Music Review: Closure by Lyon Tide - Pop - Birmingham, UK | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
09-06-2021 14:29 GMT

Music by indie band, Lyon Tide on YouTube | Apple Music

Lyon Tide

"Closure"
Pop


The storm is over

Released on the 1st of January, “Closure” is the debut single by Birmingham, UK pop band Lyon Tide, which was recently signed to Italian music company Open Productions, which brought us the iconic independent Italian rock band Amycanbe. Much like Amycanbe’s, Lyon Tide’s sound is deeply satisfying – you’ll feel accomplished and fulfilled just for having hit the play button when you did. 

“Closure” is one of those records you know will be amazing the minute it starts. In an era when song intros are now a thing of the past, after being ditched by the mainstream music industry in favor of guaranteeing that listeners will listen to the first 30 seconds of a track so that Spotify can pay handsomely every time the song is played; it’s exciting to hear tracks like this, and reassuring to say the very least, that not all new artists and bands are gold diggers. Ironically, the intro of this record is over 30 seconds long – you won’t hear a mainstream record like this ever, that’s just the first positive of several. Over 40 seconds later, after what could only be described as a soothing and uplifting adventure into the unknown, you get to experience the very first taste of a band that sounds as promising as a lone pair of Victoria’s Secrets hanging on the clothes line in the new neighbor's backyard on a quiet, cool, breezy Saturday morning - it’ll get you all tingly and excited inside. With a vocal performance that is crispier than a fifty pound note, the band proceeds to whisk the listener away to a special place in search of “Closure”. 

Inspired by the events of the year 2020.

Music Review: Cent With A Purpose by Tamara Bubble - Pop - New York, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
17-10-2020 23:14 GMT

Music by indie artist, Tamara Bubble on Soundcloud | Apple Music

Tamara Bubble, Pretty Pennies

"Cent With A Purpose"
Pop


Organic pop goodness

This is one of those albums with an uncanny ability to redefine a genre in a way no other album will be able to do ever again. Hit the play button with caution if your pop music collection has a really big ego, as this fairly small and humble low budget 5 track EP could severely f* up its self-esteem. A collaborative feel-good album with fellow Brooklyn, New York indie artist, Pretty Pennies, that combines pop, hip hop and R&B in just the right proportions to create an explosive mixture packed with good vibes, the album was released at the peak of Tamara’s independent R&B career and was one of the last notable projects she released before completely switching up her style and subsequently becoming the hip hop sensation she is today.

Music Review: Come With Me by Juliette Ashby - Pop Latino - London, UK | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
11-10-2020 13:56 GMT

Music by indie artist, Juliette Ashby on YouTube | Spotify

Juliette Ashby, MC Cabelinho

"Come With Me"
Pop Latino


It's complicated

With an exotic, sensual and ever so tantalizing voice, London’s Juliette Ashby immediately catapulted to number 10 on Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart, which features the top emerging artists to watch around the world, when she made her debut a few years back. After dropping off the radar for a while in terms of new music, she returned late 2019 with the release of a collaborative record with Brazilian pop latino star, MC Cabelinho before releasing her first EP in over 4 years, “Freedom” shortly after. Her latest single, “Come With Me” is another collaborative record with MC Cabelinho. It’s an exciting, adventurous track with a snappy beat, very invigorating vibe and a cinematic backdrop that makes it so complex and full. One of those tracks that will overwhelm all your senses at once and then bring you to ecstasy when you least expect it.

