𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 - this week: Stop - Plummy

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly - an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 - 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙮

Charles talks rubbish.

Garbage. Trash. Tripe. Rot. Dross. Drivel. Detritus. Worst of the worst. Bottom of the barrel. These are just some of the things that spring to mind when listening to Plummy’s second single, Stop. As if the first wasn’t bad enough. His debut single was at most, bearable, but still frankly embarrassing and annoying. The latest disastrous mess of noise though, takes things to a new level of exhausting, self-indulgent pap. It has no redeeming features at all, and I frankly wish he would take his own advice and just STOP.

Phew! What a relief it was, to get that out of my system. Been wanting to do that for ages. But now, I will reveal the truth. Stop, is brilliant. Plummy is in fact the only artist so far to appear in my reviews for a second scrutiny, which alone says something rather special about him. His first efforts in Veronica, were rather more than bearable, and the song was genuinely one of the catchiest I heard in 2020. However, with his latest single, he has taken things several echelons higher. Plummy has proved something I didn’t really think was possible. I always used to assume that art was born at birth and could not be learnt, but only worked upon and improved. Skill, is something completely different. But in song, both skill and art play a part. Plummy has indeed been a guitarist for many years, but I personally count that as a great skill. When I started writing songs, I was about 18 or 19. When Plummy started, he was close to 30. I would not therefore expect his initial makings to be of much quality - but I was wrong. On song two, not only has he improved but leapt forward years. He has honed his skills at tremendous speed, but most importantly, has learnt art.

Many think that Pop is easy, and that it is only when moving to the land of jazz and classical music that it gets proper. I disagree. The proof is in the quality of what we hear from day to day - signed or not. These might be beginners, these might be pros, but either way it is rare that we hit classic gold. Plummy might not quite be at Michael Jackson, Beatles or Abba levels of songwriting yet, but WHO IS?! I know I’M not. The point is, the rate this newcomer is climbing, he might well get there. I have simply never seen such pace in progress from first to second song - and it began well to start with!

Stop, at first will seem like a cool, simply structured song of good form and decent, solid sound. But it is the subtleties and attention to detail that really make this song great. Pleasing chord progressions that one might not expect. A chorus that isn’t a chorus. A refrain that leaves you dangling and crying out for more. Plummy’s production and mixing skills are slightly astounding, especially when considering how new he is to this playing field. Stop, is so rounded and clean, yet with a good amount of oomph and punch (technical terms). It is warm yet with high clarity. He also manages to blend analog instruments with electronic, without sounding awkward or disjointed. This in fact completes the sound, making it more musical and interesting. He manages a fabulous and well-crafted solo in place of a bridge. Stunning. Although coming in at around a minute longer than most songs these days, it never feels laboured or tired. A song is the length it has to be. Would Hey Jude be better if it were condensed to 3 minutes? No, it would not. Pink Floyd? Yes? We just can’t cut it so it’s “radio-friendly”.

Plummy also triumphs with the lyrics, achieving maturity in the theme of alcohol addiction, but also never leaving behind his sense of humour. This is one of the reasons the song is capable of catching on many levels. Supoyb on the radio, in the club (if we ever see one again), through speakers, through headphones, listening intently at home, having it play whilst doing the shopping. He is without a doubt, one of the best artists on the New Artist Spotlight playlists, in my opinion. And then there’s catchiness. We had the most catchy song of 2020 in Veronica. But after just one listening of Stop - didn’t take long before I pressed play again - there I was, singing “You love alcohol, love alcohol, love alcohol” - thrilling and fun stuff, despite the darker context. As for when Plummy sings the title, I get chills.

This brings us to a close. Or period, as you Americans would say - but what with that having rather different connotations here in England, I will call it a full STOP.

Listen to 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 HERE!

Have a look at Plummy's brand new website HERE!

And follow him on Instagram HERE!

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