Top 100 of 2016 (Part 5)

It's time for the fifth part of our top 100 countdown, taking us from 61 to 50. Don't forget to leave your comments below!

60 Michael Bublé - I Believe in You

59 Kerri Watt - The Wild

58 MIAMIGO - Everyone I Know

57 April Towers - Silent Fever 

56 Cody Chesnutt - I Stay Ready

55 Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie - Rockabye

54 Madness - Mr Apples

53 Skyler feat. Snoop Dogg - Fire

52 Paige Monroe - Call It Love 

51 Smoove & Turrell - You Could've Been a Lady

Review: Honeyblood - Babes Never Die

Scottish duo Honeyblood have released their upbeat rocker LP 'Babes Never Die' which sandwiches 10 raw rockers between a short intro and outro.

The titular opener nails their colours to the mast, showcasing a gritty, hefty, raw rocker with pop-hook sensibilities, the lead vocals adding a softer touch to the heavier instrumentals, whilst also offering a smattering of hooks. 'Ready for the Magic' is even better, with a hook-filled swagger and a relentless pace whilst 'Sea Hearts' is my favourite on the LP thanks to its bouncing, memorable chorus with its 'break hearts' moments.

'Love is a Disease' with its 'I wanna be in your arms' line is another catchy number and a personal favourite, whilst 'Walking At Midnight' gives something a little fresher, cutting back on the attitude-filled rock to let the main vocals breath a little more.whilst still keeping the chorus memorable.

The mood continues with rockers 'Justine, Misery Queen' and 'Sister Wolf', mixing up hooks with determined guitar work. 'Hey, Stellar' is the first track that I feel doesn't add much to the album, being a little too much of a slave to the formula, though 'Cruel Kids' takes a quieter turn and makes up for that track, though it doesn't have the same perky fun of the earlier tracks.

The outro aside, 'Babes Never Die' finishes with 'Gangs' which is a smooth end to the record.

Packed with catchy rock numbers that keep going until the slightly tamer repetitive ending, 'Babes Never Die' is well worth picking up for something catchy but with a bit more bite than other indie-rock LPs. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #016

Another ten great tracks we'd recommend you hearing!

Bad Lip Reading - Seagulls! (Stop It Now)

Possibly the weirdest thing I've ever posted, this is a strangely compelling and catchy song, both independently to the video but especially with it. (7/10)


Bad Sounds - Wages

'Wages' is a bouncy, uptempo pop number that has a catchy central chorus. A great listen. (7/10)

Coucheron - Loud

'Loud' is a great little single with the Chrvches-like vocals leading into a simple, yet engaging, chorus that has enough pop to compliment its indie vibe. Plus the lyrics video is great. (7/10)

DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You

The chorus might descend into off the shelf beats but the verses are pretty fun and poppy, and better than their respective recent songs. (6/10)

Ibrahim - The Great Divide (featuring Robert Wyatt) (EP)

Ibrahim's three-track EP starts with a gentle cover of New Order's 'World (Price of Love)' which, with its dual vocals, haunting piano riff, and simple production values is the best of the piece. 'The Gone-Away World' is a nice original song but it's a bit ponderous in moments, and the third track was only available as an excerpt, but the opening saxophone is evocative and promising. (6/10)

The Imagineers - Utopian Dreams

Sounding like the lovechild of Oasis and Muse this is a surprisingly understated record without a huge hook but it somehow still grabs you thanks to its atmospheric vibe and solid indie stylings. (6.5/10)


Ingrid Witt - Babies Gonna Cry

'Babies Gonna Cry' is a quirky little single, grounded by Wiit's light, fairy-like vocals and the throbbing electronic backing track. Throw in a building tempo and you have a great little number. (6.5/10)


Linnea Olsson - Weekend



'Weekend' is a delightful mix of dreamy vocals, violin and nicely composed lyrics that all weave together into a beautifully gentle pop song. (7/10)

Naughty Boy feat. Kyla, Popcaan - Should've Been Me

It's a return to form for Naughty Boy with this fun pop-club track, though he has Kyla's loveable vocals to thank, working hand in hand with the summery brass moments. (7/10)


Thieves Like Us - Jennifer

The verses might be a little light-weight and airy for my tastes but the indie undertones and electronic notes of the chorus make for a better song, that grows on you. (5.5/10)

Man Down Release Christmas Single to Raise Awareness of Male Suicide

Bradford-based rock band Man Down have released their band name-featuring festive single 'Man Down the Chimney' to both mark the season and to raise money and awareness for The CALMzone, a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide.

