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Blog Showcasing Singer Songwriter Talent

Contemporary Chaos Meets Nostalgic Catharsis in Messy Mike’s Indie Pop Single, ‘Things Are Crazy’

Posted on 4 February 2025

Messy Mike’s seminal release, Things Are Crazy, stands as both a nostalgic ode and a present-day lament, perfectly capturing the surreal chaos of modern existence and juxtaposing it against the perceived simplicity of the past.

Now available on all major streaming platforms, this indie pop gem offers a bittersweet sanctuary, with its shimmering 60s-inspired organ tones and warm timbered production conjuring a world of comforting familiarity amidst the absurdity of today. The single’s retro charm is matched by its lyrical poignancy, as Messy Mike croons his way through an earnest exploration of the collective disarray we’ve all come to recognise. The track anchors itself in the past, not to escape but to reflect, offering a cathartic salve for those struggling to reconcile inner turmoil with the madness of the world outside.

Miguel Nicolau, better known as Messy Mike, channels a raw vulnerability into his work. A drummer for the folk band The Town Bar, Nicolau created his moniker while in Poland, choosing “Messy” to encapsulate his creative aura and ethos. Songwriting, for him, isn’t a casual pastime but an existential necessity—a way to confront his demons and find peace. His honesty permeates every note, ensuring his listeners feel less alone in their chaos.

Despite the messy branding, there’s nothing untidy about Things Are Crazy. It’s a seamless fusion of heartfelt reflection and swooning indie pop that melodiously enmeshes with the authentic panache of a true sonic craftsman. As a criminally underrated sonic architect, Messy Mike’s creative chops invite listeners into his beautifully dishevelled world, where chaos feels just a little less overwhelming. Hit play on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Valley of Salt – ‘What Did You See’: Gospel Born from Strings and Soul

Posted on 3 February 2025

‘What Did You See’, the standout single from Valley of Salt’s LP, Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness: The Story of John the Baptist, is less a song and more a visceral awakening. Conceived by Brian Stemetzki, produced by Marty Willson-Piper, and bolstered by contributions from the Polyphonic Spree, the Fort Smith Arkansas Symphony, and Dallas gospel singers, the single is a testament to what happens when spirituality and artistry collide with unrelenting force.

The folk-leaning singer-songwriter accessibility is undeniable, but it’s in the aching emotion of the composition’s grandiosity that Valley of Salt takes their place as one of the most criminally overlooked acts in the contemporary rock landscape. As the classical strings slice through the earthy timbre of the production, you’d be forgiven for feeling your emotional defences buckle.

Stemetzki’s guitar work—featuring vintage 6- and 12-string Rickenbackers and a 1972 Fender Strat—lays the foundation for the composition’s humanity, while the orchestral flourishes and gospel harmonies elevate it to the celestial. Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness doesn’t just recount a spiritual saga—it wrestles with faith, doubt, and redemption in a way that resonates universally, beyond doctrines and ideology.

‘What Did You See’ embodies the soul of the project, balancing cerebral gospel storytelling with vocal vulnerability. With sense-swooning choruses and a production that leans as much on emotional resonance as on technical skill, Valley of Salt offers an open hand to those who dare to grasp the depth of its art and spirituality.

Valley of Salt’s LP, Voice of One Crying In The Wilderness- The Story Of John the Baptist, will be available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp from February 3^rd. Discover more ways to connect with the band via their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Saint Senara’s ‘Lost Lisa Marie’: Where Sothern Gothic Folk Blues and Ghosts Collide

Posted on 2 February 2025

Saint Senara’s latest single, Lost Lisa Marie, demonstrates the award-winning singer-songwriter duo’s unrelenting commitment to crafting southern gothic folk with depth and distinction. Since their 2020 inception, their evolution has led to a sound that combines blues rock’s raw intensity, folk’s piercingly poetic imagery, and the atmospheric richness of Americana.

The haunting arrangement in Lost Lisa Marie invites listeners into a vivid sonic panorama. Blues rock guitars, distorted crescendos, and angular riffs collide to create an audibly tactile experience. As the powerhouse chanteuse’s vocals re-emerge over the brash blues-rock climax, her delivery cuts through the chaos with grace, grounding the intensity in rich, emotive clarity.

Far removed from the pitfalls of pastiche, Saint Senara imbue their sound with authenticity and power, allowing Lost Lisa Marie to unfold like a narrative in motion, leaving space for reflection as much as visceral connection.

For fans of blues-soaked Americana and raw poetic intensity, this is a track that will leave your pulse racing out of rhythm and your finger hovering over the replay button. Off the back of their successful headline shows in 2024, Lost Lisa Marie is both a standalone triumph and a stepping stone towards what promises to be an uncompromising future.

