Hello!
It’s been a minute. The last few months have been a whirlwind and, before I knew it, I’d skipped not one mixtape but three!
I have been thinking about this, though: how sustainable it is and whether it actually reaches that many people. I get a lot of joy from making these, so I’ll definitely be continuing, but I am considering switching from monthly mixtapes to seasonal or bimonthly editions. I have a few other ideas too – watch this space.
For now, we have a bumper edition. I didn’t want to give you 60 songs to trawl through, so I’ve tried to keep this mixtape to the absolute best listens.
As always, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find something you love.
Marc
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The Essential 5
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
A euphoric house track sampling Inner City’s “Good Life” and channelling the spirit of “Vogue”.
Melanie C – Cashmere
A chilled, slinky nu-disco highlight with bubbly synths and gorgeous harmonies.
MUNA – So What
A moody electropop track about status, validation and the need for genuine connection.
Niall Horan – Tastes So Good
A warm, triumphant pop-rock earworm with punchy drums and nostalgic guitars.
Tiny Habits – Anything He Was
A beautiful, warm folk-pop song with stunning harmonies and a James Taylor feel.
The Longlist
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
Madonna is back with a new album – Confessions 2, the sequel to her dance-pop crossover Confessions on a Dance Floor. This is the lead single: a dreamy, euphoric house smash with girl-of-the-moment Sabrina Carpenter.
I feel this deserved better commercially. What it lacks in innovation and lyrical content, it makes up for in spirit, fun and simply doing house music bloody well. It samples Inner City’s 1988 house smash “Good Life” and embodies much of the spirit of Madonna’s iconic “Vogue”. I really love this!
Filed Under: euphoric house, ’80s house sample, Vogue-inspired pop
Melanie C – Cashmere
Melanie C’s new album, Sweat, is her highest-charting solo album and has also, incredibly, become the highest-charting solo album by any member of the Spice Girls – and for good reason.
It’s an absolutely brilliant record, full of tight and interesting production choices, Melanie C’s powerful, distinctive vocals and an all-killer, no-filler blend of nu-disco and house. This chilled, slinky and summery track is a particular highlight for me, with its dancehall beats, gorgeously layered harmonies and bubbly synths. Just lovely!
Filed Under: nu-disco, chilled house, layered harmonies
MUNA – So What
I love queer indie-pop trio MUNA and have done since they first arrived on the scene just over a decade ago. Their new album is great, and this is one of its highlights for me: a moody electropop bop with pitch-modified vocals.
It carries a powerful message about validation, and how being invited to fancy parties and having nice things doesn’t necessarily add up to real connection or true happiness. I love the production, particularly the song’s final minute, where it deconstructs into its bare bones: fizzy synthesisers, gorgeous piano chords and exposed vocals.
Filed Under: moody electropop, fizzy synthesisers, queer pop
Niall Horan – Tastes So Good
I can’t get enough of this triumphant pop-rock track, with its punchy drums, warm guitar chords and earworm melodies. It has the warmth of songs like “There She Goes” by The La’s and “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer, while also sounding uncannily like much of the music Niall was making with his One Direction bandmates in 2015 (far from a bad thing) only on steroids.
Well, it was co-written by their old songwriting team, after all. I adore the falsetto “ooohs” after “But it tastes so good to me” in the song’s final few seconds.
Filed Under: triumphant pop-rock, warm guitars, earworm melodies
Tiny Habits – Anything He Was
This song is absolutely beautiful, and I adore it. I’d have completely missed it had somebody not posted on X that it featured Matty Healy of The 1975 on vocals, which instantly got me invested.
Still, it needed to be a great song in its own right – and it is. I fell instantly in love with its warmth and folk-like sound, the stunning harmonies and the fact that it feels like something James Taylor might have made.
Filed Under: warm folk-pop, stunning harmonies, James Taylor vibes
Simply Red – You’ve Got It
I watched the BBC’s Simply Red special one Saturday evening a few months ago and was reminded just how brilliant they are. Mick Hucknall is one of the greatest vocalists the UK has ever produced, and their discography is a perfect blend of soul, R&B and pop.
“You’ve Got It” was co-written by Mick with Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, and it shows in the songwriting on this absolute gem. The song never charted particularly highly, but I’ve always loved the warmth of the chords, its laid-back feel, the melodies and the way it builds and builds towards a brilliant finale, where Mick’s vocals really shine. A beautiful song and one of my favourites by the band.
