Girls Aloud's third album, Chemistry, was by far and away their most universally adored by both critics and fans. So why exactly did it - relatively - underperform compared to their previous releases?
The key cornerstone of Xenomania's branch out into an in-house record label, Mini Viva were positioned as the all new pop duo phenomenon to take them from their success in the 00s to the 2010s...
On a mission to revolutionise and transform British pop music in the new millennium, Miranda Cooper and Brian Higgins at Xenomania set out their stall as early on as their Moonbaby project.
One thing I have tried to curb a little bit coming into this year is the expansion of my vinyl collection. Some of this was borne out of necessity (I had to upgrade my storage trunks over Christmas, as my collection had outgrown the original ones I stored them in), but also to try and … Continue reading Girls Aloud’s “What Will The Neighbours Say?” at 20: revisiting a modern pop classic
With Popstars: The Rivals, the stakes were upped as two new bands went head-to-head for the Christmas number one, and for Girls Aloud, it was "Buy Girls, Bye Boys" with a redefining 00s chart banger that got them there...
Any doubts at all that the Sugababes' chart topping success with their previous single was a fluke were promptly dispatched with their equally addictive follow up, helmed by the fledging pop team Xenomania...
Howdy! Firstly before we start a quick Happy Easter to you all. Secondly - time for this week's Pop Essays, as we revisit another lost gem of a track from the mists of pop time. This week: one of the greatest songs you've probably never heard by the greatest pop production team of the 00s... … Continue reading Pop Essays #13: Frank, ‘Never Left A Girl’
ARTIST: Capulets SONG: Community Centre SO ALEX, WHY IS THIS YOUR SONG OF THE WEEK? Now, usually how it works in pop is this: person joins band, band release a few records, maybe they play live a bit, do some other amazing stuff and become fairly brilliant, band ends or takes a break, person from … Continue reading #SongoftheWeek: Capulets – ‘Community Centre’
ARTIST: Paige Cavell SONG: Predators and Monsters SO ALEX, WHY IS THIS YOUR SONG OF THE WEEK? It's not unfair to say that opinion has been sharply divided in the pop debating chamber in recent months. Chiefly, have pop production titans Xenomania still got it? Case for the prosecution lies with Brian Higgins and co's … Continue reading #SongoftheWeek: Paige Cavell – ‘Predators and Monsters’
ARTIST: Nadine Coyle SONG: Girls on Fire SO ALEX, WHY IS THIS YOUR SONG OF THE WEEK? Next month will be five years since Girls Aloud - but let's be honest, mainly Cheryl, Kimberley and Nicola - finished their 10th anniversary tour, and then promptly split up one of British pop's greatest acts of a … Continue reading #SongoftheWeek: Nadine Coyle – ‘Girls on Fire’
The Niche Reference 