Heavy Water, the band created during lockdown by legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford and his son Seb, are back with their second album, 'Dreams of Yesterday'. The album, which is due for release on September 29th via Silver Lining Music, is a ten-track collaboration of musical ideas that will surprise people in places and delight across the board. Read on to find out what we thought. The title track and album opener, which look back with a nostalgic longing to the ever-changing music scene of the mid-1960s, The song is a good introduction to the album, with a heavy as you like bass line. The song showcases both Biff and Seb Byford's vocals, which complement each other's vocal styles perfectly. Seb's voice is strong with a modern rock aesthetic, which blends seamlessly with Biff's iconic, powerful metal vocal style.  The groove-infused ' Don't Take It For Granted', keeps the momentum going, which is a powerhouse in itself. But if you thou...

Grammy-nominated musician and singer-songwriter Brent Cobb is back with his fifth studio album, 'Southern Star'. Recorded at the renowned Capricorn Studios in his home town of Georgia. The album is the first that Brent has produced himself, with help from Oran Thornton.   Not only did Brent record the album in Georgia, 'Southern Star' is very much a tribute to the southern state. This is no more apparent than in the opener and title track, a stunning song that starts the album off on an upbeat tone. Brent reminisces on his past and affirms his love of where he comes from and the sense of security and belonging he feels when he is away from home; he knows he "can always count on the Southern Star", a great sentiment. On to 'It's A Start' which is smooth as you like with a groove that just resonates with the soul. Brent paints a vivid picture of a chilled-out day with loved ones. His words evoke scenes of a hazy summer get-together with f...

K.Flay has returned with her fifth studio album, ‘ MONO’. The album’s title is inspired by K.Flay’s recent and very sudden on set of an extremely rare hearing condition called SSNHL (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) and Labrynthitis. The condition has left the musician and singer-songwriter completely deaf in her right ear. The first track on the album deals with this head-on. ‘Are You Serious?’ explains exactly what happened, with clever use of sound to reflect the confusion and difficulties faced by K.Flay as she talks about how it feels to be suddenly faced with a brand new way of living and the reality of the condition. As an experienced singer-songwriter, K.Flay uses all of her creativity and skillful lyricism on this album. Almost ten years since the release of her debut record back in 2014, K.Flay has managed to create an album that feels fresh and exciting. ‘The Punisher’, is one of my personal favourites; the beat throughout is on point, but more importantly, for...

Reviewer: David Weddle  Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae’s brand new album ‘Black Rainbows’, is out September 15th. The record, Corinne’s fourth studio album, draws inspiration from a display curated by Theaster Gates in a Chicago museum. The display is called ‘The Stoney Island Arts Bank’, which is a carefully curated collection of Black archives, including books, sculpture, records, furniture, and ‘problematic’ objects from America’s past. Seeing the display evoked an emotional response in Corinne, and ‘Black Rainbows’ is a musical manifestation of those emotions. "Engaging with these archives and encountering Theaster Gates and his practice has changed how I think about myself as an artist and what the possibilities of my work can be." Corinne explains. There is no denying the emotion in the album; you can feel it from the very start with ‘A Spell, A Prayer’, with its haunting backing vocals giving an almost choir-like feel to the track...

MUSIC NEWS MONTHLY LIVE REVIEW WE THREE NEWCASTLE - RIVERSIDE Photos and Review: David Weddle @dweddlephotography Oregeon alt-pop trio We Three recently released their fourth studio album, 'Love Me' and have been touring the world, bringing their new music to their already massive fan base as well as new ears across the globe. Bringing their emotionally charged album to the UK We Three started this leg of the tour in Newcastle, We Three rolled in to town with support from Alfie Sheard and singer-songwriter Morgan St. Jean. Opening proceedings, Alfie Sheard gave it his all and got the crowd warmed up nicely on what was a freezing October night on Newcastle’s historic Quayside. Playing a plethora of covers of well-known tracks like Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape Of You’ and James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful’ interlaced with Alfie’s original material, the singer was an instant hit with the Newcastle crowd. Af...

Grammy-nominated blues rock band The Record Company are back with their brand new album, ‘The 4th Album’, which is a handy title for the their fourth studio album. This is the first release via a new global deal with Round Hill Records, having previously been dropped by their old record company due to the band and the company going “in a different direction”. Let me tell you though, the parting of ways doesn’t seem to have had a negative impact on the band’s song-writing. ‘The 4th Album’, is pure, unadulterated blues rock at its finest. From the opening track and new single ‘Dance On Mondays’ there is a groove that draws you in and makes you sit up and listen. The album is overflowing with toe tapping, groove laden songs like ‘I Found Heaven (In My Darkest Days)’ that get the blood pumping, tempered with occasional slower tempo tracks like ‘Highway Lady’ which is so chilled out that I could see myself sitting on a wooden porch on a rocking chair, feet up with a beer in ha...

