If you’re craving contact we’ve got Tei Shi’s pulsing new track, or if boybands are your thing we’ve got disco cuts from Take That and youthful exuberance from Rixton. Basically, we’ve got your week covered to get your boogie on.
Tei Shi – ‘Bassically’
With ‘Bassically’, Brooklyn-based singer Tei Shi delivers an anthem for the masses. Dirty synths and popping effects layer up under breathy vocals as the track builds towards climax. The song’s lustfulness is not only personified through the lyrics but by light groaning and moaning. This is aural desire and one for those late nights when the thirst is real and unquenchable.
Charli XCX – ‘London Queen’
Earlier this year Charli XCX said that she had recorded a bunch of punk-esque songs and ‘London Queen’ must be a remainder from those sessions. A filthy bass pounds, and Charli’s signature chatty vocals punctuate every beat. Yes, she may be living it up in the States, but our girl XCX is still a London Queen at heart.
Kate Boy – ‘Open Fire’
Kate Boy are becoming synonymous with industrial pop and for good reason as they bring their now recognizable synths and vocals to new track ‘Open Fire’. It’s everything you’d expect and want from a Kate Boy song – grungy and just a little bit insane and we bloody love it.
Oh Land – ‘Head Up High’
Danish singer Oh Land hails from the school of icy, emotional pop and ‘Head Up High’ is both uplifting and deeply moving. From the low synths and playful drums to the serene vocals and splashes of bells, there’s a bouncy element that just keeps on going. Taken from the singer’s upcoming album Earth Sick, ‘Head Up High’ is a good sign of things to come. This is lovely, symphonic pop with so much to give.
Take That – ‘These Days’
We’re not going to lie, when we heard that Jason Orange had left Take That it was like 1995 all over again. How could Take That continue as a three-piece? Was it possible? Luckily, our fears were unfounded as ‘These Days’ is probably the man-band’s most upbeat track since their comeback in 2006. Flourishes of disco via producer Greg Kurstin make an actual bop. What’s more, there’s no lead vocalist on the track, a refreshing change from the Barlow ballads of yore. So excuse us, our grief is quickly abating and is being replaced with pure pop joy.
Rixton – ‘Wait On Me’
By now you should know that we’re a sucker for boys in a band whether they accept the term boyband or not, and Rixton are our latest obsession. Pop-reggae in the vein of Maroon 5 is the vibe here, but it’s something else that captivates us. Whether it’s front man Jake’s cheeky-chappy-charm, or the dashing good looks of Danny, Lewi and Charley, we’re officially converted.
Sirena – ‘Chemicals’
Sitting somewhere between Wonderland favourites Tove Lo and Foxes, Sirena delivers some rather big pop with ‘Chemicals’. There’s an almost hymnlike quality to the track as it’s big chorus soars, accompanied, of course, by strings and crashing symbols. This is warming, epic pop.
Marina and The Diamonds – ‘Froot’
Following the high concept of Electra Heart, Marina and The Diamonds has taken the pop sound she crafted and put it in a blender, adding touches of disco and Kate Bush for good measure. The result is ‘Froot’, a five-minute ode to getting it on. It’s barmy but brilliantly so, playing up to Marina’s individual vocal style and leftfield sensibilities. We also love the accompanying visuals – Space meets a fruit machine via Saturday Night Fever. Yes Marina, just yes!
Kacy Hill – ‘Experience’
Kacy Hill manages to convey a certain fragility with ‘Experience’, a wobbly, bass driven song with light flecks of percussion and Elly Jackson-like vocals.. Unlike other ‘alt’ R&B singers, there’s also an accessibility here that is often lacking, and Hill doesn’t allow herself to be overcome by her visuals with their a mash-up of 90s tech and white space. There’s also something so delicate about her voice that’s both captivating and disconcerting, and we can’t stop listening.
Magalie – ‘First Kiss’
Fans of Carly Rae Jepson’s now iconic ‘Call Me Maybe’ will love Magalie’s ‘First Kiss’. This is pop in its purest form, complete with sparkly 80s synths and drum machines. It’s instantly catchy, and its hooky chorus is just asking to be screamed out on every dance floor. What can we say; we just love something when it’s fizzy, sweet and absolutely beautiful.