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 past few weeks. Highlights this time around include an absolutely gorgeous, stripped down tune from a rising singer songwriter, some really quirky alt-pop, and country tinged pop workout that feels really positive. For those hoping to find something just a little tougher, there’s a pair of numbers that bring the sounds of 90s and 00s emo screaming into the present. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.
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From the world of un-Google-able names comes Laptop, a US indie pop band who instinctively know their way around a massively catchy melody. ‘Additional Animals’ aims to be a great alternative hit for the summer with its semi-mechanical rhythms and a huge “sing-song” melody driving a brilliant chorus, but despite its flippant air, the track feels anything but throwaway. The stong vocals do as much heavy lifting as the incessant tune, and the brilliant pop-ish heart is offset by some cool new wave inspired keys, hand-claps, a pulsing bass and more hi-hats than even Stewart Copeland would consider necessary. There’s even a touch of Spanish guitar creeping in, where you wouldn’t expect. By the time the mariachi horns arrive, the gloves are well and truly off… For those who love quirky pop rock and perhaps fancy discovering something that sometimes plays like a more commercial Vampire Weekend colliding with Hot Chip, this is a must hear.
A strong blend of jangling guitars and soaring vocals drive ‘Agoraphobe’ by underground band Blue Deputy. The band’s self-proclaimed “bedroom pop” often sounds much bigger than its DIY origins during these three minutes, with the indie-ish feel peppered by occasional dream pop inspired guitars and even a touch of fuzz bringing a dirtier quality. The music is great, but its a clean, confident vocal that steals the show, since it adds a more commercial edge when soaring above some very 90s influenced sounds. This is a tune that’ll definitely be of interest to fans of Lande Hekt, Fightmilk and Drugstore.
There’s a brilliant, almost timeless feel running through the centre of ‘Superman’ by Laura Evans. With a muted guitar at the heart of the number, it has a slight edge, but the rockier elements that lurk throughout never detract from the huge country pop inspired vocal. From the outset, Laura shows off an impressive range, but its when adding a soulful curl during a quieter middle eight that this Welsh performer really shines. Her voice is so strong and the core melody so big, the song even manages to tackle a relationship based narrative with a well worn Superman/Lois Lane simile without sounding trite. No matter how you approach it, this is a superb piece of pop rock.
Presenting an uptempo rhythm and chopping guitar lines which attack with a genuine immediacy, Banquets call back to the more angular elements of 90s emo/melodic punk on their comeback single ‘Episodes’. However, for all of the track’s instant familiarity, it sounds anything but stale. After years away, Banquets show off a natural gift for a huge, pointed riff, and the aching vocals that drive the number bring an alternative melodic flair that’s just as appealing. With a harmony driven chorus adding elements of pop punk, and a lead guitar adding a great melodic counterpoint during the second half of the track, this is a pleasingly full three minute workout. Despite a lack of obvious surprises, this is a brilliant number; pretty much everything fans will be hoping for, and a number which bodes well for the band’s forthcoming album.
With its semi-dark guitar tones and programmed rhythms, the heart of Dave Pen’s ‘Life Life Life Life Life Life Life Life’ calls straight back to early eighties goth fare. However, the poppier end of a Bauhaus-ish sound is counterbalanced by a lighter indie drenched vocal that sounds a lot like Win Butler of Arcade Fire fame. Adding a touch of dream pop toned lead guitar along the way and introducing a treated vocal at the eleventh hour that might remind some listeners of Aussies Flash And The Pan, the track occasionally hints at influences that are a little more unexpected. What’s perhaps most interesting about this tune, though, is that the Birdpen musician has somehow managed to fuse each of the elements in such a way, he’s created something that feels very much his own. Factor in a ridiculously catchy hook (“Life” x8 feels, at first, like its trying a little hard, but wins over the listener the second time around) and this becomes an indie-centric tune that should click with many.
Hitting the listener with an impeccably played acoustic guitar, accompanied by a mournful dobro, ‘Angel’ by Rianne Downey immediately sounds like a throwback to a world of rootsy singer songwriters from the 70s. Even her brighter sounding vocal doesn’t place the track in any more of a contemporary setting. The performer shares a vocal with a pleasing trill that’s offset by a fine country lilt worthy of peak Emmylou Harris and the timeless melody sounds absolutely thrilling. Making a great song even better, those keeping a close ear will pick up on Rianne dropping the melody from The Stills-Young Band’s ‘Long May You Run’ into this already classic arrangement, making this a potential instant hit with lovers of country infused folk sounds. A stunning track.
A mix of busy acoustic guitar lines and flowing piano sets an atmospheric sound in place with immediate effect on ‘Funeral’, the current single from singer songwriter Pip Lewis. The music is superb, but it’s Pip’s vocal that absolutely captivates. Moving between an emotive mumble at the track’s opening, through a soulful cry and eventually soaring into a world of high notes to fill a heart-tugging chorus, she moves through the full range of emotions here, despite the music often suggesting laid back adult pop. Easing back on a few of the filters that coloured her earlier ‘Safe & Sound’, this is a wonderfully natural track that creates a perfect showcase for a rising talent.
On a pair of singles issued in 2024, Peterborough’s Keep This Up shared a strong blend of melodic post-hardcore with more than a hint of emo. On ‘Blossom’, in particular, the way the band fused speed driven angst with vocals that sounded if they were either on the verge of tears or exploding under the weight of pent up fury owed as much to the mid 00’s as the present. Featuring verses that call back to early Paramore coupled with a male vocal, their current single ‘Fever Dream’ is a touch more melodic, but the emotive streak within the performance is more than clear. The contrast between the abrasive post-hardcore guitar sound and the aching melodic punk/emo vocals remains the band’s strongest asset, and the way the voice rises to the fore during a brilliantly angry chorus shows a great power. By the time everyone pulls towards a particularly furious climax where scratchy vocals are joined by some very 80s influenced melodic metal guitar work, Keep This Up’s sound becomes more forceful than ever before, but fans are still likely to find a lot to love here.
August 2025