Another ten songs you need to hear! Alma and French Montana - Phases
Alma's best song so far, it's a mixed bag of styles and not all of them work, but there's enough in its three-and-a-half minutes to keep you entertained with a catchy chorus. (6.5/10) Embrace - The Finish Line
It doesn't really do much to combat Embrace's downbeat reputation but it's a touching, gentle ballad that hits the right spots. (6.5/10) Foo Fighters - The Sky Is A Neighborhood
A big improvement on their other recent singles, this is an upbeat and chantable number that has much more to recommend it. (6/10) Indoor Garden Party - Out of Range
'Out of Range' is a delightfully gentle and sweet pop-country number with harmonised vocals that deliver an emotive punch. (7/10) Kasabian - Ill Ray (The King)
Sounding more like classic Kasabian than their last single, this upbeat fast-paced song is a great number to sing along to and will get your feet moving! (7/10) The Lancashire Hotpots - Fussy Eater
We all know one. Another fun catchy and funny tune from the North's premiere comedy band! (6.5/10) Sam Fender - Greasy Spoon
Quite free-form and gritty, 'Greasy Spoon' has a sparky rhythm and guts that drives the track forward. (6/10) Scouting For Girls - Dancing In the Daylight
Scouting for Girls are always a bit of a guilty pleasure and never more so on this new song off their latest album. Fitting into their trademark sound this is a shameless piece of joyous pop that will get you singing along. (7.5/10) Sparks - Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)
The second single from Sparks' latest album and this piano-led ballad is a delight, mixing up the emotion of the lyrics with the class of the duo's music and crisp production. (7.5/10) Tom Grennan - Royal Highness
Tom Grennan returns with this catchy pop number with a fun driving vibe. Fun. (6.5/10)
Another ten songs for you to hear! AJR featuring Louisa Johnson - Weak (Stay Strong Remix)
When you first hear the verses you think it's going to be a standard dance-pop crossover but the bridge and chorus will surprise you with a big catchy hook. Great. (7.5/10) Belle VEX - Make It Good For Her
Belle VEX is back with this twist on his style, adding a funkier, poppier riff to his usual sound, and it's a well timed change. Great. (7/10) Delta Howl - Reach The Shore
There's a country tinge to this track with its catchy 'Be your man' hook and its quirky production style that sees it abruptly stop two-thirds in to then offer you more. (7/10) Eazy Man - Man Like This Chock full of pop culture references amongst its grime cliches this is a crisp, well produced number that is a bit more accessible and cross genre than its contemporaries. (7/10) Fjokra - Sick Kids
With hints of bhangra in its production this is a quirky crossover tracks that mashes up many genres into an addictive and hook-filled number that isn't afraid to do something different. (7.5/10) IAMU feat. Bluey Robinson - Falling Stars 'Falling Stars' is a smooth, well produced electronic number with a pleasant stripped back feel that is as perky as it is calming. (6/10) Kasabian - Bless This Acid House
The second cut from their latest album this is a surprisingly retro-sounding number but one with a windows-down catchy central chorus. (7.5/10) Lady Leshurr - Juice
Channeling Missy Elliot in parts 'Juice' might be urban music with its tongue firmly in its cheek but it's catchy and fun, though the song runs out of ideas about 2 minutes in. (6/10) The Tide - Put The Cuffs On Me
A strange mix of indie-rock and club music that works better when it focusses on the former, though the latter is an interesting production decision. Surprisingly fun. (7/10) Yes Lad - Walk Away
It might sound like generic boy band fodder but as far as that genre goes this is quite good - harmless poppy fun. (6.5/10)
Kasabian are back with their sixth studio album and based on their first single and an album track played on the radio I thought I'd pick it up and it was a wise decision. The first full album I've heard by the band 'For Crying Out Loud' is packed with punchy energy as highlighted by the piano and drum dance work on 'Ill Ray (The King)' which goes a bit seventies in style as it reaches its peak, which a fun toe-tapping cacophany of production.
