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.
2) Mark Pritchard – Beautiful People
Gentle electronic track which drifts effortlessly throughout its six minute duration.
3) Zayn – SHe
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.
4) Digital Farm Animals – Wanna Know
Buoyant house track with a brilliantly catchy hook.
5) White Denim – Take It Easy
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.
6) ROMANS – Silence (ALUNA GEORGE Edit)
Chipmunk-esque pitch-moderated vocal samples, hip hop beats and reverberating soulful vocals carry this brilliant and powerful track.
7) SBTRKT, D.RAM, Mabel – I FEEL YOUR PAIN
Elusive producer SBTRKT teams up with vocalists D.RAM and Mabel on this jittery neo-soul track with elements of alternative R&B.
8) Nick Jonas & Tove Lo – Close
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.
9) Barq – Gentle Kind of Lies
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.
10) James Morrison – Need you Tonight
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.
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.
2) The 1975 – Somebody Else
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.
3) Shura – Touch
Gentle and tentative synthpop track featuring fuzzy synths, pretty piano chords and ethereal vocals from Shura. Gorgeous.
4) Netsky ft Digital Farm Animals – Work It Out
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.
5) Gwen Stefani – Make Me Like You
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.
6) Zayn – It’s You
Gorgeous downtempo R&B ballad on which Zayn fully utilises his gorgeous feathery falsetto.
7) MUNA – Winterbreak
Dark electropop track featuring hollow beats, heavily processes vocals and gentle guitar riffs. Absolutely gorgeous.
8) All Tvvins – Unbelievable
Fierce electro-guitar track with a brilliant chorus and reverberating guitar riffs.
9) BJ The Chicago Kid & Kendrick Lamar – The New Cupid
Chilled out, retro inspired R&B/hiphop track with soulful guitar riffs and syrupy smooth vocals.
10) The Knocks & Walk The Moon – Best for Last
Brilliant electronic infused track with catchy bass riffs and Nicholas Petricca’s smooth vocals.
Quirky yet utterly beautiful pop song which makes full use of Ruess’ idiosyncratic vocals over a backdrop of jazzy piano chords, squeaky string sections and eerie music box sounds. Dreamy and magical.
2) One Direction – History
Bittersweet Pop track which serves as a perfect ‘goodbye’ (at least for now) to fans. Considered by many as an update of Toy Story classic ‘You’ve Got A Friend In Me’, acoustic guitar strums and a sing-along Chorus make this a perfect Pop anthem.
3) Rihanna & Drake- Work
Rihanna returns with this laid-back reggae-pop track, aided by Drake. It’s rhythmic and catchy with Rihanna’s heavily auto-tuned vocals sliding effortlessly over clever production.
Stunning synthpop track in the same vein as material on Goulding’s debut ‘Lights’. Over jittery guitar samples, crashing percussion and simmering synths, Goulding sings of her best friend.
5) Zayn – PILLOWTALK
Sexy and sultry alternative R&B track comprised of thunderous beats, eerie electro elements, broken vocal samples, wailing guitars and soaring melodies. It’s a far-cry from Zayn’s One Direction days and conveys a far greater depth of maturity, mostly through its sexual themes.
6) Lion Babe – Where Do We Go
Funky disco-themed neo soul track from New York City duo Lion Babe.
7) Taylor Swift – Out of the Woods
Dramatic synthpop track comprised of broken vocal samples, gated percussion and Swift’s almost whispered vocals. One of the highlights of Swift’s ‘1989’ album, it’s perhaps the best representation of the album, utilising scatty samples and ’80’s electro sounds.
8) Lawson – Money
Lawson return after a period of instability in terms of musical output. The release of the band’s second album has been repeatedly delayed but they are now preparing or its release in March. ‘Money’ is its lead single (excluding last year’s single ‘Roads’), a catchy pop-rock track in a similar vein to ‘When She Was Mine’ and ‘Brokenhearted’.
9) Dawin – Dessert
Catchy, jittery and squeaky pop track by American singer and producer Dawin featuring a rap from Silento.
10) Tom Parker – Lost In Your Love
Ex member of The Wanted Tom Parker impresses on this catchy house track which he has also produced.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moody 90’s pop track with lovely lyrics and an incredible vocal performance by Tamzin Archer.
2) Des’ree – You Gotta Be
Self empowering, sunny pop-soul track bound to leave a smile on the listener’s face. Featuring a tinny keyboard sound and R&B percussion, it is SO 90’s but with a lovely message.
