New Music Friday last night provided us with new Calvin Harris and the return of Australian singer song writer Missy Higgins. All up it was a pretty decent week overall all bar one song that was REALLY disappointing.
Song: Nuh Ready Nuh Ready
Artists: Calvin Harris, PARTYNEXTDOOR
I was dreading this especially the minute Calvin Harris announced that the "Funk Wav Bounces" era was over and that dread feeling got worse when he announced he had collaborated with PARTYNEXTDOOR who was a guest on Zayn's "Still Got Time" back in 2016 for this song with a title that continued to give me a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomache but anyway how is the song?
Honestly I think its a regression back to the club banger days from Harris, "Nuh Ready Nuh Ready" plays on Latin tinged tropical house vibes while PARTYNEXTDOOR taking inspiration from Drake's fake Carribbean accent on his More Life playlist album and the Young Thug school of slurring his words. This isn't a good song at all. Give me "Slide" and "Feels" over this.
Rating: 4/10
Song: Wild Love
Artist: James Bay
You might remember James Bay for songs like "Back to the River" or "Let It Go", well, Bay has returned with a new single called "Wild Love" and I have to say as a bit of a James Bay fan, I was really looking forward to the lead off single from James Bay's second album until I heard the song and was overwhelmingly disappointed..."Wild Love" turns up the synths and reverb which almost see James Bay's vocals lost in the process, the chorus is ridiculously cliched. Also the love mentioned in this song isn't very wild or even remotely crazy. Ugh, so so disappointing, James, you are better than this!
Rating: 3/10
Song: FRIENDS
Artists: Marshmello, Anne-Marie
After the success of both "Silence" with Khalid and "Wolves" with Selena Gomez, Marshmello has teamed up with Anne-Marie for "FRIENDS", only unlike "Silence" and "Wolves, Marshmello has dumped the trap vibes for this song and I have to say this song is much more likeable for it, Anne-Marie is a perfect fit for this song, the only thing I don't like about this song is the choppy gang like sounds over the chorus but overall nice job by both Marshmello and Anne-Marie
Rating: 7/10
Song: Futon Couch
Artist: Missy Higgins
Missy Higgins is back with a brand new single that is as pop as it gets blending piano and synth for a song about meeting her now husband in Broome/ meeting the one and Missy just has so much charisma to make this song work. It's not a sappy love song thankfully. I legit hope this is a massive hir.
Rating: 8/10
Best: It's easy this week, "Futon Couch" by Missy Higgins
Worst: "Wild Love" by James Bay.
Next week:
Delta Goodrem is back with a new single called "Think About You", Khalid's teamed up with 5th Harmony's Normani Kordei for a soundtrack single and Lauv returns.
If you want to catch up on what else I have been listening to of late, check out my songs of 2018 playlist, it has new songs added to it every single week.
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
ARIA top ten/ Chart Review: 12th February
So this week was the fall out from the week before and it saw some mega changes to the top ten and a couple of new arrivals and a prediction that turned out to be absolutely correct.
The lone song to leave the top 10 was unfortunately PNAU's "Go Bang" which slipped from 9 to 13 this week.
What didn't change is the number one with "God's Plan" by Drake keeping the top spot for a second week but I see some challengers ahead for Drake so his run at number one could be short lived.
That challenge may not come fromt "Pefect" and it's various remixes by Ed Sheeran feat. Beyonce and Andrea Boccelli which stayed at number two.
Post Malone regained some of the lost momentum with "I Fall Apart" returning to number 3 up from 4 last week.
Then we have a potential challenger for number one in "These Days" by Rudimental f4eat. Jess Glyune, Macklemore and Dan Caplen which rose from 10 to 4 this is week on big sales on iTunes and it's still doing well there. Picks up st5reaming and it could well be a major hit...I hope it is because it's a decent song.
The big loser though in the shuffling was "Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line which slipped from number 3 to number 5.
"Finesse (Remix)" by Bruno Mars and Cardi B remains at number 6.
Then we have a string of songs with suffered losses, "River" by Eminem and Ed Sheeran slipped from 5 to number 7, "Never Be The Same" by Camila Cabello dropped from 7 to 8 (Good, it's the worst song on Camila's album) and NF's "Let You Down" dropped from 8 to 9 as it heads out of the top ten.
Rounding out the top ten at number is "Wolves" by Marshmello and Selena Gomez
Gains
The biggest gainer this week was "Say Something" by Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton which rose 12 spots from 36 to 24, the Black Panther soundtrack helped Kendrick Lamar and SZA break into the top 20 with "All The Stars" jumping from 30 to 19 and Dua Lipa's "IDGAF" is on the verge of breaking into the top 10 after jumping 6 spots to number 11.
Re-Entries
There was one re-entry to the top 50 which was due to the album "Man of the Woods" anyway, "Filthy" by Justin Timberlake made it's return at 44.
Losers
The biggest loser this week is not a surprising one with "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar falling from 20 to 32, "Cola" by Camelphat and Elderbook fell from 32 to 38, Sheppard's "Coming Home" looks as though it may have peaked sadly as it fell from 23 to 28 (Should have been a huge hit, damn it!) and than there's the complete non starter, "End Game" by Taylor Swift featuring Future and Ed Sheeran which fell seven places to number 47.
