I’m feeling a bit low today as September brings heavy rains and a chill in the air. The schools returned today and younger siblings wind their way, bag in hand, sadly through the school gates. I see Mark (my editor here) refers to this in his great monthly editorial for September, I’’ll link that here, and it takes me strongly toward having a listen to that classic “We Don’t Need No Education!” The problem for me is, education still isn’t over. I’m starting a journalism course at University in a matter of weeks and part of me is scared, the part anticipating whatever that brings.
The Summer saw me doing an internship with Benny and Mark here at the magazine, and it’s been great for me. I have listened to music that I otherwise would not have discovered and talked to people in the business at all stages of their careers. This will be one of my last reviews before heading off and I have been asked to have a listen to the Ervin Munir single “Diamond Ring.” I know the team here have spoken to Ervin before and this single is a precursor release for his third album which is pencilled in for release in January 2026.
For those new to the man and his music, Norfolk based Ervin Munir is a singer-songwriter. He writes heartfelt songs about life and social injustice and he performs these solo and in his band. In August 2022 he started working with producer Aeron Z Jones and they have been creating great studio recordings of Ervin’s songs ever since.
This single was released on August 15, so is out on all platforms now.
My review: Although I was told Ervin is a folk artist I found this track reminded me of the solo material by Ringo Starr! It is a jaunty tune, upbeat and with a simple piano led dance groove. You can tell that the artist is having a lot of fun with the track, and there is a poppy mid-section that takes you toward that “Seaside Rendezvous” feel. The cover art, a gothic image of a burned out house speaks of troubled times and fires, but the tune never pulls you down.
Pink Floyd might have told us we don’t need no education, but Ervin Munir just gave me the best lesson of all: keep it catchy, keep it real, and above all—keep it fun.
A brief closing word of self promotion (lol) and a thank you to Mark and Benny for giving me a chance to write for you. If you enjoyed the review, please check out the other pages of the magazine; we have many great features, merchandise pages, shops, editorials and even a poetry page. Content is free here, but we work hard for you, and to support the magazine, please show your appreciation on the support button below and buy me a coffee (I’m saving up for Uni!!).
You can stream music from Ervin Munir here
By Tracy Nash