Ten more songs you have to hear! Bootsy Collins - Hot Saucer
Having recently reviewed and loved his full album this single slice of funk is also welcome, mixing in Collins' familiar vocal punches from his work with Fatboy Slim sitting alongside a much funkier, retro-sound that will get you moving. Cool. (7/10) DYGL - Let It Sway
With hints of early Arctic Monkeys mixed with the Kooks this is a stripped back, simple indie number with a fun vibe, though doesn't have a hugely memorable feel, though its riffs are fun whilst it plays. (6/10) Hafdis Huld - Dream Small Taken from her delightful recent album, 'Dream Small' is a gentle and sweet swaying ballad that feels like it's a cosy night-in on a cold Winters day embodied in a song. Peaceful. (7/10) Human - Higher
With hints of Plan B in the sound this mid-tempo rap-influenced track shines with his funky undertones and foot-tapping beat. With a simple yet catchy brass-led chorus this is a definite grower. (6.5/10) Iris Gold - All I Really Know
'All I Really Know' is a funky and upbeat pop number with plenty of attitude and bounce, with Gold's vocals well mixed in the jazzed up rhythm. (7/10) James Litherland - Back 'n Blue It might perhaps be a little by-the-numbers when it comes to embracing the country sound but it's a fun enough entry into the re-vitalized genre. With hints of Dire Straits in its sound this is a smooth enough listen. (5/10) MALMØ - You A gentle, ethereal-sounding ballad, with a delightfully smooth vocal. The perfect song to put on and chill out too. Nice. (6/10) Morrissey - Jacky's Only Happy When She's Up on the Stage
Though a little less poppy and memorable than his last single this lengthily titled song has more bite in its lyrics and delivery and ends with a repetitive, yet catchy, ending. (7/10) Ordinaryson - Round Here
A delightfully calming mid-tempo ballad centered around a very listenable vocal line and a gentle and warming set of lyrics that transports you back to the past. Sweet. (7/10) Owen Paul - Amazing (StoneBridge & Damien Hall Indie Radio Edit) / (Lenny Bunn Big Rock Radio Mix) It takes something special for a remix to win me over as they can often mask a great song in unnecessary club sounds and whereas this is certainly clubbed up it doesn't take away from the heart of the song and adds more energy to it. I wouldn't say there was a huge difference between the two remixes but the first perhaps edges it, though the 'Chain Reaction'-esque riff of the second is nicely woven in. (7/10)
To celebrate the passing of the first six months of the year here are is our pick of the best century of songs released this year so far. Agree or disagree? Leave your comments at the bottom! 50. Niall Horan - Slow Hands Released: May
49. K I D - Taker Released: March
48. Alex Hulme - Family Tree Released: April
47. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This Released: February
46. Gavin James - I Don't Know Why Released: February
45. Maximo Park - Get High (No, I Don't) Released: March
44. Dani Sylvia - Perfection Generation Released: June
43. JP Cooper - Passport Home Released: May
42. Mike + The Mechanics - Don't Know What Came Over Me Released: February
41. Hunter Hayes - Yesterday's Song Released: March
40. MAN WITH A MISSION - Dead End in Tokyo Released: January
39. Emma Stevens - Sing Out (Hey La Hey Lo) Released: June
38. Chlöe Howl - Magnetic Released: June
37. DJ Premier X Miguel - 2 Lovin U Released: March
36. Harry Styles - Sign of the Times Released: May
35. Dua Lipa feat. Miguel - Lost In Your Light Released: May
34. Be The Bear - Erupt Released: June
33. Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello - Bad Things Released: May
32. Hurts - Beautiful Ones Released: April
31. Hanson - I Was Born Released: May
30. Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl Released: May
29. Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios Released: March
28. Julia Michaels - Issues Released: March
27. RYDER - Nirvana Released: March
26. Kirsty Churchill - I Was Not Looking Released: March 25. Erasure - Love You to the Sky Released: March
24. Lover - Fallen Famous Released: April 23. Amy Macdonald - Dream On Released: January
