Pop

Review: Aussie outfit 5 Seconds of Summer were already well established when they released Youngblood in 2018, but the album helped move them to another level of fame and popularity altogether. As this Universal Japan reissue proves, the set is still their most polished and well-rounded to date. It expanded on their original pop-rock sound by drawing more on the post-EDM dance-pop sound that was then, as now, dominating airplay and sales charts worldwide. There are still some gnarled guitars accompanying their boyband style group vocals, but they don't dominate the sound space like they once did. Instead, you'll hear more beats, instrumentation and sonic effects more often associated with chart-bound R&B, Calvin Harris and their former touring buddies, One Direction.

Review: Universal Music Japan is currently reissuing a wide range of mega-selling albums from American, British and Australian artists. It's little surprise, then, to see them serve up a new edition of Ariana Grande's third album, 2016's 'Dangerous Woman'. It remains one of Grande's most vibrant and colourful sets, with her usual R&B/dance-pop sound being expanded via tracks that draw influence from disco, synth-pop, trap and reggae, plus guest appearances from a host of well-known MCs and vocalists (think Lil' Wayne, Nicky Minaj, Macy Gray and Future). This edition also boasts a trio of bonus tracks previously only available on expanded versions of the album.

Review: For the latest in their ongoing reissue series, Universal Japan has decided to offer-up a new edition of Shawn Mendes second album, Illuminate. At the time of its initial release in 2016, the album garnered almost universally positive reviews from critics, with journalists praising the subtle development of the Canadian's radio-friendly pop-rock sound, and lyrics that were more personal and sexually-charged than those found in his earlier work. The music-buying public seemed to agree, sending the album - and the singles featured on it, such as 'Treat Me Better', 'Mercy', 'Ruin' and 'Three Empty Words' - to the top of the charts across the World.

Review: The latest edition in Universal Japan's cheery 'Pops Best 100' series of reissues is Katy Perry's Prism, the 2013 set that effectively defined the American singer-songwriter's glossy, EDM-influenced power-pop sound. Largely producer by DJ Cirkut, Dr Luke and Max Martin, but featuring contributions from Benny Blanco, Stargate and Greg Kurtin, the set is an action-packed pop-romp that mixes and matches elements of R&B, synth-pop, electro-house, pop-rock and - more occasionally - hip-hop to create one excitable, radio-friendly whole. This edition also boasts two bonus editions of mega-hit (and album opener) 'Roar', including the fizzing, fidgety EDM heaviness that is the Gazette Remix.

Review: For the latest volume in DMC's Classic Mixes series, the long-running DJ service has decided to delve into its archives and offer up a swathe of megamixes, remixes and promo-only mash-ups based on the music of Trevor Horn-produced 1980s power-pop group Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The material spans the last 35 years, meaning you'll hear banging trance and hard dance revisions as well as classic revisions such as 'FGTH Remix' (a tight megamix of early 90s reworks), Brothers In Rhythm's early progressive house style tweak of 'Welcome To The Pleasuredome', the glassy-eyed, piano-heavy, turn-of-the-90s Mindwarp Mix of 'Relax', and the peerless Hibakusha Mix of 'Two Tribes'.