Top 40 of 2019 (So Far)

As we reach the half way stage of 2019 it's time for me to unveil my favourite forty songs of the year so far in order of preference.

It would be great to hear your thoughts on my list. Let me know in your comments which songs I've missed and which should be higher!

40-31

YouTube playlist: 40-31

40 Noble Jacks - Rely On Love (Feb)

39 Christian Loffler feat. Mohna - Like Water (Feb)
38 Mark Shepherd - The Grand Scheme Of Things (Feb)
37 Meghan Trainor - Badass Woman (May)
36 Nina Nesbitt - Love Letter (Apr)
35 The Young Punx - Wonderland (June)
34 Halsey - Nightmare (May)
33 Frankie Swain - Hook Line and Sinker (May)
32 Marina - Handmade Heaven (Feb)
31 Calvin Harris and Rag 'n' Bone Man - Giant (Jan)

30-21

YouTube playlist: 30-21

30 Larkins - TV Dream (Feb)

29 Tamara Stewart - Haunted House (Feb)

28 George Ezra - Pretty Shining People (Mar)

27 The Veronicas - Think of Me (May)

26 Sigrid - Don't Feel Like Crying (Mar)

25 Rayelle - Get Dat (Mar)

24 Lizzo - Juice (Jan)

23 Callum Beattie - Connection (Apr)

22 Lucy Spraggan - Lucky Stars (Mar)

21 Bob Sinclar feat. Robbie Williams - Electrico Romantico (Jan)

20-11

YouTube playlist: 20-11

20 Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved (Feb)

19 The Impersonators - Sad Café (Mar)

18 Spray - I Wonder Where the Wonder Goes (Original Mix) (May)

17 Sharon Van Etten - Seventeen (Jan)

16 Léon - You And I (Feb)

15 Rob Thomas - Timeless (Apr)

14 Dua Lipa - Swan Song (Jan)

13 Emma Stevens feat. Kevin Jeremiah - Because It's You (May)

12 Kaiser Chiefs - Record Collection (May)

11 slowthai & Mura Masa - Doorman (Jan)

Top Ten

10 Taylor Swift feat. Brendon Urie - ME! (Apr)

It may be much poppier and cheesier than much of her recent popular material, but if you can stomach the precocious promotional video you'll discover a rather catchy pop hit which benefits from the call and response vocals of the pairing.

09 Bear McCreary feat. Serj Tankian - Godzilla (Apr)

A more upbeat cover of the 1977 Blue Öyster Cult song, this is from the end credits of the recent Godzilla sequel and proved to be the best thing of the lacklustre movie. A strong tongue-in-cheek catchy number.

08 Busted - Shipwrecked in Atlantis (Mar)

Busted back to their best with their first album sound. It may come across as a cross between 'Crash and Burn' and their Thunderbirds song but it's fun and irreverent in equal measure.

07 Walter Martin - Do-Dilly-Do (A Friend Like You) (Apr)

From the delightful film 'Missing Link' this is a quirky and gentle little number with a sweet heart.

06 Keith Urban feat. Kassi Ashton - Drop Top (June)

Its lyrics aren't particularly highbrow but the tempo shifts and the country-pop vibe make this a great memorable number.

05 Keane - The Way I Feel (June)
Taken from their new upcoming album this bouncy ode to dealing with mental health is a strong juxtaposition between upbeat pop music and darker lyrics.

04 White Lies - Tokyo (Jan)

A very welcome return for 'White Lies', 'Tokyo' is a song that will quickly stick in your head thanks to its catchy, chantable chorus, which I imagine will be a live favourite.

03 Robbie Williams - I Just Want People To Like Me (Jan)

With some baiting lyrics aimed at his fans as much as his detractors, this lead single from his b-side collection is better than some of his bigger hits, and has a huge, singable chorus.

02 Ward Thomas - No Filter (Jan)

The duo that continue to release some brilliant singles as well as albums, this social media-referencing lead single employs one of the best bridges from verse to chorus in many years.

01 Georgia - About Work The Dancefloor (Mar)

Proving that YouTube adverts sometimes work when they're not trying to flog you a Netflix subscription or Grammarly, I discovered Georgia and this song through an advertised live set. The electronic style, strong production and quirky nature all work together to make this the best song of the year so far, and the video is excellent as well. It's been a long time since I've heard something as genuinely interesting as this.

