Music Monday – Volume Eighty Five

1) Nate Ruess – Brightside

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.

2) One Direction – History

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.

3) Rihanna & Drake- Work

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

4) Ellie Goulding – Army

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.

5) Zayn – PILLOWTALK

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.

6) Lion Babe – Where Do We Go

Funky disco-themed neo soul track from New York City duo Lion Babe.

7) Taylor Swift – Out of the Woods

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.

8) Lawson – Money

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’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgFZufBB20

9) Dawin – Dessert

Catchy, jittery and squeaky pop track by American singer and producer Dawin featuring a rap from Silento.

10) Tom Parker – Lost In Your Love

Ex member of The Wanted Tom Parker impresses on this catchy house track which he has also produced.

Music Monday – Volume Seventy Four

1) Nothing But Thieves – Six Billion

Haunting and powerful track from Nothing But Thieves’ début album. Moody guitar riffs, front man Conor Mason’s Jeff Buckley-like vocals and eerie sounds result in a gorgeously endearing track.

2) Nothing But Thieves – Excuse Me

Euphoric opener to Nothing But Thieves’ début album. Haunting and gentle verses develop into an epic and powerful Chorus with gorgeous falsetto vocals.

3) Nothing But Thieves – If I Get High

Gentle guitar riffs and Conor Mason’s beautifully unique voice carry this track which ends with an epic climax.

4) Katy Perry – Mannequin

Witty and clever lyrics, quirky instrumentation; this is Katy Perry at her best. Before pop producers transformed her into a very different artist, this is the Katy Perry more should be familiar with – the singer-songwriter. Underrated track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6YVnl83IWQ

5) Ellie Goulding – Army

After the disappointing change of direction exhibited on previous single ‘On My Mind’, this beautiful ballad marks the return of the Ellie Goulding we all know and love. Dreamy synthesisers, reverberating vocals and crashing percussion are featured throughout and it’s a gorgeous song. Think ‘Love Me Like You Do’ Part II but less repetitive and irritating.

6) The Temper Trap – Sweet Deposition

Gorgeous and powerful indie-rock ballad.

7) Katy Perry – If You Can Afford Me

Another track from Katy’s début album ‘One of the Boys’, back in her singer-songwriter days. Clever lyrics and a brilliantly catchy pop-rock track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhierzQiLcs

8) Frances & Ritual – When It Comes To Us

Gorgeous and haunting ballad full of reverberating electro elements not too dissimilar from William Orbit’s work with All Saints. Both artists deliver beautiful vocal performances and this is is just incredibly beautiful.

9) Markus Feehily – Simple Love

Lovely and unique ballad from the ex-Westlife member. The sped up/altered pitch refrain in the chorus is quirky and works beautifully on this great track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ3D4dOnZ_4

10) Markus Feehily – Only You

Gorgeous ballad from ex-Westlife member Markus Feehily’s début solo album ‘Fire’. It’s a little in the same vein as Westlife’s later work but an uplifting and beautiful song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cgtMNWYBSc