SINGLE REVIEW: Weekly Round-Up 16/12/24 - 22/12/24
Mansoor - Let’s Rise
Country-folk anthem with rich cultural influences, blending Punjabi lyrics with English anthemic choruses. It has the classic twang of guitar and soul of the fiddle with the bounce of the tabla drum in the background ( forgive me if I’m wrong on this). It’s got a driven but steady rhythm to the song. “If only I can turn back time…” hints at regret but also willing to improve and better oneself. Very solid and classic track with a wonderful infusion. I’ve not really come across Country Punjabi music so it’s really highlighted another route of listening for me. Those Choir vocals are really powerful and fulfilling in “Let’s Rise… Let’s Rise…” Followed by a short plucky solo, really feels cinematic. Very unique experience indeed.
Camille Miller - Expat Story
Indie Rock with a Country/ blues twist, Expat Story from the Shadows and Lines EP displays a very full band, with romantic acoustic guitars, light electric soloing, solid slow beat, with subtle horns filling in the empty. The spotlight shines on those gorgeous colourful vocals. The lyrics shed light on living in an entirely new place or country, starting from scratch, although a new and exciting adventure awaits it also means leaving loved ones behind and homesickness sets in. An overall well balanced track and wonderful lyrics to celebrate and sympathise with, coming from a personal and wholesome place in the heart it seems.
Swamp Music Players - Swamp Wizard
Swamp Wizard is brought to us lucky ducks by Canadian-founded music collective, Swamp Music Players, lining themselves with retro-futuristic styles, Indie movies and soundtrack projects. This collective keeps you on their toes with their eclectic EP Swamp Sandwich. I'm focusing on Swamp Wizard, a blues track with deep pulsating bass and low crunch rhythm guitar, with a slow steady pace with impressive psychedelic solo techniques. It goes light on the lyrics not taking themselves too seriously, keeping the amusement up and letting the music talents talk. The cover artwork is something straight out of a video game, depicting quite an intimidating character, further described in the track. Despite the track designed for a bad-ass D&D character, it has quite a steady groove that the listener sinks into and the soloing is really out-of-this-world. It’s very unique and has my attention.
Straight Razor - Suffering
Darkwave, Techno and EMB creative, Omar Doom aka Straight Razor delves into personal and universal themes in Suffering from the genre-defying album Casualty . Suffering is devastating low-end synths met with pulsating beats, iconic deep-set monotone vocals that lyrically carry the emotions. The whirring in the opening of the tracks creates an uneasy atmosphere, almost shoving you into a Stranger Things scene of danger. The repetitive themes keep familiarity whilst the restraint and release keeps things fresh to the mind. Very infectious track and if Quentin Tarantino gives it a thumbs up, so do I.
My Premium Blend - Hard Act to Follow
My Premium Blend is a mix of rock, alternative, indie-rock, power-pop and country. A group of music enthusiasts that just simply want to play, write and perform music for all those who are open to listen. Hard Act To Follow, is true grit, displaying powerful chords and solos with vintage-style vocals and solid drum beats. A real mix of classic rock and country style songwriting. The dynamics take you out on a truck-ride with hefty twists and turns. It’s a solid head-bopper and toe-tapper. Simply infectious and upbeat.
RISLEY - Breadcrumbs
Portland Indie rock band Risley (named after a cat! Nice!) recently releases new single Breadcrumbs
Something I can describe as sunshine in a song with racing-bass and percussion, with light and airy vocals, bright lead soloing, and playful subtle synth. The lyrics are quite rich and poetic, taking note of the smaller things “Pretty little moments like raindrops on a windshield…” The Song heightens and diminishes giving air to breathe, making those familiar little motifs come back stronger. A nice soothing track over all.
Calvin and The Lucky Draw - The Only Way
French Soul Groove quartet, Calvin and The Lucky Draw, with Blues, pop and psychedelic influences. The Only Way is, oh boy, ~smoooooth~ a very passionate song inclusive of gentle staccato guitars, whirring synth, soulful low bass intact but with bouts of freedom to wonder, with subtle soloing of clean guitar in the background. Those vocals are firm, gorgeous and rich full of emotion. I’m not one to favour this genre but when I do take time to peer into it I am moved by the creativity and talents behind it. This song is something I can highly appreciate.
General Mack's Grapeshot - It’s All Roses
Melbourne Australia’s Multi instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, Mitchy McIvor is the force that is GMG bringing bold attitude in It’s All Roses. The song opens with punchy percussion paired with short feisty guitar bursts, melding into a nostalgic post-punk melody. The vocals are gritty, the listener hangs onto every word. Quite infectious going into the choral section, a definite head-bopper. It really feels like something that should have been born in the 80’s or perhaps should be played in an underground club. The track is thin on the instrumental side however it grows into something much bigger and is worth waiting for.
