Back catalogue: Pop

Review: 'The show must go on' would be a fitting subtitle for Celine Dion's new Amazon Prime Video documentary. Charting her life, accomplishments, and often hidden difficulties, the overall message is clear: very little is going to stand in the way of someone this determined. Even viewers who don't consider themselves fans have been won over, with 100% of reviews on movie critic aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes offering positive feedback. It's certainly rousing stuff, with Dion's ongoing battle with stuff-person syndrome - a rare neurological disorder characterised by increasing rigidity - a key reason why you're bound to get off the couch feeling like most things might be possible after all, just as the closing credits roll. As for the soundtrack, it's a big, concert-hall worth selection of her most powerful anthems and album tracks, from 'The Power of Love' to 'My Heart Will Go On', many of which take on new resonance after watching the film.

Review: Released in 1990, the Canadian 'Titantic' legend's ninth - and first English-language - album, was her formal introduction to a broader international audience. While later albums would showcase her powerhouse balladry, Unison is rooted in late 80s and early 90s pop, dance and soft rock, highlighting a different, more youthful side of Dion. This reissue's title track, 'Unison', is a bright, upbeat number, blending slick production with a catchy, danceable groove. Dion's voice is confident but not overpowering, riding the rhythm with an effortless charm. 'Where Does My Heart Beat Now', arguably the album's peak, is a soaring ballad that previews the emotional intensity she would later become famous for i her vocals swelling with a mix of vulnerability and strength. Tracks like 'If Love Is Out the Question' and 'Have a Heart' lean into soft rock territory, filled with shimmering synths and polished guitar work, highlighting Dion's adaptability across genres. Meanwhile, 'The Last to Know' presents a bittersweet mid-tempo groove, layered with heartfelt emotion. Unison captures an artist in transition i blending dance-pop sheen with emotional depth. It's a polished debut that lays the groundwork for Dion's meteoric rise, offering glimpses of the superstar vocalist she was destined to become.

Review: Canadian crooner Celine Dion's My Love: Essential Collection is a fine testament to the iconic singer's illustrious career which spanned decades and took in countless hits. This compilation serves up her most beloved hits, all of which showcase Dion's unparalleled vocal prowess and emotional depth. From singalong classics like 'My Heart Will Go On' to powerful ballads such as 'The Power of Love,' each track resonates with pop fans worldwide and transcends language and culture. Dion's ability to evoke raw emotion and convey universal themes of love and resilience has made her a global phenomenon and all of that is proven beyond doubt in this album which underlines her unparalleled contribution to popular music.

Review: To celebrate the one-year anniversary of provocative rap and hip-hop star Doja Cat's critically acclaimed album Scarlet, this deluxe vinyl edition 'Scarlet 2 CLAUDE' is now served up on bone vinyl. This version includes 24 tracks and features hits like 'Attention,' 'Paint The Town Red,' 'Agora Hills,' and 'OKLOSER.' 'Paint The Town Red' is the real standout and a firm favourite with many having spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, which made it the first rap song to top the chart last year. It also led the Billboard Global 200 for four weeks and after that in February 2024, the superb 'Agora Hills' reached No. 1 on Top 40 Radio, marking Doja Cat's eighth chart-topper.

Review: Although artists often claim not to read their reviews, Doja Cat clearly does. Scarlet, her fourth album, is a direct reaction to criticism of her rapping and the pop-leaning nature of her later work. So while she does sing at times, it's her sassy, confident and dextrous verses - alongside beats and basslines rooted in r&b and hip-hop, with plenty of high-profile sample flipping thrown in (see recent single 'Paint The Town Red', which utilises elements of Dione Warwick classic 'Walk On By'). The results are undoubtedly remarkable and -in her words - "masculine", with highlights including the strutting and insanely weighty 'Demons' (whose lyrics are a direct attack on critics and misogynistic male rappers), the Rotary Connection-goes-r&b shuffle of 'Attention' and the deep, head-nodding wooziness of 'Balut'.