This week’s Singles Bar features a wealth of different musical styles. A dip into the world of melodic punk brings a fresh take on a well known tune, a melodic rock band bring a massive 90s vibe on a very strong track, and a singer songwriter blends soul, pop and world music on a brilliantly understated performance. Elsewhere, you’ll find a fun country tune, a huge sounding throwback to the grunge glory days, and more besides. It’s a selection that, hopefully, will share something of interest for most listeners… As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!

*

First up, here’s a great number from Chicago’s Push Puppets. ‘Together On Three’ is a track with several layers: a string-led intro suggests Beatle-esque pop, before a melodic indie rock groove throws the listener head first into something that sounds like a 90s flashback with a hint of the more melodic aspects of Collective Soul. Then, once everything seems settled, a slightly rockier hook pushes the guitar to the fore. The chorus is a little underwhelming, since it does nothing more than repeat the title, but the band makes up for this by filling the middle of the song with a huge swooning alt-pop melody that brings back the orchestrated elements, and those sound superb when presented under a flowing vocal. Repeated listens will certainly uncover a performance that sounds better over time.

His name isn’t necessarily one that immediately comes to mind, but drummer Dave Hingerty has played with a ton of musicians, including the legendary Eddie Vedder, Josh Ritter and Irish band The Frames. He’s also jammed with Black Francis and Rosanne Cash. ‘Me & Vincent’, the current single from his Side 4 Collective, has all of the rhythmic chops you’d expect from such a seasoned player. Immediately breaking into a busy groove, the drums take on an almost Latin rhythm, but their speed oriented approach lends itself well to the complex pop-rock sound that’s been layered up. Chopping guitar lines lend an almost funky flair, helping to create something that sounds like Paul Simon jamming with Rusted Root on overdrive, whilst a quirky vocal shifts the mood with a performance that harks back to the 90s alternative sounds of Blind Melon. There’s a great tune here; so much so, that immediate hooks aren’t necessary. It’s the kind of number that’ll sound superb on any pop-rock playlist, and definitely worth checking out.

Released in tandem with Black Opal’s ‘Divine Accusations’ album, ‘History’ is a brilliant single that values pure melody over any rock bombast. From the outset, a clean guitar with dream pop overtones weaves a waltzing riff, and a soft rhythm underscores the gentle tune. The featured lead vocal – courtesy of David McCann – taps into an equally mellow vibe throughout the first half of the track, allowing the lyric to soar effortlessly. There are moments where the melody occasionally sounds as if it wants to break into Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’, but this really helps to reinforce a classic feel. Even when everyone stops holding back and a rockier riff creeps in, everything still has a more sedate feel than the band’s previous single ‘Feel.’. This is a track that very much finds the Belfast based band reaching for more sophisticated fare, and the kind of recording that deserves to put them on the radar of a much wider audience.

Daylin Jørgensen’s ‘Ripped Jeans’ is a song that comes with its tongue firmly in its cheek. The country workout questions why a potentially destroyed item of clothing should retail for a three figure sum, when something similar could be created “for free”. It’s a number that’s so well put together, however, that any vague notion that this might be a novelty track can be easily overlooked. Musically, this is top tier stuff, with a strong combination of stomping rhythms and tough electric guitar lines. It presents a slightly harder edge than a couple of Daylin’s previous singles, but comes underscored by a world of banjo to bring an extra edge of Americana flair. All of that would be for nought if Daylin’s own contribution wasn’t as strong, and thankfully, her curling country vocal calls out with a genuine confidence which really adds to the massive feel-good vibe.

With its infectious hooks driven by solid guitar work and a sound that didn’t feel a million miles away from a 90s indie band, the self-titled debut single from Lùlù was a power pop fan’s dream. The music and energised melodies were so strong, that a French lyric didn’t even challenge the non-French speaker, and by the time the number hit the audience with an unexpected twin lead guitar solo, it became very clear that these guys were a band to watch out for in future. Their second offering, ‘Sur La Corde’ is a little more aggressive, leaning on a melodic punk sound in the vein of an amped up Real Kids, but when it comes to all round appeal, these guys still very much hit the spot. The chiming guitars have a genuine energy; the tight rhythms adopt a crashy approach that really compliments a slightly shouty vocal. When the chorus hits, though, there’s just enough of a soaring melody and power pop influence to link back to the previous single, ensuring everything remains catchy. For lovers of high octane sounds, this is a must hear.

Canadian grungers SigSour are still partying like it’s 1993, and their current single ‘And It Goes’ makes no secret of that fact. The number opens with a riff that’s a deliberate nod to Kurt Cobain; the noisier chorus draws heavily from a couple of ‘Nevermind’ tracks, as well as giving an important nod to the Pixies, and the whole thing serves up one of the greatest jams, often sounding like the best thing that didn’t appear on Silverchair’s debut LP. Yes, it’s hugely derivative, but it’s also flawlessly played, proving these three lads have a clear love for the retro style. Had this appeared back in the day, it would have been a smash. In 2025, it’s set to give listeners in the 49-55 age bracket an absolutely immense jolt of nostalgia, and younger listeners something that’ll sound great played back at a loud volume.

Here’s something very interesting. The lead vocal on Kairvina’s current single taps into a light pop tone, but veers towards a soulful sound which really suits the performer. Moving into the chorus, the soul and R&B elements push to the fore and share a brilliant melody that sounds like a deep cut from the much-missed Prince circa his ‘Gold Experience’, and everything is underscored with a few traditional Indian melodies. In terms of blending influences, ‘Bait’ is pretty much perfect, and even more adventurous than Kairvina’s previous single ‘Eternal’. A great listen.

Melodic punk band Tess & The Details are back, and what’s more, they come armed with a number that’ll be familiar to almost everyone. Michael Sembello’s classic ‘Maniac’ has been given an overhaul by the band and with a little extra punch, and with a massive melodic guitar riff leading the charge, it sounds great. This welcome throwback to the worlds of 90s pop punk and power pop showcases some superb musicianship throughout, and the riffs are perfectly suited for a vocal that shares classic melodic punk tones with occasionally sultry moments. That would be enough to make this work, but the addition of a shamelessly old school lead guitar break gives everything a huge lift. If you’re at the point where you think you never need to hear ‘Maniac’ ever again, this is set to change your mind.

April 2025