*Updated to fix the broken link! 21/02/2016*
To celebrate this year’s Brit Awards Ceremony (due to be held at the O2 Arena, London on 24th February 2016), here’s our playlist of some of the nominated acts’ best works. We’ll review the ceremony after it has taken place so watch this space!
https://open.spotify.com/user/marc500/playlist/1Wo94cfhl2T067D1w9MKwU
Brilliant hip-hop/Gospel fusion from 2012 UK X Factor runner up Jahmene Douglas. This is his first original composition (début album was an amalgamation of cover versions) and is from his forthcoming second album, on which he has reportedly collaborated with a range of established names.
Fizzy and uplifting R&B track from hit songwriter Babyface and El Debarge (of Debarge fame). It’s a cheery and catchy with lovely lyrics.
Gorgeous R&B ballad which closes Babyface’s latest album, the brilliant ‘Return of the Tender Lover’ (hence why it’s our album of the week!). Gentle piano arpeggios and Babyface’s silky smooth vocals layered into luscious harmonies remind us of his forte to write brilliant songs, particularly ballads.
Brilliant down-tempo progressive R&B track abundant with squeaky synths and wailing guitars. Rihanna at her best.
Lovely pop-rock ballad comprised of Keating’s powerful vocals, sweeping strings and acoustic guitars with a gorgeous chorus.
Catchy electropop track built of various sounds and instrumentation.
Brilliant and catchy R&B track emphasising what Timbaland does best. Fun and mechanical production elements and punchy percussion compensates for its repetitiveness and simplistic nature.
Stunning and haunting acoustic-based ballad which evolves into an electrifying climax.
Ethereal and dreamy Pop ballad from London-based band Jarbird.
Laid-back and minimalistic electropop influenced track. Catchy, funky and an enthralling listen.
Every Friday, we are adding three tracks to our Feel-Good Friday Spotify playlist. The aim? To create a definitive playlist featuring the best uplifting, feel-good tracks in the world!
Check here every Friday to check any additions!
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Catchy, chilled-out tropical house-influenced track with ambient and electro elements. Will Heard’s rich, soulful vocals are a perfect match for Anne Marie’s jazz-influenced ones.
Chilled-out neo-soul track with electro elements. Katy B’s layered harmonies are gorgeous and the entire track has a relaxed vibe.
Near enough a note-for-note cover of the Tame Impala original. It’s just as psychedelic and moody but it’s a fine cover.
Effervescent electro track featuring giggling synthesisers, scatty vocal samples and buoyant percussion.
This gentle acoustic ballad is a throwback to 90’s Britpop in a similar vein to Oasis. Despite somewhat shabby lyrics, it’s a pretty little track.
Gentle synthpop track with punchy percussion and warm, fuzzy synthesisers. Sivan’s bruised vocals drift softly over the catchy backing track and it’s a lovely song.
Chilled-out hip hop track on which Tiller’s autotune coated vocals float over eerie sounds and transient beats.
Lovely dream-pop/indie folk track from Irish singer-songwriter SOAK.
Gorgeous and haunting piano ballad on which Seal’s raspy vocals reverberate infinitely into beautiful piano chords and eerie synths.
Gorgeous piano ballad which closes Rihanna’s highly anticipated ‘Anti’ perfectly.
Every Friday, we are adding three tracks to our Feel-Good Friday Spotify playlist. The aim? To create a definitive playlist featuring the best uplifting, feel-good tracks in the world!
Check here every Friday to check any additions!
FOLLOW the Music Box to never miss an update again.
Here’s February’s mixtape!
Quirky yet utterly beautiful pop song which makes full use of Ruess’ idiosyncratic vocals over a backdrop of jazzy piano chords, squeaky string sections and eerie music box sounds. Dreamy and magical.
Bittersweet Pop track which serves as a perfect ‘goodbye’ (at least for now) to fans. Considered by many as an update of Toy Story classic ‘You’ve Got A Friend In Me’, acoustic guitar strums and a sing-along Chorus make this a perfect Pop anthem.
Rihanna returns with this laid-back reggae-pop track, aided by Drake. It’s rhythmic and catchy with Rihanna’s heavily auto-tuned vocals sliding effortlessly over clever production.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/clips#p03grqg5
Stunning synthpop track in the same vein as material on Goulding’s debut ‘Lights’. Over jittery guitar samples, crashing percussion and simmering synths, Goulding sings of her best friend.
Sexy and sultry alternative R&B track comprised of thunderous beats, eerie electro elements, broken vocal samples, wailing guitars and soaring melodies. It’s a far-cry from Zayn’s One Direction days and conveys a far greater depth of maturity, mostly through its sexual themes.
Funky disco-themed neo soul track from New York City duo Lion Babe.
Dramatic synthpop track comprised of broken vocal samples, gated percussion and Swift’s almost whispered vocals. One of the highlights of Swift’s ‘1989’ album, it’s perhaps the best representation of the album, utilising scatty samples and ’80’s electro sounds.
Lawson return after a period of instability in terms of musical output. The release of the band’s second album has been repeatedly delayed but they are now preparing or its release in March. ‘Money’ is its lead single (excluding last year’s single ‘Roads’), a catchy pop-rock track in a similar vein to ‘When She Was Mine’ and ‘Brokenhearted’.
Catchy, jittery and squeaky pop track by American singer and producer Dawin featuring a rap from Silento.
Ex member of The Wanted Tom Parker impresses on this catchy house track which he has also produced.
Every Friday, we are adding three tracks to our Feel-Good Friday Spotify playlist. The aim? To create a definitive playlist featuring the best uplifting, feel-good tracks in the world!
Check here every Friday to check any additions!
FOLLOW the Music Box to never miss an update again.
Soulful R&B track featuring fluttering synthesisers, jittering guitars, broken samples and funky bass lines.
Energetic guitar-driven indie track from four-pieced band Beachbaby. It’s a moody but powerful track, integrating other genres such as shoegazing, Pop and post-punk.
Low-key indie rock track from Sunderland band Field Music.
Energetic, catchy Pop-py track from US pop-rock band Walk The Moon. Indie-guitar riffs, synthpop synths and a driving beat makes it particularly reminiscent of the ’80’s and it works beautifully.
Dirty house track featuring little more than club beats, a funky bass lines and Mills’ rap. Incessantly catchy.
Craig David returns to his roots with this huge Garage track, aided by grime artist Big Nastie. It’s reminiscent of his 1999 début ‘Re-Rewind’ and is a welcome return for David after six years away from the music industry.
Saucy, steamy and sultry dance-pop track, reportedly inspired by Prince’s signature sound. Gomez whispers over minimalistic instrumentation comprised of little more than bouncy percussion, hand clips and tribal-pop elements.
Sweet piano-led Country ballad by American country music singer Reba McEntire from her twenty seventh album ‘Love Somebody’.
Gentle waltz-like ballad by Fun. frontman Nate Reuss. Dreamy, reserved with a delicate sprinkle of Reuss’ quirky, idiosyncratic vocals.
Uplifting, inspiring and catchy Pop track from Canadian rock band Walk off the Earth. Ascending bass lines, clinking percussion and gorgeous layered harmonies result in an epic arena anthem.
Every Friday, we are adding three tracks to our Feel-Good Friday Spotify playlist. The aim? To create a definitive playlist featuring the best uplifting, feel-good tracks in the world!
Check here every Friday to check any additions!
FOLLOW the Music Box to never miss an update again.
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