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)
The MTV VMAs have revealed their top five nominees for their music video of the year and we feel, frankly, that this is a rather lacklustre set of videos. Outside of the Alessia Cara video having a strong message in it the rest are pretty bland and unexciting!
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)
Paramore return with their fifth studio album, a catchy, quirky, perky album that showcases a much more fun side to the band, wrapping up darker more personal lyrics in a relentless bubblegum-rock fun. The 42-minute 12-track album begins with one of my favourite songs of the year, the relentlessly poppy and hook-filled 'Hard Times' which feels like the best tune on the radio at the moment, taking lyrics about dealing with depression and setting them against such an optimistic backing. If this song doesn't have you singing along then you're not listening properly.
Track two channels Alphabeat in another bouncy pop-rock hit. 'Rose-Coloured Boy' has echoes of 'Hard Times' but also stands on its own feet with its chant-along bridge ("Low-key, no pressure, just hang with me and my weather"), singable teen-angst chorus, Daft Punk-lite electronic riffs and more joyful optimism. 'Told You So', single two, continues with the same production feel and electronic vibe with the occasional vocal effect, beat drop and xylophone sound to add to a more stripped back feel that sounds a bit closer to the older Paramore sound whilst still offering something poppier, again focusing on surprisingly introspective lyrics.
'Forgiveness', track four, is a slower number that is in sharp contrast to the poppiness of what's come before it but is a refreshing shift though it feels a little more by-numbers. 'Fake Happy', with its maudlin opening, makes more of an impact. Slipping back into its 80s synth pop style, this is a track with more of a darker swagger and the stripped back production makes the more personal lyrics time to stand out and you feel for her on this personal song, with its smacks of young-angst, and it feels like it could be the soundtrack to some American teen drama. There's still time to slot in a catchy chorus though, and this feels like single #3.
Bringing us up to the half-way point '26' is potentially an Adele / Taylor Swift reflection on age (even though Hayley is now 28) and is a much slower number, with a low-tempo pace and a quieter production that feels a bit odd compared to the rest of the album but is a nice enough breather, though isn't one of the best tracks. 'Pool' up next feels more like a hard-reset to the second half with the funky bass moments returning and the bridge building up to another radio-friendly chorus. 'Grudges' feels more like older Paramore but has enough hooks to keep your interest; 'Caught in the Middle' is a slower song but it develops well with a sunny feel in contrast to its more downbeat lyrics and its repeating of its hook at the end works well; and 'Idle Worship' fits in well again but doesn't have the energy of the earlier parts of the album though still sounds great. 'No Friend' is probably the most different track on the album with a monologue by someone lying down low in the mix turning it into practically an instrumental, and it feels like a waste of three minutes. As an interlude it works but at three minutes it sort of outstays its welcome, though weirdly doesn't drag too much. At least closer 'Tell Me Now' improves things at the end but the slower inward-looking number feels at odds musically, if not lyrically, to the album opening. Overall I really enjoyed the bouncy 80-feel of 'After Laughter' and though the lyrics are perhaps more teen angst than profound witticisms it's all wrapped up in such a great production and music style, even if the first third of the album out-paces the rest of the album. With the earlier Paramore sound mixed with something more Alphabeat, it's a great sunny LP with hints at darker times in the wording. (7/10)
10 more songs you really need to hear! Alex Hulme - Family Tree
With shades of Seafret in its delivery this is a surprisingly building indie-rock number. (6.5/10) Blondie - Long Time
Not quite as memorable or powerful as their last single but Blondie still prove to have an ear for a good little radio-friendly tune. (6.5/10) Clean Cut Kid - Leaving You Behind
Clean Cut Kid delivery another fun and friendly pop-indie crossover. (6/10) Dan Auerbach - Shine On Me
'Shine On Me' is one of those poppy, upbeat songs that proves catchy after just the first listen. With a catchy hook-filled chorus this is excellent and a must hear! (7.5/10)
Deep Purple –
Johnny’s Band
Back after many years in the wilderness Deep Purple are
back with this incredibly catchy pop-rock number that sounds like an instant
classic. Singable, well written and fun this is just the sort of new song
summer 2017 needs. (8/10)
Erasure - Love You To The Sky
Erasure have had a bit of a come back recently and this new song is a strong follow-up to their recent work. It's not a huge departure but it's very poppy and fun. (7/10)
Fickle Friends - Hello Hello
With hints of Tegan and Sara and Chvrches, this is a great catchy little pop-indie number with a funky, catchy beat. (7/10)
Paramore: Hard Times
Paramore are back with another great quirky pop track with interesting production and a simple, yet catchy, chorus. Great. (7/10)
Rick Astley - This Old House
Not the song you might be expecting from the title, this is another great cut from the album but with a slight club-theme added to the familiar ragga piano. Fun. (6.5/10)
Two Door Cinema Club - Lavender
It's been a while since I've heard anything from the 'club, but this is a catchy little pop hit thanks to its 'gravity's got a hold of me' chorus. Great. (7/10)
