New Music Review #017

It's another selection of ten songs we'd recommend you listen to!

Banks - This Is Not About Us

Banks can be often relied upon to deliver a great electro-pop tune and 'This Is Not About Us' is no exception, cranking up the catchiness alongside her great vocals. (7/10)

Hannah Trigwell - Filthy Rich

Leeds-based Hannah Trigwell is a good bet for a catchy, touching, well written song and though 'Filthy Rich' doesn't quite reach the heights of her recent 'Another Beautiful Mistake' it's still beautifully sung and delightful. (7/10)

Jerry Williams - Boys Don't Cry

'Boys Don't Cry' is a beautiful stripped-back song that is well sung, nicely written and produced into a strongly mixed package that is touching and smooth in equal measure. (7/10)

Jessie J - Can't Take My Eyes Off You X Make Up For Ever

Jessie J returns after a considerable absense with this sexed-up and funked-up take on the classic song. Purists will hate it but this is surprisingly interesting and fresh from its cut-up vocals to DJ skips. (7/10)

Loop - Losing My Mind

Boasting some great vocals and a simply, but funky, electronic riff, this has a great pop vibe with hints of RnB. (6.5/10)

Sia - Angel By The Wings

'Angel by the Wings' doesn't have the same buzz as her big ballad belters, but it's another great showcase of her vocal chords on a nicely touching song. (6.5/10)

Sigala x Digital Farm Animals - Only One

It might not be exactly the most revolutionary in today's column but it has enough joy and club funk to keep you moving for its three minutes of electro-club-pop. (6.5/10)

Simple Minds - Sanctify Yourself (Acoustic)

Another great acoustic take on a Simple Minds classic, this is a fast, bouncy take on the song. (6.5/10)


XL feat. Elesia Limura - Down Low

Far too summery in sound for this time of year, perhaps this will be a good antidote to those of you sick of mince pies and snow. Catchy and with a great beat, you will indeed want to 'turn it up'. (7/10)

Vei - Rolling On Your Romeo

With a delightfully listenable voice, 'Rolling On Your Romeo' is a smooth, gentle, laid-back track that is the definition of laid-back pop. (7/10)

New Music Review #013

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)