Hartlepool-born singer-songwriter Michael Gallagher returns with likeable new single, ‘Lula’.
Some music requires multiple listens before the listener can really get on board with it; however, Michael Gallagher’s new single, ‘Lula’, does not fall into that category. After just one run-through, the song will have you ‘ooolala’ing’ until you’re physically unable to ‘ooolala’ any further.
This is testament to the immediate appeal of the song that brings a raw unfiltered wave of energy that you just can’t help but get swept away by. The guitars are bright and the hooks are catchy.
Gallagher strikes a solid balance, demonstrating an ability to fuse alternative rock flourishes with a mainstream pop melody.
It’s this knack of seamlessly merging rock and pop elements that gives Gallagher an aura not too dissimilar to that of Declan McKenna. Some of the early vocal deliveries in ‘Lula’ are reminiscent of those by the late Kris Leonard on Viola Beach’s self-titled posthumous LP.
The song is rather straightforward. According to the man himself, it was written in just a few days. Those who like their lyrics complex and in need of thorough analysis might find themselves short on material here – but that’s not what Gallagher is aiming for. Instead, he delivers a concise pop-rock song that light-heartedly plays with the idea of a one-night stand.
Listeners will find the song immediately relatable as they envision their own experiences of days gone by. Most will identify with their own ‘Lula’ that they know in their own lives. It’s this sense of relatability that Gallagher tries to induce throughout his music.
Previous single ‘Yesterday’ is more anthemic but still manages to accomplish that same light-hearted likeability on display in ‘Lula’. The vocals are strained and less polished too, giving the song a less distinctly pop feel.
It’s impressive for someone so young to demonstrate this level of flexibility, though artists that play on the boundaries of musical genres often find themselves responsible for the most-wide ranging musical catalogues.
Gallagher plays an acoustic version of ‘Yesterday’ in Durham-based barbershop Rum Razor Barbers, as can be seen on his YouTube channel as part of a collab called ‘barbershop sessions’. Even without the production value of the studio version, the song maintains that level of charm and catchiness that Gallagher is destined to reproduce throughout his future releases.
You can hear Gallagher’s music, including new single ‘Lula’, on Spotify now.
