Ten more songs you really need to hear! Arcade Fire - Everything Now
Before Andy Williams' lawyers call them for their nod towards 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' let's enjoy this great little pop-rock song with some great vocal and musical hooks and an earworm of a chorus. Great, but familiar sounding. (7.5/10) Jennifer Lopez feat. Gente de Zona - Ni Tú Ni Yo
Something a bit different here from Lopez as she embraces Spanish for the complete record to bring something summery that isn't Despacito! (6.5/10) Jess and the Bandits - Kings Of Summer
One of my favourite country acts comes back with this timely seasonal song, that throws nostalgia at you to win you over in a gentle, touching, well composed number. (7/10) Kesha feat. The Dap-Kings Horns - Woman
It might be a little NSFW, or at least for the radio, but this is Kesha back on top form with a spunky, attitude-filled number complete with a top-class brass section from the Dap-Kings Horns! Great! (7.5/10)
The Magic Gang - Your Love
'Your Love' is a nice, gentle little indie-pop number that feels like summer immortalised in three minutes. (6.5/10) Oh Wonder - High On Humans
Shifting into something a bit more uptempo than we'd maybe expect from 'Oh Wonder', this is still a great showcase for their trademark harmonies and electronic riffs, and the text-to-speech sound samples work well. (7.5/10) Paul Weller - Woo Sé Mama
Paul Weller perks up his sound a little with this great uptempo ditty that adds a summery feel to his usual sound. A definite grower. (6.5/10) Rat Boy - Laidback
Appropriately his most laid back single yet, this is a classic chill-out cool single that sticks in your head after a few listens. Nice. (7/10) Sian Cross - Gave Away
Sian Cross returns with a great atmospheric and sultry track with a strong production feel and a darker, Pixie Lott-style vibe. Great. (7/10) Zedd and Liam Payne - Get Low
Lyrically not as strong as earlier Zedd records it's a still a fun and poppy summer anthem that will keep you moving. (6/10)
Ten more songs we recommend that you need to hear! Alice Cooper - Paranoiac Personality
Taking some time off from the golf course, Alice is here with a psycho-sampling pop-rock number that fits in nicely with his earlier material and is pretty fun, though his voice seems a little less powerful than previous numbers. (6.5/10) Avante Black - Make A Mess
Though the drum machine is definitely on over-time here, it provides a dramatic backdrop to this bouncy, atmospheric and quirky pop number. (6.5/10) Blondie - Too Much
Blondie continue to release some great songs, and this highlight from their most recent album 'Pollinator' is a true highlight with a really catchy chorus and a joyful feel. (7.5/10) Elkie Brooks - Forgive And Forget
The gruffly-voiced singer returns with this simple and gentle little number that will take you back to an era long-gone. Nice. (6.5/10) Fall Out Boy - Champion
Though they may have disappeared from the spotlight over the last few years Fall Out Boy are still creating some great songs, such as this uplifting song. (7/10) Francis and the Lights feat. Chance the Rapper - May I Have This Dance
There's a Phil Collins feel to this record that maybe goes a little OTT with the auto-tune but there's a tear-jerking heart to the record that works of a subtle and evolving indie track with a quirky yet enjoyable electronic backing. (7/10) Kodaline - Brother
There are hints of Maroon 5 in this quieter number than I was expecting from Kodaline. With its building drum beat and sweeping chorus this is a pleasing listen with some production tricks adding to the style. (7/10) The Kooks - Broken Vow
Taken from their new singles collection 'Broken Vow' feels like classic The Kooks. Here with a pushing rhythm, this is a strong indie number. (7/10) Rudimental feat. James Arthur - Sun Comes Up
Rudimental does the impossible on this record and makes me enjoy a song featuring James Arthur. It's not an outstanding dance track but it's a good listen. (6/10) Skinny Living - Why
A simple, yet touching, single with the lead singer's vocals a delightful listen, bringing the touching lyrics to life. (7/10)
It's time for ten more songs that you need to hear! Arcade Fire - Creature Comfort
'Creature Comfort' is quite an unusual and eccentric track but somehow the mixture of vocals, paces and styles comes together. (6.5/10) Axwell /\ Ingrosso - More Than You Know
It might follow plenty of the expected codes for the genre, but the larger-than-life chorus works well and is one of the best club songs around at the moment. (6.5/10) BETSY - Little White Lies
One of the best artists around at the moment, 'Little White Lies' is a powerful, catchy, radio-friendly track with those vocals something else. (7.5/10) Bruno Mars vs David Guetta - Versace on The Floor
There are Daft Punk vibes to this new song from Bruno Mars, a slow and sultry number. The lyrics may be a little bland and telling a pretty by-the-numbers story but it's all wrapped up in the strong vocals and rhythms. (7/10) Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean - Feel
Calvin Harris comes back with his best song in a long time, thanks to the strong electronic backing and the great guest vocals particularly from Williams and Perry. With a summery feel and a catchy chorus, this is a great summer hit. (7.5/10) Declan McKenna - Humongous
'Humongous' - a great word - is a subtle and gentle indie track but it has plenty of heart and is a definite grower! Stay alert for the end where it shifts up a gear quite considerably. (6.5/10) HAIM - Want You Back
'Want You Back' is arguably HAIM's best track yet, a poppy, catchy, well-written ditty with strong crisp production and a catchy rhythm. (7.5/10) Sundara Karma - Explore
