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

Words from Del:Hi everyone! Well this is the last one before Easter break, and I just wanted to take the time to say thankyou to everyone who’s supported us since I took over. That year has gone quick! Thanks also to all the artists that submitted tracks last week. I’d like to ask a favour of those who have made the faves. While you cannot submit a track for 90 days please do come and support your fellow artists at the listening post. They’ll love you for it!

As always, if you’d like to be featured on my Islington Radio show, send me an audio file and a bio to my email, clean radio edits only!

Over to you Neil and Sherry!

SHERRY: Finally we can wear colourful clothes without hiding them under layers of jacket. Spring is officially here; yay! The sun’s out, the skies are bluer and I have started hearing that jingle sound of the ice cream van making its around. I have already had ice creams three times this week without catching a cold… small wins right ? With the season serving shiny vibes, it’s the perfect time to dive into this week’s faves reviews.

NEIL: April has so far brought milder weather and maybe a small sense of optimism. Any optimism is bound to be cautious when the President of the world’s leading economic superpower continues to make enemies of former allies and declare war on his own workers but the consequent redrawing of the global trade and financial map will be, ahem, interesting! As musicians, we tend to be unimpressed, or at least unbothered, by borders and more interested in people. If only politicians knew how to harness the unifying power of music. It is, as Stevie Wonder once reminded us, ‘… a language we all understand’. This week, once again, our readers have chosen ten tracks we can definitely all understand and it is my privilege to jointly review them with my awesome young friend, business partner and lead singer of our band Sherry. Here goes then.

ANNA-MY – Memoria

Swedish DJ and Producer Anna-My is based in Stockholm [and partly in London]. Her Instagram account has some great reels of her DJing in cool venues. She says Memoria is her debut single and it is certainly her only track on Spotify and yet it has already amassed 25K streams (monthly listener figures at over 20K too) so she must have some serious following who have been waiting for this moment.

SHERRY: With a voice sample throughout the song, this track has a unique vibe to it. I could totally imagine this playing at a fashion show while models showcase them on the ramp but then halfway through the track it suddenly gives a sunny beachy vibe in my imagination. It has got such a cool mix of sound and energy. Memoria is fun, fresh and really well put together. Whether you are dancing or just chilling, this track fits both moods.

NEIL: This track grabbed my immediate attention at moderation. I love how the buoyant, light-textured synth dances around the persistent electro-house beat while other sounds, including a slightly indecipherable sampled spoken voice, appear and disappear like little flashes of sheet lightning. It has a great groove that you could dance your backside off to but could also enjoy as a post-club chillout wind-down track as Sherry has so poetically portrayed.

Linktree | Instagram | YouTube

CHARLIE FORREST

Digging out background information on Charlie Forrest is, it is fair to say, a challenge. His Instagram account seems very new and only has a few posts but his Facebook page, by complete contrast, seemed to grind to a halt in 2022. Nevertheless his last single amassed over 3K streams and the new one is not far behind already. Clearly he has a following somewhere and is able to command impressive support.

NEIL: Wow, this has such a sixties classic Pop vibe with the wobbly ascending guitar and choppy chords (like The Seekers in a mash with early Beatles which is something I never thought I would ever say in a fresh faves review!) but then it also has an early eighties jangly post-Postcard aspect too. And the vocal style is a little bit psychedelic. This track topped the Listening Post vote at the weekend and I can see why. It has a lovely, slightly melancholy feel and the songwriting and chord structure are refreshingly simple but engaging.

SHERRY: This one’s like stepping into a soft daydream. What really stands out to me is the slightly distorted vocals. Like Neil said, they add this gentle psychedelic touch that makes the whole song feel like it’s floating in slow motion. The melody is simple but beautiful, there’s something really comforting about the way the whole thing flows. Perfect for a spring morning when you feel soft, thoughtful and want to drift for a while.

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DEE RAE – Purple And Red

Manchester-based Singer-Songwriter Dee Rae is about to embark upon a UK tour with a band of musicians they are clearly excited to have on board. One of the two London dates is at The Waiting Room, the venue I (Neil) have literally just got home from as I write this! They talk about songs ‘… exploring themes of feminism and artistic identity through vivid story-telling and rich instrumentation’.

