Lunison’s debut EP ‘See Me As A Friend’ – released in 2024 – presented five tracks where a rock sound was twisted into some very interesting shapes. Its key cuts showed how varied the band could be: ‘Name 3 Songs’ managed to open with a riff that mixed garage rock and an almost post-grunge dirtiness, only to turn that on its head with a huge, melodic chorus full of ringing guitars sounding like a throwback to a great Gin Blossoms tune; ‘Smile, Cruel World’ borrowed from a couple of The Black Keys’ more groove-centric numbers, but added a more melodic vocal, again, calling back to a world of 90s pop-rock sounds, and ‘Velcro’ introduced a reverbed, 50s guitar twang in places, which set against a pumping bass and harmony vocals ended up sounding like a funky take on something from Arctic Monkeys ‘AM’.
Author Archives: Real Gone
Watch: Beauty In Chaos share “almost acoustic” version of ‘Made Of Rain’
Back in 2024, Beauty In Chaos released ‘Made of Rain’, a brilliant single featuring Ashton Nyte that blended the melodic air of 80s goth with a slightly heavier chorus. A year on, the number has been reworked in an “almost acoustic” format, and it is absolutely gorgeous.
Watch: Max Rael shares new video for ‘Almost’
Max Rael’s ‘The Enemy Is Us’ is one of 2025’s most interesting albums. Its blend of often melodic electronica and synth based sounds with spoken word, confessional lyrics is really striking. It has taken Rael’s experimentalism with Decommisioned Forests somewhere more accessible, but without feeling remotely in tune with the mainstream.
As part of the album’s ongoing promotion — this really is the kind of album that’ll only reach it’s audience through committed word of mouth — Max has shared a new video for one of the record’s more accessible tracks.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #121
Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar. This time around we bring you sounds ranging from the ultimate tribute to 90s alternative, to an Americana infused track bristling with harmonies, to a strange synth based workout that blends spiky rhythms with a sly humour. There’s a number with a terrific bassline, and even an underground act outdoing a legendary power pop band. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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SILVER DOLLAR ROOM – It Can’t Rain All The Time
With ‘Gilded Echoes’, Scotland’s Silver Dollar Room released one of the best albums of 2024. The band’s sound wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, but they clearly recognised the value of taking influences and using them very effectively. With strong call backs to Bush, an influence from early Smashing Pumpkins, and nods melodic post-grungers like Moist, the material adopted a solid sound throughout, and with the aid of various thoughtful lyrics – often touching on themes of mental health – a familiar sound still had a great relevance at the time of release.