26 March 2015 Back in 2015 I doubt you'd have predicted the decade to come would feature a global pandemic shutdown or major democracies trying out fascism. On a slightly lesser order of bleakness, who'd have thought we'd still have bland male folk-pop dominating our charts? Mumford & Sons and George Ezra wouldn't sound out … Continue reading James Bay – ‘Hold Back The River’ →

6 February 2015 Ah, the firm but playful thwack of riding crop on buttocks. If this for you is the sound of sexy-time, then good luck to you and your co-consenting adult(s) - don't let anyone kink-shame you. Of course, there's no subculture weird or subversive enough that it can't be exploited by mainstream big-budget … Continue reading Ellie Goulding – ‘Love Me Like You Do’ →

4 December 2014 I often encounter folks who were Westlife and One Direction ultras in their youth, but are any of you HomeTown fans of yore? I must admit, I don't remember them. Yes, boybands were still a going concern this deep into the '10s, with later 1D pushing the format towards post-Britrock stylings such … Continue reading HomeTown – ‘Where I Belong’ →

30 October 2014 Married people: is Ed Sheeran part of your story? Perhaps one of his songs accompanied your proposal; Sheeran himself talks about how seven people proposed to their partners during one of his concerts, and how popping the question is now a regular occurrence during live performances of 'Thinking Out Loud'. Or maybe … Continue reading Ed Sheeran – ‘Thinking Out Loud’ →

2 October 2014 Body image is a complex and sensitive subject, and I don't have any expertise or insight to share on the matter. I have the impression that many people with personal experience regarding body image issues have found 'All About That Bass' helpful and many other people haven't. I'll confine my remarks to … Continue reading Meghan Trainor – ‘All About That Bass’ →

4 September 2014 I've just listened to 'Superheroes' by The Script. Which of you is going to write an uplifting anthem about how strong and courageous I am for putting myself through this? 'Superheroes' is essentially another spin at the formula of their previous chart-topper, 'Hall Of Fame'. Like that track, it's U2-aping anthemic arena-pop … Continue reading The Script – ‘Superheroes’ →

14 August 2014 Viral hit? Top of the charts in Ireland and across Europe? Really? Okay, on re-listening to 'Stolen Dance' it's slightly familiar to me. Still, though: there's no killer hook or memorable lyric or catchy chorus here at all. Lead Milky Chancer Clemens Rehbein picks some basic jazzy shapes on the ol' Tanglewood … Continue reading Milky Chance – ‘Stolen Dance’ →

24 July 2014 Here's the last of Cheryl's four solo Irish chart-toppers. And Girls Aloud only had one! You people. Suffice it to say, 'Crazy Stupid Love' hasn't matured into a Xenomania-level banger like fine wine ageing in the cellar. The percussion and saxophone come across as a lazy mash-up of generic 'Latino' R&B-pop with … Continue reading Cheryl ft. Tinie Tempah – ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ →