Single Review

Sam George’s New Single “Nothing Will Cure It” is A Guitar Driven Gem – Single Review

28th Nov 2024 — Leave a comment

The new single from Sam George is a treasure trove for guitar lovers, packing a variety of styles into one deeply satisfying offering.

The Tyneside artist showcases both his musical ear and talent on this track, skilfully weaving vastly different guitar parts into a cohesive whole.

From its funky beginning to the chunky chorus, there’s a lot to like. The track manages to simultaneously maintain a groovy vibe while delivering strong, memorable melodies.

Attention has been paid to creating a rich array of sounds. It’s almost as if George has decided to channel all of his influences at once and it works brilliantly.

The song builds to a climactic finale that combines two distinct solos together to finish on a brilliant high note.

If you love indie music, you’ll really enjoy this track. From The Smashing Pumpkin-esque vocals to light funky rhythm sections, it’s a gem worth checking out.

Goodsprings Swing Big with Playful Ska-Reggae Fusion on “Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor” – Single Review

19th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Goodsprings’ fun new single shows the band continuing to develop, with an almost big band feel to this swinging ska tune.

Injecting playfulness into your songwriting is the key to producing amazing, fun music, and Goodsprings have done exactly this on their new single, Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor.

It’s fortunate that they’ve managed it with the English translation of the title of the track literally meaning “The Best of The Best”.

The fun nature of the title runs throughout the track, which combines elements of ska, jazz and reggae to produce a lively swing song.

This playfulness is also reflected in the lyrics, which are delivered with a cocky snarl, mirroring the song’s message as a love letter to those who don’t care to fit in.

This unpredictability is an element of the song I thoroughly enjoyed, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Combined with the big band atmosphere, this leads to delightfully, quirky results, particularly evident in the breakdown of the track, where the group engages in a scat-like section over a tight bass groove.

I also wanted to praise the amazing brass work, which elevates the track to such a high level bringing a gorgeous flourish, particularly in the choruses.

Overall, this is yet another strong track from Goodsprings, building on their good work from their previous single, Horrors. The fusion of genres works well, producing a charming track with a unique energy. Make sure to check it out if you’re a fan of groups like Sublime or Slightly Stoopid.

Simon Taylor Brings Geordie Grooves On Funky New Single “The Theatre of Broken Souls” – Single Review

5th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered what Lou Reed would sound like if he grew up in the North East of England?

Probably not, but if you have, then Simon Taylor’s new single is the perfect listen.

Combining influences such as Leonard Cohen and the aforementioned Lou Reed, Taylor has been building his reputation around the North East scene, and this latest record is sure to elevate it even further.

I can particularly hear the influence of Transformer-era Lou Reed within the track with its fun, funky guitar passages and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about working at a music venue.

The melodies are strong and stick with you for days, which is a testament to the great songwriting on display.

The North East, and Newcastle in particular, runs throughout the song, deepening the personal nature of the lyrics and bringing a unique voice to the track, crafting a great bit of Geordie funk.

Overall, this is a fantastic teaser track and a really fun listen. I can’t wait to see what Simon comes up with next.

Boy Found Sound Delivers Americana-Tinged Indie Pop Brilliance on ‘Ultraviolet- Single Review

20th Aug 2024 — Leave a comment

Boy Found Sound’s latest single is a touching indie pop ode, featuring gorgeous production and well-constructed songwriting.

The track sets off like a runaway train, bringing with a nice Americana feel reminiscent of the likes of Bruce Springsteen and The War on Drugs, with its combination of acoustic guitar with beautifully reverbed riffs layered on top.

With the mood set, Boy Found Sound is free to write touching verses about a girl with ultraviolet eyes, over the top of this musical bed.

Musically, the track acts like a continuous train of thought, with no let-up throughout the tune and only subtle changes in tempo between the verse and the chorus.

This momentum only pauses for an amazing guitar solo, which reminded me a lot of Sam Fender with its reverb-heavy distortion and brilliant technicality.

Overall, this is a great song that has been meticulously put together. If you’re a fan of Sam Fender, then this is for you!

Electric Circus Strikes Hard with Their Latest Anthem, ‘War Crimes’ – Single Review

12th Aug 2024 — Leave a comment

Electric Circus’s new single goes hard. With its massive production and hard rock riffs, the single comes together as a thoroughly satisfying package.

From the outset, you’re greeted with a punch of distortion, with guitar lines layered on top of each other, each contributing to the cacophony of noise the band is creating.

These are joined in the mix by a thumping drum track, adding even more power to the track, building the hype before the vocals kick in.

Lyrically, the song addresses the current societal decline that the Western world is experiencing, with references to the Doomsday Clock amongst other pointed commentary the band makes.

