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The Niche Reference

The Niche Reference

A new name, inspired by all influences…

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Category: Forgotten Pop

Pop Essays #44: Alex Parks, ‘Get Out’

May 2, 2024Mar 29, 2025 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ 1 Comment

The second - and last - Fame Academy winner flew under the radar with her second album in the autumn of 2005 - and not just with the general public.

Pop Essays #43: Westlife, ‘Hey Whatever’

Apr 18, 2024Mar 29, 2025 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ Leave a comment

With a new sound, new image and new album, Westlife were poised to enter the second chapter of their career - until Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh had other ideas.

Pop Essays #42: The Pussycat Dolls feat. Timbaland, ‘Wait A Minute’

Apr 11, 2024Apr 26, 2024 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ 1 Comment

After releasing no less than five hit singles from their multi platinum debut album, even the law of diminishing returns caught up with The Pussycat Dolls.

Pop Essays #40: Leilani, ‘Madness Thing’

Mar 28, 2024Apr 26, 2024 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ Leave a comment

With it's bonkers production and nuns and Curly Wurlys referencing lyrics, Leilani's debut single was certainly anything but ordinary.

Pop Essays #39: allSTARS*, ‘Love Is’

Mar 21, 2024Mar 29, 2025 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ Leave a comment

The stars of CITV's STARStreet might have laboured in their peers' shadow, but could a Lamont Dozier co-write have turned it around?

Pop Essays #38: Texas, ‘I’ll See It Through’

Mar 14, 2024Apr 26, 2024 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ Leave a comment

Texas appeared on the soundtrack to the Richard Curtis blockbuster Love Actually in 2003 - something most people have forgotten until now.

Pop Essays #37: McFly, ‘Ultraviolet / The Ballad Of Paul K’

Mar 7, 2024Mar 29, 2025 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ 1 Comment

With their chart topping second album Wonderland, McFly didn't make it easy - for themselves or their fans - as they rebelled against their image and sound.

Pop Essays #36: Madonna, ‘Miles Away’

Feb 29, 2024Apr 26, 2024 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ Leave a comment

The release of Madonna's final album under Warner Bros marked the moment the Queen of Pop led rather than followed working with Timbaland.

Pop Essays #35: Charlotte Church, ‘Even God Can’t Change The Past’

Feb 22, 2024Apr 26, 2024 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ Leave a comment

After reinventing herself as a pop rock "Crazy Chick", Charlotte Church tried a little self reflection with a song co-written by Boy George.

Pop Essays #34: The Faders, ‘No Sleep Tonight’

Feb 15, 2024Mar 29, 2025 ~ Alex the Pensmith ~ 1 Comment

The Faders attempted to inject some girl power into the wave of pop bands with self penned tunes and guitars in 2005 - and almost succeeded with it...

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  • Album Review: Olly Murs (@ollymurs) – “Knees Up”
  • Pop Essays #64: Girls Aloud, ‘Swinging London Town’
  • Pop Essays #63: Daniel Powter, ‘Free Loop’
  • Pop Essays #62: Nelly Furtado, ‘Powerless (Say What You Want)’
  • Pop Essays #61: Victoria Beckham, ‘I Wish’

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