Back catalogue: Pop

Review: She might be more well known these days for her open letters to Miley Ray Cyrus or public struggles with mental health, but this So Far The Best of reminds us just why Sinead O'Connor is so famous in the first place. It brings together the very best tunes from her four albums and was originally released in 1997, so of course, includes her ubiquitous and global smash Number 1 'Nothing Compares 2 U' is included, as are earlier singles 'Troy' and 'Mandinka', all of which showcase her fearless style and a rich array of emotions. 'Heroine' and 'Just Like U Said It Would B' are included for the first time having in the past only been available on the US version.

Review: In the many-sided legacy Sinead O'Connor left in her wake, there were many surprises and anomalies which benefit from a fresh appraisal since her tragic passing. Her 1992 album Am I Not Your Girl? had a mixed reception on its release, as she paused on her contemporary dance-tinged pop production to indulge in big band and torch song covers. Similarly to Bjork tackling 'It's Oh So Quiet', it was a divisive move in a career full of them, but in the fullness of time these sincere pieces are but another vehicle for O'Connor's incredible voice, proving she was as versatile as she was forthright. A one of a kind talent, never to be repeated.

Review: Taeko Ohnuki, known for her cult records from the late 70s and 80s, has seen her reputation soar over the years. Among her standout works is Grey Skies, which, despite its initial commercial challenges, has become a beloved classic. This remastered edition revitalizes the album with its rich blend of classic rock, jazz, pop, and AOR. Featuring a diverse array of instruments-synths, trombones, clarinet, wood blocks, harpsichord, electric organs, and more-Grey Skies delivers a lush and dynamic listening experience, showcasing Ohnuki's intricate and innovative sound.

Review: OneRepublic's sixth studio album marks another chapter in their illustrious career, showcasing their signature blend of pop-rock with a fresh, vibrant energy. Led by the dynamic vocals of Ryan Tedder, alongside guitarists Zach Filkins and Drew Brown, Brian Willett on keys, multi-talented Brent Kutzle on bass and cello, and drummer Eddie Fisher, the album delivers a mix of standout tracks. The breakout platinum single 'I Ain't Worried', famously synced with Tom Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick, exemplifies their ability to craft anthemic hooks that resonate widely. Collaborations like 'I Don't Wanna Wait,' featuring David Guetta, add diversity to their repertoire, while hits such as 'West Coast' and 'Sunshine' showcase their knack for catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Frontman Ryan Tedder, a three-time Grammy winner for his songwriting prowess with artists like Adele and Taylor Swift, brings his seasoned craft to every track, ensuring each song on this album shines with its own unique charm. Available on gold vinyl, this release looks as good as it sounds.

Review: Taeko Onuki's latest release is a live album pressed up to vinyl and capturing her full performance from Tokyo in November 2023. The show featured a seven-piece band with Hirokazu Ogura on guitar, Masato Suzuki on bass, Takashi Numazawa and Tatsuo Hayashi on drums, Febien Reza Panet on piano, and Toshiyuki Mori and Shohei Amamori on keyboards. This album showcases Onuki's dynamic performance with a talented ensemble and a rich array of sounds from the original multi-tracks. It's a great snapshot of the event as well as being a superb contemporary pop exploration across four sides of vinyl.

Review: Rita Ora recently described her hotly anticipated third album, You & I, as "like my diary of the last few years". Masterminded in collaboration with executive producer Oak Felder and featuring Ora as a credited co-writer throughout, the album has been trailed as loosely chronological musical wander through the highs and lows of relationships and falling in love. Ora is in fine form throughout, singing confidently (and sometimes passionately) atop backing tracks that offer a 21st century synth-pop take on dance music culture - as has been the fashion for a number of years. It also contains a genuine club anthem in the shape of 'Praising You', an inventive, hands-aloft, festival-friendly banger that makes extensive use of Fatboy Slim big beat classic 'Praise You' (for which he gets a 'featured' credit).

Review: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rita Ora is back with her first album since signing a new partnership with BMG in 2022. This early awaited album You & I was teased with the lead single 'You Only Love Me' which was co-written by Ora and produced by Lewis Thompson. It is a track inspired by her personal experience of "feeling vulnerable at the very start of her romantic journey." The rest of the record features plenty of the emotive yet catchy pop tunes we have come to expect from Ora. Ora has 13 UK Top 10 singles and four UK Number One singles to her name already and is just as successful stateside. This new album is only likely to heightened that reputation.

Review: Named after dazzle camouflage, an approach to painting naval vessels in ways that would make it difficult for them to be targeted with the naked eye (used extensively in World War I, less so in World War II), OMD's fourth studio album also arrived on Telegraph, an imprint that never existed and was instead a fictitious platform backed by Virgin Records. There's no mistaking the fact this is Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, though, with the tracks here defining the band perfectly.
By that, we mean grand, epic overtures, a strange - at the time, groundbreaking - hybrid of electronic synth stuff with classical, Neo-operatics and rock & roll. It's evocative, immediately captivating and very difficult to make many assumptions about, with techniques such as sampling, looping and layering employed to incredible effect, without overshadowing the song craft itself. Which, it's safe to say, is approaching their artistic peak at this point.

Review: This collaboration album La Comitiva on Bubbles marks a unique partnership between Erlend Oye and the Italian band La Comitiva. Blending indie pop, folk, and electronic elements, it delivers a fresh and innovative sound and new take on pop. Erlend Oye's soulful vocals and reflective lyrics are enriched by La Comitiva's rich instrumentation to create an immersive journey through diverse musical influences and inspirations. From the catchy rhythms of 'Garota' to the dreamy ambiance of 'Fence Me In,' each track offers distinct melodies and storytelling that stay with you. There are emotive vocals and dynamic instrumentation throughout as well as some genre-defying sounds all of which will captivate fans old and new.