New Music Review #38

Ten more great tracks we say you need to hear!

Axwell /\ Ingrosso feat. Kid Ink - I Love You

Let's be honest, most of the appeal of this song comes from the classical riff of its chorus and not the by-numbers Kid Ink verses, but it's a better song from Axwell and Ingrosso than they've had recently. (6.5/10)

British Sea Power - Keep On Trying (Sechs Freunde) 

Not known for their poppiness, there is a surpisingly Sparks-level of hook here in a song that is memorable in a more arty fashion. Nice, and arguably their best track in a long while. (6.5/10)

Bruno Mars - That’s What I Like 

The lyrics may be pretty shallow and the territory familiar but it's all wrapped up in a catchy funk like his most recent singles that it's hard not to be won over. (6.5/10)

Elle King - Wild Love

Elle King could do no wrong with her singles last year and 2017 looks like she's continuing in a similar vein with this quieter but no less strongly sang single with her trademark power and comforting voice. (7/10)

Glenn Hodge Banned - Faces on Tables

‘Faces on Tables’ is a foot-tapping post-punk number with a delightful fast-paced rhythm, great lyrics and a distinctive vocal from Glenn Hodge. Instantly catchy, this is a great stripped-back acoustic punk number that is worth a spin today. (8/10)

Julia Michaels - Issues

'Issues' is a sexy and sultry little number with Michaels vocals being very listenable and the simple production giving her vox and lyrics room to breathe. (7.5/10)

Lorde - Liability

In my opinion better than 'Green Light' this stripped back, dark, emotional and vulnerable single is heartfelt and all the better for it. (7/10)

Louis Berry - She Wants Me

If George Ezra had a love child with the Animals or a similar act then out would pop Louis Berry. 'She Wants Me' is a gruff indie hit with a cheating little hook with its use of las, but it's well done. (7/10)

LP - Lost On You

My favourite song of the moment, this thumping pop number is a delight, from the lead vocals of LP to the soaring classical-influenced backing. Instantly catchy and singable, this is a great song from start to finish. (8.5/10)

Matoma & MAGIC! feat. D.R.A.M. - Girl At Coachella 

D.R.A.M.'s rap is entirely superfluous to this song and adds a level of crassness the song doesn't need, but elsewhere this laid back saunter of song captures the festival mood well in a more casual way, with a catchy chorus. (7/10)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 9)

We're nearly there as we reach the top 20!

20 Elle King - Good Girls (Released: June)

19 Bright Light Bright Light feat Elton John - All in the Name (Released: July)

18 Bastille - Good Grief (Released: July)

17 Florrie - Real Love (Released: February)

16 Everywhere - Some Other Dude (Released: July)

15 Hannah Trigwell - Another Beautiful Mistake (Released: April)

14 The Shires - Beats To Your Rhythm (Released: July)

13 Kaiser Chiefs - Hole In My Soul (Released: October)

12 Rat Boy - Move (Released: January)

11 Christine and the Queens - Tilted (Released: January)

New Music Review #018

Here are another ten tracks worth listening to!

Alex Da Kid feat. X Ambassadors, Elle King, Wiz Khalifa - Not Easy

A record that's not really as good as the sum of its parts, the emotional inputs from Alex Da Kid and Elle King give it its heart and Wiz Khalifa's rap adds a neat little urban flavour. Not bad but a tad generic in parts. (6.5/10)

Creeper - Hiding With Boys 

'Hiding with Boys' is a bouncy, rock number that stays on the right side of listenable compared to over the top rocking. (6/10)


DJ Fresh vs. Diplo - Bang Bang (Official Audio) feat. R. City, Selah Sue & Craig David

The 'Bang Bang' riff is actually better than much of the contributions from the extended song cast list but it holds together enough as a piece of club-dance even if it's a little bit too familiar (7/10).

Friends of Jo Cox feat. MP4, Steve Harley, Ricky Wilson, David Gray & KT Tunstall - You Can't Always Get What You Want

I'm not quite sure how the message of the song connects with the issues based around the sad murder of MP Jo Cox but this collaborative song is nicely done, though the mixture of voices is as messy as these records can become, but the cause is great. (6.5/10)

IDER - King Ruby

'King Ruby' is a funky little dream-pop track with more electronic ambitions. It makes for a solid chill-out track. (6/10)

Kelvin Jones - As You Wake Up

Kelvin Jones can usually be relied on for a listenable slice of indie, and this is no exception. It's perhaps not as noteworthy as some of his recent material but it's still worth a punt. (6/10)

KT Tunstall - It Took Me So Long To Get Here, But Here I Am

Taken from her latest album this is a catchy pop-indie track that matches up Tunstall's loveable vocals with a fast-paced indie riff and a happy, positive vibe. (7/10)

