Tag: James Bay

Music Monday – Volume Eighty Two

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1) Busted – Meet you There (Abbey Road Session)

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.

2) Raleigh Ritchie – Bloodsport

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.

3) James Bay – If You Ever Want To Be In 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.

4) Chris Brown – Back To Sleep

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.

5) Chris Brown – Make Love

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.

6) David Bowie – Lazarus

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.

 

7) Coldplay – Amazing Day

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.

8) Coldplay – Up&Up

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.

9) Troye Sivan – Youth

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.

10) Troye Sivan – DKLA

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.

Music Monday – Volume Eighty

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1) Shura – Touch

Slick and smooth, this is an effortlessly cool R&B jam by Shura.

2) Tame Impala – Yes I’m Changing

Melancholic and moody but a brilliant track which mirrors lots of ’80’s pop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhlPXa6g4C8

3) The 1975 – Ugh!

The 1975 dropped another incredible track this week. This is reminiscent of some of Prince’s funkiest material and it’s bloody awesome.

4) Girls Aloud – The Loving Kind

Completely forgot about this track until it appeared as a suggested video on YouTube the other day. Written by The Pet Shop Boys, this is one of their best.

5) Donny Hathaway – This Christmas

Smooth and soulful, this is old-school Christmas music at its best. Absolutely brilliant track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSBvJG2yLJQ

6) Snakehips ft Tinashe & Chance the rapper – All my friends

Love the chilled out nature of this and the chorus is very anthemic.

7) Roxette – It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)

Before this track came to prominence, it was actually a Christmas song. Not a lot had to be removed to turn it into a generic track and both versions are lovely. One of the best and most emotive power ballads from the ’80’s.

8) James Bay – Hold Back The River

This is still an incredible, rousing and uplifting track. James performing it on the BBC Music Awards reinforced that for me.

9) Cliff Richard – Young Love

Anything by Cliff is a guilty pleasure. I have no idea how I came across this but it’s a nice little song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXc7REiJwMc

10) The Pretenders – 2000 Miles

An often forgotten about Christmas song. It’s not the most cheery of festive songs but it’s a brilliant song and Chrissie Hynde’s vocals are still some of the best out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9v5X1a23fU

Music Monday – Volume Sixty Nine

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1) Seal – Every Time I’m With You

Seal returns with a gorgeous and triumphant ballad abundant with his signature raspy vocals, gentle guitar strums and sweeping strings. This is Seal’s first original track in five years; previous two albums were cover albums of Soul classics. ‘Every Time I’m With You’ is the lead single from Seal’s upcoming album ‘Seal 7’, released on 6th November.

2) Frances – Grow

Beautiful, emotive piano ballad by up and coming British indie artist Frances. Gorgeous song definitely worth a listen.

3) Frances – What Do You Mean (Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Frances was fortunate enough to be invited to perform in Radio 1’s Live Lounge following The Libertines’ cancellation. She performed a gorgeous piano cover of Justin Bieber’s huge Summer smash ‘What Do You Mean’. Beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9skelI9roZc

4) Jamie Woon – Sharpness

Soft soul track featuring a punchy bass line, catchy percussion and gentle vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlhNBG4yycY

5) Duran Duran – Pressure Off

Effortlessly catchy track from Duran Duran’s latest studio album. Aided by Chic mastermind Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, Mr Hudson and Janelle Monrae, ‘Pressure Off’ is a rousing pop track featuring funky guitar riffs, punchy percussion and a huge stadium-anthem chorus. Awesome track.

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

6) Duran Duran – You Kill Me With Silence

Dark, hip-hop influenced verses evolve into a soaring and infectious chorus on this emotive synthpop track. Produced by Mr Hudson, it builds up to an eerie and eclectic ending rife with giggling synthesisers, distorted sounds, wailing sounds and hip hop beats.

7) Death and The Stars – Sad Drive

Awesome ’80’s-esque driving rock ballad masterminded by Ben Mark (frequent Take That and Mark Owen co-writer).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjpNrjz38AI

8) Sam Smith & Disclosure – Hotline Bling (Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Incredible interpretation of Drake’s R&B jam. Sam Smith sprinkles his emotive vocals over Disclosure’s funky tropical house backing track full of punchy bass, steel-pan like keys and air crushing synths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDCcC_psV24

9) Nathan Sykes – Ordinary People (Live)

Ex member of The Wanted Nathan Sykes showcases his syrupy smooth, soulful vocals on this acoustic interpretation of John Legend’s beautiful ‘Ordinary People’. A fine, relaxing cover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIZ21oMzU6k

10) James Bay – Scars

James Bay once again reinforces why he is one of the biggest stars in the UK right now. Emotive and raw folk-rock track comprised of nothing but organic instruments. Gorgeous.

Music Monday – Volume Fifty Four

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1) S Club 7 – Discotek

Catchy disco track from the ‘Seeing Double’ era that never made it onto the album. Bit of a guilty pleasure, this!

2) Rachel Stevens – Heaven Has To Wait

Rachel Stevens had a great, if short, solo career. Debut album ‘Funky Dory’ contained lots of fantastic songs and was a wonderful pop album. This is an absolutely gorgeous ballad taken from it.

3) Rachel Stevens – Blue Afternoon

Love the chilled-out, jazz feel to this track.

