1) Jason Segel & Peter Linz – Man or Muppet

Yes, it’s a song by The Muppets from their 2011 Disney movie. It’s comical but yet utterly beautiful at the same time. I think the reason I love it so much, besides the fact it involves The Muppets which I love, is that is reminds me of 1980’s power ballads and musically, it’s a little like Elton John’s ballads. Reminds me a little of one of my favourite songs by The Scissor Sisters (‘Mary’) too. Just a beautiful little song.

2) Simply Red – Fairground

One of the best pop-house  tracks from the 90’s. Such a feel-good, catchy song. Awesome drum track, sing-song melody and a bloody brilliant chorus. SO good.

3) The Script – No good in goodbye

The Script got mixed reviews for their previous album, ‘#3’ and so it seems they wanted to return to form with new album ‘No sound without silence’. And that, they have. This is the opening track and it’s unbelievably good. Great, well-written lyrics and I love the chord progression of the chorus, though it does sound rather like Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World’! Can’t get enough of this right now.

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

4) Paolo Nutini – Iron Sky

Incredibly haunting, beautiful and dark. Paolo’s vocal performance on this is insane. SO emotive.

5) Chris Brown – Add Me In

As much as I can’t stand Chris Brown as a human being, I do love a lot of his music. Latest album ‘X’ is great and this is my favourite track off it. A little like something that would have appeared on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off the wall’ album but with a modern twist. Great song.

[Not on YouTube yet]

6) Alt-J – Every other freckle

Another haunting song, this is a little creepy. Awesome record, though.

7) SecondCity featuring Ali Love – What can I do?

SO good. One of those rare new songs that I loved upon my first listen. Sounds a little like a 90’s house track which is part of what makes it so endearing. Summer hasn’t disappeared just yet!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmXTTwCNj6o

8) Jamie Cullum – Photograph

I love Jamie Cullum – he’s one of the most underrated artists in the UK. This is a beautiful little song I came across after reading an interview with him in which he discussed this song. Great lyrics and I love how the song builds and develops. Love this.

9) Simply Red – Your Eyes

Taken from one of Simply Red’s most underrated albums and one that happens to be my favourite by them; ‘Love and the Russian Winter’. Great, great song.

10) Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes – Almost is never enough

I loved this when it came out but forgot all about it until reading about Nathan Skyes reportedly working on a solo album. A chilled, jazzy affair with incredible vocal performances by both artists. I’m expecting big things from Nathan – what a voice! One that wasn’t showcased enough in The Wanted. Just hope he gets with the right song-writers/musicians.