Reading Time: 8 minutes
Howdy. I’m quite late again, aren’t I? Sorry. Life is busy but I love doing this!
From now on, I’ll be trying to keep the mixtape to 20 songs dissected, but other stuff I’ve enjoyed this month are at the bottom in the complete playlist.
Short on time? My Essential 5 are featured at the top!
As always, I really appreciate every read, scan or visit and hope you find some new music you love.
Read More » Reading Time: 7 minutes
Me again! Does anyone read these? I’m not sure but I love writing and sharing them.
Here’s another rundown of what I’ve been listening to over the past month.
Short on time? My Essential 5 are featured at the top!
As always, I really appreciate every read, scan or visit and hope you find some new music you love.
Read More »
The american rapper throws a curveball on this neo-soul influenced hip hop track. Breezy, light and reflective, it’s a brilliant track and one of Lamar’s best.
Gentle electronic track which drifts effortlessly throughout its six minute duration.
Brilliant alt-R&B track with moody guitar riffs, an awesomely catchy chorus and polished production. It’s carried by buoyant beats and Zayn’s syrupy vocals. One of his best.
Buoyant house track with a brilliantly catchy hook.
Soulful and relaxed track with a retro vibe. Utilising little more than organic percussion, bright keys, jazzy riffs, funky bass lines and beautiful falsetto vocals, it’s a lovely track.
Chipmunk-esque pitch-moderated vocal samples, hip hop beats and reverberating soulful vocals carry this brilliant and powerful track.
Elusive producer SBTRKT teams up with vocalists D.RAM and Mabel on this jittery neo-soul track with elements of alternative R&B.
Sultry and moody R&B track which utilises steel pans and thunderous percussion. It’s a powerful track driven by Mattman and Robin’s tight production.
Quirky and brilliant Alternative R&B track with furious guitar riffs, funky bass lines and rock-influenced percussion. Jess Kav’s soulful vocals shine throughout.
Catchy pop track with funky guitar riffs, skipping bass lines and bright piano chords. Drawing upon disco and soul elements, it’s one of his best songs of his career.
Moody, downtempo hip-hop track with an overall melancholic tone and brilliant lyrics.
[Because Kanye is a tool and won’t put any of his latest music anywhere where people may actually listen, this is the only clip available: http://bbc.in/1OmSlT4]
Fuzzy, spaced-out electro-remixes of three tracks from Shura’s forthcoming highly-anticipated début album ‘Nothing’s Real’. Reverberating vocal samples, frolicking synthesisers and eerie sounds all echo infinitely throughout this nine-minute sampler track.
Gentle but majestic 80’s-influenced synthpop track. Mirroring Fleetwood Mac at their peak, precarious percussion, dreamy harmonies and fluttering synthesisers drift beautifully through this brilliant song.
Lovely, breezy acoustic-based track with great lyrics.
Dream-like, heavily auto-tuned synthpop track from up-and-coming band Liss, comprised of clinking synths, a waltz-like bass line and a meandering rhythm.
Another brilliantly catchy R&B track with electro elements from West-London collective WSTRN. Sampling Evelyn King’s 1982 hit ‘Love Come Down’, the trio have created another smash record.
A beautifully chilled-out instrumental track from Canadian musician KAYTRANADA. Twinkling pianos, soulful and eerie synthesisers and fierce percussion drives this retro alternative-R&B track.
Brilliant track on which witty lyrics are growled over unsteady percussion and fierce guitar work. Haunting vocal samples evolve into a neurotic punk-pop track which perfectly captures losing your mind.
Dark and melancholic shoegazing track which is musically simple but incredibly powerful. Heavy, distorted electric guitar riffs and hazy synthesisers form the backdrop as frontman Matt Healy drones ‘And he said, I lost my head, can you see it, can you see it?’. It eventually climaxes in a brilliant orchestral track with percussion.
Jazzy and soulful track by electronic artist Patrick Gossi, under his working name of Active Child. Gentle percussion and jazzy pianos with Gossi’s beautiful falsettos all result in a beautiful song.
Funky indie-rock ballad which mirrors work by INXS & Duran. Slamming percussion, frantic guitar riffs and skippy synthesiser sounds provide the song’s instrumentation as Matt Healy sings of cultural differences between him and his American girlfriend. It’s brilliantly catchy and very witty lyrically.
Perhaps the best song on The 1975’s new album. The band demonstrate their impeccable synchronicity through layering gospel melodies, silky vocals, slamming percussion, driving bass lines and snarling guitar riffs. It’s a throwback to the new-jack-swing era in the late eighties and early nineties bought to popularity through producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Teddy Riley through musicians such as Bobby Brown, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.
Beautiful and mellow electropop ballad which imitates Yazoo’s ‘Only You’ to a point just before being eligible for a lawsuit. Sparse guitars, dizzy synthesisers and a gorgeous honeyed ‘again and again’ refrain makes this another of the album’s strongest tracks.
A proficient, cleverly-created instrumental which punctuates the album beautifully. Pretty and melodic piano particles flutter over driving electronica whilst Healy’s lusciously layered vocals beg his lover not to leave. The track is lengthy at six minutes but is split into two parts, evolving into an uplifting and exquisitely beautiful house track.
Giggling synthesisers and hiphop beats form the backdrop as Matt Healy half-raps his best lyrics to date; a cultural observation on the impact pop culture and celebrity have on youth.
Chilled-out neosoul track which carries a retro vibe. Gallant’s incredible vocals flutter into a rich falsetto over brass instruments, driving bass lines and twinkling keyboards.
Uplifting and euphoric pop-rock track which is this year’s UK Eurovision entry. Whilst criticised by many for its generic formula and chord structure, it’s a powerful and beautiful track.
