Write a comment With one of the most distinctive voices and songwriting styles in popular culture over the last 50 years, Yusuf / Cat Stevens has influenced and inspired generations with his music. Since his period of devotion to his faith, taking his time away from creating music from 1977 to 2006, he has been back producing more of the soulful music his fans have craved in his absence.
Write a comment The 28-year-old multi-instrumentalist has been a significant fixture of the music scene since 2016. With outstanding talents as a songwriter and performer, she has broken new ground with her material and has amassed a wide range of followers during that time.
Write a comment The British rapper Slowthai made a name for himself in 2019 with his politically charged work, particularly around the controversial topic of Brexit and the then Prime Minster Theresa May’s leadership of the country. With a steady release of singles and gradual climbing up the charts, the popularity and reach of the Northampton born artist is now getting to much wider audiences.
Write a comment It would be hard to write a review of a Hozier song without a reference to the sensational Take Me to Church, that well and truly put Hozier on the international music map, back in 2013. The Irish born artist enthuses styles that have influenced his musical journey, with blues and jazz traditions certainly appearing to shape some of the structures and melody lines. However, he isn’t just a one hit wonder, as he is steadily building up a strong body of work that Eat Your Young will add to.
Write a comment The Swedish-born star, who started her career at the age of 10, has made a huge impression on the world of music since her debut in 2008. Now, at the still-tender age of 25, she is releasing hit after hit. Her most recent offering, "Can't Tame Her," was released in January of this year, but this latest release showcases an acoustic version of the song that deserves to be celebrated as a wonderful creation.
Write a comment Meghan Trainor needs little introduction. As one of pop's most celebrated artists, she is back with new music that will undoubtedly gain her more critical acclaim, as her talent in songwriting and performance is seldom equalled around the globe.
Write a comment Country music fans flocked to The O2 Arena in London over the weekend to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Country to Country (C2C), Europe's biggest country music festival. With a stellar lineup of performers and exciting new features, C2C 2023 proved to be another huge success - the three day event from Friday to Sunday is definitely growing each year.
Write a comment If you’re a child of the 90s, you’ll know well about the energy that this girl group gave to millions. Arguably, their most successful track, "C’est La Vie," was a staple of the late 90s and put them firmly on the music industry’s map. "Birthday" is a celebration of their 25th Year, but there are other subtle messages that come through within the lyrics that need a little more attention.
Write a comment Portugal. The Man has a long history together. The name, which may raise some questions, derives from a David Bowie concept that suggests that the artist or song is bigger than the idea. With Portugal being a country, the symbolism of every man and woman belonging to one identity is important in this notion and creates a wonderful idea for the name of a band.
Write a comment BIA is a shortened name of Bianca, the Christian name of the American rapper. With an ancestry of Italian and Puerto Rican descent, she has a rich tapestry of culture to pull on when it comes to her influences. She signed to RCA way back in 2014, but it wasn’t until 2018 that her first EP was released. Since then, there have been regular releases and a string of accolades that are well-deserved.
Write a comment Demi Lovato must now be classed as one of the superstars of the pop world. Having initially found fame in 2007 as a star of the Disney Channel’ ‘As the Bell Rings’, her career as a singer took off soon after and she became an idol and role model for millions. There are some impressive statistics too for Lovato to reflect on with her songs, her astonishing 5.6 billion streams and 2.7 million album sales would suggest an artist who is basking in her popularity and she continues to give fans some excellent music.
Write a comment Nicky Youre has made a lot of new fans since his debut, ‘Sex and Lemonade’ was released in 2020. This latest release is only the fifth single that has been put out by Youre (birth name Ure), but he has covered a lot of ground in terms of his songwriting and production that means that Shut me up will no doubt receive much critical acclaim.
Write a comment Hailing from Australia, Conrad Sewell is a 34 year old singer songwriter from Brisbane. Ego is the latest release from this album, which is actually the first collection of works he has released in nearly 3 years. He has an impressive CV as an artist, but he has also collaborated with some exceptional talents from around the world and commands great respect from those who work with him.
