At the end of a troubled 2020, Bakersfield ska men Mento Buru released an EP full of Christmas cheer. The sunny ska based rhythms were at odds with “chestnuts roasting on an open fire”, but that only added to the fun. Not everything on the ‘East Bakersfield Christmas’ EP was of a gold standard, but its best bits – including a terrific ‘Feliz Navidad’ – certainly made it worth checking out and definitely played to the band’s strengths.
Author Archives: Real Gone
Listen: Disconnected Souls share synth heavy version of ‘Last Christmas’
There are various things synonymous with the festive season, not least of all everyone’s favourite Wham! tune, ‘Last Christmas’. But, this Christmas, Disconnected Souls have chosen to ensure you’ll never hear George and Andrew in the same way ever again.
THE DELINES – Christmas In Atlantis / San Leandro Lament
The Delines’ 2022 album ‘The Sea Drift’ was a little smoother than their previous recordings, but in many ways, the record’s soulful Americana sound created some of the band’s richest sounds to date. Its timeless sound also translated perfectly to the stage – perhaps, in some ways, a little too perfectly – but it definitely showed off a band at the peak of their powers.
INTO THE DEEP – Blackfin
Featuring ex members of Pivot, Into The Deep are a metal band who centre their musical narratives around conservation, the ocean and its wildlife, and other nautical themes. It’s a more than admirable idea, and certainly makes a huge change from thrash and hardcore’s often clichéd anger. It’s a shame, then, that most of their lyrical content on ‘Blackfin’ remains largely inaudible to the untrained ear.
WOLFORNA – Amandolyn / Something Missing
Following a string of digital singles released between December 2021 and June 2023, this double a-side from rock artists Wolforna continues the Bradford band’s musical ascent. They have shown an ability with a riff or three previously, but these tracks take their sound a little further and – in the case of ‘Amandolyn’, couples a great tune with a strong vocal that could well be their best yet.