Back catalogue: Pop

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: '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: 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: 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: 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' 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: 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.