New Music: Seal, Young Gun Silver Fox, Tom Lark, & Tom Meighan

Aikin (All I Know is Now) –Seal

It has been YEARS since Seal has released anything that really caught my attention. His heyday took place over 30 years ago when he released Seal and Seal II. Perhaps from the deserved success of the single Kiss From a Rose, his music became less edgy and adventurous and more middle of the road. His new single harkens back to a time when he was actually being played on some rock radio stations. Aikin (All I Know is Now) is an upbeat, rocker that opens with what sounds like the riff from Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman!, but then moves into something more gritty as Seal sings about the “world in a state.” He addresses “facing big change” and never being “so low.” However, this is ultimately an optimistic song which focuses on living in and embracing the present moment. It’s great to have this side of Seal back.

Just For Pleasure – Young Gun Silver Fox

I’ve already highlighted Young Gun Silver Fox’s first single, Stevie & Sly, from their new album Pleasure. This song has more 70s/80s soul/fun vibes but like Seal’s latest focuses on the present: “Hang up all your hang ups baby, let’s just spend the night together.” With a solid back beat and “Young Gun” Andy Platts’ vocals filled with emotion and desire, this is an easy track to glide and groove to.

Fuselage – Tom Lark

Lark is a songwriter from New Zealand who I wasn’t previously familiar with. I love the production on this track which is said to be “about feeling resistant to change.” Haven’t we all been there?! I know I’m finding great comfort in some of my familiar routines these days (such as regular Substack writings!) but know that getting stuck in a rut is never a good thing. I’m looking forward to exploring more of Lark’s music.

Silver Linings – Tom Meighan

Meighan was the co-founder and former front man for the band Kasabian, which had a string of interesting neo-new wave albums in the 2000s and 2010s. The English rocker has now released his second solo album, RoadRunner which features this great track Silver Linings. In it he sings about wanting to “take ya on a super jet plane and I wanna show ya what’s inside ya pretty brain.” Essentially, he is taking control for a ride that is showing his “head full of symphonies.” Lofty and ambitious? Yes. Arrogant? Maybe, but he makes his case with this well-produced and interesting track.

Link to my 2025 Playlist is here.

What do you think? Do any of these songs grab you? Let me know!