Take That are renowned as one of the UK’s most successful and best-loved boybands. Propelled by their clean-cut image and Gary Barlow’s songwriting talent, they enjoyed huge success in the 1990s before returning, a decade later, as a four-piece — achieving even greater and more enduring success.
Back in the early 90s, the band’s songwriting was largely a solo effort from Barlow, who quickly gained a reputation as a gifted and mature writer.
What many might not realise is that several of Take That’s best-known hits were heavily reworked or remixed before their single releases. Here, we take a look at some of those transformations.
And just like that, we’ve reached the end of October! Here’s what I’ve been loving over the past month. These blog posts take me a couple of hours, so I appreciate every click, scan, visit and read.
Chappell Roan – The Subway A dreamy alt-pop track with shoegaze and jangle pop influences, full of layered harmonies and poetic wordplay that showcase Chappell’s emotional depth.
Nicotine Dolls – Touch the Ground An underrated indie gem with Sam Cieri’s raspy, powerful vocals soaring over hazy guitars, 80s synths and a gorgeous shift between upbeat verses and wistful chorus.
Dragonette – Twennies (The Knocks Remix) The Knocks transform Dragonette’s track into a high-energy 80s-inspired electro-pop remix packed with bubbling synths, funky bass lines and vocoder vocals.
LANY – Know You Naked A sultry return to form blending indie-rock and R&B, this track captures infatuation with thumping beats, rich bass and LANY’s signature heartfelt lyrics.
Olivia Dean – Man I Need A breezy, soulful pop-R&B-gospel hybrid about self-worth, lifted by Olivia Dean’s stunning vocals and infectious gospel refrains.
The Long List
Chappell Roan – The Subway #DreamPop #HeavenlyHarmonies #PoeticLyrics
I love Chappell a lot and this song is another wonderful addition to her back catalogue. I like how she’s not afraid to dabble in different genres but still sounds unmistakeably like herself. This pop song blends dreamy alt-pop, dreampop, jangle pop and shoegaze influences in a similar vein to The Sundays, The Cocteau Twins and The Cranberries. Apparently, Chappell was initially reluctant to record a studio version after several live performances, fearing she couldn’t replicate the raw emotion, but ultimately decided to. I especially love the layered harmonies and wordplay in the finale: “She’s got, she’s got a way, she’s got a way, she’s got a way, and she got, she got away, she got away, she got away.” Lovely.
Nicotine Dolls – Touch the Ground #InsaneVocals #LoveAtFirstSight #AmericanAlternative
Nicotine Dolls are a very precious, underrated indie band based in New York City. Led by singer Sam Cieri and his unbelievably powerful, raspy vocals, they became known after he appeared briefly on America’s Got Talent before leaving to maintain creative control. This dreamy track is from their latest album An Attempt at Romantic and is without a doubt my favourite from the record. I adore the chord progressions and the switch between the more uptempo verses and the slower, wistful chorus. Sam’s vocals sound incredible as always over hazy guitars and 80s pop synths. Gorgeous.
Dragonette – Twennies (The Knocks Remix) #80sThrowback #ElectroPop #FunkyBassline
Brilliant American electronic duo The Knocks flip Canadian electro-pop band Dragonette’s Twennies on its head and give it a high-energy, 80s electro-pop feel complete with bubbling synths, funky bass lines, reverberating drums and vocoder vocals. Moody, funky and fun.
LANY – Know You Naked #SexyRnB #IndieRock #SolidProduction
My favourite LANY song in forever! I used to love them back in my first job, almost a decade ago, but drifted away for a variety of reasons (their frequent output, some songs feeling too similar etc). This, however, is a return to form and reminds me of their early EPs and debut album. A sultry, sexy indie-rock record with elements of R&B, it’s a song about being infatuated with a partner both sexually and emotionally. It’s unmistakeably LANY with the chord progressions and love-heavy lyrics, but what elevates this track is the production – the thumping beats and rich bass line. It reminds me of some of their earlier work: Thick and Thin, 4EVER!, Hurts etc. Brilliant.
