WEEKLY MUSIC WRAP UP

This week has seen the redemption of Taylor Swift happened and I’m all here for it. There is no denying that her sixth studio album “Reputation” has been a little bit of a flop. Her singles haven’t had the same impact her previous records have had, her stadium tour isn't selling as well as they expected and the whole world is questioning if she took this whole “the old Taylor is dead” thing too far. Well the pop songstress is hitting back by releasing her infectious new single (and the best song on the album) “Delicate” along with a epic new video.

The cheeky and fun video pays homage to the old Taylor in the best way possible. She makes fun of herself and performs some awkward choreography while telling the story of fame and wanting to be normal again but realising that her life is very special. It’s just very cute and will have you smiling from ear to ear while also letting out some little laughs. It also helps that the song is an absolute bop and is the closest sounding to her old material. It gives me “Wildest dreams” vibes and if that doesn't make you excited or emotional then are you really a human? 

SINGLE REVIEW: Kylie Minogue - Stop Me From Falling

I really do want to love Kylie Minogue’s new album “Golden” when it’s released but so far all I’m getting is 2013 Avicii vibes and I’m just not about that life. Lead single “Dancing” was a dated country meets pop dance crossover that sounded like it belonged on Avicii’s album “True” and I thought we left that sound in the past? Apparently not because she’s released another single which continues this unfortunate sound. However I must say that “Stop Me From Falling” is progressively a lot better and injects the right amount of euphoric production to make it enjoyable. The playful and cute lyrics explore that moment you cross that friendship line and fall in love with someone. It’s relatable and touching and just really nice. It grows on you with each listen and will have you wanting to dance like you’re at a rodeo during the chorus. I just wish the production was different because I expect more from Kylie than a recycled sound but it’s good I guess. 

SINGLE REVIEW: Jessica Mauboy - We Got Love

So it’s official. Jessica Mauboy will be representing Australia in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in  Portugal in May. Her Eurovision entry single “We Got Love” is a massive celebration of the freedom of love we have in Australia and perfectly represents who we have become as a country. It’s a little gimmicky but aren't all Eurovision songs meant to be? “I know, I know what you must be thinking. That we are powerless to change things. But don't, don't give up cause we got love, 'cause we got love”. It’s the right amount of cheesy with the right amount of empowerment injected. The chilled tropical dance dance allows her vocals to take lead and impress with her unique vocals riffs. There is a little production drum breakdown before the final chorus which adds a different texture to the song however it’s too short. It should've been at least another 10 seconds but you win some and you lose some. Overall it’s a very catchy and cute pop track that I personally think will do very well at this years Eurovision. 

SINGLE REVIEW: Years & Years - Sanctify

UK favourites Years & Years have been in hiding for the past year and a half while thy have been putting together the final touches on their highly anticipated sophomore album. The record is due later this year and the dynamic trio are ready to deliver your first taste at what is to come. “Sanctify” is classic Years & Years. It’s a mix of indie pop with electronic influences and to be honest it’s a little bit predictable. I was waiting for a big pop meets disco meets electronic moment that would see them evolving their sound from their smash hits “Shine” and “King” but it never came. Instead they released a safe indie-pop track that emulates the dark and moody sound their debut album layered. Lyrically the track is very bold and tells an important story of self discovery that I wish was given a better platform. It reflects on the intimate experiences lead singer Olly Alexander has had with “straight men” who are not so “straight”. He feels like a sinner but also feels like a saint for helping them explore their sexuality. It’s a really cool and unique concept that hasn't really been covered this openly in the mainstream pop world. But I just wish the delivery was bigger and more impactful because at the moment it’s a little boring and doesn't live up to the hype they’ve created.

SINGLE REVIEW: Lily Allen - Three & Higher

After the release of her third studio album “Sheezus” in 2014 Lily Allen disappeared from the spotlight while she suffered an identity crisis in the middle of a marriage breakdown. She no longer liked the music she was making and couldn't connect with herself as an artist so she retracted from the media and just focused on her family and herself. From this break her fourth studio album “No Shame” was born and it may just be her most raw and honest album yet. The record will be released on June 8 and will explore her identity crisis, her marriage breakdown, her relationship with her kids and her substance abuse. The gimmicks have been taken away and she’s releasing some raw and stripped back pop. The beat driven lead single “Trigger Bang” introduced the new sound over Christmas but now she has two new songs ready for your ears. “Three” is a simple piano ballad that is quirky and unique because it looks at the thoughts of her three year old daughter surrounding Lily’s crazy life. “You saying you're going but you don't say how long for. You say it's work, but I'm not sure. You say you love me, then you walk right out the door”. It’s a little bit dark and a little bit heartbreaking because all you wanna do is give the kid a hug. But the vulnerable song is very personal and shares a unique light into Lily’s brain whilst serving a very clean and beautiful vocal delivery. On the other end of the spectrum is the slow RNB influenced jam “Higher”. The song explores her break up with her husband and having to let him go because she realises that it’s toxic and she can’t be treated that way. In the past Lily would’ve served a sassy explicit track that would've dragged him but with this new sound she is cleaner and reflective. The sassiest it gets is; “I can take this down to the wire. Soon see if I fight fire with fire. Dig that grave, you’re such a bad liar”. And it’s actually a nice change. This production experimentation is so simple and laid back but it’s also so effective. The sound takes a couple listens to get used to but as soon as you vibe it you wont stop listening. This is definitely the strongest of the three released tracks so far and is probably the most different directionally. 

SINGLE REVIEW: Betty Who - Look Back

Betty Who continues to drop absolute pop bops that make me question why she isn't played on heavy rotation frequently. Her last single “Ignore Me” was a cool pop moment that grew on you with each listen and re-introduced her as a freshly independent artist. Cutting ties with her major record label the songstress now has full creative control of what gets released and when it gets released which means.. MORE FREQUENT BETTY WHO MUSIC! Can you tell I’m excited about that? Well you should be too because her new single is a banger and a half. “Look Back” is ridiculously fun and revisits that playful and carefree sound she perfected on “Mama Say” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful”. She showcases a flirty and seductive side that hears her exclaiming “Betcha I can make you look back” and teasing guys like never before. It’s just so much fun and after a first listen you can’t help but instantly sing along and dance like an idiot. The production is very bold, brassy and bossy but I can’t help but get Robin Thicke's “Blurred Lines” meets Calvin Harris' “Feels” vibes during the verses. The melodies are very similar even if it’s only for a brief moment. But otherwise this song is a little pop gem that will have you smiling, dancing and singing.

SINGLE REVIEW: CXLOE - Monster

After having only released her debut single “Tough Love” towards the end of last year CXLOE has toured the country supporting the likes of Alison Wonderland and George Maple and has raked up 274,000 streams on fiery single. As an independent artist that is a massive feat and it’s only the beginning. The Sydney songstress has relocated to Los Angeles and reflected on her experience of trying to fit into the LA lifestyle with a dark and moody track. “Monster” is a continuation of the dark electronic pop that “Tough Love” introduced but is a lot more grittier in it’s delivery. It’s less polished and synth-pop friendly and is instead more DIY and angsty. The opening synths are reminiscent to the grungy production on Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” and will have you instantly intrigued. The chorus just unleashes this laid back electronic beat which perfectly compliments the dark attitude of the song. It shows another mature growth to CXLOE as an artist and cements her as one artist you NEED to keep an eye on.

You can read full music reviews, live reviews, interviews and more at www.thomasbleach.com 

And want to check out some of these songs? Then check out the #BLEACHED playlist on Spotify which is curated each week by Thomas Bleach as his favourite new releases.