New Music Review #122

Ten more songs that you have to hear!

Anne-Marie - Then

It's been a big year for Anne-Marie and even in its dying days she delivers another great little song. More subdued than her earlier numbers its still hard to not be pulled in by the strong songwriting and emotionally-charged production. Strong. (7/10)

Ball and Boe et al - Bring Me Sunshine

The 'each-artist-sings-a-line-of-a-classic-song-for-charity' trope has been well overplayed and this lands firmly in the middle. It's for charity so stick your hand in your pocket, but it's pretty inoffensive. (6.5/10)

Bleachers - Don't Take The Money

Though not their best song there's still plenty to enjoy in this well produced indie-pop number with a sing-a-long chorus, even if the video and its frequent pauses are irritating. (6.5/10)

Ed Sheeran with Andrea Bocelli - Perfect Symphony

Dropping another collaboration remix after scoring the festive number one with Beyonce, this version will depend on your love of the original song, but the added opera-stylings from Bocelli give it another bit of bite and the string-work some more heart. (7/10)

Kesha - This Is Me

From the Barnum musical that isn't the Barnum musical this is a stirring life-affirming song which could well be pretty personal for Kesha who injects plenty of energy into this stand-up-and-be-counted song. (7/10)

Manic Street Preachers - International Blue

Sounding a little like the Preachers adapting 'Dancing in the Dark' for a new audience this is a surprisingly poppy entry for the band. It's not a revelation for them but it's radio-friendly enough and sounds like it could become a live favourite. (6.5/10)

Pale Waves - New Year's Eve

There aren't enough songs about New Year's Eve and though this is quite downbeat in its lyrics and not something you'd expect the DJ to drop it on the night it's heartfelt and resonating chorus is surrounded by some fun production and a strong vibe. (7.5/10)

Paramore - Fake Happy 

After the incredible 'Hard Times' from earlier in the year we're in similar introspective territory here for this second follow-up. Williams' vocals are on top form, delivering a touching vibe to the bittersweet lyrics. (7/10)

Riton & Kah-Lo - Fake ID

Lifting the rhythm and pace from 'The Clapping Song' this gives it a modern paint job and turns it into a fun club banger. Intriguing. (6.5/10)

Shed Seven - People Will Talk

There are sometimes songs that grab you from their opening riff and this is one of them, building from the powerful opener to its upbeat, driving forward beat. Fun! (7/10)

New Music Review #109

Ten more songs that you have to hear!

Anne-Marie - Heavy

Another strong showing from Anne-Marie on this lyrically-heavy thought-provoking single that eschews a bombastic music score to concentrate on the feelings behind the words. (7.5/10)

Fickle Friends - Hard To Be Myself

'Hard To Be Myself' is a catchy, radio-friendly pop track with the occasional bit more of a bite. With elements of electronic and disco this is a fun mix. (6/10)

Kelly Clarkson - Meaning of Life

Though the chorus is less poppy you'd expect from Clarkson there's plenty of power in her vocals and she's on strong form, and it's certainly a grower thanks to its big soulful and gospel style. (6.5/10)

King No-One - Constellations

With hints of Franz Ferdinand in its guitar riff this is a fun little indie song with a poppier chorus, chants and other production effects to keep you listening. (6.5/10)

The Magic Gang - Alright

With more than a little hint of Weezer in their sound this is a gentle, soft indie number with a chorus with enough rocky guitars to hold your interest. (6/10)

Men in the Sky - Motel

With hints of indie and electronic, with hints of Mama's Gun, this is a perky cross-genre song though it's a shame the vocals feel a little too low in the mix to pop. (6/10)

NF - Let You Down

Though falling into the typical rap-verse sung-chorus template this is a stripped back touchingly written song in the vein of Professor Green. Neat. (6.5/10)

PNAU - Go Bang

It might be a pretty straight forward and generic club tune but it's sunny enough to be worth a spin. (6/10)

Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still

'Feel it Still' is a funky falsetto number with a swinging swagger that will get your hips swaying! (6.5/10)

Robbie Williams - Run It Wild

Another cut from Robbie's latest b-side album this isn't quite as distinctive or memorable as the previous cuts, but for fans of his work it fills a gap. (6/10)

New Music Review #80

Another ten great songs to listen to!

