Certain Songs

Listen to 'Poke' “Maybe there is something that you know that I don't” If I was to write this article just over a year ago, things would’ve been a lot different. Scottish indie heroes Frightened Rabbit had just finished the anniversary tour of their seminal record  ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ , performing to nothing other than adoring crowds. It was a triumph which highlighted exactly what the album, and more specifically frontman Scott Hutchison’s heartfelt lyrics, meant to so many people. Things also would have been different as this article would never have been written. I had never been a fan of Frightened Rabbit. Even after recommendations from friends, musicians I admired, music sites and publications I read religiously and god knows who or what else, their music never clicked.  ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’  was always “the best place to start” but it never worked, despite numerous attempts to somehow get into it. Perhaps it was Hutchison’s broad S...

Listen to 'The Downtown Lights'  “Underrated” is a word constantly associated with Glaswegian heroes The Blue Nile. A band who have never been appreciated as much as they should have been. In recent years, since their unofficial split, the band’s popularity and influence has resurfaced and have maintained a cult but dedicated following. Amongst their eclectic back catalogue, they hold a true gem which comes in the form of ‘The Downtown Lights’. Released as the lead single to their critically-acclaimed second record ‘Hats’ in 1989, the record has had a massive influence on modern pop music (subconsciously or otherwise). Despite only reaching number sixty-seven in the UK Singles Chart upon release, it has retrospectively gained acclaim from music fans and critics alike. The 1975, arguably the biggest band in the UK at present, are certainly fans. Frontman Matt Healy has acknowledged the band’s influence on them, calling The Blue Nile his favourite band of ...