Category: My Playlists

Music Monday – Volume Eighty Three

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1) Sia – Reaper

Australian songstress/hit songwriter Sia delivers a hot new Pop track co-written with none other but Mr Kanye West. Relatively jovial and laid back compared to Sia’s other works, this is a catchy chilled-out track with bizzarely, hospital-like beeping, rich harmonies and a seriously funky bass line.

2) Raleigh Ritchie & Stormzy – Keep it Simple

Raleigh Ritchie delivers another hit, this time aided with a rap from Stormzy. Warm synthesisers, Ritchie’s rich vocals and catchy dance beats carry this utterly brilliant R&B track.

3) Chairlift – Crying in Public

Cool, chilled-out synthpop track from American duo Chairlift. The care-free, minimalistic production and Caroline Polachek’s syrupy sweet vocals are perfect.

4) Birdy – Keeping Your Head Up

‘Keeping Your Head Up’ marks a significant musical departure for Birdy, best known for her haunting, heartfelt piano ballads. Channelling Foxes, ‘Keeping Your Head Up’ is a catchy dance-pop track full of hand claps, catchy piano riffs and an irresistibly catchy hook.

5) Frances – Borrowed Time

Co-written with Howard from Disclosure, this chilled-out house track mirrors 70’s Pop with lushly layered harmonies, rich gospel-like vocals and squeaky synthesisers. It’s a different side to Frances but one which works beautifully.

6) Dua Lipa – Be The One (Club Edit Remix)

Hot, idiosyncratic club record featuring a reggae-like bounce, clinking synths and a devilishly catchy chorus.

7) Prince – Baltimore

The King of Cool, Prince released ‘HitNRun Phase 2’ in December. This is its funky opening track featuring polished brass elements, raw acoustic guitar strums and a dirty rhythm, it’s Prince at his best.

8) Laura Mvula ft Nile Rodgers – Overcome

Chic legend Nile Rodgers lends his production to funky jazz/R&B fusion. Mvula’s pure, soulful vocals are perfect as always and lushly layered into a glorious wall of sound over Rodgers’ funky guitar riffs.

9) The 1975 – The Sound

The second single from The 1975’s upcoming second album ‘I Like it When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’, ‘The Sound’ is a huge tropical-house influenced Pop track. Incessantly catchy with a brilliantly buoyant Chorus, it’s one of the funkiest and catchiest Pop tracks in a long time.

10) Allie X – Never Enough

Sultry electropop track with an insanely huge Chorus. Clearly influenced by 80’s Pop, it’s cool, brilliantly layered and an overall huge song.

Music Monday – Volume Eighty Two

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1) Busted – Meet you There (Abbey Road Session)

Busted perform a beautiful rendition of fan-favourite ‘Meet You There’, a track originally from their ‘A Present for Everyone’ album. Strong vocals and perfect harmonies blend perfectly with minimal instrumentation provided solely by an acoustic guitar and piano.

2) Raleigh Ritchie – Bloodsport

Dramatic and emotive alternative R&B track from up-and-coming artist Raleigh Ritchie. Ritchie’s deep vocals soar over sweeping strings as he contemplates the many trials of love.

3) James Bay – If You Ever Want To Be In Love

Blues and Soul music are both at the core of this catchy indie rock track by James Bay. Rich harmonies, funky piano riffs and Bay’s powerful vocals all result in a perfect love song.

4) Chris Brown – Back To Sleep

Drawing upon 80’s pop & smooth 90’s R&B, ‘Back To Sleep’ is the third single from Brown’s latest album ‘Royalty’. Sleek and sexy.

5) Chris Brown – Make Love

One of Brown’s biggest successes in his music has always been his ability to mimic 90’s R&B slow jams. This is no exception; a gentle and chilled-out love song and a long-awaited return to R&B by Chris Brown.

6) David Bowie – Lazarus

Made all the more poignant by the unexpected and hugely saddening news of David Bowie’s passing, it’s likely this gentle jazz-influenced track will become Bowie’s epitaph.

 

7) Coldplay – Amazing Day

Gorgeous piano-led ballad from Coldplay’s latest album ‘A Head Full of Dreams’. Wailing guitars and pretty piano arpeggios form the songs primary instrumentation is a similar vein to previous song ‘Us Against The World’ but also sounding bizarrely similar to Grease’s ‘Beauty School Drop-Out’ in places. It’s Coldplay at their best, however, full of power and emotion.

8) Coldplay – Up&Up

Aided by Noel Gallagher on guitar, this epic feel-good rock anthem is the perfect conclusion to the band’s ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ album.

