Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the past few weeks. This time out, the SB takes in a little country, a couple of arty numbers that cross genres, and also welcomes back an up and coming singer-songwriter. With the return of a much loved ska band and a great pop number also present, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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Hot on the heels of his previous single ‘Reason To Run’, Stephen McCafferty’s ‘Rubber Glove’ presents a very different sounding artist. Trading in his busy acoustic sound for something more within an indie rock vein, this song has more of a contemporary edge, but the results are just as impressive. A ringing guitar calls out over a strong bassline, driving the verse brilliantly, whilst Stephen drops a wordy vocal without disrupting the sense of melody. With a variety of lyrical concerns delivered in a scattergun approach that sounds like a distant cousin of Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’, Stephen’s voice maintains a very strong presence, but for those solely interested in the music, this track’s blend of harder edged guitars and strident rhythms will be more than strong enough to command attention.‘Rubber Glove’ may present McCafferty’s rockier side, but brimming with melody and making great use of a busy arrangement, it’s the kind of single that suggests this Scottish singer-songwriter could turn his hand to most things and deliver a winning formula.
‘Wild Again’, the current single from Juliet Lloyd, shares a really bright production sound which occasionally evokes great pop-rock from the late 80s, but the arrangement and positive vibe that cuts through the centre of the track sounds great in the present. The number’s busy feel and strong sense of rhythm could be in danger of dominating, but bylatching onto a soaring pop sound, Lloyd’s vocal catches the ear immediately. She has a genuine presence when filling the verse with pop-drenched melodies, before rising into a big sounding pre-chorus, but it’s when hitting a round of whoahs that she really shines. In terms of hooks, this is a simple one, but it’ll also sell the arrangement to anyone still on the fence before it hits. This is catchy, buoyant, and hugely radio friendly. It’s great from start to finish, but the fact that it comes with a middle eight that sounds like it desperately wants to be Don Henley’s classic ‘Boys of Summer’ gives it an extra kick. An absolutely brilliant slice of pop.
A burst of feedback followed by a wall of distortion isn’t the most commercial way to open a single, but NYC-based artist Charlie Nieland is clearly more concerned with creating an atmosphere on ‘Drown’. Throughout a long, sprawling five minutes, he certainly achieves that goal. The wall of distortion quickly branches out into an even bigger sounding swirl of guitars that borrow from drone and heavy shoegaze in equal measure, and the addition of a slow beat increases the tension and lends the minimalist arrangement more of a structure, over which Nieland delivers a particularly moody vocal. His chosen tone doesn’t seem to have any real commercial interests either, but the way it works in tandem with the huge guitar sound creates something great. Eventually dropping into far more of a psychedelic drenched riff – complete with phased effects and a second guitar adding bright, ringing tones – a definite melody is slowly born, and for those who’ve found a love for the dense sound prior to this point, this will signify a track that moves from arty but interesting into something that’s potentially great. It won’t be for everyone, of course, but in terms of whipping up some excitement via some very retro alternative sounds, Nieland should consider this track a success.
As suggested by its title, ‘Wacko’ by Jesika von Rabbit is quirky in the extreme. However, something that could easily be brushed aside as an easy novelty actually proves to be highly infectious. The track comes with a huge mechanical heart, where early 80s keys on loan from Tubeway Army pump furiously against a live drum, and the relentless pulsing synths create something that feels brilliantly nostalgic. A heavily treated vocal delivering a repetitive chorus line adds a more modern touch, but doesn’t detract too much from the retro vibe. In spite of a world of new wave inspired sounds, it’s actually Jesika’s vocal on the verse that becomes this track’s biggest and best feature, however. Adopting a clean tone, she drops a slightly warbling voice into the mix; one that doesn’t necessarily fit with the music itself, but therein lies most of its charm. The contrast of styles is even more striking than the music’s incessant qualities, and the fact that she sounds a little like Noosha Fox (of art pop band Fox fame, now very familiar to a new generation of people in the UK watching repeats of mid 70s episodes of Top of The Pops) makes this odd track even more appealing.
Armed with bright sounding guitar work and a crying steel that’s present throughout the track, Sean Whalen & The Benson Highway Band make no secret of their Americana roots. However, ‘The Retirement Age’ isn’t just another piece of drippy country; the band’s rocky edge really helps to sell a great melody even when a rather twangy vocal appears intent on leaning on the track’s more traditional aspects. The rockier sound comes through rather pleasingly via some well played lead guitar, but the Americana is never far behind, especially with the steel dropping in between each vocal line. Adding something extra, an unexpected harmonica creeping in during the second half suggests a love of Neil Young circa ‘Comes A Time’, which naturally straddles both musical moods whilst leaning heavily on the Americana sound. This might share a lot of familiar traits, but it’s brilliantly played, and for listeners who still love 90s bands like Cowboy Mouth, it could even become a future favourite.
The jagged opening notes of ‘Octogone 8000’ by Joe La Truite immediately conjure memories of Faith No More’s ‘King For A Day’ album, and more specifically that record’s spikier material like ‘Cuckoo For Caca’. By immediately taking a left turn into a heavy riff coupled with a ringmaster’s announcement, the sharp edged interest is immediately derailed, but by the time everyone settles into a semi-sludgy riff offset by angular rhythms, this single hits an off-kilter groove that’s hard to ignore. Moving through moments where screeched vocals are offset by heavy wah-wah guitar work and a shrill lead guitar break is underscored by a groove that nods towards more of a retro funk metal sound, the FNM influences certainly hold firm. Even when a shouty lead vocal isn’t quite as interesting as it could be, the music here is stellar. In and out in under three minutes, this is a sonic attack that will certainly click with lovers of arty metal.
Opening with a huge, reverbed drum and equally sizeable vocal, ‘Restless’ – the current single from Aussie rock band Sly Withers – certainly doesn’t begin with a predictable sound. Even by the end of the first verse, there’s no real clue as to where things are headed. Hitting the first chorus, however, a wall of guitars explodes into life, and a brilliant post grunge riff proves to be as huge sounding as the vocal itself. Offsetting the massively crunchy elements, there’s a broad melody cutting through everything, not least of all through Jono Mata’s lead vocal which presents itself with a genuine confidence throughout. It mightn’t click on first play, but time spent with this single uncovers a classic sounding and rather sweary treat that fans of an alternative rock sound will love.
Last up, legendary ska band Save Ferris are back, and they’re hoping everyone will ‘Get Dancing’. This catchy track is a little more pop infused than some of the band’s past works, with Mo’s vocal sounding a little shiny and an increased use of huge backing vocals, but fans will still recognise some familiar traits here. There’s a tight, bouncing bassline that’s ideal for skanking, a horn section punching through the rhythm adding an extra depth to the arrangement, and an easy hook which will definitely help this to become a favourite over time. Save Ferris have never been the most prolific band when it comes to recording, but their return is always welcome, and this single confirms the now veteran band have lost none of their melodic chops.
May 2025