22. Emeli Sandé - Highs & Lows Released: January
21. Samuel Sim and Tracy Kashi - Hourglass Released: January
20. Holly Brewer - Wish I Loved You More Released: January
19. Deep Purple - Johnny's Band Released: June
18. DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj - Kissing Strangers Released: May
17. Fjokra - Sick Kids Released: April
16. Calum Foad - You & I Released: February
15. Brenda Veila - Trouble Released: March
14. Hafdis Huld - Take Me Dancing Released: June 13. Lady Gaga - The Cure Released: April
12. Zedd and Alessia Cara - Stay Released: April
11. Blondie - Long Time Released: April
10. Robbie Williams - Mixed Signals Released: February
9. Picturehouse - Sunburst
Released: June
8. LP - Lost On You Released: May
7. Rag 'n' Bone Man - Skin Released: March
6. Steps - Scared of the Dark Released: April
5. Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood - The Fighter Released: February
4. Dan Auberbach - Shine On Me Released: March
3. The Killers - The Man Released: June
2. Train - Drink Up Released: May
1. Paramore - Hard Times Released: April
So what do you think of our list? Let us know in the comments below! In January we'll be presenting the full 100 songs of the year? Will the above still be in it or what about some of these impending videos out in July so missing out on this list? The Rocking Horse Club - Straight White Man
Kerri Watt - Old School Love The Allergies - Entitled To That Indalo Man - Te Quiero Mucho
Shaun Kelly and the Returned Gifts - Cadillac
(And if you're really into your stats here are some of the songs that narrowly missed out of being in our top fifty, all well worth listening to!)
Alison Krauss - Losing You (January)
Andrew Applepie & Bjurman - Drowning World (June)
Clean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson – Symphony (March)
Earl - Tongue Tied (February)
Fancy Cars feat. Foy - Heart of Stone (January)
Hannah Grace - Praise You (April)
Hannah's Yard - Doin It For Myself (May)
Hebe - Take Him Down (June)
Imagine Dragons - Thunder (May)
Imelda May - Should've Been You (April)
Jack Savoretti - We Are Bound (May)
James Blunt - Love Me Better (February)
Jamiroquai - Cloud 9 (February)
Jazz Mino - Footprints (February)
Jennifer Hudson - Remember Me (April)
Kasabian - Bless This Acid House (June)
Lady Antebellum - You Look Good (January)
Little Mix - Touch (January)
Marc Almond - A Kind Of Love (February)
Mark Villarosa - Hangover (February)
Mauro Dirago - Slave For You (May)
MissinCat - Made of Stone (February)
Nina Schofield - Beat Another Rhythm (May)
Olivia Garcia - Freedom Hearts (January)
Rodina - What If (January)
Sharon Shannon - The Machine (May)
Sigrid - Don't Kill My Vibe (March)
Someday - Clean Couch (April)
Sparks - What The Hell Is It This Time? (May)
Take That - Giants (March)
Tallia Storm - Still In Love (March)
Tape Machines feat. Sam Seg - s.t.u.p.i.d (June)
The Ghibertins - Breath For Me (May)
The Kooks - Be Who You Are
The Pocket Gods - The Perfect Blue (April)
The Shires - Drive (April)
The Slvr Tongues - Ain't Just the Whiskey (April)
The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk - I Feel It Coming (March)
Ten more songs you need to listen to! The Allergies - Entitled To That We've gone back to the sixties and seventies for this Motown-sounding number that could well be an old song dragged out of history and given a 2017 polish. With hints of Duffy and Paloma Faith in the powerful, grand vocals, this is a great number full of energy and attitude. (7.5/10) Andrew Applepie & Bjurman - Drowning World
Sounding like a cross between Rokysopp and Moby if they're enjoying a quieter moments, this electronic-infused stylophone-sounding number is a delight in terms of production and the atmosphere created, its filmic style nicely composed. (7/10) Dani Sylvia - Perfection Generation Sylvia's best song to date, this is a storming European-pop track with a catchy EDM-influenced chorus and a real catchy vibe. A great comeback number! (7/10) Hafdis Huld - Take Me Dancing We loved her album and this track is symbolic of what made the LP great: a loveable, sweet voice, well written lyrics, strong radio-friendly vibe and a simple yet picturesque production style. Beautiful. (7.5/10) JACY feat. Myles Parrish - Brand New
