Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Pikotaro is a fictional singer-songwriter created and portrayed by Japanese comedian Daimaou Kosaka; his persona's breakout single 'PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)' was first released on YouTube in 2016, becoming an overnight viral sensation. Once billed as the next 'Gangnam Style', 'PPAP' themes itself after an excruciatingly corny but funny household banality: Kosaka was allegedly sitting in his house, trying to come up with lyrics for his next song and realised that not only was he holding a pen, but also that there was a tin of pineapple slices resting on the kitchen counter. Thus, in the consequent music video, Pikotaro is seen dressed in a yellow leopard print costume, unaffectedly dancing around his living room, singing "I have a pen, I have an apple. Uh!", all while gesticulating and holding said items firmly in hand. Clearly, inspiration is a matter of feeling and intuition, not content. Only now, almost unbelievably, has this viral hit seen a 7" vinyl record release via Avex Japan.

Review: Emotional Rescue returns to early 1980s Manchester with the previously unreleased music of Michael James Pollard and his beautiful distillation of indie pop in Too Confusing and bedsit cover version of Ashford and Simpson's Surrender.

While studying photography at Manchester Polytechnic, (MJ) Pollard lived and played in a band in a ramshackle house in Walley Range. In the cellar studio he would write and record his own songs using their guitars, fretless bass and keys, as well as his own Casio VL-Tone VL-1 and Simmons Clap Trap to augment his drums onto a 4 track TEAC.

By 1983, and now solo, he was recording out of Dislocation Dance's studio (ERC111), had secured a Peel Session and via Factory Records' Lindsay Reade, was discussing with Fundacao Atlantica about releasing an album.

Working with singer Sioux Goddard as a duo, they put down 8 songs in 2 weeks in summer '84. However, Fundacao Atlantica's financial difficulties and soon closure meant the songs were lost until now.

Recovered off the original tapes and lovingly restored, Too Confusing captures the optimism of the sessions, a summer love melody of forlorn youth. Surrender accompanies, recorded back in that cellar in '81, with friend Stephanie Danziger on vocals, its lo-fi simplicity is a perfect take on an all-time classic, making this a newly prized gem of British indie pop history.

Review: The Pete Hammond Hi-NRG Remixes presents a nostalgic journey into the classic 80s sound with 11 tracks from Dead Or Alive, expertly remixed by Pete 'Mixmaster' Hammond. Renowned for his work with the band's later recordings, Hammond breathes new life into these tracks with throwback Hi-NRG remixes. Originally issued as a 2LP colored vinyl set for Record Store Day, this project is now available as a 2CD set, catering to both RSD enthusiasts and CD aficionados. These remixes reimagine newer songs in the style of the 1980s, offering a retro take on their original sound. Included in the album are fresh remixes of hits like 'Hit And Run Lover' alongside the 2000 remix of the iconic 'You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)'. Each track is meticulously re-played and reworked by Hammond, capturing the essence of the era and paying homage to Dead Or Alive's iconic sound.

Review: P!NK's latest comeback record 'Trustfall' comes to the obvious pink vinyl, thus turning the it-girl's unforgettable presence on the pop stage into a turntable-ready relic. The album leads the charge with 'Never Gonna Not Dance Again', a feel-good number with clean production and a confident charge against reticence in the dance (a post-COVID mood underlies the song too). Each song on this contemporary pop is more than suitable for blasting at festivals, enthusiastically putting on tube socks, or bowling down the street to on rollerskates. Anything remotely bombastic and colourful - that's P!NK's vibe.

Review: Fabiana Palladino's long-awaited debut album brings plenty of smooth and high gloss sound back to the fore. Following the end of a significant relationship, Palladino uses the album to delve into themes of love, loneliness, and relationship norms and in the process crafts a ten-track album that superbly blends r&b, soul, pop, and disco influences from the 80s and 90s with a contemporary twist. Self-produced and featuring collaborations with notable musicians like Jai Paul, Pino Palladino, Rocco Palladino, Steve Ferrone, and Rob Moose, the album is a classy journey through shapeshifting sonics and intimate introspection, marking a significant milestone in Palladino's musical journey.

Review: In most cases, a World Of Hassle is certainly not something you want, but we're sure you'll make an exception for this debut solo album by Alan Palomo, best known as the leader of the synth-pop band Neon Indian. Thoroughly on-brand for Palomo, this surprise LP flaunts just ten swanky, funky vocal disco cuts, tinged with the legacy of glam and jazz, and glimmering with the overzealous egoism of history's most volcaninc rockstars. Alan's versatile voice and neon-strobed production skills remaining present as ever, though despite the throughlines, the album marks a departure from his previous work with Neon Indian, which was more experimental and lo-fi.