Another act that can usually be relied on to bring out a good tune, 'Explore' is another sunny slice of catchy indie. (7/10) Texas - Midnight
Though it's not one of their biggest hits, it's got the sound and vibe you like from Texas tracks and it's got a fun bounce to it. (6.5/10) Tom Speight - My My My
'My My My' is a catchy and optimistic little indie number with plenty of heart and a strong indie feeling. Lovely. (7/10)
Ten more songs you really need to hear! Estelle feat. Tarrus Riley - Love Like Ours
It's nice to hear Estelle back and she returns with this summer-friendly chilled-out duet that is the perfect accompaniment for a cheeky drink and BBQ. (7/10) GIRLI feat. Lethal Bizzle - Feel OK
'Feel OK' is a catchy, tongue-in-cheek little pop song with a bit of credibility thrown in thanks to a rap from Lethal Bizzle. Fun. (7/10) Green Day - Revolution Radio
It might be Green Day by-number but it's a return to their older sound and the crisp, pop-punk sound is perfect for this time of year, just don't expect anything revolutionary. (7/10) HAIM - Little of Your Love
It's not HAIM's best - the repetition of the chorus gets a little bit too much - but it's a fun and perky song held up by their great sounding vocals. (6.5/10) Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes
It might be ticking off the usual sounds and styles of the band as it goes but it's catchy, fun and varied, with a mixture of tempos, vocal styles and production effects. (6.5/10) Jax Jones feat. Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don - Instruction
Starting off like a cross between the Jonny Quest theme and a dance instruction video, this is a Caribbean-tinged more sober take on songs like the Cha Cha Slide, i.e. a perfect lightweight dance track for summer holidays. (7/10) KEIR - Probably
With a bass-heavy swagger and an Imagine Dragons sound, this is a stomping, building indie track that leads to a big chorus. Promising. (7/10) PVRIS - What's Wrong
Following a handful of good singles, 'What's Wrong' is a strong listen, the beat and vocals working together to inject some energy into the chorus. It lacks a huge moment that it feels like it's building up to but it has plenty of energy and by the end will have you singing along. (6.5/10) Sigala and Ella Eyre - Came Here For Love
It might be pretty by-the-numbers musically - Sigala is phoning it in a little - but Ella Eyre's vocals, the sunny Caribbean feel and the positive Pride-focussed message make up for it. A good summer anthem. (6.5/10) The Strypes - Behind Closed Doors
It's another retro throwback with this sixties-sounding indie number from the Strypes; innocent, full of great harmonies, and a positive vibe. (7/10)
In this interesting article on the BBC website they talk about how musicians should be wary of revealing their inspirations in case the copyright lawyers come-a-knocking. But what about more recent tracks that have throwbacks to certain big tracks. We're not in any way suggesting any copying or inspiration but it's difficult not to hear the similarities... Imagine Dragons - Thunder vs Mia - Paper Planes Listen to that chorus...
Arcade Fire - Everything Now vs Andy Williams - Can't Take My Eyes Off You That opening from 00:46 has certain echoes from Williams' breakdown...
The Rocking Horse Club - Straight White Man vs ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man Perhaps it's just the lead up to the titles of the song...
Have you spotted any recent songs with inspirations? Post them as comments!
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)
Ten more songs you must listen to! Addictive Philosophy - (Not a) Novelty (Radio Edit) If you can't enjoy a bit of fast-paced ska in July when can you? Though it doesn't exactly break any traditions or new ground it's a jaunty, bouncy number with plenty of brass. (7/10) Affairs - Gracious World Affairs have contributed several Editors-like indie songs recently and though 'Gracious World' doesn't break the mould or offer a huge memorable chorus there is plenty to like in this downbeat but progressive song. (6.5/10) April Towers - Takes One To Know One The first cut from their upcoming debut album there is a solid 80s-style to this indie-rock piece with a catchy guitar riff, a crisp production and a fun chanting style in parts, with a production style that embraces the fun of the band. Very promising! (7/10) Balako - Hora De Balako With hints of Boney M, Telstar and Chic, this is a funky sounding throwback to the seventies mixed with the radiophonic workshop! (6/10) Fejká feat. Hildur - Twilight
'Twilight' is the musical equivalent of that time of the day; gentle, relaxing and atmospheric. At nearly seven minutes it's perhaps a little long but works. (6/10)
Marina Avetisian - Shivers With hints of Corinne Bailey-Rae, this is a delightfully sensual and smooth stripped back number with Avetisian's beautiful voice at its centre. (7/10) My Vitriol - It's So Damn Easy / Rest Your Tired Head Though I wasn't a big fan of their album from which these are taken, these indie-rock songs have strong enough choruses and great progression to stand on its own as tracks, though the screamy ending of the first track feels unnecessary. (6.5/10) Summer Heart - Hotel Beds A laid back, cool summer hit with warm vibes and some strong instrumentation that pulls together into an eclectic collection of ideas. (6/10) Tonica - Save Yourself 'Save Yourself' is a solidly produced dance track that will win you over with its catchy hooks. (6.5/10) Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet - Eh Ya Ye (Radio Edit) Classically-sounding world music with a strong warm heart and a great energetic vibe. (6/10)
