New Music Friday - 25/07/2025

Albums/EPs:

• Alessi Rose - Voyeur
• Kiesza - Dancing and Crying: Vol 2 
• Mabel - Mabel (Mixtape)
• Nova May - ROCKR ROOM

Singles:

• Aliyah's Interlude - Brand New
• Amaarae - Girlie-Pop!
• Audrey Hobert - Wet Hair
• Caity Baser - The Weight Of You (I'm Glad You Died)
• CMAT - EURO-COUNTRY
• Confidence Man & JADE - gossip
• Daniel Avery & Cecile Believe - Rapture in Blue 
• Fcukers - Play Me 
• Guitarricadelafuente & Troye Sivan - midsummer pipe dream  
• Holly Humberstone & Asha Banks - Dive
• Isabel - Delusional 
• Isabel LaRosa - My Girl 
• Jamie XX - Dream Night
• Jennifer Lopez - BIRTHDAY 
• JESSIA - Therapy & Yoga
• Jessy Blakemore - fone sex 
• Jorja Smith - With You
• Lexie Liu - LIKE U
• Lola Young - d£aler
• Maggie Lindemann - one of the ones
• Mariah Carey, Shenseea & Kelhani - Sugar Sweet
• MARINA - I'm Not Hungry Anymore 
• Maren Morris - be a bitch
• Mercer Henderson - Way To Go 
• Peach PRC - Sweet n' Low
• Remember Monday - Happier
• Sam Smith - To Be Free
• Samira - Cardio
• SIENNA SPIRO - You Stole The Show
• Shy Smith - Guilty  
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Dolce Vita
• Willa Owen - 1-800-LOVECLUB
• Yves - white cat

Alessi Rose - Voyeur:

Same Mouth: This really sounds indie pop artist coded to me. The first part of the song is a miss, but I did enjoy the chorus. Catchy and sounds good. 7/10

Take It or Leave It: It's cool that there's those background vocals still. I feel like the chorus is the best part of the song for me again. This is pretty good indie pop honestly. 7/10

Everything Anything: Honestly, pretty similar for this song. It has the same sort of general vibe. It's a good indie pop song, but it's pretty similar to the ones before it. 7/10

Stella: The slow acoustic coded song? It's fine. It's nothing really exceptional. It's just a...slow indie pop song. Okay but nothing too good. 5/10

That Could Be Me: This definitely sounds better and back up to speed. I just don't really have much to say about this project overall because it's pretty standard indie pop really. Sounds good! Not super a fan of the stripped back bridge. 7/10

RIP: Another one of the slower songs that did not really grip me. It's kinda just...there. I feel like she excels more at the faster songs honestly. Also, I'm noticing that her voice sounds like quite a lot of other artists I fear? Oh, it gets some pretty interesting production towards the end. That improved it a fair bit. Definitely back to what works for her. 6/10

Bittersweet: Lots of guitar here. It's not my favourite song but it's not awful. It definitely feels like it's missing something for me though. 6/10

Dumb Girl: Bit of an annoying start. To be fair, it got a lot better and was up to her usual good standards. Another good song to end the project with. A standard indie pop song, but a good one. 7/10

Overall Verdict: Having listened to this project, I don't super get the hype over Alessi Rose? She seems to have a ton of almost cult like support and media saying she's the next big thing. But I don't really get it personally. She makes some good songs, mind. This is a good indie pop debut, with maybe a couple of misses. But I don't really see what makes her stand out or special compared to other indie or alt pop girlies. It feels pretty standard in that regard.

Kiesza - Dancing and Crying: Vol 2:

Stays in Bed: Honestly this is giving me a bit of a Beyoncé, leaning Renaissance vibe. Great dance production, great voice. Fun dance pop! 7/10

Runway (feat. Jaylen Brown): Another fun and boppy song! Not the biggest fan of Jaylen's voice but it's still a good song overall. 7/10

So Erotic (feat. Peaches): The start really reminded me of Erotic Electronic by Slayyyter. Honestly, the songs are not miles apart in general with their electronic production. Great song! Really quite catchy. 8/10

It's My Birthday: I want to forget about my birthday now. 26...it's so over for me this year. Another bop though, so if this is the soundtrack to it, it's not too bad! Good bop overall. 7/10

Ruin My Life: Another decent fun dance type bop! Good song. 7/10

To Die To Sleep: I am writing this when I have to be up at 6am and it's 2am, so...uhhh. Yeah. Feel like I am going to feel like I want to die to sleep. Fun talking at the start. Ohhh, I really like the production here. This is probably my favourite on the project. Really fun production here! LOVED this. It was a longer song but it really didn't feel it. 9/10

Overall Verdict: All in all, a pretty boppy EP! It's a great dance EP. Some great beats and production here, and Kiesza also sounds great. The features were hit and miss for me, but I really enjoyed this project overall. May have to check out more! 

