Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' has transcended mere holiday music, firmly establishing itself as a cultural touchstone since its release. As we celebrate its monumental 40th anniversary, this new collection gathers every iteration of this timeless classic. Fans can relish the previously unreleased live performance from George Michael at Wembley in 2006, alongside the 'Pudding' mix and the original instrumental. This festive release encapsulates the joyous spirit of the season, ensuring that 'Last Christmas' remains essential listening for both new and longtime admirers.

Review: It's never easy to have a huge breakthrough single and then keep the momentum. But Tom Walker, who shot to massive fame and acclaim through the 2018 hit 'Leave A Light On', seems to have managed it pretty well considering he's gone five years between first record, What A Time To Be Alive, and the September 2024 follow-up, I Am. That's an age in modern music's relentless march and production line gutter ethics. I Am is certainly a case of picking up where things left off on the last long form. The track list is a mixture of hyper emotional main stage acoustic-electronic pop balladry, and quiet piano-vocal solos seemingly poised over your bleeding body, ready to cut heartstrings with a love letter from the loss of your life. Elsewhere, EDM and hip hop-hued uptempo numbers make a similarly big impression. Comparisons to Ed Sheeran still ring true, then, but that's not to say there's nothing new happening here.

Review: Walt Disco are evolving. Lead vocalist Jocelyn Si, drummer Jack Martin, synth player Finlay McCarthy, bassist Charlie Lock, and guitarist Lewis Carmichael challenged norms with their debut album, Unlearning. Their new record, The Warping, reflects shifting identities, blending memory and future, and exploring younger selves and imagined personas. Written across the Atlantic, from Los Angeles to Glasgow, the album builds enhances their cinematic glam with orchestral musicians, creating a sound both organic and sophisticated. The album addresses personal themes with radical honesty, especially exploring gender dysphoria and envy. Despite a hostile world, especially for queer and trans people, Walt Disco remains resilient.

Review: The Weeknd's latest project continues to push boundaries, but it's the quieter moments that really leave a mark. Take 'Dancing in the Flames'iit starts with muted synths, almost tentative, like something trying to find its footing, before blossoming into a dense, emotionally charged soundscape. Tesfaye's falsetto feels particularly vulnerable here, a perfect match for lyrics that seem to teeter between hope and resignation. On 'Timeless (feat Playboi Carti),' the mood shifts entirely. Carti's jagged verses cut through the lush production, creating a tension that makes the track feel alive and unpredictable. And then there's 'Sao Paulo (feat Anitta),' which bursts out with a vibrancy that feels like a releaseia rare moment of pure celebration. Overall, the album's impact lies in its restraint, in the contrasts and the spaces between moods where it truly resonates.

Review: The debut album Fantastic for Wham! put them on the map in 1983, setting the stage for superstardom with the follow up. Featuring four UK top ten songs - 'Wham 'Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)', 'Young Guns (Go for It)', 'Bad Boys' and 'Club Tropicana' - these songs and their accompanying videos made them MTV darlings and the most popular boy band of the early 80s, although there is a left-leaning political edge lurking beneath the pop sheen, esepcially on the earliest singles.

Review: Before George Michael went solo, he was of course one half of the mega popular duo Wham! Their debut album 'Fantastic' vaulted them to instant stardom and boy band of the generation status. The album featured four top ten songs in the UK alone and set the stage for George to become the household name and performer we came to enjoy. The singles included are Wham 'Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)', 'Young Guns (Go for It)', 'Bad Boys' and 'Club Tropicana'. This reissue comes on red vinyl.

Review: If the first Wham! album didn't make them popular enough, Make It Big definitely established the duo as pop superstars. The album would eventually sell over ten million records and attain the number one album in over a dozen countries. Nobody could escape this album for almost two years, owning the airwaves with such hits as 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go', 'Careless Whisper', 'Freedom" and 'Everything She Wants'. All four of those top five hits in America with three of them number one chart topping blackbusters. The album would also launch George Michael's solo career. This reissue is true to the original release 40 years ago this year.

Review: WHAM!'s Make It Big is an iconic pop album that defined the 1980s music scene. Packed with infectious melodies, catchy hooks, and George Michael's soulful vocals, it's a timeless collection of feel-good hits. From the irresistible energy of 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' to the heartfelt balladry of 'Careless Whisper,' each track exudes youthful exuberance and infectious charm. With its slick production and memorable songwriting, the record remains a quintessential pop masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. It's a testament to WHAM!'s enduring legacy and their ability to craft songs that transcend generations and has very much ensured their place in pop music history.

Review: Kim Wilde's Now & Forever (here presented as an expanded Deluxe Edition) is a nostalgic journey through the pop icon's career. This release features timeless hits like 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' and the iconic 'Kids in America' alongside some rather more rare tracks and remixes that showcase Wilde's evolution as an artist. The album's expanded edition offers fans a deeper dive into her musical repertoire with bonus content that enhances the whole experience. As ever, Wilde's distinctive vocals and energetic performances shine throughout and reaffirm her status as a pop pioneer.

Review: For the first time, the 2024 vinyl reissue of Kim Wilde's fourth studio album, Love Moves, arrives on opaque orange vinyl, adding two standout B-sides, 'Virtual World' and 'Sanjazz Megamix'. Originally released in 1986, the album features five singles - 'It's Here', 'Time', 'Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)', 'I Can't Say Goodbye', and 'World In Perfect Harmony' - all embodying Kim's signature big, late-80s pop sound. This reissue not only revitalises the classic tracks but also highlights the depth of Wilde's 80s pop legacy.

