Heartthrob, the ever-elusive, ex-boyband member and full-time indie kid Harry Styles has delivered a solid album of Beatle-esque Rock n Roll. From the gentle psychedelia of album book-ends ‘Meet Me in the Hallway‘ and ‘From The Dining RoomTable‘ to the energetic and chaotic rock of ‘Carolina‘ and ‘Kiwi‘, it’s an album which avoids isolating Directioners but one which enables Styles to win a new legion of fans.
Strictly speaking, it’s not entirely an original album. ‘Carolina‘ is essentially ‘Stuck in the Middle with You‘, the stunning ballad ‘Two Ghosts‘ (reportedly about Taylor Swift) comes dangerously close to ripping off The Allman Brothers’ ‘Melissa‘, the acoustic ‘Sweet Creature‘ is The Beatles’ ‘Blackbird‘ and massive ballad ‘Sign of The Times‘ is basically Bowie. It’s evident that Styles has used his iTunes collection as a stimulus but this is hardly a criticism; it’s refreshing to hear him breathe his interests and passion into his own music.
Vocally, Styles has never sounded better. From the growls of ‘She’s a good girl’ on ‘Carolina‘ and ‘She’s having your baby’ on ‘Kiwi‘ to the reverb-drenched vocals on ‘Sign of the Times‘ and ‘Woman‘, there’s no auto-tune in sight. His vocals are tender when required and more fierce on the heavier material. Similarly organic, the album generally avoids over-production and instead relies on quality songwriting, clear guitar strums, luscious layered vocals and rich string arrangements.
When things get a little too comfortable, the album is punctuated by a deceptive ethereal introduction to ‘Only Angel‘ which evolves into a hand-clapping, foot-stopping rock smash and the hip-hop inspired ‘Woman‘ – perhaps the album’s most intriguing moment.
It’s a solid album and at just ten tracks long, wisely adopts the quality over quantity approach.
Rating: 5/5 Highlights: ‘Carolina’, ‘Two Ghosts’, ‘Ever Since New York’, ‘Woman’.
It’s become an annual tradition… let’s take a look at the best music of 2016!
SONG OF THE YEAR:
Shura – What’s It Gonna Be
Whilst perhaps not the most famous of Pop songs released this year, this perfect Pop track was undoubtedly one of the musical highlights of the year. It’s a fizzy, endearing ’80’s-influenced Pop track about high school crushes full of essential repetition and a dizzying chorus. Shura’s almost whispered vocals are not dissimilar from Janet Jackson’s and it’s just a brilliant, brilliant record. Check out the incredible video too.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
The 1975 – I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it.
A lost rested on this highly anticipated second album from The 1975. After months of being promised brilliant things from Radio 1 & NME alike, in addition to Matt Healy boasting ‘the world needs this album’, the album finally arrived back in March and it was no disappointment. A beast of an album at 17 tracks and over an hour of music, it genre-hops frequently but it doesn’t disrupt the flow or brilliance of the album. There’s something for everybody – there’s the 80’s-influenced Pop-rock moments the public are familiar with from radio airplay, acoustic tracks, instrumental tracks, hell – even a huge D’Angelo-influenced gospel track!
There is not one dud moment on this album and it’s particularly brilliant during it’s ‘dream sequence’ section in which Healy documents losing his mind through a brilliant assortment of songs – beginning with ‘If I Believe You’ and finishing with the stunning ‘Somebody Else’. A brilliant, brilliant album.
TOP 10 SINGLE RELEASES OF THE YEAR
Shura – What’s It Gonna be?
See above for why we’ve chosen this track!
The 1975 – The Sound
To be honest, we could include any single from the band’s ‘I like it when you sleep…’ album – ‘A Change of Heart’, ‘Somebody Else’ etc – they are all just as brilliant as each other but we’ve chosen this, the biggest hit from the album. It’s everything Pop music should be – memorable, catchy, a little bit naughty lyrically and an absolute feel-good classic.
