Well, here we are in sunny April, the weather is lovely and what better way to enjoy it than with some great music to add to the ambience and atmosphere. So read on, dear reader and delve in to our suggested tunes…….
Artist: The Specials Family Single: When A Light Goes Out Label: Specialized Records
For many (myself included), The Specials were one of a handful of bands that stood out from the rest. They had the look, the tunes and cutting lyrics on the socio-economic and political issues of the day. Reforming in 2008 was fantastic and gave the opportunity for many to see the band for the first time. Live, they were imperious. As time moved on, the only original members remaining were Lynval Golding, Horace Panter and Terry Hall so when the band’s singer sadly passed away in 2022, that seemed to be it.
However, Golding and Panter have returned alongside those involved with the latter version of the band including organ maestro Nikolaj Torp Larsen, guitar supremo Steve Craddock and singer Hannah Hu to record When A Light Goes Out as The Specials Family. The track is a tribute to departed band mates Terry Hall and John Bradbury plus former 2 Tone luminaries such as Rico Rodrigues, Arthur Gaps Hendrickson and Ranking Roger.
Death is inevitable so this track is quite contemplative but still manages to infuse feelings of hope and reflective memories. A simple rocksteady beat provides the backbone for some wonderful brass instrumentation, swirling organ and tip top drumming from Kendrick Rowe. As a final track from those involved with The Specials, it seems fitting. Celebrate life, love your friends and family and remember, enjoy yourself……….it’s later than you think.
Head over to the Specialized Records website here to order.
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Artist: Jo Bartlett Single: These Simple Things Label: Indie Through The Looking Glass
It’s not that long ago that Into Creative caught up with Jo Bartlett (see video interview here) to talk about her 2024 excellent album Ghost Tapes 1 To 9 and a myriad of other musical related tales. One of the main things we took from that interview was Jo’s drive and passion so it’s no surprise to see the release of new music already in the shape of These Simple Things.
The track clocks in at exactly two minutes and is an utter delight, a lilting vocal over a mesmerizing acoustic guitar is the template but scratch under the surface and you’ll find biting lyrics which try to make sense of a fucked up world ruled by oligarchs and billionaires. This for me is the beauty of music, perfect pop with a message, you can zone out on the melody alone or listen closely and marvel at the writer’s words as they come alive.
There is much more to come this year from Jo Bartlett including the return of The Wake festival which she launched in 2024. This will feature in an upcoming Into Creative article so do check that out in due course.
Check out the video for These Simple Things here which features a backdrop of childhood family photos taken on the isle of Barra. For more on Jo Bartlett, head to her Indie Through The Looking Glass website here.
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Artist: Better Joy Single: Quiet Thing
Just occasionally you hear a track that stops you in your tracks. The latest offering from Bria Keely AKA Better Joy did exactly that. A sublime guitar led intro kicks off before an assured vocal (think Debbie Harry attitude) flicks a switch as the music soars, rises and settles down, above harmonious clouds before punching through those cumulus fluffy shapes, diving and flying and doing it all again.
There is a freshness to Better Joy’s music, a sonic overload with a nod to 80’s guitar harmonies and despite only having burst onto the scene in the past year or so, mark my words, you’ll hear more from this Manchester based indie star in the making.
Quiet Thing is one of six songs that make up the recently released Heading Into Blue EP so that’s a great place to start your introduction to the tunes. Better Joy played Glasgow’s Hug & Pint venue just last month but hopefully a return to Scotland will be on the cards later in the year.
