Jeremy Williams-Chalmers, Arts Correspondent
Singles Of The Week: 26 June 2020
Dannii Minogue - All I Wanna Do 2020 Rating: 5/5
Back in 1997 Dannii Minogue scored the first Top 5 UK single of her recording career. The song that propelled her 4 places higher that her #8 charting 1990 debut single Love and Kisses was the epic dance anthem All I Wanna Do. Reworked with a new spirituality behind the beautifully re-vocalled classic, All I Wanna Do 2020 is heaven. As the official theme song of Global Pride 2020, the always impressive popstar leaves her fans hungry for a fully-fledged return.
Alexandra Rotan - We're In This Together Rating: 5/5
As one third of the Norwegian supergroup Alexandra Rotan was already an established vocalist ahead of the group exploded via Eurovision. Her first solo effort is the official anthem for the European Women’s Handball Championship. A suitably determined pop romp.
Jon Anderson - Where Does Music Come From Rating: 4/5
As legendary Yes vocalist John Anderson returns with his first solo album since 2011's Survival & Other Stories, he asks Where Does The Music Come From. A trippy explosion of sounds, Where Does Music Come From sonically explores the universality of music, while hypnotising any listener with its thoughtful lyrics.
Eleni Foureira - Temperatura Rating: 3/5
In the recent #EurovisionAgain re-vote of the 2018 contest Eleni Foureira would have secured a victory for Cyprus over Israel's playful Netta. While rumours are rife that she is returning to try for the crown a second time around, she delivers the summer bounce of Latino mellow-pop Temperatura.
Haley & Michaels - Hail Mary Rating: 4/5
Championed by Rolling Stone as an artist to watch, Haley & Michaels have revealed that the latest single to be lifted from their debut album is the title track. Hail Mary showcases the strength of Shannon Haley's vocal, while providing a chorus that Sugarland would have been proud to deliver.
Margo Price - Letting Me Down Rating: 5/5
Margo Price exploded from obscurity in 2016 due to the still sensational Midwest Farmer's Daughter. Having worked her way through a series of issues, the album was raw, real and totally compelling. Letting Me Down is the new single from her upcoming third solo album, it is poppier than her previous releases but still has the bite in delivery and lyrical content that makes Margo so sensational.
18-year-old Nigerian-Scottish singer Tayo has delivered his debut single, Cold Feet. A woozy pop number with a delightful bounce, he has started his musical career in strong shape.
Young, Planetary - Separate Rides Home Rating: 5/5
Get ready to woooo! This is the stunning new single from Boise, Idaho's Separate Rides Home. A storming anthem which is raising funds for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in support of Black Lives Matter. Go download it now.
AIRPORTS - U FEEL IT 2 Rating: 4/5
AIRPORTS is Aaron Lee, a singer-songwriter from Sydney, who has worked on projects for Coca Cola and Fanta. His latest single U FEEL IT 2 has been making big waves in recent weeks on his home turf, and it could well become a spaced out summer hit around the world.
THUMPER - Topher Grace Rating: 3/5
There is something a little Shawn Mullins meets Soundgarden about Dublin's noise-poppers THUMPER. Topher Grace follows the killer single Ad Nauseum. While it doesn't have the same thwack as their last single, Topher Grace is a great moment to lose yourself in.
Keegan Calmes - Broken Heart Rating: 4/5
Keegan Calmes is best known as the frontman of Vinyl Theatre, from whom he is currently on an indefinite hiatus. However, that thankfully does not mean the musical output has stopped. Broken Heart is soul searching tenderness.
Two Bird Stone - If You Wanna Come Back Rating: 3.5/5
Liam Thomas Bailey spent a very long-time touring and performing with some of the industry's biggest names. However, a couple of years ago he decided to focus on his own goals. As a result Two Bird Stone was born. Sitting somewhere between Lonestar and Rackhouse Pilfer, they sound very pretty.
Baby FuzZ is the alter ago of Sterling Fox, the producer behind Lana Del Rey's breakout single Video Games. At the height of his demand, he took a year out and headed to Montreal. He now returns with Weekend Blues, which has something a little bit Len meets The Go! Team about it. Genius.
Tyler Rich - Feels Like Home Rating: 3.5/5
There is no denying that Tyler Rich has a great voice. It also can't be denied that the shanty-esque Feels Like Home does give you the starts of the warm fuzzy feels it intends to. It just doesn't seem to build to anything more than where it starts. This could have been amazing, but it doesn't quite get there.
Jamie Mathias - Better Man Rating: 4/5
Jamie Mathies delivers one of the most frank singles you will hear this year. Raised in an abusive environment, he is determined to not become the echo of his father when it comes to having his own children. Sitting nicely somewhere between Niall Horan and River Matthews, with a touch of Graffiti 6 thrown in for good measure, Better Man is a strong pop song.
