Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting tracks that have landed in our inbox over the past few weeks. This time out, we welcome back two favourite goth themed bands, throw a spotlight on a classic sounding power ballad, and among other things, celebrate a couple of tunes with a funk core. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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A pulsing synth leads into a guitar riff that borrows from The Sisters of Mercy, and within seconds Frenchy And The Punk deliver the goods via classic post punk sound, signifying that ‘War On War’ has the potential to be a great track even before the vocal arrives. Then, in typical Frenchy style, Samantha Stevenson shares a sizeable performance that blends the darkness of Siouxsie Sioux with the theatrics of Hazel O’Connor, fitting the duo’s retro style perfectly. ‘War On War’ may well sound like the sum of its influences at times, but between Scott Helland’s knack for a musical arrangement and an angry lyric that’s perfectly delivered, this marks the return of Frenchy And The Punk with something rather powerful.
Blending funk and soul with a touch of bluesy guitar work, the current single from Studio 77 shares a great sound. ‘High Into The Night’s retro stance shares a lot of DNA with the wonderful Sugar Bones, but at the same time, the bluesy elements hint at something with the potential to be a touch tougher. The overall sound here may be familiar, but that in itself is a great strength, as the solid groove that’s set in place with immediate effect is a perfect fit with a flowing, clean vocal which suits a soulful verse and simple chorus hook brilliantly. Those who love guitar driven funk and soul with a slightly rocky edge will love this.
Taking a similar approach but sharing a tougher edge due to a fuzz-toned guitar riff, Vibrafonics share a perfect blend of soul, blues and rock on the brilliant ‘14 Days & 14 Nights’. Sounding like an old Jr. Walker number infused with a few Hendrix-isms, the track has a lot in common with previous Vibrafonics wares in the main, but a lengthy interlude where the groove subsides and everyone descends into a world of hazy psychedelics, adorned by wheezing brass, offsets the funk with a weird and trippy edge that helps to make the track more distinctive. Looking very much to the past for inspiration here, the band seems wholly confident that their sound will translate well in the present, at a time when the world is in need of some strong feel-good vibes.
From the moment the electric piano hits alongside a flowing vocal, the contemporary pop feel that drives ‘Good Scar’ by Ava Franks feels pleasingly infectious. As the tune grows to incorporate warm bass sounds and a steady rhythm, everything retains a clean and simple sound, but this is a perfect fit for a huge vocal. With Ava’s deeper tones contrasting the light music, and with hints of the sometimes forgotten Billie Myers colouring a great performance, the familiar collides with the new. This resulting in a pop-rock tune that’s made for radio play, but also has the potential to become a longer term favourite in a world where streaming has made music seem like more of a “disposable” commodity.
Mirrorglass kicked off 2026 with the rousing ‘Better Off Dead’, and they’re back with ‘Wasted Time’, another rock number that takes the guts of a retro sound and kicks everything into shape with a few sharper edges and the kind of vocal that suits a slightly raw sounding recording. As before, a chunky guitar sound takes centre stage, and in this instance, the presence of a siren-like lead dropping between the vocals gives everything a great lift. It’s potentially outshone by a live sounding bass, however, which pulses throughout, giving the Mirrorglass blend of sleazy bar-room sounds and glam aesthetic even more of a punch. A couple of listens in, and the number’s unfussy hook will also stick, and hopefully suggest the work of an act that has genuine potential even if they sometimes feel just a little too restrained by the studio environs.
If you’re already familiar with Octavian Winters, you’ll no doubt be aware that the American band are capable of whipping up some terrific retro goth sounds. Their current single ‘Elements of Air’ is no exception, but if anything, it finds the musicians throwing themselves head first into a harder arrangement. Driven by a great drum line powered by toms and featuring a huge fuzzy guitar riff throughout, the track boasts a wonderful 80s style and the love for Siouxsie cannot be ignored here, but as before, Ria Aursjoen’s shimmering vocals and huge presence offers fans and first time listeners something wonderfully theatrical. Although this is more about setting a mood than sharing a huge sing-along chorus hook, everything works brilliantly, pushing Octavian Winters further towards the premier league of twenty first century goth bands.
Building upon a very 90s sounding bassline, a prominent garage rock guitar and a relentless amount of drive, Girl Trouble sound rough and ready on ‘Make It Mine’. Despite a rawness, there’s also a coolness in the way they’ve coupled Sonics inspired riffing with a deep crooned vocal that might sound more at home on a rockabilly cut, resulting in something that feels very organic. It’ll take a couple of listens to embed itself, but this is a track with an almost timeless quality that proves perfection can be overrated.
Last up, here’s a solid sounding power ballad from Norway’s Glasgow Kiss. Opening with a strident piano, the number wastes no time in advertising its intentions, and moving through a very melodic verse, the band arrive at a punchy chorus where a great vocal collides with a guitar part that, although isn’t as chunky as it could be, really gives everything a boost where and when it counts. Wherever the music goes, though, the recording is ultimately a showcase for vocalist Charlotte Marien Midtun who uses her talent to move between smooth tones on the verse and into a slightly more gravelly tone for the chorus with ease. Throw in a pleasingly old school lead guitar break full of melody and you have an old school rock ballad for the ages.
April 2026