Lonely Gimmick presents its long awaited follow up to "The First Beat (BEAT 1)". "Running" featuring the lyrical talents of London based rapper "Keyz Empire" is the sequel to Lonely Gimmick's popular lo-fi beat. The beat is taken to new heights by "Keyz" hard as nails vocal performance and all new Hi-Fi mix. The song is extended by almost half its original length with new musically innovative sections, a classic Hip Hop heavy kick drum and record scratches. "Running" seamlessly blends raucous post-punk guitar over glitch hop synths and uncompromising drums creating a sonic collage that is distinctive and in many ways eccentric.

"Keyz" lyrics send a manic but positive message to the listener. She talks about her general feelings day to day and how her mind can race. Living in London she never hears true silence or ever feels settled. The only time she can escape from hectic London life and be at peace is when she is asleep. However, no matter what is making her mind race or whatever she faces in life she will never give up. She has a permanent "go go go" attitude because she knows one day it will all pay off, nothing is in vain, she finds "hope in the pain".

Running

Running (Featuring Keyz Empire)

The Beatles - Revolution (Lonely Gimmick Remix)

Lonely Gimmick presents its Freakbeat Motown inspired new single “Grumpy Days”, an honest art piece about love and the early days of starting a life together with your significant other. 

 "Grumpy Days" hits you in the face almost immediately with a fast paced fuzzy but funky guitar line that is saturated in wah. The lead guitar comes in and out throughout the song creating a harmony that is reminiscent of one of Jimi Hendrix's funkier tracks. "Isabella" comes to mind. This Hendrix influenced guitar is especially noticeable during the solo (at the end of the song) which is something you definitely won't want to miss. While the lead guitar floats around, the drums, percussion and rhythm guitar hold the backing section down, driving an iconic Motown, slightly freakbeat groove. 

 An interesting fact to note, the drums and percussion were all recorded at "Crow’s Nest Studios" by the very accomplished Olly Betts (drummer of "The Duke Spirit") who also took the reins on mixing and mastering duties. The bass takes the middle ground between the two and keeps busy with grooves and fills that pull the listener in without being distracting or getting in the way of everything else that is sonically interesting.

 Above all this musical madness Max's vocals and lyrics get straight to the point with the opening line "You've put up with so much this year". A sentence we can all relate to after the last two years. He welcomes us into the ups and downs of his budding young relationship. Max is open with his message that not all is going smoothly, singing lyrics like "if you got rid of me, they'd all applaud" and the chorus's repeated line "I hate your grumpy days". However, this is followed by lyrics like "I found you girl" and "I didn't know I was looking for an answer and you were the one that I found" with the takeaway message being that they are together and that is all that matters.

 This is clearly not a straightforward love song like Rex Orange County's, “Loving is Easy" that implies love is all roses and sunshine. "Grumpy Days" makes the grounded point that love is hard and building a life with someone takes work, tolerance and patience. 

 During some musical sections, ad-libbed laughter and "woahs" are heard that feel like a throwback to classic 70s funk. This adds a playful and goofy vibe signaling that the companionship does in fact bring much happiness and purpose to their life. These ups and downs are conveyed perfectly by the vocal delivery going from smooth and soft to energetically hyper and almost operatic at times. 

 "Grumpy Days" is Max Pow's (aka Lonely Gimmick's) most buoyant and playful track to date. With goofy charm that uses subtle undertones of freakbeat, funk and Motown to create something new and exciting in the indie genre. "Grumpy Days" is sure to please indie and music fans alike.

Grumpy Days

Original soundtrack by Lonely Gimmick for the independent Film "The Nautilus Mutiny". If you like British gangster films it will be right up your alley. Go check out the trailer!

The Nautilus Mutiny (Fast Version)

The Nautilus Mutiny (Slow version)

Lonely Gimmick proudly presents an all new take on the classic song "All Along the Watchtower". 

Combining the soft folk acoustic style of Bob Dylan's original with LG's signature indie-funk groove. LG makes a version of this classic that feels more soulful than Dylan's yet more chaotic than Hendrix's.

It pulls the listener immediately in with a Yamaha Rhodes piano solo. This is first song by the artist where a piano is in the forefront and an original 1970s Rhodes no less. If "Grumpy Days" paraded LG's guitar playing skills "All Along the Watchtower" exhibits their keyboard skills. The Rhodes is used in a imaginative way throughout the song accompanying the bass's steady pulse. Meanwhile playful and funky guitar lines dance around this creation of pulse at times hinting of early 90s heavy hitters "Pixies". If "Pixies" or "Sonic Youth" covered "All Along the Watchtower" its not hard to imagine it would have sounded like this. This makes it clear LG is a 90s child with their rock influences on full display throughout this sonic landscape. The guitar work draws parallels to their previous single "Grumpy Days" but still manages to tread new ground and build on top of their established sound. Exhibiting that LG is not a fan of repeating themselves. 

