Back in stock: Pop

Review: Indeed, The Energy never does seem to die; The Black Eyed Peas' era-defining dance-pop and EDM record The E.N.D. is receiving yet another UMR reissue, this time on gatefold vinyl, breathing freshened life into such enduring cheese bangers as 'Boom Boom Pow', 'I Gotta Feeling', 'Imma Be' and 'Meet Me Halfway'. A significant departure from the Peas' previous albums, which were more mawkish and hip-hop intoned, The E.N.D. heard the band veer full cyberpunk and 'tronic, riffing on still-hot Y2K fervours even after ten full years into the century. We gotta feeling: the night you cop this reissue will be a good night, one tinged with childhood nostalgia (and a surprising rediscovery that the beats on this thing bang much, *much* harder than our older, sophist's ears might have first expected).

Review: Emma Noble, the emerging soul singer from London, delivers a powerful performance on the girl group soul anthem 'Unstoppable'. Her second single, it's poised to become a next-gen floor-filler; catch us playing it on repeat, *in flagranti*, after it premiered on Craig Charles' BBC6 Soul Show in early 2025. 'Going Going Gone' backs it up on the B-side, as the first single from FPE's upcoming album Waves. Hearing rising Australian singer-songwriter and pop genius J Mahon on vocal duties, the track's catchy brass sections combine with J's androgynous soul vocals, and evokes the sounds of young Motown artists in the style's 60s adolescence.

Review: Miami-born and raised, synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay relocated to Los Angeles and have been blazing a trail with their self-produced music towards the top of the pop world. To celebrate the beguiling aura of their second album, released in August 2024, there's a limited repress of it in a stunning yet chaotic and artsy clear blue. Stacked with bangers, including the ethereal disco single 'Image' and the cosmic electropop epic 'Death & Romance' - which recalls Destiny's Child as much as it does Jean Michel Jarre - Magdalena Bay are clearly brimming with ideas. That they then know how to package these ideas with a cohesive visual aesthetic helps them hugely on their way and at the pace they're going creatively, there's seemingly a glorious road ahead.

Review: Porter Robinson's third LP, Smile shows his evolution from EDM prodigy to a multifaceted artist blending singer-songwriter sensibilities with early 2000s synth pop, pop rock, and pop punk. This album features vibrant, nostalgic elements reminiscent of M83, early MGMT, and the Postal Service, delivering a sound that is both upbeat and introspective. The singles, including 'Cheerleader,' reveal Robinson's playful yet earnest approach, responding to contemporary music memes with a nod to emo pop rock. Tracks like 'Knock Yourself Out,' 'Mona Lisa,' and 'Russian Roulette' highlight his knack for crafting catchy melodies and poignant lyrics. 'Kitsune Maison Freestyle' adds an 8-bit synth pop twist, while 'Easier to Love You' offers emotional depth. Opening with 'Knock Yourself Out,' Robinson blends humor and vulnerability, reflecting on his journey and the support system that bolsters his success. The album's bright, fuzzy synthesizers and soaring choruses create a cohesive, life-affirming experience, underpinned by personal and clever songwriting. Smile will not disappoint fans looking for some pop dance music.