Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Australian singer-songwriter Sia - formerly the voice of chill maestros Zero 7 - is a real pop gem who directed and co-wrote the musical film Music. She penned 10 new tunes for the occasion, with the best of them making the cut here next to songs inspired by the film such as the Dua-Lipa co-written 'Saved My Life.' Largely pop in style with undercurrents of electropop, reggae, EDM and R&B, these are accessible songs that bounce with joy and exuberance. The title track in all its sweeping cinematic glory will likely be the standout for many.

Review: Sia's Everyday Is Christmas brings a fresh take to the holiday music scene with a mix of festive cheer and pop creativity. The album shines in moments of joy and playfulness, particularly with tracks like 'Santa's Coming for Us', which is upbeat, catchy, and perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. The lively rhythm and fun chorus make it one of the standout songs that can easily become a seasonal favorite. 'Underneath the Mistletoe' is another highlight, showcasing Sia's impressive vocal range and delivering a more emotional, heartfelt vibe that feels both modern and timeless. It's one of the stronger ballads on the album, allowing her voice to take centre stage without the distraction of heavy production. While tracks like 'Puppies Are Forever' may feel whimsical and geared toward a younger audience, they add a playful touch that can be enjoyable in the right context. The album overall strikes a balance between upbeat holiday anthems and softer, reflective moments, like 'Snowman', which brings a quieter, more sentimental tone. Everyday Is Christmas is a refreshing mix of fun and festive charm, with enough variety to appeal to listeners of all ages.

Review: Skrillex (Sonny Moore) is back with a bang - or rather, two. Don't Get Too Close is his second album in as many days, immediately following the desirous Quest For Fire (it was dropped the following day, making up a duet of LPs). A similar cast of characters accompanies the acclaimed producer on his quest for creative innovation as 'Quest For Fire' - but this one is more introspective and eclectic, blending emo rap, urban pop, and memecore with Moore's signature bass-heavy production. A willingness to keep up with the times is clear, despite Skrillex's emergence in an older 2010s era: production collabs with Gud, Corbin, Lido, PinkPantheress, Virtual Riot and Danny L Harle accompany cameo features from drained starlets like Yung Lean and Bladee and regular Skrillex-adjacent favourites like Justin Bieber, Chief Keef and Swae Lee.

Review: Teddy Swims' rise continues with I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), the follow-up to his hit-packed debut album's first half. 2024 has seen Swims soar, especially with his chart-dominating single 'Lose Control' which reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #2 on the UK charts, amassing 2.3 billion streams and securing spots in Spotify's "Billions Club." Swims' blend of vintage soul, classic rock and pop, honed through years fronting Atlanta bands, finds new depth here with tracks that balance raw emotion with modern production finesse, establishing Swims as a star to watch.

Review: The latest cinematic, self-aware brand-milking is the new Barbie film, directed by Greta Gerwig and which stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Of course, it wouldn't be as ironically plastic as it could be without contributions from the most eminent artists in modern pop music on the soundtrack - from the likes of Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Charli XCX, KAROL G, The Kid LAROI, Khalid, PinkPantheress, GAYLE, Ava Max and FIFTY FIFTY. It didn't quite lean as much as it could have done into hyperpop, but the soundtrack is no less fun, being as glitzy and squeaky-clean as you could possibly get.

Review: Telling the story of a teenage girl battling thyroid cancer which has spread to her lungs, and the amputee osteosarcoma survivor she meets and falls in love with at the support group her mother encourages (forces) her to attend, suffice to say emotions run high in The Fault In Our Stars. A bonafide tearjerker, both in its original novel and subsequent 2014 movie form, anyone who wasn't expecting the score to the latter to be filled with huge rousing and heartrending indie pop was kidding themselves. Here we have it, then, opening on Ed Sheeran, into Jake Bugg, Kodaline, Lykki Li, M83, Ray Lamontagne and Charli XCX, the track list reads like a map of Gen Z coming of age with a few treats for millennials, and plays out like a radio station that lives up to the 'killer no filler' claim. Providing, that is, you're moved by stadium-sized balladry, sing-along chart dance and shoegaze-y electronica.