Music Review: Bubblegum by We Are Us - Pop - New Mexico, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
19-09-2020 17:28 GMT

Music by indie artist, We Are Us on Spotify | Distrokid

We Are Us

"Bubblegum"
Pop


Like the summer breeze

Before listening to this song you’ll need to first forget about all the tainted feel-good pop music you’ve heard this decade, possibly even further back. That shouldn’t be too hard considering the lack of substance and true to life lyrical content many, at least those on the radio have offered, sadly. So a quick shake of your head left to right really fast will do the trick. Now get all the tainted pink Taylor Swift has been wearing out of your head, there’s nothing LGBT or curious about this record. Finally, take a deep breath and prepare to feel like you did when you had your first crush. Reach for the play button really slowly. Hit it. This is going to feel a little, weird. Weird because it’s so good and its intentions are nothing but pure - that's very rare nowadays. Enjoy!

Music Review: What's A Little Time Anyway by Trevor Ohlsen - Pop - Michigan, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
19-07-2020 15:46 GMT

Music by indie artist, Trevor Ohlsen on Apple Music | YouTube

Trevor Ohlsen

"What's A Little Time Anyway?"
Pop


Black Lives Matter

All proceeds from Trevor Ohlsen’s new single, “What’s A Little Time Anyway?” are being donated to the Black Lives Matter movement. With a soft piano melody, very minimal backing instrumentation and a deeply moving vocal performance, the emerging Michigan, US pop music sensation paints a vivid picture of the social and political issues faced by the world today, particularly those involving racial tension. If you are anyone who knows anything about pop music then you probably thought you’d never hear a song as meaningful, as spectacularly written and as exquisitely performed as this ever again after Michael Jackson passed away. Well, you were wrong, and today is your lucky day,🍾.

Music Review: Flaunt by Saachi Sen - Pop - London, UK | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
28-05-2020 23:05 GMT

Music by indie singer songwriter, Saachi Sen on Soundcloud | Apple Music

Saachi Sen

"Flaunt"
Pop


Smile

Released on the 17th of April, in the thick of London’s lockdown, Saachi Sen’s “Flaunt” is an exciting new track that was just as well-timed as it was well-received. With so much meaningless pop music out there, tracks like this are always a very refreshing reminder that there are still artists who not only know what they are doing musically but also take time to write heart-warming songs that mean something. This is one of those records with the uncanny ability to turn any moment into a fresh, cool, breezy spring morning and inspire the much needed comfort and calm that these dire times call for. It was recorded at Spotify’s prestigious Secret Genius Studios in London.

Music Review: Something For You by Juliette Ashby - Pop - London, UK | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
27-05-2020 22:42 GMT

Music by indie artist, Juliette Ashby on Apple Music | Spotify

Juliette Ashby

"Something For You"
Pop


Independent UK reggae music sensation, Juliette Ashby released her latest single, “Something For You” on the 10th of April, just over 2 months since her latest EP, “Freedom” took the Capital’s reggae scene by storm back in February. Her sound, a lush blend of R&B and Caribbean music, has done well to set her apart as one of London’s top new reggae artists to watch, and with every new record fans are reminded why she deserved a spot on Billboard’s “Next Big Sound” chart very early in her career and has been closely watched by the music industry’s top players and critics since. The new single is a collaborative record with popular Brazilian artist, MC Cabelinho, who she worked with back in October 2019 on the single, “Body On Me”.

Music Review: Cloudy by We Are Us - Pop - New Mexico, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
26-05-2020 19:53 GMT

Sam&Nate, the duo (now We Are Us trio). Listen on Apple Music | Spotify

We Are Us

"Cloudy"
Pop



Hailing from New Mexico, USA, brothers Sam and Nate came together to form the sensational pop duo, Sam&Nate around 2012 when pop music was careering down the path of the current identity crisis which many fear it will never recover from. Fun, family-friendly and clean all the way through, their songs brought a breath of fresh air back to the genre like no other band had ever done before and no other band has come close to doing so far, over 8 years after their debut, “Fell In Love With Love”. Sadly the duo disappeared after a few hot singles with no explanation. They returned back in 2019 as the trio, We Are Us, which now includes a female member. “Cloudy”, their new single follows just over 6 months since their debut, “Run Around” was released back in November 2019. It’s good, clean, positive pop music you can enjoy with all the family, no BS.