Drop Outs\
Basically the drop outs were pretty much 2017 songs that were on the way out anyway with "Let You Down" by Peking Duk and Icona Pop, "Dusk Til Dawn" by Zayn and Sia (Zayn can drop that new single any time he likes), "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith, "Congratulations" by Post Malone and Quavo (finally!), "Lay It On Me" by Vance Joy and "Let Me Down Easy" by Gang of Youths all gone.
New Entries
It was a busy week for new arrivals to the top 50 with the top new song to enter being " Pray for Me" by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar at number 18, the song coming off the Black Panther soundtrack, we'll see of this song has any real staying power. Bazzi's "Mine" bolted into the top 50 at number 33, the arrival of the 50 Shades Freed sound track saw "For You" by Liam Payne and Rita Ora enter at 45 and "The Middle" (otherwise known as "Stay Part 2") by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey entered at number 50
In the top 100? The best of the new entries was Peking Duk's "Wasted" at 67, "Katchi" by Ofenbach v Nick Waterhouse (a song that is getting ridiculous amounts of radio airplay and sales on iTunes, I expect it to be top 50 next week) at 78, "Do Right" by Glades" at 84 and "Tip Toe" by Jason DeRulo feat. French Montana at 99 (a song that has spent an unfortunate amount of time in the UK top 10)
So that completes a look at the chart for this week, got the feeling that there's going to be a change of number one soon and Rudimental is looking likely to cause that change.
Friday, 9 February 2018
New Music Friday Review: 2nd February
So New Music Friday last week provided little in the way of big names releasing new music but there were plenty of gems just off mainstream and one from a well known Australian rock band but we'll begin wtth the newest for CHVRCHES
Song: Get Out
Artist: CHVRCHES
Truth is I have slept on CHVRCHES not through any fault of the band but through my own, when they dropped their last album, I was barely into music that wasn't either Crowded House or appearing on the ARIA Charts so hence I missed out on hearing the electronic pop vibes of a band who have a solid following and sit just outside the mainstream so I wasn't about let an opportunity to find out what I had missed with CHVRCHES when they dropped a new single called "Get Out" so how is the song?
Honestly, it's a pretty great electro pop song that kind of sounds like Paramore in some ways and the whole song is pretty tight as a package, only thing I'd say is maybe the vocals are little far back in the mix at points but otherwise a terrific pop song that I hope does well for them.
Rating: 8/10
Song: Savior
Artists: Iggy Azalea, Quavo
Oh man, I am not sure why I even want to write about this song especially as Iggy Azalea's star has faded A LOT to the point where the two songs she released last year both tanked (Glad "Mo Bounce" because that song was absolutely terrible) and she's teamed up with a member of Migos, Quavo who quite frankly is getting to a point of overexposure.so why bother checking out "Savior"?
Curiosity got the better of me and to be honest apart from a pretty average interpolation of a middle of the road Lisa Stansfield song, Iggy does pretty well here with her flow and most of her bars do connect...at least for me and the beat isn't all that bad but yet again Quavo just adds absolutely NOTHING to this song. would rather "Savior" just be an Iggy Azalea tune but none the less, it's okay without being great.
Rating: 6/10
Song: Mistake
Artist: Middle Kids
I have wanted to talk about Sydney alternative/indie rock band Middle Kids for awhile now so this new single of theirs seems like the perfect opportunity and given what we got with "Never Start", I was expecting something quite similar and I wasn't disappointed, the guitar line in this song is epic and the vocals on the verses bring a flavour that is similar to that of London Grammar except I would argue is better and that chorus brings plenty of summer vibes. Well played, Middle Kids!
Rating: 9/10
Song: Tonight
Artist: Baby Animals
Yes, 1990s Australian rock group Baby Animals are back with the first single off a brand new EP due out later this year and Baby Animals fans can relax safe in the knowledge that "Tonight" is very much a typical Baby Animals song complete with explosive hook and verses. Don't be put off by the intro which is very different to anything I've heard Baby Animals do but it still works well within the confines of the song
Rating: 8/10
Best of the week: "Mistake" b Middle Kids
Worst of the week: Most of "Culture II" by Migos, seriously, an hour and 45 minutes of typical trap bragging about cars, crime, jewellery, stealing other mens girlfriends is not interesting or even remotely engaging.
New Music Friday 9th February Review:
Missy Higgins, Calvin Harris teams up with PARTYNEXTDOOR, Marshmello with Anne-Marie and James Bay returns.
If you want to check out what my playlist of my favourite songs so far this year, here's my "Delicious Songs of 2018" playlist from Spotify.
"Hits Elsewhere in the World" and "ARIA Chart top ten/Chart Review" coming up soon.
Song: Get Out
Artist: CHVRCHES
Truth is I have slept on CHVRCHES not through any fault of the band but through my own, when they dropped their last album, I was barely into music that wasn't either Crowded House or appearing on the ARIA Charts so hence I missed out on hearing the electronic pop vibes of a band who have a solid following and sit just outside the mainstream so I wasn't about let an opportunity to find out what I had missed with CHVRCHES when they dropped a new single called "Get Out" so how is the song?
