Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual mp3s and other bits that have landed in our inbox over the previous few weeks. This time around, among other things, our popular feature casts a spotlight onto a huge piece of funk, a few singer songwriters, a very commercial slice of goth metal and a welcome arrival on the pop scene…
*
A musical project helmed by multi-instrumentalist Ali Jafri, The Shadow Majlis’ debut album ‘The Departure’ defies easy categorisation. The material takes in elements of goth, rock, world music and even dub reggae to create a cornucopia of sound with subtle layers that offer the listener something different on each play.
Fred Abong’s current album ‘Blindness’ is a bleak affair, but it’s the kind of record that fans of semi lo-fi material will eventually love. Despite being full of low key arrangements, the record’s best songs come with a surprising amount of texture, and a few plays uncovers a variety of dark soundscape that show off Abong’s DIY sound with a genuine strength.
As far as the more casual observer is concerned, the prog rock revival of the 80s was kicked off by Marillion and their ‘Market Square Heroes’ EP and subsequent hit album ‘Script for A Jester’s Tear’ in 1983. Marillion certainly flew the flag for prog’s unexpected commercial success during that decade, but the rumblings of a brilliant, but terminally unfashionable musical revival had actually begun much earlier.
Looking Glass War released the enjoyable ‘Where Neon Meets The Rain’ EP in 2023, introducing people to their blend of gothic rock, alternative sounds and dark pop-ish vibes. ‘See You In Hell, Liberty Bell’ marks a welcome return for the Boston band, and on this track, they sound more inspired than ever.