Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Here's a cover which can't fail to please a huge crowd, as Betty Black takes on Eurythmics' eternal 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)'. Black has been hitting her stride as a modern day soul diva after moving on from her accomplished roots voicing some iconic UK garage tunes, and her cover of 'Cry Me A River' is no joke either. Backed up by The Family Fortune and bringing an undeniable 60s sass to her performance, she makes the track her own. As well as the full vocal version on the A-side, the B-side has the slightly edited, dubbed out 'Work Out' version for when you want to work up a sweat.

Review: This 7-inch single, plucked from the 'Seaside Chillout Breeze' compilation, offers a taste of summery bliss. Side A features TAMTAM's delightful cover of Mad Professor's dub masterpiece 'Sweet Cherry'. The Tokyo-based band infuses the track with their signature colourful grooves, adding steel pans for an extra touch of seaside charm. Flip the record over for Seahawks' 'No More Raindrops (Steel Pan Dub)', a slice of Balearic bliss that evokes a carefree summer vibe. Together, these two tracks capture the essence of the compilation, offering a perfect soundtrack for seaside relaxation.

Review: This release sees David A Tobin exploring the multifaceted nature of love, delivering a soulful house cut that's both uplifting and introspective. 'Fallin' In Love' is a journey through the complex emotions of romance, with warm chords and a driving bassline creating an irresistible groove. Tobin's emotive vocals capture the vulnerability and excitement of falling head over heels, while the track's soulful melodies and uplifting energy create a sense of hopeful optimism. The B-side, 'Turnin' Me On', takes a slightly different approach, with a more playful and seductive vibe. The track's infectious groove and seductive vocals are sure to get bodies moving, while its soulful undertones maintain the overall sense of heartfelt emotion. Together, these two tracks showcase Tobin's versatility as a producer and vocalist, delivering a well-rounded listening experience that will appeal to house heads and soulful music lovers alike.

Review: Sedsoul welcome back one of their mainstays, David A Tobin, with a fresh new tune, emblematic of a soul supremo reared in the gospel tradition. Tobin's nominal credits stretch as far back as the early 1990s, when he operated as a house music vocalist working under the stage name Phoenix, but his more recent efforts under his own name have seen him steer in a determined soul direction, post-2010. 'Fallin' In Love' is an amorous cascade and an homage to sea-changes, with the titular "falling in love" coming backed by refrained urges to "turn your life around".

Review: Way back in 1982, Japanese musicians and producers Yuji Toriyama and Ken Morimura joined forces to deliver Aerobics, a soundtrack for exercise classes (really) that joined the dots between boogie, disco and city pop. 'Night Together', a superb electrofunk instrumental rich in picturesque synthesizer melodies, jazz-funk guitar solos (Toriyama was a guitarist by trade), squelchy bass and drum machine beats. It's certainly well worthy of being reissued - as this tidy "45" from Pony Canyon amply demonstrates. Curiously, it's not backed by another gem from that set, but rather another slept-on Japanese classic - 'Sea Gull' from Chie Sawa's 1974 hybrid folk-rock/psychedelic rock album 23 - Twenty Three Years Old. It's decent, but the A-side is the real winner.

Review: 'EZ Do Dance' by Japanese band TRF was released on June 21, 1993 as their second single and it proved to be a breakout hit that also helped to make dance music more popular in Japan. The group blended Yellow Magic Orchestra's techno-pop style with rock music and was later inspired by a visit to the UK when he experienced the second summer of love in 1998. Here we get the original 7" mix as well as a more piano-laced and vocal flipside joint 'Track 2'.

Review: Take That's seminal 1993 album Everything Changes reissue brings back a lot of memories for many. Featuring iconic singles like 'Relight My Fire', 'Babe', and 'Everything Changes', this album encapsulates the British boy band's peak era, blending dancepop and ballads with an unmatched energy. The album, which topped the UK Albums Chart and was the third-best-selling of 1993, showcases Take That's evolution from their debut's high-energy dance tracks to a more mature sound, driven by Gary Barlow's songwriting. Certified 4× Platinum in the UK and with over three million copies sold worldwide, Everything Changes highlights Take That at their most influential. The release is accompanied by animations from classic videos on a zoetrope picture disc, offering a nostalgic trip back to the early 90s and celebrating the group's enduring impact on pop music.

Review: Tears For Fears return with Songs For A Nervous Planet, their first-ever live album. This 22-track collection captures the band's iconic live performances from their 2023 tour, with recordings from a show at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee. Spanning their career, it includes classics like 'Shout', 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World', 'Mad World', and 'Head Over Heels', as well as several tracks from their 2022 album, The Tipping Point. The album also features four new studio songs, including the lead single, 'The Girl That I Call Home'. Written by Roland Orzabal as a love song for his wife Emily, the track blends dreamy synths, soft drums, and tender vocals, showcasing the band's warmth and emotional depth. Curt Smith remarked, "Many don't realize we're a strong live band," while Orzabal noted, "This album is 40 years in the making."

