Madrugada - the kids are on high street, 2005

"The Deep End is majestic beast of a record, even by Madrugada's not-too-humble standards. This album, their fourth since their 1999 debut, managed to establish them as an award-winning, platinum-selling thinking man's arena rock band in their native Norway. Think a rockier, darker version of R.E.M. circa 1992. The first track is the instant classic "The Kids Are on High Street," a slow but grand epic where Sivert Høyem sings in a slightly higher pitch than his usually bassy croon, giving the vocals newfound intensity and urgency. Its huge guitar leads are of the epic Western movie variety, producing an almost cinematic feel. There are also several great soulful ballads here, using Høyem's compelling voice to great effect. The el-piano and slide guitar-driven "Sail Away" is a good example of this; even better is the aptly titled "The Lost Gospel," a slow-burner whose sound is dominated by a beautifully played Hammond organ and tremolo guitar, making it possibly one of Madrugada's finest recorded moments to date."

Harpers Bizarre - the drifter, 1968

"Harpers Bizarre's third album continued their mildly eccentric soft rock direction, remaining as mildly eccentric ever, but growing ever softer. In truth, this skirts adult contemporary Muzak almost as it does anything that could be considered rock music, and is rather a dark day in the annals of sunshine pop."

Ian Van Dahl - castles in the sky, 2000

"Castles in the Sky" is a song by Belgian music project Ian Van Dahl from their debut album, Ace (2002). The vocalist is Belgian singer Marsha, who also co-wrote the song. The single was released in Europe in 2000 and the United Kingdom in 2001. The song was a modest success in mainland Europe and was a hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the Scottish Singles Chart for two weeks."

The KLF - no more tears, 1991

"of course comes the first proper commercial album from KLF, The White Room. A combination of hearty dance hits like 'Last Train To Transcentral', '3 AM' and 'What Time Is Love' with more ethereal material like 'No More Tears', an Ambient reggae House cut, balancing the mix. By throwing in bits of the Big Country theme and space invaders sounds, and with the gorgeous voice of Maxine Harvey topping the mix, KLF have finally come out of their corner fighting, with a commercial album whose production values are up there with those of Prince and Madonna."

Thom Yorke - suspirium, 2018

"There's a way of repeating in music that can hypnotise. I kept thinking to myself that it's a form of making spells. So when I was working in my studio I was making spells. I know it sounds really stupid, but that's how I was thinking about it."

Devine And Statton - don't it make my brown eyes blue cover, 1989

"In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #109 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking."

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - heart in your heartbreak, 2011

"The music consists of a fuzzy blur with the consistency and effect of caffeine coated adderal, but somehow it transmits itself into becoming much more than that. It almost seems to be conflicted with an awful case of 59 sound-it-is, because no matter how many hooks they try, no hook falls flat, no matter how many cliché’s they pump into their music, it all sounds fresh, and goddamn it, by the end of the month, this entire album is just going to sound anthemic."

Phil Collins - it's in your eyes, 1996

"It's in Your Eyes" is a single performed by Phil Collins and released in 1996 as the second single from his album Dance into the Light. A Beatles-esque melody, both melodically and lyrically - closing mirroring the Beatles song, "Any Time at All", the song only reached #30 UK Singles Chart and fared worse on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, reaching #77. However, the song did reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart."

The Style Council - have you ever had it blue extended version, 1986

"I got back to my record player, took the disk out of its sleeve, put the record on the turntable and prepared to be rocked with Mod power! After the song was over, I sat there bewildered. Something wasn't right. I re-played 'Have You Ever Had It Blue?' just to make sure. Yup, either my record needle was busted or the LP sleeve was mislabeled because this didn't sound like anything Paul Weller would have been involved with."

The Legends - there and back again, 2023

“There and Back Again” is the type of break-up song that will have you dancing with a smile on your face. The Legends have become the masters of low-fi garage/twee. Hand claps and a persistent string of tambourines are thrown in amidst distorted vocals and guitars. Each song is crafted so that with each listen a new aspect is brought forth–be it the barely audible backup vocals on the chorus or the punchy organ during the verses. The distortion in the earlier Legends work of frontman Johan Angergård (Club 8, Poprace, Acid House Kings) brings out the lo-fi and the garage sounds and takes a little getting-used-to, but after a few listens the underlying strength behind each song will become vividly apparent."

