EP: Drawing the Silver Lining – Riffin' Griffin

Riffin' Griffin is a kindie rock band out of Minneapolis, USA, but don’t let the ‘for kids’ label fool you. Led by the irrepressible founder Jesse Norell, a music teacher with a bona fide rock pedigree, this is a group that plays with a conviction most adult acts would envy. Their sound fuses the raw, unfiltered energy of rock with lyrics sharp enough to resonate across generations, landing somewhere between playground anthem and a proper gig-worthy setlist. I, for one, am fully on board, and luckily they’ve just dropped a punchy new five-track EP that begs to be played loud, whether you’re five or fifty.

The EP Drawing the Silver Lining kicks off with ‘Kindness', a track that feels like grunge wandered into a Britpop daydream and decided to stay. It’s driven by heartening lyrics that deliver a message of hope to young listeners without ever talking down to them. There’s a live-wire quality here, giving the sense that this band thrives on stage, feeding off the room and throwing that energy straight back at you. Lines like ‘every person is deserving empathy’ land with surprising weight, building through a brooding undercurrent before bursting into a soaring, cathartic chorus. It’s in these dynamic shifts that the band’s musical instincts truly shine, balancing grit and uplift with impressive control.

‘I Am Cringe’ is an infectious rocker where pop sensibility cuts cleanly through gritty guitars and a thunderous rhythm section. Beneath the punchy exterior lies a clear message, self-acceptance, integrity, and the freedom to be unapologetically yourself. Lines like ‘we can be cringe together’ land with real charm, turning what could be throwaway lyrics into something quietly affirming. Musically, it’s sharp and assured, with a rhythm section that drives hard and vocals that balance warmth with a commanding presence.

Introducing one of the most popular subjects for children, dinosaurs, ‘T.Flex’ exudes a playful confidence that never lets up. It’s a theme that could feel novelty driven, but instead it’s delivered with both precision and conviction. Jagged guitar work and tightly wound rhythms give the track considerable bite, while the band’s discipline keeps everything locked firmly in place.

‘Translucent’ follows with a cooler, more measured groove, building anticipation from the outset. Its hypnotic rhythm nods towards the kind of laid-back funk rock the Spin Doctors once mastered, but with a more modern edge in its execution. The vocals glide over crunching guitars, and the track shifts and surges just enough to keep things engaging. It may not be a full-blown singalong, but it’s undeniably kinetic, built for movement, if not outright chanting.

The closing track ‘Silver Lining’ takes a left turn. What begins as a loose, groove-led jam quickly evolves into something more expansive, blending styles with an almost improvisational feel. There are flashes of The Edge in the textural guitar work, while the chorus carries a dramatic vocal lift reminiscent of Annie Lennox. It’s an ambitious closer, part rock, part jazz-tinged experiment, and it pays off, with soaring vocals cutting through the complexity to deliver a memorable finish.

Across the EP, the band carves out a distinctive space where pop hooks meet grunge grit without sacrificing clarity of message. The songwriting stays focused, the performances are tight, and the production gives everything room to breathe. There’s even a faint trace of Rage Against the Machine in the DNA, though here the urgency is channelled into something more uplifting than confrontational.

This is a confident, engaging release that doesn’t overstay its welcome. If anything, it leaves you wanting more, which, for a band like this, is surely the point.

Riffin' Griffin – let there be rock.

Single Review: Snow – Big Idea Committee

'Snow' is the latest single from Christine Petrini and Melissa Brun, the innovative duo behind Big Idea Committee. At its core, the track feels like a piece of poetry set to music, beautifully sung and delivered with rare, heartfelt sincerity. This gentle ballad is crafted with delicacy and finesse, pulling at the heartstrings while stirring the imagination in equal measure.

There is something universally nostalgic about songs centred on snow, the substance that brought so much joy in childhood, from snowball fights and sleigh rides to the anticipation of Christmas in many parts of the world. Countless ballads have tried to capture that magic-in-the-air feeling, and Big Idea Committee succeed in doing just that. They explore the subject with warmth and generosity of spirit, leaving the listener slightly dazed, yet never disoriented.

A soft acoustic arrangement forms the backbone of the track, complemented by serene, captivating vocals that gently draw the listener in. While the melody is strong and the vocal delivery impressive, it is the lyrics that truly stand out. The descriptive verses vividly paint scenes that linger in the mind, whether it is clear skies that 'sparkle brilliant blue' or sunlight 'glistening bright', each line immerses the listener in a quiet, wintry beauty.

