‘Le Dauphin’, the 2026 release from Chicago based songwriter MV Wells, feels like a record out of time. It’s richly layered songs draw from adult pop, 70s AM radio influences, the more accessible end of the Harry Nilsson catalogue, early solo Lennon, and even more contemporary fare in the vein of The Flaming Lips (at least when they’re not trying too hard to be quirky, or pitch the latest idea in their string of novelties). Its nine songs feel familiar, yet repeated listens uncover material that is ultimately far more interesting than mere pop throwbacks, and at it’s best, it’s an album that proves that good pop – despite going through many changes over the decades – will ultimately find its way back to the golden age of the late 60s and early 70s.
REAL GONE GOES OUT: Skunk Anansie – Dreamland, Margate, Kent 19/6/2026
It’s a few days away from the Summer Solstice, and thankfully, after days of torrential rain, the sun appears high in the sky over Dreamland, despite it being rather late in the day. Du Blonde has not long finished a rather sprited but ragged set, and Skunk Anansie have arrived on stage at the huge outdoor venue.
Watch: Kelowna share new video for ‘Insanity’
‘Insanity’, the new single from Scottish rock band Kelowna, opens with an absolutely killer riff. Adopting earthy tones with an almost stoner-like sound, the guitars launch into something very bluesy, but also latching onto a genuine crunch which should appeal to a hard rock loving audience.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #161
This visit to the Singles Bar takes in various moods, highlighting a varied selection of submissions over the past two weeks. We have an absolutely superb track capturing a perfect indie/dream pop sound, some amazing folk rock, a sidestep into soul-pop, a nod to 90s slackerdom, and a great piece of contemporary alternative metal. There are also tracks from the world of power pop and retro shoegaze, so there’s a little of everything that we feel keeps the SB – and Real Gone as a whole – constantly interesting. We hope, as always, you find something new to enjoy.
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EUGENE McGUINNESS – Eugene McGuinness Versus The Universe
Back in 2007, singer songwriter Eugene McGuinness released ‘The Early Learnings of…’, an album that explored moody retro pop with a spooky undertone (‘Vampire Casino’), numbers centred around a hard strummed guitar and slightly distorted vocal (‘A Child Lost In Tesco’, ‘Monsters Under The Bed’), and even lo-fi works that sounded like the ghost of Brian Wilson colouring Tindersticks balladry (‘Madeleine’). His scattershot approach resulted in an album that presented a very interesting voice in the world of adult pop.