La Roux – “Uptight Downtown”
After re-inventing herself, or her band, as a solo artist – La Roux kinda disappeared from the fray for a while after the hugely successful debut back in 2008. However, that’s not to say she’s been and gone – with last year’s album Trouble in Paradise providing a few great songs including this one.
Set around the London riots of 2011, it’s a disco infused pop song that manages to blend a funky beat with the soaring vocals that you’d expect from the flame-haired songstress.
Jess Glynne – “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself”
The song that took Jess Glynne to the pinnacle of British pop music as the woman with the most number 1 singles – this is a feel-good song like no other, with the powerful message and vocals that Glynne excels at. With a humble attitude and an amazing voice, Glynne is on top of her game at the moment and each single is a refreshing take on the modern music that sounds so bland with everyone else but that she make interesting.
Galantis – “Peanut Butter Jelly”
A song almost as sweet as the sandwich that bears its name, this is a sugary dance song that is full of simple, yet meaningless phrases that work together to jam in your mind along with a fun beat that is perfect for the dancefloor. Listening to this should almost certainly put a smile on your face.
CHVRCHES – “Never Ending Circles”
The second tune to be released from their upcoming second album Every Open Eye, this has more of the dark feel of their previous effort Bones whilst keeping the poppy elements that they seem to be striving for more and more. It’s sing-along pop and with plenty of character to boot, and shows of Lauren Mayberry’s new-found confidence in her vocals. It’s only twenty-four days ‘til album two and I cannot wait.
The Bangles – “If She Knew What She Wants”
If there was ever a band that proved the argument that women can rock just as hard as the men can I think the Bangles would be it, and this song is about as classic rock as it comes. The lyrics flow in a very strange way, but it’s that sort of organised stream of consciousness that lends it its style (“that they work hard to refine”). The guitar riffs are perfect as well in putting across a steely sense of longing that makes the song really shine.
The Human League – “Working as a Waitress in a Cocktail Bar”
Everyone’s familiar with the 80s classic “Don’t You Want Me”, but is anyone really interested in it after belting out the iconic first line? This remix, of sorts, does away with all the unnecessary verbage and distils this masterpiece of synthpop into the basics – and makes it just as easy to singalong to as it ever was.