Single Review - This Drink (is like having you home) - Alan Finlan

 

With his new single (co written with Stephen Manley) Alan Finlan seems to have found the style most suited to his voice.  This Drink (is like having you home) is a song about loneliness – which is one of those subjects that is very relevant at the moment.

Opening with a simple acoustic guitar the intermittent steel is not only beautiful but adds a poignancy to the feel of the song.  The addition of the slow drumbeat and the tone of Alan’s vocal all combine to reinforce the solitude in the lyrics – which are chock full of imagery, helping to tell the story.

Dropping to a near whisper with no backing instrumentation, our storyteller relates his long working day, his return to the empty house and takes off his watch that is ticking away, showing the time that  he is spending alone.  Without the watch, he can pretend that time isn’t passing so slowly.

As so many before him, he is drinking, but perhaps not to forget but in fact drinking to remember.  When he’s drinking he can feel like he isn’t alone and he is surrounded by memories – for good or for bad.

Luckily, we know Alan has tended a bar or we could be worried about alcoholism as he offers important advice: there are drinks that don’t mix and those that play tricks – they hurt the one you love the most.

There’s a reference to Jack and Diane, assuming that is the John Mellencamp song, 2 American kids doing the best that they can, then it’s true – life goes on.

So whatever your tipple, wine, whisky or rum, grab a glass or several; remember there’s no closing time when you’re alone, and listen to Alan -   hopefully your night will be improved.

This Drink (is like having you home), the new single from Alan Finlan is available to download and stream from Monday 30 November

Find and follow Alan of Facebook, his website, Instagram and Spotify

Single Review - I Found Me - Kelsey Bovey

 

Following her last EP success ‘Not Scared Anymore’, Kelsey has teamed up with none other than the multiple award-winning (including Silverball Country Best Newcomer 2018 and  nominee for Silverball Country Awards Best Male vocalist in 2019) Danny McMahon to write and release I Found Me.

The modern country pop sound associated with her last album can be heard again and Kelsey herself explains that she was influenced by Lauren Alaina’s “Getting Over Him”.

From the very beginning the drum beat and the guitar strumming will have you wanting to clap along.

Unlike our traditional country song, this isn’t about heartbreak. No, the song tells of how a person finds themselves through falling in love.  That other person allowed them to see and stop being lost.  The power of two people together.  A song of both empowerment and innocence that will appeal to a range of audiences.

It’s not easy to use words like cliché in a song.  I think that both Danny and Kelsey can claim that they, as well as the meaning of the song, are making steps in the right direction.  The song shows off Kelsey’s talent as a singer and as a songwriter.

Well done to Puzzle Maker studios, this is on trend for their brilliant production that rivals anything we would expect out of Nashville.

Do yourself a favour and find a copy of this single!

I Found Me, the new single from Kelsey Bovey is available to download and stream from Friday 27 November

Find and follow Kelsey on Facebook, Instagram, her website and on Spotify

Single Review - Bite The Bullet - Tim Prottey-Jones

 

Whilst playing on the recent Country In The Evening livestream concert, Tim mentioned that he had turned 40 during Lockdown, and thought it was a good time to start a solo career!  Although he doesn’t tend to shout about it, Tim has already had an illustrious musical career, spanning the West End to the Grand Ole Opry, playing with a well-known band and starting his own band.

Releasing a solo single from a forthcoming solo EP is another step for Tim, and the song Bite The Bullet  (not to be confused with the video game) kind of reflects that, as it is the story of a couple whose relationship has run its course, and is just waiting for one of them to take that step and end things (pull the trigger).

The lyrics paint a clear picture and cleverly tie in with the title and highlight Tim’s vocal abilities. We all know he could sing the phone book and do it to a different genre each time, his skills have no limits.

This track is country pop  - there’s the country theme of failed relations but he makes boy bands envious with the chorus. It is a gorgeous melody and a tale we can all relate to.

Tim generally has a great stage presence, but with this release he is as much demonstrating his production skills as his performance skills. The opening guitar is augmented by some studio magic before the gentle, almost resigned vocal comes in.

There is sadness in the story, but no recriminations, which is reflected in the way that Tim sings the words and the mix of backing instrumentation.  It’s a story of the truth behind a relationship ending, perhaps the truth that needs to be realised before you can move on.

