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!
*
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.
*
Welcome back to the Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the last few weeks. This selection takes in two very different sounding pop bangers from emerging artists from opposite ends of the globe, a very knowing synth based track from a familiar name, a cover tune from a prolific, well known act…and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
*
A quarter of a century ago, Modesty Blaise released a self titled album full of retro pop gems that took cues from various touchstones from the past, including The Beach Boys and The Zombies, and recycled them with love. A second record, ‘Melancholia’ improved on the formula, and at its best, the record flaunted a huge budget and equally big hooks. In terms of that kind of musical pilfering, Jellyfish became absolutely worshipped in the power pop community, and by comparison, Modesty Blaise have sort of become also-rans. That deserves to change.
At the beginning of 2025, funk and pop duo DIZZY! released the ‘Hot Mess’ EP, sharing four tracks of well produced, soulful material that really captured a mood that seemed set to soundtrack the summer. The music, drawing influence from various corners of 70s and 80s soul and pop, was pin-sharp, but the material really came into its own when shining a light on DIZZY!’s vocal blend. David and Izzy Gruner’s vocals were obviously a natural fit with each other, with Izzy’s brighter tones sharing an especially pleasing tone. Despite featuring just four tracks, the EP was genuinely varied: the DNA from Lenny Kravitz’s ‘It Ain’t Over ’It’s Over’ could be found on the stand out cut ‘Bitter’; a great blend of pop and soul showed off the duo’s more buoyant side on the brilliant ‘Mess’ and ‘Crybaby’, while ‘Too Late’ even teased with lounge jazz.