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)
Another ten songs you have to hear! Alan Walker - The Spectre
It might be more about the music than the lyrics but it all works together as a neat musical package that is surprisingly atmospheric. (6/10) Alex Lahey - I Haven't Been Taking Care of Myself
With a beat that wouldn't be out of place on a Hoosiers record, this lo-fi punky number has a catchy rhythm, relatable lyrics and a fun vibe. (6.5/10) Astrid S - Think Before I Talk
A refreshingly honest rnb-ballad with some touching lyrics that give the record an emotional heart to its stripped back start. (7/10) Axel Jansson - How It Feels To Lose
'How It Feels To Lose' is a smooth indie-rock number boosted by Jansson's interesting vocals and the well produced guitar work. (6.5/10) Beth Ditto - We Could Run
A bit of a change in style for Beth Ditto on this power ballad that gives her big voice time to shine. It lacks perhaps a huge chorus but it has plenty of energy and some strong imagery in its lyrics. (7/10) Gregory Porter - Smile
It's not a particularly revolutionary cover of the Nat King Cole classic but it's a beautiful take on it, thanks to Porter's distinctive and delightful vocals. (7/10) Nick Jonas - Find You
Though the autotune is a little distracting this is a fun, flowing little track with a touching heart plus hints at something a little clubbier. (6/10) Nina Nesbitt - The Best You Had
Nina Nesbitt returns with another strong single, this time the slower and more story-led 'The Best You Had'. I prefer her more uptempo numbers like 'Chewing Gum' but this shift in style is welcome. (6.5/10) Rae Morris - Do It
A shift in direction for Morris' new single but she nails the new sound with a slow yet catchy vibe, delivered by her delightful vocals and a stripped back yet crisp production. (6.5/10) Sia - Rainbow
Whether you live the film it's taken from or not, you can't deny this is a touching, beautifully sung number from Sia, who certainly has a strong hit rate. (7/10)
It's time for ten more songs you must hear! DAWA - Open Up
Stripped back but with a friendly guitar riff and a distinctive voice line, this pushes into a great chorus that will get you singing along and your feet tapping. Great. (7/10) Frequency Cowboy - Control With hints of indie amongst its poppier harmonies, this is a cool and collected short two-and-a-half-minute song that abandons weird whistles to channel the Feeling. Fun. (6.5/10) George Ezra - Don't Matter Now
Already known for his great little pop ditties with his distinctive vocals, here is another gem, a perfect summer hit with a catchy radio-friendly chorus, hummable riffs and positive outlook. (7.5/10) The Hunna - Never Enough
Raw, emotional and powerful this is a strong indie-rock number that puts the lead's vocals bang in the centre. Lyrically it might be pretty simple but it gets the point across. (7/10) Iffy Orbit - Slow Times
With hints of the Kooks and similar, this is a gentle, refreshing well sung and touching little indie hit that should prove successful for them. (7/10) Mowbeck - The Basement
'The Basement' is a simple indie tune with a vibe of mid-noughties numbers but it's got enough heart to keep you listening. (6.5/10) Nina Nesbitt feat. Goody Grace - The Moments I'm Missing
Though the path this treads is rather lyrically heavy than the radio-friendly poppiness of 'Chewing Gum' and her earlier songs, this is a touching, well written and personal number that overlays its simple music with some heartfelt words and a strong guest appearance from Goody Grace. Well put together. (6.5/10) Vince Ripper And The Rodent Show - Scary Monsters
Here's a pretty unique take on a David Bowie song with a lead singer sounding like he could do with some cough syrup. Imagine Lordi meets Black Sabbath with more pantomime. (6/10) Wildwood Kin - Run
Having already had plenty of airplay, here is another delightful stripped-back beautifully sung number from Wildwood Kin. Indie meets country meets chilled out. (7.5/10) Worry Dolls - Miss You Already
If you like your country music stripped back, beautifully sung and well written this is for you. More traditional in the genre than, say, Ward Thomas, this is a touching, heart-felt, laid-back nunber. (7.5/10)
And here we are - our favourite ten songs from 2016. Do you agree or disagree with my countdown? Let us know in the comments! 10 Ward Thomas - Guilty Flowers (Released: October)
06 Gwen Stefani - Make Me Like You (Released: April)
05 Robbie Williams - Party Like a Russian (Released: September)
04 Jesse & Joy - More Than Amigos (Released: September)
03 Tegan and Sara - Stop Desire (Released: November)
02 Travis - Magnificent Time (Released: April)
01 Tom Odell - Magnetised (Released: April)
Before we go there's also time to do our top 10 albums of the year! 1. Travis - Everything At Once 2. Ward Thomas - Cartwheels 3. Kaiser Chiefs - Stay Together 4. obbie Williams - The Heavy Entertainment Show 5. We Are Z - Animal 6. Dave Hanson - Almost Horizontal 7. Seafret - Seafret 8. Tom Odell - Wrong Crowd 9. Izzy Bizu - Moment of Madness 10. Dick Valentine - Quiet Time
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!