Filed Under: soulful pop, laid-back warmth, soaring finale
Robyn – Blow My Mind
Robyn’s new record, Sexistential, is mighty good and packed with the electro music she is renowned for. This is a reworking of a track from her 2002 album Don’t Stop the Music.
The original is slower and more rooted in electroclash, whereas the rework elevates it hugely into a slinky, sexy slice of electro-funk, channelling Prince through distorted synths and a brilliantly elastic groove.
Filed Under: electro-funk, distorted synths, Prince-inspired groove
MUNA – On Call
Another belter from MUNA, once again utilising their electropop hallmarks: thumping electronic drums, sharp synth hits and stabbing bass.
I love the juxtaposition between the moody verses and the brighter chorus, with a perfectly placed key change and some dramatic chord transitions. It’s a song about being “on call” for somebody while recognising, as you get older, that you need firmer boundaries.
Filed Under: moody electropop, dramatic key change, situationship
Hear’Say – Home Again
I took a trawl through Hear’Say’s short-lived discography out of pure curiosity. It’s very much of its time, with plenty of forgettable songs but also a few real gems. This one immediately stood out to me and has been on repeat ever since.
A co-write by the incredible Cathy Dennis (look up her songwriting credits) and Simon Ellis, both known for their work with S Club 7 around a similar time, this shimmering pop ballad is simply beautiful. It was apparently being lined up as a single before Kym Marsh’s departure.
Kym delivers the lead vocal, and her voice really shines. It’s rare that I love every part of a song – verses, bridge, chorus and middle eight – but this genuinely has it all. It’s just effortlessly lovely.
Filed Under: shimmering pop ballad, Cathy Dennis songwriting, 00’s pop
Quinn XCII – Olive Tree
This song is simply lovely. Made up of little more than an acoustic guitar, piano and a few percussive elements, it has a little of Jack Johnson about it while still retaining a style of its own.
It’s calming and comforting, with poetic lyrics about practising gratitude and being present. Just lovely.
Filed Under: acoustic singer-songwriter, practising gratitude, calming comfort
Simply Red – Say You Love Me
A song that always reminds me of my childhood. I apparently used to sing this all the time as a four-year-old!
A beautiful, reflective pop ballad with an uplifting chorus about the desire for true, unconditional love, this is one of Simply Red’s best. I love its organic instrumentation and subtle trip-hop production influences. A gorgeous song.
Filed Under: reflective pop ballad, unconditional love, subtle trip-hop
John Summit and Julia Wolf – WITH ME
John Summit’s dance production and Julia’s murmured indie vocals are a perfect match on this hypnotic record. It’s unique, dreamy and vibey – a perfect collision of worlds!
Filed Under: hypnotic dance, murmured indie vocals, dreamy atmosphere
Teddy Swims – God Went Crazy
I love this retro-soul ballad from Teddy Swims, about knowing that you’re with the right person. He sounds fantastic, as always, and is a perfect match for the vintage-inspired instrumentation, with its sweeping strings, keyboards and organic bassline.
Filed Under: retro-soul ballad, vintage instrumentation, devoted love
Niall Horan – Flowers
This is a glorious, moody indie-pop ballad with soft vocals and a dreamy chorus featuring layered harmonies. It also contains the beautiful lyric “swear your eyes could grow flowers”, apparently inspired by a fan’s comment beneath one of Niall’s posts. Gorgeous!
Filed Under: moody indie-pop, layered harmonies, poetic lyrics
Niall Horan – Monochromatic
Niall again! This is a fun, cheeky and lively track about being so invested in your partner that you don’t want them wearing any clothes.
I love the energy of this one. I also really enjoy the way the chords are flipped around during the middle eight.
Filed Under: flirty pop, lively energy, flipped chords
Olivia Rodrigo – Maggots for Brains
I’d never been much of an Olivia Rodrigo fan until her latest album. you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is a brilliant record, and this is one of my favourite tracks.
With its post-punk and new-wave sound, it channels the likes of The Cure and New Order while giving them a contemporary twist. The chorus is particularly brilliant. Love this so much!
Filed Under: post-punk, new wave, brilliant chorus
Olivia Rodrigo – Purple
Another track from Olivia. Opening with soft, melancholic synth pads and Olivia’s almost-whispered vocals, it gradually evolves into something approaching pop-punk, with jangling guitars and a driving drumbeat.
Originally created as a love song, it developed throughout the writing process into something much more introspective: a song about losing yourself in a relationship. Love this!
Filed Under: melancholic synths, pop-punk build, self abandonment
Arlo Parks – Blue Disco
My favourite track from Arlo’s latest album. Hazy and melancholic yet somehow still uplifting, it sits in a similar vein to LCD Soundsystem and sets the tone for the album beautifully. It’s a song about being content with the person you love. I also adore the guitar licks during its final minute.
