Miley Cyrus - Malibu
Miley Cyrus used to be memorable. And no I'm not just talking about the twerking, the tongue, the nudity, the hammer and wrecking ball. Those things just detracted from some great pop songs, not to mention the brilliance of Party In The USA. Now though? We've got soppy love songs, country melodies, and pop-rock production. It should be a recipe for success. Instead, it's utterly, utterly forgettable.
Calvin Harris ft. Future & Khalid - Rollin
This week Calvin Harris announced his forthcoming album with a whole load of collaborators. It marks something of a reinvention for the Scottish electro-pop producer, with the likes of US hip-hop stars Frank Ocean, Migos, Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Lil Yachty and Snoop Dogg all featuring. Really, though, it's the continuation of a canny career writing massive hits for the world's biggest popstars. And with hip-hop dominating the charts these days, he's simply doing the same as he always has. If Rollin is anything to go by, we're in for an album that encapsulates the sound of 2017.
Sub Focus feat ALMA - Don't You Feel It
Producer Sub Focus specialises in massive dubstep beats and bass wobbles - they got a bit repetitive throughout 2013 album 'Torus' but Tidal Wave was the smash that broke through. This, though, is a bit sub-par if you'll excuse the pun. More interesting is featured vocalist ALMA, who's track Dye My Hair is a fun little pop bop well worth listening to on repeat.
Fred V & Grafix - Sugar
Speaking of heavy beats, these two drum and bass producers have released quite a few. Sugar though is a much more mellow take, with its vocoder voice and muted synths that still incorporates some chopped up samples and chorus drops for good measure. A perfect summer jam.
Mabel - Bedroom
Mabel was nominated for the BBC Sound of way back in 2016 and so far her career has been a little underwhelming without a real breakout hit - she's still best known as Neneh Cherry's daughter. Bedroom may not be that breakout hit, but it's a visceral depiction of a twisted relationship over modern R&B production that fizzes and spurts with sexual tension.
Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes
After the success of Radioactive from their debut album, follow up album 'Smoke + Mirrors' failed to deliver a single of the same calibre. Believer, released earlier this year, ensures that's not the case with third album 'Evolve' - so far not so much an evolution but a return to their earlier success. Whatever It Takes won't win them any new fans, but its mix of pop-rock and hip-hop is as enjoyable as the band have ever been, taking elements of 00s nu-metal and bringing them up to date.........
Linkin Park - Invisible
Sorry for the language, but really what the FUCK has happened to Linkin Park?