Olivia Dean – Man I Need #Soulful #NeoSoul #GospelVocals
Girl of the moment, neo-soul singer Olivia Dean really shines on this gorgeous pop/R&B/gospel hybrid. A song about knowing you deserve to be loved, it’s breezy, classic and soulful – and I love that a track of this style and stature has entered the UK Top 40 in the top five. Refreshing! The best part? The “talk to me, talk to me” gospel vocals which carry the song.
Robbie Williams and Bob Sinclar – Electrico Romantico (Rayven Valexx Remix) #DiscoPop #Technology #TechAndRomance
I somehow missed this when it was released, but boy, it’s good! The original version is great too, but this Rayven Valexx remix turns it into a disco-house banger with thumping beats, disco strings and a chord progression reminiscent of Michael Gray’s 2004 hit The Weekend. Fun, catchy and another reminder of Robbie’s ability to genre-hop.
Barry Can’t Swim – Childhood #DreamyDance #EuphoricGrooves #SampleMagic
Opening with introspective, mellow piano chords, this song evolves into a euphoric dance track. Sampling Billy Hutch’s 1973 track I Choose You and Otis Redding’s Pain In My Heart (1963), it’s dreamy and euphoric at the same time – and its use of sampling is genius. Brilliant.
Justin Bieber – First Place #IndieRnBVibes #MoodySynths #DrumMachineGroove
Still enjoying the (ridiculously named) Swag album and the indie-R&B moody vibes flowing throughout. This track opens with moody synths before industrial, drum machine-like percussion sets in. I love the poppy vibes here – at times it sounds like Michael Jackson, with an almost new-jack-swing feel (think New Edition). Definitely one of the album highlights.
Miley Cyrus – Reborn #TrancePopAnthem #SpiritualRenaissance #ThumpingBeats
I’ve meant to include this for a while but it kept missing out on my Top 20. It’s finally here! Miley sounds incredible on this trance-pop anthem, embracing renaissance through spiritual enlightenment. At times reminiscent of Kylie’s Fever era, it sounds huge with its thumping beats, spacey vocals and electronic production. Miley has said the song has lived up to its name, having many lives before reaching this trance-heavy final version.
Nicotine Dolls – Anna #AnthemicRock #80sRockVibes #TinaTurnerEnergy
Yep, Nicotine Dolls again! This one is a stand-alone release teased for months by Sam Cieri before finally dropping. An anthemic rock track that mirrors 80s rock in a similar vein to Tina Turner, Journey and Foreigner, it’s full of energy, brilliant melodies and Sam’s raspy, compelling vocals. Amazing.
Hayley Williams – Whim #AltPopVibes #MoodyAndIntrospective #BrilliantVocals
Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams has released another solo endeavour and once again, it’s damn good! Utilising an alternative-pop sound, Whim is about wanting to enjoy love without fear. It has all the hallmarks of her solo records – moody vibes, introspective lyrics, brilliant vocals and strong pop sensibilities.
Jayda G – Shiver #90sHouseVibes #EuphoricBeats #HousePianoRiffs
This is MEGA! Jayda G is a Canadian house producer and this euphoric track feels rooted in the best of 90s house music, channelling the love and lightness she felt after giving birth to her child. Full of 90s house piano riffs, thumping beats, repetitive lyrics and a breakdown midway through reminiscent of Crystal Waters’ Gypsy Woman. Definitely worth a listen if you love house music.
Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande – One Heart, One Voice #TimelessBallad #GorgeousVocals #RichOrchestration
When I first heard this, I was certain it must be a new version of an old track – perhaps even a 90s Disney record – but it’s brand new, taken from Barbra’s duets album The Secret of Life: Partners Volume 2. Complete with gorgeous piano work, rich orchestration, key changes and flawless vocal performances from all three, it feels nostalgic, timeless and comforting. Perfect for the coming autumn and winter months.
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire #WesternPopMeetsIndianSounds #GorgeousFalsetto #WarmMelodies
I think Ed is hugely talented, but for me his music can be hit-or-miss, and he does get over-saturated with radio play. That said, this is the first of his songs in a long while to make my ‘current’ playlist. Featuring Indian artist Arijit Singh, I love how it blends Western pop with Indian musical influences. Warm, melodic and lifted by Ed’s gorgeous falsetto. My favourite Ed track in a long time.
