New Music Friday - 13/06/2025

Albums/EPs:

• Calum Hood - ORDER chaos ORDER
• daine - i want the light to swallow me whole
• Nxdia - I Promise No One's Watching 
• salem ilese - growing down 
• Shygirl - Room 2 RMX
• Yorke - unfinished business  

Singles:

• Alesha Dixon (feat. Tom Moutchi) - Chargie 
• Alison Goldfrapp - Sound & Light 
• Blusher - LAST MAN STANDING
• CupcakKe - One of My Bedbugs Ate My Pussy
• Ella Eyre - Kintsugi 
• Jasmine Thompson - Did I Miss It 
• Jessica Winter - Aftersun
• Jessy Blakemore - burna  
• Jessy Blakemore - shiloh type beat 
• Joel Corry & Jennifer Lopez - Get Right 
• Kehlani - Folded
• Madison Bailey & KAIRO - Raincheck 
• Mae Muller - In My Head 
• Mark Ronson & RAYE - Suzanne 
• Tyla - Everything Goes With Blue 
• Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun 

Calum Hood - ORDER chaos ORDER:

Don't Forget You Love Me: Bit of a weird start? I'm not sure I'm a major fan of his voice here, so that could be a problem. Also, wew, wow okay lyrics. Production is fine. Definitely felt when there was more passion in his voice it got a lot better, especially towards the chorus. The distance with the vocals...or whatever it is is still annoying me though. 6/10

Call Me When You Know Better: The vocals are letting it down again I fear. The songs otherwise are not too bad. They're about what I would expect honestly. But those vocals are really just killing it for me. Again, it does feel like it gets better but I just can't get over the sound of the vocals sadly. 6/10

Sweetdreams: It was a bit generic of a song but I think the vocal problems I had here shined through less than the previous songs. This is better for sure. Decent song. 7/10

I Wanted To Stay: This seems decent enough. Nothing much really stands out for me with it I guess is the problem? Like, it's fine, but it's kinda just fine. 6/10

Sunsetter: A chiller song, which again sounds competent, but I feel lacks much passion. It doesn't really make me want to relisten to it. 6/10

All My Affection: Quite boring to start off with honestly but thankfully it developed into something more interesting. Vocals felt better for me here too. Still somewhat bland overall though. It's almost like these songs don't have technical faults in them but they don't really have any...I don't know, life in them? 6/10

Endless Ways: Not sure I was here for that intro and whatever was in the background of this song. It's a bit...I don't know. The production from then on was fun though. This was a good song! Not sure about the outro again though. 7/10

Streetwise: This is a bit of a different vibe! I mean, I'm not totally sure I'm on board for it but still. Or maybe I do? That chorus is pretty decent. It became a pretty decent song overall. 7/10

Dark Circles: This is kinda giving Conan Gray to me in a way. I don't know why exactly. But it does. I do think it is a decent song though. It kinda feels like it's lacking life again somewhat, but that's not really surprising. Abrupt ending too. 6/10

Three Of Swords: Another slower song but for some reason this one is hitting with me more. Maybe the vocals fit that production well? It was a good ending to the album anyway! Weird outro, not really there for that honestly. 7/10

Overall Verdict: Oh my god an album about what happens in the House of Commons wow I've been waiting for this! On a more serious note, this does not actually feel like what happens in the House of Commons. Or maybe it does, but more like a boring Committee meeting about a topic very few people care about. There's nothing functionally wrong with it, but it is bland. A few songs manage to escape that blandness to expose an interesting vision, but for the most part it's just not realised. There's nothing really faulty with the album as such, but I feel like it was a missed opportunity. Well, those vocals at points, I didn't like how they sounded...

daine - i want the light to swallow me whole:

when my wings are cut off: Okay crazyyy production time. Let's see where this goes. Wow, those vocals kinda jumpscared me a bit. It's chaotic in a great way. I enjoyed that a fair amount. The way the vocals sound is the only meh part to me, but the production is GREATTT. 8/10

eighteen: Another pretty decent song! It's more of a 'normal' pop song compared to the previous song, and I do think the vocals are also a lot better here, which I guess makes sense. It's a great song. 8/10

fell out of heaven: Okay heavy guitar stuff going on here. This was a decent song. Probably a bit less enjoyable for me than the previous ones but still. I like how each song has a different vibe to it. This has heavy production but it's also kinda slow in a way. 7/10

i want the light to swallow me whole: That's some less heavy guitar stuff. I think the vocals may be doing more work here? And I do like them. Though they are kinda being overpowered again for me. An enjoyable listen still though. Interesting outro. I liked it. More hints at the crazy production too. OKAY SCREAM JEEZ CALM DOWN. That's a vibe shift! I actually really like it I can't lie. 7/10

payphone: It's a way chiller song! Maybe no jumpscares this time? It does feel closer to a 'typical' pop song again, but I like it. 7/10

