Clean Bandit - I Miss You
Clean Bandit have had a remarkable run of hit singles over the past year. I Miss You will likely continue that trend, though it's more of a slow-burning banger. That's all for the best in my eyes - Julia Michaels bring some genuine emotion, supported by warm vocal harmonies and mournful cello melodies. Yes the band can release some pretty silly pop songs (I'm looking at you Rockabye), but I Miss You proves they've got some depth too.
Selena Gomez X Marshmello - Wolves
Ok I can see why this was released just before Halloween. But Selena is so much better than this generic dance rubbish. And what kind of name is "Marshmello" for an EDM producer anyway?
Paloma Faith - Guilty
No one can do overblown soul ballads like Paloma Faith, who screeches her way through this above stomping beats and orchestration. Amy Winehouse must be rolling in her grave.
Sam Smith - Burning
Sam Smith isn't particularly popular within the gay community. And I feel that's because he's forever playing the victim - as true in his music as in his personal life. "I've been burning...such a burden, this flame on my chest," he sings on the opening to this latest track taken from his forthcoming album, before admitting he's been smoking more than twenty cigarettes a day as if it's a crime. Is he only capable of positivity if he collaborates with Disclosure?
Plan B - Heartbeat
After coming back with the political In The Name Of Man earlier in the year, with Heartbeat Plan B is giving up on that and focusing on himself. "I don't worry about what people saying," he sings here. Production-wise, though, this is straight out of 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks' and sounds as old-fashioned as an Emeli Sandé single.
MØ - When I Was Young
The problem with MØ is that she's just too inconsistent. Her debut album was full of haunting Scandi-pop and since then she's released brilliant tracks like Final Song, Kamikaze and of course Lean On with Major Lazer. And then she releases something like this with a generic verse and a really annoying whiny chorus hook. Thankfully there are better tracks on the rest of the 'When I Was Young' EP - listen to Turn My Heart To Stone instead.
Alan Walker, Noah Cyrus, Digital Farm Animals - All Falls Down
With EDM producer Alan Walker helming this track, with support from British DJ and songwriter Digital Farm Animals and some vocals from Miley's younger sister, you know this is going to be a highly unoriginal but strangely enjoyable dance-pop banger. It's not hard to see this infectious track riding high in the charts.
Áine Cahill - Blood Diamonds
This menacing pop track from Ireland's Áine Cahill is amazing largely for its lyric: "I'm the biggest bitch in the world and I wear blood diamonds...don't care where they come from 'cause they're pretty on my neck." It's pretty reckless behaviour but it sounds fierce.
The Sound Of Arrows - Wicked Ways
If you're in the market for some Swedish dream-pop this week, then The Sound Of Arrows have you covered with this collaboration with Annie that sounds like it's ripped straight from the 90s.
Rhye - Taste
This is just beautifully produced and effortlessly cool.