9) Troye Sivan – Youth

Troye Sivan encapsulates both the naivety and fun of teen love in this jittery R&B track. Broken pitch-moderated vocal samples are the basis of one of the catchiest hooks in Pop music ever.

10) Troye Sivan – DKLA

Perfect dark R&B-inspired track from Troye’s incredible début album ‘Blue Neighbourhood’. Squeaky synths, trap-influenced beats and clinking keys provide the instrumentation whilst Sivan declares “I don’t keep love around”. It’s the perfect anti-love song.

Feel-Good Friday

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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.

Music Monday – Volume Eighty One

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Music Monday is our weekly feature which showcases the hottest tracks in the world right now.

1) Wretch 32 ft Anne Marie and PRGRSHN – Alright With Me

Wretch 32’s commercial crossover is a triumph. Anne-Marie showcases her powerful vocals on an impossibly catchy hook whilst Wretch 32’s rap is refreshingly clear.

2) Babyface – We’ve Got Love

Whilst Babyface is an artist in his own right, he is also the songwriter behind many huge hits by the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown and Beyonce. ‘We’ve Got Love’ is his latest single, a catchy & uplifting R&B track with elements of new-jack swing. It’s a song which is bound to fall beyond the radar commercially but it’s one of the best R&B tracks in years.

3) NAO – Bad Blood

Slick and soulful vocals coat an eerie electro track with reverberating vocal samples. Nao is an up and coming British singer-songwriter from East London with a sound best described as ‘neo-soul with electronic’.

4) Grace Feat. G-Eazy – You Don’t Own Me

Whilst it’s still not a patch on the original by Lesley Gore back in 1963 , Grace & G-Eazy’s modernised interpretation is enjoyable. Produced by legend Quincy Jones (best known for his work on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’ albums), G-Eazy’s rap and hip-hop beats bring the track into the 21st century.

5) Liss – Try

Danish band Liss perform a perfect spin on Pop music on the incessantly catchy ‘Try’. Abundant with broken vocal samples and tropical house-influenced synths, it’s a fun throwback to 80’s synthpop.

6) The 1975 – Ugh!

The 1975 perform their best Prince initiation on this R&B-Rock jam. Featuring heavily auto-tuned vocals, tinny guitars, luscious layered harmonies and rubbery bass-lines, it’s absolutely brilliant & fuses 80’s & 90’s music together perfectly.

7) Fleur East – Sax

Energetic and bouncy dance-pop track with funky guitar riffs and brilliant use of brass instruments. Whilst it’s been on the radio airwaves for weeks now, it’s still as hot as it was on its première.

8) WSTRN – In2

‘In2’ is West-London trio WSTRN’s début single; an R&B/Hip hop track with moody guitar riffs and an irresistibly catchy hook.

9) 99 Souls – The Girl Is Mine

99 Souls cleverly fuse two huge R&B tracks, Brandy & Monica’s ‘The Boy Is Mine’ and Destiny’s Child’s ‘Girl’ into a funky house track which is bound to become a huge club hit.

10) The Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir – A Bridge Over You

A strange inclusion on this edition, perhaps but in a chart so dominated by over-produced music, it’s refreshing to hear music in its simplistic form. Unaltered vocals accompanied only by a piano result in a gorgeous mash-up of Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’. And of course it’s for a brilliant cause.

Music Monday – Volume Eighty

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1) Shura – Touch

Slick and smooth, this is an effortlessly cool R&B jam by Shura.

2) Tame Impala – Yes I’m Changing

Melancholic and moody but a brilliant track which mirrors lots of ’80’s pop.

3) The 1975 – Ugh!

The 1975 dropped another incredible track this week. This is reminiscent of some of Prince’s funkiest material and it’s bloody awesome.

4) Girls Aloud – The Loving Kind

Completely forgot about this track until it appeared as a suggested video on YouTube the other day. Written by The Pet Shop Boys, this is one of their best.

5) Donny Hathaway – This Christmas

Smooth and soulful, this is old-school Christmas music at its best. Absolutely brilliant track.

6) Snakehips ft Tinashe & Chance the rapper – All my friends

Love the chilled out nature of this and the chorus is very anthemic.

7) Roxette – It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)

Before this track came to prominence, it was actually a Christmas song. Not a lot had to be removed to turn it into a generic track and both versions are lovely. One of the best and most emotive power ballads from the ’80’s.

8) James Bay – Hold Back The River

This is still an incredible, rousing and uplifting track. James performing it on the BBC Music Awards reinforced that for me.