Christine & The Queens – Tilted
100% the most endearing song of this year. Less is often more and this repetitive but effortlessly catchy and funky Pop track is so endearing, it still sounds brilliant after being played EVERYWHERE. We need more Popstars like Christine – talented individuals who write their own music, have artistic vision and stay loyal to it.
Zayn – Pillowtalk
It’s been played to death but this track made a huge, bold statement upon its release at the beginning of 2016. Zayn’s entire ‘Mind of Mine’ album is a work of art, utilising frolicking synthesizers and alternative R&B miles removed from the sound of One Direction. There’s better songs on the album but it’s foolish to leave this huge hit from our list.
DNCE – Cake By The Ocean
Yeah, yeah, it’s been played to death but this funk-pop track with its metaphors and Joe Jonas’ smooth falsetto vocals is undoubtedly one of the catchiest, best pop songs of 2016.
Usher – Crash
The best songs often emphasise that less is more. This brilliant, subtle & moody R&B track avoids using an assortment of instruments and instead relies on Usher’s gorgeous falsetto reverberating into eerie synthesizers and a gentle dance beat. Usher at his most underrated is Usher at his best.
Robbie Williams – Love My Life
I’ve seen Mr Williams and this song get a lot of stick since its release & throughout its promotional process. I understand – Robbie’s vocals aren’t as sturdy as they once were and yes, lyrically, the song is a little ‘Tumblr’. That being said, there’s no denying this is a beautiful ballad with a lovely message. Those delicate piano chords are reminiscent of those on ‘Feel’ and this song deserved to fare just as well in the charts.
All Saints – One Strike
It takes guts for a band to make not one comeback but TWO. Their previous comeback achieved a successful single but the accompanying album flopped. This time, they returned with a scorching hot album (which reached the Top 3 of the album chart) and this fierce single. This single deserved better than its #115 position but then the single charts this year hasn’t necessarily represented good music (*ahem* One Dance being number one for 15 weeks…)
Mollie King – Back To You
Another hideously overlooked song this year. Mollie King, better known as a member of The Saturdays released this stunning, sultry electropop ballad as her debut single.
Before You Exit – When I’m Gone
Another underrated Pop smash from this year. These boys (the McDonagh brothers) deserve far more recognition. On first look, they may look like a generic boyband but they write and produce their own music. The glitchy electro production on this and the boys’ powerful vocals make it perhaps the most overlooked song of this year.
SINGLE RELEASES OF THE YEAR (LONGLIST)
Here is the long list of the best single releases of this year. We have loved, and been obsessed with every single one of these songs at some point of this year. Narrowing these down to the Top 10 above was incredibly hard but we think the Top 10 are representative of this year in great Pop music. Enjoy each of the rest of these songs!
Alicia Keys – Blended Family (What You Do For Love)
Before You Exit – When I’m Gone
Beyonce – Sorry
Blossoms – Charlemagne
Busted – On What You’re On
Charlie Puth & Selena Gomez – We don’t talk anymore
Christine & The Queens – Tilted
Craig David – When the bassline drops
DJ Snake & Bipolar Sunshine – Middle
DNCE – Cake by the Ocean
Drake – One Dance
Drake & Rihanna – Too Good
Ellie Goulding – Army
Ellie Goulding – Still Falling for You
Emeli Sande – Breathing Underwater
Frances – Borrowed Time
Gwen Stefani – Make you like me
James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
Jesse Ware – Till the end
John Mayer – Love on the Weekend
Justin Bieber – Company
Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling
Little Mix – Touch
Louis Berry – Restless
Lukas Graham – 7 Years
Mac Miller – Dang!
Mollie King – Back To You
MUNA – Loudspeaker
Nick Jonas & Tove Lo – Close
Nothing But Thieves – If I Get High
Raleigh Ritchie & Stormzy – Keep it simple
Ratboy – Move
Rebecca Ferguson – Bones
Rick Astley – Dance
Rihanna – Kiss it Better
Rihanna – Work
Robbie Williams – Love My Life
Selena Gomez – Hands to myself
Shura – Touch
Shura – What’s It Gonna Be?
