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)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Amanda Mair - Empty Blockings
It's been a strong year for Mair with several of her songs making their way into our digital shopping basket, and 'Empty Blockings' with its catchy central chorus and ethereal production is one of her best. (7.5/10) Camila Cabello - Never Be the Same
Not quite as fun and huge as 'Havana' but as a Rihanna-esque mid-tempo ballad with a catchy central chorus this will tide you over nicely. (6.5/10) Jade Bird - Cathedral
'Cathedral' is a gentle, acoustic number that showcases Bird's great voice, with the harmonised choruses injecting some heart-felt energy into the stripped back piece. (7/10) Jessie Ware - Sam
Initially heard in acoustic form this heartfelt ballad proves to be Ware's best; beautiful lyrics beautifully sung and well produced. (7.5/10) Miles & Erica - We Came Here To Work
We reviewed the album from which this is taken earlier in the year and this politically-charged ballad was the star of the show, and now as a single is just as relevant as ever with its pro-immigration message. (7.5/10) Not3s and Mabel - My Lover (Remix)
You can't imagine the chorus of this song taking that long to write and the song drips with cliched lyrics and sounds but there's something fun and catchy about the stripped back and smooth sound. (7/10) One Bit & Noah Cyrus - My Way
It might 'borrow' its main musical hook from Mylo's 'Drop the Pressure' but it does at least form it into an uptempo dance track with plenty of bounce. (7/10) RJ Thompson - Skimming Stones
So gentle it's practically somnambulant, this is a nicely sung stripped back number that screams out, or whispers out at least, a relaxing, yet emotional, night in. (7/10) Spector - Untitled in D
I'm a big Spector fan but 'Untitled in D' doesn't do anything that we've not heard before. Fans will relish a new track but it's not at all revolutionary. A grower, but well within their box. (6.5/10) The Wombats - Turn
Though not quite as anthemic as 'Lemon To A Knife Fight' this is still a solid new song from one of my favourite acts. Sure it doesn't do anything revolutionary but it's a nice little listen with more quirky lyrical hooks. (7/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Ashton Lane - Breathe You In
One of the next contenders for the big name in British country this delightfully written and sung harmonised ballad with a radio-friendly chorus should help gain them bigger traction. Stripped-back yet with a big sound and a surprising energy this is a promising new single. Lovely. There's also an acoustic version with it which, though not that different really, gives more space for their vocals to breath. (7/10) Chlöe Howl - Do It Alone
A slower affair than you'd usually expect from Howl, but this chilled out, rnb-influenced number has her usual punky attitude sweeping through the lyrics. I prefer her when in a faster tempo mood but this is a cool little number. (6.5/10) Cimo Fränkel - Never Give Up (Filous Remix)
Not a huge departure from the original, 'Never Give Up' is still a cool, crisp, laid back song that is a welcome injection of summer to this time of year. Well worth another spin, in whatever form it comes. (7/10) Declan McKenna - Why Do You Feel So Down?
Perkier sounding than the title would suggest, this is a low-key but quirkly catchy little indie number that walks its own path. Interesting. (6.5/10) Flora Cash - The Bad Boys (Mountain Bird Remix)
This remix perhaps ticks too many of the remix cliche boxes but as a gentle chill-out track it works well, offering bite to its relaxing vibe. (6/10) Mary and The Ram - The Cross / The Dream At three and seven minutes respectively, 'The Cross' and 'The Dream' have the word experimental flowing all the way through them, its mixture of electronica, dream-like production, spoken word and more clearly not to everyone's tastes but creates a fun, ethereal soundscape, though the shorter more timely first track is more enjoyable to me than the country-tinged second number, though the latter does unexpectedly burst into a chugging guitar-heavy number in its final half to inject some energy. (5.5/10) Morrissey and Marshall - Beautiful World (Acoustic) As stripped back as you'd expect from an acoustic track this isn't quite as memorable as, say, 'Cold November Sunrise', but the sixties-style and solid harmonies make for a retro-sounding listen that ticks the right boxes, its call-and-response closer really working well as it hits a crescendo of energy. (7/10) Naughty Boy feat. Joe Jonas - One Chance To Dance
Naughty Boy returns to his strong production form with this throwback-sounding Christmas disco favourite with a verse just as singable as its simple, yet, catchy chorus. Fun and perky and feels like a cert for adverts for dancing, or a certain popular TV show next year. (7.5/10) Percival Elliott - Forever
Making an appearance on my radar two-and-a-half years after it appeared on YouTube, this string-led number that combines Elliott's touching and strong voice with a smooth musical accompaniment makes for a warming, delightful little number that deserves a second chance at fame. (7/10)
To Kill A King - The Spiritual Dark Age
