Taylor Swift
Shake It Off
Lethal Bizzle It’s like a pop version of Jay Z’s Dirt Off My Shoulder. Pop stars at her level usually like to play it safe but Taylor pushed the boundaries just a little bit with this record and video.
Alice Levine A new Taylor was born. I quite liked her when she was Shania Twain’s younger sister, though.
Harrison Koisser You’d have to be really damaged to hate this song. If I had a shower radio, or showered enough to warrant one, I’d 10-out-of-10 bash this on for my daily rinse.
Royal Blood
Come On Over
LB I really like it, man. It reminds me of real old-school, authentic rock’n’roll. I don’t know if Aerosmith’s the right example?
AL Rightfully the fastest-selling rock album in the history of guitars or whatever the accolade is. Noisy, dynamic, riff-heavy rock that appeals to even staunch non-rock palettes.
HK I’m well into Royal Blood. This song came on in HMV Plymouth last Thursday and I actually said “tune” out loud. Rock magic.
Meridian Dan
German Whip
LB This record was a real game-changer for the grime scene. It reminded everyone, including me, that we have a strong culture. It inspired me to go back to my roots for Rari Workout.
AL I have a dubplate of this track. A sentence I never thought I’d say about anything.
HK This song makes me feel something I’ve never felt before. In a good way. I just played it to my tour manager and he froze on the spot, nodded and left the room.
Ten Walls
Walking With Elephants
LB The trumpets one! Good record, man. it reminds me of being on the beach, sipping on a piña colada. It’s not your obvious, cheesy dance record but it’s still a proper anthem. Thumbs up from me.
AL Moody, rumbling, such an amazing build-up. This was one of the songs of the summer.
HK Epic. I spent the tail-end of my teens with some unhygienic techno DJs in Birmingham and this song reminds me of dirtier times.
Ariana Grande Feat Iggy Azalea
Problem
LB A guilty pleasure of mine. She looks like she should be in school but she’s got a massive voice. You can’t believe it’s coming out of this teeny-tiny kid.
AL I can’t say my TV viewing includes much Nickelodeon, so this track was my main introduction to the world’s No 1 leotard-wearer (after Madonna). I love this… until Iggy pipes up.
HK The snare sound is lovely in this one.
Ed Sheeran
Sing
LB Amazing record, sick collaboration. When you look at him, he looks like he’s going to be the next James Blunt, but he breaks every single rule.
AL I’m not sure I’d buy an Ed Sheeran song about a hedonistic night out on the Vegas strip. A night in on the Berkshire/Hampshire borders, at a push.
HK My ex has a massive crush on Ed Sheeran but that doesn’t change my opinion of him or this song. Absolute banger. I love you, Ed.