In order for Max (aka Lonely Gimmick) to create this expressive take they have recruited two members of the now disbanded band "The Stumble and Shake". 

Ex-Drummer "Amar Singh" lays down the foundation creating a thriving heartbeat that carries the groove of the song forward while simultaneously cradling the tune with delicacy. Nothing too fancy but everything in the right place. 

Hannah's vocals sit perfectly in the mix and add a soulful spice to the driving bass and drums. The lyrics are different from both Hendrix's and Dylan's version. This is because the lyrics were edited using the same method Hendrix took. Remembering what they could from memory rather than actually looking them up. This and the fact the song is actually a semitone up in key makes it almost feel like an original composition.

Overall this take on a classic standard has a vintage feel while simultaneously updating the song and carrying it into the future. This isn't the first cover of "All Along the Watchtower" and its sure not to be the last. Fans of the Dylan's original, Hendrix's cover and lovers of grunge, indie, or folk are sure to find some ear candy with this track. One things for certain is it hits harder than my Dad after a couple of cans of Stella!

Artwork by instagram@adamcyrl

All Along The Watchtower

"Beaches" is the brand new single from the anonymous artist known as "Lonely Gimmick". Set to be released on March 31st 2023 it is their fourth official single to date.  

Crafted over a five year span, the track features drums and percussion performed by renowned producer/drummer "Richie Stevens" (Tina Turner, Boy George/Culture Club, Smudge All Stars, SpaceMonkeyz, George Clinton, Lee Scratch Perry). Good friend "Marcus Engwall" lends his lush, sad boy choral tones for a touch of backing vocals. Mixed by Lonely Gimmick themselves and mastered by the accomplished Olly Betts (The Duke Spirit, "Grumpy Days" engineer) at "Crow's nest studios", “Beaches” is a slice of Lo-fi pop sizzle sure to draw you in with its afro pop inspired guitar riffs and unpretentious charm.

Gently opening with a fuzzy Glockenspiel-inspired synth and nothing more, anticipation starts to build as stray drowned out guitar chords ring out across the sonic landscape. Just when the intro has lulled it’s listener into a sense of tranquillity, soft yet firm vocals kick in at a brisk pace:  

"I can see beaches, scrolling with my thumbs, through miles of smiles and pictures of suns, there's really not much, not much to repeat, with all these modern day techniques". 

In a similar vein to the quote: "Don't let the internet rush you, nobody is posting their failures," LG’s lyrics are a comment on the apparent happiness in other people's lives when viewed through social media. The artist reflects on how things can easily seem hopeless when everyone else appears to be achieving more than you. Everything has been done before so why even bother? That said, there is a flip side to social media and it’s impact, which LG explores in the first verse: "I can see beaches on my phone, scrolling with my thumbs now I don't feel alone". Whilst comparing ourselves to others may sometimes make us feel inadequate, social media can help fend off loneliness and provide a connection to humanity and the wider world. The message being that it’s a significant catch 22 of our times; damned if you use it, damned if you don't.  

Throughout "Beaches" Lonely Gimmick takes the listener with them to "the grass is always greener" contemplations while you wait on a London train ("Carshalton Beeches, I have never been, but I always see it on my destination screen"). Then to pubs and down back alleys where one’s soul will become "trapped in concrete". You'll end up being so intoxicated that you'll trip over your own feet. Women will offer to buy you drinks because they like your hair but hate your dirty shoes. You'll read free newspapers such as "The Metro" and "The Evening Standard" that deliver nothing but bad news. All these papers ever seem to tell you is "the end is nigh". But however, despite all this utter bedlam your main worry will be a whiskey drunk neat.

It is interesting to note the song has no real chorus to speak of with no lyrics repeating. The closest moments to a chorus are funky afro-pop guitar fuelled breaks with accompanying tambourine. "Beaches" hints at an "LCD Soundsystem" song structure mixed with "Vampire Weekend" or even "The War on Drugs”. It is one long continuous loop that builds onto itself, never allowing the possibility of boredom.

Musically “Beaches” is deceptive, sweeping the audience up with it’s joyful beat and playful guitar. Beneath the infectious melody, however, lie emotionally stirring lyrics influenced by moments of existential dread. LG has skilfully combined these qualities to create a refreshing, replayable lo-fi pop song with an unexpected depth at it’s heart.

