Ten more songs you need to hear! Black Eyed Peas - Street Livin'
Though I'm not usually a fan of songs full of explicit language this new song from the BEP returns them to their original sound with a strong rhythm of rap and rhyming and an important message. (7/10) Franz Ferdinand - Feel The Love Go
The DNA of Franz Ferdinand practically flows through this track which doesn't really forget its own identity but will please the fans. (6/10) Kylie Minogue - Dancing
Mixing up her club-sound with a country tinge this is actually a very strong comeback with a great foot-tapping rhythm and catchy chorus. Great. (7.5/10) Liam Payne and Rita Ora - For You
It's that time of year when we can't escape the questionable latest entry in the film franchise but the songs are usually worth a listen, and this radio-friendly entry is no exception. (7/10) Nine Dart Finish - Kicking & Screaming
'Kicking and Screaming' is a gentle indie track that constantly suggests it will burst into Linkin Park-esque pent up anger which never comes; instead we get a pleasing guitar-led tune with a strong vibe. (6.5/10) Sam Gleaves & Tyler Hughes - When We Love
A traditional sounding country song with a strong and heartfelt central message. Beautiful. (7/10) The Tailormade - Mr Perfect With a jaunty guitar riff and sixties-sounding vibe this is a great upbeat little retro-pop number with a catchy and quickly singable chorus. A joy, and any song that includes the words 'rotten blokes' is a winner in our books. (7/10) Tea F't Lizard X - We Met At A Party 'We Met At A Party' is a cool, laid back number that moves with a retro-sounding swagger towards its jazzy chorus. Cool and collected. (6/10) Tom Grennan - Sober
Arguably his best song yet this is a bouncy, catchy little number with a chorus that quickly sticks in your mind, plus the production works well alongside. (7/10) Vance Joy - We're Going Home
A song that builds with each listen, this feels like a song that could soon become pretty anthemic. It lacks the unique footprint of 'Riptide' but its clap-a-long positivity and brass-led moments will make you smile. (7/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Big Boi - All Night
Big Boi certainly takes us back to the highlights of classic Outkast with this pop-heavy sing-a-long song with some neat little production effects and a strong keyboard riff. Catchy. (7/10) Craig David feat. Bastille - I Know You
A great collaboration between the singer and the band that is entirely unexpected and though both elements merge into each other a little the mix of their sounds works really well, creating a strong compilment of energies. (7/10) GIRLI - Mr 10pm Bedtime
With the attitude of Chloe Howl and Pink this catchy pop number will get your feet tapping and your body moving - a great tune with balls. (7.5/10) Marmozets - Major System Error
Starting with a high energy opening and not relenting for the whole song this is a dramatically catchy number with a huge chorus and a Bloc Party feel. (8/10) Moose Blood - Talk In Your Sleep
'Talk In Your Sleep' is a powerful, forward-driving rock number with a surprisingly poppy catchiness. A grower. (7/10) Rick Parfitt - Without You
Sadly no longer with you, it would have been good to hear more from Parfitt on the strength of this first cut from his new, and only, solo album. As far removed from the dad rock of Status Quo as you can get, aside from the brief guitar solo, this is a touching, heartfelt number with hints of classic Rod Stewart. (7.5/10) The Score - Legend
With a nod towards 'Fall Out Boy' and 'Imagine Dragons' this is a catchy hard-hitting, bassy rock number with plenty of balls. (7/10) Simple Minds - Magic
Continuing to release a string of strong come back tracks this is a perky and catchy pop number with a memorable chorus. (7/10) Superorganism - Everybody Wants To Be Famous
A joyful slice of electronic-pop with some great effects and a top radio-friendly vibe. Great fun! (7.5/10) Turin Brakes - Wait
A strong comeback track from the indie band with a great fun rhythm and catchy pop vibe. (6.5/10)
Another ten songs you need to hear! Boy Azooga - Face Behind Her Cigarette
With an ethereal mix of throbbing bass, drum work, synth and percussion this is a well layered, eclectic song with retro influences and a crisp, well built production. Smooth. (6.5/10) Fall Out Boy - Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)
It might lack the originality of a lot of their classic - and more recent - songs but there's enough buzz and energy in the quirky track to keep you entertained, with a few vocal hooks that show themselves after a few spins. (7/10) Invisible Minds - Yo Mae Leh
If you like the cool chilled-out instrumentalism of early Royksopp then you'd enjoy the laid-back electronic-stylings of this song. Quirky but cool. (7/10) LOCKS - Skin