Honestly, it's a pretty great electro pop song that kind of sounds like Paramore in some ways and the whole song is pretty tight as a package, only thing I'd say is maybe the vocals are little far back in the mix at points but otherwise a terrific pop song that I hope does well for them.
Rating: 8/10
Song: Savior
Artists: Iggy Azalea, Quavo
Oh man, I am not sure why I even want to write about this song especially as Iggy Azalea's star has faded A LOT to the point where the two songs she released last year both tanked (Glad "Mo Bounce" because that song was absolutely terrible) and she's teamed up with a member of Migos, Quavo who quite frankly is getting to a point of overexposure.so why bother checking out "Savior"?
Curiosity got the better of me and to be honest apart from a pretty average interpolation of a middle of the road Lisa Stansfield song, Iggy does pretty well here with her flow and most of her bars do connect...at least for me and the beat isn't all that bad but yet again Quavo just adds absolutely NOTHING to this song. would rather "Savior" just be an Iggy Azalea tune but none the less, it's okay without being great.
Rating: 6/10
Song: Mistake
Artist: Middle Kids
I have wanted to talk about Sydney alternative/indie rock band Middle Kids for awhile now so this new single of theirs seems like the perfect opportunity and given what we got with "Never Start", I was expecting something quite similar and I wasn't disappointed, the guitar line in this song is epic and the vocals on the verses bring a flavour that is similar to that of London Grammar except I would argue is better and that chorus brings plenty of summer vibes. Well played, Middle Kids!
Rating: 9/10
Song: Tonight
Artist: Baby Animals
Yes, 1990s Australian rock group Baby Animals are back with the first single off a brand new EP due out later this year and Baby Animals fans can relax safe in the knowledge that "Tonight" is very much a typical Baby Animals song complete with explosive hook and verses. Don't be put off by the intro which is very different to anything I've heard Baby Animals do but it still works well within the confines of the song
Rating: 8/10
Best of the week: "Mistake" b Middle Kids
Worst of the week: Most of "Culture II" by Migos, seriously, an hour and 45 minutes of typical trap bragging about cars, crime, jewellery, stealing other mens girlfriends is not interesting or even remotely engaging.
New Music Friday 9th February Review:
Missy Higgins, Calvin Harris teams up with PARTYNEXTDOOR, Marshmello with Anne-Marie and James Bay returns.
If you want to check out what my playlist of my favourite songs so far this year, here's my "Delicious Songs of 2018" playlist from Spotify.
"Hits Elsewhere in the World" and "ARIA Chart top ten/Chart Review" coming up soon.
Wednesday, 7 February 2018
ARIA Chart top ten/chart review: 5th February
So with the Hottest 100 and the Grammys colliding, I was expecting an interesting week and boy, we got one hell of a week with a clean out at the bottom of the top ten, several new entries, one returning entry and a few older songs making big leaps up the chart.
So what left the top ten? None of them are really big surprises with "Silence" by Marshmello and Khalid dropping to number 11, signs that The Greatest Showman love is starting to fall away with "This is Me" by Keala Settle and the Ensemble of the Greatest Showman to number 12 and "Havana" by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug slipping to 13 from number 6 last week.
But as I mentioned before we have a new number one and for this artist, it's his second number one but his first solo number one, yes, mammoth streaming numbers saw "God's Plan" by Canadian rapper Drake get that number one spot, Drake was last at number one with "One Dance" featuring Kyla and Wizkid back in 2016. "God's Plan" is actually also the first 2018 single to hit number one for the year
After eight weeks at the top, "Perfect" and various remixes by Ed Sheeran feat. Beyonce/Andrra Boccelli dropped to number 2 and I suspect it may well be vulnerable to "Meant to be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line which rose one spot to number 3.
"I Fall Apart" by Post Malone slipped from 3 to 4 as that song starts to slip on sales. As did "River" by Eminem feat. Ed Sheeran which feel one place to number 5.
We then get to a return to the top ten at number 6 for "Finesse (Remix)" by Bruno Mars and Cardi B. Look, you don't need me to tell you why this song returned. it's pretty much because of the Grammys. It was a 5 place jump for that song.
Camila Cabello managed to almost replace herself in the top 10 with "Never be the Same" jumping from 12 to 7.
"Let You Down" by NF slipped back one place to number 8. Can see this song gone from the top ten next week.
The Hottest 100 sees the first of it's impact at number 9 with PNAU's "Go Bang" jumping from 14 to 9 to be the first Australian song inside the top ten in a YEAR. Hey Australia, let's get more Australian music into our top ten because I'd love to be blogging that more Australian acts doing well on the charts.
Finally a song that looks destined for the top 5 is "These Days" by Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Macklemore and Dan Caplen, a song I really don't mind at all. Happy to see it in the top ten.
So the big movers and there were plenty of those this week, one song with continued momentum was "IDGAF" by Dua Lipa rising from 23 to 16 but after that, most of the big rises could be attributed to Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown with the countdown's number one pick "HUMBLE" by Kendrick Lamar rising from 45 to 20 to be the biggest gainer of the week. "Cola" by Camelphat and Elderbrook rising from 41 to 32, "Chateau" by Angus and Julia Stone rising from 48 to 26.