9) Cliff Richard – Young Love

Anything by Cliff is a guilty pleasure. I have no idea how I came across this but it’s a nice little song.

10) The Pretenders – 2000 Miles

An often forgotten about Christmas song. It’s not the most cheery of festive songs but it’s a brilliant song and Chrissie Hynde’s vocals are still some of the best out there.

Music Monday – Volume Seventy Nine

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1) A$ap Rocky –Fashion Killa

Built around a mesh of jittery synth clips, this is just so damn good.

2) Burial – Shell of Light

UK garage music at its best.

3) The 1975 – Me

It was only when I saw The 1975 live a couple of weeks ago that I finally paid full attention to this song. Prior to that, it was the one song by them I didn’t care much for. On closer inspection of the lyrics, I found it beautifully haunting and very relatable in some areas.

4) Shura – Kids N’ Stuff

I’ve been even more obsessed with Shura since seeing her live last week. This was a new track from her forthcoming album and I fell head over heels in love with it. Bittersweet, gentle & so eighties it hurts! It transported me into another world whilst there and I cannot stop listening to this even when the quality isn’t brilliant. Studio version soon please!

5) Coldplay – Kaleidoscope

Beautifully haunting instrumental which features on Coldplay’s latest album.

[Songs are not available on YouTube or Spotify – all is available is these snippets]

6) Coldplay – Amazing Day

Lovely waltz-like ballad from the latest album ‘A Head Full of Dreams’.

[Songs are not available on YouTube or Spotify – all is available is these snippets]

7) Coldplay – Up & Up

For any Coldplay fans disappointed with the very Pop-inspired direction of the new album, this song is likely to be the album’s redemption. Powerful and uplifting track with Noel Gallagher contributing his guitar playing.

[Songs are not available on YouTube or Spotify – all is available is these snippets]

8) Troye Sivan & Betty Who – Heaven

Troye Sivan’s début album is probably one of the best of 2015. This is a gorgeous song and one of many which documents his experience of coming out as gay.

9) Troye Sivan – Youth

Bouncy pop track with an awesome hook.

10) Troye Sivan – for him.

A slightly lighter and more breezy track from Troye Sivan’s début album.

Music Monday – Volume Seventy Eight

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1) George Michael – Edith & The King Pin

Gorgeous jazz cover of Joni Mitchell’s 1975 ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’ album. George has always produced wonderful covers and this is no exception.

2) Anastacia – Left Outside Alone

Killer pop-rock track released eleven years ago (I know, I can’t quite believe it either!) Co-written by Anastacia with hit songwriters Dallas Austin and Glen Ballard, this was a huge pop hit upon release and remains a brilliant song.

3) Anastacia – You’ll Never Be Alone

Lovely, if slightly slushy, pop ballad by Anastacia. She truly is one of the most underrated pop acts in the world. What a voice!

4) Anastacia – Take This Chance

Uplifting and inspiring new track from Anastacia’s Greatest Hits compilation album. She’s still got it! Awesome song.

5) Carly Rae Jepsen – Tell Me

Carly Rae Jepsen’s debut album did not receive much attention upon release. I only came across it this week and fell in love. It’s different to the stuff she’s become well-known but each song is hugely enjoyable. This is a great acoustic-based ballad.

6) Carly Rae Jepsen – Sunshine on my shoulders

Lovely and relaxing cover of the John Denver track.

7) Carly Rae Jepsen – Worldly Matters

Another acoustic based pop track. The entire album is a hugely enjoyable listen – full of sunny & chirpy pop tracks.

8) Coldplay – Everglow

Classic Coldplay ballad but with greater electro elements. This is a promotional track for the band’s upcoming ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ album.

9) The 1975 – The Sound (Live)

MY GOD THIS IS GOOD.

Catchy as hell. I am SO ready for this next album.

10) The 1975 – Somebody Else (Live)

Cartchy 80’s-esque indie-pop track comprised of broken vocal samples, funky bass lines and slamming percussion. The 1975 at their best and a teasing insight into how the new album is going to sound.

Music Monday – Volume Seventy Seven

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1) Troye Sivan – Wild

Incredibly catchy synthpop track featuring eerie electro elements and crashing percussion.

2) Troye Sivan ft. Broods – Ease

Another brilliant and sincere track from Troye Sivan.

3) Lucy Rose – Till The End

Strong 90’s vibes on this incessantly catchy track. Mirroring All Saints’ ‘Pure Shores’ with distorted trip-hop styled percussion, pretty piano riffs and funky guitars, it’s an awesome & uplifting track.

4) Jason Reeves – Back With Me

Gorgeous acoustic ballad.