With hints of Nina Simone in the vocals and brush drum this is a classic sounding jazzy and funky number with plenty of cool. (7/10) Manic Street Preachers - International Blue
It might be a little familiar in terms of the modern sound of the Preachers but it's upbeat perkiness and guitar licks are very welcome at this time of year and it roars along with energy and bounce. (7/10) Mr Jukes feat. Lalah Hathaway and Barney Artist - From Golden Stars Comes Silver Dew
Another cool, laid-back funky track with elements of funk expertly woven in, with a great rap and rnb breakdown thrown in. The definition of cool. (7/10) Nina Nesbitt - Somebody Special
I personally prefer Nesbitt when she's on energetic, punky form like on 'Chewing Gum' but this catchy rnb-influenced ballad is still a strong follow-up with a catchy central chorus and a good build up to the peaks. (7/10) Paul Brand - Walking Up The Royal Mile
After his contribution to a recent Christmas single we get Paul Brand working on his own solo material. 'Walking Up The Royal Mile' is a delightfully gentle ballad with a strong instrumental track and a sweet lilt. Smooth. (7/10) Shed Seven - Nothing To Live Down
With a memorable 'the change will do you good' hook this is a strong return track from the indie-rock band. A definite grower. (7/10) Tune-Yards - Look at Your Hands
With a very quirky outlook and a building, catchy hook built from the song title, this is quite a free form track but it has enough weird sunniness to keep you interested. With hints of Prince in the vocals and the Talking Heads in the break-down later on there are plenty of intriguing influences and adaptions. (7/10)
Ten more songs that you have to hear! Baxter Dury - Prince Of Tears
It's an unusual mix of styles with light-hearted pop verses mixed with Madness like rhythms and William Shatner-like vocal sections. That might sound quite eccentric but like the best off-the-wall recipes works in a cool, string-led way. (7/10) Django Django - In Your Beat
Quite an unusually produced track, as you'd expect from this act, this Pet Shop Boys-esque pop-dance number with distorted vocals and a large instrumental opening, is quirky and fun in equal measure. (7/10) Elles Bailey - The People We Used To Be (Acoustic) We've loved the singles so far from Bailey from her debut album and this acoustic track taken from the deluxe version of her album is simple and stripped back but this makes for the perfect showcase for her delightful voice and the twangs of the country guitar. Deliciously chilled out. (7.5/10) First Aid Kit - Fireworks
The Irish actor releases this chilled out, soulful jazz number that takes the familiar sounds and expectations but brings them together in a cool, relaxed vibe that will envelop you and bring a chilled out smile to your face, its whistle section, percussion layer and catchy chorus all working in its favour. (7.5/10) Paulaa - Know You With hints of electronica in elements of the song, this is a well produced and intriguing number. It might lack a standout chorus but it's a pleasing fusion of styles with a relaxed chilled-out vibe and hints of 90s rnb. (6.5/10) Robbie Williams - Ms Pepper
A great song cut from Robbie's latest b-sides collection which will make you wonder why it didn't appear on a proper album. A soaring ballad with a catchy central chorus (later re-used in an official song) this is a touching, building pop-ballad with plenty of heart and one of the highlights of the LP. (7.5/10) TC&I - Scatter Me
With hints of Placebo and Divine Comedy in its style this is a really quirky but catchy little pop number. Its driving rhythm and fun style lift it up. Fun! (7.5/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Avicii feat. Vargas & Lagola - Friend Of Mine
Certainly feeling very much like an Avicii track this is a fun upbeat little number and though it doesn't break any musical walls down is a pleasant enough listen. (6.5/10) Catherine McGrath - Talk Of This Town
Hailing from Northern Ireland, UK-based country continues to build after big successes over the last two years. Sounding like classic Taylor Swift before she went all poppy, McGrath's new single is a great pop-country number with a very singable hook. Delightful! (7.5/10) HAIM - Nothing's Wrong
'Nothing's Wrong' is another slice of electronic-tinged country-focussed pop from the bouncy trio. With bigger hints of Fleetwood Mac this is a great radio-friendly, upbeat, happy number. (7/10) Hoseah Partsch - Paper Planes
'Paper Planes' is a smooth, gentle little piano-led ballad that builds into something with plenty of emotional energy. Delightful. (7.5/10) Joseph J. Jones - Crawl
With hints of Rag N Bone Man and John Newman this is a soulful number with Jones' strong voice thumping through this great record. (7/10) MAGNUM - Without Love
