Category: Reviews

Sunken first streamed onto the music scene 2 years ago with tune Over The Days, which has since allured over 700,000 listeners on Spotify, confirming that the South London five-piece’s dulcet melodies and lilting vocals were only destined to be received with such adoration as they deserve. It’s transparent now in last Friday’s release of EP ‘Hometime’, which concludes the end of their musical hiatus, that Sunken have flourished into their sound.

Two Septembers after their first release, Hometime does in fact embody a sense of September; hazy, serene and nonchalant – a dreamy soundtrack to the last wisps of summer. What’s more symbolic of their September release is that it truly signifies what ‘Hometime’ is for Sunken – a return to music with a refreshed eagerness which, after having now embraced their distinct sound and found themselves artistically, must feel like finally drifting home .

Though it’s chiming guitars in Somewhere Not Real are reminiscent of Viola Beach, and the indie twang in Visions of You would impress fans of The Neighbourhood, Sunken’s sound – melancholic, hypnotic and mellow – is entirely unique.

Sorry For Everything is the kind of song that makes you feel. It’s an emotional track that will touch a soft spot if ever you’ve experienced anxiety within a relationship and Somewhere Not Real captures a dream-like sensation with its hypnotic, enchanting sound which is both captivating and soothing.

Hometime is reminiscent of lazy days in the hazy sun and the one that got away. Expect heartache and angst; but alas divine enlightenment can be found in the form of a Sunken EP.

Luke La Volpe is another victory for Scotland; an upcoming artist who has roared in the face of lockdown laziness and rather prospered in the release of his extraordinary new EP, Terribly Beautiful.

The title is a dead giveaway as to what to expect; a collection of songs of a quality too good to be true. It’s appalling that it’s taken til now for the nation to take notice of Luke La Volpe, his powerful voice and unique, captivating music.

The Bathgate singer’s song Dead Man’s Blues from his new EP of the same name, climbed its way to the top of the Scottish iTunes Charts just days after its release, topping at no1 only a week later. And no wonder. Dead Man’s Blue’s is a song which is a combination of soulful and haunting, and in true La Volpe style,is another gripping track which stirs strong emotion in its listener

Terribly Beautiful boasts an upbeat acoustic sound with uplifting lyrics – the perfect combination for comfort in times like these. There is no need for synth overload on this simple acoustic track for La Volpe’s striking vocals draw the listener’s attention to his stunning lyrics which ultimately create a compelling and moving listen which one can only describe as Terribly Beautiful.

Other tracks include Familiar Bliss, a quieter, softer song which builds to a climatic outpour of sentiment, conclusively showcasing the artistic range of a musician who through a number of tracks with different tone and lyrical focus can spark the same impassioned impact on a listener as would a Grammy awarded Hollywood movie.

Without a doubt, Luke La Volpe will be no one-hit-wonder. La Volpe had a taste of ambition when he opened for Lewis Capaldi’s headliner gig last year at Summer Sessions and though having neared the end of his pursuit of musical success, Luke found inspiration in his Prince’s Street Garden performance and vowed to work hard within his passion and so that one day he would find himself on the main stage again, this time headlining the set himself.

Unfortunately, Luke’s TRNSMT festival debut was pulled on account of regulations concerning COVID-19, however he’s set to play the River Stage next year on the Sunday of the summer event. It’s unlikely this will be the last we hear of Luke La Volpe, but it can be expected that as gig goers desperately buy tickets to post-lockdown shows to quench their thirst for new live music, venues with ‘Luke La Volpe’ on the front will be packed.