Here is a very strong line-up of new songs...
Grimes – Flesh Without Blood
Grimes – Flesh Without Blood
Look, the album is out this week and this is the best song
around at the moment. Except, maybe Adele.
5/5
Listen: Flesh Without
Blood is available now. ‘Art Angels’ is released on November 6th.
MØ – Kamikaze
After the success of Lean
On with Major Lazer, Denmark’s MØ is set to return in a big way after her 2014 debut. Kamikaze is an absolute banger
with a hugely infectious hook and her trademark quirky production. Listen to
the lyrics (and watch the video) though and you’ll see MØ’s punk spirit is
still well and truly alive, even with commercial success.
4/5
Listen: Kamikaze is
available now.
Justin Bieber – Sorry
Say what you will about Bieber, but you can’t deny that he's released a string of A+ songs recently. He’s seemingly cornered the
market on pop-songs-that-sound-upbeat-and-sad-at-the-same-time and Sorry might just be the best of the lot,
with shades of tropical house in its laidback beats, synth horns and cooing
falsetto. Working with Skrillex and Blood Diamonds, Bieber is clearly on to a
winner.
4/5
Listen: Sorry is
available now. ‘Purpose’ is due November 13th.
Jack Ü feat. AlunaGeorge – To Ü
Jack Ü, meanwhile, have moved on to their next single which
features AlunaGeorge (who really should be making a comeback soon). As with Where Are Ü Now, the urgent jungle beats
remain, but now there’s vibrant choppy samples over the top and the sensual
vocals of Aluna Francis. The beat drops are as huge as you’d expect.
4/5
Listen: To Ü is available
now.
Ariana Grande – Focus
Look, I can understand why an artist may latch on to a good thing and attempt to repeat past success. But Focus is such a blatant re-tread of Problem that it’s hard to take seriously. Structurally it’s near identical, right down to the distinct LACK OF CHORUS and the super high note before its final repeat. There are trumpets. There are similar vocal riffs. There’s a hand clap beat. All that’s missing is an Iggy Azalea rap. The dance break in the middle is decent to be fair.
Look, I can understand why an artist may latch on to a good thing and attempt to repeat past success. But Focus is such a blatant re-tread of Problem that it’s hard to take seriously. Structurally it’s near identical, right down to the distinct LACK OF CHORUS and the super high note before its final repeat. There are trumpets. There are similar vocal riffs. There’s a hand clap beat. All that’s missing is an Iggy Azalea rap. The dance break in the middle is decent to be fair.
2/5
Listen: Focus is available now.
Ellie Goulding – Army
It’s clear from the releases so far that Goulding’s
forthcoming 'Delirium' will be a more
pop-friendly album than 2012’s ‘Halcyon’ (has it really been that long?!) and that’s no bad thing judging by the
feisty On My Mind, the pulsing Something In The Way You Move and the
folk touches of Lost And Found. Army, though, builds towards an
expansive chorus that feels a bit too X Factor Live Final. Full album review
coming soon.
3/5
Listen: Army is
available now. ‘Delirium’ is released on November 6th.
St. Lucia – Dancing On Glass
It’s still incredibly annoying that St. Lucia’s brilliant
album ‘When The Night’ was never released in the UK, but fingers crossed Dancing On Glass will usher in a new Transatlantic
career for the Brooklyn-based artist. If you imagine a neon sun-dappled
equivalent to M83’s nocturnal Midnight
City you’re part way there, this being a similarly 80s inspired slice of
thrilling electro-pop.
4/5
Listen: Dancing On
Glass is available now.
Gwen Stefani – Used To Love You
Stefani’s comeback track Baby
Don’t Lie also never saw release in the UK and so we’re left waiting for
another smash like What You Waiting For (ironic).
Now, though, we have this personal tearjerker that clearly reflects on her divorce
with the chorus lyric “I don’t know why I cry but I think it’s ‘cause I
remember for the first time since I hated you, that I used to love you”. Well
we still love you Gwen, so let’s keep the new music rolling out yeah?
4/5
Listen: Used To Love
You is available now.
Frida Sundemo – Heroes
Heroes is taken
from the forthcoming release of film Kill Your Friends based on the novel by John Niven, with Sundemo also featuring
in the film. With the book (and film) taking place in the ‘90s and its
soundtrack mostly taking cue from that era, Heroes
stands out as a modern icy Scandi cut that doesn’t immediately suit the
dark undertones of the plot. Still, it’s a soaring, joyful electro-pop track
that’ll no doubt sound great over the credits.
4/5
Watch: Kill Your
Friends is released on November 6th.
Dua Lipa – Be The One
The debut single from London newcomer Dua Lipa was the
subdued yet butterfly-inducing New Love
that matched her smoky vocals to fidgety beats and glorious sparkles. But you’d
expect no less from producer Emile Haynie, who’s worked with Lana Del Rey and
FKA Twigs (even if the video is a bit too hipster teen angst). Follow-up Be The One, though, is the track that
will bring far more attention – its polished, crystalline electronic production
sounding immediately radio friendly. Lyrically, though, this is a yearning tale
of unrequited love: “when you’re gone, oh baby, all the lights go out…oh baby
come on, let me get to know you…I could be the one”. Polished production and
vulnerable lyrics? Dua Lipa, so far, as it all.
4/5
Listen: Be The One is
available now.
