Single Review: DROVES @LAZY BONES

Wollongong new/dark wave five piece DROVES started out a couple of years ago as GIVERNY – a solo project by singer-songwriter & multi instrumentalist Phillip Spiteri. Dark electronic beats and haunting guitar reverb were his stock in trade,  and after a few singles (and many shows later) they morphed into a full live band. At the recent Yours and Owls festival in Wollongong they officially debuted as DROVES and last Friday launched their new single ‘Time‘ at Lazybones in Sydney.
Arriving at Lazybones on a balmy Friday night I navigated the labyrinthian staircases and corridors to find the main band room. The first level opened up onto a smaller stage with alcoves of people huddled around tables awaiting the evening’s entertainment whilst jazz piped softly in the background. After ordering a drink from the bar, I surveyed the room for familiar faces and thought I had the wrong venue. Delving back into another set of corridors (and another staircase) I opened the door to a larger room decked out with red curtains, comfy couches and an impressive looking stage.
Support act TRU’ aka Sara Tamim had just started and her electronic dream pop combined with her mesmerising vocals captivated the audience quickly and had already drawn quite a crowd. With only a laptop in tow she displayed a commanding stage presence that suited the intimate nature of the venue and created a blissful ambient atmosphere that one could easily get lost in.
DROVES took to the stage later that night with a quiet confidence which grew exponentially throughout the set. Spiteri’s original songs were given a heavier edge live with Jonathan McKenzie’s impeccable drumming whilst the additional guitars provided intermittent shades of post punk grunge to the mix.  However it was the vocal harmonies on their new single ‘Time‘ that stood out in the set.  Spiteri’s baritone vocals were a perfect foil for singer/guitarist Taylor McAuliffe’s ethereal voice when he intoned  ‘Another day, another dollar in my head, another six drinks alone’  – which made me reminisce about the vocal melodies of The Go-Betweens.
Although, at times the set was a little loose, it actually added to the atmosphere of the show in an intimate setting like Lazy Bones. Spiteri & his new found band DROVES have managed to meld together new wave electronic music with an Australian twist.

NOURI “Where Do We Go From Here” Single Review

New Zealand’s latest music export Nouri is set to attract a whole lot of attention with her debut release Where Do We Go From Here. And not only is Nouri’s husky vocal tones and Middle Eastern-inspired jams set to be a talking point but Nouri’s story-and quite a story it is—is also going to be of massive interest. Kurdish born and having survived a Syrian refugee camp her transition to pop star can only be described as miraculous. However, her first foray into releasing music reflects not on those big scale social themes but instead focuses on the personal, the communication divide between a struggling couple and their story. No doubt Nouri will have plenty of time and opportunity to delve deeper into her own backstory when the time comes, as Nouri is not only a gifted vocalist but an exceptional songwriter also. For now, this pop gem is the perfect introduction. It’s driven by a clean electric guitar and a subtle house beat, with Nouri’s expressive vocal floating over the top. The song builds from a contemplative verse to a short pre-chorus which is moderately cadenced, until the chorus arrives and Nouri takes the energy level up a notch, but not so much that it distracts from the lullaby-like melody. It’s soothing and calming and works its wonders on you slowly. The production is masterfully spare yet gets layered with other counterpoint rhythms and ambient touches without being too obvious. In particular, the added percussive parts, which gently infuse the track without changing it up completely.
The lyric is direct and highly relatable to anyone, lovers and those searching for love alike. The sound suits the song, it’s that simple, and simplicity, when it comes to intelligent pop is a difficult aspect to pull off. The style contains strains of the current crop of young female artists—Ariana, Dua Lipa, Bea Miller—but there are a few differences, most notably Nouri’s voice, her restrained lilts and yearning tone. It’s no wonder the backing vocals are kept to a minimum; the track doesn’t need it, as Nouri carries the tune through to the end effortlessly and with languid allure. This track is sure to land on radio and streaming playlists quick smart and provide Nouri with the optimal point from which to take a flying leap into mega-pop stardom.

Album Review: Lily Allen – No Shame

Lily Allen dives deep and individual on No Shame
It is around four years prior that Lily Allen made a rebound with the collection Sheezus, something she doesn't appear to be extremely pleased with now (according to this meeting with Junkee). After two widely praised and economically fruitful records (Alright, Still (2006) and It's Not Me, It's You (2009)), Allen encountered a less radiant period in her vocation. She took the four years that took after to return to making the music she really needs to make. The outcome is the spic and span collection No Shame, on which she dives deep and educates us regarding everything that went down in her own life throughout the years.
Lily Allen as of late experienced a separation from Sam Cooper, the dad of her two girls, lived in dread of a stalker for a considerable length of time and is a steady focus of online life despise due to her candor. Allen began the crusade for No Shame toward the finish of a year ago when she dropped 'Trigger Bang', a hiphop mixed pop track that discussed her need to remove individuals of her life who held her back, and additionally glancing back at her wild 'sex, drugs and rock'n'roll' past. She lined it up with the stripped back twofold single 'Three', a moving piano song composed from the point of view of her girl about her mom's bustling visiting life and 'Higher', a light electronic tune with emotive vocals which is coordinated at individuals in the music business who attempted to exploit her.
Normally, the separation Allen experienced definity affected the record. Current single 'Lost My Mind' subtle elements the psychological express the separate left her in, drawing some deplorable scenes, in a solid differentiation to the taking off, electronic creation and elevating song. The same goes for the blustery softly ska enlivened 'What You Waiting For', on which Allen talks about the sentiments of disappointment that took after her activities that prompted the separation, while the madly infectious chorale of 'Your Choice' finishes up: "I've generally said that no man can claim me".
Allen strips it back like never before which brings about No Shame being her most anthem overwhelming collection to date. On 'Family Man' she channels her internal Elton John with a vivacious plan and huge pop tune on which she argues her ex not to go ahead with the separation. The awkwardly hint follow up track 'Apples' sees Allen reach the overwhelming conclusion that she turned out to be much the same as her folks (whom experienced separations as well). On the off chance that you felt that was heartwrenching, at that point 'Everything To Feel Something' comes around to smack you in the face with Lily describing her dull long stretches of substance mishandle and vacancy. It beyond any doubt takes guts to dive this deep and individual!
Obviously a Lily Allen collection would not be finished without some hard hitting messages. Opening track 'Go ahead Then' is a heavenly electro bop that tends to the phony companions Allen went over finished the years: "On the off chance that you go on record saying that you know me, at that point why am I so desolate? 'Cause no one fucking telephones me." The track brings back its statures Not Me, It's You, while the all the more inspiring last piece of the collection sounds like a refresh of her Alright, Still stable. 'My One' depicts her look for affection, while 'Pushing Up The Daisies' discussions about the high expectations toward the beginning of another relationship. She finish things off with 'Cake', a song of praise guided at ladies in plans to motivate them to take after their fantasies and 'get a bit of that male controlled society pie'.
It is sheltered to state that Lily Allen exceeded herself on each and every level with No Shame. Her verses are more individual and graceful than any other time in recent memory, both proud and delicate. One can simply depend on Allen to bring the catchiest pop snares notwithstanding when creation shrewd things are frequently stripped back here, expanding the enthusiastic effect. No Shame is an overcome rebound of a praised pop craftsman; this isn't an arrival to shape, this is basically Lily Allen's best record yet.

Album Review: James Bay – Electric Light

James Bay switches things up on sophomore collection
James Bay ended up one of the greatest leap forward vibes of the music business toward the finish of 2014. Singles 'Keep Down The River' and 'Let It Go' transformed into enormous universal hits and the artist musician dropped his fruitful and widely praised make a big appearance collection Chaos and the Calm mid 2015. In spite of the fact that he had a multi year break from discharging, he doesn't consider his second collection Electric Light a rebound. In a meeting with Metro he clarifies that he visited widely with his last record and when that completed, he began recording new material quickly, together with makers Paul Epworth and Jon Green. We presently get the opportunity to hear the outcomes and it sounds totally not the same as what we are utilized to from him!
Up until this point, Electric Light has gotten blended responses from the two fans and commentators. Give me a chance to begin with some merited acclaim! Inlet could have effectively recorded a collection brimming with delicate blues shake and artist lyricist pop, since he realizes that stuff did ponders for the beginning of his profession. The British star anyway does not have any desire to agree to business as usual, as he has dreams of offering field visits, so he went for a greater, more differing sound on the new record. Gone is the long hair and the cap, supplanted by a more smooth look with cowhide coats and beautiful shirts.
Narrows commenced the crusade with lead single 'Wild Love', a secretive synth pop ditty with evident vocal impacts. He lined it up with the mind boggling single 'Pink Lemonade', that serves a great many hooks in a ground-breaking, pop-shake sound with somewhat of a glitz disposition going on. With the gospel propelled 'Us' he demonstrated that he beyond any doubt did not lose his capacity to compose a contacting song. In any case, what wraps up of the collection bring to the table? A mess in a ton of various kinds, once in a while even inside one melody. 'Squandered On Each Other' moves from a drum and guitar based shake sound to a just about a capella legitimate pop snare in which James utilizes the higher enlist of his vocal range.
As far as arrangement, 'In My Head' presumably is the most poppy snapshot of the record with a to a great degree straightforward, yet viable snare with the verses "I'm going to get you in my mind, in my mind, in my mind, til I can't overlook", lead by hand applauds and a gospel choir like layering in the vocals. 'Stand Up' is a midtempo track that brings all the dramatization towards the end in a peak with piano, strings and again a choir. Would you be able to envision how staggering this would sound, performed with a gospel choir and a symphony? Not everything on Electric Light was made with a 'the greater the better' outlook however. 'Become dull' is a laidback, delicately electronic soul issue with a mesmerizing snare in which his vocals sparkle. The same goes for 'I Found You', a stripped back profound number with a full, layered generation that never detracts from the direct song.
He indicates he can at present shake on 'Only For Tonight', the sort of field song of devotion that appears to be propelled by any semblance of Bruce Springsteen. As far as type the record may appear to be everywhere to a few, yet James Bay merits credit for not taking the simple course. He tested, stirred up classes that his fans won't not have anticipated from him in any case and figured out how to utilize his voice in excess of one way. Only one out of every odd trial may have worked, however James Bay beyond any doubt demonstrated he got in excess of one trap up his sleeve and it will energize to see where he goes from here.

