Hello Dear Stranger

PlanB is an 8-piece alternative rock/ska band from Australia that explores all the various styles and genres that encompass rock, rhythm and blues and ska music. 'New Ways To Love You' is a track off their 2021 full length release entitled Hello Dear Stranger. PlanB are no newbies, as they have been around for decades, but recently reformed in 2010 and have since been cranking out generally happy, upbeat tunes great for picking up your mood and getting you through your day. Consisting of a solid horn section, distinctive vocals, a rocksteady rhythm section and classic reggae style guitar and organ to help fill out the sound.

Personally I feel the horn section is pivotal to PlanB's unique sound and overall style. But honestly PlanB isn't just another typical ska band, they continually explore other genres and incorporate these sounds into their own individual style, thus creating their particular sound. 'New Ways To Love You' is brimming with harmonious melodies, engaging rhythms, catchy horns, tasty drum fills and an overall full sound which all come together to help create the song's inspirational and light-hearted feel.

'New Ways To Love You' is a perfect example of the type of feel-good sunny day music that PlanB creates. Anyone who is a fan of traditional rhythm and blues, rock and reggae will enjoy the sounds of PlanB.

Channeling supreme blues energy, PlanB Australia puts their collective musicality to work in their song PlanB Shuffle.  With lyrics that highlight the group's affinity for music through wit and charm, PlanB Shuffle is a self-aware anthem for the working musician. The resulting track is a blast, using soaring organ pads, gritty guitar, and bright horns to support some one-of-a-kind vocal work!

The overall sound of the group is great - full of colorful energy.  The lead vocal qualities are strong but not overpowering, with plenty of unique tone for listeners to dig into.  The horns are phenomenal - adding a really bright and engaging quality to an already great sound - combined with killer lyrics and a solid structure, this whole song is a strength! 


Fans of the gritty, bluesy sound and pop/rock structures and sensibilities will love this track!  PlanB Australia's namesake shuffle is sure to catch the ears of a large audience, and the group's musicality and charm will keep them coming back for more!  Thanks for the submission!  - Jon W.

Detailing PlanB Australia's various overseas travels and adventures, "PlanB Shuffle" is a delightfully fun and groove-infused blues-rocker that is both wonderfully arranged and steeped in style. Crunchy rhythm guitars, shuffle-laden rhythms, and tasty jazz-induced brass forays are combined in marvelous fashion to create a rip-rollicking good time that has great energy and a heightened sense of good'ol plain fun. Excellent!

The arrangement is brilliant and the song's diverse instrumentation offers up a rich cocktail of contrasting tones and timbres. Marvelously dirty rhythm guitars, highly expressive brass, rhythmically driving keys, and a vocal performance that perfectly captures the spirit of the genre with aplomb ensure there is a cavalcade of continually interesting ideas being presented to the listener. There is great energy to the track, giving it an almost live feel which is always a great attribute for any rock track to have, it gives the song a sense of spontaneity and character that is thoroughly engaging. The playful and quirky nature of the lyrics add a great amount of charm to the track and if you are a touring musician, are undoubtedly relatable.

This is a solid rocker and fans of the genre will have a great time with "PlanB Shuffle"

"Push & Shove" is an impressive new single from the veteran Australian rock band PlanB, and can be found on their 2021 full length album, Hello Dear Stranger. Bold and brassy, PlanB combine classic soul with pop/rock sensibilities to create an exciting sound that recalls the great RnB influenced Brit pop bands of yesteryear. "Push & Shove" features a mighty brass section and a driving Motown groove that's sure to fill up the dance floor. In addition to having created a captivating pop song, PlanB manage to deliver a poignant message about the state of modern consumerism. Definitely check out PlanB's "Push & Shove" wherever you get your music, and give the rest of their extensive catalog a listen while you're at it!


Outstanding production, excellent mix. Great stereo width and tonal balance. Brass sounds amazing. Love the little syncopated alto sax/trumpet intro, and I really love that 8 bar opening horn riff. So powerful. Drums have good snap and punch, bass tone is really nice. Rhythm section is locked and loaded, great straight ahead "four on the floor" beat, tambourine was a nice touch. Vocal performance was solid. The B sections have a nice ska flavor that pairs well with the driving RnB in the A section. Nice variation in the arrangement in general. Everything is performed with such fantastic energy, it really comes through in the recording. Thought the lyrics were great, excellent bit of social commentary. Overall just an amazing job here on this track, by everyone involved in its production. Cheers!