Amy Macdonald - Down By The Water

Though not as perky as her big comeback single, 'Down By The Water' showcases a smoother, quieter side to Macdonald and the sudden switch to the larger gospel-fuelled chorus works really well, as does the gospel-tinged breakdown. (6.5/10)

Callum Beattie - Man Behind The Sun

Sounding like a poppier Manic Street Preachers, this upbeat and jaunty pop song combines a catchy chorus, vocal chants and some strong production effects to make this a larger than life number. (7.5/10)

Cedric Gervais feat. Liza Owen - Somebody New

Dipping its toes into dance and electronica, this is a catchy fusion of various genres that, even though it throws a lot into the pot, hooks you in. (7/10)

The Chainsmokers - Honest

It's certainly sounds like a song by the Chainsmokers but also has more heart than their usual off-the-shelf records. Perhaps their work with Coldplay has rubbed off on them? (7/10)

Fickle Friends - Glue

Switching the style with pizzazz, this is a strong pop-electronic number that will get your feet moving and an urge to karaoke coming in. Great. (7/10)

The Fizz - Dancing In The Rain

Sounding like a cross between Abba and Steps, this new pop number from the band formerly known as Bucks Fizz is a fun slice of camp Eurovision pop, but is a great upbeat listen. (7.5/10)

Jamiroquai - Superfresh

The man of many hits returns with this Daft Punk and seventies fused track. It lacks the memorability of his big hits and the sound is a bit too familiar and bland, but whilst it's on will get you moving. (6.5/10)

Rhys Lewis - I Know The Feeling

With lyrics that will certainly resonate with some generations, the sharp words are wrapped up in a Kooks-meets-George-Ezra pace and vibe, and feels remarkably summery and funky. (6.5/10)

Snakehips and Anne-Marie feat. Joey Bada$$ - Either Way

The musical cooking pot might be overflowing a little on this track, but the sweet vocals of Anne-Marie works well against the cool swagger of Snakehips' production and the rap breakdown of Joey. (6.5/10)

Suburban Symphony - Stepping Stones

With hints towards the Editors this indie hit has a building enjoyment that lifts it up from its quiet dark and sombre production style. A grower. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #33

Another ten songs and albums worth listening to today!

Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios

Anne-Marie continues her strong release list with this new ska-influenced single with a summery musical feel blending with club sounds and some attitude-hefty lyrics. (7/10)

Black Needle Noise - Swimming Through Dreams (LP)

With the title track an atmospheric, instrumental piece, it paves the way for six more songs of dark, Evanescence-like, rock tracks with various guest vocalists who give each track a different flavour. Focussing on the production and musical feelings, these are well orchestrated songs. (6.5/10)

Eden Royals - Time Wont Wait

'Time Won't Wait' us a catchy little indie track with hints of 'Blossoms' but with a beefier funkier production style. Very poppy but with enough indie to hold its head up high. (7/10)

Hunter Hayes - Yesterday's Song

Taking a bit of time to come to our attention this is a bouncy, perky, pop hit with a quirky and catchy chorus and a really unavoidable upbeat feel. (7/10)

James Blunt - Love Me Better

The best Tweeter on the planet (?!) returns with another loved up ballad but with some nice little throwback references in the lyrics. With a chunkier backing than we usually expect from him, this is not quite as big as, say, '1973', but it's definitely another great new single from him. (7/10)

Jamiroquai - Cloud 9

'Cloud 9' isn't JayKay's most memorable track but it's throwback sounds, beat and warming feel give it a pleasing, relaxing sound and that's not something to be sniffed at. (6.5/10)

PaoloMorena - Treasure In The Trash

With hints of Hudson Taylor or LewRey, this building indie number proves to be both catchy and singable whilst having a certain sense of vulnerability in both the lyrics and their delivery. A grower. (7/10)

Tiësto feat. Bright Sparks - On My Way

This song is a bit of an anomaly as musically it's pretty derivative of similar club-sounding tracks but there's something loveable about its beat, vibe and optimism that combats any cynicism I have for its off-the-shelf and familiar feel. (7/10)

Warren Attwell - Holding On For Something (EP)

This six-track EP is a pop-tastic collection of great little radio-friendly tunes from the Train-like bouncy number 'Under My Skin' through to the Darren Hayes-esque ballad 'Weight of the World' via the summer swagger of 'It's Not Love', with its catchy chorus; the introspective stripped back 'Aren't We All'; the gritty and growing 'Just Maybe' and the atmospheric, building 'Only When I'm With You'. 'Holding on for Something' is a very strong EP with no filler and a great selection of hooks from a singer with a big talent. (7.5/10)

Young Astronaut - Chasing El Dorado

'Chasing El Dorado' is a slowly building mid-tempo track that makes up for what it lacks in a catchy chorus with a dark and evocative production-focussed atmosphere that gives it some musical heft and beefiness that hooks you in, with slight nods to old fashioned westerns in its sound, and the chorus itself grows with each listen. (6.5/10)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 5)

It's time for the fifth part of our top 100 countdown, taking us from 61 to 50. Don't forget to leave your comments below!

60 Michael Bublé - I Believe in You

59 Kerri Watt - The Wild

58 MIAMIGO - Everyone I Know

57 April Towers - Silent Fever 

56 Cody Chesnutt - I Stay Ready

55 Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie - Rockabye

54 Madness - Mr Apples

53 Skyler feat. Snoop Dogg - Fire

52 Paige Monroe - Call It Love 

51 Smoove & Turrell - You Could've Been a Lady