Review: An absolute delight for Tears For Fears fans, this archival radio broadcast showcases the Bath band at the peak of their powers during a U.S tour in 1990. As was the fashion for decades, the concert - in Santa Barbara Bowl in California - was recorded for, and broadcast by, local radio station KROQ. It offers a snapshot of the outfit's career up to that point, flitting between evocative versions of genuine classics ('Head Over Heels/Broken', 'Mad World'), fan favourites ('Advice For The Young at Heart', 'Famous Last Words'), insopired covers (a storming run through of 'When The Saints Go Marching In', a loved-up interpretation of Beatles classic 'All You Need Is Love'), and extended versions of the band's most inspiring moments ('Everybody Wants To The Rule', 'Shout').

Review: Comicon attendees take note, Smilebit: Technorider Tammy 2 is now in stock and by all accounts is going to be shift quickly. Ultra rare, ultra weird, ultra intense and aurally colourful, if you're unfamiliar this is one of many cult works from the acclaimed and hugely influential video game and electronic music composer Shinji Hosoe, mastermind behind tracks for titles like Ridge Racer, Final Lap, Galaxian 3, and Bushido Blade. A man who rose through the ranks at groundbreaking development house Namco to become one of the company's lead musicians. Smilebit: Technorider Tammy 2 is actually one in a series of electronic mini-albums Hosoe made during the early noughties, and it's pretty indicative of how batshit his output could be. Bold, brash, hyperactive and like the record equivalent of diving into a sea of neon signs, this is a release many have been waiting for on vinyl and supplies are limited, making for a bonafide collector's item.

Review: Teddy Swims' rise continues with I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), the follow-up to his hit-packed debut album's first half. 2024 has seen Swims soar, especially with his chart-dominating single 'Lose Control' which reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #2 on the UK charts, amassing 2.3 billion streams and securing spots in Spotify's "Billions Club." Swims' blend of vintage soul, classic rock and pop, honed through years fronting Atlanta bands, finds new depth here with tracks that balance raw emotion with modern production finesse, establishing Swims as a star to watch.

Review: Teddy Swims' voice is the star of the show hereiwarm, gritty, and effortlessly soulful. As the tracks unfold, there's a clear commitment to balancing raw emotion with polished production. It's the sort of album that delivers heartfelt, introspective lyrics, yet never lets go of a sense of accessibility. The instrumentation keeps it grounded, with lush arrangements that never overpower Swims' delivery. With a balance of light and dark, this part of his journey hints at something more substantial ahead, capturing moments of vulnerability without overstating them.

Review: Pop's newest sensation Teddy Swims drops his latest project I've Tried Everything But Therapy, evoking to the New Zealander's unquenchable thirst for the outbound excesses of life. Intended, in his own words, as his last music project before he goes into therapy, the album mixes plodding pop ballads, pristine vocal deliveries, and motivational highs-and-lows to produce a confident array of songs in the key of life. All the tracks are massive cinematic uplifts, a mood which ensured by its booming production, and themes dealing with heartbreak, baggage, memory and exigency.

Review: The difficult second from Senior Templeman takes his short but pretty sweet back catalogue in a bold new direction. Acid pop? Maybe. Theatrical soft rock? Possibly. Something else entirely? Definitely. Shades of glam guitar cool? For sure. All that's by the byes though, really - we could spend a lifetime splitting hairs about genre and still not quite hit the nail on the head. Featuring production from the legendary Nile Rodgers, super-cool Karma Kid, Oscar Scheller, Will Bloomfield, Justin Young, Josh Scarbrow and Charlie J Perry, this is a restless but rewarding listen, rarely hanging around in one stylistic place before moving on to another. What's remarkable about this soul-inflected, funk-fuelled, psychedelic hued odyssey, though, is just how natural the whole thing feels.

Review: This is a festive stunner from Thalia that mixes up traditional holiday melodies with her signature Latin pop style. With a mix of heartfelt renditions of classic Christmas songs, this album evokes both warmth and nostalgia while infusing the music with a touch of melancholy. Thalia's emotive voice brings a unique depth to each track and captures the vibes of the holiday season with a blend of joy, longing and reflection. The album features a range of instruments and arrangements from orchestral strings to Latin rhythms which make it a rich and beautiful listening experience.

Review: The Thompson Twins' iconic 1984 album Into the Gap is getting a fresh, deluxe reissue from BMG this fall. Remastered by Frank Arkwright, this special triple-disc collection includes the original album, which features hits like 'Hold Me Now', 'Doctor! Doctor!' and 'You Take Me Up', plus 30 additional tracks. These extras include B-sides, single edits debuting on CD and unreleased remixes by Pete Hammond of PWL fame. Into the Gap marked a pivotal moment for the Thompson Twins, as they transitioned to a trio after reducing their lineup. Working with producer Alex Sadkin at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas, the band embraced synthesisers and electronic instruments, moving away from traditional rock sounds. This bold, experimental approach resulted in a new sonic identity. The reissue's accompanying booklet includes rare photos and insights from the band members themselves: Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway. Overall, a terrific edition to honour the 40th anniversary of the album.