5) Crissi Cochrane – Pretty Words

Gorgeous acoustic ballad with lovely Sara Bareillies/Christina Perri-like vocals.

6) Amelia Lily – You Bring Me Joy

Was reminded how awesome this track is at the gym the other day. Awesome and underrated pop-rock track.

7) Adele – When We Were Young

Gorgeous emotive ballad which completely blows ‘Hello’ out of the water.

8) Take That – Will You Be There For Me?

Gorgeous and vulnerable ballad from Take That’s re-packaged ‘III’ album. It carries an R&B-like vibe and is beautiful from start to finish.

9) Take That – Bird In Your Hand

Stunning synthpop ballad with lush layered harmonies and a gorgeous vocal performance from Mark Owen.

10) Troye Sivan – Fools

Brilliant pop track which opens tentatively with gorgeous piano chords before evolving into a jittery R&B track.

Music Monday – Volume Seventy Six

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1) Grimes, Bleachers – Entropy

Impossibly catchy indie-pop track on which American indie-pop band Bleachers team up with Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes. Minimalistic instrumentation is coated with Grimes’ syrupy and melodic vocals.

2) One Direction – End of the Day

Euphoric arena anthem which remains loyal to the boyband’s signature sound. Awesome track.

3) One Direction – Love You Goodbye

One Direction ballads are always exceptional and this is no exception. Taken from the band’s final (at least for now) album ‘Made in the A.M.’, this is emotive and heartfelt with catchy ‘hey, hey, hey’s’ and gorgeous  weeping electric guitars. One of their best tracks.

4) One Direction – Long Way Down

Lovely, gentle acoustic-based track from ‘Made in the A.M.’ It’s one of the more reflective tracks and the Chorus is rather low-key but this is part of what makes it so endearing. In places it sounds rather like Lady Antebellum and these Country elements work beautifully.

5) One Direction – What a Feeling

One Direction channel Fleetwood Mac on this ’80’s synthpop-influenced pop track. It’s one of the stand-out moments from latest album ‘Made in the A.M’ with funky guitar riffs and gorgeous, rich layered harmonies.

6) Ben Haenow – All Yours

Brilliant euphoric pop from last year’s X Factor winner Ben Haenow.

7) Ben Haenow – Testify

Epic gospel-influenced track from Ben Haenow’s début album. The drum loop is fierce and the gospel choir adds an extra depth to the track. It’s the best track on the album and is crying out to be a single.

8) Ben Haenow – Greatest Mistake

One of the stronger tracks Ben Haenow’s début album. The Chorus is incredibly catchy and his raspy vocals sound fierce on it. Great track.

9) Justin Bieber – Company

Sultry and irresistibly catchy pop track with a funky bass line & elements of tropical house. Bieber at his best.

10) Justin Bieber – Been You

Bonus track on the deluxe version of Justin’s latest album ‘Purpose’. Incredibly catchy electropop-influenced track more than strong enough to have been included on the standard edition of the album.

 

Music Monday – Volume Seventy Five

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1) James Taylor – Walking Man

Gorgeous folk/easy listening track with gentle guitar strums.

2) Nothing But Thieves – Graveyard Whistling

Haunting and gorgeous track from one of the best bands currently around. Conor Mason’s vocals are incredible, particularly during the falsetto chorus and the track builds up to a dramatic climax.

3) Nothing But Thieves – Last Orders

Love the unique chords on this haunting track from the band’s ‘Graveyard Whistling’ EP.

4) Nothing But Thieves – Emergency

Another heartfelt and dark track from Nothing But Thieves. The falsetto chorus drowned in reverb in this is stunning.

5) Snow Patrol – How To Be Dead

6) Snow Patrol – Grazed Knees

7) Coldplay – Adventure of a Lifetime

Epic and eclectic disco track with amazing guitar riffs and a mesh of vocal clips. As has been the case on much of Coldplay’s material over the past four years, it’s another change in direction but one which works beautifully. Catchy and upbeat.

8) One Direction – History

Pleasant acoustic-based track from the band’s forthcoming ‘Made in the A.M’ album. A power-house middle eight breaks up the song nicely and it’s a great feel-good pop track.

9) Seal – Love

Stunning piano ballad which closes Seal’s latest album ‘Seal 7’ beautifully. Seal’s trademark raspy vocals soar gorgeously over gentle synths and lovely piano chords.

10) Ellie Goulding – Codes

Catchy track from Ellie’s latest album ‘Delirium’. It’s far more pop based than Goulding’s previous efforts but a track which works brilliantly.