Drew Friel and Max Bien Kahn Reviewed
Drew Friel – Four Bed in Birkenhead (Easy Money)
The 2026 World Cup was just a reminder of how things need to work in this world if they’re to keep working. Yes, to some this was a kitschy exhibition of inflated sporting events that the British created and their American cousins had turned into a Las Vegas event. But, to those doing the counting, it was a chance to dig into those sweet, historically high profits.
And, in many ways, that’s the story of the world, or, at least, of most of the things that regular people like us enjoy wholeheartedly. The British create it, nurture it, and then someone else comes along and makes a fortune out of it.
But are the British angry about it? Not really. In fact, judging by Drew Friel’s excellent new single, pop-rock music on the old isle has continued to run alongside the kind of music that makes the charts and helps sell the merchandise.
“Four Bed in Birkenhead (Easy Money)” is a reminder of just why the British are, without question, the very best at this thing that we still call rock n’ roll. It’s a song that sounds funny, swings oddly and describes places that sound like luxury handbags. It’s got a great chorus, fantastic charm and, like most great British singles, does the whole job in 3-minutes. Hooray for Limey!
Max Bien Kahn – Neighbors
Yeah, you’re likely to miss out on life’s most important lessons. But don’t despair. In fact, what am I saying? Maybe a little bit of despair might help. You could even cry for a while, start calling old friends and reminisce and maybe take long walks along the lake asking yourself out loud what this whole business of life has mattered after all.
It’s just that once you’re done with all of that, you could start back up and, this time, forget about asking yourself the big questions. Maybe take a hint from your leaves on the tree, or the dog barking in your living room. Perhaps if you’re really looking for a Buddha to follow to enlightenment, this would be it. That’s certainly what Max Bien Kahn has been doing, and the results are undeniable.
“Neighbors” is a quirky little indie-rock single written from the perspective of Kahn’s rowdy dog that’s been terrorising the community. It’s all charm, and fighting spirit, and more charm. It’s a song that goes down smoothly after a bowl of cereal and the kind of indie “it’ll all be alright” anthem that you need and may not know it yet.
