Singles Round Up

During lockdown, music is one of the things that is keeping many of us going, the postman has been busy delivering some fantastic new albums on CD and LP, but I’ve also been catching up on several cracking singles and EPs – both physical and online releases.

The following is a select few of the tracks and singles I’ve been enjoying, I’ve added them all to my Ginger Quiff 2020 Spotify playlist (if the’re on Spotify of course…) featuring bands and artists I’ve reviewed or featured on the blog or for Louder Than War this year.

Garlands

First Up and it is the sublime indie guitar heroes, Garlands, who have released two singles during the current lockdown period, The New Weird at the end of March and their new one Where Things Belong displaying their distinctive melodic alternative rock. Honey voiced Gordon Harrow also contributes vocals to a track on the new Savage Cut mini album (review to follow)

Shot Balowski

Purveyors of one of last years best albums, Shot Balowski, have their Lockdown Sessions EP available from their bandcamp page. The songs, written and recorded in Glasgow and Carlisle during lockdown, are Kitchen Sink, with bass player Debbie on lead vocal is Shot Balowski’s own That’s Entertainment. Te Recuerdo Amanda (I Remember You Amanda) is an acoustic ballad, this time with the familiar vocal of Simon.

LoGoz

Staying in the North of England, moving slightly East, Disgraceland is the latest single from pop punk ‘n’ rollers LoGoz providing an opportunity to release some of that pent-up energy that has built up from being cooped up for so long.

Sunstinger

Fife’s Sunstinger add a bit of sublime shoegaze to the mix, with their two recent singles the effervescent sparkle of perfect sunny day song Shimmer and the more intense and compellingly absorbing rhythm of The Void.

Mt Doubt

Caravans on a Hill is the latest beautiful song from Edinburgh’s Mt Doubt, following up previous single, the equally dramatic and charming Headless. A welcome addition to anyone’s lockdown playlist.

Lemon Drink

Lemon Drink add their four track Better Run EP to the collection. Leading off with Pull Your House Down the four tracks of folky indie-pop genius tick all the right boxes. Intelligent, often biting lyrics, jangly guitar flourishes and striking folk tinged melodies add up to something quite special.

Meek & Mowbray

The extremely prolific Ex- frontman, write and publisher Colin Meek joins forces with Ian Mowbray (The Beltanes) for a two-track collaboration, One, consisting of two huge and atmospheric tracks Flying in the Clouds and A Song For Jennifer. Throughout I can hear elements of Scott Walker, Bowie, The Associates and 80s dark pop bands like The Bunnymen with even a hunt of goth. Wonderful.

Contact Meek & Mowbray via Facebook to order a copy

Cundeez

The Cundeez have pulled it out of the bag once again with their tribute to Peat and Diesel. The Dundonian punks ensure we all feel teckle with this stonking party tune.

Katherine Aly

Kathryn Aly continues to delight with the latest of her stirring idiosyncratic dreamy pop tune, Misty Me complete with delicately plucked strings.

Bob Vylan

Finally, there is nothing delicate about Bob Vylan. Heavy rotation in Ginger Quiff towers has been the fantastically energetic and powerful grungy punk rap anti-racism song, We Live Here, pulling no punches with its straight for the jugular message. Intense and righteous.