Popular (feat Madonna & Playboi Carti - explicit edit) (3:58)
Starboy (feat Daft Punk) (4:07)
Review: American superstar The Weeknd really went big with the guests on 'Popular', his dynamic r&b and pop hit from 2011, by enlisting none other than Madonna and Playboy Carti. As a breakout hit from his mixtape era, it showcases his seductive charm and magnetic presence, drawing listeners into his world of late-night escapades and hedonistic pleasures with infectious beats and smooth vocals that exude confidence and swagger and set the stage for his meteoric rise to fame and influence in the years to come. Flip it over and on the back of this Kiss Classics 7" you will find the equally effective 'Starboy' featuring Daft Punk.
Last Christmas (live At Wembley Arena, December 2006) (5:52)
Last Christmas (instrumental) (4:25)
Review: The 40th Anniversary Edition of this holiday classic offers a delightful blend of nostalgia and fresh takes. The original version remains as timeless as ever, with its catchy melody and bittersweet lyrics that perfectly capture the essence of love and heartbreak. The 'Pudding Mix' offers a playful, slightly altered version, adding a new layer of festive charm while still staying true to the original's spirit. A live rendition from Wembley Arena in 2006 brings a burst of energy, with the crowd's enthusiasm amplifying the track's warmth and excitement. For those who appreciate the finer details, the instrumental version removes the vocals, allowing the lush synths and intricate production to shine. This holiday classic never gets old. With these different versions, you can enjoy the song in many new exciting ways.
Last Christmas (live At Wembley Arena, December 2006) (5:52)
Last Christmas (instrumental) (4:25)
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.
Last Christmas (live At Wembley Arena, December 2006)
Last Christmas (instrumental)
Review: The 40th Anniversary Edition of Wham!'s iconic Christmas hit is a nostalgic trip through the beloved holiday classic. The first track, the original version remains as timeless as ever with its catchy melody and emotional lyrics, capturing the spirit of both love and heartbreak. The 'Pudding Mix' adds a playful, slightly altered twist, giving a fresh take on the classic while maintaining its festive charm. The live version recorded at Wembley Arena in 2006 showcases the energy and warmth of Wham!'s performance, adding an exciting, crowd-fueled vibe. Finally, the instrumental version strips down the vocals, letting the lush production and catchy synths shine in a new light. A Christmas classic!
Review: Fronted by Dane-dame Sannie Carlson, Whigfield was backed by various producers and engineers over the years, main among whom was the towering Larry Pignagnoli. *The* song to commemorate Whigfield by, 'Saturday Night' is a Europop and Eurodance trailblazer, harking back, perhaps, to a more glamorous time, where fashion designers rubbed shoulders with models, PR girls and riviera DJs for Italian and Danish upper crusts. Carlson would record 'Saturday Night' after meeting fellow DJ Davide Riva, who was also part of a music production duo. In three days, an (in your mind-) sticky, bubblegum-popping opus would be written, with a nursery-rhyming refrain and a jaunty na-na-na hook epitomising the notion of a "hair-dryer song", a term coined by Simon Cowell in reference to the song as a precursor to Rebecca Black's 'Friday': "the kind of song girls sing into their hair dryers before getting ready to go out."
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: American country star Morgan Wallen returns with his fourth full-length project: a sprawling, near two-hour showcase of pop, rock and acoustic balladry. While his sound remains rooted in Nashville tradition, the Tennessee-born singer taps into broader palettes hereidrawing on slow-burn storytelling ('Just in Case'), radio-friendly duets (like his Tate McRae collab), and swaggering pop-rock hybrids that veer into crossover territory ('I Ain't Comin' Back', with Post Malone). Wallen's lyrical themes stick to familiar territoryiheartache, small-town nights, self-reflectionibut the production, led by longtime collaborators Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome, often elevates the material. Despite its length, the album keeps a steady rhythm, with highlights like 'Superman' offering a rare moment of emotional clarity. For fans, it's an unfiltered look at a man embracing vulnerability while doubling down on chart power. For everyone else, it's proof of Wallen's status as one of the most commercially magnetic voices in contemporary countryiand one who continues to expand his reach.
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.
Fire In The Twilight (Live At The El Mocambo) (4:58)
Don't Let Go (4:15)
To Live And Die In LA (4:49)
Wait (4:24)
Hypnotize Me (4:31)
Space Junk (3:51)
Review: Wang Chung, the London-based band known for their blend of pop, funk and rock, reflects on their four-decade career with a collection that unveils the intricacies behind their chart-topping hits. Tracks like 'Dance Hall Days' exemplify their skill in fusing African rhythms with electronic pop, while 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' brings together Motown influences and modern dancefloor sensibilities. The release highlights the band's ability to move between vibrant energy and experimental depths, capturing the essence of their diverse musical explorations. It's a celebration of Wang Chung's pioneering spirit, offering both the familiarity of their anthems and the allure of their more adventurous sounds.
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: Natalie Mering's Weyes Blood project is 12 years deep now, and she follows up on 2019's Titanic Rising with this, her fourth studio album. Her sound evolves in kind over this time from the DIY roots of her appearances on Not Not Fun et al, and now she strikes the figure of an eternal songstress joining the dots from classic 70s composition and production through to the aching, head-fogged reflection of the modern condition. Lead single 'It's Not Just Me, It's Everybody' nails the mood of malaise, but the beauty of her songwriting leads and saves us from slipping into despair. Why not commit to the concept and cop this, the limited Loser Edition of And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow.
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.
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