Then there's also complete crap gaining like "Sick Boy" by The Chainsmokers which got a rise from 42 to 38
So what about our losers beyond "Havana", well the biggest loser this week was "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith which fell from 34 to 46 (it was on the way out anyway), also having a big fall and on the way out anyway were "Dusk til Dawn" by Zayn and Sia which fell ten places to 45 and "Congratulations" by Post Malone and Quavo dropping to 48.
I can't complain about the desaturated pop mess that is "End Game" by Taylor Swift feat. Future and Ed Sheeran dropping 4 to 40 (Wondering if apart from "Look What You Made Me Do", if Taylor has another hit from "Reputation" at all)
A song that I am a bit surprised isn't doing so well is "My My My!" by Troye Sivan which fell from 31 to 27. Would have thought that with the fanbase Troye has got, it would be sticking around a lot longer.
As for the drop outs, we lost "Filthy" by Justin Timberlake, "Dancing" by Kylie Minogue, "Parallel Lines" by Keith Urban and "No Limit" by G-Easy, A$AP Rocky and Cardi B
The Hottest 100 also meant that Vance Joy's "Lay It On Me" returned at 47 and was responsible for two of the three new entries that being "Let Me Down Easy" by Gang of Youths and "Numb" by Hayden James and GRAACE however the highest new entry of the week was Justin Timberlake's collaboration with American country singer Chris Stapleton called "Say Something" at number 36.
As for new entries to the top 100: best of them is The Middle" by Zedd feat. Maren Morris and Grey (or "Stay Part 2" as I called it on New Music Friday Review) enters at 58, "Mine" by Bazzi at 84, "Helium" by Sia v David Guetta feat. Afrojack at 88, "Saved" by Khalid at 92 and probably because of the Hottest 100, "The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows" by Gang of Youths arrived at 93.
As for re-entries to the top 100 all of them are because of Hottest 100 with "LOVE" by Kendrick Lamar feat. Zacari returning at 100, "Fake Magic" by Peking Duk and Alunageorge at 86 and "Regular Touch" by Vera Blue at 98.
So that ends this week's chart review, I think Drake may well have a strangle hold on number with the streaming numbers he has but that Rudimental song is looming as a potential challenger.
So what left the top ten? None of them are really big surprises with "Silence" by Marshmello and Khalid dropping to number 11, signs that The Greatest Showman love is starting to fall away with "This is Me" by Keala Settle and the Ensemble of the Greatest Showman to number 12 and "Havana" by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug slipping to 13 from number 6 last week.
But as I mentioned before we have a new number one and for this artist, it's his second number one but his first solo number one, yes, mammoth streaming numbers saw "God's Plan" by Canadian rapper Drake get that number one spot, Drake was last at number one with "One Dance" featuring Kyla and Wizkid back in 2016. "God's Plan" is actually also the first 2018 single to hit number one for the year
After eight weeks at the top, "Perfect" and various remixes by Ed Sheeran feat. Beyonce/Andrra Boccelli dropped to number 2 and I suspect it may well be vulnerable to "Meant to be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line which rose one spot to number 3.
"I Fall Apart" by Post Malone slipped from 3 to 4 as that song starts to slip on sales. As did "River" by Eminem feat. Ed Sheeran which feel one place to number 5.
We then get to a return to the top ten at number 6 for "Finesse (Remix)" by Bruno Mars and Cardi B. Look, you don't need me to tell you why this song returned. it's pretty much because of the Grammys. It was a 5 place jump for that song.
Camila Cabello managed to almost replace herself in the top 10 with "Never be the Same" jumping from 12 to 7.
"Let You Down" by NF slipped back one place to number 8. Can see this song gone from the top ten next week.
The Hottest 100 sees the first of it's impact at number 9 with PNAU's "Go Bang" jumping from 14 to 9 to be the first Australian song inside the top ten in a YEAR. Hey Australia, let's get more Australian music into our top ten because I'd love to be blogging that more Australian acts doing well on the charts.
Finally a song that looks destined for the top 5 is "These Days" by Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Macklemore and Dan Caplen, a song I really don't mind at all. Happy to see it in the top ten.
So the big movers and there were plenty of those this week, one song with continued momentum was "IDGAF" by Dua Lipa rising from 23 to 16 but after that, most of the big rises could be attributed to Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown with the countdown's number one pick "HUMBLE" by Kendrick Lamar rising from 45 to 20 to be the biggest gainer of the week. "Cola" by Camelphat and Elderbrook rising from 41 to 32, "Chateau" by Angus and Julia Stone rising from 48 to 26.
Then there's also complete crap gaining like "Sick Boy" by The Chainsmokers which got a rise from 42 to 38
So what about our losers beyond "Havana", well the biggest loser this week was "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith which fell from 34 to 46 (it was on the way out anyway), also having a big fall and on the way out anyway were "Dusk til Dawn" by Zayn and Sia which fell ten places to 45 and "Congratulations" by Post Malone and Quavo dropping to 48.
I can't complain about the desaturated pop mess that is "End Game" by Taylor Swift feat. Future and Ed Sheeran dropping 4 to 40 (Wondering if apart from "Look What You Made Me Do", if Taylor has another hit from "Reputation" at all)
A song that I am a bit surprised isn't doing so well is "My My My!" by Troye Sivan which fell from 31 to 27. Would have thought that with the fanbase Troye has got, it would be sticking around a lot longer.
