1) Nothing But Thieves – Six Billion
Haunting and powerful track from Nothing But Thieves’ début album. Moody guitar riffs, front man Conor Mason’s Jeff Buckley-like vocals and eerie sounds result in a gorgeously endearing track.
2) Nothing But Thieves – Excuse Me
Euphoric opener to Nothing But Thieves’ début album. Haunting and gentle verses develop into an epic and powerful Chorus with gorgeous falsetto vocals.
3) Nothing But Thieves – If I Get High
Gentle guitar riffs and Conor Mason’s beautifully unique voice carry this track which ends with an epic climax.
4) Katy Perry – Mannequin
Witty and clever lyrics, quirky instrumentation; this is Katy Perry at her best. Before pop producers transformed her into a very different artist, this is the Katy Perry more should be familiar with – the singer-songwriter. Underrated track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6YVnl83IWQ
5) Ellie Goulding – Army
After the disappointing change of direction exhibited on previous single ‘On My Mind’, this beautiful ballad marks the return of the Ellie Goulding we all know and love. Dreamy synthesisers, reverberating vocals and crashing percussion are featured throughout and it’s a gorgeous song. Think ‘Love Me Like You Do’ Part II but less repetitive and irritating.
6) The Temper Trap – Sweet Deposition
Gorgeous and powerful indie-rock ballad.
7) Katy Perry – If You Can Afford Me
Another track from Katy’s début album ‘One of the Boys’, back in her singer-songwriter days. Clever lyrics and a brilliantly catchy pop-rock track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhierzQiLcs
8) Frances & Ritual – When It Comes To Us
Gorgeous and haunting ballad full of reverberating electro elements not too dissimilar from William Orbit’s work with All Saints. Both artists deliver beautiful vocal performances and this is is just incredibly beautiful.
9) Markus Feehily – Simple Love
Lovely and unique ballad from the ex-Westlife member. The sped up/altered pitch refrain in the chorus is quirky and works beautifully on this great track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ3D4dOnZ_4
10) Markus Feehily – Only You
Gorgeous ballad from ex-Westlife member Markus Feehily’s début solo album ‘Fire’. It’s a little in the same vein as Westlife’s later work but an uplifting and beautiful song.
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