Beaches

"Beaches" is the brand new single from the anonymous artist known as "Lonely Gimmick". Set to be released on March 31st 2023 it is their fourth official single to date.

Crafted over a five year span, the track features drums and percussion performed by renowned producer/drummer "Richie Stevens" (Tina Turner, Boy George/Culture Club, Smudge All Stars, SpaceMonkeyz, George Clinton, Lee Scratch Perry). Good friend "Marcus Engwall" lends his lush, sad boy choral tones for a touch of backing vocals. Mixed by Lonely Gimmick themselves and mastered by the accomplished Olly Betts (The Duke Spirit, "Grumpy Days" engineer) at "Crow's nest studios", “Beaches” is a slice of Lo-fi pop sizzle sure to draw you in with its afro pop inspired guitar riffs and unpretentious charm.

Gently opening with a fuzzy Glockenspiel-inspired synth and nothing more, anticipation starts to build as stray drowned out guitar chords ring out across the sonic landscape. Just when the intro has lulled it’s listener into a sense of tranquillity, soft yet firm vocals kick in at a brisk pace:

"I can see beaches, scrolling with my thumbs, through miles of smiles and pictures of suns, there's really not much, not much to repeat, with all these modern day techniques".

In a similar vein to the quote: "Don't let the internet rush you, nobody is posting their failures," LG’s lyrics are a comment on the apparent happiness in other people's lives when viewed through social media. The artist reflects on how things can easily seem hopeless when everyone else appears to be achieving more than you. Everything has been done before so why even bother? That said, there is a flip side to social media and it’s impact, which LG explores in the first verse: "I can see beaches on my phone, scrolling with my thumbs now I don't feel alone". Whilst comparing ourselves to others may sometimes make us feel inadequate, social media can help fend off loneliness and provide a connection to humanity and the wider world. The message being that it’s a significant catch 22 of our times; damned if you use it, damned if you don't.

Throughout "Beaches" Lonely Gimmick takes the listener with them to "the grass is always greener" contemplations while you wait on a London train ("Carshalton Beeches, I have never been, but I always see it on my destination screen"). Then to pubs and down back alleys where one’s soul will become "trapped in concrete". You'll end up being so intoxicated that you'll trip over your own feet. Women will offer to buy you drinks because they like your hair but hate your dirty shoes. You'll read free newspapers such as "The Metro" and "The Evening Standard" that deliver nothing but bad news. All these papers ever seem to tell you is "the end is nigh". But however, despite all this utter bedlam your main worry will be a whiskey drunk neat.

It is interesting to note the song has no real chorus to speak of with no lyrics repeating. The closest moments to a chorus are funky afro-pop guitar fuelled breaks with accompanying tambourine. "Beaches" hints at an "LCD Soundsystem" song structure mixed with "Vampire Weekend" or even "The War on Drugs”. It is one long continuous loop that builds onto itself, never allowing the possibility of boredom.

Musically “Beaches” is deceptive, sweeping the audience up with it’s joyful beat and playful guitar. Beneath the infectious melody, however, lie emotionally stirring lyrics influenced by moments of existential dread. LG has skilfully combined these qualities to create a refreshing, replayable lo-fi pop song with an unexpected depth at it’s heart.

Beaches (Master)

"Roll Me Over" is the final single by "Lonely Gimmick" before the release of their first album/E.P "Stay At Home to Sleep In" at the beginning of next year. 

Centred on the same girl as an earlier single (“Grumpy Days”) "Roll Me Over" reflects on the relationship’s aftermath. LG bares their soul right away, describing the beginning of the end with their opening lines. They place the blame completely on themselves whilst trying to soothe by saying "everything will be alright", "the night sky is full of stars".  Despite the hurt inside LG, their sole concern is to not cause further pain to themselves or anyone. 

This is the first track by Lonely Gimmick to start with vocals only: a bold move.
By focusing on lyrics more than music, LG demonstrates how deeply they feel about the song's meaning.  Whether that feeling originates from a sense of guilt or a search for forgiveness is, like most of LG's music, down to the listener to decide. 

The music accompanying the introduction is comparable to the sound of "King Krule". Following a slow, sober start the song hails back to the dancey indie disco days of LG's youth. The song’s structure could be juxtaposed with "When the sun goes down" by "Arctic Monkeys".  A heavy club kick drum and funky guitar drive the sonic motto of LG's production style "if it doesn't get your head boppin’ it ain't worth nothin".