Music Review: Like A Lady by Crissi Cochrane - Pop - Ontario, Canada | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
19-05-2020 14:55 GMT

Music by indie artist, Crissi Cochrane on Soundcloud | Bandcamp

Crissi Cochrane

"Like A Lady"
Pop



Kiss me
Smooth, sensual, and infused with so much love you'll need someone to hold once it's over, “Like A Lady” is a record that, like most of the songs in Crissi Cochrane’s repertoire, offers a sound and overall vibe that is very much lacking in today’s music. It’s elegant, softer that a baby’s quilt, and you’ll feel like you are floating on clouds once you hit the play button.

Don’t listen to this song if your dream girl has a playboy tattoo in the small of her back (or maybe a downward-pointing arrow even - yuck!). This is one of those records you only throw on when you are in the presence of a real lady - you know, the ones that laugh softly with a hand over their mouth, and talk like there's an angel sleeping on their tongue. 

By the time you are done listening to this you’ll be running a hot bath, sprinkling rose petals everywhere, pouring a glass of fine white wine and lighting candles. 

Music Review: Countdown by The Last Bees - Pop - California, USA | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
25-04-2020 12:06 GMT

Music by indie artist, The Last Bees on Spotify | Apple Music

The Last Bees

"Countdown"
Pop


Have you seen my socks? 
 
Jaw-droppingly good
 
US indie band The Last Bees took the Midwest’s rock music scene by storm just over a year ago with the release of their self-titled debut album, “The Last Bees”. They are back with another record that’s poised to cause pandemonium. Released on the 3rd of April, “Countdown” is a very unique and exciting EP that will have you looking for your socks for days – you’ll never see them again. It’s quick to sweep you off your feet and with just 4 tracks it will have you crashing to the ground in no time screaming “why!!”. This is one of those EPs you’ll cherish for the rest of your life – a collectors' item. Don’t stream it free, buy it!

Music Review: Tethered by Saachi Sen - Pop - London, UK | Music Discovery XO

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
16-04-2020 02:08 GMT

Music by indie artist, Saachi Sen on Soundcloud | YouTube

Saachi Sen

"Tethered"
Pop



Innocent, moving, sweet, gentle, elegant and ever so uplifting; this is one of those songs that stimulates a very rich, impactful and pure emotional response every single time. It makes you feel like you can do anything - almost like a drug, only, it’s good for you. With so much going on in the world, and yet so little - with everything at a standstill owing to global lockdowns with no end in sight, it’s so easy to retreat or even surrender completely, at least for a while till everything calms down. This record reminds us to let go but keep pressing on. It received the prestigious PRS for Music Lynsey de Paul songwriting price.

Music Review: Dark by Saachi Sen - Pop - London, UK | SRL Reviews

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
26-02-2020 18:00 GMT

Music by indie artist, Saachi Sen on Spotify | YouTube

Saachi Sen

"Dark"
Pop


Exquisite!

Good pop

“Dark” is the latest release by London’s sweetheart Saachi Sen. Saachi made her debut with the release of “Heal” back in 2012 when she was still fresh out of high school and heading for university. She quickly gained the attention of the Capital’s most discerning live music venues and booking agents, and was able to secure a good number of gigs in and around the South East, where she became a sensation. Saachi is now gaining widespread recognition across the UK and performing at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals. The new record is evidence of her growth artistically over the years, and is one of those records that is so masterful yet so low-key that you'd think to yourself, “hey, how haven’t I heard this before?” It’s one of those songs that doesn’t beg for your attention but gains every shred of it just for that mere fact. If you go on the iTunes store to download it you’ll probably find it under “pop”, but this is bigger than pop in every way and in fact the label is more of an insult to the track than anything else – maybe adult contemporary or something that still has a little bit of dignity. We love pop music but there’s only so much "pink, pink, pink, everything pink - happy, happy, happy, everyone hates me - I hate everything but I love big butts" a music lover can take at some point before starting to crave something that actually makes sense. This is a really powerful song with passion, conviction, and it’s much bigger and louder vocally and production-wise than anything we’ve ever heard from the London singer songwriter. It’s poised to do well in both indie and mainstream circles.

