By using mechanised beats and reverbed sounds to open this EP, KiKi Holli + The Remedy immediately advertise an interest in taking their audience somewhere that feels a little detached. There’s very little that’s organic about the sound, but in this case “detached” doesn’t mean “cold”. As the first couple of verses of ‘Something About You’ play out, it becomes clear that this number’s music draws from different sources, but pretty much exists in its own world. The rhythms of this track call back to the trip hop movement of the 90s; the sparsely applied electric guitar chords – chopping with a sharp edge, but never feeling intrusive – lend more of a film score quality, leaning towards a couple of 90s Bond themes, but in contrast, Holli’s lead vocal takes on a smooth presence, crying each line as if drowning in a soul/R&B arrangement. …And it’s that voice that helps this to really shine, and also to invite the audience deeper into the band’s world, even at times when the music might seem a little more aloof. This takes several plays before it’s true magic shines through, but at the point where things start to click, chances are, the listener will consider Holli’s vocal style incredibly alluring, and want to hear more. Potentially much more.
Tag Archives: pop rock
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #163
This visit to the Singles Bar shares several interesting tracks, showcasing the variety of sounds that, arguably, are really helping the music scene to feel particularly interesting, at the mid point of 2026, amid a UK heatwave. We’ve got LGBTQ+ themed pop-rock, some great synth pop, an inspired metal cover, some absolutely superb country pop/roots rock…and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR SUMMER SPECIAL 2026
We’ve reached the middle of 2026 already, and for the first half of the year, submissions to our Singles Bar have been coming in fast. Naturally, there hasn’t been the time to highlight everything we’ve enjoyed from week to week, and a lot of great tracks have not made the cut. Passing these by would be an absolute tragedy, so, as is traditional at the end of June, we’ve pulled some of the “best of the rest” together for our SB Summer Special! These were picked from a staggering 230 track selection, but we feel they best capture the Singles Bar spirit. We hope you can spare the time to explore this selection of tunes, and as always, hope you find something new to enjoy. Remember: good music does not have a sell-by date!
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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #160
Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the best individual tracks to land in our inbox over the past few weeks. This time around, we’re thrilled to share a long overdue return from a power pop legend, a well crafted number from a new name in retro pop, a perfect slab of soul getting a timely re-promotion, a perfectly formed and very melodic instrumental track, and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.
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Watch: Young Martyrs share new video for ‘Sugar On My Tongue’
Since their formation, Young Martyrs have been a reliable source for great singles. In particular, ‘Everyone Else Disappears’ presented a great radio friendly pop rock sound that provided an easy entry point into the band’s catalogue with its very melodic, chorus driven approach, while the Americana themed ‘Never Gave You The Blues’ offered a more mature angle in terms of songwriting, and the more recent ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ flaunted a more epic sound with its use of contrasting power chords and harmony driven vocals. All three of these recordings shared elements which could’ve been the work of three different bands, but in their own way, each showcased Young Martyrs as an act to keep an ear for in future.