Atlantic Vinilo y CD

Review: A compelling epilogue to the already legendary Brat, an exploration of sub-mainstream pop stardom, delving into anxieties around commercial success via tracks like 'Rewind' and 'Sympathy Is a Knife'. Musically, it's a diverse and experimental space, as Bon Iver, Jon Hopkins, The Japanese House and more take on remix duties, and although the songs are pushed into unexpected sonic territories the influence of a key producer remains clear. Glitchy electronica, pure pop moments and surprising combinations create a dynamic listening experience - the collaborations on tracks like '360' and 'Girl, So Confusing' are particularly effective.

Review: Kelly Clarkson's latest and eighth studio album Meaning Of Life is a powerful statement for the longtime Nietzschean pop singer, being one of her first to be explicitly influenced by American soul and r&b. Aiming to bring back the vivacity of certain vocal greats like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin - memories of whom are now crystallized into the American subconscious as intractable parts of the nation's history - Clarkson aims to summon a rejuvenated spirit for an otherwise divided, turbulent, bitter country.

Review: Fred Again's new LP Ten Days is decidedly minimal in both visual and sonic feel, making for a well-put-together exercise in chic dance summeriness, one that manages to feel, paradoxically, nostalgic for the present moment. If the crux of Fred Again's appeal rests our vicarious enjoyment of his evidently voracious enjoyment of life, then this is equally as reflective in the music here, with 'Adore U' skimming through pitch-warped vocals sampled from Obongjayar's live performance dedicated to his sister and mum, as if to immortalise them in a rush of frenetics and lightness of being, and 'Ten' equally playing up the bare skeletals of snap-rims, warbly samples and ever more pitch-effecting, this time on Jozzy's vocals. Less earnest than his outing with Brian Eno, and more dedicable purely to the young adult gaieties of summer, Ten Days marks a little over a weeks' worth of fun, tinged with a tiny hint of melancholy.

Review: Dainty but global pop star Bruno Mars is a veteran of many chart hits and loveable party singles but can also pen a solid album. This one was his multi-platinum sophomore and it came laden with jams like 'When I Was Your Man' and 'Locked Out of Heaven' along with fan favourites such as 'Treasure' and 'Gorilla.' They all showcasing Mars' versatility and across the record, he blends r&b, pop, reggae, rock, disco, funk and soul. The dynamic production lineup includes talents such as Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Emile Haynie, Diplo, Supa Dups and The Smeezingtons who all add their own touch to Mars' fine pop artistry and ability to seamlessly explore a wide range of styles to make for a fun collection of high-energy music.

Review: Following her successful Trilogy tour, which spanned the US, UK, and Europe, Melanie Martinez has reissued her 2019 K-12 album on some mad pink and milky clear vinyl. It was a gold-selling record that also charted in the Top 10 and includes hits like 'Teacher's Pet' and 'High School Sweethearts'. Both are irresistible pop ditties that sit amongst many other seriously catchy and well polished sounds such as 'Wheels On The Bus and 'Show & Tell'. A wonderfully feel good record.

Review: Teddy Swims' voice is the star of the show hereiwarm, gritty, and effortlessly soulful. As the tracks unfold, there's a clear commitment to balancing raw emotion with polished production. It's the sort of album that delivers heartfelt, introspective lyrics, yet never lets go of a sense of accessibility. The instrumentation keeps it grounded, with lush arrangements that never overpower Swims' delivery. With a balance of light and dark, this part of his journey hints at something more substantial ahead, capturing moments of vulnerability without overstating them.

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: 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.