Music has been embedded in my life ever since I was in the womb, my Mum and Dad basically raised me on music, especially POP music! I grew up listening to Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Spice Girls, Britney Spears and even AQUA and I’ve always been obsessed with Eurovison! I love sharing my favourite songs and album every month with the world from Scene HQ! Follow my socials here 🙂 and Merry Christmas!!!! xoxo
Ava Max – 1 Wish
Mariah (Carey) better watch out! Global superstar Ava Max kicks off Christmas with 1 Wish, an original brand new Christmas song that captures the essence of Christmas cheer YAY. With its catchy melody and upbeat tempo, the song instantly makes you feel festive as fuck (excuse my French)-unless you’re a Grinch.
Ava’s powerful vocals shine as she expresses her simple wish for everyday to feel like Christmas. The lyrics convey the joy and warmth associated with the festive season. 1 Wish is a fun and uplifting track that is sure to become a Christmas classic in a few years to come, mark my tiny words! I’m manifesting an Ava Max Christmas album now too, maybe this time next year?! Ava could be in the studio right now as I’m typing this!
Stewart Taylor – EVEN
Stewart Taylor has released the music video for his new single Even, an explosive dance-pop anthem inspired by a tumultuous relationship. Driven by honest lyrics and compelling visuals, Even explores the rollercoaster of love and conflict, capturing the highs and lows of a relationship headed for the rocks. With a distinct European dance-pop vibe courtesy of Romanian hitmaker MADS and a futuristic visual.
Stew describes Even as a “pre-breakup song” that dives into the complexities of relationships. “The language of the heart is tricky,” he explains. “You can be very much in love with someone and end up on opposing teams.” Through the song, Taylor navigates these contradictions, highlighting the frustration and longing that comes from constantly trying to “get even” with a partner. The song’s message about love and accountability resonates as Taylor ultimately advocates breaking the cycle of pain through personal responsibility rather than revenge-it’s a meaningful and relatable bop.
Astels – Lonely
Spotify knows me so well🥹. Spotify recommended me Astels recently and I’m so grateful because they’re SO GOOD! Astels are a French duo who both come from rich musical backgrounds, creating a bold fusion of 80s and 90s retro aesthetics, imbued with their multiple musical influences. Their music, a blend of Funk, Hip-Hop, House, Pop, RnB and Soul and I have to use my favourite word: swanky, and has already won over a large community of fans around the world (and I’m one of them now woo), as evidenced by the millions of views on the videos the duo regularly post on social networks.
Lonely is their latest release which captivates a blend of indie pop and electronic elements that creates a melancholic yet uplifting atmosphere.
The duo’s smooth vocals and introspective lyrics paint a vivid picture of longing and isolation, while the pulsating beats and ethereal synths provide a sense of hope and resilience. The song’s production really is impeccable, with each instrument and vocal layer contributing to the overall sonic experience. After the success of their first fabulous EP (Lost In A New Era), they’ve announced their first album, The Meeting, coming in April 2025-I can’t wait!
Tom Aspaul – Cabin Fever
Cabin Fever is the first single from Tom Aspaul‘s third album, also called Cabin Fever, distributed via Downtown Artist & Label Services and set for release in spring/summer 2025. The record is inspired by an uneasy and revealing acid trip, which took place in a small cabin on an isolated island in the middle of the Stockholm archipelago during Midsommar weekend. Each song acts as a vignette throughout the day as the LSD takes hold, reality unravels and lines become blurred. The single opens the album and lyrically juxtaposes Swedish sauna bathing rituals with late night trips to a gay men’s bathhouse. It’s a song about lust, confusion and carnality.
Sonically the record is a much more organic and moody direction for Tom, with influences from Tango In The Night-era Fleetwood Mac, late-stage ABBA, William Orbit, Tame Impala and darker 70s funk with psychedelic overtones. The album is co-written and co-produced by frequent collaborator Gil Lewis. In his own words: “I would never recommend hallucinogens to a friend because that day in Sweden was an absolute nightmare. We got through it together and it spawned an amazing album, so it’s not all bad! Over the last 12 months, I’ve been reliving every second of it with Gil Lewis and I’m so thrilled (and relieved) to finally share this crazy experience with everyone. The song really sets the tone for the rest of the album, you’re never quite sure where the narrative voice is coming from, am I tripping? Am I reminiscing? Or am I actually inside a gay sauna? I want to keep the listeners guessing. It’s a different direction for sure, but I sit so comfortably in this psychedelic, dark, trippy and (dare I say it) funky new lane.”
Litany – Future Us
The journey of self-discovery and mental health struggles has become a familiar path for many pop stars, often marked by polished productions and catchy hooks that blend into everyday moments. However, artists who are willing to expose their deepest, most sincere selves are a true rarity. Enter Litany.
Harrogate-based artist and songwriter Litany brings her introspective, shimmering pop into sharper focus with her latest single, Future Us. Following her recent track Jelly Tot, this new single hints at a larger project on the horizon and showcases her talent for crafting refined pop hooks around themes of real-life relatability. With her rich and resonant vocal, blending vulnerability and defiance, Litany (aka Beth Cornell) dives into the bittersweet optimism of long-distance relationships, capturing the resolve to make it work despite the distance in hopes of a brighter future together.