With a Journey-esque retro-rock sound this should please the old rockers who enjoy a good mosh from an eighties-themed Top Gear Fathers' Day collection. Solid. (7/10) Post Malone - I Fall Apart
It might take a few listens to settle in but 'I Fall Apart' is a strong indie tune with a building chorus and dark, electronic riff. Certainly a grower. (6/10) Rae Morris - Atletico (The Only One)
Rae Morris continues her shift into something more poppy and dancy with her music, and 'Atletico' mixes her sound with something a bit more like La Roux, creating a foot-tapping catchy little number. (7.5/10) The Retrobot featuring Reggaebot - Melonbot
The world's best singing robot it back with a unseasonably summery tune with a cool lilt and plenty of innuendo. It's not quite up to the brilliance of its first track but it has enough quirkiness and catchiness to keep you listening. (6.5/10) SZA x Calvin Harris - The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)
Ticking plenty of generic dance boxes, there's at least a slight Daft Punk vibe to the production which gives it a bit more bite, but it's pretty forgettable and familiar otherwise. (5/10)
Another ten songs to listen to! Alessandra Grace - Let it Rain Starting with a stormy crash of bad weather, 'Let It Rain' builds up to a smooth, multi-layered electronic exploration of different elements that's perhaps a little style over substance but sits neatly between dance and a showcase for Grace's strong voice. (6.5/10) Bruno Merz - Whisper Turn
'Whisper Turn' is an inoffensive, gentle little ballad from the singer who sounds like one of those tribute acts who play at your local pub. But his isn't anything like Bruno Mars; it's a gentle, touching little ballad, that's a warming, touching number for a cold January. (6.5/10) Goldie & Skepta - Upstart (Roadtrip)
Freshers and more interestingly produced than a lot of recent grime / urban tracks, this cut back simply structured song is surprisingly crisp and flows well. Neat with plenty of balls. (6.5/10)
Indya - If You Don't Like it - Shove It
There's plenty of attitude is the pop-punky number from Indya, that mixes the sound of early Blondie with something a little rawer and rougher, that certainly grows after a few listens. (6.5/10)
Natalie Shay - This Feeling We all need something bright, sparky and perky at this time of year and Shay delivers this with 'This Feeling', a joyful poppy number with a strong driving rhythm and a hooky backing. Fun! (7/10) Pyramid Park - Born To Be Brave / The Unexplained
'Born to be Brave' is a light indie song with a growing catchiness in its chorus and rhythm in its delivery. 'The Unexplained' is a darker track and the less hooky of the pair but will keep the indie fans happy. (6.5/10) Rachel Mason feat. Donald Trump - Time to Resign
Mixing up various speeches from the President of the USA in a Cassetteboy fashion over a Sparks-like orchestration, 'Time to Resign' is more of a technical showcase than a musical one but it's cleverness in twisting phrases into new statements is fun and many moments will bring a wry smile to your face. (6.5/10) Sonic Kharma - Keep Calm and Carry On Sounding like a cross between the Offspring and the Bloodhound Gang this upbeat punk-rock number has a fun beat and enough licks to keep you listening, plus a bit of cowbell never goes wrong! (6/10) Sonic Kharma - New Day With a more Placebo-like sound than the track above this has less of a hook to pull you in, but a solid enough light-rock track with a chorus that grows on you. (5/10)
Tiger Lilly - New Year
A timely re-issue, this delightfully written, touching song is made even better by the powerful yet sweet vocals of Tiger Lilly that allows the song to balance beautifully between heartbreaking and looking forward positively. (7.5/10)
Ten more albums and EPs you need to listen to! Callaghan - Skin on Skin (EP) With a perky whistle opening up the first track 'Better Together', Callaghan's latest EP is a touching joy, from the brass-funky and optimism of the opener to the subdued, piano-focussed breathy closer 'All Through the Night' with its touching, gentle vibe, preceded as it is by a delightfully cinematic orchestral prelude. The titular second track is a gentle, smooth little number with some heartfelt lyrics and a building, swaying vibe with a sensual central chorus. The EP is centred by 'Broken', another touching and beautifully sung track. A delightfully sombre but emotionally-hefty song with a huge orchestral build, this proves to be my favourite of the five tracks, though as an EP it's strong all the way through. (7.5/10) Charlie Hole - Dirty Like Secret (EP)
