Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly - an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚 - 𝙎𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙝 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Charles finds a nook in time, and rounds off the year in headphones.
I hope you all simply had a wonderful Christmas time. Now that Santa is back home in his bed for a well earned annus somno (year of kip), the rest of us are all wide eyed (or not so) and twiddling thumbs. But we are allowed to do so without even a smidge of guilt. Christmas has passed and the New Year has yet to come. We are in a unique time of year. In limbo, even. It is neither one thing nor the other. An interlude, if you will. But it is not to be frittered - although frittering can still be done, if that is what you choose to do. This time of year is sort of how everything resolves. Time to take stock and reflect on the year’s happenings, or non-happenings. Have you been a good child? Have you been honest? Have you remained innocent? This ongoing “bad air” has somewhat soured things (again, or still), but we mustn’t let it take over our lives. We must find a natural impetus and push through to the other side. Turning a negative into a positive, as they say.
My love has been stuck in her native country of Poland, and I have remained in my beloved Londinium. And although this “bad air” was at first something of a novelty about which to talk and with which to get involved (whether you wished to or not), in its second year it has made me realise that love is no game. It is not something to be messed about or toyed with. It seems there is little light at the end of the tunnel, but we must not think like that. Particularly at the dawn of a fresh year. If we don’t dive in with a bright outlook, it can be difficult to rise later on (that’s what SHE said). So a time for reflection, then. Our memories of the year. Well! The New Artist Spotlight has mainly been my life this year. It has brought me so much joy and so much fulfilment. Through the NAS I have found many close friends from all over the world. We have stuck together and bonded like a weld. But very often it has been the music itself that has brought us together. For example, I may never have spoken to various members if it had not been for their tunes whispering or blasting through my eardrums. Music is so much more than sound. Aside from anything else, it is very often a conversation starter. And so, the conversation starts. A lot of this has come from my writing these very reviews - I have reviewed more than 50 songs in the past year! It brings me in close contact with so many artists, and I have to say, I absolutely love it. Sometimes I receive the most beautiful messages and voice messages from artists I have reviewed. It used to be nice to get a brief thank you from an artist for a review, but now I explode with a glowing radiance when I receive the most tear-inducing words of appreciation; proud and accomplished is how it makes me feel.
Let’s get back to this interlude we have upon us. Music in general unfortunately has to sometimes (or usually) take a back seat or be “fit in” to the rest of life. But now we have our one chance of the year when we can close our eyes, don the headph- OW! Maybe don the headphones first, THEN close your eyes. Music is allowed to take centre stage for once. With great music playing for a fully immersive experience, it might seem like you’re still seeing things, despite your eyes being loosely shut. This week I decided to go with a band called Sixth Floor Memories. SFM very much does sound like a band, but it is in fact a solo effort from Dutchman Sander Meijer. Over the past year, Sander has been releasing many great songs, but we now have them all as one complete package, in the form of their debut album: The Story of Jasmin Reeder. And so I thought I would take this opportunity to finally make my thoughts known.
To my ears there is a lot of Snow Patrol in Sander’s sound, but more modern and up to date. On thing though: I really REALLY don’t like Snow Patrol. So why on Earth am I reviewing THIS?? Because THIS I LIKE!! It’s a funny thing, but I’ll tell you a little story. Many moons ago I wrote and recorded a song that was not dissimilar to Jeff Buckley, whom I like a great deal. When I had finished the track, I told a good friend that I had a new song and he was excited to hear it. When I told him that it was Jeff Buckley inspired, he was rather less inclined, for he has always weirdly recoiled at any mention of the legendary figure. My friend could not stand Jeff Buckley. He did however have the “grace” to give it a listen nevertheless. This chap was seemingly blown away, and said that it was my best track to date, and for years it remained his favourite of mine. Very queer! So you see, despising the influencer doesn’t mean the influencee will have the same effect. Sixth Floor Memories has made a FINE indie pop debut album with impeccable sound and a delicious flow. Sander’s voice is quite reminiscent of the Pet Shop Boys, giving it a clear, pure honesty and simplicity that makes the melodies defined throughout each track. The Netherlands have seemingly been in permanent lockdown for oh-so long, which is not a good thing. But then again, let’s look at it in a more positive way… It has given Sander the chance to make these fabulous tracks, when in normal life he maybe wouldn’t have been able to. The “bad air” has stifled and crushed live gigs, but it has been a marvellous opportunity for artists to create. Which to me, is more important. This young artist has certainly taken the bull by the horns and given us the perfect gift for this interlude we’re all relishing.
Enjoy this thoughtfully vacant time by listening to Sixth Floor Memories’ The Story of Jasmin Reeder. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
In the words of SFM, here’s my “Exitlude”:
I managed to insert the titles of every track on the LP into this review. Can you spot them all…?
Listen to 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Spotify playlist HERE!
Listen to 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Apple Music playlist HERE!
Listen to 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙧 on Spotify HERE!
Listen to 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙧 on Apple Music HERE!
Follow 𝙎𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙝 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 on Instagram HERE!
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Charles, your weekly musings/insights so often transcend the music you are reviewing, yet you always tie it in so nicely at the end. You’re a natural.
As always - an excell review, Charles!
Another fantastic review Charles! And a huge “YES” to the Snow Patrol reference - that was niggling at me when I first heard the track!! This lovely read and heartfelt indeed. The music really does bind us all and what a great track to highlight while portraying the bond we feel as musicians and artists. Mega Love❤️
Very interesting. Never heard anyone say they don't like Snow Patrol, funnily enough. I shall look forward to hearing the album. Onwards and upwards to 2022
Well written review Charles! I'm always interested to read more but then it ends lol and so I look forward to this every week. Music has brought us together and getting to know each artist through your reviews is so fascinating. I think through music we can get through anything! Will listen to "Sixth Floor Memories" Hope you all had great Xmas. Look forward to what 2022 will bring us!