Review: The release of any new Peaking Lights record is cause for celebration, but there's something extra-exciting about The Fifth State of Consciousness, the husband-and-wife duo's sixth studio set. It's colourful, psychedelic, vibrant and unashamedly sunny, offering a thrill-a-minute ride through kaleidoscopic synth-pop, wide-eyed Balearica, humid reggae-pop and hazy, sunrise-friendly goodness. There are few surprises, of course, but a wealth of thoroughly brilliant, emotion-rich, head-in-the-clouds moments. Highlights include the chiming Balearic rush of "Wild Paradise", the early Pet Shop Boys in dub drowsiness of "A Phoenix & A Fish", and the dreamy, wall-of-sound shimmer of "Love Can Move Mountains". In other words, it's the aural equivalent of coming up at dawn on a secluded Californian beach.

Review: Katy Perry's 143, here presented on silver vinyl, showcases her signature pop brilliance with a fresh, vibrant twist. This new album is marked by catchy hooks and infectious beats and delivers an array of upbeat anthems and heartfelt ballads. Perry's vocal prowess shines throughout as she captures a range of emotions from love to empowerment. Standout tracks blend her classic sound with modern production and her own energetic vibe and lyrical depth make it a compelling listen for both longtime fans and new audiences.

Review: American pop icon Katy Perry's seventh studio album, 143, marking her first new music in four years. The album, crafted with the expertise of pop producers Max Martin and Stargate, promises a vibrant collection of buoyant, hedonistic, and meticulously produced tracks. Leading with the single 'Woman's World,' Perry returns with her signature blend of infectious hooks and empowering anthems. Fans can look forward to another round of smartly crafted pop tunes that capture Perry's playful yet insightful style. Available on blue vinyl, 143 is set to be a dazzling addition to Perry's discography, reaffirming her place at the forefront of the pop scene.

Review: Has there been a more consistently on-point pop outfit than the Pet Shop Boys? They've certainly released plenty of killer singles over the course of their 40-year career, as this fresh singles collection proves. 'Smash' boasts remastered versions of every single they've released since signing to EMI in 1985 - from 'West End Girls' to 'I Don't Wanna', and everything in between - over three CDs. This version also boasts two Blu-ray discs: one that features all 50 of their videos (and they're often masterpieces in their own right), and a second featuring rare and lesser-seen videos, including 'extended versions' created to accompany the 12" versions of 'Go West', 'Domino Dancing' and 'Paninaro'. Simply essential, even for casual fans.

Review: Pet Shop Boys have so much respect for what they have done in dance music over the past 40 years. The best-selling duo in UK sales history in fact. Their 15th album in total and first in four years, Nonetheless will his shelves in late April of 2024. If the lead single 'Loneliness' is any indication, we expect a powerful blend of post-disco and pop dance music that should bring original fans many enjoyable listens. Their ability to create strong anthems that balance introspective ballads that always feature beautiful string arrangements is something no one can do better. We can't wait for the opportunity to listen to this in full. This Deluxe edition features an additional CD featuring new recordings of four of the best known PSB tracks - 'Heart', 'Being Boring', 'It's A Sin' and their cover of the Elvis classic 'Always On My Mind'.

Review: The Pet Shop Boys' latest album arrives four years after their last release and is their 15th album in total, and as you'd expect from a pair who've been honing their craft for a good 40 years with no sign of any let up, it's packed with excellence. Sublime pop rubs shoulders with throbbing dance anthems and terrific, more introspective pieces, and - like on its first single, 'Loneliness' - you sometimes get a bit of all of them wrapped up into one. Superlative quality music from pop's elder statesmen.

Review: An expanded version of Nonetheless, the legendary electronic pop duo's first release in over a decade. This expanded version of their 15th studio album features not only demos of the original tracks but also four new recordings, including three fresh songs and a cover of 'All The Young Dudes'. Teaming up with producer James Ford, the album combines the straightforward charm of their 1986 debut, Please, with the rich orchestration reminiscent of Behaviour. Opening with the lead single 'Loneliness', Tennant delivers an empowering message to shed isolation and embrace connection. This theme continues in 'Why Am I Dancing?', which reflects on finding joy amid life's chaos. The romantic track 'A New Bohemia' nostalgically yearns for past ideals while advocating for equality and transparency in 'New London Boy'. Overall, Nonetheless celebrates a diverse range of emotions, blending infectious dance tracks with introspective ballads. The result is a compelling album that reinvigorates the Pet Shop Boys' legacy while exploring contemporary themes of hope and connection - and the definitive version is here.

