EMILY ZUZIK – Age + Alchemy EP

When thinking of singer songwriters, Emily Zuzik certainly won’t be the first name that comes to most people’s minds. However, the Los Angeles based performer has had an interesting career. In addition to releasing work under her own name dating back to the early 2000’s, she’s collaborated with Moby, Enchanted Kids and several other artists. Dip into her back catalogue and you’ll find material from an artist who doesn’t want to be pigeonholed. Her 2006 release ‘You Had Me At Goodbye’, for example, features guitar driven pop-rock that would be perfect for a ‘Trouble’-era P!nk (‘Potential’), tunes that are Sheryl Crow-esque (pop-rocker ‘Subtraction’ and the country tinged ‘Breaking It Down’), light vocal jazz (‘Fascinating’) and even a number that sounds like something from the Morcheeba back catalogue (‘Stand Up Stand Out’). …And yet, Zuzik’s strong vocal presence is such that the material never feels like a musical grab-bag. The album is the work of a performer who not only appears to have sucked up a world of influences like a sponge, but also clearly believes in their art.

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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #91

Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual tracks that have been sent our way over the previous few weeks. This selection takes in a couple of familiar acts – a massively cult Australian band, and someone making yet another return to the SB. As usual, the selection of tunes also explores a few slightly less familiar avenues. You’ll discover a slice of jazzy, downbeat singer songwriter fare, something with a strong soul bias, and even a new offering from a cult post punk act. As with the best previous Singles Bars, we’ve given no bias towards any particular genre, and feel that this particular selection really highlights how much good music has started to emerge now that 2025 is properly underway. Enjoy!

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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #88

Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the previous few weeks. This time out, we bring a new track from a great pop punk act, a great sounding number written in record time, a perfect blend of metal and industrial on a brilliantly aggressive workout, an equally great number that’ll appeal to lovers of melodic singer songwriter material, and more besides. Obviously, as 2025 begins to take shape, we’ll be bringing you many more treats… In the meantime, we hope there’s something new to enjoy here!

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IAIN MATTHEWS – Thro’ My Eyes: The Vertigo Years 1970-1974

After leaving Fairport Convention rather prematurely in 1969, singer songwriter Iain Matthews embarked on what was to be an epic musical journey. His first solo album ‘Matthews’ Southern Comfort’, released that same year, saw him venturing further away from folk and further into the realms of country rock and Americana, and two further albums released under the Matthews’ Southern Comfort band name cemented a warm, rootsy sound, eventually netting Matthews a UK #1 hit with a cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’, presented in the mould of the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young version. For the more casual observer, that will be the recording for which Iain is best known.

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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #77

Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the previous few weeks. This time around, our chosen eight numbers take in some ska, some chunky country rock with the emphasis on the rock, a couple of brilliant synth oriented tracks, a treat from the shoegaze archives, and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.

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