As for the drop outs, we lost "Filthy" by Justin Timberlake, "Dancing" by Kylie Minogue, "Parallel Lines" by Keith Urban and "No Limit" by G-Easy, A$AP Rocky and Cardi B
The Hottest 100 also meant that Vance Joy's "Lay It On Me" returned at 47 and was responsible for two of the three new entries that being "Let Me Down Easy" by Gang of Youths and "Numb" by Hayden James and GRAACE however the highest new entry of the week was Justin Timberlake's collaboration with American country singer Chris Stapleton called "Say Something" at number 36.
As for new entries to the top 100: best of them is The Middle" by Zedd feat. Maren Morris and Grey (or "Stay Part 2" as I called it on New Music Friday Review) enters at 58, "Mine" by Bazzi at 84, "Helium" by Sia v David Guetta feat. Afrojack at 88, "Saved" by Khalid at 92 and probably because of the Hottest 100, "The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows" by Gang of Youths arrived at 93.
As for re-entries to the top 100 all of them are because of Hottest 100 with "LOVE" by Kendrick Lamar feat. Zacari returning at 100, "Fake Magic" by Peking Duk and Alunageorge at 86 and "Regular Touch" by Vera Blue at 98.
So that ends this week's chart review, I think Drake may well have a strangle hold on number with the streaming numbers he has but that Rudimental song is looming as a potential challenger.
Saturday, 3 February 2018
New Music Friday Review: 26th January.
Sorry this is so late, truth is I have been really lazy and New Music Friday last week really wasn't anything to get overly excited about, sure, Justin Timberlake brought in one of my favourite country artists Chris Stapleton for a collaboration on JT's new album, and there's a strange collaboration between country singer Maren Morris with EDM stars Zedd and Grey and also Lady Gaga.
Song: Say Something
Artists: Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton
Part of me is annoyed that it's taken Chris Stapleton collaborating with Justin Timberlake for Stapleton to have any kind of mainstream currency on the Australian singles chart given Stapleton's back catalog includes the incredible "Parachute" from the album "Traveller" o "Second One to Know" from "From a Room Volime 1' both of which are still better than this song. Oh sure, the song is okay with it's more acoustic Latin than Americana/roots vibe in the production and the harmonies between Timberlake and Stapleton are alright, it's okay without really being anything great.
Rating: 6/10
Song: Joanne (Where Do You Think You're Goin'?) - Piano version
Artist: Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is finally bringing down the curtain on the Joanne era with a piano version of the title track and really for all the attention seeking loud and kind obnoxious pop songs she has done, this might well be the best thing she has ever done, a tribute to her Aunt Joanne that is deeply emotional and played completely from the point of view of Lady Gaga's family with the production with just a piano and acoustic elements with Lady Gaga's voice bringing the emotion. Nice job from Gaga and Mark Ronson.
Rating: 8/10
Song: The Middle
Artists: Maren Morris, Zedd, Grey
Zedd has a habit of collaborating with mostly female pop singers with his most successful collab being "Stay" with Alessia Cara which spent some time in the ARIA singles chart top ten last year and I have to say that the least impressive thing about this song is that Zedd repeats the formula for "Stay" with the similar ticking sound etc to make "The Middle" sound perilously close to "Stay" part 2 except trading Alessia Cara for country singer Maren Morris. None of this awful production is Maren's fault, she is doing her level best to sell the song but I think I'll stick with "My Church" and Maren's collab with Niall Horan "Seeing Blind".
Rating: 5/10. Maren Morris singing is literally the best thing about this and saved it from lower.
Song: Perfect
Artists: Topic, Ally Brooke
For those who aren't familiar with the name Ally Brooke, she is a member of Fifth Harmony, this song is her second venture outside of the Fifth Harmony environment, she's teamed up with German DJ Topic who in 2016 scored a top 20 hit with "Home" featuring Nico Santos, so how is "Perfect"? Honestly it's your stereotypical EDM love song with Brooke singing about her partner telling her she's perfect every time she's feeling "not really worth it", the lyrics are kind of cute but the production isn't any different to what I hear from a Marshmello or Zedd song
Rating: 6/10. It's okay but it's not great by any measure.
Best of the week: I am giving this to Lady Gaga for "Joanne (Where do You think You're Goin')". That song connected for me
Worst of the Week: I hate myself for doing this because I adore Maren Morris but "The Middle" by Maren, Zedd and Gray is getting basically for being 2nd part of a previous hit song.
Next New Music Friday review:
"Savior" by Iggy Azalea feat Quavo (as if there hasn't been enough Migos related material around lately)
"Wasted" by Peking Duk
"Mistakes' by Middle Kids
"Tonight" by Baby Animals
See you soon for ARIA top ten/chart review and "A Hit Somewhere Else in the World"
Song: Say Something
Artists: Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton
Part of me is annoyed that it's taken Chris Stapleton collaborating with Justin Timberlake for Stapleton to have any kind of mainstream currency on the Australian singles chart given Stapleton's back catalog includes the incredible "Parachute" from the album "Traveller" o "Second One to Know" from "From a Room Volime 1' both of which are still better than this song. Oh sure, the song is okay with it's more acoustic Latin than Americana/roots vibe in the production and the harmonies between Timberlake and Stapleton are alright, it's okay without really being anything great.