This new release is almost a sibling to "Grumpy Days" but different enough to show there is still much to be explored in that sound.  A fiery jangly guitar riff and a vocal hook guaranteed to have you singing along within seconds. "Roll Me Over" explodes with energy and compassion, proving that LG is not afraid to take risks.

Roll Me Over

Lonely Gimmick reimagines a Jamaican Classic with a bold new cover of Prince Buster’s “Sit and Wonder”.

Genre-blending artist Lonely Gimmick returns with a fresh take on a lesser known cult classic reggae track (Prince Buster’s Sit and Wonder). It's bold, ambitious and emotionally charged. Asking the question is it cultural appropriation for a white English born male to do reggae? The single, out on all major streaming platforms Wednesday July 23rd bridges generations — honouring the foundation of Jamaican ska while infusing it with Lonely Gimmick’s signature modern grit.

Originally penned by ska pioneer Prince Buster, Sit and Wonder was a meditative, soulful reflection on longing and self-examination. Lonely Gimmick’s version retains the emotional core of the original but trades the vintage rhythms for an updated palette of bedroom pop productions, drum loops, indie funk guitar/bass and a post-punk garage rock edge. The result is a track that feels both nostalgic and strikingly current — a testament to the timelessness of Buster’s song writing and Lonely Gimmick’s bedroom production.

“This song has always haunted and grabbed me in a profound way, instantly from the first time I heard it. I used to drive around with a "100 % dynamite" reggae funk compilation cd blasting from my Subaru car. This cd compilation just happened to feature this song. We would sometimes just park up in a random carpark with my friends and excuse the pun "sit and wonder" with this track on repeat” says Lonely Gimmick. “I knew I had to try to do my own version one day. I wanted to honour Prince Buster's essence, but filter it through my bedroom pop lens. This song always takes me back to that teenage memory of driving around Kingston, Canada." It's almost poetic fate Lonely Gimmick grew up in another Kingston far removed from Jamaica.

Sit and Wonder marks a stylistic departure from Lonely Gimmick’s earlier releases, pushing further into experimental territory while still planted in his indie roots. This cover is the first taste of an experimental phase of single releases moving away from LG's former happy indie sound of "Stay At Home To Sleep In" (album) with the next single after "Sit and Wonder" another experiment (an original indietronic song). Set to be releasing in August. Never wanting to make just a carbon copy LG's version of "Sit and Wonder" adds another layer to original with the introduction of a female perspective to the songs original story. "Beth Duggan" lends her voice on some well placed call and response adlibs to the main male protagonist.

The single is accompanied by a simple yet quirky, visually rich video of Lonely Gimmick dancing around their bedroom studio. Made to emulate old 35mm film. As with a lot of things in the world it's simple yet effective. Even quite funny and silly at times. Perfectly encapsulating Lonely Gimmick's personality, approach to life, music making and art. Proving you can't always take life and yourself too seriously even if you are a serious artist.

"Sit and Wonder" is definitely worth a listen for classic reggae ska, rocksteady and even indie rock fans. You should be won over by Lonely Gimmick's production and bedroom beat that will keep your head bopping for the full 3 mins or so it's takes this reimagining to play out.

Sit and Wonder Ft Beth Duggan (Prince Buster Cover)

Bedroom producer Lonely Gimmick brings indie edge to an EDM style tune with Synthesize Sunshine. An ode and love letter about their new synthesiser the mirco-KORG. 

On August 27th, Lonely Gimmick invites listeners to the dancefloor with new single “Synthesize Sunshine”. Drop your worries and just dance to a groove infused experiment that blends flawlessly pulsing dance beats with the rawness of real instruments such as the electric and bass guitar. This indietronica tune belongs on every Ibiza playlist. Built for late nights, neon lights and moments when thinking takes a back seat to feel. This track is simply an unapologetic call to just move.

Minimal, yet captivating, Synthesize Sunshine draws inspiration from artists such as Daft Punk, The XX, Justice and LCD Soundsystem. Their influences are felt all throughout the track, all while still having that signature Lonely Gimmick gritty indie edge. Lonely Gimmick has stolen Franz Ferdinand’s mantra of “make music people can dance to” and we are all the better for it.

It all started with a second-hand “microKORG” found on eBay, the song eventually built itself around it. “I bought a second-hand synthesizer from ebay for cheap called a "micro-korg". I used that for all the synth sounds and wrote the rest of the song around it. I then added my electric guitar and bass to it. I didn't want to think too much about the song. It's just a silly song of experimentation to me. It's basically an ode and love letter to my new musical toy.”

