James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
The promotional blurb for emerging British folk act Smoke Fairies tells of how members Jessica Davies and Katherine Blamire first met at school at the age of just 12. On that basis I really can’t help but wonder if they couldn’t have found the time to come up with a better single than ‘Sunshine’; despite the impressive backing band (Andy Newmark on drums and Al Mobbs on double bass) the song winds its way through a morose musical landscape for over four and a half minutes while Davies and Blamire repeatedly ask us if we can show them if our love is real. Does folk have to be so depressing?
Rich Powell
Campbell’s mellow voice is perfect for the poignant, if simple, lyrics. Alongside the lush strings and soft, blues-inspired guitar, this gives the song an almost daydream-like feel. However, don’t think it’s a dirge: the up-beat drums and clever instrumentation ensure continued interest from the serene introduction right through to the climactic ‘call and response’ instrumental between strings and guitar. This catchy song’s irrepressible charm really can convince you it’s “the sweetest thing”.
Simon Fenton
Press play, close your eyes. Suddenly, it's the perfect summer. It's not raining, it's not cold. You're hanging out with friends in a park. This song has a fantastic nostalgic quality about it and I can't quite out figure out why. The bass line is simple, yet memorable; the same is true of the lyrics and the melody. Her voice is richly soulful. It's relaxed, it's catchy, it's cool.
Sarah Richardson
iTunes defines this as ‘Alternative and Punk’, but in reality this is a strange mix of brass, synthesised beats, white rap and Fall Out Boy style vocals, with a random heavy metal interlude in the middle. There seems to be hardly any variation in the lyrics either, repeated ad nauseum until you get the point. The song feels like it never really gets going; maybe because they were too busy going to anger management classes.
Hannah McCarthy
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