Filed Under: hazy indie-pop, melancholic uplift, guitar-led finale
Solid HarmoniE – I Wanna Love You
I remember this from when I was a child, then completely forgot about it until now! This song deserved better. A Max Martin song (Britney, Backstreet Boys, etc.) it contains so many of his trademarks: slightly darker verses contrasted with a brighter chorus, programmed drums with an R&B swing and that brash guitar motif. You can hear how it paved the way for “…Baby One More Time”, which was released around a year later.
Filed Under: late-’90s pop, R&B swing, Max Martin guitar
Natalie Anderson – Did I
Natalie Anderson’s recent appearance in Corrie as Theo Silverton’s wife reminded me that she once had a short-lived pop career. I loved this song back in the day and still think it’s great now. A pop ballad driven by Natalie’s bright, lovely vocals, it has a little Natalie Imbruglia about it – think “Torn”. A lovely track!
Filed Under: early-2000s pop ballad, bright vocals, Natalie Imbruglia influence
Parcels – Ifyoucall
I’ve long liked Australian band Parcels, but their 2025 album ‘Loved’ takes things to another level.
Full of funk-driven tracks, electropop and R&B, it’s loose, catchy and organic in its approach, often feeling like a funk record from the 1970s. This song is one of my favourites: fun and funky, with wonderfully dreamy harmonies.
Filed Under: ’70s funk, organic electropop, dreamy harmonies
SIENNA SPARRO – Material Lover
I fell in love with this after hearing it in The Devil Wears Prada 2. It has such a bright, breezy and soulful sound. I love its organic feel, with real instruments and Sienna’s lovely, reverberant vocals. A joy!
Filed Under: breezy soul-pop, organic instrumentation, reverberant vocals
Skye Newman – Vicious Cycle
I love Skye Newman’s raspy vocals and honest songwriting. This is a great acoustic-guitar-based track that builds on the strengths of her other brilliant song, “Family Matters”, while once again showcasing her excellent voice.
Filed Under: acoustic pop, raspy vocals, honest songwriting
Leon Bridges – Ain’t Got Nothing on You
This is a lovely, laid-back country track with a soul and R&B influence. A song about unconditional love and recognising somebody’s true value, it’s an honest piece of songwriting executed perfectly.
Filed Under: country soul, laid-back R&B, unconditional love
Balu Brigada – The Question
This is a vibey indie-pop track from New Zealand-born sibling duo Balu Brigada, with a great beat, strumming guitars and occasional bursts of electronica. Although the song itself is said to be fictional, its inspiration came from the range of characters they found themselves surrounded by during a night spent roaming the so-called grittier corners of New York City. Worth a listen!
Filed Under: vibey indie-pop, strumming guitars, bursts of electronica
Melanie C – Til It Breaks
Another banger from Melanie’s latest album. With a stuttering beat, swirling synths and a pulsating bassline, she asks how much more a heart can take “‘til it breaks”. An electric track! I also love the jazz-like vocal delivery in the second verse – such a unique touch.
Filed Under: pulsating electropop, swirling synths, jazz-like vocals
Florrie – Swimming Pool
This is a sunny, delightful slice of synthpop, with an infectious chorus, ’80s synths, funky basslines and falsetto vocals. A triumphant pop gem!
Filed Under: sunny synthpop, ’80s synths, funky basslines
Nia Smith – High
A beautiful, introspective piece of songwriting about outgrowing the things that once made you feel on top of the world. Nia Smith’s vocals are a perfect match for the gentle guitar strums and lo-fi instrumentation. Some wonderfully dreamy melodies here too.
Filed Under: introspective songwriting, lo-fi instrumentation, dreamy melodies
Peach Tree Rascals – Always on My Mind
Another gorgeous, acoustic-guitar-led track with an easy-listening, adult-contemporary feel and an organic singer-songwriter approach. Soulful, gentle and effortlessly beautiful.
Filed Under: acoustic adult contemporary, organic singer-songwriter, gentle soul
Sonny Fodera and Libianca – Let Me Be in Your Arms
It’s been too long since we’ve had a summer banger like this! It makes complete sense that RAYE co-wrote it. Libianca jumps on vocals and does a brilliant job on this house smash. Brilliant!
Filed Under: summer house, Libianca vocals, RAYE co-write
Want to listen to the whole playlist? Unlikely! But if you do, here it is:
the-music-box.co.uk 