Album Review: Tove Styrke – Sway

Tove Styrke drops short however sweet pop melody masterclass
Tove Styrke has progressed significantly making the music she needs to make. The Swedish pop star initially had her achievement in the Swedish adaptation of pop icon and discharged a self titled electro pop collection with an unmistakable sound before long. In 2015 she lined it up with the extraordinary collection Kiddo, that demonstrated an alternate side to her craft and a major jump as far as aesthetic development. Since the spring of 2017 she has been spoon nourishing us new melodies which are currently packaged on her third collection Sway.
Tove chose to call it a collection, however it could likewise be viewed as an EP as it just has 7 melodies and a Lorde cover. Considering she as of now discharged the singles 'Say My Name', 'Slip-ups', 'Altered My Opinion' and 'On The Low', that abandons us with just three new tracks. The seven tracks together notwithstanding, frame a strong and snare driven minimal pop record.
Both past collections as of now exhibited Tove's capacity to compose an overwhelming pop tune, however this new record is relatively similar to a masterclass in making snares. Take single 'Oversights' for instance. It sparkles in the entirety of its effortlessness. There is some redundancy there without getting excessively dull and the verses are straight to the point: 'you make me, you make, you commit me wanna influence errors, to love the wonderful way mixed it tastes'. It sounds simple, yet you sort of must be a little pop virtuoso to concoct it!
'On The Low' takes after a comparative example with a laidback electronic generation and sharp vocals, that nearly bring back the light as a plume sound of kindred Swede Lykke Li's introduction. Title track 'Influence' challenges the powerful guitar circle of first single 'Say My Name' with smooth drum rhythms. Expressively, the tracks manage the diverse stages in your affection life. 'I Lied' is about the minute you simply needed to calmly date somebody, yet then the emotions begin to get all the more genuine, while the single 'Altered My Opinion' descbribes the minute you needed to end things with somebody, yet then alter your opinion since you are still particularly pulled in to them. Relatable tunes are the best tunes!
Truly each and every track conveys a melody that sticks with you. After you hear each of them seven a fight may occur in your mind between these perfect snares. Fly at its best without a doubt!

Single Review: Mary J. Blige – Only Love

Mary J. Blige brings disco back on new single
It has been a while since we saw R&B legend Mary J. Blige at the highest point of the graphs. She initially guaranteed achievement in the mid nineties in the US, yet had overall beast hits with tracks like 'Family Affair', 'No More Drama' and 'Be Without You' in the early noughties. That anyway does not imply that she doesn't keep herself occupied with recording new music nowadays. Her latest collection, Strength Of A Woman, turned out in April a year ago while she likewise showed up as a performer in a bunch of films and arrangement. Presently she is prepared to carry disco back with her fresh out of the plastic new single 'Just Love'.
Mary J. Blige acquainted her new track with her fans via web-based networking media, composing the accompanying: " I had a time of such huge numbers of good and bad times and have turned out the opposite favor a restored soul and a new point of view. I'm entering my next section with a receptive outlook and heart. 'Just Love' is the place I am at the present time." The verses of the tune portray how Mary was lost until the point when she found another affection in her life, who lifted her up higher than ever. These verses spring up in an elevating, quietly swinging disco generation with unmistakable sponsorship vocals and taking off vocals and strings in the tune. It is out of control and brings back the total primes of disco, without sounding strange these days. The prospect of Mary J. doing disco never extremely entered my thoughts, yet now that I heard it I never need to abandon it again!

