Minds Behind the Music News, Reviews & Views

“Animal Party” by The Living Orchestra

There’s hardly anything better than pop rock that blends commercial appeal with art-pop sophistication. “Animal Party” by The Living Orchestra is a perfect example—a song that’s both catchy and compelling while remaining irresistibly inviting. You can hear touches of Extreme alongside echoes of The Beatles, which is never a bad combination.

The production is first-rate: everything sits perfectly in the mix, clear, crisp, and balanced. There’s a subtle interplay of funk and pop rock throughout, giving the track a dynamic sense of movement. The vocals are outstanding, with harmonies and backing parts adding just the right amount of color and depth. The guitars are deliciously funky, the bass is lively and adventurous, and the drums are tight and groove-driven. And that saxophone solo? Absolutely brilliant. It all comes together beautifully.

For anyone who loves pop, rock, and/or funk, may I present one of the best tracks I’ve heard in a long time: “Animal Party” by The Living Orchestra.

Listen here: "Animal Party"

Explore further:

The Living Orchestra website

The Living Orchestra Facebook

The Living Orchestra Spotify

The Living Orchestra YouTube

The Living Orchestra Instagram

Review by staff at MBTM

“Feel My Age” by Moving In Slow

Sometimes you come across a song that’s bona fide West Coast pop-rock yet still feels original. Moving In Slow have delivered exactly that with their latest release, “Feel My Age”. You could point to a range of influences, but the ones that come through most clearly are Green Day and Rooney. It’s a brilliant track.

Everything about it works. The vocals are spot on, the arrangement is well thought out, and the guitars provide just the right amount of muscle—while doing so with a touch of cleverness. The drums are equally impressive, with great dynamism, and the chord progression in the chorus, paired with its descending melody, deserves a special mention. It’s sublime. And while it’s not a new trick, it’s one that never fails to send a tingle down your spine.

“Feel My Age” is a gem not only for fans of the aforementioned bands, but also for anyone who appreciates great pop-rock.

Listen here: "Feel My Age"

Explore further:

Moving In Slow website

Moving In Slow X

Moving In Slow Spotify

Moving In Slow YouTube

Moving In Slow Instagram

Moving In Slow TikTok

Review by staff at MBTM

"We Want Funkey!" by Audren

We’ve covered Audren’s releases before—and for good reason: she consistently delivers exceptional music. And her latest offering is every bit as impressive as what came before—if not even better. It’s honestly baffling that artists like Audren aren’t dominating the charts. Instead, we’re flooded with generic, interchangeable pop songs that all sound the same. That said, in the independent scene, Audren truly stands out. Her releases don’t just match mainstream quality—they surpass it, with songs and performances that are irresistibly infectious. She’s the real deal.

“We Want Funkey!” doesn’t sit still for a second—it pulls you straight into its groove. Remaining still while listening feels impossible. The arrangement is sleek and seductive, the band is tight and electrifying, and the vocals are blazing. There’s so much to appreciate: the superb bassline, the crisp Clavinet, that brilliant guitar fill before the first chorus, the warm backing vocals, the punchy horns, and the driving drums—it all comes together seamlessly.

If you’re into funk or soul, this is not to be missed. Audren is one of the most compelling indie artists I’ve heard in a long time. I may have hinted at it already, but to be clear: I absolutely love this music.

Listen here: "We Want Funkey!"

Explore further:

Review by staff at MBTM

“Fingertips” by Glam Sam And His Combo (with Angelina)

“Fingertips” by Glam Sam And His Combo (with Angelina) is the kind of track that feels meticulously crafted yet effortlessly loose—a paradox at the heart of its appeal. Drawing equally from jazz, funk, and soul, it moves and grooves with a sexy, confident energy that goes beyond its arrangement. At its core, it’s driven by a compelling, inviting melody.

The production is mesmerising in many ways: a seductive bass line and crisp, finger-snapping rhythm form the backbone, while flickers of guitar and subtle electronic textures shimmer around the edges—and that saxophone is a standout touch! What truly elevates “Fingertips,” though, is Angelina’s vocal performance. She doesn’t just ride the groove—she brings it to life. Her delivery is intimate and breathy, giving the track a dynamic emotional arc.

The lyrics are strong as well. Lines like “feel the magic” carry a sense of invitation, as if the song is gently pulling the listener deeper into its hypnotic pulse—and that magic is undeniably felt.

Within the broader context of Glam Sam and His Combo’s groove-heavy, jazz-inflected pop, “Fingertips” stands out as a particularly polished and collaborative highlight. It’s a track that rewards both casual listening and close attention—best experienced by letting it wash over you, then returning to catch the details you missed the first time.

It’s fantastic.

Listen here: "Fingertips"

Explore further:

Glam Sam And His Combo Facebook

Glam Sam And His Combo Spotify

Glam Sam And His Combo Bandcamp

Glam Sam And His Combo YouTube

Review by staff at MBTM

“Nostalgia Road” by Mary Bolt

“Nostalgia Road” by Mary Bolt is the kind of track that fully embraces its title. It’s less a straightforward pop song and more a slow, reflective drive down memory lane. Listening to it feels like flipping through an old photo album, revisiting emotions and memories you’d forgotten long ago.

In this production, acoustic guitars and vocals take center stage. There’s very little else—aside from some tasteful piano toward the end—and that restraint works beautifully. The song succeeds precisely because it doesn’t overreach. Bolt’s vocal delivery is strong, and the background vocal in the chorus is a particular highlight. It has a touch of The Kinks in its approach: a single voice, no harmonies, yet written in a way that feels full and complete. It’s a neat trick—supporting the chorus while still leaving plenty of room for the song to breathe.