Lost Lisa Marie will be available to stream on all platforms from January 31^st. Find your preferred way to listen via the band’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

William Hut’s ‘River’s Flood’: A Sonic Embrace in the Wake of Pain

Posted on 2 February 2025

With River’s Flood, singer-songwriter William Hut finds a place in the same pantheon as Fleet Foxes and Paul Simon for his ability to go beyond storytelling. His lyrics don’t just narrate; they carry the power to speak a thousand words through each uniquely presented vocal line. By leaning into the power of metaphor, Hut consoles his listeners, offering affirmation that life exists beyond the pain and that feeling broken isn’t a life sentence.

The instrumental arrangement is just as artful as his lyrics, as William Hut proves himself an artist capable of abstracting his listeners from material reality. Through hypnotic rhythms and melodies, he transports them into an aurally carved nirvana. The tantalising time signatures ripple through neo-classical strings, which embellish the release with ornate grace. Meanwhile, the reverb ebbs and flows over the synapses, creating an otherworldly experience that makes the weight of the everyday feel like less of a battle.

Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Hut’s latest single reflects his introspection and resilience, themes that have been present throughout his career. As a Norwegian Grammy-winning artist with his band, Poor Rich Ones, and a solo discography decorated with gold and platinum success, Hut has consistently redefined indie pop. Tracks such as Take It Easy have placed him firmly on the global map, and River’s Flood continues that legacy, consoling listeners with a vivid reminder that even the deepest scars can transform into strength.

Stream the official music video for River’s Flood on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Molly Jane Transcended the Mould with the Ethereal Experimentation in Her Soul Single, Heavy

Posted on 1 February 2025

With her latest single, Heavy, singer-songwriter Molly Jane proves why she’s a phenomenon redefining what it means to be a soulstress in this generation. The ethereal, loungey textures in the orchestration offer a stark juxtaposition to the track’s title and thematic underpinnings, creating a sonic paradox that only Molly Jane could deliver. As her weightlessly ascending vocal lines float effortlessly atop the organic live instrumentation, which melds into a melting pot of jazz, soul, and RnB, you’ll feel your own soul lift with them.

Raised in working-class suburbia before moving to Naarm/Melbourne, Molly Jane channels her unique perspective into her songwriting. Drawing from feelings of displacement and a deep understanding of the human condition. This is superlatively exhibited in Heavy; the lyrics feel like they are speaking directly to you, breeding a sense of profound closeness as they address the constraints on love and the ways it often diverges from its free and easy ideal.

As the single progresses, it crescendos into dream rock territory, showcasing the experimentalism that Molly Jane pours into her productions. She doesn’t just push boundaries—she exists entirely outside of them, untethered by convention or expectation.

Having steadily cemented her place in Naarm’s music scene, Molly Jane’s unflinching authenticity and sonic innovation mark her as a true diamond in the rough.

Stream Heavy on all major platforms, including Bandcamp, from January 31^st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nick Cody & The Heartache featuring Calverley Community Choir’s ‘This is Love’ is a slice of divine sonic intervention

Posted on 1 February 2025

Nick Cody & The Heartache’s cover of ‘This is Love’—originally by Towse—featuring the Calverley Community Choir is an immersive sermon on the visceral weight of human connection. Recorded by acclaimed Leeds producer Carl Rosamond, this track will feature on the forthcoming album This is Love and Heartache, slated for release on 11th April 2025 via Green Eyed Records.

True to form, the Leeds-based artist, whose previous work has been praised by notable names such as Jon Gomm and Chris Catalyst, continues to define the indefinable. Jim Glennie, founder member of James, aptly summarised Nick’s artistry as “wonderfully innovative and explorative… exciting and unpredictable,” and ‘This is Love’ lives up to that ethos.

Underpinned by the gentle tension of overdriven guitar chords, the track lets emotion guide the orchestration. Cody’s lead vocals entwine with the celestial harmonies of the Calverley Community Choir, creating an ethereal interplay that transcends rhythm and time. The track’s tenderness belies its immense emotional force; while the delicate crescendos may warm the soul, the unflinching gravity of the lyrics bears down on it.

Far from simply replicating Towse’s original, Cody renders the song anew, threading in his signature authenticity. This is a love song that abandons cliché in favour of a raw yet profoundly human exploration of connection. For fans of Low or those who appreciate their music with both abrasion and beauty, ‘This is Love’ is a strikingly unforgettable experience.

This is Love will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Soundcloud, from February 1^st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GODBLESSHAZE pulled renewed perception through a kaleidoscopic lens in his ambient composition, Beauty is Perspective

Posted on 31 January 2025

Some records feel less like sound and more like alchemy—Beauty Is Perspective is one of them. With a feather-light touch and an ear for the divine, GODBLESSHAZE pulls old Hollywood glamour through a hazy vignette of ambient transcendence, where hushed organic hues furl like kaleidoscopic smoke.

The masterfully mused, sonorously seraphic production moves like a dream in slow motion, carrying diaphanous finger-picked guitar notes and harmonies that seem to exist outside of time itself. As the melodies ascend, so does the listener—until the final, ornate crescendo lands like a revelation.

