Life seems to have got in the way again, its now June and not only have I not got anywhere near publishing a May round up, April’s has been languishing incomplete and unpublished too…
But hey, its Singles Round Up Part 4! One third of the way through the year already and the great songs keep on coming.
I read something recently commenting on how bad the state of music is these days. I think this must have been written by a person who relies on the charts and certain radio stations for their daily dose of music, or should that be daily doze of muzak, as I’m inundated by brilliant music on a daily basis.
The problem isn’t that there is no great new music about, the problem sits with the laziness of the listener who relies on corporates to tell them what they should be listening too. Mediocre shite sells (or streams) in millions because the main labels and streaming sites plug what they think you should be listening to, their version of the next big thing, incessantly.
They throw money at two or three insipid “acts” who they deem worthy. Then the sheep-like general public fall for it in their droves… don’t be that sheep, free yourself from the shackles of mediocrity, take a leap into the unknown and revel in the wonder of all the new music out there. Scratch the dreary surface noise and underneath the bland, thin sheen, there’s a world of variety and excitement. To re-appropriate a phrase from the French student uprising of 1968 “Sous le pavés, la plage!” – under the drab exterior of the bland corporate music scene, there is the freedom of grassroots independent music… search and ye shall find…
I think I may have had a knock to the head… this lot will make me feel better.
Sorry I didn’t write about all the songs, life got in the way…suffice to say, if I didn’t like them, they wouldn’t be here…
Top 15
Single of the Month
Carol Hodge – Manoeuvres
I’m surprised Ms Hodge finds time to do anything, if she’s not touring with Steve Ignorant and providing her own inimitable style to the songs of Crass, she’s touring intimate venues, just her and her keyboard alongside the likes of Julia Othmer, or she’s playing full Carol Hodge band shows. Thankfully she finds the time to record new music and is never happy to stand still or stagnate, constantly looking at elements of re-invention or change, always maintaining her incredible lyric writing and of course her recognisable vocals, but changing things up musically, like this single, and its chilling, shock inducing accompanying video matching the mood of this colossal behemoth of a tune packed with thunderous riffs, piercing howls and powerful self-assured lyrics, how’s this for an opener – “do you want to go 10 rounds with me, remove your gloves and then we’ll see”.
F.O. Machete – Confetti Crown
I was fortunate enough to witness the comeback of F.O. Machete at The Hedrons album release gig in Room 2, now they’re really BACK with this impressive single, which sounds like the bastard child of Throwing Muses, Pixies and Stereolab injected with a dose of steroids to create a gargantuan bass heavy, crunching shoegaze guitar anthem. Epic.
Walt Disco – Jocelyn
With their second album just around the corner (June 14th to be precise – before I’ve got around to publishing this list), this is the most personal song the band, and particularly their lead singer/lyricist, has ever released. This is a beautifully delicate song, lead singer Jocelyn starting out sounding more vulnerable than ever, but rising to an assured confidence, proof that hard-hitting doesn’t have to be in your face.
Brontes – Radios
The lead track from their Element of Revival EP, the intro to Radios echoes shades of The XX, before kick drums literally kick in and chiming guitars fill the air, atop muffled conversation, Eva’s laidback coolly assured vocal joins the frey, replacing the guitars before the rest of the instruments build and create a funktastic layer of mellifluous textured sound. One of their best songs to date.
James King and the Lonewolves – Parting Time
james One of the three singles released ahead of the new album The Mortality Arcade, which the band officially launched with a gig in Stereo on the 7th of June. It’s taken me so long to publish this list, I’ve already reviewed the album here and the gig here.
The Hedrons – Human
One of the catchiest songs from their album Tired of Taking reviewed here, with an atmospheric video shot at the gig to celebrate the albums release in Room 2. I may make a brief appearance in the video!
Jeshua – Innocent
Just in time for summer, well the half dozen sunny days scattered through the next few months, is the return of the wonderfully hazy laidback sound of the brilliant Jeshua. Effortlessly cool with mellow sun drenched guitars and wistfully pensive vocals.
SOAPBOX – Stiff Upper Lip
Nothing short of chaos is to be expected at a Soapbox gig, a fully immersive live experience for sure. Stiff Upper Lip is taken from their Hawd That EP reviewed here.
The Cundeez – Pipes of Trenchtown
Taking it’s blueprint from The Clash classic Guns of Brixton, Dundee’s very own Cundeez pulled it out of the (pipe)bag once again with Pipes of Trenchtown, and also marked April by opening Glasgow’s annual Scotland Calling punk festival in style
Static – Drop Dead Diva
I first heard this song as part of their triumphant set upstairs in Sleazy’s as part of the superb House Guest festival put on by Crowded Flat and Scottish Music Collective, the song was one of the one’s from that day that really stuck in my head for the rest of the day, so its your turn now…
Los Bitchos – La Bomba
One of the best live bands I’ve had the pleasure to witness in recent years, so it was great to hear this new single, to then be followed up with the announcement of some Scottish dates, including Glasgow’s QMU on the 24th of October. Is it wrong that halfway through this song Boney M’s Rasputin popped into my head?
Bob Vylan – Reign
One of the strongest songs from the latest album Humble as the Sun, Reign is a no holds barred attack on Royalty and the state of life in the UK in the 21st Century, as well as a biting commentary of Bob and Bobby’s experiences as part of the UK music scene.
