Snuttock – ‘Stay’

A band with an odd sounding name will stick hard and fast in your memory. If their music is incredible as well, then that stickiness will be even more so. Snuttock are one of those sorts of bands. They’ve been around for two decades, and during that time they’ve endlessly experimented, and been inventive with their style. They’ve explored dark industrial sounds, wigged-out experiments, synth meltdowns, and the bleakest of mechanical imaginings, that nearly take you over the edge into madness. Their latest single, ‘Stay’, which is the first and title track from their upcoming album, is one part super-lavish Depeche Mode, and one part OMDs passion. The other parts are all the property of Snuttock alone.

David Haerle – ‘Go Do That With Sharon’ And ‘Romy and Michele’

We’ve written about David Haerle a lot here on Essentially Pop, reviewing the releases from his 2018 debut album, ‘Garden Of Edendale’. Now he returns with his second album, ‘Death Valley’, which is a glistening blend of So-Cal sound with classic British Rock. The first two singles, ‘Go Do That With Sharon’, and ‘Romy And Michele’, are just a taste of what’s to come from the rest of the album, which tracks his search for a renewal of his spirit, and finding beauty in the minutiae of everyday life.

Alex Sparrow – ‘Let’s Stay Home Tonight’

It’s that time of year when we would ordinarily be gearing up to watch European music’s night of nights, The Eurovision Song Contest. Alex Sparrow competed for his native Russia in the contest in 2011, when it was held in Dusseldorf, finishing in 16th position. There’s no Eurovision this year because of Covid-19, but there’s an Alex Sparrow song – the singer, composer, actor and producer, now based in Los Angeles, has released his most recent single, ‘Let’s Stay Home Tonight’, and although it’s no compensation for the Eurovision, it’s a fun song with an equally upbeat music video.

lotusbliss – ‘Carpet’

The music of lotusbliss, comprising brothers Seth, Josh, and Adam Gauton, from Canterbury, Kent, comes at you like a speeding train: unwavering, insistent, determinedly powerful. They grew up making music together, but formed as lotusbliss in 2018 while tossing around band names in a lighthearted conversation. Debut single, ‘Beautiful Monotone’, was released in November last year, while new single, ‘Carpet’, is the second and final release from their EP, ‘A Good Death Is A Beautiful Thing’.

The Dead Daisies – ‘Unspoken’

We have written about The Dead Daisies a number of times, so rather than spending more time on describing them here, we’ll refer you back to our previous articles about the band. Suffice to say, they’re a supergroup collective of ferocious rockers you’ll definitely have heard of, who have found a common groove and voice which draws on their experience in their classic bands, and they’ve extended it into even more fantastic music. One thing we do need to add however, is that the group, already superb, have added to their number the incredible bassist and singer, Glenn Hughes, known for his work with Trapeze, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. With one of the most distinctive vocal styles in popular music, combining power with a legendary range, he is going to take The Dead Daisies even higher than they’ve gone before. Latest single, ‘Unspoken’, sees Hughes show us what he’s made of: and we’re not disappointed.

Cutty Kev feat. Tae Wilson – ‘Trap Fashion’

West Baltimore Hip Hop artist Cutty Kev has made a name for himself with his tunes which take everyday people and situations, and turn them into rhymes which people can relate to, as well as have a groove. He started well before he was a teen, and by the time Kev was 15, he had managed to get together some home recording gear, making a few mixtapes: ‘Cutty Muzik’, ‘We Are So Swagg Vol 1’, and ‘New Heat’. He shared his CDs at work, and eventually caught the attention of Got Ta Know Enterprizes, who signed him in 2016. Cutty Kev’s latest single, ‘Trap Fashion’, features an absolute killer of a verse from fellow Baltimore native, Tae Wilson. The track is the second release from his GTK debut, ‘2econd Chanze’, and it’s clearly the work of someone aiming for the top.

Jack Ryan – ‘Just Want To Talk’

Jack Ryan knows he doesn’t need to play games to win over his audience – his talent is immediately obvious the moment he picks up his guitar, and his laidback and easy-going attitude are a part of his personality and come to the fore when he’s performing. The singer songwriter, whose style is a cohesive blend of rock, country, and contemporary pop, has released his latest single, ‘Just Want To Talk’, and the video is a primer for newcomers to Jack Ryan: as he works his gentlemanly charm and wins over hearts and minds.