SHERRY: This might be one of the most emotional and expressive songs I’ve heard in a while. From the very start, it pulls you in with soft guitar strumming and Dee’s clear vocals. The song lets you drift into a calm vibe. Just when you settle, the dynamic shifts into a bold electric guitar and drums. It’s soft, beautiful, and full of feeling. The kind of song that stays with you even after it’s over.

NEIL: This starts with a quiet little picked guitar figure and the vocals dry and central, emphasising Dee’s confidence in their expressive vocals. Harmonies soon bring a layer of class while sweet strings play in the background and the guitar figure is reinforced with an extra guitar. The style, with its triplet feel and harmonic warmth, has a little of Laura Marling about it. It then picks up with the introduction of clanging electric guitar and percussion before dropping right down to minimal guitar and vocal. So nuanced and imaginatively executed.

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp

FAGAN – Higher Than High

The Internet is not exactly awash with information about Liverpool’s Fagan. But his Spotify artist profile helpfully explains that he has a big TikTok following and he is known for introspective lyrics and catchy melodies. His Facebook page reveals that he has had past support from our very own Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music and also from Merseyside BBC Introducing stalwart Dave Monks. His previous releases have been achieving decent streaming numbers and hopefully Higher and Higher will do the same once it is available on digital platforms on 11th April.

NEIL: After a dreamy vocal harmony-based opening, this rocks out with quick tempo, snarling guitars and energetic vocals and backing vocals in part call and response, part octave apart and part direct harmony. There is a kind of implied Surf Punk aura to this. The chorus is big, brash and bold while the instrumental arrangement is smart, sassy and full of cool contrasts. In a strange sort of way, it reminds me of Cast in a mash-up with The Barrcudas while The Only Ones bring chops. That is probably completely misleading though! It has an infectious sing-a-long sensibility and it rocks for sure.

SHERRY: This track totally tricked me at first. It starts with these soft, dreamy vocal harmonies that made me think it was going to be a chill song. But then, boom; it takes a sharp turn and bursts into this bold, high-energy vibe, with electric guitars leading the way and vocals that pack a punch.

My favourite part is definitely the pre-chorus. It’s super catchy and pulls you right in. Honestly, the whole melody is so infectious that I found myself humming it the next day without even realizing. The bridge build-up and the guitar riff are really impressive too. They add so much energy and drama in all the right places.
This one is fun, loud, and super addictive. Definitely a song to turn up loud and sing along to.

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HANNAH ROSE PLATT – Young Men Need Their Wives

Originally from Liverpool but now based in Bristol, Hannah Rose Platt is also known to us as a colleague of Neil’s at ICMP in Brent, London [which is also where Sherry obtained her MA]. We reviewed a previous single of hers in Trust The Doc but are not sure she saw the tags alerting to it so hopefully she will at least see this one! She is a singer-songwriter known for a wicked and somewhat dark sense of humour, including dipping into horror stories and Nordic mythology for inspiration for her unique lyrical style. Hannah has released music with Xtra Mile and has toured with Frank Turner, Chuck Ragan and Ed Harcourt (who has also produced her recordings). Her new album Fragile Creatures (not to be confused with Brighton’s FOTN regulars of the same name!) releases on 25th April.

SHERRY: Young Men Need Their Wives. The lyrics are really well written. They sound simple on the surface but carry a deeper meaning underneath. It’s one of those songs that feels easy and light to listen to, but the more you pay attention, the more it hits. Also, can we talk about that bridge guitar riff? It’s absolutely amazing and adds the perfect lift, giving the song a little extra spark. All in all, this track is smart, heartfelt, and super singable. A total earworm in the best possible way.