3) Kate Bush – This Woman’s Work
Stunning piano ballad by Kate Bush, written for the John Hughes movie ‘She’s Having a baby’. Featured in the film’s dramatic climax, it’s a fitting accompaniment to the emotional scenes but is just as beautiful as a stand-alone song.
4) Maxwell – This Woman’s Work
This may be the first time Music Monday has included two different versions of the same song in the same playlist but this had to be done. The original, as previously mentioned, is a beautiful piano ballad by the ever-elusive but incredibly talented Miss Kate Bush. Maxwell, known for his slick falsetto vocals gives this an R&B makeover complete with a twinkling harp, weeping guitars and R&B percussion. It’s a gorgeous interpretation of a lovely song.
5) Joe Jonas – Levels
Joe Jonas has certainly reinvented himself from the cheesy teen-rock he produced with his brothers and is fast becoming the latest pop-prince in the music world. The bar was set high by Jonas’ debut single ‘Jealous’, a huge pop hit which charted well around the world. ‘Levels’ is just as good, however; if not, better. Incredible falsetto vocals and funky production carry this catchy track.
6) The Weeknd – Shameless
Moody Ed Sheeran-esque ballad with gorgeous falsetto vocals by Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd. Obsessed with this right now.
7) The Weeknd – Tell Your Friends
Soul-infused R&B jam from The Weeknd’s latest album ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’. Produced by Kanye West, it’s much in the same vein as some of West’s early material.
8) Oh Atoms – Sugar Mouse
Pretty and gentle little folk ballad featured in cult favourite ‘Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging’. Gorgeous harmonies too.
9) Robbie Williams – The Road to Mandalay
One of Mr Williams’ most underrated works and one of his best lyrically. Genius, poetic lyrics crooned over gentle guitar strums and a gorgeous French melody leading the chorus. Simple but beautiful.
10) Michael Ball – Love Changes Everything
A very personal choice by myself as this was played at a funeral I attended last week. Beautiful song composed by theatre guru Andrew Lloyd Webber for his musical ‘Aspects of Love’ and sang flawlessly by Michael Ball.
I love every single song from The 1975’s debut album but some tracks do get more listens than others! I neglected this song for quite a while but was recently reminded of how awesome it is. The slamming beats and funky guitar riffs contribute to its catchiness.
2) Gabrielle – I Wish
90’s R&B at its best with an awesome new jack swing vibe. Smooth, soulful with a message we can all relate to, this is an underrated beauty! Gabrielle has one of my favourite voices in Pop music and is worthy of far more credit than she receives. Many only know her for ‘Dreams’, ‘Out of Reach’ and ‘Rise’ but a listen to her Greatest Hits album proves her diversity and her level of talent. Love this.
3) Broken Social Scene – Major Label Debut
I watched ‘It’s Kind of a funny story’ for the first time last week and completely fell in love with it. Funny and moving, it tells the story of a teen boy who checks himself into a mental-health clinic. These guys did the score all the way through and this song played during the credits. It’s just a great feel-good song.
4) Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
One of Queen’s best songs and certainly one of my favourites. Gives me plenty of fond memories from performing in my school production of ‘We Will Rock You’ and from seeing the musical live in the West End twice. Bowie is a legend too of course. Irresistibly good.
5) Janet Jackson – That’s The Way Love Goes
Smooth and sultry, this song captures everything Janet Jackson is as an artist. Awesome production, clever sampling of James Brown’s ‘Papa don’t take no mess’ and a timeless song.
6) Michael Jackson – Beautiful Girl
Stunning demo which appeared on Michael’s 2004 Ultimate Collection box set. The finished version (if it was ever fully completed) has never come to light but fans value this version greatly. Michael’s falsetto is gorgeous. Even his unreleased material was in a different league. Beautiful song.
7) S Club 7 – Sunshine
Track from the album with the same name, I’ve always adored this song. It’s so optimistic, so catchy and has an irresistible feel-good vibe. It’s a little bit more mature than some of their best known singles and Jon Lee’s voice is absolutely incredible on it. Some beautiful memories always return to me with this song.
