Browsing Tag

Retro Pop

Lance Houck swings back to the 60s with their single ‘With All My Heart’

Posted on 1 January 2021
https://lancehouck.bandcamp.com/track/with-all-my-heart

Upbeat, poppy, light and airy, with a distinct sixties/seventies vibe, carried in on a wave of woo-hoo-hoos and jingly clean guitar, comes ‘With All My Heart’, the new single from Californian singer-songwriter Lance Houck. Sunny, uplifting, and full of those happy West Coast vibes, ‘With All My Heart’, from Houck’s seven-track album ‘Unborn’, is a gem of a single, catchy, vibey, with as-you-might-expect elements of the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and The Lovin’ Spoonful.

There’s some nice guitar work too, Houck playing all instruments as well as taking on vocal duties, pushy drums, and a cute little rolling bassline, Houck’s vocal is well-delivered and tuneful, the track overall a proper little summery ear-worm which might be a nice little antidote to current UK Tier 4 Lockdown restrictions.

You can hear ‘With All My Heart’ on Bandcamp, and follow Lance Houck on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Jeffrey Chan proves why he’s a worthy contender for breakthrough artist of the year with his single ‘Try’

Posted on 15 December 2020

‘Try’ is the latest sultrily slick, amorously entrancing Pop single from singer-songwriter Jeffrey Chan which follows on from the release of his instant 2020 hit ‘Glow’ which garnered over 100,000 streams shortly after the release.

Many artists had their worlds turned upside down during the lockdown, but with their soulfully resolving approach to punchy danceable Pop, it’s no surprise that so many people were drawn to the magnetism within Jeffrey Chan’s sound.

Timelines converge in Try as the romanticism of 80’s Synthpop coalesces with the futurism in the Australian artist’s signature sound. It is so much more than a meeting of past and future, it’s a testament of ingenuity and the artist’s ability to get dopamine pumping as hard as the rhythmically ensnaring beats. With their distinguishably seductive vocals and euphorically-crafted sound, Jeffrey Chan definitely has what it takes to be the breakthrough artist of the year.

You can check out Try for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Martin – the haunting acoustic ballad “Depth Over Distance”

Posted on 21 August 2020

Starting off with crystal clear fingerpicked chords, ‘Depth Over Distance’ is the second single from London singer-songwriter Martin, the follow-up to debut ‘Summer Haze’. Where ‘Summer Haze’, though, was synth-driven alt-pop, ‘Depth Over Distance’ pits Martin’s soulful falsetto over nothing more than a haunting solo acoustic guitar.

It’s a tough thing to do, the sparse instrumentation leaving no space for a performer to hide, but here the result is powerful and touching, a very personal break-up ballad filled with the heartbreak of a relationship which has died. Sure, there’s an easy James Blunt comparison, or maybe in this instance the early Ed Sheeran of ‘The A-Team’, but in reality, Martin’s voice is reminiscent of Annie Lennox on ‘Walking On Broken Glass’ or ‘Why’ mixed with, maybe, a touch of Justin Vernon – a plaintive falsetto, questioning and heartfelt without being cloying, and it matches the song perfectly.

Martin’s debut EP ‘Home’ is out later this summer; you can keep up with him, and listen to ‘Depth Over Distance’, here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Jazzy-soul delights with Georgia & The Vintage Youth on fantastic ”Heavy Eyes”

Posted on 31 July 2020

Proudly Essex and packed full of jazzy infused waterfalls of goodness, Georgia & The Vintage Youth dance in with their new punchy track called ”Heavy Eyes”.

Georgia and her retro-pop band “The Vintage Youth” have established quite a reputation in London and are looking for more. When gigs are available again, they will certainly be aiming to tour far and wide. After a 50 date support tour in 2019, this is an artist that is pushing to be at the top.

After being signed to top UK management company, TALENTBANQ and heading into the studio to record her new EP – ”Overthinker”, big things are happening. Her Team now in place, this frees Georgia up to fully focus and making music and making sure the band’s dynamics are on point.

Taken off the brand new EP also called ”Heavy Eyes” with ”Thick As Thieves” and ”You + I”, all three of these songs are filled with so much soul. The style is filled with retro, pop, jazz and soul. The mixture is of vintage and fresh new sounds emerging from the beautiful big blonde hair and big voiced Georgia who holds her tone expertly the whole way though.

”Heavy Eyes” is a sterling effort from Georgia & The Vintage Youth who get the vibe just right and this is music to be listened with friends and family all evening. With a big future ahead, exciting times await this quality UK act. Be sure to catch the music video that is to be release very soon too.

Stream this quality new song on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Teddy Roric reminds pop fans that wealth doesn’t always come from money with “Rich in My Mind”

Posted on 29 July 2020

German Pop artist Teddy Roric has released their most uplifting single yet with “Rich in My Mind” which brings brand-new meaning to the term contemporary Pop.

Since lockdown started, there seems to have been a shift away from the fascination of the rich and famous. Naturally, this means Pop fans wouldn’t be all too impressed by artists lyrically and visually flaunting their financial privilege. Rich in My Mind makes the irony of Pop artists trying to make resonant music while offering nothing relatable even starker.

If you’re looking for an aural pick me up which serves as a poignant reminder to see the value in what matters, look no further than this infectiously radio-ready retro Pop hit.

You can check out Teddy Roric’s single Rich in My Mind for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The China Blue has unleashed their latest Synthpop Earworm Always on My Mind

Posted on 27 July 2020
https://soundcloud.com/thechinablue/always-on-my-mind

US artist and producer The China Blue has recently dropped their most evocatively hypnotic Synthpop single yet with Always on My Mind.

With the euphoric vibe, the hazy yet intricate production and the level of atmosphere weaved into the Pop hit, don’t be surprised if the perennial Pop earworm worms its way onto your contemporary Synthpop playlists after the first hit.

The up and coming artist may have borrowed an element or two from 80s Synthpop with the retro synth lines, but Always on My Mind doesn’t just hit the contemporary mark, it glides right past it thanks to the tangible ingenuity which The China Blue used to orchestrate this sweetly amorous soul-steeped single.

You can check out Always on My Mind for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast