After the arguably unexpected success of first album as a trio ‘III’ and three years later, Europe’s favourite boy man-band have returned with an intriguing and some-what confused new album.
‘Wonderland’ is exactly what is says on the tin – it’s a flamboyant, dizzying album full of up-tempo Pop. But whereas ‘III’ was an amalgamation of Take That’s sound (the Pop-Rock of Beautiful World and The Circus, fused with the electropop of Progress and a fresh Pop sound) ‘Wonderland’ attempts a more brash, disco-pop/indie-pop sound. It’s more successful on some tracks more than others.
The album’s title track, which opens the album is arguably the best song present. Its oriental, simmering introduction evolves into a funky 1980’s themed track. Musically, its captures the spirit of material by The 1975, though its lyrical content makes it stop short. On similar levels of camp abundance, ‘Lucky Stars‘ is effortless pop perfection with its squeaky synthesizers whilst ‘And The Band Plays‘ relies on bizarre co-ordination between electronic instruments and a brass band. It’s all undoubtedly a lot of fun, though it does scream ‘Mid Life Crisis’.
Singles ‘Giants‘ and ‘New Day‘ are classic Take That and are sturdy tracks with soaring choruses. In fact, the album’s best moments are when the band relies on their well-known and well-loved sound. ‘Hope‘ is a stunning ballad in a similar vein to the band’s best ballads ‘Said It All‘ and ‘The Circus‘. ‘The Last Poet‘ lyrically returns the Take That boys back to the top of the game with the beautifully simple ‘For you I can’t find words’ whilst musically it matches the triumph of ‘The Circus’ and ‘III’ albums. Then there’s the electronic brilliance of ‘Every Revolution‘ which serves as ‘Affirmation‘ Part II. Donald’s vocals shine as always whilst dizzy synthesises soar in the background. It’s a lovely track, though one bound to be lost in the fun of the rest of the album.
The fact is, for any other band or artist, ‘Wonderland’ would be a triumph. But after years of solid pop albums, for a Take That album, it just stops short of being another classic. It’s a little too brash – a little too carefully plotted for arenas to stand on its own as a successful album. Then there’s the lyrics. Much of the album documents getting over unmentioned issues which is nice enough but it also feels a little half-arsed at times. ‘Every morning it is a brand new day’ is a nice enough lyric, though by the end of ‘New Day‘, one feels like telling Barlow ‘Tell me something I don’t know’. At times, the album feels over-brash, over-thought and over-produced. On many of the ballads, Barlow stands too close for comfort to the microphone, presumably to capture a raw sound, though it just sounds like he needs to take a step back.
For all its flaws, ‘Wonderland’ is not a bad album. Far from it, in fact. There’s plenty of substantial material here and is a fun listen. It just happens that it isn’t Take That’s best work.
Rating: 3/5 Highlights: Wonderland, Giants, Hope, The Last Poet, Every Revolution.
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
the-music-box.co.uk 