Mabel - Mabel (Mixtape):

January 19: One day before Trump, one month until Mabel's birthday. Back when things were good. It sounds like a good chilled bop honestly. Kinda an abrupt ending though 7/10

Right On Time: The next 4 titles seem remarkably similar, especially the next 3, and I wonder if there's a reason for that. I enjoyed this song. Another chiller bop but it was enjoyable. 7/10

Lay Me Down: Wow, some of those extra beats are a bit trippy. Not sure if I do or don't like that. But overall, still a pretty good song! With this project, I do think Mabel has found what her sound is and should be. My favourite song so far. 7/10

Run Me Down: Nothing really special about this. Pretty similar to the previous songs. Good sound, catchy production, definitely feels like a good Mabel song. Didn't need the piano ending though. 7/10

Turn Me Up: This mixtape is honestly quite impressive to me. It's definitely a big step up from her last album, which had some decent generic dance pop, but wasn't really Mabel. This is some great R&B music. Really catchy, chill and just good all around. 7/10

Venus: Did not expect this. Got a strong electronic element to it. It's definitely the most 'boppy' of all the songs in my view. I enjoyed it though not really any more or less than any of the other songs. So basically, it's good. 7/10

Love Me Gentle: I like those...hits of production. Kieran learn instruments so I can identify what they actually are and not just vaguely describe them. They're in the chorus. Almost like a...piano? If that's what it is, I swear. Anyway, another good song in a similar sort of vein, though more chilled this time. 7/10

Benz (feat. Clavish): Another chilled bop. Clavish is fine but honestly I'd rather just take another full song of Mabel really. Good song overall. 7/10

Is It Love?: A good question. Is it? Let's see if Mabel will help us find out. Honestly, same view of this song as basically every other one. Good song. 7/10

Overall Verdict: This project was very coherent. It had a strong R&B element throughout, lots of chill bops, which I very much enjoyed listening to. It was well made, and it feels like Mabel is back in her element, making music that is actually her rather than what seems like messy forced label decisions. She excels in the R&B lane, and I'm glad to see this project show that once again. All in all, a good mixtape! I do wonder when she'll next release a full proper album though...

Nova May - ROCKR ROOM:

ROCKERISM (Intro): Fun start loading it all up. Always a sucker for a good intro track that sets the scene. I am ready! Already gives really boppy and cunty energy from the intro which is great. Great production here! Hopefully it starts as it means to go on. There's a few lyrics in the song but it's a bit too short for me to consider it a proper song, so no rating. 

STARBOUNCE: Don't like the start of the song. The main parts improve a lot on that, but I feel like I did on first listen -- there's something still missing for me. It is the definition of a song I should really love but there's something blocking me from liking it more, though I do like it. Definitely grew on me compared to last time though so maybe that'll happen some more. I hope so! Also, Nova May, who are you kidding? Maybe you've got a gig at like O2 Academy 3 in Birmingham. Deserved to be the O2 arena though. Still, good song overall. 7/10

BIG FAT MONSTA TRUCK: A bop! I'm definitely feeling this one. Some great electronic and fun production. Really has the cunty bop energy, and that's great. 7/10

TROPICANA BAR: Fun vibes to start this one. And there's the beat, let's goooo. I like the pre-chorus, pretty good production there, love some good electronic/synths vibe. That chorus is CATCHY. Could be my favourite so far honestly. Oh, hell yeah, let's gooo. It definitely is. Oh, the voice in the 2nd verse is a bit...well, there. We'll ignore that. 8/10

POLIZEI: Seems kinda a bit more chill, at least at the start. Maybe won't stay like that. Yep, it didn't. KILLER chorus. BOP, great electronic vibe again. Great outro too. 8/10

WHITE TIGER: Wow, that was high pitched. RIP my ears. Another bop. It's hard not to serve honestly. Another great bop throughout. Infectious, though it's not my favourite on the project. 7/10

GTR: That is not where I expected the chorus to go. It's almost a lot more chill or slower than I expected, despite it not being slow or chill at all. Enjoyable, but again not a favourite of mine. 7/10

Overall Verdict: I could see this project growing on me with a lot more listens, and it's definitely one I intend to listen to more! It has the great boppy and cunty energy I typically like. I still feel like I should like this more than I do, considering Nova May seems like an artist I should love love, but it's great still! Maybe as I said the more listens will help. Love the electronic and general cunty boppy vibes. I just really feel like I should just like it more than I do? 

