersive. A driving rhythm gives the track its pulse, while dense guitars close in around Alex Riggen’s […]
‘That’s What I’m Thinking’- Annika Bellamy, transforming a passing thought into a pop daydream
Annika Bellamy’s ‘That’s What I’m Thinking’ captures that familiar moment when an ordinary day suddenly becomes much more interesting because somebody refuses to leave your thoughts. Here, the Southern California singer-songwriter leans into its sweetness, turning romantic distraction into a colourful piece of escapist pop. The song exists somewhere between reality and fantasy. Everyday surroundings […]
‘Sing-Along Songs’- Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends, sharpening their musical bite
Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends return to ‘Sing-Along Songs’ with a version that feels closer to the track’s original intent. This time, it sounds tighter, sharper and more playful without losing the dark irony at its centre. Originally released in 2024, the song has always worked through contrast. Its bright, immediate energy sits against […]
‘Pink’- Lexi Lou, making a bright first move
Lexi Lou arrives with the kind of debut that understands exactly what it wants to be. ‘Pink’ is playful, direct and built around movement, giving the London creative a lively introduction to music without overcomplicating the message at its centre. And that message is simple enough: confidence matters, individuality matters, and there’s nothing wrong with […]
‘Small Steps (Paces)’- Coconut Shy, finding their brightest gear
Coconut Shy have often worked best in the space between reflection and release, but ‘Small Steps (Paces)’ shifts that balance decisively towards hope. The Melbourne four-piece use this new single to turn inward without becoming sombre, building a song around patience, self-belief and the value of moving forward even when progress feels almost invisible. Frontman […]
‘Infection’- Captains Of Entropy, settling into the groove
Despite its title, ‘Infection’ is anything but abrasive. The latest instrumental from Captains of Entropy finds the LA trio leaning further into the hazy, groove-led side of their sound, delivering a piece that feels relaxed on the surface but carefully arranged underneath. There’s an ease to the track that suits the band well. Keyboardist Mike […]
