SONG OF THE MONTH: Sober by Lucy Spraggan (November 2020)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

We were supposed to be seeing the 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Buxton, Derbyshire, this month at the 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire but COVID-19 has now pushed that back to April 2021.

  • Read on for reasons including why new album Choices is shaping up nicely

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SONG OF THE MONTH: Don’t Diss The Disco by International Teachers Of Pop (October 2020)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

There’s always a sense of trepidation when a friend recommends a song they think you’ll like.

  • Read on for reasons including how this band lives up to the Sheffield pop giants that have come before them

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SONG OF THE MONTH: What The Future Holds by Steps (week beginning 9/9/20)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

It’s quite something that pop star and songwriting genius Sia thought her tune What The Future Holds would be best sung by this reformed boy/girl band quintet.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Steps on tour next year

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SONG OF THE WEEK: Dark Hearts by Annie (week beginning 1/9/20)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

We’ve only seen Norwegian electro pop star Annie live once we think, supporting St Etienne in October 2009 at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

  • Read on for reasons including everything we know about other new Annie songs American Cars and The Bomb

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SONG OF THE WEEK: Fingers Crossed by Agnes (Week beginning 28/8/20)

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

Fingers Crossed goes immediately for the pop jugular with a hook that is so captivating in its high-pitched kookiness it could be a sample of Kate Bush or Florence Welch at their most commercial – but probably isn’t.

  • Read on for reasons including why we’re long overdue an Agnes renaissance

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SONG OF THE WEEK: Impact by SG Lewis, Robyn & Channel Tres (week beginning 21/8/20)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: now

What do you get if you introduce arguably the world’s most exciting pop star of the moment to a British singer-songwriter and a Compton rapper/producer?

  • Read on for reasons including why Impact is the sound of this summer’s dancefloors

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SONG OF THE WEEK: Time Storm by Blow Monkeys (week beginning 6/8/20)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

Get Yourself Together, the lockdown collaboration between Blow Monkeys’ frontman Dr Robert and Youth, was the first time we’d listened to any of the band’s new work for a long while.

  • Read on for reasons including how to sign up for exclusive access to the making of the new album

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SONG OF THE MONTH: Redemption by Hurts (August 2020)

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

Hurts reveal their best song since the track that launched them – Wonderful Life in 2009 – from a new album out in just over a month.

  • Read on for reasons including where to buy tickets for their 2021 tour featuring a London gig

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SONG OF THE MONTH: Say Something by Kylie (July 2020)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: now

Both Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga have enjoyed rapturously received returns to releasing music in 2020 during a curious pandemic period when their euphoric and uplifting dance albums have proved just the tonic that the world is looking for.

  • Read on for reasons including everything we know about Kylie’s new album Disco

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SONG OF THE WEEK: Meet Again by LP Giobbi featuring Little Boots (week beginning 18/7/20)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

We saw Little Boots (pictured above) twice in May 2012 (once headlining at XOYO and once supporting the Scissor Sisters at 02 Shepherds Bush Empire) and since that happy fortnight we’ve not seen her perform live again.

  • Read on for reasons including Little Boots’ thoughts on her next album

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