This five-track EP begins with the title track, a smooth, slow and multi-layered calming number with elements of falsetto and moments like a lighter voiced Chris Rea combining with a range of percussion styles to form a strong soulful indie tune with a repetitive yet catchy central chorus. Strings are in full force for the ballad 'Make It Better' with a stripped back production style giving the emotively-charged lyrics room to be breathe and settle in, and the call-and-response vocals woven in near the end really add a great new element. Track three, 'The Chapel of Unrest', with its fun production and smooth chorus proves to be my favourite song on the release, with the vocal highs and lows, plus strings, woven in delightfully. 'Unlit Flame' keeps the smooth ballad theme going with moments of soaring vocals giving the song heart and the lighters-out multi-layered chant ending really gives it some great power. It's a similar downbeat tone for closer 'Flame', its simple and soaring sound tying up a delightfully smooth and touching EP. (7/10) Charlie Hole - Someone Else's Dream (EP)
A four-track EP including an acoustic version of title track, which appears here as track number one, a smooth and gentle yet at times more powerful number, which passes the baton to the gentler 'Boundaries', which plays out as another well written and sung ballad. 'The City' keeps the pace and tempo in similar territories before the previously mentioned acoustic version of the title track closes the show. A nice, well produced and performed EP. (6/10) Gecko - Volcano (Album)
Coming in at eleven tracks and two interludes 'Volcano' is a collection of tongue-in-cheek, pun-hefty run pop-indie-rap tracks created by the witty lyricist Gecko who I recently saw live and thoroughly loved. Though his energetic and entertaining live act doesn't quite translate as well to the recorded medium this album is still a delight in note-perfect humorous takes on modern life and, at times, is surprisingly poignant such as on the excellent titular closing track that covers families, hibernation and bears. This eccentricity flows throughout the entire album, particularly on highlights such as 'The Library' with its quirky and catchy chorus and 'iPhone, Therefore I Am' which is one of the best observational songs I've heard in a long time. Elsewhere 'Any Other Room' spins off from an interlude about an unloved painting to become something more personal; opener 'Got Science' sees the strong album production mixed in with vocal samples; and 'End of the World' is surprisingly dark. Any album that relies on humour will struggle sometimes to keep the joke going but after three listens still really love the album, the mix of personality, wordplay, puns and genuinely perky rhythms make for a joyous ride. Great. (7.5/10) Hunger - Amused EP
We've previously reviewed opener 'Amused' and track three 'Bubbles' from this EP and loved them, and they're just as strong here as part of an ensemble. Energetic opener 'Amused' is an anthemic and well produced, bombastic indie single with a very catchy central chorus. New number 'Gravity' is a slower and darker number but with a strong harmonic vibe that keeps it going, and showcases the tight mixture of vocals and interesting multi-instrumentation, its stabs giving it a certain sense of urgency. 'Bubbles' is still the less noteworthy of the three but its building vibe and soaring vocals, with a heartfelt centre, certainly don't make it a failure and the energy gets injected just before the two-minute mark. The EP is rounded off with some tweaks on 'Amused' and 'Gravity', with acoustic versions of both, though they feel like they've been turned acoustic in the studio rather than built from the ground up, which lessens their impact a little bit, but they offer something different. Overall the 'Amused' EP is a great showcase of Hunger's considerable talent and I look forward to hearing more from them. (7.5/10) Kerri Watt - Old School Sessions (EP) At six-tracks strong and recorded live, this EP is the perfect showcase for the incredible talent that is Kerri Watt, no better showcased on the heart-wrenching stripped-back ballad of 'Long Way Home', beautifully delivered as it is lyrically, with a sad emotional core at the centre that hits you. Elsewhere there are two covers, from the emotive opener 'Jealous Guy' to the perkier take on 'Rich Girl'. There's a nod to Watt's heritage in a sparky take on the classic 'Loch Lomond' and 'Pirate Man' has a soulful swagger to its retro sound. Closer 'Little Sally' also boasts plenty of soul and a catchy mid-tempo pace, closing a delightful 22-minutes of well written and performed live numbers. (8/10) Kerri Watt - You (EP)
A four-track studio EP it begins with the titular track, a spunky upbeat ballad with a large radio-friendly chorus and a very catchy feel. 'Got My Heart' is another perky indie track, whilst 'Paris' is the second best song on the EP, its determined beat, catchy pace and building feeling giving it a real upbeat vibe. The EP ends with the country-tinged 'Maybe' which continues the jaunty vibe of most of the tracks and boasts some neat synth work. A great showcase. (7.5/10) Robbie Williams - Under the Radar Vol. 2 (LP)