And before I leave you to the comments, here are four songs I discovered in 2019 that would have appeared somewhere in the list had they been released this year!

• Alice Merton - Lash Out
• Andy Burrows & Matt Haig - Barcelona
• Chasing Deer - Placebo
• Kelsea Ballerini - Miss Me More

New Music Review #107

Ten more songs you need to hear!

AstroVoyager - First Lights

'First Lights' is an atmospheric instrumental with hints of futuristic space travel in its delightful progression - like Muse if they turned their ear to pure synths. (6.5/10)

Bishop Briggs - Dream

An energetic and exciting number with a determined beat and a Florence and the Machine-vibe. A grower. (6.5/10)

The Ghibertins - I'm War (Live in a Cave)

The Ghibertins continue to release some great singles and though 'I'm War' is less bombastic than their previous singles, the deep voice of the lead singer, here demonstrating some emotive fragility; strongly delivered lyrics; and the recognisable guitar riff make this still a worthwhile listen. Plus as a live track is very strongly done. (6.5/10)

Jules Rendell - Old Friend

Though it's perhaps a little too gentle for its own good this is a smooth and soulful number with a chorus that reveals its magic over a few listens. Rendell has a great Emile Sande like sound and this is a good introduction. (6/10)

Junge Junge - I'm The One

'I'm the One', with its soaring production, heart-felt lyrics and uplifting thoughtful delivery, makes for a strong and touching ballad with extra balls. Great. (7/10)

Lucy Rose - No Good At All

Another beautifully sung number from Rose, with her delightful voice wrapped around this gentle number. It's not hugely memorable but it's a pleasant, relaxing piece. (6/10)

Marshmello - You & Me

Its club-sound might be a little off-the-shelf but its Good Charlotte / Blink 182 vibe works well, it's just a shame it would sound better as a less over-produced number. (5.5/10)

Melanie C - Room For Love

With hints of OneRepublic and Timbaland this is perhaps lyrically stronger than it is memorable but it's heart is in the right place and the production lifts it up. (6.5/10)

Shaydee feat Wiz Kid - Make Sense (Clean Edit)

Though its summery sound and video might feel out of place in late October this is a cool laid-back number with a fun vibe. Smooth. (6/10)

Taylor Swift - Gorgeous

Not quite sure it's the greatest of messages hidden within the lyrics, but it's mid-tempo chunky production style works well and the rhythm is cool. (6/10)

New Music Review #88

Another ten songs you have to hear!

Alibi - Space Man

'Space Man' is a quirky indie song with a fun delivery and a pleasing tongue-in-cheek vibe. (6.5/10)

Avicii feat. Sandro Cavazza - Without You

Though the chorus descends into overly familiar territory for Avicii, and the overall sound of the song is not exactly revolutionary, the bridge and chorus is fun and punchy. (6.5/10)

Hudson Taylor - Feel It Again

The boys are back with this new pop-indie number that, though lacking the huge choruses they're known for, has enough bounce and rhythm to keep that old foot tapping. (6.5/10)

Jess and the Bandits - Sister

Jess and the Bandits have good history with strong pop-country ballads and 'Sister' is no exception, and those lead singer Clemmons is more subtle here there's plenty of guts in the delivery of the heartfelt lyrics. (7/10)

Nikhil D'Souza - Beautiful Mind

'Beautiful Mind' is soaring ballad that builds to a huge crescendo. If you like your singer-songwriter tracks well written and perfectly delivered you need to hear this. (7/10)

Rachel Platten - Broken Glass

Platten returns with another great ballsy pop-song that mixes up some well observed lyrics whilst also wrapping up the words in a catchy radio-friendly chorus. Great. (7/10)

Saint Etienne - Dive

If you want to enjoy something a little more calypso-y this summer when you could do worse than going for the summery vibes of this new song from Saint Etienne. (6/10)

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do

The new song that has split the crowds, I actually quite like it, the production solid and the lyrics intriguing. The switch to the chorus is as poor as in Ariana Grande's 'One Less Problem' though the Right Said Fred connection isn't that noticeable. It's certainly more interesting and dark than a lot of other similar pop music but might divide her fans, and the experimental Sparks-feel at times pleases me. (7/10)

Thirty Seconds To Mars - Walk On Water

'Walk on Water' is a ballsy soft-rock track with an anthemic chorus, Imagine Dragons-style breakdown, and plenty of attitude. (7/10)

Tom Grennan - Found What I've Been Looking For

This new song from Tom Grennan has bags of energy and a powerful building energy that really grabs you. A great distinctive voice. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #24

Another ten songs you need to listen to!


Captain Cuts feat. Nateur - Love Like We Used To

This isn't the most revolutionary dance track ever and it's pretty similar to what you've heard many places before but it has a bit more oomph than some and it's worthy giving a spin. (6/10)

Desmond John - Untradable

A clubby, uptempo, pop number that might be a little familiar in parts to much in its genre but is a neat bouncy piece that will bring a smile to your face with a perky chorus. (6.5/10)

Grey feat. Bahari - I Miss You

The choruses may be generic off-the-shelf dance but the verses are strong and nicely written and make the song what it is. (6.5/10)

January Thompson - Too Soon

January Thompson has an incredible voice and 'Too Soon', with its stripped back piano and whistle-led riff, is a joy to listen to. Well written, produced and sung this is a joy. (8/10)

Joel Gion - Tomorrow

With muddy production values that give it a throwback retro-sound this is a solid indie-rocker that ticks over quite nicely. (6.5/10)

LewRey - 'Til You Come Home

LewRey have always been known for using their multi-instrumentalist abilities on a single and this is a classic example, mixing in crisp piano work with saxophone on a touching, heartfelt little pop ballad. Nice. (7/10)

Makala Cheung - Fire

Released for this year's Chinese New Year, 'Fire' is Makala's best single yet, mixing her strong vocals with a great Chinese soundscape given a modern twist. (7/10)

Norma Jean Martine - Still In Love With You

'Still in Love With You' is a beautiful, retro-number. Martine's lead vocals are both a delight to listen to and heartfelt. Lovely. (7.5/10)

Sia - Never Give Up 

Taken from the recent 'Lion' the song's actually better than the film. Inspired by the Indian setting of much of the film it combines that sound with Sia's familiar riff into something that works. (7/10)

Zayn and Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever

From the upcoming 'Fifty Shades of Grey' sequel Swift and Malik bounce off each other well vocally on this touching, power-ballad. It's certainly the best of Zayn's solo work. (7/10)

New Music Review #20

Here's our latest pick of ten songs you should be listening to!

Fickle Friends - Brooklyn

'Brooklyn' is a great bouncy poppy number that shows promise for the band for future releases. (6.5/10)

Hifi Sean Ft. Crystal Waters - Testify

With tinges of gospel, this musically straight forward track wins you over thanks to Crystal Waters' listenable vocals and the building funky backing. (7/10)

Honey G - The Honey G Show 

Having not watched the X Factor (ever) Honey G was only familiar to me through the tabloid pieces and social media. This song will split the crowd: it's incredible cheesy and naff but hasn't a certain catchiness to it. (6/10)

Izzy Bizu - Talking to You 

Izzy Bizu scores highly with another sunny pop number highlighted by her delightfully light vocals. (6.5/10)

Kings Of Leon - Find Me

'Find Me' isn't their most distinctive ever song but it has enough indie-rock love to keep you interested. (6/10)

Lukas Graham - You're Not There 

'You're Not There' is a touching gentle like ballad that brings Graham backs into our consciousness after a while away. (6/10)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Sick Love

Here is something a little bit different from RHCP, a retro-sounding gentler song that bypasses their usual pop sensibilities but still feels like a worthwhile listen. (6.5/10)

Rick Astley - Wish Away

After a string of single successes in 2016 Rick Astley delivers another great little single. Though less bombastic and memorable than his recent records it still has plenty of heart. (6/10)

Sage the Gemini - Now & Later 

One of the artists highlighted as 2017's must see 'Now and Later' shows there may be some truth to those pieces. A fun, understated piece. (6/10)

Zayn Malik & Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever

Taken from the upcoming 'Fifty Shades of Grey' sequel this doesn't have the catchiness of last year's Ellie Goulding number but it's sultry enough to keep the yummy mummies happy. (6/10)