Sons of Sonix & Melanie C – Numb
The 1975 – A Change of Heart
The 1975 – Somebody Else
The 1975 – The Sound
The Chainsmokers & Halsey – Closer
The Fray – Singing Low
The Last Shadow Puppets – Miracle Aligner
The Weeknd – I Feel it Coming
TIEKS & Dan Harkna – Sunshine
Tom Chaplin – Quicksand
Usher – Crash
Viola Beach – Cherry Vimto
Wet – Deadwater
Wet – Weak
Zayn – Pillowtalk
Zayn – Like I Would
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
All Saints – Red Flag
This album SO deserves its Top 3 album chart position. It’s a fierce album full of well written songs, slick production and a contemporary sound. These ladies deserve all the success in the world.
Busted – Night Driver
This album has been criminally overlooked this year. Many fans have complained of it being too ‘different’ from the sound they became famous for but music evolves through time. Busted made the right decision to leave the teeny-bopped pop-punk in the early noughties and try something new. The result is this stunning, atmospheric album on which the boys borrow sounds and elements from the best music of the 80’s. A brilliant album.
Frank Ocean – Blonde
This album is certainly worthy of the hype. It’s a moody and intriguing album which, whilst many of the songs feel like rough, unfinished ideas, it works.
Raleigh Ritchie – You’re a Man now, boy
Another hideously overlooked album from this year. This album gained a warm critical reception but this was not reflected in its chart position. It’s a lengthy album but one which is engaging throughout and its sound is quirky and fresh.
Rihanna – Anti
For an album that seemed to carry so much expectation then waves of anti-climax, reaction to this record was unfair. Sure, it’s not Rihanna at her commercial best but that’s why it’s so engaging and brilliant. Up ’till this album, Rihanna was the life of the party. On this album, she’s the life of the after party. It’s a moody, brooding and dark album but one which works perfectly.
Shura – Nothing’s Real
This is a stunning Pop record from start to finish, borrowing elements from Janet Jackson, Blood Orange and Madonna amongst others. Shura writes, produces and performs her own material and she’s hugely talented.
The 1975 – I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it
This mammoth, genre-hopping, bold and brilliant album has won countless awards throughout the year and deservedly so. Every song is incredible, well-written and fantastically produced.
Tom Chaplin – The Wave
Tom Chaplin is better known as the frontman of Keane. Upon their hiatus, he relapsed into drug addiction, the recovery process of which became the inspiration for this gorgeous album. It’s a hopeful album full of inspiring Pop music with the odd trickle of electronic production.
Wet – Don’t You
This indie-pop album is subtle and low-key but gorgeous throughout.
Zayn – Mind of Mine
Expectations were high for Zayn’s debut solo album and he did not disappoint. It’s a world away from the cheesy-pop of One Direction and instead turns to sultry alternative-R&B. It’s engaging and triumphant.
Brilliant electropop album written, produced and performed by the McDonagh brothers. Think One Direction but with more talent.
Liss – First
Quirky Pop EP which borrows lots of electronic elements and 80’s pop-influenced production. Definitely a band to watch.
MUNA – Loudspeaker EP
This American band are going to be huge next year. The Loudspeaker EP is full of soaring and confident electropop with great lyrics and fantastic guitar-work.
The Japanese House – Swim Against The Tide
The 1975’s label mate Amber Bain, better known as The Japanese House delivered another great EP this year. This is arguably the best of her 3 EPs, with more engaging and uptempo material.
ALBUM TRACKS OF THE YEAR
Here’s a list of album tracks – songs that have missed out on true exposure as they haven’t been released as commercial singles – from albums released this year.