Rating: 6/10
Song: Joanne (Where Do You Think You're Goin'?) - Piano version
Artist: Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is finally bringing down the curtain on the Joanne era with a piano version of the title track and really for all the attention seeking loud and kind obnoxious pop songs she has done, this might well be the best thing she has ever done, a tribute to her Aunt Joanne that is deeply emotional and played completely from the point of view of Lady Gaga's family with the production with just a piano and acoustic elements with Lady Gaga's voice bringing the emotion. Nice job from Gaga and Mark Ronson.
Rating: 8/10
Song: The Middle
Artists: Maren Morris, Zedd, Grey
Zedd has a habit of collaborating with mostly female pop singers with his most successful collab being "Stay" with Alessia Cara which spent some time in the ARIA singles chart top ten last year and I have to say that the least impressive thing about this song is that Zedd repeats the formula for "Stay" with the similar ticking sound etc to make "The Middle" sound perilously close to "Stay" part 2 except trading Alessia Cara for country singer Maren Morris. None of this awful production is Maren's fault, she is doing her level best to sell the song but I think I'll stick with "My Church" and Maren's collab with Niall Horan "Seeing Blind".
Rating: 5/10. Maren Morris singing is literally the best thing about this and saved it from lower.
Song: Perfect
Artists: Topic, Ally Brooke
For those who aren't familiar with the name Ally Brooke, she is a member of Fifth Harmony, this song is her second venture outside of the Fifth Harmony environment, she's teamed up with German DJ Topic who in 2016 scored a top 20 hit with "Home" featuring Nico Santos, so how is "Perfect"? Honestly it's your stereotypical EDM love song with Brooke singing about her partner telling her she's perfect every time she's feeling "not really worth it", the lyrics are kind of cute but the production isn't any different to what I hear from a Marshmello or Zedd song
Rating: 6/10. It's okay but it's not great by any measure.
Best of the week: I am giving this to Lady Gaga for "Joanne (Where do You think You're Goin')". That song connected for me
Worst of the Week: I hate myself for doing this because I adore Maren Morris but "The Middle" by Maren, Zedd and Gray is getting basically for being 2nd part of a previous hit song.
Next New Music Friday review:
"Savior" by Iggy Azalea feat Quavo (as if there hasn't been enough Migos related material around lately)
"Wasted" by Peking Duk
"Mistakes' by Middle Kids
"Tonight" by Baby Animals
See you soon for ARIA top ten/chart review and "A Hit Somewhere Else in the World"
Wednesday, 31 January 2018
ARIA Top ten/chart review: January 29th
This week is interesting, there's a potential challenger for number one and a new song in the top 5 (pity it isn't all that good but we'll get to that), the song that (unfortunately) left the top ten was "Finesse" by Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B which slipped from 9 to 11 but I am confident it will rebound following the performance at rhe Grammys this week.
Now to the actual top ten where "Perfect" and various remixes by Ed Sheeran feat. Beyonce/Andrea Boccelli spends an eighth week at number one but I have a feeling this song may well be vulnerable.
And I say this because the song ruling the iTunes chart in Australia, "Meant To Be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line which jumped from 4 to number 2 and looks to be a very real chance of replacing Ed Sheeran at number one.
This meant "I Fall Apart" by Post Malone and "River" by Eminem feat. Ed Sheeran both slipped one place. "I Fall Apart" back to number 3 and "River back to number 4/
New at number 5 is the US and UK number one "God's Plan" by Drake from his "Scary Hours" EP, it's streaming numbers have been extraordinary, time will tell if it can make a play for number one in spite of what I think of the song.
Former chart topper "Havana' by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug slipped out of the top 5, dropping two places to number 6. Not really a surprise, this song has had a fantastic run. Don't worry Camilizers, there's more Camila to talk about shortly.
Beyond that, "Let You Down" by NF and "Silence" by Marshmello feat. Khalid remain static at 7 and 8 respectively.
"Rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage looks to finally be exiting the top 10 after dropping three places to number 9.
Rounding out the top ten is "This Is Me" by Keala Settle and The Greatest Showman Ensemble for another week. Expecting to see this song climb into the top 10.
As for the biggest gainers this week, well the biggest gainer of the week was Zac Efron and Zendaya with "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman musical which climbed 6 places to 24.
I mentioned there was more Camila news and this time it's good news with "Never Be The Same" jumping 5 places to number 12, wouldn't surprise me if it spent a week or two inside the top ten even though it's not the best song from the album..."Something's Gotta Give" should have been the next single.
"Go Bang" by PNAU climbed two places to 14 and with a certain boost ahead courtesy of the Triple J Hottest 100 on the weekend, it might well break the top 10.
What won't be breaking the top 10 is our biggest loser this week which was unfortunately "My My My!" by Troye Sivan which dropped from 14 to 27 which is disappointing. Come on Australia, get behind Australian music or do you only do that when it comes voting for the Hottest 100?