Music Review: Facebook Stalker by Saachi Sen - Pop - London, UK | SRL Reviews

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
30-01-2020 22:28 GMT

Music by indie artist, Saachi Sen on YouTube |

Saachi Sen

"Facebook Stalker"
Pop


Someone likes you

London’s fast-rising pop star, Saachi Sen is riding high locally and beginning to gain recognition farther and wider as her latest single, “Dark” spreads like wild fire across the country and steals the hearts of every single unsuspecting fan who is fortunate to cross its path. She made her debut back in 2012 and was an instant hit with fans owing to her innocent, angelic voice, her very special way with words and her very simple yet ever so moving guitar and piano melodies. “Facebook Stalker” was an unreleased record that showcased her songwriting ability in all its glory. As the title suggests, it’s about being a Facebook stalker - but not in a creepy way. It’s funny, fun, exciting and will take you back to a place when pop music was innocent, fun for all, radio-friendly and explored a broad range of subject matters centered around society as a whole and real life situations – not just Bentleys, Versace, Champagne and fellatio, like much of the stuff you are likely to hear on the radio nowadays.

Music Review: Crusade by The Last Bees | Pop Song | Stream free | YouTube | Soundcloud

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
13-11-2019 15:46 GMT

Music by indie artist, The Last Bees on YouTube | Soundcloud

The Last Bees

"Crusade"
Pop


Amazing!

Sounds like love, feels like heaven.

When Wisconsin, US band, Ian And The Dream first stepped onto their local music scene in Milwaukee, USA no one had any doubts in their minds that they were going to be legends. They instantly became fan favorites with the release of their debut single, "That's What Kept My Heart Alive" which featured on their 2015 album, "Saturns Of Stars", and they went on to become Wisconsin's most highly revered indie band of all time. After several years of rocking the pants off almost every self-respecting live music venue, concert hall and music festival Wisconsin had to offer and dominating the Midwest's mainstream and independent music scenes, the band dropped off the radar suddenly, but not for long. They resurfaced under a new name with a brand new Beatlesque sound and made their debut again back in the summer with the release of the self-titled album, "The Last Bees". "Crusade" is one of several songs that really shocked and blew the socks off every single listener and had reviewers, DJs and radio hosts lost for words. If, like many pop music fans you miss the days when a song could literally brighten up your day and put a massive smile on your face (or you are a millennial and have probably never experienced it) then you are in for a musical treat you'll never forget. The record, much like the rest of the 6 track masterpiece is brighter than anything you could possibly have heard this decade - old school bright, so bright and lightweight you'll feel like a fat lady who just lost 300 pounds running through a yellow meadow against the wind somewhere on the countryside, in fantasy land of course. It's a record that will make you feel like the color yellow inside and outside. If you ever had a dream that came true on a bright, sunny day, you can best your last dollar out of the million you made that this is the tune that will be playing in your head - it's not about money, but it's so good you'll feel like a million bucks. As if that wasn't enough, it features the harmonica, one of the happiest musical instruments that ever lived.

Music Review: Fell In Love With Love by Sam&Nate | Pop Song | Stream free | Bandcamp

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
30-10-2019 14:15 GMT

Music by indie duo, Sam&Nate on Bandcamp

Sam&Nate

"Fell In Love With Love"
Pop


Remember your first crush?

