MNEK

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Perimenopop by Sophie Ellis Bextor (week beginning Tuesday 16 September 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Relentless Love; Vertigo; Taste; Stay On Me; Dolce Vita; Time; Glamorous; Freedom Of The Night; Layers; Diamond In The Dark; Heart Sing; Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone

Welcome to Ellis Bextor’s 8th studio album and 1st since Murder On The Dancefloor became an international hit for the 2nd time after its memorable inclusion in Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn.

  • Read on for reasons including how Only Murders In The Building star Selena Gomez features
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Midnight Sun by Zara Larsson (September 2025)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Meteorological summer may be over but Larsson’s 5th album, of which this is the title track, aims to encapsulate a Swedish summer where the sun never goes down.

  • Read on for reasons including how album 5 is business as usual for Larsson
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Can’t Tame Her by Zara Larsson (February 2023)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Think Maniac by Michael Sembello from 80s film Flashdance and you’re halfway there for a song which reminds of what the Swedish pop star can do at her frenetic dancefloor best.

  • Read on for reasons including our hope for an album and UK tour from Larsson soon
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Break Up (Bye Bye) by Frock Destroyers (November 2019)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

Ladies – start your engines. We’re big fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and so, when monstagigz favourite MNEK appeared to produce rival girl groups, we thought the results would be good but we weren’t quite prepared for two fabulous versions of a great original song.

  • Read on for reasons including why favourite Cheryl Hole’s Filth Harmony wasn’t our pick

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best song of 2018 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Goodbye To Yesterday, Can’t Stop The Feeling and New Rules are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 8 best songs of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best gig of 2018 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Suede, Shura and Bananarama are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 6 best gigs of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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GIG REVIEW: Years & Years and MNEK at Camden Roundhouse

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Camden Roundhouse

WHEN?: 10/7/18 and touring to 7/2/19

SETLIST: Sanctify; Take Shelter; Shine; Eyes Shut; If You’re Over Me; Karma; Desire; Palo Santo; Rendezvous; Worship; Hallelujah; Real; All For You; Valentino (with MNEK); King

MNEK has transformed himself into a captivating, all-singing, all-dancing performer in the several years since we’ve last seen him live.
  • Read on for reasons including why this was an arena show in all but name

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ALBUM REVIEW: Palo Santo by Years & Years

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: 6/7/18

TRACKLIST: Sanctify; Hallelujah: All For You; Karma; Hypnotised; Rendezvous; If You’re Over Me; Preacher; Lucky Escape; Palo Santo; Here; Howl; Don’t Panic; Up In Flames

It’s been no secret that Years & Years have been struggling to follow up their 2015 chart-topping album Communion and now it’s here Palo Santo sounds more like frontman Olly Alexander’s debut solo album.

  • Read on for reasons including details of Tuesday’s album launch party

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GIG REVIEW: Zara Larsson

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Eventim Apollo Hammersmith

WHEN: 24/10, tour runs until 3/11

SETLIST: Never Forget You; Sundown; What They Say; Girls Like; Don’t Let Me Be Yours; Make That Money Girl; TG4M; I Can’t Fall In Love Without You; I Would Like; Ain’t My Fault; Only You; So Good; Symphony; Uncover; Carry You Home; Rooftop; Lush Life

We last saw Zara Larsson two years ago supporting MNEK in Heaven. Tonight she’s headlining Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo as part of her first eight-date UK tour.

  • Read on for reasons including how Zara’s popularity is set to grow

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GIG REVIEW: Dua Lipa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Brighton Dome

WHEN: 5/10, world tour runs until 20/4/18

SETLIST: Hotter Than Hell; Dreams/No Lie; Lost In Your Light; Garden; Last Dance; IDGAF; Blow Your Mind (Mwah); Thinking ‘Bout You; New Love; Genesis; No Goodbyes; Scared To Be Lonely; Begging; Homesick; Be The One; New Rules

We arrive at the venue two-and-a-half hours before the doors open and are greeted by dozens of Dua Lipa fans already queueing to see their idol.

  • Read on for reasons including what we think album two from Dua will offer

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