Review: Dance pop's dynamic duo Pet Shop Boys bring out their 15th studio album Nonetheless, still showing that the group has what it takes to keep their fans wanting more. Neil's songwriting is clever and to the point, as always, and, expressive as ever, he croons about love that is lost, jealousy and excess. Chris Lowe's underrated ability to make techno pop is always the underlying reason for this band continuing on. Together, in perfect harmony, they can hit anthemic peaks like in their lead single 'Loneliness'. The band's ability to update the disco sound and infuse it into today's dance music trends is where they shine.

Review: Pet Shop Boys' 15th album, nonetheless, produced by James Ford, brilliantly blends widescreen pop with dance influences. Written during lockdown, it shifts away from pure bangers to a more reflective tone, reminiscent of their earlier work like Behaviour and Elysium. The nostalgic feel begins with the artwork and continues throughout the tracks. 'Loneliness' starts the album, growing in appeal with each listen. 'Feel,' a heartfelt romantic track, and 'Why Am I Dancing,' originally for their forthcoming musical, showcase Neil Tennant's expressive vocals and Chris Lowe's signature production touches. 'New London Boy' reflects on past experiences with both sadness and joy, featuring Tennant's return to rapping. 'Dancing Star,' about Rudolph Nureyev's defection, fits better within the album's context than as a single. An orchestral presence adds elegance to the production. The hi-energy of the first half transitions to a more subdued second half, with standout tracks like 'A New Bohemia' and the quirky 'The Schlager Hit Parade.' 'The Secret of Happiness' is a stunning, 60s-tinged epic, reminiscent of a James Bond theme. The album concludes with 'Bullet for Narcissus' and 'Love Is The Law,' maintaining the duo's unique flair. nonetheless no doubt reaffirms Pet Shop Boys' place in pop, oozing class and confidence.

Review: Caroline Polachek's Pang represents a dynamic evolution in her musical journey, seamlessly merging her diverse past projects into a singular artistic statement. This fifth anniversary edition comes on gold vinyl complete with poster. Formerly of Chairlift, Caroline's distinct vocal style and synth-driven sound matured over the years, culminating in this ambitious solo debut under her own name. Pang fuses the playfulness of Chairlift with the baroque and experimental influences of her side projects, Ramona Lisa and CEP, resulting in a sweeping and emotive collection. Produced primarily with Danny L Harle, the album offers symphonic textures and refined vocal techniques, revealing Caroline's classical training. Tracks like 'The Gate' and 'Ocean of Tears' showcase her signature "organic autotune" style, combining operatic precision with electronic ornamentation. Themes of love, vulnerability, and emotional surrender dominate songs like 'Caroline Shut Up' and 'So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings'. These love songs capture the raw pangs of human connection, balancing tenderness with humour. Polachek's Pang is a richly textured, genre-fluid exploration of voice and emotion, affirming her place as one of pop's most innovative figures in popular music.

Review: Desire I Want To Turn Into You is the latest career-redefining album from pin-up poptimist Caroline Polachek, swiftly moving on from the style of her prior opus Pang by treading into several completely new musical territories for the artist (albeit working with her same, favourite producers). This version of the album, along with the standard edition, comes as a unique metallic copper metal vinyl record.

Review: Following only one year after 2023's critically acclaimed Zig, avant-pop-metal genre-denier Poppy (real name Moriah Pereira) returns with a direct successor which many fans initially and understandably presumed to be titled Zag. Having featured on albums by both the accessible pop-leaning Virgina based metalcore outfit Bad Omens and the far more vicious Kentucky metallic hardcore greats in the making Knocked Loose (which featured her most caustic vocals to date) in the past year, Negative Spaces attempts to eschew the more stripped-down restraint of 2021's Justin Meldal-Johnsen-produced Flux with a total sensory overload of digi-pop chaos. Working with producer Jordan Fish who recently departed from his intrinsic role within Bring Me The Horizon, the duo have seemingly intertwined approaches, dynamics and abilities to complement each other's tastes and carve out soundscapes that equally and simultaneously prioritise pop song structures, industrial harshness and hyperpop maximalism, yet all united under the mercurial presence of Poppy's multi-faceted characteristic cadences.

Review: Returning just one year on from 2023's Zig (with what many initially presumed to be titled Zag), Moriah Pereira, better known as Poppy, delivers her sixth full-length LP Negative Spaces. Fresh off of appearances on both the new Bad Omens and Knocked Loose albums, with the latter marking her most unhinged vocal performance to date, this latest work seeks to strike a balance between her established digi-metal-pop formula and more outsider experimentations in both regards to heavier delivery and more complex electronica. Produced by former Bring Me The Horizon producer/keyboardist/programming wizard Jordan Fish, the not-so-strange bedfellows compliment each other majorly with Fish's ear for the sonic coalescence of metallic and industrial soundscapes within glistening pop structures providing an ample playground for Poppy to stretch her vocal cadences and multi-faceted character dynamics to enthralling new heights. This limited indie exclusive pressing arrives on a trifold pink & white split-coloured vinyl.