Alicia Keys – The Gospel, She Don’t Really Care_1 Luv
All Saints – One Woman Man, Who Hurt Who, Fear, Red Flag
Allie X – Never Enough
Barry Gibb – Grand Illusion, Star Crossed Lovers, Cross to Bear,
Birdy – Keeping Your Head Up
Bruno Mars – Perm, Versace on the Floor, Straight Up and Down, Too Good to say Goodbye
Busted – Night Driver, New York, Thinking of You, Without It, I Will Break Your Heart, Easy, Out of Our Minds, Those Days are Gone
Christine & The Queens – It, Science Fiction, Half Ladies, Night 52,
Craig David – Louder than Words, What If, No Holding Back
Drake – U With Me?, Feel No Ways, Summer’s Over Interlude,
Emeli Sande – Right Now, I’d Rather Not, Lonely
Frank Ocean – Nikes, Be Yourself, Solo, Self Control, Close To You, Seigfried, Godspeed
Gwen Stefani – You’re my favourite, Where Would I Be?, Truth,
Jack Garratt – Breathe Life, The Love You’re Given,
James Arthur – Safe Inside, Can I Be him, Sober, Let me love the lonely, Sermon, Phoenix
Kanye West – Waves, Ultralight Beam, Father Stretch My Hands Part 1, Real Friends, Frank’s Track, No More Parties in LA, Fade
Lady Gaga – A-YO, Joanne,
Liss – Sorry, Good Enough,
Little Mix – Nobody Like You, Nothing Else Matters
Melanie C – Dear Life, Anymore, Room for Love,
Michael Buble – I Believe In You
Nathan Sykes – Freedom, Twist,
Nick Jonas – Bacon
Olly Murs – Predictable, Deeper, 24hrs, Read My Mind, Better than Me,
Raleigh Ritchie – Werld is Mine, Never Better, Cowards, A Moor, Young & Stupid, The Last Romance
Rebecca Ferguson – Hold Me, The Way You’re Looking at her, Pay For It
Rick Astley – Let it be tonight, This old house,
Rihanna – Same ‘Ol Mistakes, Desperado, Close to You
Robbie Williams – Sensitive, David’s Song, Hotel Crazy
Ryan O’Shaughnessy – The News, Entertainment & Warmth, Hold Me Now, No Need to worry, Supermodel, Got this feeling, Waste another day
Shawn Mendes – Ruin, Patience
Shura – Kidz ‘N’ Stuff, What Happened To Us
The 1975 –She’s American, If I Believe You, Please Be Naked, Lostmyhead, I like it when you sleep…, This Must Be My Dream, Loving Someone, Paris, Nana
Tom Chaplin – The River, I Remember You, Hold Onto our Love, Solid Gold, See it so clear
Tom Odell – Here I am
Usher – Missin’ U, FWM, Need U
Wet – It’s all in vain, Don’t wanna be your girl, Island, All The Ways, Move Me
Zayn – It’s You, She, Drunk, Intermission: Flower, Truth
George’s forte as a musician was to create brilliant, memorable dance-pop or sincere, aching ballads. This song falls into the former and is a plea for sexual activity, utilising a spoken clip from 1967 film ‘The Graduate’.
2) A Different Corner
George once said the following about his second solo single: “I think you can tell that ‘A Different Corner’ is genuinely the sound of a man who’s heart’s been broken. I was 19 and the best critique I ever heard of that song was from a friend of mine who said, ‘It’s beautiful, pathetic, but beautiful.'”
3) Cowboys and Angels
A brilliantly written jazz song which Michael revealed to be about a bizarre love triangle in which a woman was in love with him whilst he was in love with a man.
4) I knew You Were Waiting For Me (with Aretha Franklin)
It takes courage and a belter of a vocal to come anywhere near those of soul diva Aretha Franklin but thankfully George rose to the challenge to sing with one of his idols. A brilliant, powerful track with a killer chorus.
5) Fastlove
One of the best pop tracks from the 90’s, this was one of the more uptempo moments from the overall melancholic and brooding nature of ‘Older’. It is unusual in that it has no conventional chorus but its utilisation of hip-hop beats, brass instruments and lyrics about sexual desire make it one of Michael’s stand out tracks of his career and this was a huge hit in 1996.