Born in Cape Town, GODBLESSHAZE has never just played music; he’s lived it. From cutting his teeth in the competitive high school circuit to dropping three era-defining EPs, his trajectory has been fuelled by both ambition and introspection. A four-year hiatus only sharpened his craft, shaping his sound into something that defies expectation.

With Beauty Is Perspective, his official debut single, he offers a glimpse into a world where grief, gratitude, and ambition coalesce. Inspired by the loss of his cousin, whose spirit visits him in the form of a butterfly, the track is a meditation on finding light in loss and redefining success on one’s own terms.

Beauty is Perspective will be available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud, from January 31^st.

Follow GODBLESSHAZE on Instagram to stay up-to-date with their latest releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Razing RnB to Its Core: Face It by BroBroCookDatUp ft. Evan L Lee & w a v e s

Posted on 30 January 2025

Face It, the standout single from BroBroCookDatUp Presents Starting 5ive, places BroBroCookDatUp firmly in the vanguard of contemporary RnB. Featuring Evan L Lee and w a v e s, the track pairs rhythmically intense trap beats with lush layers of textural reverb that envelop the listener. While the sonics are undeniably polished, the delivery is raw and unapologetic, holding no punches as it calls out those who treat love like a disposable game.

The production’s intensity is matched by the conviction in the vocal performances. BroBroCookDatUp, Evan L Lee, and w a v e s each bring their distinct energy to the table, creating a collaborative synergy that keeps the track’s momentum sharp and unrelenting. It’s not a track that simply sits in the background; it commands attention with every beat, every word, and every nuance of its honed arrangement.

Rod, the artist behind BroBroCookDatUp, pulls from his family’s musical legacy to shape his innovative sound. From looping melodies his uncle Carlos composed to harmonising with his daughter, Rod’s work is deeply personal while still aiming to push boundaries. His artistry doesn’t stop at music; through his SpaceTrap.shop clothing line and his community-focused initiatives, he continues to create meaningful connections with his audience.

Stream Face It on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Narcissist Cookbook is the ultimate artisan of raw acoustic punk spoken word poetry in ‘The Library at the Very Bottom of This Place’

Posted on 29 January 2025

MYTH: Side Two by The Narcissist Cookbook

On The Library at the Very Bottom of This Place, from MYTH: Side Two, the Stirling-hailing troubadour of raw rancour, The Narcissist Cookbook (Matt Johnston) delivered an acoustic punk sermon that cuts right to the core.

Opening with ragged, chopped guitar chords, the track clears a barren stage for Johnston’s raw spoken-word poetry to take centre stage. Each word furls like smoke above the sparse instrumentation, leaving space for the jagged lyricism to pierce through and embed itself in the listener’s psyche.

Marked with defiance and rage, Johnston’s delivery ensures every ounce of sentiment lands with weight, echoing the poetic intensity of Neutral Milk Hotel, Amigo the Devil, and ROAR. Stripped back to its raw bones, the track’s minimalist instrumentation heightens the visceral connection, proving that less can be infinitely more when the narrative is this evocative.

Johnston may have only developed their histrionic half-spoken vocal style after losing their singing voice, but even away from traditional semblances of harmony, the track leaves nothing to be desired in the way of euphony.

With nearly 100 sold-out headline tour dates across the US and Europe, 30 million+ streams, and acclaim as one of Scotland’s most successful cult artists, Johnston’s ability to create art that defies expectation is unparalleled.

Stream and purchase The Library at the Very Bottom of This Place on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spyndycyt’s ‘The Shadows Come to Steal My Plans’: A Melancholic Waltz with Mortality

Posted on 28 January 2025

In The Shadows Come to Steal My Plans, the music industry’s best-kept secret, Spyndycyt, orchestrated an existential opus that blurs the lines between Avant-Garde orchestration, folk sensibilities, and synth-pop eccentricity. While the track’s artful embellishments and idiosyncratic textures initially catch the ear, it’s the deeply philosophical lyricism that truly holds the weight. With unflinching introspection, Spyndycyt digs deep into the inevitability of mortality, using the ageing skin on the backs of his hands as a metaphor for the relentlessness of time.

The single’s stripped-down composition allows the driving beat—a metronomic representation of life’s ceaseless passage—to anchor the arrangement. Even when the beat is momentarily masked by ornate synth textures or folky flourishes, it always returns, echoing how we distract ourselves from the inevitable but never escape its shadow. As the folky motifs fade, the track crescendos into alternative synth-pop absurdity, conjuring a sense of surrealist vulnerability.

Lyrically, Spyndycyt paints a dimly lit portrait of reflection, where regrets, fleeting victories, and the inconsequential nature of ambition intertwine. Lines like “I don’t want you to hit me on the shoulder and let me know when it’s time to go; I already know” unravel with devastating poignancy, capturing the universal tension between acceptance and resistance.

With The Shadow Comes to Steal My Plans, Spyndycyt doesn’t just invite listeners into his richly ornamented introspection—he forces them to confront the stark reality of their own fleeting existence, all while making the experience sonically spellbinding.

Stream the Shadow Comes to Steal My Plans on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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