Welcome back to the Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have been submitted over the previous few weeks. This time out, we’ve got a brilliant bluesy number, a track from a singer songwriter who nails a 90s sound perfectly, a couple of poppy numbers and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.
*
During the first half of 2025, our weekly Singles Bar feature went from strength to strength. The daily submissions piled up, and in keeping with the second half of ’24, no matter how many great tracks we highlighted, there always seemed to be a few that slipped through the cracks. This Summer Special shines a light on some of the greatest tunes and more interesting bands that didn’t make the cut. These shouldn’t be considered leftovers, though – everything here is of a hugely high standard. We’ve got blues, country, metal, a couple of interesting twists on a pop sound, a couple of off kilter indie bands…and far more besides. Grab yourselves a cuppa and turn up the volume: these twenty selections are all worth hearing in their own right, and when experienced together, act as a reminder of why our Singles Bar has become one of Real Gone’s most popular features.
*
This visit to the Singles Bar marks the second anniversary of the popular column. Something that started as an experiment with a plan to share a few tracks every month immediately sprang into life as a weekly fixture, and it pretty quickly became an important part of Real Gone’s coverage. Helping us mark this occasion, we’ve got new tracks from a couple of familiar names; a smart piece of indie rock; a brilliant shoegaze influenced number, something with bluesy leanings, and more besides. This varied selection really captures the spirit of the Singles Bar at its best…and as always, we hope you find something new to enjoy. Thanks for your ongoing support over the past couple of years, everyone. There are many more SB’s to come!
*
Throughout 2024, we’ve featured literally hundreds of new tracks in our weekly Singles Bar column. Never committed to any particular style or genre, the SB has become a haven for any new tracks that have caught our ear, and we’ve introduced people to a whole spectrum of new bands. There wasn’t time to cast a spotlight on everything we loved, however. So, as we get ready to wave goodbye to another great year for music, we’ve brought together a selection of twenty five great tracks that slipped under the radar during the second half of the year. These are more than mere leftovers – every track deserves a loving ear. We’ve got singer songwriters; we’ve got melodic prog; we’ve got a couple of metal-centric workouts, indie bangers, and even a pinch of blues. If you’re a regular visitor to the Singles Bar, we know you’ll find more stuff to love!
*
At the point where the Covid-19 pandemic was about to smother the world, Albert Piccolo – masquerading as blues musician Little Albert – released the genuinely excellent ‘Swamp King’. Since it featured some superb power trio based sounds with influences from Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower, the album genuinely represented the kind of thing that most blues/rock enthusiasts would love, but from a promotional perspective, the timing couldn’t have been worse. With much bigger things at stake, at least socially, it became one of the year’s many “lost” recordings in many ways.