Discussing her new single, Litany said “This is a bit of a fantasy about someone I loved moving very far away for work. Instead of calling it quits like we might in real life, we both agree to make it work and try long distance—thinking future us will be grateful! Bittersweet, right?”
Infernal – Bending the Rules
From Paris to Berlin to Bending the Rules, Danish duo Infernal have blessed us with many euphoric dance-pop tunes over the years and they’re still delivering the goodies. Generously, they’ve gifted us another Europop-banger. Bending The Rules!
Think – only tasteful, modern and full of feels.
Infernal has never shied away from big songs with a message that is more than ‘put your hands in the air’ – time and time again, they have given us bangers, you want to scream from the top of your lungs on the dance floor and this one is no different. Or is it? With this one, Paw Lagermann and Lina Rafn demonstrates that they are at the top of their game after more than 25 years in the industry. This could be a debut single for a new, cool pop outfit – that’s how fresh it feels. But it isn’t. It is Infernal manifesting that they are never stuck in the past.
Big synths and an emotional vocal tied together by lyrics speaking of day vs. night and drawing the line in a toxic situationship.
Bending the Rules ticks all the right boxes. Taken from upcoming album INF:ALBUM. The track’s infectious beat, catchy melody, and Lina’s powerful vocals create a euphoric listening experience, so tak Lina, tak Paw!
Rebecca Black – TRUST!
The one and only Ms Rebecca Black has dropped her most bold and confident pop anthem yet IMPO that showcases her growth as an artist. TRUST! has an infectious beat, catchy melody, and powerful vocals that create an irresistible combo. The Friday star has come a long way since erm Friday, more than a decade ago! 
The lyrics on TRUST! explore themes of self-empowerment and trust (obvs), resonating with listeners who are seeking to break free from negativity. TRUST! is a refreshing and empowering track that solidifies Rebecca’s position as a rising star in the pop music scene, I’m definitley ready for what comes next.
Girls Aloud – I’ll Stand By You – Sarah’s Version
Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts and Cheryl debuted Sarah’s Version on The Girls Aloud Show tour this year and have released it as the official 2024 BBC Children in Need track. A chart-topping single for Girls Aloud back in 2004, the brand-new cut of Pretenders cover I’ll Stand By You now includes Sarah Harding exclusively on lead vocals in tribute to the late star who tragically died in 2021.
The girls posted on socials saying “This year marks the 20th anniversary of our BBC Children in Need single I’ll Stand By You. To celebrate and honour our amazing Sarah, we’re releasing a brand-new studio version of the track once again in support of BBC Children in Need. I’ll Stand By You (Sarah’s Version) features Sarah on lead vocal throughout using vocals we discovered in the Girls Aloud vault from the original recording sessions. The track played a key part in our The Girls Aloud Show arena tour this summer and was an emotional moment for us all”.
Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders who wrote the song alongside Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly said: “How wonderful to hear I’ll Stand By You with the lovely vocals of Sarah Harding leading the way for BBC Children in Need. Happy Christmas all!”
ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Jennifer Hudson – The Gift Of Love
Seeing as it’s almost Christmas, my album of the month had to be a festive one!
History’s youngest female EGOT-winner Jennifer Hudson has released her first ever Christmas album (and her first album in 10 years omg), and captures the magic of the festive season on her Interscope Records debut, The Gift of Love.
With her effortless range and melodic tone, the genre-defying vocalist brings to life seasonal faves like O Holy Night, Winter Wonderland and Auld Lang Syne alongside brand new original Christmas song that bring fresh meaning to the holidays (omg I sound so American).
JHud said “I have been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember. As a holiday fanatic, I could not be more excited to give you all this early Christmas gift,” and “My love for this album runs deep. I am beyond grateful for all the amazing people that helped me bring it to life. It has truly been a labor of love!”
Oh also, Jennifer has joined forces with Hallmark to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Countdown to Christmas programming event and Hallmark’s 2024 Joy to Your World holiday campaign. The campaign features Let There Be Joy, an exclusive original song from JHud. Songs from The Gift of Love also appear in Hallmark Christmas programming. Speaking on her collaboration, Jennifer said, “No one does the holidays quite like my friends at Hallmark, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate the season together with my new song ‘Let There Be Joy,’ as we Countdown to Christmas.” and “Music and movies have always been a favorite holiday tradition for me and my family, so I hope this song can become the same tradition for everyone on Santa’s list this year!”
The Gift of Love includes Carol of the Bells featuring The Joy, a South African quintet known for their blend of traditional Zulu music and modern acappella. Jennifer also collaborates with fellow GRAMMY Award winner and boyfriend Common for the original song Almost Christmas and finally records her stunning take on Hallelujah. Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) served as Executive Producer of the album and produced several tracks. I’m excited to hear what Jennifer Hudson has in store for us now that she’s signed with Interscope Records. I can’t wait to hear new music from her in 2025-hopefully!
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