Category: 5 songs

Songs I heard And Liked – April 2024

Well hey ho it’s that time again where I round up a few songs I’ve heard recently and rather liked.

So lessgo!

Noting But A Nightmare – She Always Ruins A Good Time

I think what swung this for me was the song title. One particular person single handedly ruined what was meant to be a very special holiday in Ibiza. Verily, sometimes folks mess things up for everyone.

She Aways Ruins A Good TIme’s solid verse builds into a super strong chorus that reminds me ever so slightly of a Blink 182; but there’s also another post-punk band who had a chorus much closer to this but for the life of me the name of which escapes me. Maybe you can help out in the comments?

Edit: maybe this at a pinch.

Waves_On_Waves x Crimewave x Death By Algorithm – Messed up and Fell in Love

A very melancholy and understated track borrowing heavily from the likes of The Sisters Of Mercy and Depeche Mode, Messed Up And Fell In Love builds into a deeply reflective and absorbing song.

I could elaborate but that sums it up very succinctly and you like brevity my dear readers.

Paint and Copter – Another Dimension

The production may be a bit shaky and the verse is perhaps pretty dull but I liked the chorus. But the main reason for including this song is the vocals are AI. As the band explains:

With that AI-powered engine, we can give her words and melody to sing. Even though we are writing the words and music, they are from her perspective.

And it’s interesting. I’m not sure AI will replace songwriting because you still need a good mechanism to filter out bad ideas; nevertheless, the idea of getting an AI to be your band’s vocalist appeals to me especially if you can control what they sing. Thoughts folks?

Benjamin Ingrosso x Olly Alexander – Kite

Charming wee song this. It may be really poppy and happy with shades of happy camper Mica but I can also hear bits and pieces of Tame Impala in here. A very strong song with a damn catchy chorus.

Chérie ifẹ – Good Girl

And last on this list is newcomer Chérie ifẹ who tells me she “started writing late summer of last year” and is already producing some very intriguing material.

Good Girl is one of those unusual songs which leaves you unsure at first but on second and third listens digs it’s claws deeper and deeper until you realise resistance is futile. For sure fans of Ling Tosite Sigure and uber obscure Scottish band Laki Mera take note.

Now, the caveat here is the mixing and production may not be the most professional but she’s trying to do everything herself which is no easy task. But that aside, I really think Chérie is an act to keep an eye on.

5 Songs I Heard This Week and Liked

Seeing as I’m now a curator on Submithub I get sent loads of cool things. This week I’m distilling down five of the best. Enjoy!

NAMESAKE – In Different Cities ft Jewel Owusu

A fairly harmless slice of feel good bubblegum pop to play as you drive down to your local cinema to watch Barbie, which like the film, “explore[s] the delicate balance of seizing opportunities and embracing the transient nature of relationships”. I’ve not seen Barbie yet but I’m 100% sure this is what it’s about.

Sumer Nights – John Fox

When John sent this over I was probably going to pass because of the somewhat abrasive rhythm guitar during the introduction, but the more I listened the more I began to like it. John’s voice seems to have been transported – hot tub style – from 1986. Loads of Journey, Boston, Rainbow in this one folks (yes, I know they’re from the late 70s but I don’t really care).

Autodidactic Studios x pftq x Waterflame x Diana Garnet – Genshindou

Always great to get some Jrock submissions through to the blog and this features some very solid vocals from Diana Garnet. It kinda reminds me of a darker version of Doll$box although Tom over at JPU Records may have better comparisons.

Hoax – Into The Blackhole

Although the verse is slightly prosaic and plodding – a slow dance jam – the chorus soars into space (obvious reference). Lovely use of major and minor 7 chords throughout and some neat falsetto vocals. Not to be confused with the music to the 1978 film The Blackhole, which was by John Barry and erm, I am rambling at this point.

ZUSO – Aurora

I’m not sure what the story behind this is; I did reach out to the singer, but like the Aurora Borealis, they were somewhat elusive. It reminds me of something you may hear on the Sunshine soundtrack by Underworld: transient, ephemeral, atmospheric, yet more uptempo. A nice deep house song for cocktails under the, er, sunshine.

So there we are folks, a diverse selection of songs for you to enjoy. And if you have a song, why not send it over and I’ll have a listen? Pro tip: if you do, include a short bio about the track so I have some background; you wouldn’t believe how many folks just don’t bother.