SOUND SCOUT - 'CENE MIXTAPE #32
Back by popular demand, the Sound Scout Mixtape and single reviews are here to provide the soundtrack to edition #32
Wez King - Officer - 3:25
Heavily used in the soundtrack of music documentary ‘Kick Out The Jams - The Story of XFM’, Wez King has all the swaggering essence expected from a British indie rocker.
An exciting 12 months for the oft-Stone Island-clad singer culminated at the Isle of Wight Festival while also bagging spins on Radio X from iconic DJ John Kennedy. In ‘Officer’, Wez has continued along his esplanade of creating air-guitar-enticing melodies and f*ck-off catchy lyrics. Recorded in The Albion Rooms, there is a flavour of Carl Barat’s Dirty Pretty Things in the choppy strumming, culminating in the peaks of guitar solos and rumbling drums. He’s runnin’, runnin’, runnin’.
Desmerelda - Planet Earth - 3:49
Corr blimey, what a riff. Self-appointed as Britain’s best boy-band, Bromley trio Desmerelda are melting post-punk hearts with an agitated ballad that asks the poignant question ‘What the hell is everybody doing?’.
‘Planet Earth’ sees an interrogation of those who march to the beat of someone else’s drum. Monotony and mindlessness are under fire from a flurry of rap-ish rhymes, fuzzy guitars and reverberating electronics. Though they’ve been going for some years, with some absolute belters along the way, October’s blood-pumping single ‘Never Tickle a Tiger’ and now this, it feels like a dawning. It’s f*cking lush, mate.
Liseli B - i deserve better - 3:14
Uplifting and determined, ‘i deserve better’ by Canterbury’s Liseli B is one of the stand-out tracks off new album ‘not your lover girl’.
The track theme echoes that of the album - taking control of life and refusing to be taken for granted - the lyrics channelling Liseli’s headspace when producing her new works. Echoing the classic pop and R&B stylings of the early 2000s, the snare-led beat and acoustic guitar-charged melody have a Destiny’s Child feel around them, highlighted by the smooth, soulful vocals. It’s a modern twist on the pioneering era for the genre. Engage your emotions and plug in.
David GotSound - Big Dreamz - 1:52
It has been a minute, but David GotSound has returned to our airwaves with a track that lays the foundations for 2024. ‘Big Dreamz’ is exactly what the Bexley artist has set out to achieve in the coming year. The trademark rapid flow that we so fell in love with on the 2020 EP ‘The Mountains’ returns, as does David’s amazing ability to use vibrant similes to convey his desires and wants. With floaty light backing vocals juxtaposing the punchy rhymes, David has unequivocally set out his plans. Now to live the dream.
ellhan - you Ft. Hannah Noonan - 2:41
With an opening reminiscent of the iconic DJ Jean, Medway-based House producer ellhan has released the infatuated dancefloor filler ‘You’, featuring the sweetly soaring vocals of Hannah Noonan.
Having joined Tonetic Records to develop her skills, ellhan has since bagged shows across Kent, from Margate to Maidstone, at venues such as Where Else? and Decktronix.
But it is the chilled, almost psychedelic, notes from the romantic new single that have garnered attention from BBC Radio 1 Dance with Jaguar. It’s got a lovely slice of Trance about it. The future is sooo bright.
Humble the Great - u. Ft. Kamal. - 2:39
Working with London singer-songwriter Kamal., Sevenoaks producer Humble the Great has created a break-up song that treads the line of vitriol and regret in its language. Gentle acoustic guitar strums are interjected by punchy electronics portraying a relationship that has both its smooth sailing and sharp instances.
An abrupt end to the music is replaced by a distorted recording of another song and a female voice, as though a memory is being watched back but slowly disappearing as the relationship ends. A brilliant soundtracking of reality.