Review: The Thompson Twins' Into the Gap, first released in 1984, remains a standout example of 80s synth-pop, and the newly reissued red vinyl edition for its 40th anniversary underscores its enduring appeal. The album features hits like 'Hold Me Now', 'Doctor! Doctor!' and 'You Take Me Up', known for their inventive arrangements and a unique blend of influencesiparticularly Arabic music. Tracks like 'The Gap', which addresses themes of cultural diversity and 'Sister of Mercy' exemplify the band's ability to blend socially conscious lyrics with captivating production. Despite the album's origins in the 80s, its music feels timeless due to its strong songwriting and avoidance of overly quirky synth effects that have aged less gracefully in other records from the same period. Into the Gap remains an fun and catchy listening, filled with energetic, uplifting songs that still resonate with people today. It's a new wave classic and the finest achievement in the Thompson Twins' catalog.

Review: Ella Thompson's new album is a stunning tribute to classic soul, blending the warm, cinematic sounds of the late 60s and early 70s with her unique modern sensibilities. Thompson's soulful, velvet voice takes center stage, effortlessly evoking the timeless elegance of artists like The Chi-Lites and Main Ingredient while maintaining her distinct artistry. From the sweltering grooves of 'Jigsaw' to the slow-burning beauty of 'Other People's Problems', each track brims with lush arrangements featuring piano, slinky guitar, tight rhythms and feathery backing vocals. Co-produced by Liam McGorry and Henry Jenkins, the album captures the essence of vintage soul. Recorded live over two days, Thompson assembled a powerhouse band, including members of Surprise Chef and Hiatus Kaiyote's Jace XL. Together, they deliver expertly layered compositions that feel nostalgic yet fresh. Highlights like 'Let There Be Nothing' and 'One More Step' showcase Thompson's ability to craft songs that resonate deeply, while the wistful closer, 'Don't Be a Taurus', leaves a lasting impression. This is a masterclass in soul revival with its timeless sound and Thompson's breathtaking vocals.

Review: Legendary American pop artist, singer-songwriter and dancer Justin Timberlake is back with his first new album in six years. Following 'Man of the Woods in 2018, he now drops his sixth full-length studio long-player Everything I Thought It Was. It has been teased by early singles 'Selfish' and 'Drown' and does everything you expect from a Timberlake album - it gets the juices going, emotions flowing, and will make you want to dance. Plenty of big hooks and flashy riffs all make it another perfectly formed dance-pop gem.

Review: Jupiter were kings of the middle of the road indie sound that dominated back at the turn of the millennium. If you don't remember the name you will remember the music as they topped charts and got heavy TV play, not least for most notable single 'I Wish You Would'. All in all this is an album of heartwarming and emotional indie pop niceness you're likely to fall head over heels for again, hence the fact it has been covered by innumerable stars since its initial release. In many ways, once you know the story the track takes on a very different form - far less amorous and much more about longing and lamentation. This latest reissue comes in red and black marble vinyl.

Review: Those hoping the latest record from Sofi Tukker was a reworking of the score to the Liverpool-set, mid-1980s British sitcom, Bread, will find themselves coming up short here. In contrast, those who were expecting this to be the difficult third studio LP from Portugal's most in-demand festival darlings and electronic-pop crossover stars are very much in the right place. Not so much an acquired taste, but certainly upbeat and accessible enough to put chin-strokers off, on record number three Tukker seem to distill a wealth of dance styles into what is ostensibly a carnival of a release. 'Perfect Someone' opts for soul and jazz house, veterans might pick up on 'Spiral' giving (perhaps an accidental) nod to late-1990s trance anthem 'The Orange Theme' mixed with girl band bubble gum, 'Woof' almost feels like a Mr Scruff production, and 'Guardian Angel' serves sunset at an Ibiza restaurant.

Review: Tyla every much burst onto the global r&b scene with her breakout single 'Water.' Se quickly capitalised on summer ubiquity with a self-titled album which showcases her distinct blend of Afrobeat, pop and r&b. It's a mix of the usual tropes - sultry, steamy vocals, lovely smooth bass, rich melodic hooks and polished production that doesnt lose an intimate edge. Tyla brings an energy that's both vibrant and emotional with her vocals and while her most famous single remains her best work, her ability to weave personal experiences into her lyrics adds depth on this record which does a god job of showing her impressive vocal range.

Review: Tyla is an already hotly-tipped South African singer and songwriter but the release of this new self-titled album is sure to take her to the next level and be one of 2024's biggest and best. It's a fusion of r&b and amapiano - a mix of house, jazz, downtempo and rich melody from her native South Africa - that is topped with her seductive and soft vocals. Channeling the likes of the great Aaliyah, it's been proceeded day the captivating lead single 'Waze' and is full of heart melting moments of tender r&b beauty. It has been two years in the making and was recorded in Jamaica so is pulled with subtle sunshine that makes it all the more perfectly timed.