NEIL: From the big live sounding drum intro and the traditional piano playing chords in quavers to the rising up the register vocally into an inescapably catchy chorus, this is, as Sherry says, an earworm of a song. Lyrically it is intriguing and clever. Musically it is melodic Punk-Pop with shades of The Primitives in a jam with Dream Wife while Death Valley Girls bring the extras. Tunewise it has something of early Blondie too. I really liked her previous single but this one is even catchier, bolstered by cleverly contrasting arrangement features, including the lower register verses and upper register chorus, an element found in numerous songs stretching back more than half a century and yet still able to sound so fresh. It also has a lo-fi angle to the production which is punchy and feels compact and concise. Okay, I am rambling. Cool track.

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MAYA LANE – Never Be Enough

Londoner Maya Lane is managed by Ferocious Talent and she has built up quite a CV with multiple plays on BBC Radio 1 and rave reviews from The Line Of Best Fit, Clash, Notion and even national newspapers like The Guardian, The Independent and, we kid you not, the ‘ooh-ah’ Daily Star! She has supported and recorded with some accomplished names and has been performing at festivals and live shows since she was 12.

NEIL: Never Enough has a brooding but bouncy backdrop that is folky with elements of Rock and a semi-cinematic dynamism. Her vocals, reinforced by skillfully mixed harmonies and ‘ah’s have an aura of Americana that brings echoes of HAIM, Maggie Rogers and others who I am struggling to pinpoint. The production is the perfect mix of organic and expansive, complementing Maya’s very evident vocal and songwriting abilities.

SHERRY: The song starts off with a clean, stripped-back feel; just guitar and vocals and it really lets Maya Lane’s voice shine. There’s something soft and honest about the opening that pulls you in right away. Then, slowly, it starts to build. More layers come in, and before you know it, the track grows into this vibey, full-sounding tune that makes you want to sway along. The energy rises in such a natural way, and the production feels smooth and fresh without ever losing that emotional core. It’s one of those songs that feels chill but still has a strong pulse running through it. A perfect mix of calm and catchy.

Official | Linktree | Instagram | YouTube

PATRON SAINTS – Would You Come (If I Promise To Go)

There seems to be some confusion about Patron Saints. Their Soundcloud blurb presents them as a ‘…. new electrifying force in electronic dance music, blending deep house, electronica, and high-energy rhythms alongside downtempo and techno-pop sensibilities’ whereas, as we can clearly hear, Would You Come (If I Promise To Go) is a scorchingly beautiful Pop ballad. In the meantime, however, the Soundcloud blurb tells us they have become revered within the electronic dance music community. They released the album Nostalgia last week and, having checked out a few of the tracks, it is definitely more in EDM territory although still quite varied in influence.

SHERRY: This song really hits deep. The lyrics are emotional and honest. They paint a picture of heartbreak in such a calm, quiet way that it stays with you. It starts slowly, with gentle synths and soft vocals that feel almost like a whisper, but every word carries so much weight.
The melody is simple but powerful, and the way the track builds is really moving. It has that soft pop ballad feel, but there’s something raw and real in it too. The vocals stay controlled and steady, even when the lyrics are full of pain, and that contrast makes it even more emotional. It’s one of those songs you stop everything to listen to. Beautiful and haunting.

NEIL: This song was my favourite track at moderation and is arguably still my favourite. Long quiet synth tones accompany a striking female vocal in a distinctive voice that has shades of Donna Lewis in a mash with Ellie Goulding. From the outset, she sets out a heartwrenching lyric in an expressive but, in a sense, past caring manner. Harmonies add to the aura as the backing track gradually develops and fills out. ‘I’m hoping for one last time to see you/Would you come/If I promise to die in your arms’ she repeats. Then she goes on ‘I promise to go nice and quiet/To expire without ruckus or riot’. Despite the likely gathering of weeping souls around her as she shreds our collective emotions the vocals, as Sherry has noted, remain controlled and dignified in contrast to the desperation in the lyrics. The sparseness of the instrumental arrangement emphasises the centrality of the vocals, making it even harder to hide from the heartbreak. This is beautiful, original and overwhelming.

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PIMLICAN – Everything/strong>

Regular Fresh Fave and a favourite of our Trust The Doc blog and radio show, Pimlican, although named after a very distinctive district in Central London, is originally from South East London. He has been building a reputation for a good few years, including a period where he collaborated very successfully with the artist Josie, and has had consistent support from BBC Introducing shows as well as airplay on BBC 6 Music. He is an accomplished DJ and live performer and recently announced he is working with a new vocalist.

