Normally, when I am reviewing singles for MNNZ the turnaround time we work to is 7 days and it is not unusual for me to work on far tighter deadlines than that, but Ayla was incredibly well organised with the promotion for her second single, and I have been playing this for the last 3 weeks at least. In that time it has become a real earworm, and I have even found myself singing it as I walk around (not a pleasant experience for anyone in the vicinity, let me assure you). She describes herself as an indie folk/rock artist, but I don’t hear a lot of folk in this one, but lots of power pop, commercial rock, guitars, a great voice, wonderful arrangement and stacks of hooks.
There is something about this song which is bouncy, full of fun, and packed with the summer sun and is fresh, inviting, and a solid blast. With a full band behind her, special attention has been paid to the arrangements so there are times when she is harmonising with herself, others when she is a cappela, while we can have thumping drums or delicate rimshots, the band sitting back or coming forward to drive the song on. The result is a rock/pop single which surely is destined to sit on radio playlists and the charts, as this is a blast from beginning to end and something I have enjoyed immensely. Apparently, Ayla has been gigging in Tauranga and Auckland but so far I have missed her, and that is something I need to correct immediately if not sooner. I thoroughly enjoyed her debut single, Salamanders, but this takes her songwriting and performance to a whole new level. Now when are we going to get an album?
Rating: 10/10
