Annnddd we’re at the end of another month!
I’m really excited to share these tracks with you. There have been so many brilliant songs released lately, and I’ve been absolutely devouring music recently. Below, I’ve written about many of my favourites—but as always, I’ve included the playlist at the bottom, featuring a few extra tracks I’ve loved but didn’t feel the need to write about.

As ever, I know your time is precious—so whether you give this a proper read, a scroll through, or just check out the playlist, I massively appreciate it.

So, let’s dive in!

THE ESSENTIAL FIVE

Haim – Relationships
A shimmering, sun-soaked anthem about emotional inarticulacy in relationships, with classic Haim charm and a fresh twist.

Chappell Roan – The Giver
A joyful, country-pop anthem full of warmth, fiddle flourishes, and queer storytelling that feels both nostalgic and original.

Sugababes – Jungle
A house-pop comeback bursting with jazzy chord progressions and lush harmonies, tackling the grind of everyday life.

Antony Szmierek – Angie’s Wedding
A captivating blend of spoken word and ‘90s rave-inspired production that paints a vivid picture of a wedding through magnetic storytelling.

Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be
A soulful, orchestral ballad written for the new Bridget Jones film, capturing romantic vulnerability with elegance and Olivia Dean’s stunning vocals.

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THE LONG LIST

Haim – Relationships
Haim return with this sun-soaked millennial anthem (reportedly seven years in the making) about the inability to articulate emotions in a relationship. With sunny piano chords, a punchy backing track, and a funky bass line, it’s quintessentially Haim—but with a fresh twist. I adore this and have had it on repeat all March!

Chappell Roan – The Giver
Another track that sounds glorious in the recent spring sunshine we’ve been experiencing in the UK. Seamlessly transitioning into country territory, this upbeat, feel-good country-pop anthem harks back to Shania Twain’s heyday and echoes work by The Chicks. It has all the hallmarks of classic country music – traditional country instrumentation (including a fiddle!) but pairs it with queer storytelling, enabling it to be just that little bit more innovative. A triumph of a song and an utterly feelgood anthem!

Sugababes – Jungle
The original Sugababes line-up return with this house-pop banger about escaping the 9–5 grind. Although they’ve released the odd rework and previously unheard track, this feels like a proper comeback—so it’s a shame it’s not gained more commercial traction. On first listen, it might present as generic house-pop, but there are glimmers that set it apart: their lush harmonies and jazzy chord progressions give it a unique edge. SO good, this one.

Antony Szmierek – Angie’s Wedding
I discovered Antony Szmierek on a TV show recently where he performed this track, and I was instantly hooked. It’s probably my first proper foray into spoken word music, but Antony makes it easy with his magnetic delivery and captivating instrumentation. On ‘Angie’s Wedding’, he part-raps, part-speaks his observations on everyday life—this time at a wedding—set to breakbeats and Haçienda-inspired synths. It’s steeped in ‘90s rave culture, but with a fresh spin. Really dig this!

Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be
I saw the new Bridget Jones film last week (which this track was written for), and—unsurprisingly—loved it. This classy pop-soul hybrid holds its own alongside past Bridget Jones soundtracks like Gabrielle’s impeccable ‘Out of Reach’ and Ellie Goulding’s ‘Still Falling for You’. I’ve been a fan of Olivia Dean for a while, and she really delivers here—lush orchestration, gorgeous brass, and her stunning vocals. Just beautiful, this.

Elle Darlington – Summer Crush
Spotify delivered this gem to me. With its thumping beats and swirling production, it nods to Mariah Carey’s ‘Fantasy’ but still feels contemporary. Effortlessly catchy, radiating summer vibes—it’s an utter bop.

Ayesha Madon – Michelle Obama
Another Spotify recommendation—and they nailed it! This slick synth-pop gem deserves all the listens. Referencing Michelle Obama’s iconic 2016 quote “When they go low, we go high,” it unpacks relationship tension through glitchy samples, stuttery synths and punchy beats. Absolutely brilliant.

Bon Iver – Everything Is Peaceful, Love
Bon Iver returns with this mellow, dreamy track featuring ‘90s-style soul keyboards, untuned percussion, a drum machine, slide guitar, and an irresistibly beautiful chorus. Listening to this feels almost cleansing. Just gorgeous.