Write a comment Metallica have been a band for over 40 years, with a huge worldwide following and they need very little instruction. To date, they have amassed a staggering 125 million record sales around the world and can fill stadiums in most continents. Their latest release is from their 11th studio album, 72 seasons, and is already making a big impression.
Write a comment Lola Young is a fascinating artist that has released lots of new material recently that I have had the pleasure of reviewing. She is interesting in her influences, as they help her create a completely unique and fresh sound that is a refreshing change to some of her contemporaries. ‘Don’t Hate Me’ is her latest release and it is gathering pace as a commercial success.
Write a comment Sometimes, being creative can run in the family and for Gracie Abrams, that is most certainly the case. As the daughter of one of America’s most respected film-makers, J J Abrams, it is fair to say that she has a good pedigree in creating new and wonderful things!
Write a comment People from around the world will have heard the Jonas Brothers in one form or another, as their work has been used in countless Disney productions and their music has crossed genres over the nearly 20 years they have had in the industry. The 3 brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick continue to produce new music regularly, and Wings is their latest single release.
Write a comment Mica Millar has been working on music for many years, and has gradually grown a good following around the country. More recently the 33 year old has been making headway with a string of critically acclaimed releases. Not only does she write and perform as tracks, but more often than not, she is the producer too! She is truly an allrounder in the music industry's ever changing landscape.
Write a comment Whilst now being in his 30s, the Masked Wolf is still a newcomer to mainstream music audiences around the world. This is thanks mainly to his hit Astronaut in the Ocean, that was a favourite of many in 2021. He has been writing for a long time and his experience and talent can be seen in his latest release, Never the Same.
Write a comment Role Model is a US based artist, who even at the tender age of 25 has already reformed his musical career. Starting life as a rapper, under the pseudonym of Tucker, he changed to singing in early 2017 and adopted his new name of Role Model, and the rest as they say, is history. With an eclectic set of influences, we now see the influences in his work.
Write a comment Ellie Dixon is developing an online presence and energy that is seeing her fanbase grow around the UK. Originally from Cambridge, she is now sharing her music throughout the UK, with a city tour planned for May of this year.
Write a comment Niall Horan needs little introduction! Since the establishment of his solo career, he has developed as a songwriter and an international personality in his own right. He cites some legendary artists as major influences on his music career, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles have all played a part in inspiring his creative work. You can really hear these in his latest releases.
Write a comment Last year, Laufey blessed us all with one of the greatest vocal jazz performances with Valentine from her newest album, ‘Everything I Know About Love’. The only thing that could make that song better would be a full symphony to accompany the talented singer, which is what we got.
Write a comment If there’s two things that go together better than peanut butter and jelly, it’s Maro and acoustic guitars. With her newest single, ‘Just Wanna Forget You’, Maro uses the beautification of the acoustic guitar to its full extent for a gorgeous track.
Write a comment Cody Fry’s latest album, ‘Pictures of Mountains’, was one of the greatest musical achievements of the decade. It illustrated a side to pop that has only existed in imagination, a feat which Cody Fry made seem so easy. One of the highlights from that album, where the record takes its first turn, was the song ‘Photograph’. An orchestral ballad that slowly unveils itself layer after layer, telling the heart-wrenching story of one’s desire to live in their favorites moments forever. That song, touching so many, has been reimagined with Clair de Lune as a prelude, which only emphasizes the beauty of the original song, not only in theme but also as it stands strongly alongside one of the greatest classical pieces ever composed.
Write a comment Once upon a time, Hak Baker was a member of the UK grime outfit B.O.M.B squad, but after some time away, he has come back to being a solo artist. His latest release is a great showcase of the undoubted talent he has.
Write a comment Paramore has blessed us once again with a new album release titled This is Why. The band capitalizes on a softer sound, sounding elegant and smooth all the while maintaining the edge Paramore has been known for all their career. The penultimate song from the record, titled ‘Crave’, is not only a brilliant single on its own, but a wonderful way to prepare the album’s sendoff.
Write a comment After seven studio albums, the British based rock band are clearly still thirsty for more success, as their creativity grows from strength to strength. Their first EP from 2004 catapulted You and Me at Six to mainstream audiences and now they have a huge loyal fanbase. With the band now in their early 30s, you can imagine that they themselves were influenced by the explosion of guitar music of the 90s, and you won’t be surprised that this song is a celebration of that.
Write a comment US rockers Paramore are back with their first studio album in almost six years. But trust us when we say, “This is Why” has been well and truly worth the wait. They may have taken an extended break during COVID lockdowns but have emerged stronger than ever with an album that grabs your attention from the very first track and does not let go.
Write a comment Jessie Ware has a powerful and unique sound that she has developed over her years in the industry. Now, at the age of 40, she has amassed a core following and carries a wonderful reputation as a performer. Whilst older than some of her famous alumni school mates, she can say (or more so they can) they attended the same school as Florence Welch and Jack Penate, and some may argue she has had the most illustrious career to date.
Write a comment Ellie Goulding has been a feature of the UK music scene since 2009, with a fantastic collection of releases and accolades to put her in the pop royalty bracket of the UK music scene. Her latest release is a little overdue, but her fans will love the texture and composition of her new tracks, and Like a Saviour has the key ingredients to become a favourite for many of her fans.
Write a comment Many a good country star has hailed from Tennessee, and Morgan Wallen is the latest to be gracing the airwaves. We first met Morgan Wallen as a contestant on the 2014 version of The Voice. After this exposure he then signed to Panacea Records and began to embark on a successful career as a solo musician.
Write a comment Canadian songstress Shania Twain has launched a brilliant comeback album, her first offering in almost six years. “Queen of Me” has now been released and has absolutely been worth the wait. Twain’s delightful vocals sound even better than ever, as she continues to dance that line so effortlessly between country and pop.
Write a comment Caroline Polachek has been a long standing member of the music scene since her emergence with Chairlight and their first EP in 2007. Many releases later and her huge amount of critical acclaim, Blood and Butter is the latest release in a long line of successful tunes.
Write a comment Ella Mai first experienced a taste of the spotlight as part of her trio Arize on the 11th season of the X Factor. The band didn’t last long after their 2014 dash with fame, but it gave a good platform for Ella Mai to build her reputation from. Now with a string of releases behind her, she is building a strong following of loyal fans.
Write a comment Jake Shears brought about much joy and fun to the music industry with the music of the Scissor Sisters, but now is venturing out on his own. With a distinctive vocal range and experience of writing some dance floor fillers, he is bound to leap from hit to hit with his new releases.
Write a comment Joan are a pop duo, hailing from Little Rock in Arkansas. They have released a series of tracks since their formation in 2017, and Nervous is their latest offering.
Write a comment Demob Happy has been around now for a number of years. Forming first in 2008, and they have been developing their sound and stage presence ever since. Originally from Newcastle, they have relocated down to Brighton to help their opportunities, which is certainly paying dividends as their fan base continues to grow.
Write a comment After stunning fans back in November with Atum: A Rock Opera Act One, the Smashing Pumpkins have outdone themselves with the follow-up, Act Two. It has been well-known since September 2022 that the intention was for Atum to be a three-part release, staggered between November 2022 and April 2023. Act One blew everyone’s minds with 11 wonderful tracks, masterfully constructed and proving that the Pumpkins are better than ever.
Write a comment Maisie Peters is a young woman with a plan. She started releasing her own material at the tender age of 17, having already been seen on our TV screens at 15 performing some of her own songs. She has been given some good live performing opportunities too, opening for Niall Horan on a recent tour, as well as Ed Sheeran, so we can assume that the future is looking very very bright for Maisie Peters.
Write a comment Macklemore is a well established artist, with a portfolio now stretching across decades! At 39, he has continued to have a thirst for creativity and this song is testament to someone who has gathered a wisdom of writing and ability to showcase true rap talent in a unique way.
Write a comment It has been 10 years since Conor Maynard was catapulted into the public eye, with his critically acclaimed single release of ‘I can’t say no’. Since then he has released a strong catalogue of tracks and has even tried his hand at musical theater. Before the pandemic hit, he could be seen in the Broadway production of Kinky Books! His latest track, ‘If I Ever’ is sure to please his fanbase and I would imagine it to attract new listeners to some of Maynard’s back catalogue.
Write a comment Lola Young is a young new performer, who is already attracting a healthy fanbase with over 41K followers on her Instagram page. Originating from South London, she is carving out a strong reputation as one of the UKs most exciting new up and coming artists.
Write a comment There are a handful of global artists that could adopt the mantel of being a music superstar, but Pink is sure one that should definitely be considered. She is now in her 23rd year as an established artist and has gained a huge fanbase in every corner of the world after releasing an extensive catalogue of critically acclaimed hits.
Write a comment Adam Lambert is flamboyant, extravagant and truly unique as an artist. Cutting his teeth with Queen in recent years has made him one of the most exceptional performers in the world. He had big shoes to fill, in Freddie Mercury, but instead of trying to copy him, he has forged a fantastic fresh feel and has developed his own confidence as a singer and performer.
Write a comment For a young musician, Arlo Parks has already crammed lots into her career, and her latest song stands her in good stead to make progress on the UK charts, with success already seen in other parts of the world, this track will help her expand her fanbase in her home country.
Write a comment The Hertford born singer songwriter has been at the forefront of the British music scene for 8 years, after his hit single Budapest catapulted him into stardom. His distinctive voice and excellent song writing skills have meant we have heard many more hits from his creative mind and the Sweetest Human Being Alive is his latest offering.
Write a comment Metallica have pulled off what is seemingly impossible. Keeping a secret from their legions of fans. They have unleashed a surprise single that nobody saw coming. “Screaming Suicide” has landed and is truly mind-blowing. The track is the second from their upcoming “72 Seasons” LP which is due to hit on 14 April.
Write a comment Billy Locket has a longer career in music than you might think. He began releasing material as far back as 2011, but the UK based singer songwriter is maturing into a name that many people will be becoming familiar with. A quick search of recent live shows tell us that not only can Billy Lockett write a good tune, he is a pretty talented live performer and pianist too!
Write a comment Andy Grammar was discovered busking in Santa Monica, and the rest has been a growing catalog of successful live and studio work. His debut album was released in 2011 and there have been regular releases ever since.
Write a comment Mimi Webb signed to Epic Records at the tender age of 18, and now 4 years into her journey is growing from strength to strength. The British born singer-songwriter is developing an impressive list of releases and Red Flags, her latest offering is set to add to her collection of critically acclaimed work.
Write a comment Blake Rose is a 25 year old singer songwriter from Perth, Australia. He first came to our attention as a 21 year old singer songwriter, receiving rave reviews for his debut work. His latest release, Use Me, is another example of a rare songwriting talent who will no doubt be producing other creative pieces for years to come.
Write a comment JW Francis has had an interesting life before his music career. He was born in Oklahoma, lived in Paris, New York and is now a recent signing to Sunday Best Recordings. He delightfully refers to himself as ‘bedroom pop’, and there is a complete innocence to his music and production that really appealed to me.
Write a comment Each Christmas, the UK draws a huge media feature on the John Lewis advert, so much so that for many families, this feeds into their traditions. In 2012 it was this advert that launched Gabrielle Aplin into stardom with her cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s, The Power of Love. Prior to this, she was growing a fanbase as an acoustic singer songwriter from Wiltshire.
Write a comment Who would have thought Iggy Pop is 75? The aging rocker is still releasing new music and sounding great in the process, with his trademark look and stage presence.
Write a comment M Huncho is a 29 year old rapper and trap music star from London. If you have ever seen a picture of him, you will notice he always wears a mask! Apparently this is to keep his life outside of music as normal as possible. Whatever the reason, it gives a real sense of mystery about the man.
Write a comment The partnership of Cheats Codes, an LA based DJ trio and Dolly Parton is quite a surprise and I would love to know more about how the collaboration came about. The country legend, who has been an international treasure for over 50 years, is still being creative and adding her unique voice to diverse projects.
Write a comment Ava Max is a 28 year old American singer songwriter, who has been in the public domain for a lot longer than you might imagine. She broke onto the scene in 2016 and has been growing her fanbase ever since.
Write a comment RuPaul needs little introduction. The 62 year old has been a household name for a long time. For this track he has teamed up with mixer, rapper and producer Skeltal Ki, a lesser known artist, but one that certainly provides a lot of interest to the music!
Write a comment The 1975 have returned with a new album titled Being Funny in a Foreign Language, and it’s quite the unique package. There’s plenty to love for those who want that sound that made them fall in love with The 1975 in the first place, but others stand above the pack in every way imaginable. The third track of the record, ‘Looking for Somebody to Love’, is especially special because of how perfectly it captures exactly what it tries to portray.
Write a comment In a complete surprise announcement, Metallica not only announced a brand-new single, out that same day, called Lux Aeterna, but they simultaneously announced a new album, out February, and a world tour. That’s a lot of good news for Metallica fans, but how did the song hold up?
Write a comment Their latest release “The Cleansing Ultimate Edition” will hit you in all the right ways.
Write a comment This week brought two of Nashville’s popular rising stars Matt Stell & Elvie Shane to Manchester as part of Country Music Week, which is organised by Country To Country (C2C). The Deaf Institute in Manchester was one of the select venues across London, Manchester and Glasgow throughout the week.
Write a comment Australian singer / songwriter Amy Shark may have just finished a massive tour and still be reeling from the success of her Aria wins and her stunning debut album “Love Monster,” (2018) and incredible follow up “Cry Forever” (2021) but the 36-year-old clearly isn’t slowing down any time soon.
Write a comment Stop what you are doing and check out this amazing release if you haven’t already. James Parkinson, also known as One Cure for Man, has not only lived up to the hype created by his stunning single releases toward this one. He has far exceeded it.
Write a comment Born in Ireland, Brooke Scullion has begun to build a strong reputation as a talented performer. In 2020, as a contestant on the Voice, she managed the rare feet of turning all four of the judges chairs around, demonstrating her raw talent and power as a singer. Many people may have seen her perform in the 2022 Eurovision semi-finals, representing Ireland and eventually finishing 10th overall, but didn’t quite make it to the final!
Write a comment The Young British artist has been busy since her initial rise to fame. First performing on the Glastonbury Introducing stage in 2019, her first release came in early 2020 and she can now boast a growing catalogue of songs. Scarlett (Garden Version) is from her second album - ‘The walls are way too thin’ and establishes her place as one of the country's most exciting acts to watch out for.
Write a comment Low Island are a UK based band from Oxford who are starting to gather a good reputation as an exciting live and recording band. They are currently working their way around Europe on tour promoting their material, but will be back in the UK to continue to build a following by the middle of October.
Write a comment I'm In Love With You is the third single to be released from The 1975’s latest album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language. The band have been going now for 20 years, being formed in 2002, but have only really been a feature of the mainstream music scene for the last 10.
Write a comment Neither artist here needs much of an introduction, although, I am interested to know how, why and when they decided that this duet should happen! It does always surprise me when we see artists' ages appear and I often forget how much time has passed since they were first brought into the public eye. Elton John, now 75 and Britney Spears is now 40! Both artists are undoubtedly icons and have legions of fans across the globe that will buy Hold Me Closer.
