These Fresh Faves were picked by our readers over the weekend – and reviewed by Fresh On The Net’s Neil March this week. You can hear all these tracks in a single Soundcloud playlist here.

Ho Ho Ho!! Bah Humbug!! And other stories!! So here it is, as Noddy always reminds us… well, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it is upon us and it means this is the last Fresh Faves before the New Year; one that will mark the beginning of my seventh year as a moderator. It doesn’t seem that long though. So come all ye faithful and enjoy checking out another ten tracks-a-playing. Since it is my privilege to review them, it’s time to tear open the wrapping and see what’s inside. Step this way, all you lovers of new music.

BADBELLY – We Was Once Ft TheNarratorSpeaks

It would appear that Badbelly has been on the radar of a certain Tom Robinson for about a decade now. He has clearly had some impressive support and plaudits in that time. Now, he says, he has a new focus on production.

We Was Once is a smartly configured Sleigh Ride down Quality Street. It is, in essence, a piece of spoken word, meting out something of a life lesson (so we will overlook the obvious grammar issue!) to whoever wants to listen. The backing track begins with a quite laidback vibe but gradually ups the intensity with a more direct beat, horns here and there, and some clever piano chords. I presume TheNarratorSpeaks is the guest vocalist and Badbelly is focused on everything else. Either way, it works and the track holds my attention throughout.

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DEKKER – I Know, I Know

One of two artists with a connection to Brooklyn this week, I have reviewed Dekker before. He is known as ‘… the American half of the 13 year old Anglo-American Indie-Folk duo Rue Royale’. There is something of a backstory on his bio, but the bottom line is that he is now writing from a more personal perspective and has been recording an album.

I Know, I Know reminds me, in an indirect way, of BC Camplight, more perhaps in the slightly apologetic nature of the lyric and the prettiness of the melody. Style-wise it is folkier, strummed acoustic guitar playing a prominent role, while Dekker’s voice is laidback, but has an earnestness about it that is appealing. The melody has a subtle air of familiarity about it but not enough to be a concern. This is fresh, light-textured Folk Pop, Dekker’s brought the fine wine, but it definitely isn’t mulled.

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DEVANSH – Trust

Multi-instrumentalist Devansh lives in London, but has arrived here via Brooklyn and Singapore. He enjoys mixing up the genres, and there are signs of this tendency on Trust. He has had a single co-produced by Jordan Rakei and has worked with some top-notch musicians, bringing his New York sensibilities to the scene in London.

Trust is a clever, sophisticated serving of jangling but subtly psychedelic Alt Pop. The imaginative guitar blends with reverberant synths, a particularly fluid bassline and syncopated beats, Devansh has a gently appealing voice that wraps itself around a cool melody and a veritable Santa’s Sack of Sumptuous sounds that keep the arrangement astute, agile and highly agreeable.

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EMMA JOHNSON’S GRAVY BOAT – Embers

What can I say about Leeds-based quintet Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat that would do justice to their journey and achievements over these past few years? To have even managed to recruit a group of musicians who gel so perfectly and are so responsive to one another and the music is an achievement in itself. I was fortunate enough to see EJGB when they toured the UK in 2022 and had the opportunity of a good long chat with Emma. You can read my review of the gig here. Sadly I missed their more recent visit to London because of other commitments, but I am resolved to seeing them live again at the next opportunity. Why? Because they are amazing! And that is why they are winning one plaudit after another as their reputation grows.

I will be clear. This was unequivocally my favourite track at moderation and at the Listening Post this week. I don’t know how I would have coped if it hadn’t made the Faves. Luckily, enough people heard what I heard. Yes. Do you hear what I hear? From the opening sweet piano chord and Emma’s mellow, maybe melancholy melody on the Tenor Sax getting straight to work, this is a cut above the norm. The second chord is goose-bumping and, as the descending progression works its way through, Emma’s playing is rich, expressive but, as always, never remotely overplayed. When the piano takes the lead and continues the melody in chordal form, it is beautiful and the softly expanding sound and effortless chemistry as the guitar, double bass and drums bring their qualities to the track, underlines that sense of knowing exactly what is needed. There are definite shades of Weather Report here, perhaps with a dash of John McLaughlin too, but this music is timeless and its execution is breathtaking. You want to know what quality sounds like? Knock yourself out!

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FOXTRAP – Not Enough

According to their Facebook page Foxtrap are ‘… an enticing recipe of electronica, techno, fusion and a large dose of soaring voc’. Signed to Manchester indie label CosmicGlue, they have been touring and, judging by how often they are performing on the Isle of Man, I think that is where they are based. Apologies if I have misunderstood that part.

Not Enough begins with long synth chords and a deliciously edgy female vocal setting out the tune before more sounds enter the mix and an almost underwater sounding kick bass brings a four-to-the-floor backdrop. The instrumental arrangement remains relatively sparse, or perhaps translucent would be a better way of describing it. Some electronic sounds pop and jump around against the sweep synths, and a vocal that grows in dynamic intensity. There’s a lovely breakdown section in the middle of the track too. With more sounds dancing in and out of the mix than you can shake a box of Cool-Mint Matchmakers at, this is inventive, epic and holds my attention for the full 5 mins 14 seconds.

