This week sees two pop-punk bands battle it out, and Olly Murs attempts a sex jam.
Returning Entries
99 – Rather Be by Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
New Entries
100 – Man Don’t Care by Jme ft. Giggs
On this track, both Jme and Giggs have very good flow, with Jme probably being the better of the two. The lower tone in Giggs voice contrasts well with Jme’s higher pitched voice. However, the subject matter and production let this track down. This is a brag rap, and while both rappers get in a clever line occasionally, overall this is nothing new. Unfortunately, the hook reminds me too much of No Flex Zone by Rae Sremmurd, a song I would like to forget. The production is murky as well as only having a single synth riff throughout, which is undeveloped and gets veru irritating very quickly. Some better production and lyrical construction would have improved this song.
91 – Be Right There by Sleepy Tom and Diplo
86 – Sugar by Robin Schultz ft. Francesco Yates
51 – Something in the Way You Move by Ellie Goulding
I was initially skeptical when Ellie Goulding fully embraced electro-pop and moved away from the indie inspired songs like Guns and Horses. But songs like Lights and Anything Can Happen are genuinely good songs. However, I didn’t like On My Mind, her most recent single. Something in the Way You Move is closer to Lights than her more recent material. The production doesn’t get in the way of Ellie’s slightly ethereal vocals, which are only further enhanced by echo effects. It is catchy and is how I think Ellie Goulding should continue if she is going to keep writing electro-pop.
49 – Hey Everybody by 5 Seconds of Summer
In a week when The 1975 return to the chart, 5 Seconds of Summer just pale in comparison. Hey Everybody tries to co-opt the party jam vibe of Pitbull with the pop-punk aesthetic of Blink 182. It doesn’t work in my opinion. With Hey Everybody, they should have either gone grittier or used a lighter orchestration.
20 – Love Me by The 1975
Love Me signals a big change in sound for The 1975. In comparison to their pop punk sound of their earlier singles like Sex and Chocolate, this embraces a more retro synth-rock vibe. While the production as whole is very good, I don’t particularly like the Theremin at the start and the end. While the vocal performance is nothing special, it is better than many other bands in this genre. The groove is very solid, even if it does try to mimic the swagger of other hits (most notably Uptown Funk, but without the funk orchestration). Love Me is as good as any other recent pop punk hit.
16 – Kiss Me by Olly Murs
Olly Mur’s attempt at synth-pop sex jam is better than most people who have tried to sound like The Pet Shop Boys in 2015. The steel drum in the back of the mix is nice, as I am a fan of unusual orchestration. However, I just don’t think Olly Murs’ voice has the confidence to pull off a song of this style and at this tempo. It is slightly too weak and Murs is better at more upbeat pop songs.
As this is such a small week, there will be no best or worst of the week.
Worth a Listen
Rather Be by Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
Something in the Way You Move by Ellie Goulding
Love Me by The 1975
Wouldn’t Turn Off
Sugar by Robin Schultz ft. Francesco Yates
Kiss Me by Olly Murs
Would Turn Off
Man Don’t Care by Jme ft. Giggs
Be Right There by Sleepy Tom and Diplo
Hey Everybody by 5 Seconds of Summer
Top Forte 