Lack of Afro – Heart & Soul #SoulDiscoVibes #RnBInfluence #PianoSoloMagic
Adam Gibbons, better known as Lack of Afro, is a musician from Exeter. Heart and Soul is an uplifting, irresistible dance track that fuses R&B, soul and disco influences with brilliant piano solos. Euphoric.
Bonze – Jenny (Can You Hear Me?) #SynthPopVibes #80sInfluence #CatchyHooks
A great track from London-based indie-pop act Bonze. With clear influences from The 1975 and Glass Animals, this 80s-leaning slice of synthpop is a love letter to a new partner, full of catchy hooks, funky bass lines, moody piano riffs and huge production – all recorded in a shed in the depths of winter! A brilliant piece of indie-pop.
Olivia Dean – Lady, Lady #NeoSoulVibes #GospelInfluence #MoodySynths
Olivia again. I love her. This track begins with moody synths and shaker percussion before evolving into a gospel-influenced piece of neo-soul. The second release from her upcoming album The Art of Loving, Lady, Lady reflects on womanhood, personal growth and change. Gorgeous.
A funky and fresh electro-pop banger from Korean singer-songwriter Heyoon. I love the slick sound and production on this one. Great fun!
Lack of Afro – Walls Start Rockin’ #DiscoInfluence #FourToTheFloor #PianoRiffs
Lack of Afro again. Another four-to-the-floor disco-influenced banger with piano riffs, thumping beats, looped soulful vocals and a slick bass line. Fun, joyful and full of positive vibes.
d4vd – Feel It (from Invincible) #IndieRnBVibes #FunkInfluence #DiscoPopGroove
I love songs with this indie-R&B sound. Utilising elements of funk and disco-pop, Feel It has great energy, reverberating almost-rapped vocals and a chorus lifted by rich falsetto.
Ed Sheeran – A Little More #SoulfulVibes #Mid2000sSoul #UKSoul
Ed again! I know, I’m surprised too – but clearly he’s doing something right with his latest album. I love the soulful vibes on this. It feels very mid-2000s, when the soul explosion was happening in the UK. Chilled yet positive, and detailing the aftermath of leaving a toxic relationship, it’s irresistibly catchy.
And just like that, we’re into a new month! July was a relatively quiet one for me musically, but I’ve still managed to cobble together a brilliant mix of tracks, both old and new.
As always, I hope you find something you like or discover something fresh—and I genuinely appreciate every visit, scan and read. Thank you for being here!
And just like that, it’s the end of another month! I’m excited to share these songs with you. I always am, but this month’s feel like they trump last month’s.
I’m writing this whilst feeling quite yucky, to be honest (a triple infection – yay!), so as is often the case when I’m rundown, I’m feeling particularly grateful for music.
Thanks as always for visiting – hopefully you find it interesting and maybe you’ll even discover something new!
It’s the end of another month, which means it’s time to share my Top 20 most-listened-to songs once again. It’s a varied bunch!
This blog was written by me and lightly edited with the help of AI, just to polish things up.
Hope you enjoy, and as always, thanks for stopping by!
Marc
THE ESSENTIAL 5
Cautious Clay – Tokyo Lift (5AM)
A smooth and dreamy pop-soul track with syrupy vocals and mellow R&B beats, perfect for late-night listening.
Young Gun, Silver Fox – Late Night Last Train
A lush, nostalgic yacht rock tune with soft guitar, heavenly harmonies, and a standout sunset-ready chorus.
Carol Ades – Dreams
A breezy, summery pop-rock song that channels late ’90s pop-punk to explore crushes and self-acceptance.
Antony Szmierek – Big Light
A feel-good spoken word pop-house track with poetic lyrics, funky basslines, and uplifting gospel-infused vocals.
Picture This – Let’s Try Love
An energetic, indie-pop-tinged anthem full of joyful guitars and a soaring, unforgettable chorus.