At its essence, 'Snow' is indeed a poem set to music, realised with clear melodic vision and emotional intent. There is a literary quality here that feels timeless, as if the ink in the well, filtered through the blood of the poet, has frozen into something delicate and enduring. The performance carries such depth and sincerity that it evokes the spirit of many great poetic songwriters. It is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy set to music, delivered with the gentle passion of a songwriting team clearly in fine form.

Big Idea Committee also give the impression that they are only just beginning. Their work suggests a broader mission, to ignite imagination through collaboration, encouraging children to play, create and think expansively. As Oscar Wilde once wrote, 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars'. There is a quiet ambition here that goes beyond the song’s delicate exterior, this is a duo reaching upward, who are already well on their way.

Though still a relatively new project, with just one album to their name, they have already demonstrated remarkable versatility. Their music blends diverse sounds and styles with thoughtful cohesion, where nothing feels accidental. With live instrumentation and carefully matched themes, their work shows a level of musical intelligence reminiscent of artists like Kate Bush or Dido, and yet still aimed squarely at children.

It is well worth exploring more of their work, because this is clearly music on a mission. A look at their wider catalogue reveals the influence of musical theatre and live performance, creating an engaging, interactive experience, particularly for younger audiences. Whether they ultimately 'reach the stars' remains to be seen, but even if they don't, one suspects they will land on top of the world.

Big Idea Committee – poetic justice.

Single Review: Interspecies Communication – Marko Polo

Another fascinating release from the ever-inventive Marko Polo. I’m referring, of course, to 'Interspecies Communication', his latest single – an intergalactic trip where ‘the frogs are talking to the cats’ and ‘talking to the trees’, in true Doctor Dolittle fashion.

There’s an underlying sense of unease in the music, with a tone that occasionally feels almost sinister. At times, it’s as if Captain Kirk has just beamed down with his crew to some strange, exotic world. Then, just as you’re settling into that atmosphere, the track closes with a riff that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Status Quo record, a final flourish that drives the whole experience home. The instrumentation is refreshingly raw, clearly performed live, and all the more engaging for it.

Structurally, the song leans heavily on its chorus, which takes centre stage and recurs throughout with a stop-start rhythm that feels almost like a march into this brave new world. The bridge shifts gears into something more haunting and melodramatic, where a simmering vocal wrestles with bursts of guitar intensity, both elements colliding and blending seamlessly within the broader wall of sound.

This is a track that stands confidently on its own, original, thought-provoking and consistently engaging. Its lyrics take us on an imaginative journey, evoking something akin to the cosmic wonder of 'Starman' by David Bowie, where we’re invited to tune in and observe from the outside, as if hovering just beyond the world itself.

Unafraid to experiment, Marko Polo blends live performance with layers of sound effects to create a universe rich in mystery, intrigue and curiosity, one where the imagination is free to wander where no one has gone before.

Marko Polo – space, the final frontier.

Single Review: In the Neighborhood – Kymberly Stewart and A Trillion Skies

Watch out for this one! Kymberly Stewart has teamed up with A Trillion Skies on their new single 'In the Neighbourhood' and in doing so have created a perfectly crafted, jaunty classic. There is something of a divine combination at work here, where crystal-clear vocals meet the type of sumptuous melody that immediately captures your attention.

The arrangement is deceptively simple: sparse bass and drums, an intricate piano carrying the core, and a horn section adding warmth and texture. The result is a track dripping in optimism, where we are friends with everyone and 'we know that every day will be a sunny day'.

The vocals move seamlessly between each artist, offering their own particular brand of beauty to the proceedings. The narrative provides a sense of continuity, reinforcing the optimism of 'unity and community', where we all belong in the neighbourhood. The song truly exudes 'an electric feeling', where the simplicity of life is celebrated.

A reflective bridge reminds us that life can be tough, but a real sense of belonging carries us through. The track swims in nostalgia, evoking a seventies Americana where the TV generation spilled out onto the streets, recreating the worlds they saw on screen.

This is a tremendous song, a true feel-good classic that is both inspiring and easy to dance to. It celebrates the gift of life, and the importance of friendship within the community. Unlike Tom Waits's darker, introspective portrait of neighbourhood hardship, this song does the very opposite and lets the light in.  With lyrics that celebrate the importance of friendship, community and the quiet certainty that home is where we truly belong. 

It's also worth watching the official YouTube music video, which adds another layer of charm, perfectly complementing the song’s uplifting spirit. With a warm, nostalgic aesthetic, it brings the sense of 'unity and community' to life through vibrant, feel-good visuals. There’s a natural ease to it all, nothing feels forced, allowing the joy of the song to shine through in every frame. It’s the kind of video that invites you in, making you feel like part of the neighborhood it celebrates.

Kymberly Stewart and A Trillion Skies – the perfect match.