Sending us in three tracks, these are hints at something big coming for this band. The main track, 'The Spiritual Dark Age', is a catchy little indie-rock track with a hooky chorus and a cracking, fast-paced feel with nods towards the Kings of Leon if they went and cheered up a bit. 'The Good Old Days' continues the theme, the production spot-on in generating a great atmosphere with its simple chorus and background calls proving quickly memorable even if it does get a little repetitive near the end. 'My God & You' has an older, more sixties feel to its production and with its 'my god and your god / they don't get along' hook making this my favourite of the three. A trio of great songs which make me keen to pick up their album. (7/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Gordon Haskell - How Wonderful (Larry Peace Radio Edit) This modern version of the classic song doesn't do much for the song other than thrusting a club beat under it and perking up the tempo. It's listenable and gets your foot-tapping but to be honest the original has more heart. (6/10) Hydrocele - Shapeshifter (Remixes) As fans of the original we were keen to check out the remixes and though the full length versions are a little too much to take outside of a club environment the radio edits of the 'Future House' remix and 'UKG' one, the most distinctive on the EP, do interesting things with the songs, but I wouldn't advise listening to each one after another as it gets repetitive quite quickly. Something for small doses methinks. (6/10) Jon Lindsay - Zebulon This bouncy, gospel-tinged number has a fun rhythm to it that compliments his more drawly vocals, with shifts in tempo and a fun piano riff holding it together, its big choral declaration towards 'Zebulon' and jazzy brass-led and clap-along breakdown lifting the track up. Cool. (7/10) Kiol - Hard Things 'Hard Things' is a cool and stripped-back mid-tempo ballad with Kiol's cool and calming vocals giving some serious heart to a chilled-out Train-like number. Great. (7.5/10) Modern Rome - Work in Progress Including a member from 'In An Instant', who we've previously reviewed, 'Work In Progress' is a strong soft-rock number with a great shift of tempo changes and a build up to a lighters-out chorus. Boasting a great couple of guitar solos, a memorable falsetto lift at the end of the chorus, and a crisp production style, this is a welcome new sound for a new band. (7/10) Ronan Furlong - Angel Symphony
With his fingers a blaze of activity on this Celtic-sounding acoustic number with a duelling banjo vibe to it, this is an uptempo, urgent little number with a foot tapping energy. (7/10) Steve Ravensfield - Keep On Moving With a gruff Chris Rea-like voice this is a solid country-tinged song with some great harmonica and a positive upbeat vibe. Fun. (6.5/10) Suffer the Children - Doesn't Mean We're Free A dark, almost-industrial chain-clanking, sound accompanies an ethereal, political-tinged record that growls along with a decisive and gritty vibe. (6.5/10) Uppermost ft. Sora - Step By Step
Half-instrumental, half-heavily-produced club record, this has just enough swagger and heart to hold things together in a Chvrches-meets-electronica feel with Sora's vocals adding a strong element to the affair. (6.5/10) Villa Rivercat - Morning Comes
With one of the most listenable voices in the business, this delightfully smooth and silky number is the perfect accompaniment to a winter fire and hot drink of your choice. (7/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Avec - Waiting For (Remixes)
We enjoyed 'Waiting For' a few blogs ago and this trio of remixes, though not doing anything hugely revolutionary to the sweet and listenable vocals of Avec, do add some fresh flavours. The 'Robin Schulz' with its familiar Schulz-sound is the better of three with its simple re-imaginging though the chants and bassier vibes of the 'HOUT' remix is a strong second and gives it the most energy. The 'Nora Medin' is, in many ways, just as fun but is the least exciting of the three. (7/10)
Black Needle Noise - System Bi feat. Fakeba
With hints of Enigma in its sound this is a well produced, atmospheric number with an international flava and a song that straddles well between orchestration and club. (7/10) CliQ - Wavey
On first lesson this feels like a cliched dance track but actually has a chorus with a strong central hook and it treads its own path. Surprisingly good, and destined to be a strong club song for this season's nights out. (7/10) Isaac Gracie - Terrified
Another strong single from Gracie, with a simple yet soaring production that compliments his voice and gives it plenty of heart. The energy of the chorus really grabs you after a few listens. (7/10) Kongsted - Get Away Balancing the genre cliches with a fun, bouncy production vibe this feels like a summer hit plonked down at the wrong time of the year. Sunny and bouncing, this feels like a strong club-lite number with elements of grime and rnb carefully woven in. (7/10) Matt Terry – The Thing About Love
The former X-Factor winner returns with this string-heavy run-of-the-mill ballad. It's not going to win any big awards but it's sweet and warming enough for the time of year. (6.5/10) Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott - He Wants To