THE LONG LIST
Cautious Clay – Tokyo Lift (5AM) #PopSoul #LateNightVibes #ChilledRnB
I’ve liked Cautious Clay for a while now, and he doesn’t disappoint on this smooth and dreamy slice of pop-soul. His syrupy vocals glide effortlessly over mellow R&B beats. It’s got that perfect late-night feel – chilled but still uplifting – which makes sense, given the song was inspired by a karaoke night he attended. Dreamy!
Young Gun Silver Fox – Late Night Last Train #YachtRock #RetroSoulPop #SunsetSounds
Young Gun, Silver Fox have done it again. Their new record delivers that signature dreamy yacht rock sound, blending elements of jazz, adult contemporary, pop, soul, and soft rock. This track is quintessentially them—gentle guitar strums, hazy electric guitar licks, heavenly harmonies, and crisp piano. The chorus stands out, with a gorgeously memorable melody that lingers long after the song ends. Pure driving-at-sunset vibes. Gorgeous.
Carol Ades – Dreams #PopRock #QueerAnthem #PopPunkThrowback
This summery pop-rock track radiates those windows-down, singing-along-in-the-car vibes. It’s about navigating a crush and coming to terms with your sexuality. Channelling late ’90s/early ’00s pop-punk (think Avril Lavigne meets Paramore), breezy swirling verses give way to a big, shoegaze-tinged chorus.
Antony Szmierek – Big Light #SpokenWordPop #HouseGroove #GospelVibes
I’ve loved Antony Szmierek ever since I discovered him on the telly. He was my gateway into spoken word music, and he makes it incredibly accessible—pairing poetic lyrics with wavy electronic backings. This track from his new album is a standout: a thumping pop-house tune with funky bass, glorious gospel-tinged vocals, and an effortlessly feel-good energy.
Picture This – Let’s Try Love #IndiePopRock #FolkPop #FeelGoodAnthem
One of my most-played tracks of the past couple of months, this song from Irish rock band Picture This is bursting with layered, organic guitars and a bouncy rhythm. It’s a bit indie-pop, a bit folky, and full of joyful energy and has a wonderful, anthemic chorus. I love this so much!
I discovered Ultimate Kaos through the BBC documentary Boybands Forever, and I’ve been loving their back catalogue ever since. This reworked version of their 1997 cover of LeVert’s ’80s New Jack Swing track is brilliant—updated with slick hip-hop beats and crisp piano chords. I’ve been absolutely rinsing this!
Obongjayar – Just My Luck #AltPop #FunkyBeats #FOMOVibes
We all know Obongjayar from his unique, quivering vocals on Fred Again’s 2024 smash Adore U. Here, he shines solo on this quirky, slinky pop jam about loneliness and FOMO. Funky, wavy and full of character.
The Aces – Jealous #DancePop #FunkPop #FeelGoodGroove
I came across The Aces a while back and have recently dived deep into their music. This track is a bouncy, slinky pop number with funky rhythm guitars and a prominent bassline layered over energetic dance-pop beats. Effortlessly catchy and huge fun.
Hotel Apache – Rewind #BedroomPop #HousePop #IndieElectronica
I LOVE Hotel Apache. This California trio have been crafting dreamy bedroom pop for a decade, and it appears that they might finally be gearing up for their debut album. This latest track combines their trademark electronic elements with syrupy, slightly processed vocals from singer Ryan, building into an irresistibly catchy house-pop finish.
This is a mellow, jazzy slice of easy-listening with soft twinkly keyboards, gorgeous harmonies and oragnic brass elements. Soulful, smooth and simply lovely.
BRONZE AVERY – ONLY U! #HipHopPop #AltRNB #EmotionalGroove
I love this Hip-Hop/Pop fusion. Over detuned, off-key piano chords and a mesh of hip hop beats with electronic elements, Bronze Avery raps and sings of an intense connection with someone special.
A beautiful blend of Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles, this track features acoustic folk guitar, subtle strings, lush harmonies, and organic instrumentation. It’s a wistful reflection on longing for a love that feels real. Lovely stuff.
Liv Dawson – Space #DiscoPop #FunkyGroove #ModernRetro
A funky, fresh slice of disco-pop about subtly hinting at your feelings for someone. Full of vibrant rhythm guitars, slick production, and a confident groove—this one’s a winner!