Review: The new album from Porij, Teething, beckons you to transcend the confines of dance music as merely a genre defined by beats and rhythms. It invites you into a realm of its own - a sanctuary where you can lose yourself. The album pays homage to the visceral language of dancefloor sounds that have stirred emotions across generations. While lyrically delving into life's complexities, musically, it offers liberation. Previously self-produced, Porij enlisted renowned producer David Wrench, known for his work with iconic artists like Frank Ocean and FKA Twigs. Under his guidance, Teething evolves from a live-focused endeavor to a captivating pop-infused experience.

Review: Twelve Carat Toothache is the fourth studio album from multifaceted rap icon Post Malone. Aiming for a sound that both broadens his horizons and gives his fans a little uplift, Malone's contribution to the global tidal wave of pandemic-rooted LPs features Roddy Ricch, Doja Cat, Fleet Foxes, the Kid Laroi and the Weeknd. Digging into his confessional approach and teasing the possibilities of a pop-minded rap record on lead singles 'One Right Now', 'Cooped Up' and 'I Like You (A Happier Song)', Post Malone continues to evolve as an artist, leaving unique and compelling albums such as this one in his wake.

Review: Post Malone's Twelve Carat Toothache is said to be his 'sobering comedown.' It is the fourth album from the US rapper who is as well known for his face tattoos and various different aces as he is his work in the field of rap and hip hop. Here he gets more honest than ever with an intimate look at his life and plenty of shared struggles. Love and booze are big and reoccurring features - as are, however unlikely it may seem, the folk outfit Fleet Foxes who Post has cited as one of his musical heroes. In riding a middle ground between hip-hop and alt-pop, Malone strikes gold here.

Review: Post Malone is back with his 6th album and his debut country album, F-1 Trillion. The album's second single, 'Pour Me a Drink,' featuring Blake Shelton, exemplifies the album's country bro vibe, perfect for enjoying a casual drink with friends is currently making waves on country stations throughout America. The first single, 'I Had Some Help' with Morgan Wallen has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks, marking Post Malone's sixth chart-topping single and Wallen's second. It has also achieved significant milestones, including topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts and amassing over a billion streams globally. Country music seems like the ideal place for his talents and a natural within the music genre. This album is poised to turn heads and change people's mind for the better on abilities of Post Malone.

Review: Once-breakout hip-hop star Post Malone has come a long way since ‘White Iverson’, as he here follows up his 2023 album Austin with yet another full-length offering F-1 Trillion. His sixth album to date, and characteristic of the genre-hopping propensities of the late-stage capitalist, liquid modern condition, this record is an out-and-out embrace of country music, after the aforementioned Austin just as adventurously heard Malone go full synthpop and alt-rock. Flaunting his freedom, Malone said to Howard Stern, "To be honest, there's nothing stopping me from taking a camera or setting up in my studio in Utah and just recording a country album to put on YouTube. I'm allowed to do that. I'm a human being”. So he did. This is actually a stunningly bright record, never once letting up the crispy, neon aututuned blitzes endemic to the hip-hop Malone is known for, providing (neo-)neo-country a fresh soundworld all unto its own.

Review: Pretenders' iconic album Learning To Crawl gets a crystal clear vinyl reissue here to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Retaining the original 1984 artwork and tracklist, this reissue boasts 2018 remastered audio by producer Chris Thomas which arrives on wax for the first time. Following a band hiatus marred by the tragic losses of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon, the album features various musicians before Robbie McIntosh and Malcolm Foster joined to solidify the lineup. Achieving Gold and Platinum status in the UK and US, the album peaked at #11 in the UK and #5 on the Billboard 200 and includes beloved tracks like '2000 Miles' and 'Back on the Chain Gang'.

Review: The legacy and catalogue of Prince is one which continues to reveal surprises and swerves even this many years after his death. There are a lot of different phases to dig into, but if you want the exhaustive run through his breakout years, look no further than the Hits 1 and 2 collections. Put together by Warner in 1993, as their relationship with the famously strong-willed artist was going south, this pair of compilations feature every hit that matters from 1979 through to 1992. There are stone-cold classics and some deeper fan favourites and rarities included - so many in fact it has to be stretched over two separate volumes.