Robbie Williams releases his second collection of unreleased b-sides and, though it feels a little less interesting than volume 1 which felt like an album, it still has enough highlights to justify a purchase. Opener 'Satellites' has a catchy rhythm and some fun lyrics like 'until she gets old...er' but is perhaps a little bit forgettable, whilst his popped-up cover of Dolly Parton's '9 to 5' has a fun heart to it, the up-tempo pace and electronic elements really making an impact on the oft-covered track. 'Ms Pepper' is one of my favourites on the collection, though it gave part of its rhythm to the earlier song 'Shit on the Radio' which stands out a little bit, but there's plenty of heart to it and a cool rhythm. 'Bambi', which sounds like a cross between Nina Simone's 'Take Me to the Water' and Jagger and Co's 'Sympathy For the Devil', has enough cheek and pop vibes to pull off the similarities, whilst lead single, the touching 'Eyes on the Highway', heads towards the upper echelones of a Robbie ballad in the spirit of 'Go Gentle' and its ilk, with a singable choral hook. Wrapping up the first half, 'Speaking Tongues' is one of the highlights of the record, a quirky and catchy pop number with some fun fantastical lyrics and a cheeky vibe built around a strong production vibe. Into the second half and we get second single 'Go Mental', featuring the jazzy vocals and music of Atlantic Horns which adds a real distinctive vibe to the sound, and a rap verse from 'Big Narstie' which adds little to the recipe though does give it a bit of changed-up energy. 'Run It Wild' is a smooth enough distraction but in the wake of the last track's energy feels a little middle of the road and sounds too similar to some other 'Take The Crown' songs, and 'Numb' fits into the similar basket of good, but not that memorable. Entering the final quarter and though 'Andy Warhol' takes a bit to get going proves to be a fun, poppy number that captures the cheeky spirit of Williams again with a fun chorus and elements on the way to it. 'My Fuck You To You' is blander than the title would suggest, ending up as a middle of the road ballad with only the title giving it some attitude, and 'Weakness' wraps up the album in a similar vibe. A treat for fans of Robbie with many highlights, but a less essential purchase than the first volume. (6.5/10) Villa Rivercat - Days and Weeks and Hours
Having reviewed and enjoyed several of these singles on previous blogs it's a pleasure to listen to the full LP, though at seven tracks it does feel a little like a bridge between an EP and an album, though the 35-minute running time does lean more towards the latter. Opener 'Sunshine' is a delightfully gentle and warming harmonised song with a smooth and calming vibe, beautifully produced and layered. 'Morning Comes' was reviewed only this week on our singles blog and fits in nicely, whilst 'Baby Low' has hints of a laid-back Chvrches number, before building into a calm, gentle yet soaring deliriously sung song that really lifts the spirits thanks to the lead's beautiful vocals. 'Song For F' feels a little more understated and ethereal, and proves to be not one of my favourites on the album as its low-key style doesn't progress as much as it could, though the keyboard riffs and sampled vocals that get woven into the mix offer something refreshing into the established style and there's plenty of heart behind it, possibly aimed at whoever 'F' is. 'More' as a more jaunty vibe to it with some haunting background vocals and has a bit more of a cool vibe to it, and its singable ending really works. 'Seagull Stars' with its sweeping instrumental section is great and moves gentle towards to the conclusion with the more introspective 'To See and Discover' which ties up a really strong and delightful little album with a smooth and gentle number. Beautifully produced and sung. (7.5/10) We Are Parasols - Inertia (LP)
Coming in at thirteen tracks plus a piano version of one of the songs, 'Inertia' is quite a progressive and flowing album where each mostly-instrumental track bleeds into the next, so much so you're never sure where one tune begins and the next ends, unless there's a sudden jolt from the appearance of some angry lyrics like you get at one point. At times vocals, some more distinct than others, play in like instruments, forming a concept album which moves seamlessly around, generating a soundscape that weaves in and around you, forming a gentle background soundtrack rather than something that will grab your attention. Interesting and experimental. (5/10)