8) S Club 7 – Have You Ever
Upon its release, I was never that fond of this track. Since their split, however, this song has found a place in my heart and it’s now one of my all time favourite S Club 7 songs. Written by one of my favourite songwriters Chris Braide along with Cathy Dennis (responsible for many of S Club 7’s material in addition to some of the best loved pop music over the past twenty years), this was released as Children in Need’s Official Single back in 2001. Beautiful, relatable lyrics, amazing vocals from Jo O’Meara and simply pop music at its best. Gorgeous.
9) S Club 7 – Two In A Million
Beautiful, mellow ballad from S Club 7’s début album and one of their more underrated singles. Jo O’Meara’s voice is absolutely incredible.
10) S Club 7 – S Club Party
This remains an absolute classic in the history of pop! Was very lucky to be able to experience this live once again when I saw a newly reformed S Club 7 perform live at the 02 Arena – the atmosphere was incredible during this song. Still much loved today.
NEW:
Album of the week:
Revolutionary Road: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Thomas Newman
Stunning score by my favourite composer, Thomas Newman. He’s been responsible for the scores of some of my favourite films e.g. American Beauty, The Green Mile & The Shawshank Redemption. His scores are always haunting and accompany any scene perfectly.
One of many songs that highlights Robbie’s genius. Witty, well-written lyrics that poke fun at the media and those fond of food, its self deprecation style is actually a little sad too. Love the merry-go-round feel of the verses and the operatic chorus. Awesome song.
2) B.o.B & Hayley Williams – Airplanes
Still an absolute tune, I really love the lyrics to this song. Hayley Williams has an incredible voice and B.o.B is a great artist.
3) U2- I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
A song that will forever be relevant to many people a little lost in life. An all time rock-classic.
4) The Magician ft Years & Years– Sunlight
A song reminiscent of early 2000’s house, this is one of the best dance tracks in years. So catchy and SO damn good.
5) Take That – These Days
They’re finally back after a three year hiatus! Take That’s new track is a rather camp, poppy, danceable track which is destined to be a hit. Love the 1980’s feel and the blend of their voices together. Awesome song.
6) Coldplay – Always in my head
A melancholic, chilled song that’s utterly beautiful.
7) John Mayer – Belief
I honestly believe this is one of the greatest songs ever written. Incredible lyrics and the last minute or so is just sheer power. Amazing.
8) Coldplay – 0 (Fly on)
A stunning end to Coldplay’s incredible ‘Ghost Stories’ album. ‘Just a flock of birds is how you think of love’ – what a line.
9) Mark Owen – Falling Star
A song featured only as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Owen’s 2005 ‘How the mighty fall’ album. It’s a song which proves quite how underrated Mark Owen’s solo career is and this should have been on the standard edition of the album. Utterly stunning.
10) Calvin Goldspink – Grown Up
A great, great song by Calvin Goldspink who, many years ago, was a member of the S Club Juniors (or S Club 8).
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.
So dreamy and such a beautiful song. Liam Gallagher is awesome.
2) The 1975 – Intro/Set3
Understated opening track to their ‘Sex’ EP. Smooth and jittery, building up to an awesome R&B track. Got a great groove and some sick beats.
3) Take That – Today I’ve lost you
Somehow this beautiful and underrated track managed to escape my iTunes. After coming across it again on Spotify, I have fallen head over heels back in love with it again. It’s so soft, so stunning and Gary Barlow’s vocals are silky smooth. A perfect Barlow-ballad.
4) Pharrell Williams – Fun, fun, fun
Pharrell is just a genius. After watching ‘Despicable Me’ I was reminded of what a truly great, uplifting song this is. The harmonies are amazing and I love the summery, happy feel of the song.
5) S Club Juniors – Automatic High
Massive guilty pleasure – both the pop-group and the song! Reminds me of being very young. Irresistibly catchy.
6) Prince – Better with time
Such a beautiful, romantic little song.
(Not available to share due to Prince being highly irritating and not allowing much of his music to be on YouTube)
7) David Archuleta – Crush
Someone reminded me of this song again recently and how damn good it is! Reminds me of being fourteen and listening to it over and over again. Bit of cheesy pop at its best. Lyrics are easy to relate to. One of the best chorus’ in a pop song ever.
8) Kelly Rowland – Daylight
Really underrated Kelly track. So damn catchy and uplifting.
9) Stardust – Music sounds better with you
Bloody repetitive but SO damn good. Catchy as hell. One of the best dance tracks ever released.
10) MN8 – Dreaming
One of the soppiest, cheesiest but most beautiful romantic songs by a boyband ever. Not many would be familiar with this song but it’s gorgeous.
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