Review: Long after the 'Kids In America' and 'You Keep Me Hanging On', Kim Wilde has a brand new album, apparently a sequel to the 1988 smash hit Close. It hears the British singer continue to zoom in on the pop, new wave and rock-infused influenza of sound that earned her sucess initially, but adds a new, starlit electropop mood along with synthpop and hi-NRG influences on what is her sixth studio album. The raunchy and maximalist sound Wilde is known for is still on full blast here thouhg, albeit with a fresher modern varnish, with the likes of 'Trail Of Destruction' and 'Rocket To The Moon' proving especially audacious.

Review: Robbie Williams remains a towering presence on the British and world pop scene despite some of his more amusing and irreverent antics in the last few years. XXV is his latest album, a 13th overall, and finds his classic hits newly orchestrated by Jules Buckley, Guy Chambers and Steve Sidwell. They have all been re-recorded with the acclaimed Metropole Orkest and as well as the many well-known tunes is 'Lost', a new and original composition and single that shows off Robbie doing what he does best - characterful pop with plenty of hooks.

Review: Well, there are no prizes for geeing what this one is about - it is a collection of classy and authentic roots, reggae and lover's rock versions of all the tunes from Amy Whinehouse's seminal Back to Black album. Importantly, the voice of the late, great jazz singer herself is left in place and it is just the music that's replayed by a selection of people - who do a fine job. Interestingly, the sounds all sound as good as the originals despite the stylistic departure, making this a great addition to the shelves for anyone who fancies hearing Winehouse in a new context.

Review: To celebrate the return of the Glastonbury Festival in 2022 and mark the 15th anniversary of an iconic moment, Island Records served up Amy Winehouse's 2007 Pyramid Stage performance for the first time. This unforgettable set saw the troubled genius headline on June 22nd and it was her debut on the Pyramid Stage. She entranced audiences as ever with her soulful voice and electrifying presence and later that day, she also graced the Jazz World Stage and once again wowed those in attendance with another heartfelt and raw performance. The album now gets reissued and commemorates a milestone in Amy's career as well as a chance to relive the magic of her timeless sound.

Review: Unplugged & Electrified is a poignant compilation that showcases the unforgettable live performances of Amy Winehouse, capturing her unique artistry and raw emotional power. Spanning tracks from intimate sessions like 'Back to Black' and 'Rehab', recorded during her Unplugged performance at The Orange Lounge in May 2007, the album highlights her ability to convey vulnerability through soulful delivery. The collection features electrifying moments from Jools Holland's Hootenanny, including collaborative renditions of classics like 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' and 'Mighty Quinn', where her dynamic vocal prowess shines alongside esteemed musicians. Tracks such as 'Valerie' and 'Some Unholy War' present alternate versions, enriching the listening experience with fresh interpretations. From heartfelt ballads like 'Love Is A Losing Game' to spirited performances of 'Cherry' and 'You Know I'm No Good'. the compilation encapsulates the essence of Winehouse's artistry. Overall, Unplugged & Electrified serves as a celebration of her talent, providing fans with a comprehensive glimpse into her most cherished live moments.

Review: Marking the 15th anniversary of Amy Winehouse's live performance at Glastonbury in 2007, the full set recording is now available on vinyl to purchase. Greatest hits in the late Camden-native's catalogue played live with a 6 piece band, 16 classics like 'Tears dry on their own' and 'Back to black' from her 2 albums are pressed on this double LP. The latter performance being watched on YouTube almost 8 million times, the raw vocals are incredible and a reminder of what made Amy Winehouse the legend that she is. This record is an indisputable must-have for collectors this year.

Review: Gone but never forgotten, The Best Of Amy Winehouse is a poignant testament to the late singer's incomparable talent. This collection curates her most iconic tracks, from the most famous and soulful 'Rehab' to the emotionally raw 'Back to Black.' Winehouse's unique blend of jazz, r&b, and pop is on full display, showcasing her raw vocals and lyrical depth and of course each song is a window into her turbulent life, filled with heartache, addiction, and unbridled passion. Despite her tragic passing, Winehouse's music continues to resonate and this album proves she remains the most influential voices of her generation.

Review: Long since gone but never to be forgotten, there remains no one quite like the troubled talent that was Amy Winehouse. Her songs seem to grow better with age if anything so they are always going to keep reappearing on vinyl. This is a particularly special version of her legendary Frank long player that comes on a double picture disc with images of a young, happy Amy on each slab of wax. The music you will be well familiar with by now - heartbreaking and heart-rending soul sounds with a Motown twist and jazz inflection. Tunes like 'I Heard Love Is Blind' and 'Know You Now' will always resonate.

Review: Remi Wolf's latest single, 'Cinderella,' heralds the arrival of her upcoming second album, Big Ideas. The track is a vibrant blend of 70s nostalgia and modern pop sensibilities, reflecting Wolf's personal journey of emotional highs and lows. With Big Ideas, Wolf pushes the boundaries of pop music, embracing a funky soul-pop genre while seeking to innovate and redefine the sound of mainstream pop. Blending styles like dance music, funk, Soul into Pop music is quite a goal to have. Her first album in 2021 hinted at this direction while putting the singer on the map. This album is sure to garner tremendous radio play and accolades as Remi Wolf's career further unfolds.