31 August 2018 If you wanted a hit single in 2017-18, clearly you first had to sound somewhat sad-to-morose, then steer a course between the dreary folk-pop of Ed Sheeran and the dreary trap-hop of Drake. George Ezra's groaning 'Shotgun' hugged the Sheeran shoreline; Post Malone's dumb 'Rockstar' dredged the Drakean shallows. Here, 'Eastside' still … Continue reading Benny Blanco, Halsey and Khalid – ‘Eastside’ →

29 June 2018 Are you a fan of Glór Tíre, Opry an Iúir and the rest of TG4's round-the-clock coverage of the country & Irish scene? Then you'll find the post-chorus part of 2018 chart-topper 'Shotgun' by George Ezra to be similar to the chorus of 2014 single 'Flowers In Your Hair' by Carlow country … Continue reading George Ezra – ‘Shotgun’ →

22 June 2018 Ireland's chart-topping singles of the mid-to-late-'10s have been mostly a litany of bland, basic, trop-house-flavoured EDM-pop. 'Solo' is similar in particular to Dua Lipa's 'IDGAF' earlier that year in serving up big talk and a timid chorus F-bomb. Clean Bandit know how to top the charts with innocuous dance-pop, though their trademark … Continue reading Clean Bandit ft. Demi Lovato – ‘Solo’ →

27 April 2018 This was the first new music released by Ariana Grande after the bomb attack outside her concert in Manchester on 22 May 2017. Twenty-two people were killed by the attack and over a thousand others were injured. The up-tempo electro-pop of 'No Tears Left To Cry' aims to be defiant and resolute … Continue reading Ariana Grande – ‘No Tears Left To Cry’ →

2 February 2018 Maybe the provocative video for 'God's Plan' was acknowledgement that the track was especially bland and needed an add-on to grab attention. The synth riff and trap beat are nice but slight. Drake's rap, though, is a contrail of nothingness, a swatch of beige and off-white shades you could paint your kitchen … Continue reading Drake – ‘God’s Plan’ →

26 January 2018 I feel defeated. 'IDGAF' must be one of the dullest tracks ever to top the charts. From its lack of a tune to its lack of a hook, the whole thing is resolutely dour and flat. The pitch is Dua Lipa serving up attitude, but her cursive monotone is a subdued mumble … Continue reading Dua Lipa – ‘IDGAF’ →