Overall, “Nostalgia Road” is a quietly effective piece: reflective, cohesive, and emotionally grounded. It’s a wonderful track that brings to mind artists like Kate Wolf and Gene Clark—particularly his collaboration with Carla Olson on the album So Rebellious a Lover.

Listen here: "Nostalgia Road"

Explore further:

Mary Bolt Instagram

Mary Bolt Spotify

Review by staff at MBTM

“Spring Forward” by Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis’ new track is a perfect example of how pop music doesn’t have to take itself too seriously to be good. It doesn’t need to dwell on heartbreak or disappointment, nor does it have to deliver grand, existential revelations. Instead, it can playfully tackle something as mundane as adjusting the clocks in spring—a ritual most of us dread. After all, who wants to lose an hour?

Musically, Ellis keeps things simple. The song’s sonic palette leans heavily into the eighties, with drum machines and synths at the forefront, complemented by touches of piano and guitar. It’s a familiar combination, but it works remarkably well here. The vocals carry a strong new wave influence, perfectly suited to the track’s style. Ellis’ Ian Curtis-like baritone is lifted by well-crafted harmonies in the chorus and middle eight, adding depth and richness to the overall sound.

Fans of new wave—or eighties-inspired music more broadly—will find a lot to enjoy in “Spring Forward.” It’s a confident and engaging release from this New York–based singer-songwriter and comedian.

Listen here: "Spring Forward"

Explore further:

Review by staff at MBTM

“Our Story” by Rooftop Screamers feat. Royston Langdon

For anyone wondering what perfect pop-rock sounds like, here’s your answer. “Our Story” by Rooftop Screamers feat. Royston Langdon is an extraordinary tour de force—truly timeless, both musically and lyrically. Its focus on connection and honesty in relationships is a theme that never grows old, especially when it’s handled this well.

Everything about “Our Story” is top-notch. The track sounds fantastic, with clever production and a superb arrangement (check out the Bowie-esque middle eight and the Lennonesque chord progressions throughout)—it doesn’t get much better than this. The vocals are spot-on, double-tracked in all the right places, and the guitars never overpower the song yet still provide plenty of ear candy. And those Jeff Lynne–style harmonies… chills.

“Our Story” is as good as pop-rock gets. That may be a bold statement, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Love it.

Listen here: “Our Story”

Explore further:

Rooftop Screamers Facebook

Rooftop Screamers Spotify

Rooftop Screamers Bandcamp

Rooftop Screamers YouTube

Review by staff at MBTM

“No Time For Time” by Highway Wolf

“No Time For Time” by Highway Wolf is Americana through and through. Echoing the US pop-rock sound of the late seventies and early eighties, the song evokes nostalgia in the best possible way. It’s a reminder of what’s been lost in recent years as technology has taken over music production. That’s a real shame, because songs like this deserve to populate the charts far more than much of what’s there today.

“No Time For Time” is a finely crafted production, featuring strong vocals, expressive guitar work, and lush harmonies. The mix is well-balanced, allowing the atmosphere to breathe naturally. Rather than relying on dramatic shifts in arrangement, it favors emotional depth and gradual development, maintaining a consistent, almost meditative tone throughout. I’ve always liked the slow-burn approach to music-making—it feels far more effective than relying on too many mood shifts in the production.

Overall, the nearly six-minute-long “No Time For Time” stands out as a restrained and introspective piece—less concerned with instant impact and more focused on creating space for reflection. It’s likely to resonate with anyone who appreciates retro-flavoured, high-quality pop-rock. I know I’ll be coming back to it again.

Listen here: "No Time For Time"

Explore further:

Highway Wolf website

Highway Wolf Facebook

Highway Wolf Spotify

Highway Wolf Bandcamp

Highway Wolf YouTube

Highway Wolf Instagram

Highway Wolf TikTok

Review by staff at MBTM

“Shaking Off The Lies” by Dimitri Delakovias

It’s been decades since folk icons like Bob Dylan, Donovan, Leonard Cohen, and Simon & Garfunkel walked the earth and were revered by music aficionados around the world—far too long, if you ask me. While folk and folk rock never truly disappeared, they’re no longer mainstream and haven’t been for quite some time. That’s a shame, because there are still plenty of great folk songs drifting through the musical cosmos.

Dimitri Delakovias is someone with decades of experience in TV and film who has only recently turned to releasing music—and what a smart move that was. His debut offering, “Shaking Off The Lies,” is a compelling slice of experimental folk. It’s an intriguing track: listen only halfway through and you’ll miss the superb coda, though even then you’ll likely be struck by the unusual chord progression, the keyboard flourishes that drift in and out of the mix, and the protest-tinged lyrics. And it’s worth mentioning—the vocals are pretty impressive too.

“Shaking Off The Lies” was crafted by Delakovias with the help of AI to bring new life to lyrics he wrote some time ago. I don’t usually cover AI-generated music, but the words here deserve to be heard. Why? Mainly because they’re excellent—but also because I miss the days when pop-rock lyrics had something meaningful to say. Even if Delakovias brings that spirit back for just five minutes, giving this track a spin is well worth your time.

Listen here: "Shaking Off The Lies"

Explore further:

Dimitri Delakovias Vimeo

Review by staff at MBTM