Little Mix feat. Charlie Puth - Oops (feat. Charlie Puth) 

'Oops' with its whistle riff, retro throwback and Charlie Puth guest slot make this sound a little like his work with Meghan Trainor but that's not bad when it's as fun and poppy as this. (7/10)

Stevie Wonder feat. Ariana Grande - Faith

Taken from the upcoming 'Sing' film this a catchy, funky seventies throwback that, though not particularly revolutionary, is a fun number and the best thing Ariana Grande has done in a while. (6.5/10)


The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk - I Feel it Coming

Vastly better than 'Starboy', this slow and sensual collaboration with Daft Punk takes a few listens to enjoy but soon demonstrates its catchiness and sexiness. (6.5/10)

Top 50 of 2016 So Far

As we are now well past the half-way point of the year, here is our current countdown of the best 50 songs of the year so far, as chosen by KBPS!

50 Shawn Mendes - Treat You Better (3rd June)
49 The Allergies feat. Andy Cooper - Rock Rock (25th March)
48 Jamie Lynn Spears - Sleepover (24th June)
47 Lola Coca - GQ (22nd April)
46 April Towers - Silent Fever (8th April)
45 Louise Aubrie - Winter Delour (21st January)
44 Skyler feat. Snoop Dogg - Fire (29th January)
43 Sia feat. Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (11th February)
42 Richard Ashcroft - This Is How It Feels (1st March)
41 Coldplay - Up&Up (16th May)

40 Frances - Say It Again (30th June)
39 Justin Timberlake - Can’t Stop the Feeling (6th May)
38 Pink - Just Like Fire (16th April)
37 twenty one pilots: Heathens (21st June)
36 Taylor Swift - Out Of The Woods (12th January)
35 Josef Salvat - Paradise (8th January)
34 Rick Astley - Angels On My Side (9th June)
33 Busted - Coming Home (3rd May)
32 Holly Johnson - Ascension (18th March)
31 Hannah Trigwell - Another Beautiful Mistake (15th April)

30 Dagny - Backbeat (6th May)
29 Will Joseph Cook - Girls Like Me (12th February)
28 Walk the Moon - Work This Body (12th February)
27 Teddybears feat. Gorilla Zoe - Best You Ever Had (8th January)
26 Tegan and Sara - Boyfriend (7th April)
25 MIAMIGO - Everyone I Know (18th March)
24 Kirsty Churchill - Who You Gonna Call? (16th March)
23 Juno im Park feat. Hannah Trigwell - Never Gonna Give You Up (28th July)
22 Axwell Λ Ingrosso feat. Pharrell Williams - Dream Bigger (6th May)
21 Elle King - Good Girls (3rd June)

20 Florrie - Real Love (5th February)
19 Jazz Mino - Suffocate (24th June)
18 Ward Thomas - Guilty Flowers (29th July)
17 Christine and the Queens - Tilted (26th February)
16 Tiggs Da Author feat. Lady Leshurr - Run (12th January)
15 Zara Larsson - Lush Life (15th January)
14 DNCE - Cake By The Ocean (14th March)
13 Bright Light Bright Light feat. Elton John - All In The Name (1st July 2016)
12 Bastille - Good Grief (17th June)
11 Rat Boy - Move (12th January)

10 Tom Odell - Magnetised (15th April)

9 Kaiser Chiefs - Parachute (20th June)

8 Gwen Stefani - Make Me Like You (13th February)

7 Nina Nesbitt - Chewing Gum (11th January)

6 The Shires - Beats To Your Rhythm (29th July)

5 The Strumbellas - Spirits (11th January)

4 Aurora - Conqueror (11th March)

3 Elle King - America’s Sweetheart (22nd April)

2 Glass Animals - Life Itself (18th May)

1 Travis - Magnificent Time (22nd March)

What do you think of our selection? Post your comments below and we'll follow them up in our next edition!

We did ask a few of our fellow music lovers and there was love for some in our Top 50 including DNCE's 'Cake By The Ocean', Sia's 'Cheap Thrills' and Bastille's 'Good Grief' and lots for 'Tilted' by Christine and the Queens.

For the rockier amongst you we had votes for Raise Your Horns - Amon Amarth; Master of the Land - Grand Magus, Suckerpuch - Delain (which got multiple recommendations) and Born to Die - Black Stone Cherry, and Sia made another appearance this time with 'Unstoppable'. 

Jake Bugg appeared with 'On My Own' alongside Twenty One Pilots and 'Stressed Out', plus the collaboration between Mumford + Baaba Maa. Elsewhere was 'Once Again' by Mad Clown and Kim Na Young, Ruth B with 'Lost Boy' plus JME's 'The Very Best' and the eccentrically titled 'Party Metal' by Footprints In The Custard. 

So even you don't like many in my selection here are some more choices for you to check out!