Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Simon Astley, Single Up Records 2022.
I’ve been receiving quite a few releases from Australian singer/songwriter/actor/radio announcer Simon Astley over the last year or so and thus I’ve done a little research on him.
Simon hails from Tasmania and he’s been around the music and entertainment industries for some time, so he’s no overnight sensation.
It seems that Simon performed his song London at the Queen’s diamond Jubilee in 2012 and he has appeared on television shows including the Marngrook Footy Show (Australia),Late Night with Monica Price (UK), The Real Sauce TV Show (UK), The Cath Vincent Show (NZ), as well as appearing in advertisements in Australia and the USA.
He’s also acted in some major home grown shows such as Neighbours, Underbelly, and Jack Irish so it’s a wonder that I hadn’t paid attention to him before now.
Astley is the radio announcer for the new radio show AUS10, which is a spin from US10, which is broadcast throughout the United Kingdom.
With so much going on it’s amazing that he finds the time to concentrate on his music.
Sunset Avenue is a light and breezy piece of escapism, it’s well written and performed and at 2 minutes 28 seconds it’s a radio friendly pop length.
Simon has been collaborating with Damien Leith recently and he’s hit a broad vein of success with songs like Love For The City (2020) and Sing It Now (2021) charting well both here and overseas.
I suspect that Sunset Avenue will also do well.
Astley has enlisted the help of award-winning producers such as Sam Panetta (Kylie Minogue, Crowded House, Kisschasy) to bring out the best in his music.
Sunset Avenue was produced by English born, but USA based, producer Killian Cruiser who is new to me.
If this single is anything to go by, he has an ear and feel for catchy pop.