So as recently promoted by Tim himself, follow the 5 steps to support your musician friends

1. Pre-save
2. Download
3. Share
4. Stream
5. Bite the Bullet is the name of his new single!

There’s no point in waiting.

Bite The Bullet, the debut solo single from Tim Prottey-Jones is available to download and stream from Friday 27 November

You can find and follow Tim on Facebook, Instagram, his website and on Spotify

Single Review - Its Just Not Christmas - Jessica Lynn

If you have seen Jessica Lynn playing live with her band. You will know she is renowned for her energetic shows (and her incredible hair) but her latest single It's Just Not Christmas shows her gentle and reflective side

Opening with a lovely description of a fairy-tale Christmas – snow, lights and our favourite record playing, but this isn’t going to be a fairy-tale Christmas after all.  Our storyteller is actually looking at “another Christmas without you”.  The song encapsulates that feeling of missing someone at a time that is traditionally one for families and being together with loved ones

Whatever the reason for being apart or for having an empty place at the Christmas table, the emotion is there in this haunting song.  Jess’s voice almost cracks, and the soft male vocal and stunning guitar from Steve Marks of Gasoline and Matches ensures that we can feel the love that they feel, and the loss and loneliness.  It’s a theme that exists in many Christmas songs of the past but given an extra dimension by the simplicity of this arrangement – two voices, two guitars.  The guitar sounds are almost layers, which we normally reserve for backing vocals, but this style of electric over acoustic adds to the feel.

When we get to the instrumental break, you can see very easily why Jessica invited Steve to join her on this track – his acoustic guitar playing is sublime, and adds to the track without being overpowering in any way

As a Christmas song, It's Just Not Christmas won’t have you rockin’ around the Christmas tree, but it it will give you a moment to sit back, look at the decorations and reflect on absent friends, and perhaps raise a toast to those who aren’t with us this year for whatever reason

It's Just Not Christmas, the new single from Jessica Lynn is available now to download and stream from all major platforms

You can find and follow Jessica on Facebook, on her website, on Instagram and on Spotify

If you've enjoyed this review, please give us a follow on our Facebook page and on our Insta

EP Review - Dirt Road Therapy - Clayton Smalley

 

I couldn't help but open the ep after reading Clayton’s own words:

When I turn on the radio I want to hear the country music I grew up listening to, the music that moulded me when I was a kid, now I want to make that same country music that is a part of who I am now as a man and a musician. I feel like this EP is a step in that direction.

 Utah-based country music artist, Clayton Smalley, has teamed with hit Nashville songwriter Steve Dean for four songs on Smalley’s second EP, Dirt Road Therapy.  Having listened to the songs sent to us, it is safe to say that they have covered all occasions with a ballad to a party song.

The title track has a big bold opening that promises something good, and instantly transports you state side.  With his voice, the steel and the rest of the instrumentation, this track feels like Country Music all wrapped into one package

Phoenix Rise - a beautiful ballad take on that country favourite - loss. The pedal steel adds the drama to the talk of burning it all down and don’t look back but see what rises out of the ashes, just like the phoenix. 

Modern Day Merle is a nod to new country artists who carry on the tradition of iconic artists like Merle Haggard, who toured the country playing music for the love of music.  Great fiddle opening, it tells the tale of the singer on the road, they do what they do for the music, not the money. 

Live your life according to I Never Let A Good Time Get Away, this is a warm-up song for a night out, Friday night! Dance around whilst getting ready, you'll soon pick up the lyrics and start to feel better. Smalley's deep voice starts the record off without introduction, the guitar rules the track.

The EP features excellent song writing from Steve Dean that sets the scene with great musical interpretation. 

This is the therapy we all need!

Dirt Road Therapy, the new EP from Clayton Smalley is available now to download and stream on all major platforms

Find and follow Clayton on Facebook, his website and on Spotify

 

Single Review - Breathe - Hayley McKay

 

Acoustic guitar strumming, finger clicks, and rhythmic singing open this new track – Breathe - from Hayley McKay in a real toe tapping way.  The drum track and backing vocals all add to the great production of the song.

