PICK OF THE WEEK
Leon Bridges
Better Man (Columbia)
This year has seen Leon Bridges go from a new artist with just one song online to the internet’s most hyped performer, so the only people who haven’t heard Better Man are those irritating friends-of-friends you get stuck talking to at birthday parties. You know the ones: they “don’t listen to new music” because they once heard a Basshunter track and got scared. But actually, those pretentious mates would love Leon Bridges because all his tracks sound as if they were made 50 years ago. Better Man makes what is basically Leon Bridges saying “cheated on you, soz and all that, I was eight Carlings deep” into a gorgeous romantic retro-soul ballad.
Hannah Lucia ft Giggs
Lights Out (Wave Theory)
Camden-born, Brooklyn-based new vocalist Hannah Lucia isn’t messing around with Lights Out. Sounding like a breathy, sexy Tinashe, she asks: “Wouldn’t you like to be inside this?/ Take off my dress, take a breath and admire it”. Blimey. Hannah has claimed that Lights Out is about “freedom and strong femininity”, but no one seems to have told Giggs, who drops in with the not-that-tempting offer of a bit of rough sex while his wife’s out. We’ll pass, thanks.
Olly Murs
Beautiful To Me (Sony)
In Beautiful To Me, Olly Murs has binned off his hi-tempo, over-enthusiastic pop for the most boring of all beige ballads. Even Gary Barlow would call this a bit “meh”. It’s like he’s trying to be a “credible artist” and wants to be “taken seriously”. Please, no! Ask anyone in the street what they think Olly Murs stands for and they’ll say a combination of the words “hat”, “tight trousers”, “banter”, “cheeky Nando’s” and “dances like an idiot”. Nobody wants to hear him sing something boring and safe. Turn back now, Olly, before it’s too late.
Rudimental
Never Let You Go (Asylum/Black Butter)
Never Let You Go is straight out off the Rudimental production line (that’s D&B, trumpets and any old guest vocalist who’s wandering past the studio). But just consider: would you enjoy it if you were in a beach bar, off your face on bad decisions and sunburn and wearing an ill-advised straw fedora? You’d slur “thisssonesssabanger!” in a stranger’s face and you’d think it was the best song you’d ever heard in your life.
Britney Spears And Iggy Azalea
Pretty Girls (RCA)
While on first listen you might think of Pretty Girls as the latest sad chapter in the degradation of Britney’s once-great music career, it’s not the case. Pretty Girls is actually part of Britney’s charity programme, designed to keep failing pop stars off the unemployment line. Clearly, Britney’s spotted what a joke Iggy Azalea’s career is now, and she’s enrolled her before she ends up on the streets. That’s like, totaaaally generous, Britney!
