Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé - Perfect Duet
These two together is probably the most unlikely duet pairing in music history. But after the snow covered cheese-fest of the Perfect video, it's clear that Sheeran is really gunning for that Christmas number one - dragging poor Beyoncé into the mix is just a desperate attempt to increase that fanbase and wrack up the streams.
Louis Tomlinson - Miss You
I thought Tomlinson was the dance guy of the 1D alumni? But here he is singing about how hard it is being famous over grating pop punk production. It's clear he just doesn't know his musical personality and is instead releasing this lazy rubbish with one of the worst vocals of the year.
Martin Garrix & David Guetta feat. Jamie Scott, Romy Dya - So Far Away
Despite collaborating with three (!) other artists, Garrix has managed to make So Far Away sound like every one of his other tracks. That's to say, it begins with a soft and moody verse before lurching into a rowdy chorus of crashing rhythms and basslines it's very easy to sing Scared To Be Lonely over. Guetta adds some polish and the two vocalists fail to be heard over the cacophony.
Django Django - In Your Beat
For all its weirdness, In Your Beat is perhaps the most accessible of Django Django's singles. Production-wise it's all over the place, but in the best possible way - it's manic joy with a strong vocal hook to tie it all together.
Kiesza & SKYGGE - Hello Shadow
Kiesza came out of nowhere back in 2014 with Hideaway, which turned out to be one of the year's best hits. Hello Shadow marks the return of the Canadian singer and while it lacks the hooks and universal appeal of her earlier work, the big beats are back in full force.
Nick Jonas - Watch Me
This is the second song that Jonas has provided for the forthcoming animated film 'Ferdinand' about a Spanish fighting bull. The first was soppy ballad Home that actually has an enjoyable, driving rhythm to it. Watch Me, though, is a sort of funky hip-hop affair that your kids will no doubt be dancing along to during the film's credits. I guess he's being paid a lot for this...
Mahalia - No Pressure
Mahalia came to prominence with the sultry Sober. No Pressure continues her smooth R&B sound, which belies a biting criticism of the music industry: "say no to the yes men, 'cause they're the ones that don't question how you're feeling week to week." It's not a hit, but a strong statement from a rising artist with big things ahead of her.
Kate Boy - True Colours
Sweden's Kate Boy have been quiet since the release of their euphoric debut 'One'. True Colours is a more subdued affair, but retains their brooding, percussive sound - pulsing beats, synth flourishes, and a vocal from Kate Akhurst that swirls like smoke in the dark.