50Shawn Mendes - Treat You Better (3rd June) 49The Allergies feat. Andy Cooper - Rock Rock (25th March) 48Jamie Lynn Spears - Sleepover (24th June) 47Lola Coca - GQ (22nd April) 46April Towers - Silent Fever (8th April) 45Louise Aubrie - Winter Delour (21st January) 44Skyler feat. Snoop Dogg - Fire (29th January) 43Sia feat. Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (11th February) 42Richard Ashcroft - This Is How It Feels (1st March) 41Coldplay - Up&Up (16th May)
40Frances - Say It Again (30th June) 39Justin Timberlake - Can’t Stop the Feeling (6th May) 38Pink - Just Like Fire (16th April) 37twenty one pilots: Heathens (21st June) 36Taylor Swift - Out Of The Woods (12th January) 35Josef Salvat - Paradise (8th January) 34Rick Astley - Angels On My Side (9th June) 33Busted - Coming Home (3rd May) 32Holly Johnson - Ascension (18th March) 31Hannah Trigwell - Another Beautiful Mistake (15th April)
30Dagny - Backbeat (6th May) 29Will Joseph Cook - Girls Like Me (12th February) 28Walk the Moon - Work This Body (12th February) 27Teddybears feat. Gorilla Zoe - Best You Ever Had (8th January) 26Tegan and Sara - Boyfriend (7th April) 25MIAMIGO - Everyone I Know (18th March) 24Kirsty Churchill - Who You Gonna Call? (16th March) 23Juno im Park feat. Hannah Trigwell - Never Gonna Give You Up (28th July) 22Axwell Λ Ingrosso feat. Pharrell Williams - Dream Bigger (6th May) 21Elle King - Good Girls (3rd June)
20Florrie - Real Love (5th February) 19Jazz Mino - Suffocate (24th June) 18Ward Thomas - Guilty Flowers (29th July) 17Christine and the Queens - Tilted (26th February) 16Tiggs Da Author feat. Lady Leshurr - Run (12th January) 15Zara Larsson - Lush Life (15th January) 14DNCE - Cake By The Ocean (14th March) 13Bright Light Bright Light feat. Elton John - All In The Name (1st July 2016) 12Bastille - Good Grief (17th June) 11Rat Boy - Move (12th January) 10Tom Odell - Magnetised (15th April)
9Kaiser Chiefs - Parachute (20th June)
8Gwen Stefani - Make Me Like You (13th February)
7Nina Nesbitt - Chewing Gum (11th January)
6The Shires - Beats To Your Rhythm (29th July)
5The Strumbellas - Spirits (11th January)
4Aurora - Conqueror (11th March)
3Elle King - America’s Sweetheart (22nd April)
2Glass Animals - Life Itself (18th May)
1Travis - 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!
