Matt Cardle single

Single review: Matt Cardle – ‘Hit My Heart’

If there is one artist that proves you can be much more interesting once you’ve escaped the reality show bandwagon it’s Matt Cardle, who has succeeded in releasing a series of singles and albums that are far better than anything we’ve ever had from reality winners. This third cut from his latest ‘Porcelain’ album feels […]

Fancy single

Single review: Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX – ‘Fancy’

‘Fancy’ sees a combination of two of the best female talents around, though this joining-up isn’t quite as great as you’d imagine from them both collaborating. ‘Fancy’ manages to repeat the same electronic loop throughout its entire running time which quickly proves a little too tedious even with the added crowd sounds. Azalea’s raps manage […]

Blizzard single artwork

Single review: Blizzard – ‘Testing The Water’

In 2014 it’s difficult to differentiate yourself in a crowded market of young upstarts spitting a few verses on YouTube and then disappearing into obscurity, struggling as they do to stand out. Though Blizzard’s ‘Testing The Water’ treads familiar lyrical ground about coming up through the industry it’s better than a lot I’ve heard with […]

Asgeir Going Home

Single review: Asgeir – ‘Going Home’

As gloomy and sombre as the Icelandic winters that Asgeir will be familiar with, ‘Going Home’ is a downbeat, slow-moving but atmospheric ballad with the lyrics and vocals weaving their way through a musical landscape. As evocative as it is, ‘Going Home’ struggles to inject some variety into its four minute running time with the […]

Bad Grammar

Single review: Bad Grammar – ‘Temper Temper’

Though I appreciate the musical effect it gives, the sound of what is like someone singing down a tube makes for a distant feeling to proceedings. ‘Temper Temper’ is perhaps not as angry as you might expect from the title, coming across as more of an Oasis-esque number with more modern stylings. Without a noticeable […]

Beckwith Anandia

Single review: Beckwith – ‘Anandia’

‘Anandia’ is a chilled out, electronic number with a strong focus on kicking back and enjoying its ethereal sounds that develop as the piece continues, with a shift to classic Daft Punk half way through. Though it doesn’t ever really develop into something massively hook-filled, it’s a pleasant journey of intriguing licks, hooks and sounds […]

Aloe Blacc The Man

Single review: Aloe Blacc – The Man

Having scored success with his ‘I Need A Dollar’ song and, of course, his appearance on Avicii’s ‘Wake Me Up’, Aloe Black returns with this retro sounding Lighthouse Family-esque number that lifts the lyrics from Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ in its chorus before bouncing along sunnily. It lacks the killer hook of both those aforementioned […]