Tinchy Stryder ft. Amelle Berrabah – Never Leave You (Listen)
Another immense triumph from Mr Stryder. When I heard Take Me Back, I believed its brilliance was only due to the presence of Taio Cruz, who I already loved. But then it was followed with No. 1, an incredible pop song which I was instantly obsessed with. And now, he’s done it again, writing another unique, very 2009 pop song, complete with a fantastic chorus. OK, the song would be improved if Tinchy himself wasn’t on it, but I suppose that’s the price we have to pay to get these excellent new pop songs from such an unexpected source. Who would have thought that a random UK rapper could be responsible for refreshing the UK R&B scene and even making me a fan?
91% Poptastic!
JLS – Beat Again (Watch)
I’m excited about JLS, not so much on the strength of the song (although I have grown to really like it), but the strength of their fanbase. For the first time in a long while, we have a boyband who have the potential to do really well. I also find it hilarious that the boring Westlifey route that Louis Walsh wanted JLS to go down has been completely ignored. Logic has won through and they’ve gone for what Blue or Another Level might do if they were around now. It’s not going to be a classic remembered forever, but it’s a good lead single and it is definitely going to be a big hit for them – perhaps even a number 1? Also, they will be the first all-black UK boyband to be properly successful, which is a nice landmark.
85% Poptastic!
Hannah – Keeping Score (Watch)
I must say I’m surprised that an Estonian pop singer has managed to get a UK record deal at all, let alone on a major label, but it’s nice to see. Estonia seems to benefit from its proximity to Scandinavia and has a slightly lighter, sweeter sound compared to the more southern countries in Eastern Europe. I think Hannah will find it tough to get a fanbase over here, since I don’t remember any recent Eastern European singers doing well since t.A.T.u, and Hannah isn’t a teenage lesbian. However, the song is pretty good, and judged on that alone she should get some plays on Radio 2 and commercial radio at the very least. She is apparently working with some of the same people as Duffy, so that could open some doors for her, and she might even prove me wrong and have a big hit. Fingers crossed!
82% Poptastic!