6) Amazing
A sweet acoustic guitar-driven track which refreshingly used elements of acid-jazz and dance-pop. A testament to his partner of the time Kenny Goss, this piece of pop perfection was a hit single from George’s final album of all new material ‘Patience’.
7) Freeek!
A filthy electropop track which utilises multiple samples from a variety of pop & hip hop tracks to formulate its expensive-sounding production. The video is pretty sexy too…
8) Freedom! 90
An all time classic which George famously performed at the London 2012 Olympics. The video is also noteworthy due to the absence of George and instead it featuring five supermodels lipsynching its lyrics.
9) Spinning the Wheel
One of George’s most underrated works. A jazz-pop track which utilises brass instruments and a funky bass line over hip-hop beats, this track depicts the worry of a lover whose partner is sexually promiscuous during an age where AIDS was newly discovered and prevalent in the West.
10) John & Elvis Are Dead
Another of George’s most underrated works. This psychadelic Pop track documents a character who awakes from a coma to find many iconic singers have died. Slightly eerie now, considering George himself has joined them.
11) Through
A stunning ballad from George’s final album of original material ‘Patience’. Utilising little more than strings and meticulously programmed synthesizers, this desperate ballad presents a man worn down by life and pushed to the edge.
12) I Can’t Make You Love Me
The original, of course is a country ballad by Bonnie Raitt. George covered this for his ‘MTV Unplugged’ session and performed perhaps the best version. His vocals are aching with sincerity and it is by far one of the most emotional and pure versions of this beautiful song.
13) Understand
Stunning, space-y track which was previously unreleased prior to its inclusion on George’s 25 greatest hits album. George has said this track is a follow up to Wham! classic ‘Everything She Wants’ but is far more melancholic and sincere in nature.
14) Father Figure
Another classic, this soul-infused Pop track reportedly began life as a dance track until Michael removed the percussion and realised it worked better at a slower tempo.
15) Jesus to a Child
Gorgeous, heartbreaking ballad which George wrote in tribute to his Brazillian lover Anselmo Feleppa who died of AIDS in 1993. Utilising Bossa Nova music (a genre of Brazillian music which fuses samba and jazz music together), George apparently suffered severe writer’s block following Feleppa’s death but eventually wrote this track in under an hour. Following George’s death, Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of charity Childline revealed that Michael had secretly donated all of the song’s royalties to the charity.
16) Waltz Away Dreaming (with Toby Bourke)
Another little-known tracks by George which was originally written by Irish singer-songwriter Toby Bourke. Bourke was signed to Michael’s label and Michael reportedly loved the song so much, he ended up featuring on and co-producing the gorgeous ballad.
17) Outside
Brilliant, funky disco-track which parodies the infamous 1998 toilet incident in which Michael was arrested in a Beverly Hills lavatory for engaging in a lewd act. George handled the incident brilliantly, talking openly and frankly on many talk shows after the incident and this song and its accompanying video is a self-deprecating, humorous version of events.
18) Faith
One of George’s best known/well-loved tracks which was written in a rock and roll style.
19) Cars & Trains
A great track which lyrically tells of a collection of self-destructing individuals. The production on this is particularly brilliant – the glitchy finish was way ahead of its time (this seems to litter much current pop music) and the meticulously programmed/layered track adds to its brilliance.
20) December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)
We all know and love ‘Last Christmas’, of course. George was always critical of much of the material he wrote in Wham! and it’s likely this effort was written as an attempt to write a festive song with more credibility. It never quite achieved the same status as ‘Last Christmas’ but each are brilliant in their own way. This song was written with long-time writing partner David Austin and was initially released as a free download on George’s official website before finally being released a few years later. It’s a dark, melancholic and dreamy song but it’s George at his best and is not dissimilar from much of his best work on ‘Older’.
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