Ryan's Gig Guide - March 2018

WWW. R YA N S G I G G U I D E . C OM r gg Mar 2018 - p.12 The Verdict Reviews by Nick J. Townsend The excellent Birmingham & London based solo artist FoxGluvv (she's at one of them; I ain't a Satnav) releases the single 'Not Cute' which in my opinion is pure trippy post 80's intelligent pop music for sex robots to relax to.There's a very noticeable trend these days for producers to revisit the sinister electro side of the eighties; it's evident in the music soundtracks of modern TV & film delights such as StrangerThings, Black Mirror and Blade Runner 2049; and 'Not Cute' totally sits perfectly within this retro synth culture like anAI robot riding Ryan Goslings face. Lyrically 'Not Cute' appears darker than her previous singles 'Crush' or 'Nothing' which have done considerably well and arguably this is a superior song.Worth your time. www.facebook.com/foxgluvv SINGLE of the month Not Cute by FoxGluvv I honestly found this debut album byWest Bromwich pop rock band Wounded Spirit very refreshing. Opener 'Fake News' is a delightful bouncy dance rock tune filled with a lyrical list of the villains in modern news media and it's done with taste; could have gone so wrong. I enjoy this band because they take risks but always rise victorious; for example 'Stand Up' fea- tures a smooth guest performance by the excellent rapper Har-Q but my first thought was "I sure hope this doesn't turn into 'Equality Street' by Ricky Ger- vais" but thankfully it's a sincere and class tune.Vocal- ist Jason Kelly has a phenomenal voice; his lyrics are what you'd expect from a world class writer and the entire band nails professionalism. Highlights are the Depeche Mode esque '10000 Shades Of Blue', de- served title track 'ForeverYoung' which is a truly re- markable song but it's the touching piano led closer 'She' which scores the most points for it's cut throat angelicness; you play that at a funeral and you'd bring a priest to tears in sec- onds; it's perfect. www.woundedspirit.net ALBUM of the month Forever Young by Wounded Spirit