It might take more than its fair share of inspiration from Lou Reed's 'Satellite of Love' but this is a corker of a pop track from the pair who can't do much wrong with their modern songbook of positive-sounding gloomily-worded radio-friendly hits. Great. (8/10)
Ralph McTell feat. Crisis Choir and Annie Lennox - Streets Of London
Quite possibly one of the most covered songs ever, this new version of the classic returns to the original vocalist, with the added vocals from Eurythmics' Lennox and the choir really give this even more heart. A beautiful version and for a great cause. (8/10) The Script - Arms Open
The Script continue with a series of strong songs. 'Arms Open' is a smooth and touching ballad with a solid, heart-warming and loving central message. (7.5/10) Sheridan Smith - City Of Stars
There's a touch of the karaoke about this performance but the big band production and Smith's smooth and sweet vocals manage to pull it off. A good take on the modern classic. (6.5/10)
Another ten songs you have to listen to! The Allergies feat. Andy Cooper - Buzzsaw 'Buzzshaw' is not a huge departure from my favourite song of theirs from this year with the same rhythm and even musical hooks at times. If you loved 'Rock Rock' this feels very much like part two. (6/10) Clara Mae - I'm Not Her
With hints of RnB amongst its pop vibes this is a cool and distinctive number which bodes well for future music from Mae. (7/10) Empire Of The Sun - On Our Way Home
It might not be one of their most distinctive or experimental tracks but it has plenty of variety and gusto in it to offer something intriguing, even if it does run a little out of steam two-thirds in. (6.5/10) Ephemerals - In and Out
Forgetting the pointless remixes that come with it, most cookie cutter and doing little to the original, let's focus instead on the throw-back and retro sound of the song, a gentle and focussed jazzy number that plays along nicely like a warm cup of cocoa. Smooth. (6.5/10) Imelda May and Jack Savoretti - Call Me
A cool, jazzy, stripped back number, this is the perfect musical accompaniment to a night in front of a burning fire. Warming. (6.5/10) Jazz Mino - Crush (Oliver Nelson Remix)
Though the remix doesn't make a huge impact on the song it gives it a slightly clubbier feel which should help this great cover reach a fresh audience. Jazz Mino's sound has definitely shifted a little over her last single but it's all still great. (7/10) Makala Cheung - Dancefloor
Back with another new single, 'Dancefloor' is a straight forward number with a more traditional production than many of her recent releases, and though this might make it a little less unique 'Dancefloor' feels more at home with more commercial offerings, with a quickly catchy chorus and it feels like her best. (6.5/10) Streets of Roya - All Eyes On Me
Quite a subtle little song, it's a grower with its gentle outlook winning you over after a few takes. (6/10) Tony Humphries - Flytrap '72
A cross between Gorillaz when they were good and the Avalanches this quirky rap number with some interesting production is fun and a fresh listen. (7/10) Too Many T's - Neighbours
It takes a couple of spins to settle in but this tongue-in-cheek quirky pop-rap number has an annoyingly catchy chorus and some fun verses. A grower. (6.5/10)
Ten more songs you must hear! Banners - Someone To You
'Someone to You' is a really fun and catchy pop-rock number with a singable, radio-friendly chorus which suggests this will be a grower once it gets that airplay breakthrough. (7/10) Gavin James - Hearts On Fire
It's been a strong year for Gavin James and if this new song is anything to go by it should be a strong 2018 for him as well. 'Hearts On Fire' is another bouncy, catchy number from him. (7.5/10) Green Day - Back In The USA
Taking its lead from their famous 'American Idiot' album this boasts the poppiness of that album's title track with more subtle politics, in a surprisingly poppy entry into their canon, taken from their new greatest hits compilation. (7/10) Hey Charlie - Young & Lonesome
A quirky and funky indie number with strong harmonies and a gentle, yet building presence from the trio, with more bite coming from the guitars and the sing-a-long closer. Neat. (6.5/10) Liam Gallagher - Come Back To Me
Liam Gallagher continues to roll out some catchy singles, and this fast-paced indie-rock number with a pacey and powerful bridge and chorus keeps up the standard. Cool. (7/10) Little Mix - Is Your Love Enough?
A little more interesting than their recent singles, the reggae, summery feel to this record gives it a refreshingly distinctive feel. A fun pop single with the work done by the production. (6.5/10) Queens of the Stone Age - The Way You Used to Do
Going back to the more traditional sound of QotSA, this is a fun rock number with a simple yet strangely compelling dark chorus. A grower. (7/10) RedFaces - Take It or Leave It
Mixing in indie and electronic, like a more modern sounding Arctic Monkeys, this is a smooth and friendly number from a youthful band. Promising. (6.5/10) Stephanie Cheape - I Am A Soldier
Built around a funky rhythm and the distinctive vocals of Cheape, this is a stripped-back yet involving number that showcases the talents of this singer-songwriter. (7/10) Winter Mountain - Platinum and Gold
We recently reviewed the EP from which this is taken and enjoyed it, and this cut from it is a delightfully warming indie number that will delight you. (7/10)
