EQ Discovery: Molly Monroe

By Mandy Rogers

Many of today’s teen pop artists bleep up on our radars via the slew of reality TV outlets, but there are some names that rear up again and again through their conscientious hard work in promotion and gigging it from the get go, that go on to ensure that they become worthy of note.

One such name that I’ve picked up on is that of Warwickshire’s slip of lass Molly Monroe, who over the past year has been popping up regularly at jaunts all over the West Midlands and further afield, alongside some of the UK’s teen tipped new acts such as The Mend and The Loveable Rogues as seen on Britain’s Got Talent.

Molly may well be a miss teen thing - that is until she sings, sings, sings.  The youngster confidently reigns in a sleek RnB pop performance that cuts in a mere edge of youthfulness whilst snapping in a maturity that will readily appeal to the post teen market and urban pop hungry aficionados alike.

Take a listen on Molly’s just released debut track “Nu Love” that packs some serious pixie pop soul style and dance nation energy.   

and from Molly’s promo catalogue be sure to check out jangly swaggering urban pop ditty “Get This Way” – a worthy steal for exchange of email for a quality FREE DOWNLOAD.

EQ Discovery: Alex. & Me

By Mandy Rogers / Photo: Karl Axon

I have mentioned quite recently that music by way of Scotland appears to be garnering pace, from once when Scottish pop prominence was secured by Ultravox and Deacon Blue, it kind of filtered down on the radar until Calvin Harris and Susan Boyle brought fame again from the northern UK shores. In recent months the pop making fuse has been lit again with quality discoveries that have been brought to our attention in Chvrches and Downtown Drive and now we have the pleasure of introducing Alex. & Me.

The solo project of a Scottish singer / songwriter, is all the information we have been given, but really when listening to the online premiering debut of “Work It Out” which has also been written and co-produced by the artist known as Alex. & Me, it speaks for itself.

The echoing introductory passage just threw me back to the glory days of Deacon Blue actually, but once passed that “Work It Out” progresses into a dreamy synth driven indie popsicle of sensuously luscious vocal allure.

Simply glorious!  encore soon please, more… more!   

EQ Discovery: The Royal

By Mandy Rogers / Photo: Dave Puente Photography

Whilst it might not always be ground breaking, I can’t really put the hammer of critical analysis in on highly addictive pop. If it possesses the requisites of a good beat and an overall zesty tang of pounding electro, then it pretty much is deal done in the favourable stakes.

Measure of this comes from newly formed Milwaukee electro pop act The Royal who are just cutting through online with some encouraging explosive power pop creations.

Unleashing their ferociously animated, pop rock hybrid sound on “Freaks” the band have let fly a powerhouse of style that rages every colour of get up and dance approval from the American teen pop circle. 

Followed through on their latest single  “Girl Like That”, The Royal earn their Katy Perry candy stripes of teenage dream gripping pop credibility and inject some tune tapping goodness into this flourishing genre.