My most favorite past time is hunting down new music. I spend as much time as I can riffling through playlists, blogs, etc. Every Friday, my eight favorite songs of the week appear on the #NewMusicMoves playlist (which is sponsored by the lovely folks at VERO True Social).
Here are my reviews of this week’s picks… hit the link to hear ‘em. If you enjoy the playlist, please give it a “save” or a “follow”… or whatever they call it! Hehehe…
CAT BURNS – Alone
Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Cat Burns follows her sterling recent single, “Know that You’re Not Alone,” with an emotional battle cry against loneliness and isolation. The vulnerability of the lyrics is palpable, and they inspire an exceptional performance that frames a core of despair with impassioned defiance. Factor in famed producer Steve Mac’s ability underline a song with a compelling rhythmic foundation and radio-ready instrumentation, and you have the makings of a global smash.
SONNY TENNET – Panorama
South Shields, UK artist Sonny Tennet bursts with positive energy and ample charisma on this bite-size, ‘90s-centric pop treat. He performs the song’s optimistic, “show-more-love” lyrics with the rousing glee of a modern-day Pied Piper as he darts in and around the track’s insinuating, vintage hip-hop beats. His voice has an underplayed gravelly tone that intrigues and leaves the listener envisioning what he’ll do with more challenging material going forward. For now, though, “Panorama” is a winning effort that adds much needed warmth to late winter musical season.
KAETO – Don’t Ask
Scottish-born, London-based artist Kaeto defies genre classification as she cleverly weaves elements of trip-hop, electro-pop, and retro-jazz into a muscular groove that is warmly reminiscent of ‘70s-era funk. Kaeto’s playfully avant garde vocals are, by turns, seductive and otherworldly, as she shimmies and sprawls against keyboard flourishes that occasionally conjure memories of Massive Attack’s 1991 classic “Unfinished Symphony.” At a time when every artist is falsely claiming to be unique and left-of-center, Kaeto is the real deal. She’s also magnetic enough to attract an enormous audience.
STEPHANIE McCOURT – Woman
Sometimes the smartest thing an artist can do is strip away all trend consciousness and simply sing. Stephanie McCourt has wisely done exactly that. After 15 years of near-misses, she has stepped off the merry-go-round of club track features and pop derivations to record “Woman,” a self-penned, piano-led ballad. The result is an astonishingly beautiful recording that reveals a voice of remarkable power and nuance. McCourt alternates between delivering the song as a gentle lullaby and as an anthem for the masses. It’s a bold statement that demands attention. Be among the first to take “Woman” to heart.
HOCKEY DAD – Base Camp
Hockey Dad is an Australian surf rock band from New South Wales. The duo consists of drummer Billy Fleming and singer/guitarist Zach Stephenson. The anthemic “Base Camp” previews Rebuild Repeat, their first album in four years. The track is etched with jangly guitars, rousing gang-chants at the chorus, and a driving beat that is downright irresistible. With its energizing message of overcoming life’s obstacles and making the most of every day, the wildly infectious “Base Camp” has undeniably universal appeal – and it could be the single that carries them to major success at home, as well as on the other side of the world.
NEVE – Midnight
After a string youth-oriented dance-pop bangers, emerging Irish ingenue Neve shifts gears with a slightly more mature electronic ballad that wisely emphasizes her impressive vocal range, while also bypassing the trendy samples and studio gimmicks. The result is not only a potential hit record, but also a track that potential for timeless appeal. It’s the perfect time for a single like this, given how Neve just bagged a coveted opening slot on pop star James Arthur’s European concert tour.
THE EFFECT – Something Wrong
Much ado will be made over the fact that this rock quartet features the sons of music legends Phil Collins and Steve Lukather (Toto). But the real news is that the Effect are at the forefront of the burgeoning new trend of reviving the classic, riff-driven sound of the ‘70s and ‘80s. “Something Wrong” has the familiarity of an already-favorite recording, but fresh energy of a contemporary arena anthem. Nic Collins (drums) and Trev Lukather (guitars) are prodigious musicians, and they hold fine company with the massively talented Steve Maggiora (keyboards) and swaggering frontman Emmett Stang. After a several seconds, you’re likely to forget the lineage of its members and focus the fact that their music is plain ol’ awesome.
ALEX WANN w/NES MBURU – Peperuke
Many thanks to @veromusic community member Bob Eddings (@bobeddings) for sharing this gorgeous, Afrocentric anthem from Parisian maestro Alex Wann. “Peperuke” shows the producer/musician combining authentic African cultural elements and percussion with European flavored ambient-house music flavor. The track’s crowning achievement is the vocal by Nes Mburu, which darts from hypnotic chants to soulful singing. It makes for an easy bet for peak-hour club consumption, as well as chilled lounge listening.