CosperTheNomad – Never Let Me Go – Live #LivePerformance #NeoSoul #ElectronicPop
This is brilliant. Drawing from pop, hip-hop, and soul, this live-only track features gorgeous piano chords, a pulsating bassline, and energetic percussion. Midway through, there’s a fantastic switch-up that takes it into a more electronic realm, building towards an intense, climactic ending. No studio version (yet!)—but this will do nicely.
Hedda Mae – Blow a kiss #RetroPop #60sSoul #DooWopVibes
Hedda Mae, a Norwegian pop artist, performs in both English and Norwegian and draws from a wide range of influences—from 1960s girl groups to ’90s R&B. This track leans into rich ’60s soul with retro guitars, sweeping strings, irresistible pop melodies and doo-wop harmonies. Brilliant!
Lady Gaga – LoveDrug #ElectroPop #80sRockVibes #PopDrama
Evoking arena rock and ’80s pop-rock, Lovedrug features an anthemic chorus and slick electropop production. It’s classic Gaga—dramatic, catchy, and heartfelt, using the metaphor of addiction to explore romantic obsession.
Lady Gaga – Zombieboy #DiscoPop #FunkGlam #RetroTribute
Another favourite from Gaga’s latest album Mayhem. A tribute to her late friend Rick Genest, this disco-inspired track features funk guitars, a tight bassline, and a chorus made for karaoke. Retro in all the right ways!
Whitney Houston & Felix Jaehn – It’s Not Right But It’s Ok #HouseRemix #ClassicRework #DancefloorReady
Reworks of classic songs can be hit or miss for me. Kygo’s rework of Whitney’s cover of ‘Higher Love’, whilst massive commercially, failed to hit for me. This, I LOVE, however! Felix Jaehn gives the original a tasteful house treatment – keeping its spirit intact while infusing it with modern beats and bright piano. Love it!
Tate McRae – Revolving door #JerseyClub #MoodyPop #ToxicLove
I loved Greedy, and I’ve dipped in and out of Tate’s discography. She’s the ultimate 2025 pop star—from the over-processed, almost mumbled vocals to the polished visuals and choreography. Written with Julia Michaels, Grant Boutin, and OneReplublic’s Ryan Tedder, this moody Jersey Club-inspired track pairs skittish dancehall beats with lyrics about re-entering a toxic relationship. The production cleverly mirrors the feel of a revolving door. A clever and current pop moment.
Vacation Manor – You, in the Afternoon #DreamPop #IndieChill #LateNightFeels
I loved Vacation Manor’s track You last year, and this one carries a similar vibe. Inspired by frontman Nathan Towles’ journey into fatherhood, it’s a dreamy, mellow tune filled with hazy synths, soft guitar riffs, and reflective late-night energy. Lovely.
Hey! Hope you’re doing well and enjoying this glorious sunny weather, if you’re in the UK. It just makes everything feel that little bit brighter, doesn’t it?
I’m super excited to share these songs with you. It’s been another brilliant month of music, and the longlist was extensive. Going forward, I won’t be sharing the entire playlist—just the top 20 tracks I’ve been enjoying. That’s probably still quite a lot, but I couldn’t narrow it down any further!
I’m hoping there’s something here for everyone. Lots of Pop, of course, but also Soul, R&B, indie-pop, Country, and Folk.
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.
It’s been an exciting time for early noughties pop fans with the news that the rough-and-ready, brilliant boyband Five are reuniting as a full five-piece for the first time since their 2001 split. While the band have had various line-ups over the years, this marks the first time all five members are back together.
I liked Five as a child, but as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate them even more. I’ve always loved their singles, but over the past few days, I’ve delved into their full discography, listening to and thoroughly enjoying all three of their albums—far more than I expected!
To celebrate their reunion, I’ve ranked some of their best songs. It’s a mix of singles and album tracks, with a few notable omissions—no ‘We Will Rock You’ here!—and some personal favourites that just missed the cut. But here are my Top 15 Five songs.
the-music-box.co.uk 