In this edition of Up and Becoming, I’ll be exploring songs from artists Design Rewind, Drive, Soul Tracking, Joci Oye, and Bubblegum Hypnosis. Let’s see why you should be giving these a listen:
Design Rewind
Tie Me Up – This is a song that immediately caught my attention with its groove and soft funky sound. Reminiscent to 70s American rock and funk (think Toto or Average White Band), this song is just fun to listen and jive a long to. With a smooth feel to it and an undeniably catchy chorus that is guaranteed to be stuck in your head, there isn’t anything I dislike about this song. Overall, this is a song from a band I’d certainly enjoy hearing more from.
Drive
Old Cassette Tape – A tune that immediately gives me 80s roadtrip vibes. Mellow guitar combined with soft synthesiser creates a calm and relaxed mood, the vocal style of Jake Fletcher bringing the more modern touch to the song with lyrics about hesitation and longing. This song makes me want to be driving down a highway in a convertible on a sunny day. Particular influences like that of ‘The The’ and ‘Blossoms’ can definitely be heard in the song’s use of synthesiser, subtle guitar and powerful vocals. This is an amazing song that I highly recommend.
Soul Tracking
Mojo – The first thing that I noticed with this song is the very R&B sound of Jo Cilia, who maintains a consistently strong vocal throughout the song. Seeing the band’s personal playlists on Spotify really allows you to highlight certain influences, such as the pleasantly desperate sound of a Radiohead track like ‘Paranoid Android’ or ’15 Step’. An enjoyable song by the band with some powerful use of drums and catchy basslines, this is one I’d definitely enjoy hearing on the radio.
Joci Oye
mood – One of the more distinctively modern sounding songs on this list. The electronic piano work at the beginning of the song immediately made me think of classic ‘girly’ films and fashion, making me almost nostalgic with the retro sound. A relatively short song, in just two minutes Oye manages to create a song you can’t help but groove to, whether it be just subtle or straight up dancing in your bedroom. This song makes me think of a night out, and having a good time. Fairly simple with its instruments, the song is easy and sweet.
Bubblegum Hypnosis
Beachy Blues – A lo-fi tune with an undeniable blues feel to it. This song makes you crave a warm beach and solitude the more you listen to it, the chilled guitar work and strangely haunting vocals combining to create a feeling of loss. An overall calm and subtle song to begin with, the change in the song’s sound nearing the three minute mark creates an enchanting sound and a feeling I can only compare to slowly falling downwards.
Summary:
I’d say that 4/5 of these songs are brilliant radio hits that you’ll love tapping your feet along to. Some of the songs mentioned have a depth to them that’s created either by the lyrics, like ‘Beachy Blues’, or the instruments used, like ‘Old Cassette Tape’. However others have a more upbeat feel to them that gets you ready to face the day and make you want to listen to more. My personal favourites on this list have to be ‘Tie Me Up’ and ‘Old Cassette Tape’. My own love of the 70s and 80s music movements leave me with a soft spot for these songs that is rightfully earned.
Link to ‘Up and Becoming #2’ playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0m9mfjdiAIjCwj9vucI8GE?si=SpxvaPb5QsGyDFHpwZFB4Q
Link to ‘Up and Becoming Complete Playlist’: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1rmB0CbDw6kadB0hfgv3oc?si=pstVimguQeGNvVL5r20cmg
