Kenya Grace – Strangers
Omg I’ve been obsessed with this song for months and now Kenya Grace has made history with her debut single Strangers reaching number one on the official UK singles chart (and still is number one for the third week as I’m typing this!) making her the second British female artist to reach number 1 with a track performed, written and produced entirely solo after Kate Bush‘s Running Up That Hill, how sick?!
Born in South Africa but raised in Southampton oh and she attended Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford (above a Wetherspoons I used to always go to when I lived in Guildford omg). Kenya began releasing music independently in 2019 and then Strangers basically went viral on TikTok and now everyone knows it-uh huh uh huh uh huh uh huh.
Bentley Robles- How To Ruin Everything
Pop prince Bentley Robles is back with another bop that just slaps, How To Ruin Everything is too good and THIS FRIDAY his debut EP Ugly Crier will be here too!
The time has come to cry glitter tears bitches, Ugly Crier is a bold and unapologetic anthem of liberation after heartbreak, encapsulating the full spectrum of emotions that come with love and loss. Bentley pairs upbeat pop melodies with lyrics that don’t shy away from the raw, honest, and sometime depressing realities of relationships.
Opening with GOD IS A F*CKBOY the EP starts off with an equally bold and upbeat anthem detailing the ways that Robles has suffered at the hands of F*ckboys, with lyrics so cutting yet a sound so addictive you won’t realise you’re singing along to an anti-f*ckboy anthem. Bentley Robles’ debut captures a euphoric sonic blend of forward-thinking electronic production with lyrically hard-hitting pop music. UGLY CRIER is a journey from the heartbroken to the villain.
Bentley said “I was born and raised on main pop girls and ‘UGLY CRIER’ is my application to be the next big one.”
Paloma Faith – How You Leave A Man
BRIT-Award-winning Paloma Faith’s new era has officially arrived and How You Leave A Man is the first single from her upcoming sixth studio album The Glorification of Sadness.
This song is confident, cinematic, empowering and compelling from beginning to end, all powered by the kind of anthems that transformed her into an icon. The single is about finding the confidence to walk away from a relationship and being empowered with your own happiness.
It’s limitless expression of pop allows it to sit comfortably next to Paloma’s many chart successors and then some. Breakups are the worst and if you’re going through one right now then blast Paloma and you’ll be healed.
Check out the fab video below.
Oh and and and also Paloma is going on a huge UK tour in 2024 and one of the stops will be at the Brighton Centre-WE WON BRIGHTONIANS-click HERE for tickets!
Allie X – Black Eye
Canadian singer, songwriter, and visual artist Allie X has dropped this synthy 80’s esque track and I have to say it, mother is mothering!
Allie said “The process of making this new music was an experiment in trusting my own creative instincts and no one else’s, fighting for my freedom creatively, professionally, and personally. This track and all to come is an effort to create a surreal yet truthful reflection of myself in a very strange world,”.
The Black Eye single artwork continues Allie X’s emphasis on overseeing the creative holistically; with dramatically black-winged eyes and a sharply flayed white collar, Allie stands confidently – matching the message of the song – daring herself and others to bring it on.
Black Eye is dramatic and gothy whilst embracing typical Allie fashion and “It’s about continually getting punched and embracing it,”-can’t relate but loves it!
Allie X has cemented herself in the pop pantheon as one of music’s sharpest, most insightful, and trendsetting artists, producers, and songwriters, having written hits for Troye Sivan, BTS and many more. With four critically acclaimed projects to her name (that you need to check out if you haven’t) 2015’s Collxtion I, 2017’s CollXtion II, 2018’s Super Sunset, and 2020’s Cape God – Allie continues to demonstrate a bold, singular visual and sonic palate and command seemingly light years ahead of the competition.
Cher – DJ Play A Christmas Song
REJOICE! Cher fans can count on a very merry, very bright and very rock and roll holiday season this year thanks to DJ Play A Christmas Song, taken from Cher’s twenty-seventh studio album (omg) aptly called Christmas.
Christmas, Cher’s first new studio album in five years, includes 13 songs – several holiday classics and four originals. It also has a star-studded list of musical besties including Darlene Love, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper and Tyga.
Cher said “I never say this about my own records but I’m really proud of this one. It is one of the most amazing highlights of my career,”-I agree, I love Christmas and I love Cher so a Cher Christmas album is just a dream come true, SLEIGH.
Vanessa White – Boy 4 Life
Omg Vanessa White from The Saturdays (one of the best girl groups of all time) makes her long-awaited return to pop! So many comebacks are happening right now and I’m here for it.
Commenting on the song – produced by Blond & Redshank (Bimini) – Vanessa says via a press release: “’Boy 4 Life’ was written coming out of lockdown and was my first time getting back in the studio for a while. I had no expectations but the song naturally came together very quickly and all three of us together have a special vibe. I’ve known Blond & Redshank for years and went to school with Billy (Blond), so writing a whole project with them is really special.”
Album Of The Month: Lisa Scott-Lee – Now Or Never
2 decades later, ultimate hun Lisa Scott-Lee has re-released one of my ultimate and….obscenely delicious favourite pop albums of all time, Never or Now the Unleashed Deluxe Edition to celebrate 20 years of Lately thanks to Plastic Pop Records.
14 year old me bought Lately as a CD single and I probably still have it to this day somewhere and I love that song forever and always, it really has stood the test of time.
Btw the album has been released on orange vinyl, purple vinyl, cassette and 2CD editions featuring the original 2007 album and several B-Sides and previously unreleased cuts omgenejkskfvdfb.
Oh and just to say, my favourite tracks are Obscenely Delicious, Lately, Too Far Gone, Back In Time, Boy On The Dance Floor, Give You My Love, Sleazy, Make It Last Forever, I’ll Wait For You, Rush, You’re No Good For Me, Never Or Now, oh and Electric obvs.