Overall Verdict: This was a very enjoyable EP! I liked the different vibes it has, that's definitely a fun thing an EP can do. I think daine showed a lot of great versatility here. But they also have an ear for good pop music. It's kinda sad this did not get more attention, I didn't even know an EP was coming until tonight! But I think it's a great EP and probably going to be one of my favourites of this year. Some really interesting production choices and they sound good. 

Nxdia - I Promise No One's Watching:

Feel Anything: They have a great voice! It already shines through here honestly. A very pleasant song to listen to. Woah, a different language, that's cool! I'm guessing Egyptian based on what I looked up? Oh, a vibe shift okay, I'm here for that. I like the switchup. A good song! 7/10

Jennifer's Body: This one feels not as good to me but we'll see where it goes. Ohh, that production reminds me of some old songs I've listened to before. The chorus is good! I definitely feel it less than the previous song but it's decent. Abrupt end. 6/10

Boy Clothes: Well, that was an interesting start! I enjoyed that. Great production here. Well, some of it is not as good, that's for sure. The screaming parts are fun. Other parts not so much. Some of those vocal effects are not super landing for me. 6/10

Puppet: The production here is eating. I like it. Or when it's more than just that guitar anyway. Oh, there's some real fun switchups in these songs. They are a really interesting artist for sure even if not every song is landing fully for me. 7/10

She Likes a Boy: Music League who? What's that? Anyway, I enjoyed this! It's a quite catchy and enjoyable song honestly. The 'she likes a boy' repetition is infectious. 7/10

Nothing at All: Uh oh, could be a mess of production here, but we'll see. I'm not sure I like it majorly at the start. Great voice as ever though. It's not the worst, and it's decent enough, but it's not a song I'm going to hugely go to bat for. 6/10

Body on Me: Not sure I'm feeling the more talking vocals here. Again, not really my favourite, but it's a decent enough song. 6/10

More!: I feel like this is definitely better! This has more of the energy that I think works really well on this project. Yeah, this is a better song. 7/10

Boo, Nevermind: Some of this I'm not really feeling as much sadly, even though it has similar energy to the previous song. Look at me being all hypocritical! But I definitely think this is more of a miss. 5/10

Tin Man: This was an enjoyable final song to end on, and I think it encapsulates the project and its sound quite well. It definitely highlighted the better songs on the project, and I enjoyed this. 7/10

Overall Verdict: While I think this was an inconsistent listen, with some songs being better than others, and some more missing the mark, this was a good project overall. I think it shows Nxdia's potential and how they definitely have a strong potential future career in music ahead of them, and I am excited to see that. It's not something I presently am too fussed about returning to, but I definitely think it's a good first big project. 

salem ilese - growing down:

I'M NOT SCARED: Good voice here. Ooo, distortions. This could be fun! The chorus is definitely going to pop off a bit. And I like it! It's a good and fun rock leaning song. 7/10

hahaha: This sounds decent as well! salem I think has a good ear for pop songs honestly. They are definitely louder pop songs, I think rock adjacent is definitely accurate. Also, wow, those are some experiences in the lyrics. 7/10

if you love me...: Oh no, it's an acoustic guitar. Run away! It sounds decent enough honestly. Is it randomly going to switch up? Thankfully it didn't randomly explode and honestly it was a nice listen. Sometimes acoustic guitars can do a good job! Good singing here too. 7/10

fridge: Being in love with Matty Healy? EW. Disgusting! Deserves 0/10 just for that honestly. Sadly I may have to look past the cringe Matty Healy line because it seems okay. I actually rated this higher and then as I relistened I remembered why I rated it low as a single when I listened to it before...it's not great... 5/10

growing down: Was not a major fan of how this started. I think this song is a lot more of a miss. Yeah, there's some big production misses and it just sounds a bit more...off in general. But maybe if I listen to it in a month's time I'll change my mind! Nah, I don't like this. Random switchup too. It's not terrible terrible but nor is it good. 4/10

new in town: This is another miss so far. That production is just annoying. Maybe my previous higher ratings were fun! It's a mess. Not good! This song is actively annoying me actually. Stop it! Those noises... 3/10

dirty martini: Oh no...are we doing it again? Please no...Okay maybe I've been saved by an acoustic guitar. Not by that cringe snare drum introduction though. This song wasn't too bad! It definitely made a big improvement from the last 2, that's for sure. 6/10

storm: Wow a storm at the start! It does sound like this will be a better song though. It does have really annoying production elements again though. Hmm, it's definitely not as good as I thought it would be. Yeah, I'm not feeling this either. Miss! 4/10

