The tracks that close the year on a high.

 

Zola Blood – Islands

As good as upbeat tracks are, sometimes there is just no beating a well-composed moody electro-indie stomper. Islands is a beautiful example of this, with Zola Blood combining shimmering guitars with retro-feel synths for a killer single that gives Two Door Cinema Club a run for its money. This single will transport you to a secluded location of unparalleled beauty, drifting away slowly.

Read the full review here.

 

Ava Lake – Do Your Thing

Nailing a strong pop feel is becoming easier and easier. What remains difficult, however, is capturing a soul sound properly. That is unless you happen to be Ava Lake, whose latest offering Do Your Thing is a flawlessly modern soul-pop single that embodies the spirit of Iggy Azalea into a sound that is infectious, radio-friendly and naturally powerful.

Read the full review here.

 

Golden Coast – Make Ya Move

In a year weighed down with darkness, misery, negativity and tragedy, what the world needs is a song that is infectious and effortlessly uplifting. Cue Make Ya Move, arguably the most upbeat single of recent years. Golden Coast combine fun-feeling rhythms with a joyful vocal for a track that is the epitome of pop pleasure.

Read the full review here.

 

XYLØ – Get Closer

Epic, atmospheric, winding electropop glory. While the tone might be darker than some listeners may like, XYLØ‘s latest single makes a bold step forward for songwriters by re-positioning the narrator in a time-tested tumultuous relationship scenario. It’s cool, confident and the most empowering song about romantic troubles of 2016.

Read the full review and watch the music video here.

 

George Morris – 100 Years

What do you get if you surgically combine St Vincent, Radiohead, Ziggy-era Bowie and early Mansun? The answer is George Morris, or at least this single. It is a glam-inspired mash up of alt-rock and synthpop, making glam a respectable music genre once more.

Read the full review here.