Tag Archives: Single Reviews

RYAN LAWLER – HERE COMES THE RAIN [LIVE STX EXCLUSIVE]

June 22, 2014 stoppedintrax 1 Comment

We featured Ryan Lawler way back in October just ahead of his performance at the first STX Presents live event, pitching him as a singer full of promise and potential. His laid-back musicality and that remarkably dexterous husky voice, only hinted at by a couple of YouTube covers, were enough to assure us of a chap already on his way to bigger stages and better recognition.

We don’t like to brag here at STX but we’re always right. Always. Over the last few months Lawler has grown in leaps and bounds (and facial hair) to become a fully formed artist. He’s been uploading, networking and gigging like a mad man and has attracted the attention and affection of the countless. Now he’s ready to share his first original track and allowed us the privilege of doing so first, but not before we had a little chat…

In a tucked-away rehearsal studios in Sheffield, Lawler performed for STX two tracks: a cover of Ed Sheeran’s beautiful ‘Parting Glass’ and a live acoustic version of his debut original track, “Here Comes The Rain”. We were not disappointed. Not one drop.

The artwork for the track was designed and created by the man himself. Cool, no?
Click it to watch the track performed live.

Click here to watch Lawler perform a stunning cover of
Ed Sheeran’s ‘Parting Glass’

All Release Features

The Scholars – Neon Sky (Stars) [Release: 30 September 2013]

September 16, 2013 stoppedintrax 1 Comment

If The Killers had been New Wave they would have been The Scholars.

I’m not suggesting that this Banbury-based band dons bejewelled pirate attire, nor that they wear more make-up than Pete Burns, but their sound is undeniably reminiscent of the bass-baritones and electro-atmospheric modulation of the Japan’s and the Blancmange’s. That said, The Scholars are still a very current act. Their music is engagingly atypical with subtle hooks and a confidently modern balance of driving synth and guitar all culminating in a proficiently-produced bundle of alt-rock potential.

Christian Gillet, Adrian Banks and Leigh Taylor have unleashed a number of original tracks under the The Scholars mantle with their intelligently diverse debut EP “Arrival/Departure” launching in Spring of 2011 and a string of single releases since following in its attention-grabbing wake. They continue to be vigorously supported by the BBC Introducing programme and have secured supporting spots for artists like Two Door Cinema Club and The Boxer Rebellion.

Amidst all this tipping of future top-spot status and BBC romantics The Scholars have emerged with another original offering set to further cement their critic favour.

Neon Sky (Stars) bears The Scholars’ signature easy-cool with its airy synth, infectious power riffs and confidently unique vocals. The clever, slightly abstract lyrics and that almost anthemic chorus of “Watch me as I fall from this neon sky” makes this track both enjoyable to listen to and to sing along to, and it doesn’t take a big stretch of the imagination to see it chanted back from a large festival crowd. There is a markedly polished feel to this latest release in terms of production quality and musical construction which really communicates The Scholars’ commitment to their work and the potential that so many industry professionals have already realised.

Neon Sky (Stars) is available to pre-order on iTunes with the release date set for 30th September. Whilst you’re there check out their other work; this is a band that is rapidly evolving from strength to strength and it’s really great to be able to experience this transition listening through their back catalogue.

Click here to touch the Neon Sky (Stars)