Damon Albarn - polaris, 2021

“I took some of these realtime, extreme elemental experiences and then tried to develop more formal pop songs with that as my source. I wanted to see where that would take me. Sometimes it took me down to Uruguay and Montevideo. Other times I went to Iran, Iceland or Devon. With travel being curtailed, it was kind of nice to be able to make a record that put me strangely in those places for a moment or two.”

Fleur Electra - your darling, 2023

"With layered and atmospheric synths topped with shimmering vocals and punchy alt-pop soundscapes, Fleur Electra is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, producer, and performer. Evoking dreamy emotions in her music, Fleur Electra crafts an introspective and imaginative experience for listeners, gently reshaping the sonic experience within her own sound."

The Beatles - i need you, 1965

"The song has characteristics typical of Harrison's writing style in its syncopated melody line and melodic idiosyncrasy. According to author Ian Inglis, "its rhythmic and tonal structures clearly identify this as a Harrison song, but it is also, indisputably, a Beatles song."

The Mary Onettes - easy hands, 2023

“After quite a long time being artistically a bit unsatisfied ‘Easy Hands’ came to life when I realized that making art is really who I am. I can’t escape from it. But In order to keep making art I need to be nice to myself. That’s the core of the lyrics behind ‘Easy Hands'”

The Housemartins - caravan of love cover, 1986

"British indie band the Housemartins released "Caravan of Love" in November 1986. The a cappella song was a success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart on 16 December 1986 (only the second a cappella recording to do so, after "Only You" by the Flying Pickets in 1983), before being denied the Christmas number one single by a posthumous re-release of Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite". The song was an international hit reaching the top 3 in several countries, including no.1 in Ireland and Sweden. It is included on the Housemartins' greatest hits compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good."

The Style Council - down in the seine, 1985

"One reason Paul Weller's rock and roll never convinced non-Brits was his reedy voice, which he has no trouble bending to the needs of the fussy phonographic cabaret he undertook so quixotically and affectedly after retiring the Jam. I'm sure the move has cost him audience, but the new format suits the specifics of his socialism."

The Radio Dept - sloboda narodu live, 2017

"Sloboda Narodu, a sunrise meditation track, starts out the album heralding in bongos and warm guitars. We hear front-man Johan Duncanson’s nasally voice for the first time, layered over crashing acoustic guitar patterns. There’s a wonderful repetition of guitar bursts, and some interesting keyboard work that make this opener particularly memorable."

The Beatles - i saw her standing there, 1963

"McCartney first worked out the chords and arrangement on an acoustic guitar at the family home of his Liverpool friend and fellow musician Rory Storm on the evening of 22 October 1962. Two days later, McCartney was writing lines for the song during a visit to London with his then-girlfriend Celia Mortimer, who was seventeen at the time herself. The song was completed about a month later at McCartney's Forthlin Road home in collaboration with Lennon and performed as part of their set in December 1962 in the Star-Club in Hamburg. It is also possible John Lennon had more to contribute than has been reported since there is more than one photo of both John & Paul working on the song with guitars in hand taken by Michael McCartney. John very likely contributed some chord ideas as well since he was already actively writing songs on his own by late 1962."

My Morning Jacket - rocket man cover, 2004

"Editor’s comment: The original Rocket Man, written and performed by Elton John, does not appeal to me nearly as much as this softer, more melodic version. Favorite lyric: “Rocket Man is burning up his fuse up hear alone.”

Renaissance - kalynda a magical isle, 1979

"Just as the narrator finds solace in Kalynda, I discovered my own magical haven where the outside world faded away, leaving only the pure essence of my existence. It was a place where I could be authentically and unapologetically myself. As I grew older, life carried me away from those shores, but the memories of that sanctuary remained etched in my heart. They became a guiding light, reminding me of the importance of seeking out my own personal Kalynda amidst the chaos of life. It’s a constant reminder to find that place where I can be still, look beyond what is transient, and reconnect with my most authentic self. Through “Kalynda (A Magical Isle),” Renaissance takes us on a metaphorical journey of self-discovery, urging us to find solace in the uncertain. Life’s incessant changes and unexpected twists can leave us feeling unmoored and adrift. Yet, within the depths of our souls, lies the power to create our own islands of refuge – our very own Kalynda."