After adapting Music Monday to make it strictly about current and new music, we realised that there was no way to draw focus to older music on this blog. So we have decided to publish a mixtape (or Spotify Playlist) of 20 songs on the first day of every month.
This makes January’s rather late but with no further ado, here’s the Music Box’s January Mixtape:
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.
Moody and seductive, Gomez is pulling out all the stops to emphasise her new-found maturity. It never quite reaches its full potential; it’s crying out for a huge climax towards the end of the song but with its provocative message and the inclusion of A$Ap Rocky’s rap, it’s a step in the right direction of producing more grown-up music.
2) Jack Garratt – Weathered
Jittery with fierce beats, grunge-y guitars and a silky smooth vocal delivery from Garratt. It’s a huge song with fantastic production.
3) Jennifer Lopez – Play
Throwback to when J-Lo was still producing GOOD music. Drawing upon Prince and Madonna for influence, it’s a catchy and funk-driven dance-pop track with squeaky synths and slamming beats. One of the best pop tracks from the noughties era.
4) Leona Lewis – Fire Under My Feet
Explosive comeback single for 2006 X Factor winner Leona Lewis. Unfortunately, the lead single from Lewis’ forthcoming album has fallen under the radar due to slack promotion from new label Island/Def Jam. With stomping percussion layered with hand claps and moody piano chords, it’s Lewis at her best.
5) Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me
Sombre, sulky and aching with sincerity, this is Brown at his best. The lyrical content is straight from the heart and Brown croons passionately over stuttering percussion and remote production.
6) Mark Owen – Makin’ Out
Much of this blog discusses how underrated I consider Mark Owen’s solo discography to be but I shall continue to reinforce my point! Quirky rock-fuelled track from Owen’s 2005 album ‘How The Mighty Fall’, this single was only a moderate success and deserved to fare far better. Brilliant lyrics and powerful vocal delivery from Owen as always.
7) Taylor Swift – Bad Blood
The album version is far superior to the single version with Kendrick Lamar although Lamar’s rap does not particularly detract from the power of the song. Fierce.
8) Taylor Swift – Style
Still one of Swift’s best singles of her career so far. Moody and sultry with funky 80’s styled guitars and crashing percussion.
9) Take That – Today I’ve Lost You
One of the most underrated songs of Take That’s career. Originally written as the follow up to 1995’s massive hit ‘Back For Food’, Barlow saved this one (many other songs written for what would have been Take That’s follow up album to ‘Nobody Else’ appeared on Barlow’s debut album ‘Open Road’) and it was recorded for the band’s 2005 Greatest Hits compilation. Barlow’s gentle vocals trickle over a soft and organic backing track, comprised of soft guitar strums and piano chords, sweeping strings and an awesome guitar solo. It’s a shame this was never taken further and released as a single; it’s a beautifully written and performed song.
10) Gary Barlow – My Commitment
Schmaltz-y love song from Barlow’s début solo album ‘Open Road’ which screams ’90’s!’ with its heavily programmed drum machine and glittery pianos. Co-written with songwriting legend Diane Warren, this is a beautiful ballad with a lovely message.
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