Charli XCX – Boys
It’s the video everyone’s talking about and yes it’s a super cute marketing ploy to go viral that cleverly flips notions of modern masculinity on its head. But let’s not discount the song either – catchy as hell with pristinely crystalline production, it’s surely one of her best songs and ably bridges the gap between mainstream bubblegum pop and the computer music of her 'Vroom Vroom' EP. I’m also a big fan of the Super Mario coin effects.
Jessie Ware – Midnight
In Ware’s own words, Midnight is “the song I’ve always wanted to be able to sing but perhaps didn’t have the confidence until now.” Thank God she has. This new single from her forthcoming third album is a sublime piece of soulful pop that marries the love and anxiety of a long term relationship (“don’t let me fall through, now that I need you,” she sings in the chorus), with its lush, glorious chorus springing from a tense, dissonant verse. Vocally too Ware has never sounded better, her delicate voice finding new power and warmth. Her third album is due later this year and cannot come soon enough.
Snakehips & Anne-Marie – Either Way feat. Joey Bada$$
Perennial feature vocalist Anne-Marie follows Zayn Malik, MØ, Tinashe and more as the latest artist to team up with British duo Snakehips. Either Way is a slinky, effortlessly cool electro-pop track that may not have the same chart impact as her work with Clean Bandit or solo singles, but proves Anne-Marie is far more than a cheesy pop artist singing her child to sleep. As for Snakehips, they’re building up quite the collection of hit songs as the producers du jour – expect a Beyoncé collaboration or something soon enough.
Ke$ha – Learn To Let Go
Unable to release music for so long, Ke$ha is now whacking out the songs on a weekly basis. Learn To Let Go is a more traditional Ke$ha track, with a strong hook and rock-tinged pop production. Basically it sounds like Max Martin could’ve written it, the highest form of pop praise. Lyrically, though, it’s another cathartic (if not very subtle) release as the singer finds redemption in moving on from her traumatic past – something that comes across in the joyful video.
KWAYE – Sweetest Life
All 90s house influences and silky smooth vocals mixed up with modern R&B, this track is as sweet as the title suggests. It’s the latest track from the British singer’s ‘Solar’ EP and with its funk chorus like a warm embrace, it’s a welcome four minute respite of positivity. Plus it’s got a flippin’ saxophone in it.
The Killers – Run For Cover
This is the next track to be released from the band’s forthcoming album ‘Wonderful, Wonderful’ following The Man from a couple of weeks back. Compared with that bonkers track, this is a more straightforward stadium rock track but it soars like only The Killers can do. From the opening, the driving guitars set the tone and there’s no let-up throughout. Don’t run for cover, give in to the rush.
Susanne Sundfør feat John Grant – Mountaineers
John Grant’s vocal calls out over an ominous synth pedal. The layers achingly build, Sundfør’s haunting vocal gradually taking over, the synths shifting and morphing into glorious chords, the choir joins with angelic harmony to create an almighty crescendo, before the sounds peter out and the dust settles. ‘Music For People In Trouble’ is going to be one hell of an album.
Purity Ring – Asido
Few bands write lyrics as gothic as Purity Ring. “From a black widow’s reckoning your fortuitous spine opened up like a marionette,” goes the opening line, all sung in Megan James’ distinctively fragile vocal laced with autotune. “Feel as lonely as I do,” she implores repeatedly in the chorus over sparse production, looming bass and glittering arpeggios hanging like jewels in the vast abyss. Asido has been released solely to commemorate the release of their debut album five years ago, but there’s surely more to come from them soon.
Julia Michaels – Worst In Me
Michaels seems to have come out of nowhere after the success of Issues. But Worst In Me, taken from debut album 'Nervous System', is full of such heartbreaking, relatable tragedy that it’s hard to ignore. “But maybe it’s the worst in me that’s bringing out the worst in you,” she questions, “I know we could fix these kinks but the worst in me doesn’t want to”. And with a vocal trembling with such fear and pain, it’s no surprise this track is based on her own experience in her last relationship. The brutal honesty of this song is arresting like few others in current pop.
Jay Hardway – Need It
After all that downbeat heartache, it’s time to lighten up with some cheesy dance music, this time courtesy of Dutch DJ Jay Hardway. The lyrics have a touch of sadness, but the Daft Punk synths and infectious beat make this a perfect summer track.