The Revolt – Be Real
The Revolt’s last single Fla Boi was a song that stuck in my head for weeks, nay months, here’s it’s follow up Be Real, with a chorus spat out with a venom that I can’t disagree with “Just be feckin’ real…”
The New Leaves – Donaghaguy Reservoir
Staying across the water, but this time north of the border, and an altogether different sound than The Revolt. Get this on your playlists with Jeshua, as this is another song to soundtrack lazy hazy summer days, glorious harmonies abound, with lyrics that paint vivid pictures in your mind… I don’t even need to go there to clear my mind and get away from everything, I just need to close my eyes… I can see the mountains in the distance.
The Tenementals & Monica Queen – Te recuerdo Amanda
The follow up to their acclaimed Peat Bog Soldiers single comes with a vocal for the only Queen we need in Scotland. Another song championing social justice, this is a beautiful cover of Chilean singer/songwriter Victor Jara’s Te Recuerdo Amanda, a song which both reflects on his personal issues and those of the Chilean people at the time.
The Rest of the Best
I find it hard to rank songs as I love so many different songs for so many different reasons, some for the melody, some for the message within, some for the lyrics, some for the way they make me feel…
Here is a massive selection of songs that I love for those reasons and more. Due to the time it’s taken me to get this published, many of them will be already well known to you, but hopefully there is something in here that piques your interest.
Apologies for the lack of “review” element, time was, is, and ever will be, against me…
St Dukes – Do Your Worst
A welcome return from St Dukes, this euphonious bass led track bodes well for a second album.
Queen Cult – Stop Calling
The perfect urgent anthem for anyone who has a phone phobia and a hatred/fear of cold calls…
Andy Blade & Buddies – Girl from Germany
Not satisfied with “just” being recognisable face of Eater, Mr Blade has joined forces with “friends” for an album, from which this superb Sparks cover comes.
Lou McLean – Killjoy
I’ve been remiss not to include Lou in these pages for a while, so what better opportunity than to include this earworm from her excellent EP of the same name.
Chiara Berardelli – First Time
Another song from its promising to be a wonderful LP in Archaeology from the talented Chiara Berardelli.
Camera Obscura – Liberty Print
Since this single has been released the band have played from what all accounts was a triumphant return to Glasgow Barrowlands which I unfortunately missed. Liberty Print comes from their sublime new album Look to the East, Look to the West.
The Mysterines – Sink Ya Teeth
Looking forward to catching this lot later in the year, this boisterous single is packed with raw energy and passionately ardent vocal and squally riffing.
pedalo – Lighter
Pedalo continue to impress and make waves with their impressive sound. Lighter is their fourth single, each one seemingly adding another intriguing layer to their sound, not your average Glasgow indie band, their bluesy jazzy soulful sound is topped with a silken vocal. Catch the band on their four date tour of Scotland in July.
The Petal Falls – Someone Somewhere
This band are fairly rattling out the singles. Another solid classic 80’s emotional-tinged rock song in the shape of Someone Somewhere.
The Elegant Chasers – The Hungry Ghost
The Elegant Chasers return to GQ singles round-ups with this adrenaline rush of a single.
Wily Bo Walker – Speaking of Happiness
DEADSET – Heavy Eyes
The Baby Seals – Invisible Woman
Girls in Synthesis – Deceit
pMad – Missing
Megan Black – Funk for Introverts
Self Esteem – You Can Get It If You Really Want
Hats Off Gentlemen, It’s Adequate – One Word That Means The World (Arkhipov)
Hats Off Gentlemen, It’s Adequate
Ex- – Influencer
Check out the rest of the album reviewed here
House of All – Gaudy Pop Scramble
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs – Unlucky Love
Garlands – Looking at You
Viv Albertine – If Love
Not a new song but the Record Store Day re-issue was as good a reason as any to include it!
Continental Lovers – Let’s Go Out Tonight
The Cundeez – Steps to Hope
Shannon and the Clams – Big Wheel
Calva Louise – Under the Skin
Bad Nerves – You Should Know By Now
Don’t Thank Me, Spank me – Be My Forever
We Three Kings – Buried Alive
Emma Anderson – Inter Light
Body Horror – GOODBOY
BMX Bandits – Hop Skip Jump (For Your Love)
Sohodolls – Mother Wouldn’t Like It
The Latest – Time
The Latest
Herald – Soul Ronnie
Herald
Hanging Freud – A pact among the living
We Hate You Please Die – Adrenaline
The Charlie Tipper Rebellion – My Head is Aching
Lambrini Girls – Body of Mine
The Lovely Eggs – Nothing/Everything
Novelistme – Open Hearts (for Open Parks)
Frenchy and the Punk – Hypnotized
The Martial Arts – No Victory
The Cutter – Pulling Me In
John Douglas – I Just Want to Go Home
Enjoy the video for this version of the sublime song from the 2023 self titled debut solo album from Trashcan Sinatras guitarist.
Eve Davidson – Monster in Me
JD Allan – The Ballad of Spacey Jane
The Pull of Autumn – I Was Just Dreaming
Bela and the Lugosis – Awakening on Queen Street
Single cut from the excellent Trash in Dayglow EP
TV Smith – Who’s Got the Time
monsterpop – Step Right Up
Step Right Up is the latest single from one of the many guises of Glasgow’s very own Jimmy Dev, who can be seen regularly in one of his other guises in the new Maggie May’s. Cowboy hat and boots optional…
The Metzingers – Just Another Passerby
Not to be confused with The Menzingers…
The Metzingers
Try before you buy….
I’m done with Spotify – here’s a less evil TIDAL playlist with the songs that feature in the list… But go buy stuff from all the bands instead of just streaming their songs…