New releases last eight weeks: Pop

Review: Released in 1990, the Canadian 'Titantic' legend's ninth - and first English-language - album, was her formal introduction to a broader international audience. While later albums would showcase her powerhouse balladry, Unison is rooted in late 80s and early 90s pop, dance and soft rock, highlighting a different, more youthful side of Dion. This reissue's title track, 'Unison', is a bright, upbeat number, blending slick production with a catchy, danceable groove. Dion's voice is confident but not overpowering, riding the rhythm with an effortless charm. 'Where Does My Heart Beat Now', arguably the album's peak, is a soaring ballad that previews the emotional intensity she would later become famous for i her vocals swelling with a mix of vulnerability and strength. Tracks like 'If Love Is Out the Question' and 'Have a Heart' lean into soft rock territory, filled with shimmering synths and polished guitar work, highlighting Dion's adaptability across genres. Meanwhile, 'The Last to Know' presents a bittersweet mid-tempo groove, layered with heartfelt emotion. Unison captures an artist in transition i blending dance-pop sheen with emotional depth. It's a polished debut that lays the groundwork for Dion's meteoric rise, offering glimpses of the superstar vocalist she was destined to become.

Review: To mark its 15th anniversary, Hurts' debut album Happiness receives a long-awaited vinyl release as a rather special limited-edition picture disc. The synth-pop duo's breakthrough was originally released in 2010 and is revisited in full here with all the hits, featuring such as 'Better Than Love,' 'Wonderful Life' and 'Stay.' This debut vinyl pressing adds further value with a side of deluxe edition highlights including the festive fan favourite 'All I Want For Christmas Is New Year's Day' and Arthur Baker's remix of 'Wonderful Life.' It's a sleek and nostalgic listen that reminds of the moody glamour and melodic punch of Hurts' defining debut.

Review: A nostalgia-packed journey through one of pop music's most exciting years, featuring an impressive lineup of extended and remixed tracks from the decade's biggest stars. This four disc collection brings together a mix of chart-topping anthems, cult classics and dancefloor staples, each in its extended 12" glory. Things start with Wham!'s infectious 'Freedom' (long mix) and keeps the energy high with Culture Club's politically charged 'The War Song' (Ultimate dance mix). New Order's 'Thieves Like Us' and Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder's 'Together In Electric Dreams' add a synth-laden sheen, while Eurythmics' haunting 'Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)' is a bold statement piece. As the tracklist moves on, iconic tracks like Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 'Relax' (New York mix) and Duran Duran's 'The Reflex' (dance mix) capture the decade's indulgent soundscape. Meanwhile, softer gems like Talk Talk's 'It's My Life' (extended mix) and Echo & The Bunnymen's 'Silver (Tidal Wave)' provide balance. Closing with Paul McCartney's heartfelt 'No More Lonely Nights' (extended) and the ever-catchy 'Somebody's Watching Me' by Rockwell, this compilation offers a comprehensive snapshot of 1984's pop brilliance. Having these extended versions together in one set is more than a greatest hits package - it's like having all the maxi singles together like an experienced DJ ready to rock a party.