The chorus itself might be decidely simple and bland but the electronic feel to the record creates a pleasingly reacting and laid-back aesthetic and when the more urban elements are rolled in for Parrish it gives it a bit more interest that compliments the package as a whole. (7/10)
Julia Michaels - Uh Huh
After the great 'Issues' this single goes off in a different direction. With some quirky but well done vocal effects this builds up well to a poppy and fun chorus. Great. (7/10)
Liam Payne feat. Quavo - Strip That Down
It might sound like the love child of Eminem's 'Shake That Ass' and 'The Bad Touch' by the Bloodhound Gang, and various other songs from its overplayed genre, but is has enough fun and pop sensibilities to keep a smile on your face, though it's pretty cliched and by-the-numbers. (6.5/10)
MissinCat - Made of Stone
'Made of Stone' is a great little showcase of MissinCat's distinctive vocals that offer something genuinely interesting to listen to over its soaring classical production style, like Bjork but with a better more soulful voice. (7/10)
PictureHouse - Sunburst
Initially only being released in Ireland two years ago summer anthem 'Sunburst' has now been remastered for a release in 2017. With a big energy pop vibe this screams out radio hit thanks to its 90s-sounding pop-rock vibe that sounds like U2, REM, Smashmouth and the Boo Radleys rolled into one headed up by Phil Collins. (7.5/10)
Plan B - In The Name Of Man
Plan B has been away for a while and we've certainly missed him, and though 'In The Name of Man' doesn't quite have the radio-friendly chorus of his earlier material the Sam Smith gospel sound he channels on this single is well put together and lyrically it has plenty to say. Definitely a grower, though I could do without the overly repetitive and long closer; cut if off after four-and-a-half minutes. (7/10)
Huld's fourth album 'Dare To Dream Small' is a delightfully warm and optimistic 12-track album of stripped-back, smooth indie-hits that can't help but bring a pleasing smile to your face. Beautifully produced and with a loveable vocal, the album is the perfect accompaniment for a warm summer evening with a glass of your favourite drink, as suggested by opening track 'Summer Inside' which feels like the perfectly evocative track. It might not really offer anything hugely different over its dozen songs which each song blending into each other but what it does offer is a great soundscape and some beautifully written words.
'Take Me Dancing', track two, is heartfelt and feels like a love story brought to song. 'My Heart Sings' continues the theme but lacks a strong chorus like the first two, but the soaring strings and strong arrangement give the song life. 'Last Rays of the Sun', with its Emma Stevens-like sound, brings the guitar to the forefront of the mix and its bouncy rhythm will get your foot-tapping. 'Leaving Me Behind' is a gentler number that focuses more on the words than the music but still boasts that noteable chorus whilst 'Violet' with its stronger drum beat and bigger radio-friendly feel is surely a contender for a single. 'Underdog' is a slower number led by piano, with more soaring gentle vocals from Huld, capturing the mood of the rainy day of the lyrics nicely. 'Is It Better?' is my favourite of the album tracks thanks to its very well written and touching lyrics, and it's followed up by the delightfully folk-tinged 'By The Road'. 'Fineshade Forest' is another subtle folk-led number that holds the gentle vibe of the album, painting more vivid pictures as it goes. The title-inspiring 'Dream Small' almost wraps the album up with a slow dance of a song before 'By Now' with its Moby-ballad-like ending which sounds a little like a duet with its echoey backing vocals, is not the most arresting of numbers but provides a gentle conclusion to a strong, folk-led and mostly optimistic outward-looking album, tied together by Huld's dreamy, delightful vocals and some top-drawer lyrics. Great. (7.5/10)
