Weekend supplement ~ July 15th 2012: Your weekend mix tape of new pop goodness...

Doesn't the weekend just go far too quickly? I feel I have achieved quite a lot though - I finished the latest Joseph Delany "Spooks" book and started the final Eoin Colfer "Artemis Fowl" novel; I caught up with lots of friends who all bemoaned the weather; I went for a drink and the bar played S/A/W tunes all the live long night which was super; I became addicted to the tv show Suits; and now I am sitting in my undies, eating a custard cream and typing this. Oh my days. Here is a plethora of new artists who have sung me ably through the weekend...

• Ryan Silverman ~ Come On Down To My House: There is nothing I love more than a contemporary, yet timeless & classic, well constructed pop song. The rather dapper, debonair and devastatingly handsome Ryan Silverman has come up with just that. Coming from a pedigree of theatrical performances (past = Phantom, upcoming = Rebecca), his current single (?) is a smooth, sophisticated, jazz infused swing affair that is as charming and dashing as the man himself (see video below). Lyrically, it's a seductive tale of how a visit to Ryans will be the solution to all your woes, and what I like is how his nuanced vocal delivery really brings the tune to life. At times there is a playful edge to his voice and this is also demonstrated in the accompanying video clip. Genuinely engaging & effortlessly memorable, I just can't get enough of this one...
• Adam Whittington ~ Dare to Dream: I am loving this uplifting, rousing, optimistic anthems that (whether they mean to or not) capture Olympic fever (see also Kyle Patrick & Pet Shop Boys, but not Muse). Young Adam has actually had five singles out already, but Dare to Dream is the first one I've caught up on. And what a percolating little treat it is too. Set over a throbbing, electro-synth saturated bassline, Adam has the job of carrying the pop melody amidst the swirling dance production - and a fine job he does with it. He carries the positive, life-affirming lyrics through the verses, letting his voice soar during the chorus - all allowing for a genuinely inviting, sing-along track. So not only do you get to shimmy from start to finish, but you get to feel motivated by it all too! Win! An acoustic piano-vocal version of this track would be a dream btw! Looking forward to his debut album...

• Warren Nomi ~ This Summer I: Let's face it, weather wise the summer of 2012 has been an absolute bust so far in the UK. But frankly, when you have such a carefree, celebratory, compulsive track like Warren Nomi's This Summer to listen to. it makes the whole sodden months a lot easier to tolerate. It's a tune about learning to put yourself first, taking new chances and discovering aspects of yourself that have previously remain hidden. This is set over a transcendental dance beat, with an addictive echoing synth riff which gives the song an anchor & memorable identity. The main draw here is the vocal talent of Warren - he's infused the song with emotion, yearning & longing that give the tune a real layered, meaningful texture. Plus he has shades of a young Darren Hayes in his voice which makes the whole package all too hard to resist. What's also a real thrill is the original version - it's much more anchored in early Madonna and the pared down tempo gives the song an entirely different atmosphere that's just as lovely as the remixed single version. I rarely find pop throwaway, and this justifies why the entire genre is often the most worthy of them all. Can't wait to see the accompanying video this week & to hear more from Warren in the future...
• Bella Bizelle ~ You Never Know: The second I first listened to this song I knew I was listening to something special. Bella has a stunningly, gorgeous vocal style that is clearly adapted to a number of musical styles - something she demonstrates as her sensational single You Never Know takes us on a journey through genres. This journey never feels disjointed or thrown together, rather it's incredibly well thought out, and perfectly held together by Bella's delicious voice. It starts off all old school soul with some sumptuous piano and added hand clap majorette beat. This leads into a more swirling dance floor affair as the drum machine gives a pulsating feel to the proceedings. This then crescendos into a more rave-inspired instrumental that then powers the second verse forward. All the time, the tenderness & vulnerablity of the lyrics shines through, refusing to get lost in the giddy, euphoric backing track. Just heavenly.

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Little Mix, Wings (NE)
20 ~ Eric Saade, Backseat
19 ~ Scissor Sisters, Baby Come Home
18 ~ P!nk, Blow Me (One Last Kiss) (NE)
17 ~ fun, One Foot
16 ~ Maroon 5, Payphone
15 ~ Tone Damli & Eric Saade, Imagine
14 ~ Little Jackie, 21st Birthday Party
13 ~ Madonna, Turn Up The Radio
12 ~ Gravitonas, Sacrifice
11 ~ Nicki Minaj, Pound The Alarm
10 ~ Chantal Claret, Honey Honey
09 ~ The Killers, Runaways (NE)
08 ~ Maroon 5, One More Night
07 ~ Regina Spektor, Don't Leave Me
06 ~ Mika, Celebrate
05 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Bubblegum Bitch
04 ~ Kylie, Timebomb
03 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Winner (NE)
02 ~ Ola, I'm In Love
01 ~ Stooshe, Black Heart (4 weeks)