Singled out
Beth Rowley – ‘So Sublime’
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How you rate Beth Rowley's charming folk-pop ditty probably depends on how you feel about delicate, inoffensive female singer-songwriters, of which there is not currently a shortage. Certainly Beth's voice is far superior to (and far more mainstream than) the deliberately kooky likes of Laura Marling and Bat For Lashes. There are also sweet melodies at work on ‘So Sublime’, and the production has punchy momentum. In summary then, a great soundtrack for the summertime walk to work, but not for midnight carousing.
Natty – ‘Cold Town’
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It's easy to spot Natty's influence, taking his stage name from a Bob Marley album (Natty Dread), having his own dreadlocks – and most importantly, singing reggae. Most people in their mid-twenties, like Natty himself, know reggae as something their parents listened to and store in the loft. Yet our man decided to update his folks' records for modern ears. Singing about hoodies, immigration and inner city living are quite controversial for a light pop song but then when our parents’ generation were protesting against issues like abortion it’s not particularly ground-breaking. That said, ‘Cold Town’ successfully pays homage to Natty's ska heroes and brings them up to date in a post-Lily Allen world. Get skankin'.
