Maintaining an air of anonymity is a challenging and risky move in this image focussed modern lifestyle, but when someone offers up a deliriously addictive hit like ‘Still Life’ it doesn’t matter where it came from, you’re just thankful it’s there. Enigmatic Liverpudlian band Two Islands have delivered a dose of indie pop perfection with their latest single. With its shimmering synths, groovy bass lines and gorgeous retro melodies, ‘Still Life’ injects some pure, undiluted joy into your day. A late addition to my list of top songs of 2017, this irresistible indie anthem brings together the best of modern pop with classic 80s vibes, and is sure to get you up and moving. I defy you not to be drawn in and eager for more from the terrific Two Islands.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Glen Hansard – Time Will Be The Healer
Few people live and breathe music the way that Glen Hansard does. He pours every last ounce of his heart and soul into his music, and the reassuring rise and fall of ‘Time Will Be The Healer’ is no exception. This lead single from his third solo album Between Two Shores, out 19th January, is some of his most arresting and heartwarming work yet, and also marks the first time Glen has produced an album himself. Glen is one of those artists that will always win your heart; it’s inevitable. Whether you’re a fan eagerly awaiting more wondrous music from the man himself, or you’re looking for a starting point to delve into one of the most underrated singer/songwriters going, Between Two Shores looks to be one of the early highlights of next year. Till then, this track will be in heavy rotation!
Top Tracks: Maggie Szabo – Don’t Give Up
Canadian singer/songwriter Maggie Szabo is back with perhaps her most soulful and moving effort yet. ‘Don’t Give Up’, the first single from her upcoming EP Worthy, shares a heartfelt message of understanding and compassion. Penned as an anthem for the LGBT community and those struggling to understand their place in the world, its video shares a poignant story of a transgender student attending prom. It’s the kind of track that offers a voice to those unable to raise their own, acceptance to those feeling lost and alone, and an empowering spark to those battling conformity. Maggie has outdone herself here; finding exactly the right words to say and wrapping them up in such a sweeping soulful package, to provide an uplifting opus for the forgotten and downtrodden who just want to be themselves.
Top Tracks: The Sulks – Days Are Gone
Upcoming and newly formed Swindon based indie band ‘The Sulks’ have released a toe tapping tune of a song ‘Days Are Gone’. The track starts off with the endearing vocals of Rhys Burys and James Cumner before taking it up a notch by releasing a prominently upbeat and exhilarating drum and bass line, that’s sure to entice you and make you want to put on those dancing shoes. The song lets off similar vibes of Catfish whilst still managing to sound different enough to entice a new audience. When trying to think of the perfect words to describe this song, one word in particular comes to mind instantly… it’s exciting! The track feels exciting, different, free. We can only hope the alternative, indie band carry on releasing tunes like this!
Top Tracks: High Waisted – Free Throw/Firebomb
Brooklyn band High Waisted are back with a brand new double A side. ‘Free Throw’ deals with feeling trapped in the confines of routine over the years and longing to break free and “make it” before it’s too late, and in the process dishes out some of the most gorgeous melodies I’ve heard all year. Meanwhile the aptly titled ‘Firebomb’ is a tempestuous garage rock number that makes the world sit up and take notice. Both mark a real evolution from their surf rock origins, and whether exploring introspective dream pop or riled-up feminist rock anthems, High Waisted have taken to these new musical horizons like a duck to water. With a new album on the way next year, this double A side is a promising sign of things to come.
Top Tracks: Death By Unga Bunga – Into The Night
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: 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.
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