Song reviews

A handy Welsh dictionary translated “Calon Peiriant” into “Robot Heart” so it is perhaps unsurprising that Gwenno has given us a song supported on a platform of minimalist electronics. This is a downbeat song but Gwenno’s voice is so full of wistful warmth that she will make you believe that you can actually find happiness in those few moments of freedom left amongst the urban oppression.

“Arrival” proves to be a rather restrained song that hides the musical talents of Glasgow alternative rock band Tetra under the proverbial bushel. That may, of course, have been the plan all along but I think it is time for someone to let them play with matches. Guitar abuse is, after all, not a crime as long as you turn up the heat while you do it.

A thoroughly polite piece of indie pop from London’s The Beautiful Game, “Drunken Blues” has prominent hints of The Smiths and Glasgow guitar pop from the good old days in its musical motivations. That, I would imagine, will put a smile on the face of many a trendy young man.

“Let It Die Away” is a fine example of mature melodic rock from Burntfield that sounds like it was conceived in the much larger space that is the USA rather than the more compact living space that is Finland. If you have classic rock in your underpants then this song will do it for you and, although the synths draw you into the song, it is the guitar that is, as always, the king.

Nikki J has, without a doubt, a voice but the lacklustre laptop style beats steer “The Way You Do” way too close to the competition to help her fly the flag for the glory of things urban and British.

With an oddly appealing mix of rawk chick vocals and uncommonly fluent guitar, Amazon Blonde keep their collective head above the water all the way through “Soldier of Love”. The song doesn’t quite realise the promise of this band but I’m certain they have bigger guns in their armoury.

Katie Raven takes the big ballad style to heart and duly gives “Chasing The Stars” enough drama and restrained emotion to carry the song into the mainstream. The mainstream is a busy place, however, but I like to think that there is always room for one more on top.

“Higher” allows Cajsa Siik to take us on a journey into a minimalist electronic wonderland and also shows her as a more than capable alternative to Lykke Li especially if poetry is your preference. She does what she does well.

“Checking Out” is an eerily drifting, almost to the point of carelessness, song that highlights the ability of Livingston’s Alan Smithee to turn casual into causal with the end result being almost as hypnotic as one of those vintage lava lamps.

“Rise” is a fairly rough demo from Aberdeen band Cold California that stays well within the boundaries of what you would expect of a rock band these days. There is passion in the vocals but a certain lack of inspiration is also evident in the efforts of the rest of the band.

“Case of the Bends” is a wholesome and reverential take on the solid seventies rock sound that suggests that An Old Friend are the kind of band that should be living on a tour bus. The riffs are present and correct and Damien Biagioni’s vocals indicate that he is perfectly comfortable wearing the leather trousers.

“Holy Ground” is a mainstream, at least in Swedish terms, and intense pop song that, thanks mainly to the distinctive falsetto vocal, makes just enough sonic impact to make you remember that Polar Bear & King is the name of the band.