Single Review: Iggy Azalea – Kream / Tokyo Snow Trip

Iggy Azalea drops twofold single as first taste of up and coming EP
Australian rapper and pop star Iggy Azalea commenced her profession astonishingly in 2014 with enormous hiphop and pop half and halves 'Extravagant' (accomplishment. Charli XCX) and 'Dark Widow' (accomplishment. Rita Ora), however couldn't keep the energy. She went from Queen of the Billboard Hot 100 to ruler of postponed and dropped discharges similarly as quick as she came up. Albeit gigantic business achievement appears to be far away for Azalea now, she continues taking a shot at fresh out of the box new tunes. In multi month from now (on the third of August) she will drop her new EP Survive The Summer and the initial two tracks, 'Kream' (accomplishment. Tyga) and 'Tokyo Snow Trip', are out at this point!
'Kream' is by all accounts getting the correct single push. The collab with Tyga opens with a reference to the popular 'Cash, Power, Hoes' statement from the motion picture Scarface. The beats are profound, the raps laidback, yet loaded with state of mind, while the melody essentially comprises of the words 'money', 'ass' and 'packs'. Azalea and Tyga pay tribute to the Wu Tang Clan track 'C.R.E.A.M with the line 'money rules everything around me'. 'Tokyo Snow Trip' was propelled by 'Pause (The Whisper Song)' by the Ying Yang Twins, as Iggy advances through the track whisper-rapping with a dynamic conveyance. The verses for the most part appear to be about sex and medication utilize, yet sonically it is a standout amongst the most fascinating things she has done as such far. The beats hit hard and it regards hear that she is equipped for making snares without having another craftsman sing a melody. Iggy appears to be never again intrigued by pursuing hits on 'Kream' and 'Tokyo Snow Trip' which brings about an invigorating sound that fits her rapping style like a glove. It won't not shoot her go down the graphs, but rather Iggy Azalea certainly ventured up her amusement.

Single Review: Justin Timberlake – SoulMate

Justin Timberlake dispatches blustery potential summer hit
Justin Timberlake had a bustling 2018 up until now. The artist discharged his most recent collection Man of the Woods, accepting a blended sack of audits. He performed at the Super Bowl Half Time Show once more, having the entire world discussing him yet again. The collection crusade be that as it may, won't not have been as effective as he and his group sought after, so they appear to be prepared to proceed onward as of now. Out of the blue, he dropped the summery new single 'Perfect partner' prior this week!
Where Man of the Woods was a blend of types with a free spotlight on nation, Timberlake goes into a more contemporary sounding course with 'Perfect partner'. He worked with Drake's hit maker Nineteen85 ('One Dance' and 'Hotline Bling') and the outcome is a deep, blustery pop track with a laidback musicality and smooth creation. The ensemble would work similarly also at a shoreline party as in the room with your late spring sweetheart. It is protected to state this ticks all the containers for a major summer hit, however will 'Perfect partner' be the track that takes Justin back to the highest point of the graphs!?

Single Review: Demi Lovato – Sober

Demi Lovato opens up about fixation on new single
Does Demi Lovato ever rest!? After she dropped Tell Me You Love Me, her latest collection (and her best as indicated by A Bit of Pop Music) in the fall of a year ago, she completed a long series of coordinated efforts from that point forward. She had one of the greatest hits of her vocation with Luis Fonsi, showed up on tracks by Jax Jones and Cheat Codes, and all the more as of late worked with Clean Bandit on the addictive 'Solo' and with Christina Aguilera on the engaging 'Fall In Line'. Presently she is as of now commencing the following time in her vocation with a fresh out of the plastic new track; 'Calm'.
Tuning in to 'Calm' you reach the somewhat agitating conclusion that behind the achievement and outside of the spotlights, Lovato is battling with habit once more. Individuals who have taken after her profession, realize that she ended up well known at a youthful age and has encountered some dim periods growing up. She currently admits to the world that she is encountering dependence backslide in a candidly substantial, stripped back number with mercilessly legitimate verses. She apologizes to her folks, companions and even her fans. "I'm sad for the fans I lost, who watched me fall once more. I wanna be a good example, however I'm just human", she admits. Toward the finish of the track she closes: "I guarantee I'll get help. It wasn't my expectation, I'm sorry to learn." We trust Demi finds the assistance she needs and helps individuals who are managing similar issues by realizing that they are not the only one. Discharging a tune with so much individual importance, beyond any doubt is a powerful overcome activity!