TRACKS

Image: ZELA

WORDS: MARTIN TROLLOPE

Opportunity Went is the new single from Pit Pony, and if you’re missing underground gigs and sweaty house parties you need to take this opportunity to listen. Pounding drums, massive riffs, megaphonic vocals and much needed noise; I just want to put my arms in the air and scream “YES!”.

Staying in the mood for loud music, we have Not Now Norman’s new release, End Of The Day; an EP which is full of confrontational, in-your-face vocals, insistent riffs and wailing solos, but which also has time for a laid-back, slower jam showing the range of the band.

Silver Club’s Ode To Lem harks back to the psych pop of the ‘60s with its descending chords, sinister hook and playful fairground organ, and you won’t forget it in a hurry (you won’t want to!). Once you’ve heard the chorus, you’ll find yourself humming it when you least expect it. For The Love Of The Birds is the first EP from Lyre & The Lamb, and hopefully there’s more to come. Somewhere between folk and jazz, the EP feels like a cinematic soundtrack to that daydream you have when you’re staring out of the car window on a long drive.

There’s more avian antics on the new EP from ROJOR, Melancholy Songs Of The Caged Bird, which showcases a songwriter who knows how to craft a great melody, and how to expertly adorn it with grooving basslines and glimmering arpeggios. There’s a sense of hopefulness for the future here, which feels especially timely at the moment.

Dave Neil Crabtree’s single I Just Want To Tell You is a softly undulating love letter; familiar and unexpected, comfortable but ever changing, the song never imposes itself but offers space to sit and enjoy the sense of warmth that it generates with its swirling electric pianos and mellow strings.

A more abstract look at love sees jazz singer Zoe Gilby and bassist Andy Champion join forces as Living In Shadows. Their single Sending Electricity gently circles around pulsing time shifts, somehow slipping away while drawing us closer into its delicate embrace. This is a graceful and adventurous song, with sublime musicianship throughout.

Scrannabis’ new EP Calm Amongst The Storm could easily be labelled as ‘most understated pop hit of the summer’. Morning Sun sees kitchen sink rapping over delicate piano loops, combining with a minimalist beat and killer chorus. The whole EP maintains the chilled vibes and is well worth a listen.

Fingerpicked guitars, floating strings and beautifully distant vocals interweave to bring us Lava Lamps, the new single and video from The Dawdler. Atmospheric and ambient, the stunning production works together with the brilliantly made cut out animation to give us what feels like a loving insight into an important story.

If you need a perfect pop song in your life then look no further than I’m Healing by ZELA. It has everything you could possibly want; heavy synths, simple drums and backing vocals you’ll join in with on your first listen. It’s a celebratory, confident and truthful song. Just excellent.

Pit Pony