4) S Club 7 – Show Me Your Colours

Underrated track from the ‘Sunshine’ album. A firm favourite of many fans and this should have been a single. It’s more mature than a lot of their other material and Miss Rachel Stevens sounds fantastic on it. Moody, sultry and catchy. Awesome song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjBcb1hGeJ8

5) Lawson – We are Kings (Acoustic)

Heard a full live performance of this and wasn’t as keen. This stripped back version is absolutely stunning, however. Andy Brown has such a great voice and his falsetto is just gorgeous. Love the message in this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MAhlt41r0

6) Little Mix – Black Magic

One of the best pop tracks I have heard in ages. Staying loyal to the Little Mix sound but adding a little more guitar and 80’s into the mix, this is a massive step forward in the right direction for them. That guitar riff is SO nicked from ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, however…

7) The 1975 (Drive Like I Do) – One Wish

This track by The 1975 from their Drive Like I Do era recently surfaced online and it’s awesome. Even their work prior to their fame is polished and faultless. You can hear the Ladysmith Black Mambazo influence on this and a bit of The Talking Heads too. It’s simple but dreamy and irresistible with great harmonies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l9P52K9ETs

8) Nathan Sykes – Kiss Me Quick

Cringey intro aside, this is incredibly catchy and really showcases Nathan’s incredible voice. Funky.

9) James Bay – Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher

I knew before even listening that James would do this classic justice and I was not wrong! It’s a very chilled out take in true James Bay style but it’s just so relaxing and beautiful. What a talent.

10) Victoria Beckham – IOU

Co-written by one of my favourite songwriters Chris Braide, I forgot all about this beautiful song until recently. Okay so it may lack credibility and may be slightly overloaded with cheese but that’s what great pop music is all about. Apparently written for husband David, this was an album track from Victoria’s debut album. Very pretty.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Eight

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1) James Bay – Need The Sun To Break

Beautiful song from James’ début album ‘The Chaos and The Calm’.

2) James Bay – Hold Back The River

It took me longer than most to recognise how great this song is but I’m there now! Love how the song builds and James’ vocal performance is incredible.

3) Simply Red – Fake (Single Mix)

The album version of this is great too but the single mix is more club friendly. Great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI1_2gh40U8

4) Stereophonics – Maybe Tomorrow

Such a soulful, great song which always reminds me of the summer. Love Kelly Jones’ raspy vocals and there’s something quite haunting about this beautiful song.

5) Circa Waves – Talking Out Loud

Another awesome song from Circa Waves’ incredible début album. Powerful and irresistibly catchy chorus and I love the chords in the verses too.

6) New Radicals – Someday We’ll Know

Best known for their song ‘You Get What You Give’, this was the follow up single before Gregg Alexander terminated his band to focus on producing and writing for other artists. This was later covered by legendary duo Daryl Hall & Jon Oates. Sweet acoustic-based song. Love this.

7) Adam Levine – Lost Stars

Gorgeous song from the ‘Begin Again’ soundtrack sung by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and written by Gregg Alexander. Many will only know this track through The Voice UK winner Stevie McCrorie but the original really is worth a listen.

8) Semisonic – Secret Smile

One of the best pop hits from the 90’s. Just an awesome song.

9) Robbie Williams – Me and My Monkey

Paranoia-infused, bizarre and humorous, this is one of Robbie’s best songs of his career, an album track from ‘Escapology’. Upon its release, critical response to this track was mainly of confusion but most interpretations consider this a metaphor for Robbie’s dual personality when sober and high/drunk. It’s clever and Rob’s storytelling is just amazing.

10) Robbie Williams – Handsome Man

A self-parody by Robbie, this is an awesome song ridiculing his own fame and success. Witty lyrics as always and a catchy and explosive chorus too.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Seven

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1) The 1975 – Au Bord De La Mer

A song by the band before they ‘made it big’. Matty’s vocal delivery is different as is the genre. It’s a bit darker than what the band are known for but it’s a fantastic song. Really love this!

2) Elvin Bishop – Fooled around and fell in love

Irresistible.

3) James Bay – Let it go

Hauntingly beautiful and drifts into Ed Sheeran territory from time to time which is never a bad thing!

4) Mika & Pharrell – Celebrate

Pharrell is a genius and Mika is one of the most talented guys in pop. The album this is off is incredibly underrated as is this incredible song. So catchy, so uplifting and just an awesome song.

5) 2pac – Changes

One of the best rap songs ever.

6) Jordin Sparks – One step at a time

This is a forgotten pop gem! Catchy, inspiring and just a wonderful, wonderful song. Makes me feel like I’m fourteen again.

7) Rita Ora – Been Lying

One of my all time favourite songs, this is a pop masterpiece. Heartfelt lyrics and the infectious, repetitive chorus shows that sometimes simplicity creates the best songs.

8) 1 Giant Leap ft Maxi Priest and Robbie Williams – My Culture

An often forgotten about collaboration between these three acts, this is an awesome song. Great production, thoughtful lyrics and the melody of the chorus is irresistable.

9) Spice Girls – Last time lover

Girlbands these days could only dream of making an R&B track half as good as this. Naughty, catchy and the bass line is funky as hell. Awesome song.

10) Will Young – Good things

Will Young’s Echoes album is a masterpiece. This is just one of the many great songs that feature on it. The production is second to none, it’s catchy and the melody is infectious. SO good.