Reviewer: David Weddle Rising pop-rock band Hot Milk have just released their long-awaited and highly anticipated debut album, 'A Call To The Void'. Having spent much of the last five years building a loyal following thanks in part to their three previously released EPs, the Manchester-based band has gone from strength to strength and has created a musical style of their own that is uniquely and instantly recognisable as the Hot Milk sound.   The album gets off to a strong start with a short intro track, 'Welcome to the...', that builds the atmosphere and the anticipation of what is to come. 'Horror Show', one of three singles taken from the album, is electro-pop punk at its finest. Something that Hot Milk has become renowned for. A strong start indeed.   Another single release, 'Bloodstream', showcases the band's ability to write and perform anthemic tracks that are bound to be sure-fire crowd pleasers. Getting heavier as we dive deeper ...

Morgan Wade is back with her brand new LP, Psychopath. The Nashville country rock singer songwriter has seen success with her previous release, her debut album 'Reckless' which tackled issues of addiction and recovery. Listening to this record, it is plain to see that it is set to continue. Morgan talks of her personal experiences of handling the pressures of success while still struggling with sobriety and dealing with obstacles that the world puts in her way. Crammed full of treats for the ear with stunning vocal harmonies such as those in the opening track 'Domino' that are just so pleasing to hear that I had to play it over and over. The rising country star's sophomore album has more hooks than your local hardware store, and they are catchy without becoming annoying.  Morgan's storytelling talent is evident throughout, and no more so than in 'Phantom Feelings', telling a story of words left unspoken and a love that never came to fruiti...

Singer-songwriter and actress Reneé Rapp has seen her music career go from strength to strength since releasing her debut single which has seen Renée go on to play to sold out crowds across the US. Starting a new chapter in her musical journey, Reneé is back with her debut album "Snow Angel", produced by Alexander 23 (Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae). Starting off strong with the opener "Talk Too Much", Reneé shows off her ability to write a tune that is catchy as hell. I'm a sucker for a bit of a monologue break in a track so this one is a sure fire winner for me. The sentiment is one that everyone feels at some point and Reneé does a great job of making the song totally relatable.  Speaking of relatable, "Poison Poison" is exactly that. Who doesn't know someone that is just completely and utterly annoying? I don't know who Renée is referring to in this song but I am glad it's not me as she doesn't hold back any punches.  Anot...

It's been about a year since their last release, but the lads from Shropshire, UK, Chasing August, are finally back with their brand new single 'Daisy Chains', the first release from their upcoming EP, which is due out next year. As long as it has been, the wait for new music from this alternative rock powerhouse was definitely worth it. Chasing August have clearly spent a lot of time and effort honing their craft and creating music that just feels good for the soul.  From an eerily atmospheric start leading straight into a pleasing 70's vibe with laid-back guitar and drums and a chilled vocal that lulls the ear into a false sense of relaxed security, the gloriously distorted guitar kicks in and the whole energy of the song changes completely.  The hook of the track is heavy as hell, with a beat that just makes you want to move. The track is full of energy, and we are even treated to a stunning guitar solo towards the end of the song that shows off Chasing A...

North Shields singer songwriter Liam Fender has just released his highly anticipated debut EP Love Will… on Humble Angel Records. The six track record features previously released singles ‘Love Will Conquer’, ‘Don’t Follow Me Down’ and ‘Time Comes Around’.   The title track ‘Love Will…’ opens the EP with a stunning instrumental introduction to Liam’s creation. Building up with the sound of a choir harmonising while the ears are opened with a crescendo of orchestral electronica Liam builds an atmosphere and the anticipation of what is to come.   The next two tracks on the EP are singles ‘Don’t Follow Me Down’ and ‘Time Comes Around’ both of which showcase Liam’s talent for storytelling, he has a canny ability to paint a picture with his words and draws you in to the songs then hits you with the glorious guitar work which compliments his voice perfectly. Taking what seems like an unexpected turn, Liam treats us to his version of Joy Division’s classic 1980’...

Craig Gould's latest album, due for release on 14th of April, "Songs from the Campfire," is a masterpiece of Americana folk rock that will leave you breathless from start to finish. With more musical talent than you can shake a very large stick at and a drive that seems almost superhuman, Craig has outdone himself with this collection of songs that are sure to become instant classics. From the opening track, "The Campfire Song," you'll be transported to a place of warmth and comfort, where Craig's guitar and vocals weave a spellbinding tale of love and nostalgia. The melody is so catchy, you'll find yourself humming along before you know it. But don't be fooled by the gentle opening, as Craig is not afraid to tackle the tough subjects head-on. "Out of the Woods," for example, deals with mental health and wellbeing, and does so in a way that is both honest and compassionate. The lyrics are raw and real, and Craig's voice ...

Hailing from Newport, Wales, four-piece Skindred are back with their eighth studio album, 'Smile'. Famed for their reggae-infused metal, Skindred has been making waves in the music industry since 1998. The new album builds on the band's previous track record of throwing everything they have got at their high energy, funky sound. Frontman Benji Webbe, is as entertaining and charismatic as ever as he ploughs his energy into every track. The album is packed full of hit after hit, from start to finish. The band has been touring with KISS across the UK, spreading the Skindred sound to new ears and giving their existing fans a taste of just how good this album is. From 'Gimmie That Boom' sees Benji talking about difficulties having to seprate ahis private life and on stage life. Born out of frustration of being hassled by fans while going about his business with his family. Skindred have taken a taboo that most bands won't talk about and turned it in to s...