SINGLE REVIEW: Weekly Round-Up 21/04/2025 - 27/04/2025

Saint Shivers – Evil Eye

'Evil Eye' is a raw, feverish garage-punk burst, laced with eerie intensity and an unrelenting drive. From the opening overdriven riff, the track barrels forward with a restless energy, powered by pounding drums and street-punk basslines that twist and pulse beneath the distortion. The interplay of lead vocals adds to the sense of urgency, shifting between jagged delivery and deeper harmonies that reinforce the song’s lurking menace. Sonically, it moves between gritty garage tones and sharper punk rhythms, leaning into its chaotic, occult-tinged themes. Lyrically, it paints a picture of temptation and deception—of being drawn into something you know is dangerous but can’t resist. As 'Evil Eye' ramps up to its final moments, blistering solos cut through the noise, sealing its high-voltage attack with a warped, hypnotic edge.

Bog Witch – Girl in the Box

Bog Witch twists folk tradition into something macabre with 'Girl in the Box,' an unsettling track built around illusion and control. The song uses the magician and assistant dynamic as a metaphor for an abusive relationship, where submission is disguised as spectacle. From the start, its eerie introduction feels ripped straight from a B-movie horror—sinister and disorienting, pulling the listener into its warped world. The vocals arrive delicately, carrying a deceptive sweetness that makes the discomfort all the more striking. Time glitches fracture the rhythm, echoing the imbalance at the song’s core, blurring the lines between power and suffering. As its hypnotic unease deepens, 'Girl in the Box' refuses to let go, lingering in the space between fragility and fear.

Don Sechelski – Playing Catch

'Playing Catch' is as much a memory as it is a song—a warm, heartfelt reflection on the enduring bond between father and son. Don Sechelski’s voice radiates sincerity, unwavering in its gentle comfort as the track channels the passage of time. The delicate acoustic picking, mellow electric guitar, and breezy percussion form a simple yet evocative foundation, echoing the quiet nostalgia woven into its lyrics. There’s a picturesque beauty to the way it unfolds, capturing how childhood passions—like a game of catch—leave an imprint that stays for life. Honest, bright, and deeply authentic, 'Playing Catch' doesn’t just tell a story. It feels like one you already know.

Sara Diana – Vegas

'Vegas' is a shimmering escape, built on dreamy production and effortless vocal control. Sara Diana crafts a track that feels like a personal retreat—an anthem for those searching for a moment of freedom. The lush, atmospheric layers wrap around her voice, which remains steady yet emotive, pulling the listener into her world of self-discovery. There’s a weight to the escapism she sings about—an understanding that Vegas isn’t just a place, but a mindset, a refuge from reality. Through delicate songwriting and immersive soundscapes, Sara Diana captures that feeling beautifully, marking the beginning of a new musical era with elegance and depth.

Hannah Bell – Quote Me On That

Bold, brash, and bursting with attitude, 'Quote Me On That' throws down a confident, swaggering energy that refuses to back down. Hannah Bell’s vocals are sugary but sharp, balancing a country twang with a rock-leaning bite that gives the track its undeniable presence. The production is immaculate, polished to radio-ready perfection, yet it never loses its gritty edge. Beneath the sheen, the hard-rock foundation keeps things grounded, channeling spunky charisma into irresistible melodic hooks. It's brash, ballsy, and effortlessly anthemic—the kind of song designed to make an entrance and leave a lasting impression.

Kelly Murphy Music – Deception

Heavy, electrifying, and brimming with intensity, 'Deception' delivers a full-throttle metalcore assault, powered by soaring vocals and thunderous instrumentation. Featuring Brazil’s Josh Paulino on vocals, the track masterfully blends clean and unclean delivery, amplifying the emotional stakes with each shift in tone. The guitars rip through the mix with precision, crashing into dynamic tempo shifts that build tension before exploding into high-energy climaxes. Passion radiates from every corner of the track, pulling listeners deeper before sending them hurtling into its final surge. With its commanding presence and intricate contrasts, 'Deception' is an immersive listen—otherworldly in its scale yet deeply human in its weight.

Clay Brown – All My Friends (Atrophy)

Bright, warm, and effortlessly heartfelt, 'All My Friends (Atrophy)' taps into the kind of acoustic folk-rock storytelling that feels both familiar and deeply personal. Its opening simplicity sets a picturesque tone, drawing listeners into a rolling, sun-soaked melody. As the tempo shifts, the track takes on an uplifting energy, mirroring life’s highs and lows with delicate lyrical honesty. The narrative embraces the importance of leaning on friends ones during difficult times, capturing that sentiment in a hook-laden, instantly likable arrangement. Though melancholic at moments, hope runs through the core of the song, carried by its organic instrumentation and inviting presence.

Solo El Malo – Things Won’t Be the Same

Dramatic and electrifying, 'Things Won’t Be the Same' thrives on contrast—its raw authenticity heightened by angular guitar work and a perfectly imperfect delivery. The track builds around sharp, spiky melodies, each twist adding urgency to its emotional core. Vocally, it’s confident yet unfiltered, refusing to smooth out the rough edges that give it so much charm. Latino influences weave subtly through the instrumentation, warming the chaotic energy with rhythmic inflections, while a sharp guitar solo cuts through in its final moments. Melodic yet rugged, 'Things Won’t Be the Same' lands with unapologetic force—a song that revels in the beauty of its imperfections.

Calgolla – Morning Star

A chiming intro ripples like water on glass, delicate yet immersive, immediately pulling the listener in. What follows is a gradual unraveling—unexpected spoken-word vocals lean toward hip-hop stylings, adding intrigue before shifting into a more impassioned tone. The instrumentation remains sparse but deeply textured, reveling in a shoegaze swirl and moments of noise-rock chaos. The drums pulse and shift, taking on a tribal rhythm that surges forward while guitars chime and distort, layering atmosphere upon atmosphere. At times, the vocals feel buried beneath the weight of the sound, making them hard to grasp, yet that submerged quality only adds to the track’s abstract pull. It’s chaotic, intriguing, and distinctly artistic—an unpredictable tapestry of sound that feels more like an experience than a song.