Truly a 2020 song – written in lockdown and produced via Zoom, you’d be hard pressed to tell that this wasn’t all put together in a studio like we did in “normal times”

The lyrics also reflect 2020 –despite whatever is going on around you, stop for a minute, “let your worries pass you by”, take a look around you, appreciate the small stuff and “remember to breathe” it is in its own way an uplifting message for us – backed by the up-tempo backing track especially in the chorus.

As with many of the upcoming singer songwriters in the UK, Hatley has spent time studying music at BIMM (in Brighton), the fees for which were helped by her winning a national talent competition.  Hayley’s voice and music can span a number of genres, and while she clearly has a liking for country, Breathe is probably very much on the pop edge of “Pop Country”.

To produce a song of this quality during lockdown is an impressive feat, and the reminder to appreciate life and to breathe is a timely one!

Breathe, the new single from Hayley McKay is available to download and stream from Friday 20 November

You can find and follow Hayley on Facebook, her website and on Spotify

Single Review - Wings - Kezia Gill

 

Kezia Gill is a superb songwriter, but she really excels when she writes from experience, from her life and from the heart.  Wings is one of those songs.

When Kezia sings she is talking straight to you, she has something she wants you to hear – whether it is the story of her Father in Local Man’s star, or the promise of support in “I’m Here”.  With all the upheaval and changes in 2020 – and losing her much loved and inspirational Father – Kezia wants you to know that life is for living, that you shouldn’t let it pass you by

What good is life if it passes you by? What good are wings if you don’t fly? 

The whole track is absolutely driven by Kezia’s distinctive voice – a voice that has started to be recognised by awards, including the Silverball Country Award for Best Female Vocalist.  Light guitar with the opening, punctuating her words, keys adding to the emotion – both piano and electric organ combining, before the slow, measured drum beat joins.  The track has been produced by Richard Lundh and he has kept a natural sound, no need for over production with Kezia!

This is a beautiful ballad that sweeps you along with lyrics that will relate to all.

Even with the addition of backing vocals – layered and sounding like a choir before the guitar break – don’t change that this song is all about Kezia’s vocal and the message that she wants to share.  Dance with somebody; take the time to explore, don’t put things off and don’t be afraid to take a chance – life your life to its fullest basically and share it with someone special.

Wings, the new single from triple Silverball Country Award winner Kezia Gill is available to download and stream from 27 November.

You can find and follow Kezia on Facebook, her website and on Spotify

 

 

Single Review - Best Worst Habit - Danny McMahon

 

Danny has always rejoiced in pushing the boundaries of Country Music production, and this latest single, Best Worst Habit, is a continuation of that – if not pushing them even further.

If you have seen Danny perform live, you will know that he is a natural born showman, giving the same high energy performance whether he is playing to 20 or 2000, and somehow, he seems to roll that up into a studio recording.

An unusual introduction of guitar picking, and a few studio tricks leads into the pop side of country, suiting Danny’s persona.

Although not traditional country, Danny certainly includes the classic country themes in his lyrics – smoking (Marlboro Lights), whiskey and tequila as his list of bad habits certainly conjures up images we can relate to. He compares his relationship to all those bad habits, something that is no good for him but something he just can’t shake off or give up but obviously she is the best of all of them giving comfort and relieving pain.

Running his own recording facility in Bristol – Puzzle Maker Studios – means that Danny has the chance to work with and nurture some of the fresh new talent in UK Country, and for this song he has collaborated with Lauren Campbell on what is essentially a country/funk crossover track.

Everyone has a bad habit or two, accept it and even celebrate it.

Make this track a habit, it will help to make you smile.

Best Worst Habit, the new single from Danny McMahon is available on all major platforms from Friday 13 November

Find and follow Danny on Facebook, his website and on Spotify

Single Review - Blame It On The Rain - Jack Galloway

 

Jack describes his new single Blame it on the rain as “country meets 80s rock power-ballad” but while it has elements of both, it is in fact a heartfelt love song – a love song to the love that he has lost.

Our storyteller is missing his love, but he is trying to be brave or he’s not admitting it to himself, he keeps telling himself he is over them.  If he cries – Blame It on The Rain or anything else going on.

As the tale progresses he denies that he cares, he denies that he misses her he denies that he is thinking of her, but the truth is apparent – he does care, he does miss her and he doesn’t want to think that the love he had could cause him these feelings or this pain.

Jack has a surprisingly gentle voice, with some great instrumentation backing the vocal.  The track has that country storytelling vibe but in a modern style, and there is certainly 80s influence with the dramatic key changes and drum track.  The video to accompany the song also has that moody, night-time 80s feel, shot around London really adding to the emotion of the song.

The mix of styles works, not sure if denying your feelings works though!

Blame It On The Rain, the new single from Jack Galloway is available on all major platforms from Friday 13 November

Find and follow Jack on Facebook, his website and on Spotify

Single Review - Balcony - Izzie Walsh

 

We all know that Izzie Walsh can belt out a country standard as we have heard her do at live shows and festivals (remember those?) but with her new single Balcony she has taken a slightly different direction – genre defying but very listenable.

The opening itself is striking – ethereal layered vocals with superb strings.  The vocal is very clearly Izzie – she has a certain, recognizable edge to her voice – but it is softer than usual and almost breathy at times.  The clue is there in the artwork, rather than her trademark black outfits and country appearance she has chosen an image of herself in a white adidas top!

The song is about missing someone when they are not present in your life for whatever reason, and the heartache that goes with that.  As Izzie says in her own words

“Life’s not the same without having the people you love around, ‘Balcony’ emotes that feeling of a missing puzzle piece.”

To emphasis this the song’s opening contains the repeated phrase

wish you were here with me

This song is as much about the instrumentation and production as the vocals and words though, with the whole feel being the sound and the experience of listening to it.  It is a little bit Kate Bush, a touch Bjork, and entirely Izzie Walsh.

Izzie has been joined on Balcony by Izzy Baker on strings and Chloe Eleanor Jones on vocals – a wonderful trio of talented female musicians!

Balcony, the new single from Izzie Walsh is available to download and stream on all major platforms on Monday 9 November

Find and follow Izzie on Facebook, her website and on Spotify

Single Review - Good Time Girl - Donna Marie Songs

 

With a Thumping bass line from the kick drum and heavy electric guitar Good Time Girl opens like the walk on music for a festival show.  There’s a slight pause as Donna Marie’s vocal comes in and then the rocky backing restarts.  The tempo of this track goes up and down with these pauses – as if snatching a breath. 

Good Time Girl has that 70s/80s rock vibe – “leather and lace”, or more like Denim and Lace for a Country singer as it alternates between those crashing instrumentals and edgy voice to the gentle interludes with acoustic guitar

If you have seen Donna Marie on stage – especially with the stage show Country Night In Nashville – it won’t surprise you that she has this side to her, but this new single is very much cutting loose and having a good time, and is the kind of up-tempo party track that we all need right now!

This song is a collaboration with Patrick Jordan and a reworking of a song that Donna Marie first wrote in 2006.  The whole feel of it matches the lyrics perfectly “She’s a good time girl” and rather than simply conjuring up memories of parties and festivals, the pair have cut right through the current climate and given us a festival main stage set in 3 minutes of pure musical party.

One day this will be a dance around the arena track, but right now it’s a turn it up loud and dance around your living room banger.

Good Time Girl, the new single from Donna Marie Songs is available to download and stream now from all major platforms

Find and follow Donna Marie on Facebook, her website, Spotify and just having a good time!

Single Review - 2am Call - The Rising

 

The latest in the monthly releases from The Rising is 2am Call.  A very much pop country track with guitar intro and layered vocals it touches on almost traditional country themes – relationships and drinking!

Opening with our storyteller sat in a bar reminiscing about the time “she” left, using the drinks to numb the memories and coulda beens/shoulda beens, with the added twist that the split happened at a bar.

It is a familiar story, drinking to remember, drinking to forget and using the bartender as your unpaid therapist!

“Another bottle, another drink and another 2am call”

Yes, those 2am calls are familiar too!  It seems that the pull of the ex is “stronger than whisky, stronger than tequila”

The track itself is quite up-tempo, well produced with great instrumentation although a little bouncier than you might expect for such a topic but it still seems to work – the song isn’t trying to convey a message, it is more a story of how things are – and no whisky, tequila or 2am call can change it!

2am Call is available now from all major platforms

Find and follow The Rising on Facebook on their website and on Spotify, and catch their regular livestreams on Monday evenings at 8pm