MoggBlog’s Monday Magic #7

Max Runham – You Get What You Get

Up and coming singer-songwriter Max Runham resides in South East London. Returning with his first release of the year, ‘You Get What You Get’ is taken off his ‘Lockdown’ EP. With the EP made in his home studio during lockdown, the self-produced release was unleashed May 31st. Max had this to say on the release, ‘You Get What You Get’ is an upbeat pop/soul track about self-worth and accepting who you are’. Using his time wisely in lockdown, the release fuses R&B, Soul and Pop vibes with great ease. Drawing, what sounds like, influence from the likes of Paolo Nutini and Ray LaMontagne, this fine songwriter deserves a place on your playlist for certain.

Making a positive out of a negative situation, the Lockdown EP is something the world needed right about now. Blending attitude from soul and mixing it with the flair of R&B, the pop arrangement feels slightly nostalgic and transports us back to the era of the noughties. A desirable number that will leave you tapping your foot and smirking away. ‘You Get What You Get’ is the type of feel-good tune you’d stick on to get through those long nights of lockdown. Grooving into the sunshine, it’s the kind of number you’d stick on while sunbathing in the garden. Keeping you company throughout the rocky times we’re going through, ‘You Get What You Get’ is one of Max’s strongest tracks to date. Feeling like the lovechild of Sheryl Crow and Paolo Nutini, this track is already on repeat in my household, and it should be in yours too.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxRunhamMusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maxrunham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxrunham/
Bandcamp:https://maxrunham.bandcamp.com/

Siv Disa – Fear

NYC based Siv Disa returned with her first single of the year ‘Fear’ back at the end of May. Released via Trapped Animal Records, the single was produced with friend and collaborator Sam and the Sea. ‘Fear’ is an exquisite single that summits through realms of alternative and experimental pop. Based in an electronic production, the careless twined piece is coated with escapisms of today’s reality. On the track, Disa said: “A lot of the questions in ‘Fear’ come up when we’re dealing with a lot of stress and difficult situations, and right now everyone is connected by having to deal with something enormous – I think everyone’s dealing with their own fears in that way.”

Perfectly illustrating the authenticity of fear and the truth, the two different sides of the song still hold onto the deeply personal emotive. Captivating listeners with it’s dream-like vocals, contagious drum patterns and warm, analog synths, the overall soundscape travels at the speed of light while staying close and personal. Honest and showcasing a deep connection between the music, this songwriter is blossoming into a beautiful rose with each release. Released alongside a haunting music video, the video makes viewers think, is she a threat or being theatre’s. Inspired by the 70s, the uncertainty of the music video captures the sinister side of the track. A stunning single that showcases an artist staying as true to her art as possible.

Website: https://www.sivdisa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sivdisa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sivdisa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sivdisa/
Bandcamp: https://sivdisa.bandcamp.com/

The Buckleys – Breathe

Australian trio The Buckleys release the stunning new single ‘Breathe’, via Petrol Records / Universal Music Australia / Ume. ‘Breathe’ is one of those tracks you hear for the first time and it completely sweeps you off your feet. Recorded and co-written by Sarah Buckley and two times Grammy winning producer and engineer Chad Carlson (Taylor Swift, Jewel, The Hunger Games Soundtrack), it’s fair to say there’s a strong team on stage and behind the scenes with this outfit. On the “release, Sarah Buckley stated, ‘Breathe’ is our musical prayer to the world. I wrote this last year at the time when our country was experiencing horrific bushfires. It’s a message of strength, vulnerability, hurt, hope and moving forward. I find myself remembering these lyrics in moments where I just need to stop, close my eyes, listen to the sounds of world around me and just breathe.”

Soothing the soul during this current time, the country meets folk number is a vulnerable ballad that still holds it’s head firmly high. Holding it’s strong message throughout, the emotive single is accompanied by an equally sensitive music video. Nudging more towards Americana than country, the gorgeous harmonies soar with guidance from start to finish. A single that will pull at your heartstrings while telling you ‘everything will be ok’, the comforting sound of The Buckleys needs to be played from every rooftop in the world. With the power to heal and guiding listeners through the dark times, ‘I don’t know where we’re going, but it’s gotta be better than here…Breathe’.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buckleysfamilyband/
Website: https://www.thebuckleys.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.buckleys/

Lex Low – Feel More

London based songwriter Lex Low reminisces on emotional childhood moments in latest single ‘Feel More’. Self-produced, ‘Feel More’ sees Lex Low dive into a more honest outlook on some important times in his childhood. An ode to the struggles of parent separation, the single coats the sensitive imagery with a warm selection of instrumentation. Lex Low stated, “This song was finished in isolation where I was reflecting on a lot of things, including my early life. It draws on the moment I found out my parents were separating and my father leaving. Lyrics like ‘do you even know this place, the way that dinner tastes’ are references to the increasing amount of time he was spending away from us. I wanted to write a track that felt honest and raw, it’s a snapshot of my emotions at the time – not necessarily the way I still feel. I love both my parents.”

Clearly making a statement, Lex Low uses shimmering guitar sequence with layered synths in the mix. Featuring a contagious chorus that’s blended with stunning harmonies, this raw, new songwriting approach for Lex marks a fresh start for the songwriter. Allowing listeners to feel exactly how he felt all those years ago, the empathy within this number feels close to home for many others out there. Hearing a songwriter being completely honest with his fans will always strike a chord with me, and ‘Feel More’ is a stunning example of that. Other than it’s personal emotive, the instrumentation on the release will make you sway with it’s pulsating pulse straight through to the end. Lex Low is a songwriter that deserves wider recognition, and the latest single completely backs this up.