Monthly Mixtape: June ’24

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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.

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Music Monday – Volume Sixty Three

  1. Selena Gomez & A$AP Rocky – Good For You

Moody and seductive, Gomez is pulling out all the stops to emphasise her new-found maturity. It never quite reaches its full potential; it’s crying out for a huge climax towards the end of the song but with its provocative message and the inclusion of A$Ap Rocky’s rap, it’s a step in the right direction of producing more grown-up music.

2) Jack Garratt – Weathered

Jittery with fierce beats, grunge-y guitars and a silky smooth vocal delivery from Garratt. It’s a huge song with fantastic production.

3) Jennifer Lopez – Play

Throwback to when J-Lo was still producing GOOD music. Drawing upon Prince and Madonna for influence, it’s a catchy and funk-driven dance-pop track with squeaky synths and slamming beats. One of the best pop tracks from the noughties era.

4) Leona Lewis – Fire Under My Feet

Explosive comeback single for 2006 X Factor winner Leona Lewis. Unfortunately, the lead single from Lewis’ forthcoming album has fallen under the radar due to slack promotion from new label Island/Def Jam. With stomping percussion layered with hand claps and moody piano chords, it’s Lewis at her best.

5) Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me

Sombre, sulky and aching with sincerity, this is Brown at his best. The lyrical content is straight from the heart and Brown croons passionately over stuttering percussion and remote production.

6) Mark Owen – Makin’ Out

Much of this blog discusses how underrated I consider Mark Owen’s solo discography to be but I shall continue to reinforce my point! Quirky rock-fuelled track from Owen’s 2005 album ‘How The Mighty Fall’, this single was only a moderate success and deserved to fare far better. Brilliant lyrics and powerful vocal delivery from Owen as always.

7) Taylor Swift – Bad Blood

The album version is far superior to the single version with Kendrick Lamar although Lamar’s rap does not particularly detract from the power of the song. Fierce.

8) Taylor Swift – Style

Still one of Swift’s best singles of her career so far. Moody and sultry with funky 80’s styled guitars and crashing percussion.

9) Take That – Today I’ve Lost You

One of the most underrated songs of Take That’s career. Originally written as the follow up to 1995’s massive hit ‘Back For Food’, Barlow saved this one (many other songs written for what would have been Take That’s follow up album to ‘Nobody Else’ appeared on Barlow’s debut album ‘Open Road’) and it was recorded for the band’s 2005 Greatest Hits compilation. Barlow’s gentle vocals trickle over a soft and organic backing track, comprised of soft guitar strums and piano chords, sweeping strings and an awesome guitar solo. It’s a shame this was never taken further and released as a single; it’s a beautifully written and performed song.

10) Gary Barlow – My Commitment

Schmaltz-y love song from Barlow’s début solo album ‘Open Road’ which screams ’90’s!’ with its heavily programmed drum machine and glittery pianos. Co-written with songwriting legend Diane Warren, this is a beautiful ballad with a lovely message.

Music Monday – Volume Fifty Seven

1) Take That – Hold Up A Light

One of Take That’s best songs in their twenty five year career. So much optimism, so much energy and so much power. Mark Owen’s vocals are on point and the harmonies are perfect too. Since seeing the Take That boys live and seeing this performed live again, it’s completely reinforced what an incredible song this is.

2) Take That – The Garden

Absolutely stunning song, opener of ‘The Circus’ album. I love the little touches of production by John Shanks – from the eerie and soft opening to Howard’s stomping bridge leading into the second chorus. It’s perfect that each member gets to perform lead vocals during different sections and once again, this has to be one of the best Take That songs in their back catalogue. Gorgeous, inspiring lyrics, stunning falsetto vocals from Gary Barlow and so much power in those final explosive chorus’.

3) Take That – Flaws

Gentle but powerful ballad from the ‘III’ album. I’ve always loved this but its beauty has certainly been reinforced since seeing Mark Owen & Howard Donald’s stunning contemporary dance to it on Take That’s current tour. Very raw and very beautiful.