Overall Verdict: Well, this was a hot mess. It was definitely a flop of an album for me. A few songs managed to bring something good, but it didn't last. And for some reason that isn't clear to me it lost some of its rockier edge, or when it sounded better, and threw that all away somewhere. The production choices elsewhere on the album ranged from bad to worse, and they just felt like messes of songs. 

Shygirl - Room 2 RMX:

Je M'appelle (Florentino Remix): Do I like this? This could go either way. Okay, yes, I do. Maybe I prefer the original but this is a pretty good remix. I actually really like this! Catchy. 8/10

Flex (feat. BAMBII) [Marca Bae Remix]: Well this is a weird start! Hmm, fun production, but those distorted vocals...not sure how I feel about that. Fun beat too. What a weird start though. Do I like it? Seems to be a common theme. Well, that was an...experience. I think I like it but also I'm not sure how much I would listen to it again honestly. You know what, on second listen, I actually do like it more. I think it's the production that carries it for me but it's GOOD. 7/10

Immaculate (feat. Saweetie) [DJ Seinfield Remix]: Kinda weird production on this too. I mean, arguably it IS a remix project but still. Well...it was alright I guess. Production is fun again but I feel like some of the original songs just don't land for me as well with how they are remixed. The vocal effects aren't really hitting for me. The production is stunning once again though. 7/10

F*Me (feat. Yseult) [BL3SS Remix]: This was one of my favourites on the original so let's hope it's not a flop! Hmm...it's a completely different vibe to me. Like, I do like the production, but honestly, I definitely way prefer the original. On a relisten, the production got me AGAIN. It's so goood. 7/10

Wifey Riddim (feat. Jorja Smith & SaidBoi) [George Daniel Remix]: Really infectious production here, it's kinda addictive. But again, I'm just not feeling the vocals on it with the production. The production REALLY carries it strongly though. I revised this song upwards too on a relisten because wow that production. 8/10

True Religion (feat. Isabella Lovestory and PinkPantheress) [DJ Gigola Remix]: This was another favourite of mine on the original EP. Let's see how it holds up! Okay, I actually think this does hold up fairly well. Super catchy production here again. It's a different vibe from the original and very electronic but I do like it. I actually really like this. 8/10

Overall Verdict: I've really enjoyed the Club Shy projects honestly. It's produced some real bangers (and a few flops). On first listen, I didn't appreciate a fair few of these songs, but I did recognise it could grow on me on a relisten. And on the second listen, it has done just that! The production of these songs is just so good. I still think the vocal effects are the main letdown for me, but these songs are addictive anyway. The original versions of the songs are still great (except when they're not), but wow these remixes were good. 

Yorke - unfinished business

love on the run: I was like no until I was like YES. That voice and that production is onto a winning combination I fear! Hmm, is that pre-chorus a miss? It could be. Yeah, the chorus is also a bit of a miss for me unfortunately. It missed the potential of the verses. Sad because it could have been a lot better! 6/10

sorry in advance: This feels like other pop songs in a sense. It kinda reminds me of Sabrina Carpenter. Don't know which song but it definitely does. At least I think. Pop music is very cool! The chorus is kinda catchy actually, I thought I didn't like it at first. 7/10

unfinished business: This feels strongly linked to some 'dark pop' songs I've heard before I think. It does sound decent though! I do like the song. 7/10

i wanna hate you: Ew, I hate that production. It sounds cheap as hell. The background noises anyway. Hate it! The rest of the song actually sounds good. There's really catchy parts of the song but the stupid sounds...ugh. When it pops off, it pops off! But, still... 6/10

the villain: I feel like this is another good song, but I do feel like it's missing something to elevate it to the next level. Some of the production is still being a bit...meh though. 6/10

Overall Verdict: I think this was a competent EP. I don't think it reinvents the wheel by any stretch, and it definitely misses in a fair few places, but I think it also demonstrates that Yorke has potential if she keeps working on her sound and her music. I'm not entirely convinced to return to the EP but she is one to watch. I feel like in some cases it perhaps veered too much into almost like a parody or copy of pop songs, but they were still generally decent sounding. 

