DEMOS

WORDS: JAMES HATTERSLEY

DEMO OF THE MONTH

Eve Cole – Tesco

There have been many settings romanticised in pop. Clubs, parks and rock shows have all hosted intimate tales of amorous teenagers and their budding love. Somehow, Eve Cole is successful in adding Tesco to this list, and brings an honest sincerity that will leave you feeling joyful long after you’ve left the self-service checkout. Starting with sparse synth chords, a gleeful pop guitar joins to form the backdrop for Cole’s exquisite vocals. The music is sparse but allows her unique style of vocals to stand out; her voice is a highlight and does well to draw you in to her simple yet effective songwriting. Full of hooks and infectious melodies, a meal deal has never sounded so delightful. www.soundcloud.com/wmcyoungmusiciansproject

Goat Majesty – Brown Ale

Imagine stumbling around a foggy and poorly lit graveyard in the dead of night. Cold and alone, you are suddenly confronted by the grim spectre of Death himself. What would that sound like? Well, Brown Ale by Goat Majesty cements that idea and gallops with it for six minutes and 31 seconds. An ambient synthetic terror, the track moves from splendidly bleak to fanatically macabre, always enticing you with a mirage of haunted noises and ever piling textures that will have you anticipating the worst. Nevertheless, this tense affair has a fragile beauty hidden beneath it, which can be found in shimmering melodies and a frank whimsicality that proves if you can see past the horror, you’ll find beauty. www.goatmajesty.bandcamp.com

Back In The Dark – Obsessed

Swelling squeals lure you into Obsessed, gradually increasing in tension before finally exploding in a relentless onslaught of stabbing drums and punctuated, distorted guitars which ultimately settle in a tantalising hard rock groove. After forging some excellent face melting manoeuvers, powerful vocals jam themselves on top of the chaos to push the track through to some impressive rhythmic shifts. A highlight of Obsessed is the instrumental build towards an anguished and relieved scream into some of the finest guitar rock riffs of 2020. Obsessed not only innovates but pays homage to past heavy hitters. The production is lavish and lush, showcasing the best of each component, melding them all into one cohesive rampage. www.facebook.com/backinthedarkofficial

Isabel Hudson – Sometimes

What is remarkable about Sometimes, is as soon as that first chord hits, you know exactly what you’re in for – a chill pop jaunt about not knowing your place in this strange and weird world. The strength of the track lies in Hudson’s vocal delivery, which is extremely accessible as it is magically pleasant. Her vocals melodies are contagious and fanciful, leading to some rather memorable moments that you will catch yourself humming. Backed by a superb and understated arrangement, only elevated by pristine backing vocals, this dazzling piece of contemporary pop meanders along, never deviating dramatically but holding steady to deliver an outstanding and well calculated introduction to Isabel Hudson’s sound. www.soundcloud.com/ wmcyoungmusiciansproject

FAWNS – Bags And Boxes

It has never occurred to me until listening to Bags And Boxes that after I’ve left this world some poor soul is going to have to organise and pack all the useless stuff that I’ve bought off eBay. While that might be a daunting trial, Bags And Boxes is certainly not. The graceful folk ballad depicts this process and ultimately tells a story of dealing with loss and retaining the memories of a deceased loved one. It’s gorgeously composed and features only a soft acoustic guitar (and a welcome harmonica solo) to distract from the frankly stunning harmonies. FAWNS accomplish making the idea of saying goodbye to someone a beautiful thing. Death may have a finality to it, however those bags and boxes are never truly packed. www.facebook.com/fawnsban