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FRAUDSTER & SION – The Bug

There seems to be some confusion as to whether the artist here is Fraudster & Sion or simply Fraudster. Everything seems to point to the latter. An absence of links or bio on the Soundcloud page exacerbates this mystery while also making it a challenge to find out anything about her. Luckily I am quite determined, so I found some links which you can see below. Although described on Instagram simply as ‘Cool Guy’ Fraudster appears to be female and I apologise if I am being presumptuous but there are no pronouns to confirm or deny this. She has been playing live in Bristol where she hails from and has a band, I think. In fact, I think she may be playing Zed Alley as I am typing this. The Bug follows a single called Curb The Knee which achieved a pretty impressive 4.6K Spotify streams, so she is clearly reaching a sizeable audience already.

The Bug has a very slight undercurrent of lo-fi about it, but equally it is clearly recorded in facilities a good sight better than the average lowly cattle shed! The combination of shuffling beat, piano chords and slightly fuzzy guitar creates a sparky atmosphere against which the vocal is laid back, a little ethereal in bits but full of character. Imagine Cate Le Bon in a jam with Portishead while Aldous Harding adds spices. Atmospheric, superbly produced and most appealing.

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HAZLETT – Stolen Seasons

From Brisbane in Australia, Hazlett is a singer-songwriter who says he was fired from his job singing at a pub because the landlord hated his songs! Oh no! Well more fool the landlord then. Solitude appears to be something of a theme for his music, and he seems surprised when he has fans. Well, perhaps this vote of confidence from Fresh On The Net readers will bring him a much-needed boost.

There is a wintery aura about Stolen Seasons, a sense of sitting by a crackling wood-fuelled fireplace listening to the gorgeous vocal harmonies and sweet slide guitars that dominate this track. Imagine Bon Iver jamming with Simon & Garfunkel while The Staves drop by with ingredients. More Seven Swans-a-Swimming than Twelve Drummers Drumming, this has a compelling mystique coupled with an innate beauty. Truly heartwarming.

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MORGAN – Leavin’ Liverpool

Hopefully Morgan isn’t “leavin’ Liverpool” on the train from Lime Street to London, because every time I attempt that journey it is a bleedin’ nightmare! His Soundcloud blurb says he is a songwriter and producer from Liverpool, but there is an uncredited female vocalist on this track. No links mean a wild goose chase to be able to tell you anything else about Morgan, especially with quite a generic name and, on this occasion, even I can find literally nothing about him anywhere on the internet or social media. Maybe Steve will have had more luck by the time this is published (Nope! -Steve), but seriously Morgan, if you have some way of knowing this review even exists, make yourself visible. Start by putting links on your Soundcloud page.

Anyway, to the song. Leavin’ Liverpool seems a curious title for an American-sounding singer with a Country twang, singing about a small town but hey, maybe it’s a different Liverpool. Shimmering acoustic guitar (is that a 12-string?) accompanies a striking vocal, often adorned by multi-tracked harmonies. It’s more Folk than Americana I guess, but it is lovingly crafted and entirely organic, and there’s a bluesiness to the guitar work between the verses. Brighter than a red-nosed reindeer, this sparkles and shines with a subtly mystical undercurrent.

REBEL CONTROL – Things

Hailing from Brighton, Rebel Control are a duo of Andy Baron (Vocals) and Richie Concrete (Guitar & Keyboards), ‘aided and abetted’ by others. They have been gaining a hot reputation for their live shows, which include a number of festivals. They have supported some serious names in Reggae including Mad Professor and Luciano, as well as well-known UK artists Tinie Tempah and Roots Manuva (both fairly local to me, as it goes!). They have also recorded for a string of indie labels.

Things is Old Skool Reggae, based around a two-chord figure with some real effort having gone into the arrangement to ensure there is more than an air of authenticity (much as I dislike that word). In this respect, you feel that everything has been done the right way as it was intended, like when you break open the After Eights after eight or perhaps when the snowman brings the snow! There are shades of classic names from Culture to Black Uhuru and from early Aswad and Black Slate to Misty-In-Roots. Ultimately, their love for the genre is obvious and they treat it with due respect.

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SUSY WALL – Shortest Day

Another artist with not a crumb of information on the Soundcloud page. No location, no links and no blurb. Some serious digging reveals that Susy Wall is Welsh and now lives in the English Midlands. She has been gigging around the Midlands and has had BBC Radio 2 support from Sarah Cox, no less, plus good local press coverage. It is clear that Susy is a big voice in the music community where she lives and works. And this year, to save us from tears, she has shared her craft with Fresh On The Net. And it’s a, ahem, cracker of a tune!

Shortest Day is in a rolling triplet time with earthy acoustic guitar accompanying a soft but assured vocal with an otherworldly air about the whole thing. The dynamic demeanour and drive of the chord play brings an evocative element. For some reason, I picture Susy sitting on a rock in a vast open hilly space with just a guitar, singing this as flocks of seabirds fly overhead in a dark, moody sky. Despite the simple organic character of the arrangement, it feels wholesome and substantial. A sign of good songwriting.

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PS from TR: If you’ve submitted a track that hasn’t been picked for the Listening Post, our team has definitely listened to it and there’s no need to send it again: feel free to send us an even stronger track another week. The same goes if you were picked for the Listening Post but didn’t feature in our Fresh Faves.

But if we’ve recently featured you in our Fresh Faves – or on my BBC Introducing Mixtape – please wait three months before sending us another track, so we have space to help other deserving artists… For more info see Robinson Has A Good Old Moan.