You may have noticed that the artist on this record is the same as the person writing this, and you would be correct. So I can't really give my opinion on this song (that's extreme bias!) but I'd still like to tell you about it, because it feels like an important subject. I was admitted to hospital on 27th December 2023 with severe acute pancreatitis, nearly dying twice throughout my various inpatient stays which lasted through till May. Worthing Hospital has a digital piano in the Sanctuary which became my only creative outlet while I was an inpatient. The process of playing regularly gave me the inspiration to write when I became well enough to start processing the trauma my body had been through. In writing Limbo, I was able to discharge these emotions and allow them to flow through me.  My hope is that this song will serve as that coming alongside those experiencing chronic illness; joining them in their heart cry for some reprieve.  Limbo is one of fours songs...

  In my view, there are two types of music; music that was created specifically to be recorded and music that was created to be performed, and I'd say this album falls under the latter. It's really hard to capture the energy of a band in a recording and in my view this album, although full of great songs, just doesn't do them as much justice as Spock on the Bus deserve. You can tell that they're throwing their all into these tracks (and having fun in the process!) but without the facial expressions and comic timing of stage interactions between band members, something about the very essence of this band is lost in translation. However, despite this, it's still very much worth listening to! The overall vibe reminds me of Jilted John - tidy punk with clever lyrics and plenty of shouty vocals over a steady oompah drum beat and distorted guitar. The track which inspired the title, Twice Cooked (The Biscuit Song) makes me smile as the band sing about one of our very impo...

  There is something deeply unsettling but equally pure genius about this song. Everything from the lyrics to the arrangement, production and artwork create a feeling that hits hard - regarding the mad guilt resulting from a strict religious upbringing. This is something that acutely resonates with me and I'm sure will too for so many others. 'It makes me feel unholy' - even the most ordinary of things can prompt this response. The genre is heavy, with distorted guitars, elaborate drums and if you listen carefully you can hear that Ardinez has kept her vocal almost swallowed by the instruments. Call me a therapist if you will, but I surmise that despite wanting to shout this subject from the rooftops as a full on catharsis, she is still trying to hide behind the noise for fear of wrath. No need to hide any more. We love this, and we want more of it, please!

  If you like brass sections then you're going to love this new track from contemporary ska band, Natural Right. (While their name might cause confusion to some, apparently the word 'right' was intended to be 'rite' by meaning, but the original spelling has stuck!). Roundabout is quite an obvious reference to the writer's heart being mucked about by someone who clearly can't make their mind up about what they want - 'my poor heart forever is a roundabout'. Taken in conjunction with their previous slightly more chilled out two-tone offerings, Roundabout is is little more upbeat, while remaining firmly within the Natural Right vibe (which I am a big fan of, by the way). The song starts with some intense brass stabs that lead into how-many-words-can-you-fit-into-each-line vocals, with a boppy chorus to follow. All round very easy to get into, very hard to get out of your head. Having played at a festival at Highdown in Worthing in 2023 these guys are cu...