Happy New Year! Excited to be sharing my listening habits with you again this year—if anyone’s interested, of course!
This month’s mix is a bit all over the place. January always feels musically odd to me—there’s a lingering hangover from last year’s hits, but not much new to get excited about yet. I think that’s reflected in my listening habits over the past few weeks—an eclectic collection of songs spanning different eras and genres.
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.
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.