AISEL – Sevirem Rating: 4/5
Azerbaijan's AISEL dabbled briefly with a pop sound, but has returned to the Azeri leaning jazz soul that saw her initially celebrated as a vocalist. The decision is a wise one. This is a captivating journey through the landscape of love.
NIJUU - 회전문 Revolving Door Rating: 5/5
For anyone who likes subtle dreamy pop, NIJUU is the artist you need to be listening to right now. With elements of mid-period Sia and a shade of Kings of Convenience, this is a lush listen.
Market Junction - Out Of Love Rating: 3/5
Market Junction's recent single Nebraska gave you the warm and fuzzies. Their new single, Out Of Love, attempts to do the same but doesn't quite get there. It is impossible to fault the sensational vocals, but something in the production just doesn't deliver the same heart.
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Albums: Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department.Albums: The Feeling San Vito Albums: Lyra.The Overtones In ConversationI Monster In ConversationItalian rapper and actor SHADE goes full on pop for his addictive new single Autostop. With a summery bounce, a playful vocal and a memorable chorus, this has hit written all over it.
Senhit - Breathe Rating: 3.5/5
Earlier this year Senhit asks us to all get Freaky, now she insists we all Breathe. With a deceptively slow opening, Breathe is the signature anthemic Senhit, just slowed a notch or two.
Claudia Faniello - Say Rating: 3/5
Malta's Claudia Faniello has released a single a year since 2006, with an album in 2010 and a missed year in 2018. In that time she has shown that she is a vocal force to be reckoned with. Say shows off the strength and appeal in her vocal, it just needs to move on from the repetitive refrain in order to really say something.
Anton Hagman – Så finner vi varann Rating: 5/5
Anton Hagman is much more than a pretty picture. He is a beautifully voiced pop star with huge international potential. Så finner vi varann is a perfect for radio musing that will breeze into your memory.
Becoming Young - Cherry Twist Rating: 4/5
Hailing from Boulder, Colorado, Becoming Young is steadily becoming a streaming sensation. Having released his debut album nearly 2 years ago, a new record is on the way and the playlisters are loving his Dermot Kennedy meets Rhys Lewis vibe. And so are we.
SC.Undercover - Morals Rating: 3.5/5
SC.Undercover is a Birmingham born Garage influenced artist who explores his own journey with mental health within his dance driven sound. Morals has echoes of the classic Flowers and is sure to make your body move.
It could be argued that over the course of their last couple of albums Hurts had become a little too comfortable with their sound. They knew what the audience wanted, and though there was variance, it was comfortable. Suffer pushes the boundaries and adds the thrill of their earliest recordings back in to the mix.
VICTORIA - alright. Rating: 5/5
Bulgaria's VICTORIA got rave reviews for her Billie Eilish leaning Tears Getting Sober. A stunning moment, it was difficult to see where she would go next. alright. sheds more light on who she is as an artist as opposed to her current influences. alright. is a real step up from an artist who was already delivering aplenty.
Clea - Sugar Rating: 4/5
Fans of late 90s and early noughties popped may have jumped in shock seeing the name Clea, but this is not the return of the overlooked girl group. Clea is a compelling Australian soloist, whose emotional tribute to the aftermath of the bushfires at the start of this year is stunning.
Chief State - Reprise Rating: 4/5
The summer sun has arrived and what is better than sitting in the garden with some pure pop punk thrill playing in the background. Reprise is the perfect seasonal soundtrack. Get ready to jump.
Broken Bones Matilda - Everafter Rating: 3.5/5
Plugged as Fleetwood Mac meets Nick Cave, it is clear that London based Broken Bones Media know the sounds that have shaped their output. There is something wonderful Steve Nicks about the vocal presence.
IL TRE - TE LO PROMETTO Rating: 4/5
Why Italian rap has not had a bigger global impact in recent years is rather bewildering. The sound has a real pop sensibility with message in the lyrical heart. IL TRE's latest single is a proper banger.
For some Dermot Kennedy is simply the second-coming of Ed Sheeran. But for those who have paid attention to his core sound, they will realise that though there may be similarities, Dermot has his own distinctive sound. Giants has radio success written all over it.
Itay Levi & Stephane Legar - רק בנות Rating: 4/5
רק בנות is going to be huge. Itay Levi and Stephane Legar are two of the most exciting Israeli artists and this musical romp is truly infectious. Try not to bounce and smile in glee.
Becky Hill & Sigala - Heaven on my Mind Rating: 5/5
Becky Hill never disappoints. It is as plain and simple as that. Heaven on my Mind is an epic dancefloor anthem that will be played loud across the world for a very long time.
ELA - Our Summer Rating: 3/5
Not to be confused with former Elaiza vocalist ela.'s solo project, ELA is a London based Welsh songsmith who knows how to deliver a buoyant pop number. This is a grower so give it a few listens.
Runaway June - We Were Rich Rating: 5/5
Country trio Runaway June only recently released their stunning debut album, which put them in a playing field with Dixie Chicks, Pistol Annies and SHeDAISY as the stand out Country girl bands. However, their line-up just changed. Thankfully the quality of output hasn't. This is wonderful.
Having won Glastonbury's Emerging Talent contest in 2019, Marie White delivers her gorgeous new single Blue Jumper. Rich, warm vocals and a naive, innocence in her lyrics - a very lovely combination.
Khaled & Gashi - Delali Rating: 3/5
In their own rights, Khaled and Gashi have earnt huge respect for their eclectic musical outpourings. Delali is not bad in the slightest. It is just a little more mainstream predictable that you might have expected from these two.
Lauv - Dishes Rating: 3.5/5
Lauv is without any doubt one of the most exciting and interesting artists to be dominating the mainstream focus at the moment. Dishes is decent, but it doesn't wow like some of his releases.
Chastity Brown - Golden Rating: 3.5/5
Chastity Brown wants to know why she has to be angry. Golden is her response to the current (and sadly long-standing) disparity between black and white lives around the world. Lighter in delivery than it could have been, Golden is an earworm that has heart.
David Cook - Red Turns Blue Rating: 3.5/5
David Cook won American Idol twelve years ago. Since then he has released 4 studio albums, with a range of critical and commercial acclaim. Anxiety exploration Red Turns Blue is his best single in a long while.
The 2020 World Cup of Cross Country Skiing sadly fell victim to Covid-19, but that does not mean it can't still be celebrated. To mark the would've been event, Leela Gilday releases the event's theme song. The chorus is euphoric but the verses let it down slightly.
MC Stojan x Hurricane - Tuturutu Rating: 3/5
Hurricane are one of the feistiest girl bands currently on the circuit. Give them a year and they will be household names. Sadly their collaboration with MC Stojan doesn't have the same fire as their own releases.
The Chicks - March March Rating: 5/5
Freshly rebranded, the group now known as The Chicks are as potent as ever on the sensational March March. With the Black Lives Matters narrative of the video, which also encompasses the LGBTQI+ and climate change battles (amongst others), this is a musical call to arms.
KID DAD - Limbo Rating: 4/5
German trio KID DAD are destined to be our new favourite band. Their latest single tackles the tough uncertainty that lives between fear and hope. With a calming overtone battling panging guitars, this is a sleeper anthem.
Pink Martini - Let's Be Friends Rating: 3.5/5
Pink Martini have always showcased a timeless feel to their reworkings and originals. At the core is the musical wizard Thomas Lauderdale. Teaming up with singer China Forbes and writer/producer Jim Bianco for their latest single, the trio have crafted a new song that feels like an old friend.
Max Richter - All Human Beings Rating: 5/5
British-German composer Max Richter is prolific. His musical output always shines. All Human Beings is easily his most thought-provoking composition to date. Reflecting the current global issues, which sadly have been repeated throughout history, are explored in this subtle gem.
Hamburg's Johannes Oerding was a decade into his recording career when his sixth studio album, Konturen, finally saw him rewarded with his first #1 on the German album charts. Anfassen is a made for radio emotive anthem that is brilliantly delivered.
Charlie Puth - Girlfriend Rating: 4/5
Charlie Puth has really grown into his artistry. When he was first launched, his potential was evident. Yet his sound was not his own, more the demand of a record label. Now sitting somewhere between Bleachers and Shawn Mendes, he is distinctively brilliant.
Yelle - Karaté Rating: 5/5
Now repeat after me: Ton kimono est un pyjama. And again. And again. No, sorry you don't do it as well as Yelle. Who makes it sound ingenious. An addictive earworm.
Leonora - Turquoise Rating: 3.5/5
Former figure skater turned singer/songwriter Leonora returns two years after the lovely Love Is Forever with the very different feeling Turquoise. With echoes of Ane Brun, this is a strong return.
Lupid ft. Ela. - Nur nicht bei dir Rating: 4/5
Two of Germany's rising talents have combined forces for this acoustic single lifted from Lupid's new Drahtseilakt Akustik EP. The sound is an interesting breakaway for both artists and with their voices fusing faultlessly, further collaborations should be considered.
Alphabeat returned last year after far too long a hiatus with the career redefining Don't Know What's Cool Anymore. Sometimes is reworked from the album edit and highlights their stunning vocals further in this single edit.
Freddie Dickson - Touch Over Distance Rating: 3/5
In these difficult times, art has been a real connective force. Freddie Dickson released his latest album last year, but has been inspired by the events we have all lived through and touches on this distant connection in his new single. Uplifting, yet strangely haunting, this is a sweet breeze.
Julien Doré - La Fièvre Rating: 5/5
Back in 2007 France selected Julien as their Nouvelle Star, and given his stunning chart record it is clear they made the right decision. His latest single is both urgent and chilled, while his vocal is as appealing as ever.