Ke$ha feat. The Dap-Kings Horns - Woman
Just a week after she unveiled Praying, Ke$ha has unleashed Woman - a stomping feminist anthem with funk-soul group The Dap-Kings Horns. The song was written as a response to Trump's pussy grabbing comment - "I'm a motherfucking woman, baby!" she furiously roars in the chorus. But when her singing erupts into giggles in the second verse, you know that Ke$ha is back stronger than ever and having fun.
Selena Gomez feat. Gucci Mane - Fetish
Fetish is essentially Good For You part two, but not as good. Dark, sensual R&B with a hip-hop beat, a rap feature and a sexual theme ("you've got a fetish for my love") - it ticks all the boxes, but it lacks the catchy hook and originality to be a massive hit.
Lana Del Rey - Summer Bummer feat. A$AP Rocky & Playboy Carti / Groupie Love feat. A$AP Rocky
Summer Bummer might just be one of the best song titles ever. But from these two tracks released in anticipation of forthcoming album 'Lust For Life', Lana's star might be fading. They're more hip-hop infused than ever and while that's a direction she's been gradually moving towards from the beginning of her career, it feels like she's struggling to remain relevant. Her whining vocals meanwhile are beginning to grate. Bummer.
MY - Hate On Myself
Swedish synth-pop. Carly Rae Jepsen levels of bright production and catchy melodies. Lyrics tinged with sadness over a vibrant chorus. This is simply brilliant pop from an artist whose name is impossible to Google.
Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry
You should be for this hun.
Tigertown - Warriors
The Australian group's EP 'Papernote' from 2015 was a fizzy pop delight. Warriors follows suit, with bigger beats, vocals that soar and a double chorus of greatness. Highly enjoyable.
Loreen - Body
Loreen has certainly stuck to a formula since the phenomenal Eurovision juggernaut Euphoria, but it's suited her just fine resulting in a string of (under-appreciated) electro-bangers. Body is no different: sexual and mysterious, with tinges of Middle-Eastern melodies.
Echosmith - Goodbye
Unless you remember Cool Kids from the band's 2013 debut album, this is likely more of a hello than a goodbye. Yet where that album was all tweeny guitar-pop, Goodbye ramps up the pop with slicker production, a catchy chorus and tropical melodies. If this is goodbye, then please come back for more.
Galantis - True Feeling
The Swedish EDM duo are releasing new album 'The Aviary' in a couple of month's time, which is great news for fans who like to listen to the same song across ten tracks. Still, you can't deny the infectious happiness their music seems to instil - True Feeling is no different.
Bonzai - I Feel Alright
The Dublin-raised singer has already released a handful of EPs, but for the unfamiliar I Feel Alright makes a strong impression. Produced by Mura Masa (and sounding very different from his work), this is a fun pop track that erupts into an infectious bass-heavy chorus. "Bonzai, search for my name like a Holy Grail," she sings in the second verse - and don't forget it.
MNEK - Paradise
MNEK jumps on to the current trend for reworking 90s classics by stealing Ultra Nate's Free and turning it into some choppy R&B. His soulful vocal adds a sultry element over the top, though he's such a strong songwriter it makes you wish for something more original.
Raphaella - Turn Around
I'm cheating with this one as technically it was released last week, but this sultry jam from the Brit-Persian artist is too good to pass up. Sparse production lets the beats breathe beneath a yearning vocal that hovers deftly above, while Persian instruments rub shoulders with alt-electro sounds. It's a mesmerising concoction.