Sam&Nate made their debut around about the time when pop music started loosing it's identity - wearing it's hat backwards, smoking weed and getting tattered up all over. Around about the same time when white girls with black butts started emerging from nowhere. Their music was such a breath of fresh air they became one of the most talked about local indie bands in New Mexico, USA, their hometown, at the time. They seem to have suddenly dropped off the radar this past couple of years in terms of new music releases but luckily, their songs will never go away and we can still turn to them whenever our pop music radars need fine tuning, and we need to remember what feel-good pop music feels like without first having to pop 12 mollies and drink a whole bottle of vodka before meeting up with Snoop Dogg and forgetting Everything. If there's anything these lovely brothers know how to do it's make a hit record, and this, their debut single is what let the world know. It's bright, exciting, colourful with a very organic feel, danceable, lovable and it'll make you feel like you felt the first time you had a crush (not a man/woman crush, those are gross) - a real teenage crush that made you feel all tingly and soft inside. It's fun, family-friendly and safe for work.

Music Review: Vip by Saiah | Pop Song | Stream free | Bandcamp |

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
30-10-2019 11:30 GMT

Music by indie artist, Saiah on Bandcamp |

Saiah

"VIP"
Pop


For the rap curious

Safe for work

You hear it everywhere you go. Sometimes you love it, sometimes you hate it. Sometimes it's disgusting, absurd or even despicable but it still makes you want to dance and shake something, even if only when no one is looking. It's one of the most controversial genres in the history of music and the only genre that had to fight for its right to be played on the radio. But today's hip hop is a lot different from what it used to be. Back in the day your greatest fear as a music fan (hypothetically) would be if you could stomach 3 whole minutes of Easy E trying to fit his double barrel in your ear while Dr. Dre tries to cum in the other one, and not in a fun way. Nowadays, your greatest concern would be if you could stomach 3 whole minutes of Iggy Azalea trying to fit both cheeks in one ear while T.I gives you a wet willie in the other. Am I listening to the wrong radio stations and reading the wrong music blogs, or does that sound fair? But hip hop doesn't have to be all big butts, humongous egos, cocaine, weed and big guns, sometimes it can be family-friendly and fun too. Check out this track here for example by Brooklyn, New York rapper and one of the East Coast's most closely watched emerging actors, Saiah. It's a lively, friendly rap song with an organic feel-good vibe that'll make you dance without having to look over your shoulder or worry about getting a shit streak on your work shirt.

Music Review: Vengeance And All Its Friends by Lion In The Mane | Pop Song | Stream free | Spotify | Apple Music

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
08-08-2019 15:36 GMT

Music by Lion In The Mane on Spotify | Apple Music

Lion In The Mane

"Vengeance And All Its Friends"
Pop


I can't believe it's pop music

Everyone knows too much MTV is bad for you. It's like listening to the Cookie Monster yell out "cookie!", "cookie!", "me eat cookie", "me want more cookie" all day while simultaneously watching him munch on more cookies than Kanye West after a relapse (and then realising he was talking about "the good cookies" - with the milk on top, not on the side). It's like throwing the UK's Shagger of the Year, Russell Brand into the pool at an 18 year old's birthday party at Spring Break and expecting him not to eat his way out. To cut a long story short, it's nothing short of soft porn and no one knows what the hell any of the artists featured are singing about or if they are any good even, and no one really cares. It's sexy, raunchy, colourful, exciting, addictive, disgusting, and it's damn enjoyable too  - if you intend to spend the whole day lying on the couch with your hands in your pants. That's not to say we don't like it - as the old weed smokers' saying goes, "it's not bad until it kills you".