4) Take That – Up All Night

This was never one of my favourites from ‘The Circus’ album but I always appreciated the musicianship within it and what a great song it was overall. As the years have gone by, however, I’ve finally come to love it. I love its energy and it is the epitome of fun.

5) Finley Quaye – Sunday Shining

Heard this on the radio the other day and fell in love. Love its almost grunge-rock feel but it’s also infused with elements of Soul. Catchy with a distinctive vocal.

6) Olly Murs – Beautiful To Me

Probably my favourite Olly single in years! Catchy and emotive with beautiful lyrics, it’s a perfect pop track. Love the stomping percussion and Olly’s vocal is very strong (although the autotune usage could be reduced a little…) Can’t get enough of this right now.

7) Jennifer Lopez & Trey Songz – What You Mean to Me

Beautiful rendition of a stunning song written by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy for the Finding Neverland musical. Gorgeous lyrics and JLO & Trey sound fantastic together.

8) Rixton – Let the Road

This is utterly refreshing. The majority of this track is performed acapella before launching into a dynamic album opener. Like this band a lot.

9) Rixton – We All Want The Same Thing

I know this only featured the other week but I honestly can’t get enough of this right now. Irresistibly catchy. Pop music at its best.

10) Tinie Tempah & Jess Glynne – No Letting Go

Catchy as hell and bound to be an integral part of the soundtrack to summer 2015. Jess Glynne’s voice is just awesome. A winning combination of artists.

Music Monday – Volume Four

Bit of a strange combination of tracks this week, admittedly! There’s always a fair amount of diversity in my music taste but I think this week’s is the one to fully highlight that. Anyway, here’s the 10 songs I have been loving/listening to this past week.

1)      The 1975 – AntiChrist

I knew this song existed of course but for some unknown reason, I just never listened to it. I think I dismissed it as an instrumental off one of their E.Ps. How wrong I was though. Some fantastic, inquisitive lyrics and it’s an incredibly powerful song. The last minute really reminds me of something Coldplay might do. Awesome track.

2)      London Grammar – Hey Now

Similarly to the above, this is pretty haunting but very beautiful. Love this band.

3)      Chris Malinchak – So Good To Me

Heard this on Radio 1 again the other day and was reminded of what a great song it is. So chilled out despite it being a club track.

4)      George Michael – It doesn’t really matter

I’ve loved this ever since I stumbled across the ‘Older’ album last Summer. It’s so chilled-out and so perfect. It’s one of those songs where I can’t necessarily relate to what it was written about but it’s so personal that it still manages to come to mean something to you. The lyrics are perfect too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13GWxB9ZVpM

5)      Melanie C & Lisa ‘Left eye’ Lopes – Never be the same again

I’m a massive Melanie C fan as many of you know. As well as loving The Spice Girls, Sporty Spice has always been my favourite and had the best voice. Her solo career is massively underrated and I own a great deal of her solo material which I love listening to. This song is just awesome and thankfully was a big hit over here. It’s just well written, a perfect pop track and I love the randomness of having Lisa Lopes rap on a Spice Girl solo track!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCXBkn0VGs

6)      Drake – Find your love

Heard this on the Nixtape on Radio 1 last week and was reminded of what an awesome song it is. Not a fan of Drake at all but this is the only song he’s ever done that I’ve thought anything of. Love the production, the beats, the chords and it’s just a great tune.

7)      George Michael – Though

Beautiful penultimate track off George’s ‘Patience’ album. Very personal and very underrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxAmtQBpoSE

8)      Jennifer Lopez – Baby I Love U!

Perfect pop cheese. My favourite track in this week’s playlist! This happens to be my favourite J-Lo song ever. SO good.

9)      Wayne Wonder – No letting go

A classic that I’d forgotten about! Again, heard this on The Nixtape and was reminded of this awesome song. Gives me some beautiful fond memories of Summer 2003 listening to this really loud 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFnwBtLrIYI

10)   Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody

Not the original of course but a bloody good version. Really fantastic version of a great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlZnmEYYXu4