If there is one trope in the music writer's handbook that is too often viewed as a subtext heavy shorthand for "Their last album wasn't much cop", then it is - or a variation thereof - "a real return to form". Except, in the case of our long time fave, Olly Murs, it absolutely applies … Continue reading Album Review: Olly Murs (@ollymurs) – “Knees Up”
Just over two years ago in 2019, when we wrote our 10th anniversary blog for the release of their debut album, we confidently predicted (or at least hoped) that JLS would both get back together and return to the UK and Ireland's arenas in December 2020 to tour and mark the occasion properly. Whilst the … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: JLS (@JLSOfficial) – ‘2.0’
This album wasn't actually supposed to happen at all. In the press and interviews for Hi, the tenth studio album from Texas, Sharleen Spiteri has said that they were actually working on an entirely different project; namely, the 30th anniversary of their debut album Southside from 1989. In the process, herself and songwriting partner Johnny … Continue reading Album Review: Texas – ‘Hi’
15th November 2010. That was the last time, almost 10 years to the day, that McFly last released a full studio album. Said album - Above the Noise - is probably still up there with Spice Girls' Forever and The Human League's Crash as a potentially brilliant but wonkily executed tap into an unexpected territory … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: McFly (@mcflymusic) – ‘Young Dumb Thrills’
There are many things about 2020 that we'll all be quick to try and forget about once it passes. But one positive thing is that for the first time in a very long while, where pop music is concerned, it has caused everyone involved to pull their socks up a little. In short, this year … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Little Mix (@LittleMix) – ‘Confetti’ / Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) – ‘Disco’
If you had said to anybody this time 20 years ago that the Spice Girls would still be a bankable interest - whether in group or solo efforts - they would have laughed in your face. That's not meant in a glib way, you understand. Next week's The Story of Pop: 2000 entry will cover … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Melanie C (@MelanieCmusic) – ‘Melanie C’
Now here's the thing. Under old circumstances, this review would have been up when this album came out three months ago. Alas, with its release coming just as the world literally stopped, old circumstances have given way to new ones since then. Ones that I haven't really coped with all that well on a wider … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) – ‘Heartbreak Weather’
Welcome people, it's Day 2 of our #12ListsofChristmas, where each day in the run up to the big day we are bringing you a new list of our twelve favourite things from a given Yuletide related topic. Don't forget to leave your comments below or Tweet us using the hashtag #12DaysofChristmas - what are your … Continue reading #12ListsofChristmas: Day 2
If 2019 is going to be remembered as the year of anything music wise, it'll be of those unexpectedly brilliant pop comebacks from bands and artists that many thought were lost to time forever. Busted? Delivered the best album of their career. Jonas Brothers? One of the catchiest modern pop singles of the year with … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Westlife (@westlifemusic) – ‘Spectrum’
We're at the halfway point! We're at Day 7 of #15Daysof30Lists, the series of blogs where I give you fifteen lists of my 30 favourite things everyday until my 30th birthday. Hope you're enjoying them so far - don't forget to please leave your comments below as to my choices, or Tweet me - let … Continue reading #15Daysof30Lists: Day 7
The Niche Reference 