 At its core, the song is about simplicity. Synthesize Sunshine manages to capture the thrill of experimentation in a simple track, the artistic freedom that comes from pulling inspiration from all that surrounds us, such as internet trends “I also had that viral tik tok song , "i'm looking for a man in finance, 6,5 blue highs" in my head.“ As such, the lyrics: "I see the blue skies, I don't want to crystallise, I want the sunshine so Korg let's synthesize" are repeated and cut in true EDM fashion, resulting in a modern and upbeat dance tune.

Synthesize Sunshine releases (or has been released depending on when you are reading this) everywhere August 27, 2025. Follow Lonely Gimmick on their socials for updates and future releases.

Synthesize Sunshine

Lonely Gimmick presents it's second release: Pessimistic Weather.
The anonymous artist blends hip-hop style drums with raucous post punk guitar and electronic synth bass on this new experimental, energetic track. The lyrics are a comment on the troubled times we live in and the media's portrayal of current affairs by use of constant fear. Written before the Corona virus pandemic it takes it's inspiration from climate change, Brexit, the Trump presidency and world politics. The accompanying video was taken the day after the Brexit vote outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Politics can be divisive but regardless of which side of the fence you stand on Lonely Gimmick hopes you can enjoy the track.

Pessimistic Weather

Lonely Gimmick presents its third release, "Blue Ticked Influencer" takes inspiration from lo-fi rock icon Mac Demarco using mostly guitars and a heavy does of chorus pedal to craft a catchy melody. Layerings of background vocals and synths create an astral vibe while the lo-fi lovable glockenspiel completes the indie soaked track. The lyrics and title are of course a comment and criticism on the social media driven times we live in. It critiques the self important attitude that can absorb a person because of the number of "likes" and "followers" they have and attain. The lyrics directly reference the reality TV show "Love Island" which stars many so called "Influencers" calling them and their "abstract beauty" empty. The message of the song being beauty isn't everything, your self worth is not determined by your social media presence or how many followers and likes you have. There are many hidden gems in this universe. and we should learn to humble ourselves to our insignificance. As the cover art for the track says "we are all nothing but ants on a speck of dust floating in space"

Blue Ticked Influencer

This naughty, illegal remix of the classic rock song, "Little Sister" by Queen's of the Stone Age, showcases Lonely Gimmick's music production talent. LG delves deep into old school techno and house using stolen samples of the original track blended with homemade synths and drums. The remix carries the listener along with techno staple drops and crescendo build ups that eventually progress to a strong deviation into trap at the end. This fused mix of alternative rock, trap and techno completely re-tools the song we all know and love and turns it more than just upside down, but inside out as well. Being nothing too serious nor too tacky, Lonely Gimmick takes heavy inspiration from the great remixers such as soulwax, MSTRKRFT and RAC.

LG has said they have a strong critical appreciation for "Josh Homme" and "Queens of the stoneage" but luckily feel free to take liberties with the song as it has been around for quite some time. Queen's of the stoneage have been a part of LG's musical diet since LG's early teenage years. LG fondly remembers listening to "Lullabies to Paralyze" for the first time with their childhood friend who had recently purchased the album. After being shown "Queens of the stoneage"'s soft lilting vocals and coolly-phrased fury they quickly became one of LG's favourite artists quoting their favourite song as "You think I ain't worth a dollar, but I feel like a millionaire". When approaching this musical endeavour LG didn't want to take it so seriously and just have fun, while working with some of the greatest master stems they had at their disposal. Lonely gimmick has been quoted in saying this about the track "If you take a remix of a beloved song too seriously you set yourself up for trouble. Regardless of how well you remix a song you will always enrage and upset die hard fans of the original"

Little Sister (Queens of the Stone Age)

Lonely Gimmick is the brainchild of Samuel Powell. Formerly an anonymous artist also going by the alter ego Max Pow. Samuel Powell used both these names as pseudonyms to hide their real identity. Recently retiring the "gimmick" of being anonymous as they felt it no longer aligned with the direction their music and image was heading. Lonely Gimmick's work is self-recorded and produced, with the vast majority of the instruments featured on each track played by Sam himself. LG has been building up a following online since 2020 releasing singles such as "Blue Ticked Influencer" and "Grumpy Days". All the while winning praise from online music press outlets such as American Pancake, Obscure Sound and featuring on BBC introducing.  
"Ear-catching music" -Obscure Sound
"The living embodiment of futuristic and avant-garde compositions" -Iggy Magazine
"Pure dance feverish escapism" -American Pancake
"refreshingly original approach to music making" - Alfitude 
"definitely Unique" - giveitaspin

Lonely Gimmick

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