Saturday 5 May 2018

New Music Friday 04/05

Troye Sivan - Bloom

Troye Sivan - Bloom

This '#20GAYTEEN', queer artists are providing some of the best pop music. Troye Sivan is at the forefront of that with My My My! and now Bloom. It's essentially about losing your virginity, its flower imagery juxtaposed with snappy, bubblegum production (that drum beat!) leading towards the breathless vocals in the middle eight. It's erotic in the sweetest way.

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Christina Aguilera feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz - Accelerate

Christina Aguilera - Accelerate

This is a mess. Fragmented melodies. A meandering bassline. Choppy production. Constant interjections from rappers Ty Dolla $ign and 2 Chainz. Produced by Kanye West, this sounds like a hip-hop track on which Christina Aguilera features, rather than a Christina Aguilera comeback single. And then there's the attention-seeking video composed of explicit sexual imagery. The whole thing just screams desperation.

Worth a listen.



Jess Glynne - I'll Be There


Jess Glynne is known for her feelgood anthems. For her proper solo return (after featuring on Rudimental's irritating These Days) she's released another, bleating and emoting gospel-tinged melodies and corny lyrics about love and support. Basically it sounds like a Children In Need charity single.

Don't bother.



Florence + The Machine - Hunger

Florence + The Machine - Hunger

If Sky Full Of Song was a taste of Florence's new direction, then Hunger is the big main single. It definitely lacks that track's subtlety as her vocals blast out at full throttle throughout, but lyrically this is as raw and honest as she's ever been. Comparing her teenage experience to that of girls today, this is a soulful anthem that comes from the pit of her stomach, matched by Emile Haynie's distinctly unpolished production.

Worth a listen.



Tove Styrke - Sway

Tove Styrke - Sway

She's had a string of brilliant singles recently and now Tove Styrke has released the full album that's...basically just the singles put together. Sway is the title track and arguably the weakest of the bunch. But while it's all too brief, this collection of sweet yet spiky tracks are some of the best pop this year.

Worth a listen.



Dagny - That Feeling When

Dagny - That Feeling When

The latest single from Norwegian songstress Dagny is a bittersweet affair. Lyrically melancholic, its sombre verses shift gear for a widescreen chorus that soars. Her previous singles were all upbeat Scandi-cool; this, though, is a more introspective side that only proves her versatility.

Worth a listen.



Céline Dion - Ashes

Céline Dion - Ashes

The DRAMA of this song. On its own this would make a great ballad. But it's taken from the Deadpool 2 soundtrack, its melodrama taking a turn for the ironic. Céline Dion manages to do the double: a touch of self-deprecating humour plus an awesome vocal performance.

Worth a listen.



Charlie Puth - The Way I Am

Charlie Puth - The Way I Am

'Voicenotes' is still a week away but here's another funky pop single from Charlie Puth. Driving rhythms are at the core of smooth, polished production and falsetto vocals that all come together in a richly textured whole. It's a well-constructed pop song, which bodes well for the full album.

Worth a listen.



Emma Blackery - Agenda


Some of the lyrics in this new single from the YouTube star are horribly forced. Agenda is saved, though, by vibrant bubblegum production with a strong 80s vibe. Its youthful energy is perfect for a young star seeking a radio-friendly hit.

Worth a listen.



Salt Ashes - Girls


Not to be confused with Rita Ora's just-announced new single of the same name, this is a biting, fizzing piece of menacing disco-pop. "Stop treating me like one of those girls," she demands in the chorus over heavy beats and a kaleidoscope of synths. You don't want to mess with her.

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