In 2025, Stephen McCafferty released a string of impressive singles. The best of the bunch, ‘I Only Want To Hear Sad Songs’ shared a strong pop rock sound that hinted at a love of The Killers but added a distinctive Scottish accent, while ‘I Am The Buffalo’ took a similar sense of the melodic and added a light folky touch. ‘Rubber Glove’ leant a little further into an indie pop sound, but with the help of a buoyant melody and hooky lead guitar part, created another number that really helped to give the performer’s debut LP ‘Monsters and Lullabies’ a strong musical backbone.
Tag Archives: singer songwriter
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.
*
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #159
Over the past week or two, the amount of submissions for the Singles Bar column has gone through the roof! That’s made it harder than usual to pick the highlights. Regular visitors to the SB will certainly recognise a couple of names this time around as we explore some of the recent offerings from a variety of genres, but That doesn’t mean the selection is predictable. By jumping between power pop, post rock, Irish music, and even something that’s in almost an ambient mood, our choices really highlight some great sounds filling the underground as we head into the summer. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
*
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #158
Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting tracks to land in our inbox over the past few weeks. This selection takes in a perfect piece of soul, something from Australia with a bluesy leaning, another number from some UK ska veterans, a superb cover tune…and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
*
Listen: Josaleigh Pollett shares new track ‘The Witness’
Towards the end of 2025, singer songwriter Josaleigh Pollett released ‘Radio Player’, a complex track that took in various indie and electronica styles, along with other moods, to create a recording that felt as if it were always shifting. The fact that it never felt forced or unsettled was testament to some great hooks and a soaring vocal that contrasted the music’s more mechanical elements brilliantly.