Teddy Swims – Guilty
Teddy Swims has been making waves recently—and rightly so. His powerful vocals and soulful sound are undeniable, though his earlier music wasn’t quite for me… until ‘Guilty’. This track throws back to early 2000s country-pop with a lilting chorus, gentle electric guitar arpeggios, and a brilliant middle eight. A total triumph.

Amber Mark – Won’t Cry
I’m obsessed with this hypnotic disco banger about dancing your troubles away. Clearly inspired by the sultry vibes of Donna Summer and Kylie, it’s a joyful dancefloor anthem with synth bass, disco strings, and an infectious, repetitive hook. SO GOOD!

Inhaler – A Question of You
This irresistible, upbeat track leans more pop than usual for indie-rock band Inhaler—and it works so well. Their classic guitar mesh is paired with funky bass and even a gospel choir. The lyrics explore the idea of being honest with yourself before opening up to someone else. Produced by pop wizard Kid Harpoon, his signature touches are all over it. Glorious.

Great Good Fine Ok – Appetite
Another brilliant one for the Spring sunshine by American synthpop band Great Good Fine Ok, featuring vocals by Country Pop singer Danielle Bradbery, this breezy, chilled-out synthpop track is built on funky guitar riffs, live drums, a funky bass line and the occasional giggle of a synthesiser. Adore the ascending middle eight on this too. Chilled, summery and irresistably catchy.

Alana Davis – 32 Flavors
A brilliant pop-rock tune from Alana Davis, with definite Alanis Morissette vibes. Originally written by Ani DiFranco, Davis added a chorus and bass line, making it more radio-friendly. Love the moody chords, stripped-back feel, and that strong chorus.

Inhaler – Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)
Another belter from Inhaler. There’s a rhythmic build-up before the chorus that gives me Rusted Root – Send Me On My Way vibes—but that’s where the similarities end. Classic Inhaler hallmarks are all here: tight guitar work, Elijah Hewson’s husky, reverberating vocals, and an ’80s-inspired backing. Big fan of the chorus and guitar layers on this one.

Fickle Friends – Swoon
I’m so glad British indie-pop band Fickle Friends are back. ‘Swoon’ doesn’t stray far from their signature sound—infectious melodies and irresistible pop sensibilities—but why fix what isn’t broken?

Take That – How Deep Is Your Love
Take That bowed out (temporarily) in 1996, somewhat surprisingly with this grown up, mellow acoustic cover of the Bee Gees’ ‘70s classic. Clearly capitalising on ‘Back for Good’s success, the acoustic guitar and bossa nova-style percussion elevate it beyond the average ’90s boyband fare. The arrangement feels sophisticated—arguably even superior to the original. I adore the ‘doo do do do’ intro, the warm harmonies, and the stripped-back instrumentation. Best bit? That repeated outro refrain: ‘doo do, do, do… How deep is your love’. Lovely stuff.

Daniel Seavey – Gateway Drug
This could easily be mistaken for a Maroon 5 track circa 2014 (make of that what you will). With its catchy guitar riffs, polished production and falsetto vocals, it flirts with ‘Sugar’ levels of similarity—but it’s undeniably catchy pop perfection.

Ben Swissa – Superficial
A sleek, well-produced pop gem from Australian artist Ben Swissa, capturing the butterflies of early infatuation. Subtle, bouncy, and full of charm.

Sam Fender – ‘Nostalgia’s Lie’, ‘Chin Up’, ‘Wild Long Lie’, ‘Little Bit Closer’, ‘Rein Me In’
Bit of a cheat here, lumping them together—but I’ve been obsessed with Sam’s latest album ‘People Watching’, and I’d rather talk about it as a whole than track by track. I’ve long admired his work, but this album has taken my love for his music to another level. Every track is sincere, beautifully written, and steeped in indie-rock guitars and chord progressions. These five, in particular, have been on repeat—especially on darker days.

Beth McCarthy – First, Best, Hottest
Discovered this pop smash after a clip went viral of a fan going wild at a live performance—and I instantly loved it. This uptempo, cheeky, feel-good alternative pop banger is confident, catchy, and just a bit sexy in the best way.

Here’s the full playlist below: