It's time for part two of our countdown of our favourite 100 songs of 2016, picked for their quality not necessarily their charting prowess. Here we go with 90 - 81... 90 OneRepublic - Wherever I Go (Released: July)
89 The Hallows - Cardboard Love (Released December)
88 Shakira - Try Everything (Released: January)
87 Lover - We Are Stars (Released: February)
86 Anne-Marie - Alarm (Released: May)
85 Diane & The Gentle Men - Motorcycle (Released: April)
84 Dani Sylvia - Free (Released: February)
83 Ladyhawke - Let It Roll (Released: June)
82 The Blend - Don't Waste My Time (Released: August)
81 Sting - I Can't Stop Thinking About You (Released: October)
What do you think of my choices? Post your comments below!
It's time for another ten great tracks that you need to download! Adele - Water Under the Bridge Adele is always a good bet when it comes to a catchy pop single, and 'Water Under the Bridge' is no exception with its heart-felt lyrics, bassy riff and stadium-friendly sing-a-long chorus. It might stick with her familiar formula but it's a good 'un. (7.5/10)
Alonestar - Lovelorn
Split between Faithless-esque verses and a powerful vocal chorus, this is a grittily produced RnB-lite number that has enough good ideas to hold together as a funky piece. (6/10)
The Collapsible Hearts Band feat. Jim Bianco & Petra Haden - Easy Street
Short yet sweet, this pop ditty has echoes of something from the Barnum musical but it's difficult not to smile when you hear this! (7/10) Feel Freeze - Give Me Your Heart 'Give Me Your Heart' is a quirky little electro-pop number with a simply produced but engaging little indie number. It's pretty understated but is a pleasing little listen with a gentle instrumental vibe. (6.5/10)
Greg Kozo - One Day (Fonkynson Remix)
This remix of 'One Day' doesn't really do anything remarkable with the song but the synth backing, soft vocals and production make for an interesting listen for fans of the genre. (6/10)
The Hallows - Cardboard Love
'Cardboard Love' not only boasts a great video the song builds up to a strong chorus, the indieness of the lyrics and the catchy piano riff working together into a song that's poppy enough to be memorable whilst retaining much needed credibility. (7/10)
Imelda May - Call Me
'Call Me' is a gentle number from Imelda May that showcases her delightful voice. It's not her best work and lacks any real big moments but as a relaxing song it feels perfect for this time of year. (6/10)
Melisa Whiskey - Played
Whiskey has a powerful voice and it's on display in this soulful number that is perhaps a little over-produced with the music too loud compared to the vocals, but there's still enough space to enjoy her Rebecca Ferguson-like sound. (6.5/10)
S.O.S. - Bittersweet
With a backing that sounds a little like it's taken from an old 16-bit video game, it takes a bit to get to the chorus but it's a good one when it gets there. The backing is perhaps a little too different to the vibe of the vocals but it's a strong electro-indie number that grows with each listen. (7/10)
XL feat. Elesia Limura - Down Low
We go a bit dancehall with this latest track from 'XL'. It might not break through any of the conventions of the genre but it delivers a much-needed bit of club dance to the cold winter months, with a hooky RnB-influenced chorus. (6.5/10)
The Hallows are a London-based band made up of Sarah Rodriguez, Joe Rodriguez and Dave Pugh and they've just released their second single, the infectious 'Cardboard Love'. We spoke to Sarah and Joe ahead of the single's release on the 2nd December.
How would you describe your
new single?
Sarah:
It’s a bit of a moody, sultry song. It’s about being in a really horrible
relationship and coming out the other side, brushing yourself off and looking
forward. By the end of the song it hopefully comes off as more upbeat with a
positive vibe than at the beginning.
Is it a personal song?
Sarah:
I think it reflects back on situation that we can all draw on, experiences that
maybe haven’t been the best. It’s an important way of getting those feelings out
and putting them in a song and being able to channel that.
Joe:
I’d like to state it has no relevance to Dave and I, honestly! We’re really decent
guys!
As musicians you have
backgrounds in different styles, so how does that work when making music as the
Hallows?
Joe:
It’s an interesting one really as we’ve got several bands that we relate to and
really love, which are kind of touch points for us, we’ve all come from quite different
backgrounds musically. For me I was always into grunge and alternative rock
band in the day and Sarah’s probably come from a more melodic background.
Sarah:
Yeah, but also quite rocky as well. My folks brought me up on AC/DC and Pink
Floyd.
Joe:
You can’t go wrong with the DC!
Sarah:
I’ve always got time for them! For me and Dave we’ve been brought up with quite
a bit of classical influence too, so I think that comes across in our music, as
classically-infused pop.
Joe:
All in all it’s tended to work well. We don’t tend to disagree on many things
so there must be something right in the mix!
As well as the music, you
have the video out for ‘Cardboard Love’ which I believe you had an active role
in creating?
Joe:
Yeah, that was the bit of a product of a fevered dream! I woke up one morning
in the really early hours, and we were struggling at the time to come up with a
concept that would fit the vibe of the song, and basically I was getting vibes
of a dark and moody secret society. That particular video spanned from there,
and we got a demonic puppet involved and the rest is history as they say!
Are any of you successful
card players then, looking at the video?
Sarah:
I like to play cards but I wouldn’t say I’m successful by any measure, so I
wouldn’t do well around the table with the demonic puppet!
Joe:
I think Dave’s probably the most clued up cards player. Unless it’s snap I have
no chance as I don’t understand the rules of most card games. I’m definitely
the weak link on the card game side of things.
Sarah:
That’s why we had the house band in the video so we don’t go anywhere near the
card playing table!
You’re album ‘Of Time and
Tides’ is out on the 13th January; how does that compare to the
single?
Sarah:
I think our album is quite varied. I would say it’s fundamentally pop but then
we’ve drawn upon lots of different influences, so there are a few songs that
are a bit heavier and a few songs that are a bit lighter and more cinematic in
terms of their production. It’s very melody-driven so we try to be about the
hook and so on.
Joe:
We just want people to sing along, that’s what it’s all about for us.
The album was recorded on a
vintage desk; was that a conscious choice and did it bring the sound to life?
Joe:
We were really lucky as we got to work with our producers and Seb’s got some
wonderful kit that really adds some weight and warmth to any of the recordings
that we were doing. He also had a really good ear in trying to compliment the
songs with the different sound palettes, so he was a really useful person to be
involved in the whole creative process. The desk was lovely and I would
recommend anyone looking to record to definitely drop by Riverside studios as
that desk is awesome!
Sarah:
It was stationed at the Royal Opera House so again it definitely helped
contribute to our sound and the classical influence.
You’ve recently been
performing live; how did those gigs go?
Sarah:
They went really well! We’ve had three gigs in the last week in really quite
different venues, but it’s been fantastic and we really feel like we’re getting
into the groove of our live performance. I think when live we have a harder edge.
I think our rock sensibilities come across more when we’re live.
Joe:
It’s been nice to cut loose as the album is slightly more pop and shiny whereas
live it’s a little more visceral and brutal, but we like a bit of that!
Sarah:
If anyone wants to come and see us live we’re going to be playing in London
again on the 16th December and another gig on the 17th
which is for Oxjam.
Do you have any big ambitions
for 2017?
Joe:
We’re really, really hell-bent on getting into the festival scene next year,
when that all starts to kick off. We’re very keen on getting out and playing
and we’re already in the process of penning songs for our second album, out
towards the end of next year. It’s all really go at the moment, it’s a vibrant
and exciting time. It’s just finding the time to get everything done. It’s a
bit manic but we’re loving it!
And finally it’s getting to
the time of Christmas pop songs. As a group would you ever pen a Christmas single
and what’s your festive pop tune of choice?
Joe:
We’d definitely pen a festive pop song because if you have a successful one
then you’re made really and you’re going to get that cheque.
Sarah:
I’m a sucker for some sleigh bells so if I can get them into a song at any
point I’ll be a happy lady. My favourite Christmas song would have to be one of
the classics – ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’
Joe:
I’d probably go with something more credible like the Pogues. But I think Sarah
secretly wants the one by Mariah Carey.
Sarah:
You can’t go wrong with that! Once you hear that song you know that Christmas
is coming!
English alternative pop band 'The Hallows' have launched their new single 'Cardboard Love, taken from their debut album 'Of Time and Tides'. The song, which we think sounds like a little like a modern Bangles, is well worth a listen thanks to its atmospheric and smooth indie feel. You can hear it here.
The the music video for ‘Cardboard Love’ is due to be released on Friday 2nd December. The single was recorded at Riverside Studios using a vintage calrec desk that used to be stationed at the Royal Opera House. The band are also performing a series of live dates which can be seen below. For more information find the Hallows on Facebook.