Singles:

Aliyah's Interlude - Brand New: I feel like I'm about to be gagged. It sounds VERY promising. Me too girl, I feel brand fucking new after listening to this. BOP! 8/10

Amaarae - Girlie-Pop!: Well, who doesn't love a bit of Girlie-Pop? Also, wow is that like a GUN? That's fun production. Gives me a bit of a PinkPantheress vibe here. Ohhhhh, this is catchy! I like this! Great song all around. Stunning bop! Going to be a great album, clearly. 8/10

Audrey Hobert - Wet Hair: The worst feeling on the planet honestly...water GO AWAY. Let's hope the song is better. Seems like a pretty typical alt/indie pop type song so far. It's fine, though nothing special. Nice voice. Does feel like parts of it are trying to cram too many words into one part of the song though. 6/10

Caity Baser - The Weight Of You (I'm Glad You Died): Please, make a good song. I'm begging. The title of this one intrigues me. Ah, it's a very serious song. I feel like I can relate to this one lyrically quite strongly. Although unfortunately *he's* not dead just yet. I still think it doesn't work together as a coherent package. Parts of it feel a bit too...light, maybe, for my liking. Both the production and the vocals. It feels a bit too...in the clouds almost? It's not awful though (well, except that bridge, that was AWFUL). Doesn't help that I don't like Caity's voice generally a lot of the time. 5/10

CMAT - EURO-COUNTRY: Oh my god, it's Irish! That's pretty awesome actually. It's a great way to start the song. This may be one of my favourites on the album so far honestly. It has a chill yet catchy element to it. CMAT's voice fits well, even if there is a more annoying childlike voice. I basically always hate them. Some great passionate vocals here, and the chorus is good too! 7/10

Confidence Man & JADE - gossip: Seems like it will be catchy. It's got a really fun production, very dancey so far. Really liked the chorus especially, that was a standout. It's catchy throughout but that's definitely the best part. Scandalous language, omg, cancel them! Anyway, STUNNING song. 8/10

Daniel Avery & Cecile Believe - Rapture in Blue: I have heard of Cecile Believe, I have not heard of Daniel Avery. So let's see how this is. Pretty decent song overall. I think the vocals are a bit too...distant for me, but otherwise I enjoy it and it's a good song. 7/10

Fcukers - Play Me: I often like repeated vocals like that. Oh, I do not like the contrast between the two different voices. No thanks. Ohhh, okay, we're going pretty traditional dance here with that production. 

Guitarricadelafuente & Troye Sivan - midsummer pipe dream: In My Room was pretty iconic so I'm hoping this will also be a great song. It sounds good to start with! They sound good together, and Troye sounds good as ever. Catchy production! Goooood song. 7/10

Holly Humberstone & Asha Banks - Dive: I never expected to love this as it's a Holly Humberstone song but...I do quite like it. It's a chill bop (more of a bop later!). Works quite well. Oh, Real Housewives cameo and a sample? Iconic. But it should have been Salt Lake City I fear... Anyway, they both sound good! I presume this is a remix of her song called this previously? Not that I can remember what it sounds like because it was so long ago... 7/10

Isabel - Delusional: Can you beat Kesha? I fear that may be happening. I like the production of this song. Chill bop type energy. The quieter bits towards the end were definitely the worst parts of the song. Did not need them. Still, most of it is pretty good! 7/10

Isabel LaRosa - My Girl: This has some good dark pop type energy to it. I like it. Good song, and it fits her well. Nothing exceptional, but pretty good song. 7/10

Jamie XX - Dream Night: Wow, male vocals are crazy. What has the world come to? Pretty good electronic fun dance type vibe though. Enjoyed this, despite the fuzzy male vocals. Wow, that was a long one note. 7/10

Jennifer Lopez - BIRTHDAY: Time for a Happy Birthday song! Wow, that is not really how I suspected this to sound. Almost gives a K-Pop type vibe honestly. It just sounds similar to a lot of K-Pop songs. Some of this is...eh. Some is definitely better though. Not the best, not the worst. 6/10

JESSIA - Therapy & Yoga: The two most important things in life. Okay miss synths. An instant hit for me! I love production like this. It's basically a song designed to appeal to me. It's not super fast but it doesn't have to be. 8/10

Jessy Blakemore - fone sex: Nice voice. But it's an acoustic guitar based ballad type song. So it's fine but not really for me. 6/10