Rita Ora's "Anywhere" dropped 5 places to 28, "New Rules" by Dua Lipa dropped from 24 to 32, "Filthy" by Justin Timberlake dropped from 27 to 33 and "Good Old Days" by Macklemore and Kesha dropped from 33 to 40.
As for what dropped out? All the songs that fell were hits of 2017 with "Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae Lee gone after 32 weeks and "Glorious" by Macklemore feat. Skylar Grey (Although could get a return because of the Hottest 100), "Lay It On Me" by Vance Joy (a pity because I really like that song), "Beautiful Trauma" by Pink, "Feels Great" by Cheat Codes featuring Fetty Wap and DVBZ and finally "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons.
Drake's "God's Plan" was the highest new entry at number 5. Rudimental, Jess Glynne and Macklemore arrived at 18 with "These Days", Dua Lipa turned up inside the top 50 at number 23 with "IDGAF", The Chainsmokers self aggrandising "Sick Boy enters at 42.
Kylie Minogue's "Dancing" is getting plenty of airplay on the radio which is fantastic as it entered at 46 and finally Keith Urban's "Parallel Lines" enters at 47.
Outside of the top 50? Drake's second song from "Scary Hours" EP, "Diplomatic Immunity was the best of those entering at 54, "Miss You" by Cashmere Cat, Major Lazer and Tory Lanez at 91 and Kesha's version of "This is Me" at number 93.
That completes this week's look at the ARIA Chart, with the Grammys and Hottest 100 this week, it could be a full meltdown on the chart, will "Perfect" retain number one for a ninth week? We'll wait and see.
The ARIA singles chart is released at 5pm AEDT on Saturday.
Now to the actual top ten where "Perfect" and various remixes by Ed Sheeran feat. Beyonce/Andrea Boccelli spends an eighth week at number one but I have a feeling this song may well be vulnerable.
And I say this because the song ruling the iTunes chart in Australia, "Meant To Be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line which jumped from 4 to number 2 and looks to be a very real chance of replacing Ed Sheeran at number one.
This meant "I Fall Apart" by Post Malone and "River" by Eminem feat. Ed Sheeran both slipped one place. "I Fall Apart" back to number 3 and "River back to number 4/
New at number 5 is the US and UK number one "God's Plan" by Drake from his "Scary Hours" EP, it's streaming numbers have been extraordinary, time will tell if it can make a play for number one in spite of what I think of the song.
Former chart topper "Havana' by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug slipped out of the top 5, dropping two places to number 6. Not really a surprise, this song has had a fantastic run. Don't worry Camilizers, there's more Camila to talk about shortly.
Beyond that, "Let You Down" by NF and "Silence" by Marshmello feat. Khalid remain static at 7 and 8 respectively.
"Rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage looks to finally be exiting the top 10 after dropping three places to number 9.
Rounding out the top ten is "This Is Me" by Keala Settle and The Greatest Showman Ensemble for another week. Expecting to see this song climb into the top 10.
As for the biggest gainers this week, well the biggest gainer of the week was Zac Efron and Zendaya with "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman musical which climbed 6 places to 24.
I mentioned there was more Camila news and this time it's good news with "Never Be The Same" jumping 5 places to number 12, wouldn't surprise me if it spent a week or two inside the top ten even though it's not the best song from the album..."Something's Gotta Give" should have been the next single.
"Go Bang" by PNAU climbed two places to 14 and with a certain boost ahead courtesy of the Triple J Hottest 100 on the weekend, it might well break the top 10.
What won't be breaking the top 10 is our biggest loser this week which was unfortunately "My My My!" by Troye Sivan which dropped from 14 to 27 which is disappointing. Come on Australia, get behind Australian music or do you only do that when it comes voting for the Hottest 100?
Rita Ora's "Anywhere" dropped 5 places to 28, "New Rules" by Dua Lipa dropped from 24 to 32, "Filthy" by Justin Timberlake dropped from 27 to 33 and "Good Old Days" by Macklemore and Kesha dropped from 33 to 40.
As for what dropped out? All the songs that fell were hits of 2017 with "Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae Lee gone after 32 weeks and "Glorious" by Macklemore feat. Skylar Grey (Although could get a return because of the Hottest 100), "Lay It On Me" by Vance Joy (a pity because I really like that song), "Beautiful Trauma" by Pink, "Feels Great" by Cheat Codes featuring Fetty Wap and DVBZ and finally "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons.
Drake's "God's Plan" was the highest new entry at number 5. Rudimental, Jess Glynne and Macklemore arrived at 18 with "These Days", Dua Lipa turned up inside the top 50 at number 23 with "IDGAF", The Chainsmokers self aggrandising "Sick Boy enters at 42.
Kylie Minogue's "Dancing" is getting plenty of airplay on the radio which is fantastic as it entered at 46 and finally Keith Urban's "Parallel Lines" enters at 47.
Outside of the top 50? Drake's second song from "Scary Hours" EP, "Diplomatic Immunity was the best of those entering at 54, "Miss You" by Cashmere Cat, Major Lazer and Tory Lanez at 91 and Kesha's version of "This is Me" at number 93.
