New & Noteworthy ~ introducing The Approval...

I am warning you now that this blog is going to get entirely weighed down with X Factor and Christmas in the run up to 25th December, which leaves precious little time to feature new acts. Ergo, I have to be quite picky with them. Usually there are 3 elements that catch my eye - the first (and i'll admit it's shallow) is if the act is quite good looking and foxy, then i'm bound to give them a whirl (& also overlook any imperfections that may need to be ironed out. Secondly, there should be some catchy tunes, coupled with the potential to grow into something quite amazing. And finally, a passion for pop from the artist always goes a long way. A lot of the new, upcoming acts have elements of some of these categories - very few have all of them. Let me introduce you to The Approval, who I am quite excited about as they (for me) seem to easily tick all 3 boxes...

THE APPROVAL ~ TIME WILL TELL EP:

Let's face it, Roland (the current Mr England no less) and Simon of The Approval haven't really been tarred with the ugly brush have they? In fact, I feel better looking just by listening to their music so that's a massive bonus right there :) They are only young whippersnappers (19 and 22 respectively) yet have their sights set on harnessing their musical craft and creating a career for themselves that is not based on shouty performances on tv talent shows. Rather it's about letting the music speak for itself and their debut EP, Time Will Tell, is a charmer from start to finish. It mixes the styles of bands like The Kooks & The Feeling with pop majesty of artists as diverse as Katy Perry, Gary Barlow, Deacon Blue and Ben Folds. She's Got Me is a sweet, driving power pop tour de force built around a persistent guitar riff, sweeping layered strings and a sincere vocal that really soars during the chorus. On it's own, it stands up as lovely romantic pop tune but then there is this moment of musical genius at 2m28s when a stripped back middle 8 launches into a jaunty, perky hand clap section lead by some glorious jubilant piano chords. It's a genuine thrilling moment and the one that pinpointed for me that The Approval are something special to watch out for... Up To No Good begins with verses that have a tip of the hat to Ed Sheeran about them, married with this completely intoxicating chorus that adds a glorious synth riff for an added frisson of excitement. Add some luxurious strings and a middle 8 that crescendos in the same way as "i've got soul but i'm not a soldier" in All These Things I've Done (The Killers) and it's a complexly created, yet easy to listen to pop masterclass in how to create genuinely engaging music.

Hide & Seek is a more mid-tempo ode to the perils of the games people play in relationships. Again, it has an effortlessly ingratiating backing track that is mixed with harmonies that weave together as easily as the instruments. Great falsetto in the choruses and it's all delivered with an aura, a tinge of sadness - and this isn't always easy to do; to add real emotion and pathos to a song. Again, some heavenly piano work going on in this song and I'm always a sucker for that. Talking of which, See It Through begins with a flowing, almost playful piano riff that is then offset (but totally complemented) by percussive beat and a vocal imparting words of wisdom (including clever lyrics "dreams can come true/or the movies lied to you"). What stands out about all the tracks is that there is this organic live feel about them that makes it so easy to picture them being performed live.

Ultimately, this is an accomplished introduction to an act that clearly has a love for pop music - and ability to turn that passion into genuinely well crafted tunes that deserve a much wider audience. I'm smitten...

If you like this, try this...

• Summer Fiction ~ Christmas Eve For Two: What a find this is. Not only is it a fine introduction to the lovely deep vocal style of Mr Summer Fiction (not his real name, I assume :P) but it's a totally delightful festive song that stands out from the normal perky sleigh bells. The music is in fact a bit of a juxtaposition to the lyrical flow of the song; almost like a reverse Abba. The music is maudlin, fairly sparse (yet totally mesmerising) as Summer Fiction sings about his hopes for a new love, his wish for a perfect Christmas Eve - never has serenading sound so plaintive and earnest. The "ba da da dom" backing vocals are almost heartbreaking; the sparse middle 8 and gentle jingling bells help you to cling to the optimism that perhaps this is one deserved festive wish that will actually happen. A genuinely stunning and lovely piece of work.