Moody alternative-pop track which avoids over-production, instead focussing on using organic, pure instruments.
Catchy alt-R&B track featuring elastic synthesisers, synthetic percussion and a brilliantly sing-song chorus.
Quirky and brilliantly written track which utilised genres such as baroque pop, psychedelic pop and experimental rock.
Brilliant brass-infused tune which utilises a range of genres such as jazz, hip hop, EDM, trap and swing impeccably. Front-man Brendon Urie does his best imitation of Frank Sinatra amid hip hop beats, jittery synths and organic brass instruments.
Powerful, emotive and raw song which lyrically tells of dealing with a past over moving onto somebody new. Gentle, tinkling synthesisers evolve into slamming ’80’s-influenced beats on this stunning love song. One of The 1975’s best ever songs.
Gentle and tentative synthpop track featuring fuzzy synths, pretty piano chords and ethereal vocals from Shura. Gorgeous.
Catchy EDM track with gospel vocals, fierce drum patterns and catchy piano riffs. Much in the same vein as Sigma’s ‘Nobody To Love’ two years ago in terms of repetition, catchiness and the use of piano riffs.
Gwen Stefani resurrects her solo career with this catchy and funky disco-pop track. Chanelling The Cardigans’ ‘Lovefool’ and elements of Kylie, it’s one of Stefani’s best.
Gorgeous downtempo R&B ballad on which Zayn fully utilises his gorgeous feathery falsetto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoB7c3miDrg
Dark electropop track featuring hollow beats, heavily processes vocals and gentle guitar riffs. Absolutely gorgeous.
Fierce electro-guitar track with a brilliant chorus and reverberating guitar riffs.
Chilled out, retro inspired R&B/hiphop track with soulful guitar riffs and syrupy smooth vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heRre3KXLGY
Brilliant electronic infused track with catchy bass riffs and Nicholas Petricca’s smooth vocals.
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.
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.
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.
Cool, chilled-out synthpop track from American duo Chairlift. The care-free, minimalistic production and Caroline Polachek’s syrupy sweet vocals are perfect.
‘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.
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.
Hot, idiosyncratic club record featuring a reggae-like bounce, clinking synths and a devilishly catchy chorus.
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.
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.
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.
Sultry electropop track with an insanely huge Chorus. Clearly influenced by 80’s Pop, it’s cool, brilliantly layered and an overall huge song.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1) Take That – We Love to Entertain You
Electrifying and rousing stadium anthem that somehow managed to escape inclusion on an album. Whilst it did appear as a b-side to massive hit ‘Shine’ and was used in a German commercial, it was worthy of far more attention and credit. It’s a fitting tribute to fans; a sort of predecessor to ‘Hold Up A Light’, ‘Portrait’ and ‘I Like It’.
2) Beyonce – Love on Top
Funky and soulful R&B track; unbelievably catchy with an infectious melody and bouncy percussion. Highly influenced by 70’s disco tracks by Stevie Wonder and The Jackson Five, Beyonce braves FOUR key changes and blasts her powerhouse vocal effortlessly. One of her best.
3) Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams
Miss Swift proves once again she is currently the biggest female Popstar in the world. Clearly influenced by the moody and breathy production Lana Del Ray is famous for, the chorus is unmistakeably Swift and the melody isn’t far removed from her signature Country-sound. A lovely track full of emotion, crashing beats and 80’s-esque synthesisers. Irresistible.
4) The Japanese House – Clean
Elusive and enigmatic act Amber Bain (better known as The Japanese House) released another enchanting track earlier this week, once again produced by Matty and George from The 1975. Full of twinkling bells, fizzy synths, distorted brass instruments and unsteady percussion, it’s beautifully endearing and cinematic.
5) Tame Impala – Yes I’m Changing
Aesthetic, downbeat and dreamy, this is another lovely moment from Tame Impala’s latest album ‘Currents’. Evidently influenced by ’80’s synthpop, it has a great bassline and hazy vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhlPXa6g4C8
6) Oasis – Half the World Away
Lovely acoustic ballad written and sang by Noel. Whilst never released on a studio album or as a single, this became well known for being used as the theme tune to the BBC Sitcom ‘The Royle Family’. It has also since been featured on two Oasis compilation albums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_Mrpjppwk
7) The Blue Nile – Everybody Else
Whilst not the most recognised of bands, Glaswegian adult-alternative band The Blue Nile have received much critical acclaim and have gained a cult following over the years. They purposely never chased fame and are notable for their perfectionist approach to releasing music, releasing only four albums in a thirty four year career.
‘Everybody Else’ is a beautifully simplistic track featuring only a strumming guitar, computerised percussion, sweeping synthesisers and Paul Buchannan’s melancholic but sincere vocals. It is the penultimate track on their final album to date, 2004’s ‘High’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYn5WgvBqU
8) Kylie Minogue, Garibay and Shaggy – Black and White
Miss Minogue is back on form with this sultry and sensual club banger, produced by Fernando Garibay and featuring a rap by legendary Shaggy. It is a return to Kylie’s club roots after previous album ‘Kiss Me Once’ was a more R&B-led affair and was only a moderate success commercially.
9) Lawson – Love Is You
Lovely acoustic-based ballad by Lawson, released as a free download on their website just days ago. Andy Brown’s voice is sincere as always and the chorus is very pretty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkw8v8eyvM
10) Duran Duran – Ordinary World
One of Duran Duran’s biggest hits, ‘Ordinary World’ launched the band back into the charts after a period of declining popularity in the early 1990’s. Written about front-man Simon Le Bon’s late friend David Miles, this became a huge hit around the world in December 1992. Emotive, powerful and dramatic, it is one of Duran Duran’s best works.
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