NEIL: In some ways, this is trademark Pimlican. Pulsating persistent pumping percussion and underlying House beat introduce the track before a periodically repeating vocal sample and bassline take things forward and sounds swirl and scatter across the mix as drops are used to great effect. We then get a Euro-style synth figure bouncing atop it all. The tempo is high and the production is punchy and agreeably loud. This had guest mod and friend Sue ‘hooping’ (as Pimlican’s tracks generally do!) when I played it on my show on Saturday! Floor filla all night long.

SHERRY: This track kicks off with a cool house vibe that instantly sets the mood smooth, groovy, and ready to get you moving. Then it shifts into a more upbeat disco-house style, and that’s when it really takes off. It’s super danceable; the kind of track that would light up a club or keep you going on a late-night drive. The energy is steady, the rhythm is tight, and the mix of sounds keeps it fun and fresh the whole way through. If you’re looking for something that makes you want to move, Everything is exactly that.

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ROE – The Moment’s Gone

Derry-born (Northern Ireland) singer-songwriter Roisin McDonald aka Roe is a returning fresh fave who was being voted for by our readers back in 2018. She was 18 when she played the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury. These days she is a stalwart of the live scene across Northern Ireland and the Republic and was recently invited, by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, to play a residency in Paris. As a recent Instagram post also reminds us ‘She won Best Emerging Artist at the NI Music Prize (2018), and her music has featured on BBC, ITV’s TOWIE, Channel 4’s Made in Chelsea, Netflix’s Terrace House, HBO MAX’s Am I OK?, and BBC’s Wreck’.

SHERRY:This song is super infectious. One listen and it’s stuck in your head. ROE’s vocals are amazing, full of emotion but still light and easy to listen to. There’s something about her voice that really makes the track shine. What makes this song stand out are those distinct cling sounds that pop up in the background; small details that add a unique, playful touch. It’s bright, poppy, and full of personality, but still has a little edge that keeps it interesting.

NEIL: I like how Roe gets straight into vocals from Bar 1 and the track gradually builds behind her distinctive voice. It is in the poppier area of her Alt Pop catalogue and the production is clever, especially the link-up between crisp drums locked in with the bass and single piano chords. Then piano doubles the vocal an octave up before slide guitar and bigger chords take this into new territory. All the while, the melody is infectious and the vocal performance is yearning and has an appealing fragility.

Official | Instagram | YouTube | Linktree

THE NEW CONSISTENT – Forgetting I’m Ben

Based in the English West Midlands, The New Consistent is a rapper and writer who has a uniquely regional style (something that has been at the heart of the success of other UK rap artists like FOTN regular Chiedu Oraka as well as Skepta, Fredo etc.). He has had support from BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing in the West Midlands as well as from Wordplay, Link Up TV and as support to other accomplished artists.

NEIL: This begins with bendily recorded hotel bar piano chords before a most unusual rap/spoken word vocal kicks in. The accent is hard to pinpoint. It doesn’t obviously sound like a West Midlands dialect and there is a slight aura of old-school London! It certainly grabs attention though. Then suddenly we are transported into a Drum’n’Bass dreamscape before the vocals return. It is an intriguing contrast between the rapid-fire male spoken word and the harmonised soulful female vocals that deliver a spine-tingling chorus while the beat is crisp and syncopated but the keyboards are dreamy and reverberant. A fascinating and fiery finale to the weekend’s faves.

SHERRY: This track stands out right away with its catchy, syncopated beat and laid-back rapping style. My favourite part has to be the female vocal that comes in. It totally shifts the mood and adds a fresh, unexpected layer to the track. That moment really changes the dynamic in the best way, making the whole song feel more unique and alive. It’s got a chill but confident vibe, and the mix of rap with melodic touches keeps it interesting from start to finish.

Official | Instagram | Facebook | Linktree | YouTube | Bandcamp

PS from Del: 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 – 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.