Dua Lipa – Training Season

Dua Lipa is back on her pop-star shit with a song that feels even bigger than “Houdini”. On “Training Season” the British artist comes in hot with a psychedelic pop sonic that is elevated from its predecessor and packs an unexpected punch. The track grows on you with every listen as it gradually builds with its infectious hook and hypnotising groove. The empowering lyrics are all about realising you are over bad dates and situationship’s, and taking control of the narrative. Produced by Kevin Parker, you can can certainly hear the Tame Impala influence sliding through, but at its heart it feels like a 90’s take on the world of “Future Nostalgia”. The electricity of the hook is enough to have you going back for a second, third, and one hundredth listen, and will age like fine wine. “Training Season” is a well done pop song that will have you screaming “cause training season’s over” at the top of your lungs.

Thomas Headon – Middle Of The Night 

Thomas Headon is truly in his artistic element right now. The past 12 months of releases from the Melbourne via London artist has seen him elevate in a massive way with some impressive pop hooks, experimental production, and smooth vocals. Following the vain of “2009 Toyota”, Thomas has entered 2024 with a brand new banger for you to obsess over. “Middle Of The Night” opens with a spoken word intro of one of his collaborators jokingly saying “I think it’s best if you let us sing cause you’re such a bad singer”, and from there his charm will already win you over. Mixing RNB and indie-pop elements together, there is this cool social blend that draws you in before you are hit with this catchy call-and-response hook. “Okay (Okay), alright (Alright), when I wake up in the morning, it’s the middle of the night. No shade (No shade), sunlight (Sunlight), got the magic in my pocket and I’ll take you to the sky” he playfully sings. Reflecting on partying non-stop, this song perfectly captures that chaos and euphoric bliss with his youthful perspective. 

Royal & The Serpent & GAYLE – Kinda Smacks

Following their collaborative remix of “abcdefu”, Royal & The Serpent and GAYLE have teamed up once again for a playful track that is going to live rent-free in your head after the very first listen. “Kinda Smacks” is a perfectly penned song all about liking your friends ex-boyfriend’s music. It’s a niche idea that also feels so universal and hilarious. “Your ex-boyfriend’s music kinda smacks, and it makes me kinda sad cause I can’t stop listening, listening” they quip during the infectious hook. Beginning with a strong bass riff and Royal’s sultry vocals, GAYLE then comes in for the second verse to bring her unique stamp to the song. As they enter the final chorus the energy gets turned up with electric guitar and drums driving it home for a big pop-rock finish. The brief 2 minute track is one you won’t want to end and you will be immediately hitting reply so you can experience that playful serotonin again. 

Beyonce – 16 CARRIAGES / TEXAS HOLD EM 

Beyonce has entered her country era and we ain’t mad about it. “TEXAS HOLD EM” is Beyonce’s “Hoedown Throwdown” moment, and if you think I’m wrong then I don’t care, as it truly is serving that same level of euphoria. The carefree track is a whole lot of fun, and hears Beyonce not taking herself too seriously as she sings about where she comes from. But while this song has received a lot of love, it’s the B-SIDE single “16 CARRIAGES” which feels like an underrated Beyonce hit. Sitting sonically more inline with what you’d expect from her, this song meshes her pop/RNB influences with the new country perspective. Emotionally evoking, this track hears her exploring experiences caused by sudden uprooting due to losing innocence at an early age. “At fifteen, the innocence was gone astray. Had to take care of home at an early age. I saw Mama cryin’, I saw Daddy lyin’. Had to sacrifice and leave my fears behind” she sings. There is a powerful heaviness to it that will immediately captivate you and have you lingering on every lyric she sings. 

Alexander 23 & Cory Wong – On My Mind

Alexander 23 is bringing a groove back to his music with a song that feels like a bold reintroduction and a nod to his earlier material. “On My Mind” is a playful three minute track that hears him collaborating with American guitarist Cory Wong to hone this experimental production that will immediately have you hooked. It’s been exactly what I’ve been waiting for him to find within himself again, and gives an exciting refresh to where this next chapter could go for him. Written a year ago on Valentines Day this track reflects on a relationship that didn’t work out and while it is a sad song he finds a wake to make you move and smile. There are a lot of different production quirks within this song that make it such an interesting listen, but it’s the second verse which takes the cake. He sings the lyric “But, girl, if you ever need time on your own, I’ll give you some space”, which is followed by six seconds of of instrumental and then asks “was that enough space?”. The little music nerd in me got very excited about how innovative the production was to elevate that moment. The whole listen is fun and impressive, and will have you eager to what is next for him. 

Alfie Templeman – Eyes Wide Shut 

It’s been nearly two years since we’ve heard new music from British breakout star Alfie Templeman, but he switching it up as he launches a brand new era. “Eyes Wide Shut” is the first glimpse into this new sonical world which is a psychedelic pop elevation of his 2022 debut album “Mellow Moon”. Injecting big 80’s influences, this track feels like it’s from a different era, but not necessarily from the past, but instead from the future. The crisp production has this unique groove that incorporates this rhythmic glide packed with punchy synths. It’s feels like a euphoric celebratory song at a first listen but as you start to unpack it you realise its an emotionally vulnerable track about anxiety. Reflecting on his brain not being able to turn off at night he details all of the thoughts that circle his mind as he try to get a little quiet. “I’ve been up all night, I can’t find my mind, I’ve been living and loving with my eyes wide shut” he sings”. This is a very momentous return for Alfie as it hears him finding his feet and draws the starting line for what is looking like a massive year for him. 

Sasha Alex Sloan – Highlights 

Sasha Alex Sloan is opening a new chapter in her career with her first release as an independent artist, as well as the first single from her forthcoming third studio album. “Highlights” is a deeply vulnerable track that hears her opening up in a way she’s never done before as a songwriter. Exploring her family dynamic, she reflects on what sounds like a toxic and manipulative relationship that has shaped a lot of trauma she’s only just processing now as an adult. “You love me when it’s easy. You love me when it looks good to your friends. You love me when you need me, or anytime the spotlight’s on again. And it’s been this way my whole life. Sometimes it feels like you only love me for the highlights” she honestly sings during the somber chorus. The production hears her stripping everything back to a simple acoustic guitar and soothing strings that evokes the intimacy and raw emotion the song deserves. At the very core of this song is one of her strongest vocal deliveries which captures every melodic intricacy along with every emotion in the lyrics. It’s a stunning listen from start to finish that is reminiscent to her early material while heralding a new perspective. 

Wallows – Your Apartment 

Following the release of their 2022 album “Tell Me That It’s Over”, Wallows have finally returned with their first taste of new music. “Your Apartment” is a further sonical exploration of their previous record with a punchy hook and instrumentation that already feels like a classic Wallows track. Lyrically it hears them questioning what the life of their ex-partner is like without them, and it’s ultimately a relatable feeling of not knowing who is in their apartment anymore if you’re not there. “I wonder who’s been at your apartment. Would you give in, or would you relent?Who’s been tryin’ to get in your bed?” they sing. It’s an anthem awaiting to find its place in their live set, and you better be ready to scream it out with them.