Back in stock: Pop

Review: Off the Wall isn't just an album; it's a coronation. This is where Michael Jackson truly takes the throne, cementing his reign as the King of Pop. Released in 1979, this nine-times platinum landmark is a visionary blend of funk, disco, soul and r&b, a vibrant tapestry of sound that still shimmers with life four decades later. Featuring timeless hits like 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Rock With You', Off the Wall is a testament to Jackson's unparalleled talent and innovative spirit. Mobile Fidelity's numbered-edition hybrid SACD presents this classic album in all its audiophile glory. Sourced from the original master tapes, this reissue explodes with energy, playing with tremendous clarity, detail, and dynamics. Every note, every beat, every vocal nuance is rendered with stunning precision, allowing you to experience Off the Wall as if you were in the studio with Jackson himself. Housed in mini-LP-style packaging, complete with the iconic tuxedo-clad album cover, this SACD is a must-have for any serious music lover. It's a chance to rediscover a masterpiece, to immerse yourself in the magic of Michael Jackson at his creative peak. From the infectious grooves of 'Workin' Day and Night' to the heartfelt ballad 'She's Out of My Life', Off the Wall is a timeless classic that deserves to be heard in its purest form. This Mobile Fidelity reissue delivers just that.

Review: Lady Gaga's brand new album Mayhem documents yet another modification in look and feel for today's North Star of pop music: the 'Bad Romance' conquistador has described her latest record as "utter chaos", fusing influences from 90s alt-rock, electro-grunge, Prince and Bowie-esque melodies, funk, French electro-house, and analog synths. Headed up by the lead single 'Disease', Gaga's visually striking yet newly gothicized turn is quite unsettling, offering a fresh "era" in the pop pantomorph's approach, which invites comparisons to Taylor Swift and David Bowie, yet more latexy.

Review: New York singer-songwiter Amber Mark makes a stunning debut album appearance, almost 4 years on from her second EP 'Conexao'. Chronicling the three disparate emotional states she tends to swing between - without, withheld and within - the album reactively channels each of these moods in 3 acts, reflecting on Mark's anxieties stylistically through funk, soul, R&B and hip-hop. From 'Softly' to 'You've Got To Feel', Mark's vocals span the regional and international accents she picked up while travelling with her mother in childhood; expect summery pop enjoyment for all to enjoy.

Review: George Michael's Careless Whisper 40th Anniversary Edition on CD is a nostalgic treasure for fans of one of pop's quintessential anthems. Released in 1984, the track's lush saxophone riff and Michael's emotive vocals made it an instant classic, topping charts worldwide and becoming a (slow) dancefloor staple. This commemorative CD presents four versions of the iconic song: the newly remastered original, an extended mix that amplifies its steamy appeal, a previously unreleased live performance from Madison Square Garden capturing its live charm and an instrumental version that highlights its exquisite musicality. While Michael himself was critical of the track's lyrical simplicity, viewing it as a minor achievement compared to his other work, the song's enduring appeal remains undeniable. This edition celebrates its lasting impact with a collection that offers fans both a trip down memory lane and a deeper appreciation of its musical legacy.

Review: Marc Collin hit lucky when as Nouvelle Vague he decided to interpret some post-punk classics in a bossa nova style over 20 years ago. Initially thought of as a one-off project, Nouvelle Vague was hugely successful and led to further albums, critical acclaim, TV adverts and riches beyond his wildest dreams (maybe). The fifth instalment proves that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' by once again re-working post-punk era classics into a laid-back easy listening style. 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' is a shockingly well-made addition to the project, and, this being 2023, is the crispest and cleanest selection no less.

Review: While compilations of 1980s pop music are ten-a-penny, most tend to focus on the most celebrated hits and biggest singles. Spectrum's latest, Pop Gems: The 80s, takes a different approach, combining familiar numbers (Dexy's 'Celtic Soul Brothers', Roxy Music's 'Same Old Scene' and the Human League's 'Human') with forgotten treats and less-celebrated cuts from big names of the era (Tears For Fears, Ah-Ha, Shakin' Stevens, Adam Ant, ABC, Duran Duran, Boy George, Five Star, Bros etc). There's also a sprinkling of crossover American dancefloor hits too, from the likes of Chaka Khan, Womack & Womack, Sheila E, Cameo and Jakki Graham). It packs in plenty of three discs, as you'd expect, and even finds space for a dash of Fairground Convention!

Review: NOW - Millennium 2006-2007 celebrates the brilliance of post-millennial pop with a collection of back-to-back hits. This double album set features 31 unforgettable tracks from these two standout years in music, pressed on stunning opaque orange and white vinyl. LP1 begins with Amy Winehouse's iconic 'Rehab' from her Back To Black album, followed by Gnarls Barkley's massive hit 'Crazy.' Nelly Furtado's collaboration with Timbaland on 'Maneater' and LL Cool J's 'Control Myself' with Jennifer Lopez keep the energy high. The Black Eyed Peas' 'Pump It' and the Scissor Sisters' 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin' lead into tracks by Robbie Williams and the Pet Shop Boys. Other great hits include Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars,' Britney Spears' 'Gimme More,' songs by Keane, The Killers, Fall Out Boy's 'Sugar, We're Goin Down,' and The Zutons' 'Valerie.' P!nk and James Morrison set the stage nicely for the relaxed vibe of Corinne Bailey Rae's 'Put Your Records On.' Hit after hit, enjoy the years most popular tracks of 2006 and 2007.