SINGLE REVIEW: NEEVE ZAHRA - NEVER GET ANOTHER

It's been over two years since Neeve Zahra burst on to the #TEAMw21 radar, with one of the best UK debut EP's ever. It has aged magnificently and judging from the cover picture of her new single "Never Get Another" so has Neeve herself. The intervening time has seen that EP added to, with a number of singles, displaying a range of styles, all of which Neeve has mastered and this new single is undoubtedly her most pop country and sassy release to date.

Opening to a insistent beat, with the sound of pedal steel and bass wrapped around it.

"It's been two weeks, a long drag

Since I've been over my head

Heartbreak songs, with the radio on

I'll never fall in love again"

The opening verse perfectly captures the all encompassing drama that accompanies a break up, the final line cleverly doubles up in meaning, it could be describing how Neeve is feeling or be a tribute to the Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic being played on the radio.

The old phrase about a woman scorned soon comes into play

"Cos I could see where this is going

You're staying away with your friends

Now I hate you

and I don't wish you the best"

The chorus sees Neeve forget the depression of the opening verse, regaining her confidence, her spirit, firing out her feelings with both barrels.

"No you'll never get another like me

and money doesn't grow on trees

You say, you say I'll never look back

But I can guarantee that

You'll walk right in and see me there

and want me in one of your sheets

It's not my fault that you can't find a lover

Never get another, like me"

The second verse plants the seed that any later replacement is only going to be a poor facsimile and comes with some delightful phrasing that rolls one line into the next. There's a real sense of distaste in the put down on the final line.

"Late night - drinking

You're still thinking of me even if

You settle down, you move out of town you'd see

That I was perfect, was it worth it?

The other girl ain't me

She wears the same boots

She's just another wannabe"

There's room for a short guitar solo before a more muted take of the chorus with a return to the initial basic opening sound, bringing Neeve to the very front of the mix. This time, her vocals accordingly become just a little bit softer before ramping up the volume once more on a chorus reprise, which neatly adds Neeve providing some subtle additional backing vocals

The closing section sees Neeve find varying ways of singing "Like me" - extending out the notes to great effect before sticking in the knife one last time

"Well it's not my fault that you can't find a lover

Never get another, like me"

The final two words sung a capella.

It's a neat punchy little number, and a lead in to a new forthcoming EP, which given the quality of the first one is surely a cause for celebration. Neeve Zahra is an undoubted talent and #TEAMw21 await further instalments of the new EP with an eager anticipation.