This unfolds over an ever-steady blend of riffs that complement the track’s thematic focus.

The overall effect is reminiscent of rock titans like Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters, with a nod to heavier groups such as Bring Me the Horizon.

The expertly executed breakdown towards the end of the track particularly brought to mind some of those heavier groups, sounding primed for a live setting.

Overall, this is a great rock track that skilfully combines a variety of influences. If you like your riffs hard, then you’ll love this single.

Social Youth Cult Reach New Heights with Gothic Double A-Side “Black Lipstick/ Different Language” – SINGLE REVIEW

11th Jul 2024 — Leave a comment

Social Youth Cult deliver their most confident and assured set of singles with their new double A-side offering.

The EP begins with Black Lipstick, which introduces the running voicemail intro that connects both tracks together nicely on the double single.

Care has been taken to give the track a unique production. I particularly enjoyed the drum track, which sounded distant in the mix, giving the song a distinct feel.

Gothic guitars surround this in the mix, drenched in heavy reverb that echoes the early work of The Cure. Decorating all of this are the gorgeous vocals, which bring gravitas to the track and a haunting energy.

Overall, the track emphasises the gothic edge of the group’s music, with dark lyrics and a stark vibe reminiscent of groups like Siouxsie and the Banshees.

The second track, Different Language, buzzes with energy and an almost live style of production, bringing immediacy to the track.

It’s clear that across the two tracks, effort has been made to make the production stand out among their contemporaries. With its sparse yet raw feel, the group succeeds in crafting an intriguing sonic palette to complement their songwriting.

The strong vocal delivery continues in this track, with a touch of Nick Cave in the delivery, especially in the first verse. Lyrically, the track alludes to love turning sour, twisting this theme into a dark and moody vibe.

The guitar work on the track is incredible with a more aggressive approach which complements the overall feel well.

Overall, these latest two tracks from Social Youth Cult find the band continuing to mature and grow to excellent effect.

Inject Pop Punk Energy into Your Life with Last Case Scenario’s ‘Some Nights’ – SINGLE REVIEW

27th Jun 2024 — Leave a comment

Last Case Scenario’s latest single is an energetic ode to youth, combining pop punk riffs with singalong choruses to great effect.

The Newcastle group combines a number of different influences on the track, from the riotous energy of bands like Green Day to the pop punk delivery of groups like Sum 41.

Altogether, this leads to a song that yearns for the good times and spontaneity, something reflected in the energetic nature of the track.

Opening with a distorted guitar riff, the track immediately hits you with a party vibe, something reflected in the lyrics celebrating having a good time with friends.

This is all powered by in your face drums and a punchy bassline that propels the track forward. The singalong nature of the chorus reminded me of Green Day and very much puts the “pop” in their pop punk sound.

The give and take between those two influences is further emphasised by the gorgeous guitar solo, which is played with precision and energy, adding a touch of rock energy to the already raucous track.

New elements are regularly added to the mix to draw the audience in, with the use of repetitive guitar lines adding a different flavour.

Overall, the track is a great pop punk track, which will delight fans of bands such as Blink 182 and Paramore.

Single Review – Different Kind of Heartbreak – Matt Dunbar & The Autonomous Collective

18th Jun 2020 — Leave a comment

A ‘Different Kind of Heartbreak’ is the debut single by local Americana band Matt Dunbar & The Autonomous Collective.

Matt Dunbar & the Autonomous Collective

The single shows the band reacting to the allegations surrounding Ryan Adams and the loss of trust in idols.

That is immediately clear in the vocals which are delivered in a passion filled strain which goes a long way to selling the song.

Lyrically, the song is punchy whilst perhaps not the most unique, the simplistic tone works with the subject matter demanding a raw response.

The narrative of the song is one which many people can relate to, the idea of someone you respect and idolize disappointing you and this is conveyed well within the track.

However, the lyrics do become weaker as the track progresses as the song title is repeated and repeated.

Whilst this plays into the catchyness of the single, it does get repetitive after hearing the same phrase repeated 15 times in a three minute track.

Despite this, the track delivers well on it’s message and keeps focus throughout.

From a musical standpoint the track is extremely well produced, the rich lead guitar line underneath the verse deliver dreamy distorted riffs which really add to ambiance of the track.

The punch of the band exploding to life at the start of the chorus also works well delivering big country vibes of which the lyrics also appear to have taken influence from.

The track as a whole is well put together and sounds easy on the ear and is definitely worth checking out especially if you’re into country and folk.

Different Kind of Heartbreak is out on Friday 19th June 2020 on Spotify, Amazon and Bandcamp.

If you would like your music reviewed drop me an email at humbugnortheast@gmail.com.