Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore the more interesting individual tracks that have been sent our way over the past few of weeks. This time out, we have a cult figure from the alt-rock world tapping into some 70s sounds, a couple of very different singer songwriters sharing a couple of very different narratives, a couple of great bits of power pop with a rockier edge, and more besides… As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.
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The intro of Raised On Candy’s ‘Pickle Eyes’ drops the listener straight into something that sounds like a throwback to The Posies’ third album ‘Amazing Disgrace’. In doing so, it advertises a love of 90s alternative sounds, and from then on, really doesn’t disappoint. Whether the band are crashing their way unsubtly through a wall of grunge-fuelled riffs contrasted with some great Posies-esque harmony vocals, or wading through a slow middle eight where the alt-rock gets tinged with a light psychedelic feel as per the softer sounds of Green Apple Quick Step, the music sounds superb. It takes a little longer before a more obvious song battles its way through the selection of cool riffs, but in terms of overall sound, this is a fantastic track.
At the heart of every good singer-songwriter’s work comes a desire to share something honest and personal, and in terms of presenting something on that score, Kyle Lynch’s ‘Fall Pt.2’ doesn’t hold back. Against a set of strident piano chords and sweeping synth sounds, he sings of his desires to carry a loved one “through a thousand yesterdays” and wanting to be theirs “to keep”, and to see “solace…and pain” reflected in another’s eyes. This is so stripped back and emotionally raw, it should feel painful to eavesdrop upon. It’s to Kyle’s credit that it comes with such a strong melody that it remains appeoachable, even with a brief interlude that sounds like something inspired by Pink Floyd’s misery-fest ‘The Wall’.
It’s not often that teeth become the main focus of a song’s narrative, but indie pop artist Nathalie Miller has that more than covered. Her current recording ‘teeth filed down’ offers a world of huge, shimmering vocal melodies set against a solid, chopping indie rhythm. The contrasting styles set something interesting yet accessible in place, until the track branches off to explore a more melodic middle eight where a little more of a pop influence is allowed room to breathe. This is one of those singles that doesn’t seem concerned with making a massive impact; it merely wants the listener to wallow in a dreamy and almost sugar-coated sound. In doing so, it manages to be a massive success, creating a track that’ll be deserving of a cult following over time.
Continuing the long running and slow promotion of his ‘Stray’ LP, Russ Tolman has released ‘My Way Back’ as a single. It’s a smart move since it’s a track veers away from the album’s country core and introduces far more of a retro rock-pop sound in tribute to the singer-songwriter’s Paisley Underground beginnings. The recording works around a solid drum sound, some strong yet natural vocals and a fine early 60s melody that borrows influence from Ph*l Sp*ctor’s signature Wall of Sound. In doing so, it delivers a tune that feels like something you’ve always known; a fine tribute to an oldies radio sound that serves Tolman’s ragged vocal brilliantly. Despite not fitting the bulk of ‘Stray’, it’s easily one of the album’s best recordings and one of Tolman’s most appealing performances, and wholly deserving of individual attention.
Returning after a fourteen year break, Aussie indie band Woollen Kits are in decent shape on ‘Back of A Truck’. Initially, the track’s blend of jangling guitar lines and warm bass notes echoes middle period work from fellow Australians The Church, but the arrival of a vocal sets this on a different path. It’s lax delivery occasionally has echoes of Lou Reed, bringing a retro feel in an unexpected way, while the very natural approach to the chorus – all gang vocals and repetition – taps back into the band’s geographical origins, drawing a little more from an Aussie rock past. At just over five minutes, this feels a little on the long side, suggesting Woollen Kits are clearly making up for lost time, but between an immediate hook and power pop tinged lead guitar break, along with some really fine bass work, there’s enough here to consider this return a worthy one.
On October 16th, veteran alt-rock figure Chris Connelly (RevCo/Fini Tribe) will release a new album ‘Doo Wop In The Dark: A Portrait of Lou Reed’. As more than hinted at by that title, the record will feature several interpretations of Reed songs, alongside some self-penned material. One of the original compositions, ‘Nothin’ But A Rock Song’ is available as a digital single already. In keeping with the Reed material, the track comes with a heavy 70s influence. Driven by chiming guitars, the main riff is also coated with a little reverb, bringing an extra edge, while Connelly’s slightly crooned vocal brings some extra darkness. Although this will be recognisable to fans as the man behind the material from the worlds of Fini Tribe and The Bells, there’s a slightly slack feel to everything that’s occasionally Reed-esque, capturing a retro feel with ease. This might not feel like an immediate hit, but it’s interesting enough to suggest the forthcoming LP will be enjoyable.
On his current single ‘Urge To Learn’, singer songwriter Keegan Powell serves up a great blend of old school college rock and power pop. Throughout the track, a ringing guitar sound leans into a very 90s feel, and that brings a lot of gusto to a mid tempo arrangement. Against the wall of guitars, Powell’s slightly grainy voice feels a little lost, but he makes up for that by springing into life on an alt-pop driven chorus where a slightly shouty delivery brings the best out in a great hook. This requires a little more patience on behalf of the listener than the majority of power pop recordings, but time spent with this single will uncover something decent, and if the poppier elements of the number don’t grab you straight away, a slightly punkier coda certainly will.
Last up, here’s something great you might have missed… A few weeks back, singer songwriter Stephen Day released ‘You Wouldn’t Know’, a brilliant single that taps into a rich vein of adult oriented pop-rock. From the outset, the steady rhythm and crisp production sound recalls the John Waite classic ‘Missing You’, but from there, Day takes the familiar sound in his own direction. As things progress, the singer adds a huge, soaring vocal to the steady arrangement and his confident delivery makes the otherwise MOR music really fly. Hitting the chorus, things sound even greater, allowing a full cry to steer a very radio-friendly sound. Although everything here feels relatively safe, this turns out to be a good thing, since a couple of listens unveils a potential classic in the making.
September 2026