Song reviews

Putting traditional words to new music isn’t an uncommon occurrence but when such a thing is done with heart and soul, the results can be captivating and so it proved to be in the case of “The Maiden’s Vow” by Holly Tomás. Really rather beautiful.

Katherine Aly has a keen sense of the theatrical and she uses that to make her song “Sunny Days” stand out from the crowd and, with dramatic intent layered over her acidic lyrics, her appeal to musical cognoscenti must surely grow. Come to the cabaret.

With the pleasingly organic sound of the pipes to the fore, La Loba’s voice takes the traditional route through an ethereal world. A basic approach, undoubtedly, but an appealing one as she has the voice to make you believe in matters mystical.

At last a band with some attitude! Glossii keep it simple with their song “Watching Me” but you can’t go far wrong with throbbing drums, raucous guitars in maximum riff mode and in your face vocals. Play this one loud (as you might expect).

Endearing in a laidback way, St Martiins show their mastery of wistful intent as they stroll their song “My Girl” along the avenues of broken hearts and wounded pride. It’s the kind of song that will find its way on to many a mixtape.

Almost overdosing on melodic melancholy is KYLO but that is kind of the point of her song “Solace” with her low key robotic rhythms being used to steadily spiral her message into your attention span. Walk in the shadows with her.

Throwing in a heartfelt message to us all doesn’t distract from the fact that Red Hearted Vibrations are the kind of band that can mix riffs and passion in equal measures to ear pleasing effect. “Selkirk Boy” duly resonates with deeper purpose.

So, what would Bobbie Gentry sound like in the halcyon days that are today? Perhaps she would sound like Reina Del Cid as she tells stories in song just like the Lady of Chickasaw County once did. “Bernadette” duly, and stylishly, revels in sentiment.

Everybody likes kittens so it is no surprise that American pop psychologists Kitten mange to turn their angst ridden song “Memphis” into something that anyone with dystopian taste in music would like. Take them to the river if you like but please bring them back home.

It might be old school to have soul but that’s what The Living have, or has, as this might be a one man operation. Nonetheless, “It’s In All Of Us” tells it like it is and contains more than enough humanity in the words and music to make the song feel real.

A British band apparently but Swim Deep seem to have their finger on the pulse of European synth pop and they use their song “Sail Away, Say Goodbye” to get them approval to jump on the retro style wagon. Permission is granted.

Making retro the new black comes easily to Swiss duo Waterglow and, duly, their song “Not Your Lover” is seasoned with enough analogue style synth riffs to make the sequencer seem fashionable once more. Sunglasses are optional when listening.