But enough about Muff TV, let's get back to reviewing the amazing single by New York City's highest rated independent pop rock band of all time, Lion In The Mane, who mysteriously broke up a couple of years back at the peak of their career but are reuniting at a gig on the 6th of September in New York (event details on the SRL Events page). "Vengeance And All Its Friends" was a pop record that gave a good name to pop at a time when it had lost all credibility whatsoever. Indie bands where staying well away from the genre and even when they made anything close refused to label it as such, but not these guys. They came out loud and proud and the sensational quartet took their local music scene by storm with such an exciting sound and so much oomph that not only were critics who had criticised pop for years lost for words, they even seemed to have been filled with joy to have been proven wrong. It is an infectious track that just feels so honest and real that nothing else mattered - not where they were coming from, not where they were trying to go, or if they sounded like anyone else (and they didn't), if they would stand the test of time, nothing. Even after several notable hit singles and EPs it's a record that always comes up in any discussion about the band. If this is your first time listening to them this is a good place to start and the perfect song to remind you of what good pop sounds like and how it makes you feel - no, it doesn't always have to give you a stiffy or get you completely soaked, or in the mood for another joint (yep, any hip hop on MTV is pop too - you didn't know?).

 Add this to your "meaningful pop" playlists if you have one.

Music Review: Over Our Feet by Lion In The Mane | Pop Song | Stream free | Soundcloud | Spotify

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
15-07-2019 17:22 GMT

Music by Lion In The Mane on Soundcloud | Spotify

Lion In The Mane

"Over Our Feet"
Pop


Just another one of several critically acclaimed records that made Brooklyn's indie rock band, Lion In The Mane one of the top new emerging bands on the East Coast and in fact one of the most celebrated US indie rock bands at the time of their debut back in 2011 when they released the album, "The Way We Are Wired". It's passionate, exciting and fiery, with lyrics about love, youthful exhuberance and overindulgence, and that very distinctive teen pop feel that made the band as big as it became before they disbanded in 2017. As the band prepares for their 2019 reunion concert in September, this is certainly one of the records that will be getting a lot of radio play and love from DJs.

Music Review: That Sort Of Thing by Lion In The Mane | Pop Song | Stream free | Soundcloud | Spotify

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
15-07-2019 16:59 GMT

Music by Lion In The Mane on Soundcloud | Spotify

Lion In The Mane

"That Sort Of Thing"
Pop


Smells sounds like teen love

This month, New York's indie music scene was rocked with exciting news that the sensational independent Brooklyn rock band, Lion In The Mane, who split up back in 2017 after just over 5 years of being one of the East Coast's favorite indie acts is getting back together for a reunion. It's unsure whether the band is reforming for good but they'll be playing a gig at one of their old stomping grounds on the 6th of September. See details and tickets on the Skunk Radio Live Events page.

Amongst many records that defined their signature sound, "That Sort Of Thing" was one of the tracks that put their name on the map as a force to reckon with and still remains a fan favorite today. It's a lively, energetic, youthful record that'll have you throwing your hair around wildly - one of those infectious pop rock records that will ensure your air guitar gets its shine one more time for at least 3 minutes.

Music Review: True Or False by The Last Bees | Pop Song | Stream free | Spotify | Soundcloud

MUSIC
POP REVIEWS
14-07-2019 17:44 GMT

Music by The Last Bees on Soundcloud | Spotify

The Last Bees

"True Or False"
Pop


The sweet sound of bitterness

Getting your heart broken shouldn't be all bad, fresh starts are good too. Sure it hurts really bad and of course you are mad as hell. Of course you would love nothing more than to hurt them back, and you would enjoy it too. Who wouldn't? It doesn't make you a monster, just human. And don't worry about what Jesus would do just now, let's get them back first. Getting revenge could be as simple as mending your broken heart and moving on. The first step in the healing process is admitting how bitter you feel - and this song is the perfect place to start. Let the healing begin.

Once you've hit the play button the only thing that would be left running through your mind is if there is a way to somehow make this track last forever. It's so good it'll make you want to streak - but not for the rush, just to express your newly liberated, carefree self that's not scared to feel how you feel. It's one of those songs that has the uncanny ability to make you instantaneously let go and just say "f*ck it" so that the only thing that matters is you and how good you feel right this moment (assuming you've already hit the play button). It's super bright and air light with an '80s sound so organic and refreshing it would make Bob Moog go greener than the Incredible Hulk.