Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the previous few weeks. This time around, in places, things are slightly rockier than usual, but we feel the selection will still present a pleasing variety of artists and styles. There’s a great new number from a hard working British act, a couple of singer songwriters sharing strong hooks, and you’ll also find the return of some familiar faces… It’s time to open your ears and dive in – as always, if you find something new to enjoy, our work here is done!
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‘What If…?’, the current single from Himalayas is a punchy treat. The track’s rhythm section works up a storm throughout, with the drums and bass creating a hard edged groove that’s a blend of danceable rhythms and driving indie rock. The other elements here are almost as urgent: guitars blend a deep, droning sound with an echoing tone to create a wall of sound effect, while a huge lead vocal mixes pop and emo tones to appeal to an alternative audience. With a chorus hook that hits the listener from first play, this is reminiscent of a crunchy Fall Out Boy jamming their way through a tidier Kasabian track – a rock single that ranks among 2024’s very best.
The work of Strange Majik has never been beholden to one particular style. Their debut album featured funk and rap tracks; its classic follow up presented a journey through a world of 70s influences, and more recent works have blended rock and soul in vibrant ways. The bold ‘Queen of The Night’ takes another musical detour when David Pattillo’s distinctive voice and bluesy guitar is used to overlay a shamelessly disco inspired arrangement. It’s part Stones circa ‘Miss You’ and part Giorgio Moroder, but at the same time, it’s all Majik. It’s a little too busy in places, but at its heart, you’ll find a feel good track that aims to uplift the listener, first and foremost, and by the time an unexpected sax kicks in, it’s likely that Pattillo hopes everyone will be more than on board with his retro sound.
A whole world of chiming guitars power their way through the bulk of Gypsy Pistoleros’ ‘Church of The Pistoleros’, a number that has its head and heart squarely back in the world of late 90s rock sounds. With a pinch of The Cult’s influence joined by a goth-ish mood, this single has a really familiar feel, but the Pistoleros recycle those influences with gusto, and in many ways, their obvious enthusiasm is the main selling point here. This track has a superb energy, and its blend of soaring guitars, anthemic chorus and infectious, wordless hook results in something that’s not necessarily as disposable as first impressions might suggest.
A wordless hook also plays a huge part in adding to the overall appeal of ‘Fortune’ by Dead Chic. Its presence during a rather busy intro is an instant signifier of the catchy qualities shared by the pop-rock tune which emerges, but with the solid sounding melody quickly joined by a distinctive, husky lead vocal, the track grows into something even richer. On this massively radio friendly workout, the main hook really soars, whilst a world of bass and guitar work weaves a complex groove offset an otherwise simple melody. It creates something that, in terms of pop-rock, is incredibly smart. For those unfamiliar with Dead Chic, this track should provide a great first listen, and could be of appeal to those looking for an alternative to the over-exposed Hozier.
In a slight change of mood from his busy ‘Insane’ single, Rob Fillo’s ‘Troubled Times’ clings onto a rocky backdrop, but splices chunky riffs against something a little more retro sounding. The core of the number’s melody leans upon 90s alternative, but the guitar tones capture something even older via their ringing sound. There’s something a little different here, too, courtesy of a few chords that seem as if they’ve been dropped in from a Morricone spaghetti western score. At the point where the song feels complete, it takes a further detour into something with a much faster tempo to accommodate a semi-jazzy solo. Fillo’s voice is in danger of being upstaged by the varied arrangement on occasion, but his slightly Dave Matthews-esque delivery adds a natural flair to a great track.
The current single from Parent Teacher shares some really cool slacker vibes. The dirty guitar sound evokes memories of late 90s post grunge and indie fare, and that will immediately strike a chord for some listeners. What really makes the track work, though, is the loose, almost elastic sounding bassline that runs throughout the downbeat arrangement, and the way the fuzzy lo-fi elements are contrasted with a lighter and more optimistic vocal. Creating something that sounds like a weird mangling of Presidents of The United States of America, ‘Pinkerton’ era Weezer and Portugal. The Man, ‘Murderahh’ is the kind of semi-nostalgic sounding track that shows off this underground band’s talents brilliantly.
With its strong acoustic core and electric lead guitar dropped in to create a great harmonic moment or two, ‘Where Are You Now’ by Canadian singer songwriter Matthew Ryan Jacobs works a great Americana-tinged sound rather effortlessly. Against a solid musical backdrop and mid tempo arrangement, he uses a very natural voice to steer an unassuming verse, before the chorus explodes in a world of harmonies that are pitched squarely at a discerning pop-rock fan. The harmonies really sell the track with a timeless flair, but it’s actually the way Jacobs weaves a soaring lead guitar in and out of the wall of vocals that really catches the ear. With a great melody and a simple hook, this shows how, on a musical level, great songs need not be complicated to be interesting, and is definitely the kind of single that’ll sound better over time.
Finally, here’s a welcome return for singer songwriter Georgie Benz. It’s only been a week since she released the brilliant ‘Curious’, but she’s back again with ‘How Did You Do It So Easily?’, a track that explores the aftermath of a breakup. Fitting with the fragile nature of the subject material, Benz delivers a gentle, finger picked melody that provides the number with a wonderful, circular melody. Everything is recorded so naturally, you can hear her fingers sliding on the frets, and her quiet vocal highlights the intimacy that’s shared throughout the thoughtful lyric. Once the basis for the melody is familiar to the listener, Georgie drops in a couple of bigger vocal cries, leading everything into a harmonious hook that shares a mood with the earlier ‘Curious’. Eventually reaching a huge pop-ish climax, the track draws influence from classic works by Sarah McLachlan and Heather Nova, pulling even further at the heartstrings. This track reinforces any feelings that Georgie is headed for great success.
October 2024