WESSON’s second appearance on Vodka, Second Chances (seen/heard here), has the same feel-good vibe as Made Me Happy reviewed back in March. I’m fast becoming a fan of this band. I love music that makes you feel good, removes some of the angst you might have about the world, and wraps you in a blanket of warmth. WESSON (so far) is a great example of such music. A British alt-rock band, WESSON is led by singer-songwriter Chris Wesson….
Read MoreThe lush pop goodness of Richard Öhrn is about to drop and you should be ready to snatch it up in your preferred format in just two days! Known for his guitar and songwriting in the band In Deed, Öhrn steps out on his own here with a stunning collection of pop, Sounds In English (Out November 11th), which contains Love And Friendship (heard here). The results are a dozen tracks of uncompromisingly good music that make you think that in spite of…
Read MoreCrossword Smiles is an indie-pop band with a jangly retro feel. They make perfect little pop gems that please the ear while giving you plenty to dance to. A case in point is Parallel Lines (seen/heard here) from their new LP, Pressed & Ironed, due September 16, 2022. Parallel Lines shares the musical stage with 9 other varied tracks. There’s something for everyone here, but mostly these are mid-tempo numbers with great melodies and harmonies. There’s enough textural difference…
Read MoreDelightfully retro, Pearl Charles latest collection, Magic Mirror (January 2021), is a nod back to 70′s bubbly pop music. In a time when pop can sound, and be, so manufactured that it ends up soulless, Charles rewinds to simpler, less produced, musical times. Remember what music was like when AM radio wasn’t full of talk idiots, but pop gems? Well, you might not be old enough to remember that, but I certainly do, and Only For Tonight (seen/heard here) samples that ethos perfectly! Magic Mirror’s other tracks available as…
Read MoreYoung Guv has a feel like an updated late 60′s/early 70′s rock band. It’s slightly retro, but still very much accessible to the here and now. Luv Always (seen/heard here) is an example of that formula. Full of playful guitar licks with a catchy melody, Luv Always is the sort of song that will have you singing to yourself in no time. Just as the band was to embark on a tour this year, it was abruptly canceled due to the Covid 19 virus. They had the foresight to…
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