X-Factor finalists Loveable Rogues are back after last year’s great ‘What A Night’. Now dropped from Syco, they’ve gone independent and released this slower number, which is probably not the direction I would have suggested for them as their crazy uptempo debut was one of my favourite numbers of last year, and though a slower […]
Author: Philip Lickley
Single review: Luke Haines – ‘Lou Reed Lou Reed’
This short and simple song has the whiff of an internet record in the spirit of the Badger song coming across as little more than a repetition of the name of the now sadly deceased singer. But there’s something enjoyable about the retro rock sound that Luke Haines employs with hints of Goldfrapp and T-Rex […]
Single review: Courtney Love – ‘You Know My Name’
Well, yes, Love, we do know your name. Here she sounds like Deborah Harry singing over a relentless metal guitar riff that a teenage band would thrust out in the hope of breaking onto the scene. ‘You Know My Name’ certainly ticks all the expected boxes – screaming vocals, heavy guitar – and the chorus […]
Single review: Paloma Faith – ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’
With a nod towards the sound of Duffy, especially ‘Warwick Avenue’, Paloma Faith’s new record is a step-up from ‘Can’t Rely On You’ and sounds more like we’d expect from her. With a simple, but memorable chorus, it doesn’t though employ the highs and lows you’d hope from a record to give it a bit […]
Single review: Panic At The Disco – ‘Nicotine ‘
The fourth single from PATD’s fourth album is not quite as addictive as an addiction to cigarettes but it’s well worth a few drags. Comparing a relationship to cigarettes, the metaphors are present and correct on this poppier than expected number from the boys. With nods to dance music, this is different from what you […]
Single review: The LaFontaines – ‘Under The Storm ‘
‘Under The Storm’ is a song with multiple identities and it struggles at times to keep them all in check but in throwing such variety at your eardrums it at least manages to hold your interest. Mixing in some beat-heavy rap sections, more traditional choruses, a layered break-down nearer the end and the clap-based opening, […]
Single review: Judas Priest – ‘Redeemer Of Souls’
Yes, that’s right, there’s a new Judas Priest track. For those of you familiar even with a smattering of their songs will recognise the sound. Not much has really changed over time and all the usual tropes of a Priest track are present, but in sticking firmly to what they know they have at least […]
Single review: Galantis – ‘Smile’
I think the video will attract more people to YouTube than the song, but as a piece of audio ‘Smile’ shifts from the toe-tapping a cappella start to something more clubby, but still maintains that lyrical appeal like Calvin Harris back when he was still doing good music. Don’t expect too many layers from Galantis’ […]
Single review: Caro Emerald – ‘Coming Back As A Man’
You can always rely on Caro Emerald to nail the retro sound in her records and her latest, ‘Coming Back As A Man’, is no exception with enough brush-drum and whirring sounds to take you back many eras. The magic is wearing off a little bit by this point as it’s pretty similar to what […]
Single review: Cara Dillon – ‘Shotgun Down The Avalanche’
With the voice of a young Dolly Parton and a song that sounds a little too close to ‘Stairway to Heaven’ for comfort, ‘Shotgun Down The Avalanche’ is, though, a touching, stripped back country hit which certainly tries to pull at the heartstrings thanks to the beautiful delivery of Dillon whose voice, combined with the […]