Singles:

Alesha Dixon (feat. Tom Moutchi) - Chargie: This was a pleasant listen! It's got a good beat to it. Alesha sounds great too. Those background vocals are pretty good. This is a good song! 7/10

Alison Goldfrapp - Sound & Light: This could be good! I like the electronic production already. The production is stronggg here. It really makes it a great song. And Alison sounds great in combination as well. I think this could be a standout song for me honestly. 8/10

Blusher - LAST MAN STANDING: Cute intro. But then we're into BOP territory. And it's going to be a good song as ever from Blusher. It doesn't stand out to me exceptionally but it is a good song. I think with more listens it could grow on me a lot more. But I think in general the talent is there in Blusher and I really hope they do grow bigger because they deserve it. 7/10

CupcakKe - One of My Bedbugs Ate My Pussy: SOTY for that name alone, honestly. Oh, this is FANTASTIC. That is so catchy. Great lyrics too. CupcakKe can rarely miss. Stunning! Why is there randomly an Incy Wincy Spider interpolation? Obsessed! Stunning and show stopping actually. GREAT song, great production. It's chiller but who cares? This song actually made me have tears in my eyes it's that good... The queen of music is back! 9/10

Ella Eyre - Kintsugi: Intriguing. I think Ella's voice for me is a miss here. I'm not sure it fits this song totally for me. Or at least, it doesn't in the chorus. The verses have more interesting production honestly and it works better. It was actually a pretty good towards the song with all that repetition. Hmm, a mix of a song with some great and some meh parts. 6/10

Jasmine Thompson - Did I Miss It: Uh oh, sad piano song. Not a fan of those vocals at all though. It takes me out of it. Nice background sounds but still. Ew, that switchup was horrible. No thanks. There was no need for that. This is not the vibe. The vocals did improve, I have to give it that. It just didn't need those horrible switchups. It should have stayed slower. 5/10

Jessica Winter - Aftersun: Hmm, the vocals are a bit too whiney for me honestly. Production is decent enough. I think the vocals are the main offenders honestly, it really drags it down for me. Still a decent enough song though. 6/10

Jessy Blakemore - burna: It's an acoustic guitar! Could this be scary? Decent voice, and honestly it's a pretty good slower and emotional song. I actually do like listening to this. Acoustic guitar based songs can be good for me! 7/10

Jessy Blakemore - shiloh type beat: I'm glad this is a different vibe from the previous song. Another good song actually. Could be an artist to look out for in future! According to Apple Music, these are her only 2 released songs right now. It's good stuff. It was another pleasant, slower listen. It ended a bit abruptly though. 7/10

Joel Corry & Jennifer Lopez - Get Right: Well, JLO's last album was terrible, and Joel Corry...well. Let's see how messy it is! Okay maybe it's not a complete mess. Those vocals are...meh though. Does JLO sing? Well, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever heard, but nor was it good. It's bland. That's I suppose something. It's not terrible. 5/10

Kehlani - Folded: Great into to this song! Like the instruments. And this is going to be a stunning song generally clearly. Kehlani sounds FANTASTIC here. This is a great song. Just real good vibes. 9/10

Madison Bailey & KAIRO - Raincheck: This was pretty decent! Really like Madison's voice. Decent song. The feature seems decent too. Good song! 7/10

Mae Muller - In My Head: This is definitely a significantly better offering from Mae Muller. She sounds quite good here and it's a very chill and also emotional offering. I like its production too. I think she has a good avenue following this sound and trajectory further, so I hope she does that. 7/10

Mark Ronson & RAYE - Suzanne: RAYE stuns on basically every single song she's ever on. Her voice is just stunning. She carries this song as ever. It's rare to have a RAYE miss currently. 7/10

Tyla - Everything Goes With Blue: This was a significantly better offering from Tyla than Rihanna's "music". Like, why couldn't she have made something like this? This was decent! 7/10

Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun: Hmm, not a major fan of the start. I'm not sure I'm a major fan of the rest of the song either. She sounds good but that production is kinda a miss for me. It's annoying. Yeah, there's like no passion to this. I mean not that there has to be like screaming or whatever but it just feels a bit generic and phoned in to me. Saying that, it did get a lot more interesting towards the end. Where was that before? 5/10