Month: August 2010

The Naked and FamousIt’s been a while since I’ve felt an instant connection with any band that was even remotely describable as indie, but I definitely felt that with The Naked and Famous. They’re from New Zealand but if you had to guess their nationality I expect most would say Swedish or perhaps Canadian. Their… Continue reading The Next Big Thing?

Whenever anyone asks me for my favourite songwriter, it takes me approximately 0.001 seconds to respond “Max Martin!” Over the past 15 years he’s provided so many fantastic songs, and the fact that he’s had such success with those songs shows that they don’t just connect with me but with the public as a whole.… Continue reading Poptastic to the Max

Sky Ferreira – Obsession (Listen)It usually takes a while for a pop-hating pop singer to show their true stripes, but not Sky. She’s already complaining about her own music being too commercial and she’s not even had a hit yet! That attitude could well prevent her from having a hit at all, since she certainly… Continue reading New Pop on the Block

SoundgirlGirls Can’t Catch’s seats on the pop bus are still warm yet there’s a new three piece girlband taking their place, again aiming to fill the ‘we need a new Sugababes now no-one likes the old one’ gap in the market. Soundgirl are signed to Mercury Records, going on tour with labelmate Pixie Lott in… Continue reading The Next Big Thing?

Shontelle – Perfect Nightmare (Listen)Shontelle Layne had a top 10 hit with a catchy Irreplaceable-esque song called T-Shirt two years ago but she’s so far been a one hit wonder, with her follow-up singles reaching 23 and 61. However, she’s back for another go and she’s doing pretty well in the US with the powerful… Continue reading New Pop on the Block

It always makes me nervous when an artist I’ve loved for years decides to take a new direction, but sometimes it’s the only way to salvage a dying career. Darin Zanyar, probably the biggest male popstar of the last decade in Sweden, has always been ahead of his time. He started working with RedOne back… Continue reading You Play a Dangerous Game

The Midnight Beast – Booty Call (Listen)This indie-pop-rap trio are a bit like a British 3OH!3 – equally obnoxious but with jokes that are actually quite funny and much catchier songs. I can’t help but smile when listening to The Midnight Beast, and I’m pleased to say I think singer Stefan Abingdon and Dru Wakely… Continue reading New Pop on the Block

Alex Gaudino ft. Maxine Ashley – I’m In Love (Watch)I first heard of American teen singer Maxine when she was part of a group working with Xenomania. She used to do video blogs with bandmate Katie McKenna, but since Katie is now part of a dance duo called Lite N Dark (they’re better than their… Continue reading New Pop on the Block

Here are my top 25 favourite singles of July! 1. Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are2. Erik Hassle – Standing Where You Left Me3. Tove Styrke – Million Pieces4. Alphabeat – Heatwave5. Lady GaGa – Dance in the Dark6. MEN – Credit Card Babie$7. Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts8. Roll Deep –… Continue reading Top of the Poptastic!