Combining smooth soulful vocals and fragile folk, the latest single from Bianca Rose is something to behold. After many years of writing for others, 2017 sees her once again treading her own path and following her own ambitions. Taken from her upcoming debut album No Fear Here, out 30th January, ‘Because of Love’ features MOBO nominated singer/songwriter and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson. Between them they have elegantly created an understated and heartwarming track. It’s like the musical equivalent of a small random act of kindness when the world seems at its worst; like a helping hand to get you through the day. It’s innocence and sincerity is uniquely beautiful, and a sure sign that her debut will be something equally special.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Ailbhe Reddy – Relent
With over a million streams of her independently released debut EP Hollowed Out Sea already under her belt, this Dublin based singer songwriter has her sights set on bigger and better things. Her latest single ‘Relent’ is a soaring orchestral tale of trying to cope with the end of a loving relationship and endeavoring to learn from your mistakes. This new song is a must for fans of Daughter and Lanterns On The Lake. Along with the stunning new track, Ailbhe has announced her first ever UK gig on 15th February at the Servant Jazz Quarters in London. Having already conquered the Emerald Isle, and featured on the line-up for every major Irish festival, her ambitions are set firmly on the horizon. With her captivating vocals and expansive sound, her fanbase is soon set to grow!
Top Tracks: The Captain’s Son -Walking Around Perfectly
If you were to capture the carefree joy of youth on a warm summer’s day within a single song, this would be a damn close fit. This three-piece have combined the upbeat vibes of 60s California surf rock with the jangly guitar of iconic noughties indie bands such as The Strokes. Like the gorgeous musical lovechild of The Byrds and The Libertines, ‘Walking Around Perfectly’ is the pick-me-up you need on those dreary days. Taken from their upcoming eponymous debut EP, out 10th March, this track is the perfect excuse to kick back and just enjoy life for while. It’s the warm vintage sound of days gone by. Make a note of this one, when summer eventually finds its way here this will be the ideal anthem for every occasion.
Top Tracks: Baum Jr – The Sunset & The Coalpit/Foundations
Baum Jr is back with another double A side, ready to blur the line between retro and futuristic with his own brand of ‘Next-Gen 8-Bit’. Few acts can take a genre known for crystal clear precision and inject such raw emotion like that found in the latter half of ‘The Sunset & The Coalpit’. What starts as a synth laden journey through a cyberpunk world, with some bombastic drums thrown in for good measure, soon can no longer contain the rising tension. The passion in the vocals at the climax of the track manages to outshine the technical wizardry at work. The stripped back re-imagining of ‘Foundations’ by London punk quartet Apologies, I Have None further shows off his vocals and delves deeper into the man behind the machinery. It’s these moments that make Baum Jr stand out; the loving heart beating beneath the electronic exterior.
Top Tracks: Joshua Luke Smith – Heart of Man
This incredibly insightful wordsmith is easily one of the most well spoken and kind-hearted people in music. He has already caught our attention with his spoken word song for World Suicide Prevention Day, as well releasing a collaborative track for World Aids Day. His latest endeavour ‘Heart of Man’ sends a simple message; be the change you want to see in the world. We cannot drive out the hate and misery that plague the world by fighting back with more of the same, we need to all look within our hearts and only in bettering ourselves can we hope to make a better world. All proceeds from downloads and streams will be donated towards the work of the Preemptive Love Coalition. Looking back at the past year I feel we need more people like Joshua Luke Smith in the world, but perhaps all we need to do is to take his message to heart and take inspiration from his love and compassion.
Top Ten Songs of 2016
To coincide with this year’s Belwood Awards we’re introducing a new annual list of the top songs of the year. Apologies for the terrible oversight of not starting one sooner! After re-exploring numerous albums and playlists from January onwards, this list eventually formed after countless shuffle rounds and rethinks. Most of this year’s biggest tunes were from up-and-coming artists which needless to say is a very good sign of a thriving music scene. So without further ado, let’s get down to it: Continue reading
Top Tracks: The Molochs – You And Me
Any self-respecting music fan would kill for the chance to go back to the late sixties and experience the golden age of music firsthand. Rest assured however that you don’t need a time machine, all you need is the latest single from The Molochs. ‘You And Me’, taken from their upcoming album America’s Velvet Glory out 13th January, perfectly captures that sixties spirit. With the Lou Reed-esque vocals and hints of the Byrds and the Grateful Dead, this slice of psychedelic Americana brings the age of Aquarius into the modern day. Few bands can so completely capture retro styles without sounding like a rehash of old ideas, but that problem never comes close to plaguing this song. Sometimes we need to take a step back and appreciate what came before to figure out what the future needs, and somehow this throwback track ends up being the perfect solution.
Top Tracks: Ksenia Valenti – Powerless
First impressions can often be misleading. From the beginning of ‘Powerless’, its gentle echoes fading away into the ether, I envisioned the song to continue as a delicate piano ballad. From the moment the chorus started I realised I was mistaken. Ksenia’s voice suddenly finds new life and confidence, swelling with power and purpose to lift the song to new heights. Her breathtaking vocals perfectly capture the mood of the song and the feeling of falling in love; what starts as something so fragile and uncertain suddenly eclipses all other thoughts, and before you know it everything has changed. As with love I find myself powerless to resist the pull of this track. Anyone wishing to recapture that incredible feeling should delve into the work of this wonderful artist.
Top Tracks: Matt Blais – Set Me Free
This artful Americana artist cherry-picks all the finer points of the genre in this incredible new track. With splashes of slide guitar, bursts of blistering blues harmonica and simply fantastic gritty vocals that tell of a mis-spent youth and a life on the road, Matt Blais has pulled off a faultless song. ‘Set Me Free’ has an inescapable likeability thanks to the rich musical backdrop, the wild and rebellious vibe and Matt’s own apparent down-to-Earth nature. It’s like Neil Young’s greatest hits condensed into just a few short minutes. Looking at the video however you’ll see that Matt has something that Neil doesn’t; an air of effortless cool, wandering the desert in his shades complete with a classic car and some glorious vintage cinematography. This is roots rock at it’s finest, the perfect way to sum up what it’s all about.
Top Tracks: Five Mile Smile – Beg Borrow or Steal
This Belfast based band deal exclusively in heady doses of hard rock heaven. Recently reformed after breaking up back in 2003, their latest comeback single ‘Beg Borrow or Steal’ is a no-nonsense, in-your-face rock anthem. Complete with chunky riffs, splashes of southern rock slide guitar and hints of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ in the backing vocals, Five Mile Smile have all the right classic rock influences pulling their strings. The band stick to their guns on this down-to-Earth and dependable track. It does exactly what it says on the tin and provides a full-blooded foray into an energetic back to basics approach with nods to The Who, The Rolling Stones and Oasis. A simple yet effective formula that seems to be working wonders.
Belwood Music 