New releases last eight weeks: Pop

Review: By the time Heart reentered the studio to record their self-titled eighth album for Capitol, their commercial momentum seemed to be fading. Early successes, such as Dreamboat Annie and its three follow-ups, had all climbed to the Billboard Top 20, but 1982's Private Audition and 1983's Passionworks struggled to crest so highly, the latter especially failing to go gold, marking the end of their contract with Epic. Tough bargains all round! Yet, signs of resurgence emerged: the band drew fresh traction from the Passionworks single 'Almost Paradise' after it was featured in the film Footloose, motivating the follow-up record Heart. Hard hair rock and arena-bound glam metal are distilled down to an essential T here, kicking off with the medusan 'If Looks Could Kill' before moving into the Lynn Wilson lead-up ballad 'What About Love'.

Review: Dedicated from May 2019 is a shimmering, synth-pop gem that builds on the emotional depth of previous album Emotion while refining Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen's signature sound. Packed with all the infectious hooks, lush production and heartfelt lyrics you would expect from a pop album, it also offers euphoric dancefloor anthems (such as 'Now That I Found You', 'Want You in My Room') with introspective, melancholic moments on 'Too Much' and 'The Sound'. Jepsen's knack for capturing love's highs and lows with sincerity and charm makes Dedicated an irresistible listen packed with playful grooves and 80s-inspired beats as well as joyful and bittersweet emotions.

Review: In light of the latest Bridget Jones flick comes Bridget Jones's Diary: The Mixtape, a curated collection of unforgettable tracks from the beloved film series. Released alongside the fictional, happy-go-lucky 30-come-50-something's latest film, Mad About The Boy, this mixtape celebrates the final chapter in Bridget's story. Expect Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, and Ed Sheeran, facilitating a ride through love, laughter, and respite, as we watch the unforgettable Renee Zellweger portray a relatable conjuration of wit and error.