Led by the recognisable vocals of lead man Mikey May, this almost-five-minute long single is both a great new Christmas song and an antidote to the usual sleigh-bell led numbers, delivering a rockier take on a festive single. Boasting a catchy singable chorus if you want to hear a Christmas song that doesn't rely on the cliches whilst also supporting a great cause then this is a no brainer. This is definitely going on the KBPS Christmas Party playlist this December.

You can buy the single on iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp. You can also find out more about the CALMzone on Facebook.

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 4)

It's part four of our countdown, now taking us from 70 - 61! Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

70 James Morrison - I Need You Tonight (Released: March)

69 Nzilani - Never Be (Released: May)

68 Mayer Hawthorne - Love Like That (Released: May)

67 Jamie Lynn Spears - Sleepover (Released: June)

66 Izzy Bizu - White Tiger (Released: March)

65 We Are Z - GOLDIGAZ (Released: September)

64 Symmetry - Gotta Wake You Up (Released: September)

63 Richard Ashcroft - This Is How It Feels (Released: May)

62 Panic! At The Disco - Emperors New Clothes (Released: January)

61 Ms Henrik - Like Lovers Do (Released: September)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 3)

Let's continue our countdown of our favourite 100 songs of the 2016 with numbers 80 - 71! Don't forget to let us know your thoughts in the comments!

80 Sam Hunt - Take Your Time (Released: March)

79 Passenger - Anywhere (Released: August)

78 Josef Salvat - Paradise (Released: January)

77 Morrissey and Marshall - Cold November Sunrise (Released: January)

76 Jamie Porter - Sound of the Summer (Released: May)

 
75 Jack Savoretti - When We Were Lovers (Released: September)

74 Rebecca Ferguson - Bones (Released: October)

73 Cat Delphi - Fire (Released: January)

72 Holly Johnson - Ascension (Released: March)

71 Simple Minds feat. KT Tunstall - Promised You A Miracle (Released: November)

Review: Canaan Smith - Bronco

I saw Canaan Smith supporting the Shires in York last week and his genuineness, personality and, most importantly, catchy country songs really grabbed my attention. Picking up his latest album, Bronco, at the merch stand was my best decision as it's eleven great country songs and though it's sub-35 minutes running time is quite short there's much to enjoy whilst your playing it, even if songs like 'Miranda Lambert Crazy', performed live, are sadly missing.

The album opens with the hooky pop-country number 'Good Kinda Bad' which is a high energy, foot-tapping start to the record. 'Stompin' Grounds' might relish its country song tropes but it's delivered with catchy hooks and a bouncy, upbeat positivity. Lead single 'Love You Like That', packed with similies is brilliant: catchy, poppy, hooky, a great track and one of the best on the piece.

'Hole in a Bottle' continues the bouncy, fun country numbers that mix high energy with Smith's likeable vocals and attitude. 'Stuck', a slightly slower power-ballad, is probably the best track on the record with some strong lyrics mixed with a great layered up production. 'One of Those' adopts the list style of some of the early tracks and mixes it up again into something equally as perky. 'Mad Love' is slower but no less catchy, whilst 'Love At First' has a mid-tempo swagger and instrumentation that offers something a little different.

Bringing us into the final three tracks 'American Muscle' is the rockiest song on the LP and another favourite, packed as it is full of energy. 'Two Lane Road' ticks the country music cliche box but with its soaring vocals and mid-tempo pace it's a neat little change of musical direction. The album finishes on the heart-wrenching titular track that is beautifully written and performed.

'Bronco' is an excellent LP of catchy, upbeat country-pop songs headed up by the strong vocals and likeability of the lead singer. A must listen. (8/10)