That completes this week's look at the ARIA Chart, with the Grammys and Hottest 100 this week, it could be a full meltdown on the chart, will "Perfect" retain number one for a ninth week? We'll wait and see.
The ARIA singles chart is released at 5pm AEDT on Saturday.
Friday, 26 January 2018
New Music Friday Review: 19th January. Kylie's BACK!
Another week, another New Music Friday but this week, it's got a bit of an Australian edge with new Kylie Minogue and Shannon Noll. Plus new music from The Chainsmokers and Drake (unfortunately) and this week I am going back to using Youtube because Spotify has effectively shat the bed tonight.
Let's get the garbage out of the way first.
Song: God's Plan
Artist: Drake
So this is apparently Drake's feel good track about his future and how apparently people want him to fail but God won't let him fail all set to a beat that isn't even remotely interesting or changes at all while Drake drones on and on about not a heck of a lot, there's not enough detail in this song that makes it all that compelling or even makes me want to give it repeated listens, that said it's probably bound to be a hit unfortunately.
Rating: 4/10.
Song: Sick Boy
Artust: The Chainsmokers
The self aggrandising and annoying duo are back with a brand new song that is pretty much a sloppy rip off of 21 Pilots, Jon Bellion and AJR but with a ironic political bent aimed at the United States and quite honestly I don't see this being a hit because I largely do not see what they are getting at and it would be oh so easy to claim this song is about US President Donald Trump but that would be easy and also a lot of past Chainsmokers songs have come across as pretty narcissistic so let's leave it that shall we?
Ratings: 2/10
Now onto the better stuff....
Song: Land of Mine
Artist: Shannon Noll
Now let's talk about somebody I rarely have a chance to mention, I am disappointed "Southern Sky" wasn't the Australian smash it deserved to be but Nollsy is back with a single off his new album "Unbroken" and he is going country which is not surprising given the heel turn "Southern Sky" took in terms of an apparent country undertone and quite honestly it's not a bad fit for Shannon's voice. The instrumentation reminds me of an old Bruce Springsteen track and I am loving REAL guitars and drums in this song. GO NOLLSY!
Rating: 8/10
Song: Dancing
Artist: Kylie Minogue
I haven't had much of an opportunity to talk about Kylie Minogue here so I was looking forward to talking about "Dancing" but when I heard that Kylie was embracing country music, I got worried. Would Kylie lose her pop vibes to be this country artist? As it turned out, I didn't need to be worried because "Dancing" is an oddball country/electronic banger that works and I love that the song is about going out dancing, I love that line in a pop song. Only thing is I am not convinced it's that good it's a lead off single.
Rating: 7/10
Best of the week: Shannon Noll for "Land Of Mine"
Worst of the week: The Chainsmokers for "Sick Boy" for basically being a confused mess of a song
Next week: Lady Gaga, Maren Morris teaming up with Zedd and Grey, Justin Timberlake's collaboration with Chris Stapleton and Camp Cope.
Let's get the garbage out of the way first.
Song: God's Plan
Artist: Drake
So this is apparently Drake's feel good track about his future and how apparently people want him to fail but God won't let him fail all set to a beat that isn't even remotely interesting or changes at all while Drake drones on and on about not a heck of a lot, there's not enough detail in this song that makes it all that compelling or even makes me want to give it repeated listens, that said it's probably bound to be a hit unfortunately.
Rating: 4/10.
Song: Sick Boy
Artust: The Chainsmokers
The self aggrandising and annoying duo are back with a brand new song that is pretty much a sloppy rip off of 21 Pilots, Jon Bellion and AJR but with a ironic political bent aimed at the United States and quite honestly I don't see this being a hit because I largely do not see what they are getting at and it would be oh so easy to claim this song is about US President Donald Trump but that would be easy and also a lot of past Chainsmokers songs have come across as pretty narcissistic so let's leave it that shall we?
Ratings: 2/10
Now onto the better stuff....
Song: Land of Mine
Artist: Shannon Noll
Now let's talk about somebody I rarely have a chance to mention, I am disappointed "Southern Sky" wasn't the Australian smash it deserved to be but Nollsy is back with a single off his new album "Unbroken" and he is going country which is not surprising given the heel turn "Southern Sky" took in terms of an apparent country undertone and quite honestly it's not a bad fit for Shannon's voice. The instrumentation reminds me of an old Bruce Springsteen track and I am loving REAL guitars and drums in this song. GO NOLLSY!
Rating: 8/10
Song: Dancing
Artist: Kylie Minogue
I haven't had much of an opportunity to talk about Kylie Minogue here so I was looking forward to talking about "Dancing" but when I heard that Kylie was embracing country music, I got worried. Would Kylie lose her pop vibes to be this country artist? As it turned out, I didn't need to be worried because "Dancing" is an oddball country/electronic banger that works and I love that the song is about going out dancing, I love that line in a pop song. Only thing is I am not convinced it's that good it's a lead off single.
Rating: 7/10
Best of the week: Shannon Noll for "Land Of Mine"
Worst of the week: The Chainsmokers for "Sick Boy" for basically being a confused mess of a song
Next week: Lady Gaga, Maren Morris teaming up with Zedd and Grey, Justin Timberlake's collaboration with Chris Stapleton and Camp Cope.
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