New releases last eight weeks: Pop

Review: By K-pop standards, rapper-turned-popstar G Dragon (Real Name Kwon Ji Yong) is something of a veteran. He's been a star in his native South Korea since the tail end of the 2010s, enjoying success for a trio of albums released between 2009 and 2013. Ubermensch, officially his fourth full-length, sees him return to solo action following a period spent working as a songwriter and producer for other artists. It's a typically entertaining, fun and boisterous set that sees him sing (and more occasionally rap) atop tracks that variously mix and match elements of P-funk, EDM, disco, synth-funk and 21st century pop. K-pop fans take note!

Review: A nostalgia-packed journey through one of pop music's most exciting years, featuring an impressive lineup of extended and remixed tracks from the decade's biggest stars. This four disc collection brings together a mix of chart-topping anthems, cult classics and dancefloor staples, each in its extended 12" glory. Things start with Wham!'s infectious 'Freedom' (long mix) and keeps the energy high with Culture Club's politically charged 'The War Song' (Ultimate dance mix). New Order's 'Thieves Like Us' and Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder's 'Together In Electric Dreams' add a synth-laden sheen, while Eurythmics' haunting 'Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)' is a bold statement piece. As the tracklist moves on, iconic tracks like Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 'Relax' (New York mix) and Duran Duran's 'The Reflex' (dance mix) capture the decade's indulgent soundscape. Meanwhile, softer gems like Talk Talk's 'It's My Life' (extended mix) and Echo & The Bunnymen's 'Silver (Tidal Wave)' provide balance. Closing with Paul McCartney's heartfelt 'No More Lonely Nights' (extended) and the ever-catchy 'Somebody's Watching Me' by Rockwell, this compilation offers a comprehensive snapshot of 1984's pop brilliance. Having these extended versions together in one set is more than a greatest hits package - it's like having all the maxi singles together like an experienced DJ ready to rock a party.