Don’t let the daft name fool you, this Norwegian band have released one killer new single. ‘Into The Night’ marries frantic punk energy, classic rock musicianship and pop addictiveness, before topping it all off with the single finest guitar solo of the year. That combination hasn’t been pulled off this well since The Only Ones’ ‘Another Girl Another Planet’, one of the finest songs ever recorded. Much like that track, it feels as though the planets have aligned and made every aspect of this song, from the sublime bass tones to the hyperactive riffs, the best it could possibly be. ‘Into The Night’ is one of the most delightful surprises to ever find its way to my inbox, and undoubtedly one of the strongest singles of the year.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Embers – Until The Dawn
Following on from the success of their comeback double A side ‘Signs/Unbound’, Embers are back with their finest work to date. Recorded live in one of my favourite venues, Manchester’s Albert Hall, ‘Until The Dawn’ is a grand sweeping statement of what this quartet is truly capable of. From its angelic piano driven opening it grows to a magnificent, triumphant climax. With thunderous drum tones and the added majesty of brass and strings to take their sound to new heights, Embers have taken my already high expectations and ground them into dust. With this new track sounding like the astonishing offspring of Muse and Arcade Fire, they are quickly becoming firm Belwood favourites before they’ve even released their first EP. Embers are one of the most exciting new bands out there, no question!
Top Tracks: Matt Cross – You Said You Needed Time
After releasing his debut EP Better Late Than Never earlier in the year, Matt Cross is already back at it with a fresh, hard-hitting single. ‘You Said You Needed Time’ plays around with a number of superb guitar tones, most striking of which being the raw rumble of the opening riff, reminiscent of Wolfmother, and the flashes of bright indie that shine out from behind the fuzzy foreground. With a few hints of bands such as The Black Keys and Spring King, this is a great little slice of garage rock that is hard to fault. It’s a cracking little track and I’m sure Matt has many more such delights tucked up his sleeve ready and waiting.
Top Tracks: KLARA – These Woods (Human Made)
I love a song that can tell a story, but sometimes it’s even more special to find a song that compels you to tell your own story. Such is the power of the new single from London based Swedish singer KLARA. With its sparse intro, consisting of little more than soothing piano and KLARA’s crystal clear vocals, it conjures an image of strolling through the forest on a crisp autumn afternoon. As the song kicks up a notch adding the swell of strings and some ethereal harmonies, it’s as though you’re raising up above the canopy, staring out at the vast golden landscape below, flitting between clouds like a leaf on the wind. As the song draws to a close, settling you back down to earth, it leaves you wanting to take the same journey all over again.
Top Tracks: Michael Oakley – Turn Back Time
I’m a man of simple pleasures; when a song sounds like the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie, and its music video features a DeLorean, then I’m fully on board. After all, if you’re gonna make a music video, why not do it with some style? This new single from Scottish singer/songwriter Michael Oakley, with its layered synths, electronic beats and bittersweet lyrics, is nothing short of pure retro heaven. The delightfully nostalgic ‘Turn Back Time’ recalls all the best qualities of 80s pop music (and pop culture) and offers a suitably cinematic feel. It captures that signature style so perfectly that it makes you wonder whether Michael is cruising around in an actual time machine, bringing with him a prime example of the golden age of pop.
Top Tracks: Klez – Ain’t Nobody’s Fool
John Klezmer simply oozes cool with this latest single. In fact, I challenge anyone to find another modern pop song with this much style and class. ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Fool’ brings together all the best traits of the Motown hit factory, and bright summery indie pop. This new track, from his superbly titled second EP Old Soul New World, is perfect for fans of Belwood Award winner Samm Henshaw, or of classic soul legends like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. There is a world of potential here for Klez to catch the attention of the mainstream. seamlessly blending smooth soul and addictive pop, songs like this once ruled the world, but give this a few spins to work its magic on you and you can imagine that one day soon they will again.
Top Tracks: Cleargreen – Stargazed
From the in-your-face opening bass line, the debut single from Manchester quartet Cleargreen immediately grabs your attention. A band that can appreciate a great bass will always get my seal of approval. After that opening salvo, Cleargreen keep up the kind of high standard that very few bands ever reach in the first place with their first singles. There’s a lot going on in ‘Stargazed’, more so than your standard indie fare, sounding in some ways like the missing link between The Stone Roses and bands such as Blossoms and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Manchester has a rich and bountiful music history, and if Cleargreen continue down the path set by this superb first step then they’ll truly be a worthy addition to the city’s indie scene.
Top Tracks: The Kondoors – Forgiveness
Sometimes the simplest songs can be the most powerful, partly because they rely on an artist’s ability to fill the empty space and in a sense create something from nothing. ‘Forgiveness’ is a perfect throwback to old-school soul in the vein of Otis Redding or Aretha Franklin, a time of larger-than-life voices and people putting every ounce of their being into each song. This sublime soulful duo have produced a track that could have been one of the Motown hit-factory’s biggest sellers in another life. Jess Greenfield & Gavin Conder’s heartwarming harmonies just make your hair stand on end. They simply don’t make them like this anymore, which makes songs like this all the more special. The Kondoors have rekindled the golden age of soul with stunning single, and I think we could all do with a bit of ‘Forgiveness’ to brighten our days.
Top Tracks: Cub Sport – O Lord
Right from the first few seconds wherein singer Tim Nelson’s voice is laid bare, before others join in to create superb soulful harmonies, ‘O Lord’ just stops you right in your tracks. Leaving you holding your breath and giving the song your full attention. The new single from Australian quartet Cub Sport, taken from their upcoming album BATS out 22nd September, was penned regarding the frontman’s coming out, and I’m sure it’s powerful personal message will resonate with listeners from all corners of the world. Speaking on a personal level as a vulnerable confession of love, and on a bigger scale as a call to the world for understanding and acceptance, this soulful track is about as raw, meaningful and passionate as pop music gets.
Top Tracks: VŌS – Tide
Following the success of their first release ‘Patience‘, charming electropop duo VŌS are back again with their latest single. With the gorgeous vocals of Dawn Moss stealing the spotlight, ‘Tide’ introduces some soulful R&B elements into the mix, alongside electronic elements reminiscent of Bon Iver. The chilled out vibes of its stripped back intro set a smooth and soothing atmosphere, with the subtle grooves of the latter half of the track building and enticing you to get your body moving, without you even realising it. Yet again VŌS have provided a perfect example of what electropop is all about, and remain amongst the best examples of the genre I’ve heard all year. Robin Pearkes and Dawn Moss are onto another winner with this one, and are well on their way to becoming Belwood favourites.
Belwood Music 