Hurrah! Steps have had many returns in the past couple of years (return to tv, return to the stage, return to the studio for Dancing Queen) but this return is perhaps the most noteworthy of all. Yes, pop pundits of a certain age, Steps are back with their first brand new song since 2001! As widely publicised, the track is taken from their forthcoming album of the same name and sadly isn't a cover of the Debbie Gibson song (not the first time Steps have taken a Debbie Gibson song title though - see also Only In My Dreams) - though conversely, mercifully it isn't a cover of the Glee number of the same name. What it is is a rather grandiose production that merges elements of their most successful ballad moments (Heartbeat & It's The Way You Make Me Feel) with a modern sensibility. Genuinely ingratiating harmonies and a chorus worthy of a Bond theme, it's a delight from start to finish - and perfectly in keeping with what I wanted from Steps this time round. All sound great (loving the boys taking centre stage on the middle 8) surrounded by sumptuous strings - think Take That's Rule The World mixed with Emma Bunton in her glorious 60s phase. It works wonderfully. Can't wait for a big ol' wintery video and some sleaze sisters remixes per favor :)
And if that wasn't enough Steps excitement, they have announced the tracklisting for their Christmas-themed album and there are a few tantalising hints of what it could sound like. I'm making some assumptions based on titles, as Steps could just be sharing a title with the songs I'm about to reference, but if I'm right I'm proper pleased about a few selections...
- History Is Made At Night ~ If this is the song from Smash (the tv show), then it has a lovely sixties vibe to it that does actually lend itself to the image of a roaring fire with snow falling outside. This could be absolutely lush...
- It May Be Winter Outside ~ oh God, please let this be a cover of the glorious Love Unlimited number. It's a real heartwarming little festive themed song that would sound utterly great sung by Steps - plus it has a kicky little beat that would just work so well. Excited!
- One Less Bell To Answer & A House Is Not A Home ~ let's pop back to Glee for a 2 in 1 reference to both songs. Stately, elegant ballads that will no doubt give the fab fivesome a real chance to show off their vocals. Can't imagine how aces the production will sound if spot on...
- When She Loved Me ~ could this be the heartbreaker from Toy Story 2? If so, the album is definitely ballad heavy, but that may well reflect where the band are in their lives right now, and I do love a delicious winter ballad...
Top 21 songs of the week:
21 ~ Mika, Lola (NE)
20 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Leaving (NE)
19 ~ Alphabeat, Love Sea
18 ~ No Doubt, Push & Shove
17 ~ The Wanted, I Found You (NE)
16 ~ Eric Saade, Fingerprints
15 ~ Olly Murs, Troublemaker (NE)
14 ~ JLS, Hottest Girl In The World
13 ~ Taylor Swift, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
12 ~ Danny Saucedo, All In Your Head
11 ~ Matt Cardle, It's Only Love
10 ~ The Overtones, Loving The Sound
09 ~ Leona Lewis, Trouble
08 ~ Bananarama, Now or Never
07 ~ One Direction, Live While We're Young
06 ~ Kylie, Flower
05 ~ Gravitonas, Incredible
04 ~ The Killers, The Way It Was
03 ~ Maroon 5, Daylight
02 ~ Steps, Light Up The World (NE)
01 ~ Robbie Williams, Candy (5 weeks)
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