Lead single 'You're In Love with a Psycho' follows, and though it might have familiar echoes of 'Eez-eh' has enough radio friendly catchiness to stand on its own feet with a very sing-a-long poppy chorus and a funky beat. 'Twentyfourseven' lacks the distinction of the first two tracks and is much darker and grittier, and has enough balls to not feel like too much of a disappointment. 'Good Fight' is similar in tone; though it doesn't have a particular memorable chorus there is enough of interest in the song to keep you tuned in. 'Wasted' employs a funky rhythm and vocal calls to provide the hooks and once the hand clapping begins it succeeds. Second single 'Comeback Kid' brings us up to the half way point and though not as hooky as the first cut has more energy and over-the-top theatrics to draw you in alongside a stadium-friendly chorus. There's a Western feel to the opening of 'The Party Never Ends' which ends up being the album's first slower number that passes by nicely, though Kasabian are usually on better form when going bigger, but the production work is strong. 'Are You Looking For Action' keeps the pace well, with some disco-influenced moments and a lengthy instrumental break down that pushes it past the eight minute mark, making it one of the more memorable numbers on the LP.
'All Through the Night' is a gentler number and showcases a much more stripped back production style, offering something a bit different with a smooth well composed chorus structure. A sharp click and whistles brings us to 'Sixteen Blocks' with its swaggery opening and pleasant mid-tempo development. 'Bless This Acid House', the penultimate song, is my tip for a later single thanks to its fun, glam rock feel and quirky yet catchy chorus. The album finishes on a more downbeat number, the introspective 'Put Your Life On It' which sums up the album nicely both musically and lyrically. 'For Crying Out Loud' boasts four really stand out tracks but the rest lift themselves up above filler to form a cohesive album that shines thanks to its strong production values and flow. (7/10)
It's time for ten more tracks that you need to hear! Blink 182 - Misery
Lacking the light-hearted humour of their earlier releases this is still a fun pop-rock number with their recognisable vocal trickery and crisp backing. (6.5/10) James Blunt - Bartender
Much less irritating as his previous single was in parts, though overall it was a good 'un, this is much better: a catchy sing-a-long night-out tune. Fun! (7/10) Jon Bellion - All Time Low
The verses are quiet slow but the vocal effects of the chorus make up for it, making for some good light and shade in its style. Stormzy doesn't add much to the record, but does give it more variety. (7/10) Kasabian - You're In Love With a Psycho
It might sound pretty much like Eez-eh party 2 and the lyrics and video are probably not that PC, but it's a quirky, hook-filled indie-rock number with a chorus that's likely to get picked up as a sing-a-long highlight this summer. (7/10) LunchMoney Lewis feat. Ty Dolla $ign - H.O.E (Heaven On Earth)
LunchMoney Lewis may be embracing the cliches he shot down on 'Bills' and Ty is in need of plenty of autotune in here, but this is actually a sweet little love song with a little bit more bite. (6.5/10) Maximo Park - Get High (No, I Don't)
The second single from the band's upcoming sixth album, this is a little bit of a departure for the band with a poppier outlook and a throbbing bassline but one that's a bit more casual than their usual fare. (6.5/10) Sheryl Crow - Long Way Back
Sheryl is back with those jaunty and bouncy little pop number that might not be as huge sonically as her big hits but is still a fun listen. (6.5/10) The Shimmer Band - Jacknife And The Death Call
Not as loud as you'd imagine from the song title this is a neat indie-rock number that, though not doing anything big, plays out well. (6.5/10) Ten Millennia - Turn Me On
Though the chorus is pretty simple there's something poppy in its funkiness, as highlighted by its trumpet solo. (6.5/10) Thieves Like Us - Moon
Another track I was expecting to sound heavier from the band name, this is actually quite a cool, chilled-out number with a subtle yet enjoyable rhythm at its heart. (6.5/10)