Jorja Smith - With You: Not where I was expecting the song to go considering its start! Fun dance production. Good voice to boot as well. Enjoyed this a fair bit! 7/10

Lexie Liu - LIKE U: A fantastic C-Pop artist I was already introduced to. So far, so good. It's got the characteristics of a good dance pop track so far with that buildup. Good voice. That chorus was really enjoyable. A great song all around, though not a standout for me. 7/10

Lola Young - d£aler: Well, this sounds like it will be annoying. Oh, okay, it does improve. I do like some of the electronic production but it definitely still straddles being annoying. The vocal effects for some of it are just...meh and annoying. BUT parts of it are still catchy. Oh, that was a completely random and abrupt ending. Decent but could be a lot, lot better. 6/10

Maggie Lindemann - one of the ones: Not a song slightly over 2 minutes. Crime! Arrest Maggie! Not the weird pant like noises. Production sounds a bit dirty almost. I like the chorus of this! The rest was okay I suppose. Not too bad overall, but not the best. 6/10

Mariah Carey, Shenseea & Kelhani - Sugar Sweet: Oh, this is going to be on Mariah's album. That's fun. Good chill vibe here. Enjoyable, and they all work well together. Good song, chilled bop. 7/10

MARINA - I'm Not Hungry Anymore: Happy 10 year anniversary to MARINA's best album! Oh, and it's an instant hit and standout track on the album. It fits the general vibe incredibly well. Like, why did we have to wait so long for this? I can see myself replaying this song a lot. Don't super feel the piano part of it though, I can't lie. It works better with the production around that. Still, fantastic song. 8/10 

Maren Morris - be a bitch: Loyal readers can think of one particular person who fits this bill. Not sure the fast pre-chorus really worked too well for me. Definitely not a favourite of mine. It sounds decent, but nothing especially makes me want to return to it. 6/10

Mercer Henderson - Way To Go: Wasn't a fan of it to start with. I do like production that has those...breaks and hits. I don't know if there's a better word for it -- what's happening in the chorus. Okay, in the end, I ended up enjoying this quite a lot, especially that chorus. Good voice. Great song all around. Definitely an artist I will check out more from. 7/10

Peach PRC - Sweet n' Low: The cover art looks like it would be a really sad ballad type song to me honestly. But thankfully it's not! Love the stupid noise to start. It's a classic Peach bop and she is delivering as ever. Enjoyed it! Okay plant based meat queen, I see you. 7/10

Remember Monday - Happier: Well, they're probably happier than on Eurovision results night. That song was certainly not my favourite. Some of these vocals seem...eh. Not a fan of this song so far. Oh, what the hell is that chorus? NO! Go away! BAD and annoying as hell. 3/10

Sam Smith - To Be Free: Is this going back to crying? Probably not going to be majorly for me based on the production but we'll see. Good voice as ever. They never miss in that regard. Yeah, found it kinda boring but also a pleasant listen. The vocals are definitely there, it's just not a song I will return to. Slow in the way I don't really like, especially with the guitar and so on. 6/10

Samira - Cardio: Something I suck at doing and need to start doing more of! I'll do it more if this is the soundtrack. Some great electronic production here! Enjoyed it a lot. 7/10

SIENNA SPIRO - You Stole The Show: Yes, I did. I'm just that iconic. It has a show like intro, which is fun. Oh no, it's the hell piano. It's here. Nice voice though. Powerful voice but this type of music is very much not for me. Good for those who enjoy it though! 6/10

Shy Smith - Guilty: The winner out of the Smiths this week. Much more of a bop! I like its general vibe. I wish I could describe it better. Ahhh, that electronic chorus is REALLY good. Hell yeah! 8/10

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Dolce Vita: Based on the previous singles, this is going to be another great song. The whole vibe of the album so far seems really fun, boppy and dancey. I enjoy that chorus! Just fun all around really. She can rarely miss I fear. Not sure I was the biggest fan of the "da-da-da" parts though. 7/10 

Willa Owen - 1-800-LOVECLUB: Let me call the number! Who knows what will happen? Oh I did not like those background vocals at the start of the song. And we're going more...chill? Okay. Not what I expected but sure. Bit less chill and sounds quite good during the chorus, though too much of it is not words. The 1-800-LOVECLUB chanting can go though. It's a good song mostly though! 7/10

Yves - White cat: Fun production here! Fairly catchy. It's quite electronic with almost like...cutesy game type noises? Oh, I really like the production of that chorus. The vocals are what is letting it down a bit for me...I'm not a huge fan. 7/10