Music Monday Volume Seventy One

1) Birdy & Rhodes – Let It All Go

Gorgeous ballad by two highly talented artists from the UK. Utilising gentle piano tones, airy synths, crashing waves of percussion and rich layered harmonies, this is easily one of the most beautiful songs of recent years.

2) George Michael – I Can’t Make You Love Me

Perhaps one of the most covered songs in Pop history, this gorgeous and emotive ballad was originally bought to attention by Bonnie Raitt in 1992 who did a wonderful job. Since then, it has been covered by a multitude of artists from Boyz II Men to Adele. George Michael covered this during his incredible MTV Unplugged performance in 1997 to critical acclaim. It was later released as a b-side to his single ‘Older’. George’s interpretation captures a sincerity and anguish that others just seem to lack.

3) The Weeknd & Disclosure – Nocturnal

A rich fusion of The Weeknd’s dark R&B sound and slick falsetto vocals and Disclosure’s euphoric house sound. Awesome opener to Disclosure’s later album ‘Caracal’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E0bgxgncrE

4) Jack Garratt – The love you’re given

Eeerie, jittery and sophisticated, this is a gorgeous down-tempo trip-hop track. Garrat’s falsetto vocals echo endlessly into the minimalistic production.

5) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Fingertips

You may remember Ryan as a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent a few years ago. ‘Fingertips’ is his first single after a lengthy break. Whilst maintaining his signature acoustic sound, ‘Fingertips’ adds eerie sounds and programmed percussion to create a more polished track.

6) Sonny J – Can’t Stop Moving

Whilst never a huge hit for little-known DJ Sonny J, this song has been used in multiple commercials and TV programmes since. With sweeping sixties strings, gospel tinged keyboards and huge soulful vocals, it’s irresistibly catchy.

7) Earth Wind & Fire – September

Another track which is irresistibly catchy. ’70’s disco at its best.

8) John Waugh – Flight

John Waugh is a saxophonist who has played for a variety of acts and bands. He is perhaps best known for his saxophone solos in music by The 1975. ‘Flight’ is his début EP – a gorgeous and sophisticated collection of lovingly made Jazz tracks with modern twists. The title track is perhaps the strongest track featuring funky piano, bass and guitar riffs and a gorgeous saxophone solo.

9) Lawson – Mountains

Epic power ballad from Lawson’s latest EP. Screaming guitars, heavy percussion and Andy Brown’s emotive vocals all blend to create a powerful pop-rock track.

10) Janet Jackson – Shoulda Known Better

Despite its slight disjointed nature, ‘Shoulda Known Better’ is one of the best tracks Miss Jackson has put her name to in YEARS. A follow up to her 80’s smash ‘Rhythm Nature’, this is a powerful and catchy EDM track which cries out for world peace.

Music Monday – Volume Fifty One

1) Still Parade – Fields

Found this on a Spotify playlist.  Rather haunting with soft vocals and a tinny guitar sound. Great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltmv1L6BM1Y

2) Scarlet Pleasure – Windy

An irresistibly catchy, funky number by Danish band Scarlet Pleasure. The low-key chorus doesn’t make a big deal out of itself but it’s the scatty synths, driving bass and lead singer Emil Goll’s soaring falsetto that make it what it is. The synthesisers simulating the wind is also a clever trick. Can’t get enough of this right now.

3) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Evergreen

Okay so this is apparently a Christmas song but it’s only loosely connected so I think I can just about get away with it! If you’ve read my previous Music Monday blogs, you’ll know how much I admire this guy’s talent. I really hope he goes onto good things. His début EP following his stint on Britain’s Got Talent fared well in the charts but I hope he’s able to experience a successful career. He deserves it, afterall. Very pretty song. This guy is so talented as a songwriter it’s unreal.

4) M.O – Preach

The UK’s hot new girl band. This is incredibly catchy. Absolutely love this.

5) Snoop Dogg – Peaches ‘n’ cream

You can hear Pharrell’s uncredited influence on this track with its retro production and old-school feel. Apparently he worked on the track but was uncredited afterwards. Charming! Love a bit of Snoop.

6) Hozier – Someone New

I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I never warmed to ‘Take Me To Church’ so I dismissed Hozier as an artist. How wrong I was. This is so soulful and uplifting it’s impossible not to enjoy listening to it.

7) Shura – 2Shy

I am unbelievably obsessed with this right now. SO chilled out, so late 80’s/early 90’s and SO Janet-esque. It’s like Janet Jackson herself has released an out-take from one of her first albums. It’s gentle, simplistic but pretty and really quite catchy.

8) OMI – Cheerleader

Just irresistibly catchy. Believe it or not, this was originally released back in 2012. The original version is good but it’s the Felix Jaehn Remix that makes it what it is and it’s this version that has shot into Number One all over the world.

9) Nickelback – Photograph

Love the chord progression in this. Great song.

10) Lawson – Royals

Not a fan of the original in the slightest (despite those pretty harmonies on ‘I rule’) but this chilled out, acoustic based version completely turns it on its head and completely revamps it. Lawson have an amazing talent in producing the most endearing, great covers and this is no exception. There’s a great summer vibe in this. Can’t get enough of this right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_IXKcDV4A

Music Monday – Volume Fifty

1) Kodaline – The One

Beautiful ballad. Simple but effective!

2) Jessie J – I need this

Powerful emotive song from Jessie’s debut album ‘Who You Are’. Originally written for Chris Brown and featured as a bonus track on his Graffiti album, Jessie sticks to his formula despite the key change and some extra nice little ad libs at the end. The piano arpeggios are pretty, the explosive guitar heavy chorus adds sheer power and the lyrics are fantastic. Awesome song.

3) Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me

I prefer the David Aude remix of this, funnily enough, despite not usually being a fan of remixes. This past week, I have fallen in love with the original version however. Smooth, emotive and a great, great song. Very chilled. Haven’t been able to get enough of this over the past week.

4) Chris Brown – I Love U

There’s something impossibly endearing about this album track from Chris’ ‘Graffiti’ album. Whether it’s the use of an accordion, the incredibly catchy chorus or the sing-song melody, it’s just a great, great track.

5) London Grammar – If You Wait

Haunting, stunning, emotional; three things every London Grammar song tends to be. This is no exception. Absolutely gorgeous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyVuiZmxm18

6) Fleetwood Mac – Sara

It’s Fleetwood Mac, what’s not to love? Soft, rather haunting with catchy piano instrumentation. Stevie Nicks’ voice is one of the greatest in history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzKh9q7vvHY

7) John Mayer – Gravity

Perhaps his signature song and rightly so. Blues-y, chilled out and so simple but so damn good. I’ve been able to completely relate to these lyrics this past week. Very cleverly written. The man’s a musical genius. “Gravity is working against me, gravity wants to bring me down.”

8) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Hold Me Now

Absolutely stunning song by 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent Finalist, Ryan O’Shaughnessy. Big fan of his work and songwriting.

9) Charles Hamilton & Rita Ora – New York Raining

Really liking this right now! Very catchy.

10) Disclosure & Eliza Dolittle – You & Me

LOVE Disclosure. Still an absolute tune. Catchy and house-infused but rather haunting and beautiful at the same time.