New releases last eight weeks: Pop

Review: Not long after a lovely 7" from Ryusenkei in the form of 'Spring Rain', CMT is back with more beguiling and beautiful sounds from the Japanese artists. As always she mixes up elements of jazz funk, city pop, disco and more next to swooning instrumentals while her delicate voice soars. 'Timemachine Love' has a nice upbeat disco feel and rolling bass that never lets up on on the flip of this special sealer vinyl is 'Rainy Cinderella (radio edit) which is a more slow and sentimental soul sound that has poised bass and melancholic horns.

Review: Norwegian indie talent Girl In Red kicked off her musical journey by sharing her home-recorded tunes as a teenager back in 2017. She has since become renowned for her raw lyrics and for delving into the everyday struggles and intricacies of relationships and has won a legion of fans, not least among them Taylor Swift,who invited her out on tour. Her breakout moment came with the viral sensation 'I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend,' followed by the enchanting 'We Fell in Love in October' in 2018. Fast forward to 2021, she unveiled her debut full-length album and soared up the charts. Now she is back with I'm Doing It Again Baby which comes on limited gatefold red vinyl and is full of more of her guitar-driven melodic indie-pop sounds and singalong hooks.

Review: Acclaimed UK singer-songwriter Jess Glynne is a GRAMMY award winner and chart-topping regular who has now unveiled her highly anticipated third studio album, JESS, slated for release via EMI Records. This latest offering is said to be her most personal yet. It is an album that enriches Jess' extensive catalog which already boasts over ten billion global streams and builds on her already remarkable achievements including being the sole British female solo artist to achieve seven number-one hits on the UK Singles Chart. Musically the record shows lots of growth to her artistry as well as plenty of the hooks she is known for.

Review: If you're a fan of the golden age of soul then you will well know that this album Taking All The Love I Can from The Chosen few is one of the canon's most revered. Since its original release on Maple Records in 1971 it has not been reissued on vinyl until now. It features their uniquely moody take on Northern Soul and plenty of swaggering arrangements and heart-melting vocals, not least the gorgeous falsetto of 'Something's Bad'. Oringals of this will cost you over $500 on second hand markets so make sure you cop this newly remastered version on all-new audiophile and virgin vinyl.

Review: Four years on from her last full-length outing, Ariana Grande returns with her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine. In keeping with many post-pandemic albums, Grande apparently drew on her own personal experiences during the writing process, keen to deliver something that mixed "vulnerability" with entertainment. Musically, it also follows current and recent pop trends, combining r&b and hip-hop roots with nods to disco ('Bye'), 80s synth-pop ('Supernatural', 'This Boy'), trap ('True Story'), EDM (the house-tinged 'Yes and?' and colourful 'We Can't be Friends (Wait For Your Love') and classic balladeering ('I Wish I Hated You', with its expansive musical palette and intricate instrumental flourishes).

Review: The widely adored jazz and pop crooner Norah Jones is back with another super soothing new album. Vision arrives on the legendary Blue Note and is the ninth full-length from the singer-songwriter but the first in collaboration with Leon Michels who is an instrumental maestro behind the El Michels Affair. He brings plenty of musical richness and charming hooks and melodies to the smoky and soulful vocals of Jones. All 12 tunes are vibrant and joyous as Jones sings about feeling free, wanting to dance, making it right, and acceptance of what life brings. It's a more uplifting work following on from the melancholic vibe of her last outing Pick Me Up Off The Floor which was released early in the early pandemic days of 2020.

Review: Despite her superstar status, gained in the years following her 2002 debut, Norah Jones has refused to stick to the same musical script, instead choosing a wide range of collaborators while applying her song writing talents to a variety of genres. On Visions, she's once again evolved her sound further in cahoots with producer Leon Michels - founder of revivalist funk-soul stable Big Crown Records and long-time member of the Dap-Kings. What's on offer is pleasingly fuzzy and nostalgic in tone, with the pair conjuring up songs and sound worlds rooted in late 60s garage-soul, psychedelic dream pop, and a brand of Americana rooted as much in black American music as country. For proof, check superb recent singles 'Running' and 'Staring at the Wall'.

Review: Celebrating a decade of Kirsty MacColl's iconic album Electric Landlady, this special edition boasts half-speed remastered tracks that sound better than ever. MacColl's distinctive vocals and songwriting prowess shine through in every track, from the infectious energy of 'Walking Down Madison' to the poignant storytelling of 'My Affair.' With its fusion of pop, folk, and rock influences, this album remains a timeless classic which will reinstate with new audiences as well as once again chiming with those who fell for it first time round. MacColl's musical legacy and the brilliance of one of the most influential singer-songwriters of her generation cannot be overstated here. Fun fact: MacColl was once Johnny Marr's landlady.

Review: This collaboration album La Comitiva on Bubbles marks a unique partnership between Erlend Oye and the Italian band La Comitiva. Blending indie pop, folk, and electronic elements, it delivers a fresh and innovative sound and new take on pop. Erlend Oye's soulful vocals and reflective lyrics are enriched by La Comitiva's rich instrumentation to create an immersive journey through diverse musical influences and inspirations. From the catchy rhythms of 'Garota' to the dreamy ambiance of 'Fence Me In,' each track offers distinct melodies and storytelling that stay with you. There are emotive vocals and dynamic instrumentation throughout as well as some genre-defying sounds all of which will captivate fans old and new.

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 2024 urban and club are often interchangeable terms. Both are also painfully reductive, but that's a point for another time. Los Angeles-based vocalist and producer serpentwithfeet is a case in point, an artist who deftly weaves together sexy and seductive with nightlife energy, proving not only the breadth of each canon but also how much ground they can share. While this may not be unfamiliar, it's relatively new ground for the man with the mic in question, whose previous exploits have often been rooted in gospel tones, nodding to his own upbringing in a religious household. GRIP is musically revelatory in that sense, then, and impeccably crafted.

Review: Soft Cell's Non Stop Erotic Cabaret & Other Stories: Live is a different and thrilling way to experience the band's iconic debut album. Recorded during their farewell concert at London's 02 in 2018, the album - with superb neon artwork - captures the essence of their groundbreaking synth-pop sound with electrifying live performances. Marc Almond's haunting vocals and Dave Ball's innovative synth melodies shine throughout the setlist, including classics like 'Tainted Love' and 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.' With raw energy and nostalgic fervour, Soft Cell delivers a mesmerising experience that pays homage to their legendary career while showcasing their enduring influence on the electronic music landscape.

Review: Tina Turner remains one of pop music's most towering figures and Simply The Best is a timeless compilation that truly lives up to its name. Showcasing Turner's unparalleled talent and electrifying energy, each track on this album is a testament to her incredible vocal range and emotive delivery, from the soulful 'What's Love Got to Do With It' to the empowering 'Proud Mary.' As well as that there are heart-wrenching ballads and upbeat anthems, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy from all across the long and remarkable career of Turner. This new pressing comes on gatefold blue vinyl so is a real collector's item.

Review: The much loved NOW series has provided the soundtrack to many young people's lives over the decades and despite the changes in the way we all consume and purchase music, it seems to be thriving. It is currently in there middle of serving up bumper overviews of certain musical decades and this latest vast collection, NOW: Millennium 2004-2005, comes across four sides of yellow and white vinyl. This is pure and unadulterated pop from the biggest names in the game such as The Shapeshifters, Snow Patrol, Keane, George Michael and many more. A fun one for sure.