When did Guetta turn into Zedd? Or has Zedd just been Guetta in disguise? Both DJs are churning out bland EDM while smothering their female vocalists with vocoder effects. Anne-Marie is the latest in a long line of victims.
Don't bother.
Emily Burns - Test Drive
She's released a string of brilliant singles, but now they accumulate in the debut mini-album from Emily Burns. 'Seven Scenes From The Same Summer' offers snapshots of a relationship, with Test Drive depicting its vulnerable beginnings - Burns isn't shy to admit it, but she wants to be more than just a test drive. Infectious production and a repeated "hey!" make this great pop fun, but when the biting Bitch comes later in the album you know tragedy awaits.
Worth a listen.
Charli XCX - Girls Night Out
Charli XCX can do no wrong. But equally, she can do no right. Girls Night Out is yet another fun, funky electro-pop banger, all stuttering synths, bleeps and a playful chorus. But is this really going to be climbing the charts? Is Charli XCX ever going to have the success she deserves?
Worth a listen.
The Chainsmokers feat. Emily Warren - Side Effects
Emily Warren had a hand in some of the biggest tracks of the last couple of years, from Dua Lipa's New Rules and Charli XCX's Boys, to multiple tracks by the obnoxious Chainsmokers. Side Effects, though, is a change in form for the duo. Not only does it sound different, based around house piano and funk production, but it actually sounds...good?
Worth a listen.
Jungle - Heavy, California
There's no better band to listen to in a heatwave than Jungle. They are masters of hot music and Heavy, California is no different, watery guitars and shimmering falsetto vocals flickering like heat haze. They just make it all so effortless, you know?
Worth a listen.
Blood Orange - Charcoal Baby
"No one wants to be the odd one out at times," sighs Dev Hynes, "no one wants to be the negro swan." It's such a simple lyric but it has a wealth of feeling, as well as giving his forthcoming album its name. The sliding, pitch bending jazz production provides a lazy, laidback mood, but listen hard and there's more than just musical depth to lose yourself in.
Worth a listen.
