The Six Song Playlist Everyone Needs

I am constantly after new music, I get bored rather quickly. The only problem with this is that I find it hard to find new music for me to love. I wouldn't say I have a criteria, but it does have to move me; either physically or emotionally, all the awards to the songs that can do both. Normally I heavily rely on a friend to introduce me to new music, but this time I went out there and discovered some beauties myself.

Fifth Harmony - Write On Me

I have made it no secret that I love a girl group, Fifth Harmony are killing it right now. They have recently developed into a mature sound with 'Work From Home' and 'Worth It' and I am a huge fan, but for their latest single they took a step back from the thumping bass and delivered a beautiful ballad. On this song you can hear the talents of all five of the girls, Lauren in particular sticks out for me. It is just a beautiful song.

Beyoncé - Freedom

First of all a quick standing ovation for an amazing album, she did it again. It has now been a few weeks since we were gifted 'Lemonade' and my favourites from the album are starting to filter through and are been listened to more than the others. Right now my favourite on the album has to be 'Freedom' - it is stonking tune about just that, Freedom. Kendrick Lamar's verse on it is perfect, Bey's vocals are more raw and husky as she sings about fighting for herself - it is just the most perfect power song. I can't help but get angry whilst listening to it, miming the house down and punching walls. 

Alessia Cara - I'm Yours

Many know this talented singer/songwriter from her breakout hit 'Here' last year. I know I did, and I became intrigued. So onto YouTube I went and searched for a few more songs. I stumbled on to 'I'm Yours' and I haven't looked back. This is such a beautiful love song about letting someone in when you have been damaged by a past relationship. Her vocals are on point and there is a beat in the background that will have you bopping in your computer desk chair (or that could just be me). The video is kind of adorable aswell. 

Bibi Bourelly - Ego

This talented lady has been on the scene for a few minutes and none of us even realised. She has written songs for Rihanna (including the floor filler 'Bitch Better Have My Money') and Selena Gomez, she was featured on a Lil' Wayne song and also an Usher song. Not bad for a 21 year old German lass. She was one of the treasured links on YouTube under the 'Recommended for you' tab, and boy did the viral video gods get it right. Her vocals are stunning, imagine Rihanna and Sia had a vocal baby. Her writing skills are off the charts, I am going to assume english isn't her first language so to me that makes it even more impressive. I really hope big things are on the horizon for her. 

Halsey - Castle

I have been in love with her voice for some time now, her album is stellar and she is growing on me more and more everyday. I was flicking through some trailers on YouTube when I stumbled on the new one for that Huntsman film, and I realised I recognised the music - it was goddamn Halsey! This song had somehow slipped me by on the album, I knew it but I think it was one I skipped in favour of other songs -  I am ashamed of myself. The song has been slightly remixed for the film and it has become even more anthemic (which is what I require from a lot of my music). The video is beautiful and has given me major jaw envy - that might just be my issue. I like this music to play when I am walking anywhere, especially stairs; give it a listen and you will agree. You can't help but raise your chin and slowly walk towards your destination when this song is punching you in your ears. 

Chloe X Halle - Drop

These girls have the biggest stamp of approval any living person could have, they are signed to Beyoncé's Parkwood Entertainment label. Yes Beyoncé has put her money on these girls. And I can completely see why she has. These young ladies are incredibly talented and unique. Starting out just releasing covers on YouTube, they are now fully fledged artists in their own right. I didn't know what to expect when I clicked on their first original song - I was most pleasantly surprised to discover a modern, slow jam, R'n'B, rap song. They are experimenting with a new sound and I am excited to see what happens next.  

What I am currently listening to (what you should be listening to)

I haven't done a new music post in some time. Mainly because when I find music I like I will play it to death, I will learn all the words, ad libs and if required, signature arm movements - so there wasn't much new music around. However, recently I have allowed new music in to my life. Now let me give a quick pre-warning - this won't all be new 2015 music, some of it is actually decades old. So lets go.

The star of my teenage dreams finally released a new album! We only had to wait eight years, but it was worth it. The album is filled with pop juice mixed with some club beats and a dash of indie thrown in for good measure. Particular favourites would include 'Night Like This', 'Confetti' and 'Sparks'. For all you fact hunters, Ed Sheeran wrote a song for Hilary, it is called 'Tattoo' and it's beautiful. 

Nina Simone was always one of those artists for me that I knew was there but I never gave her a listen. She had so many classics that some people may not even know it was her, I know I didn't. Then one day last week I was looking for something new to watch on Netflix, I really wanted to watch a documentary but didn't mind the content. And there it was - 'What Happened Miss Simone?', I clicked on it and never looked back. She had such a fascinating life, highs and lows, a true trailblazer with a complicated story. The best part for me was the soundtrack, it introduced me to so many songs I now hold dear. Particular favourites are 'Don't let me be misunderstood' and 'Ain't got no - I got life'. She wrote and sang with such passion and purpose, she is a legend for a reason.

I have a deep love and respect for the girl bands of the world. So many have come and gone so I constantly have to look for my next fix - step forward Fifth Harmony. They have been on my radar for some time but this year is definitely their year. I am so happy that the UK gave them their highest chart entry anywhere in the world with 'Worth It'. They are fun, and what is wrong with that? We have people in this world that need their music to be taken seriously. I ask them why? Can't we just dance, sing some simple lyrics and live the dream for a minute or two. This album is full of pop, R'n'B, Hip Hop and slap your mother powerful vocals. Skip to 'Bo$$', 'Worth it', 'Like Mariah' and 'Brave Honest Beautiful'.

It does seem that as soon as a season of "RuPaul's Drag Race' ends we get an ensue of Drag Queen albums. Some are forgettable but some stand out. Fan favourite Alaska Thunderfuck 3000 is one of them, this album doesn't feel rushed. It seems like time was taken to complete a vision, she should be insanely proud of this. Yes, it is filled with sexual lyrics, may make some people uncomfortable - but to love Alaska is to love her personality. Her album is called 'Anus' for god's sake - you can't be shocked at the content. Personal favourites are of course 'Your makeup is terrible' and 'Hieee'. 

I found myself wondering where the hell Mike Posner was a while back. He sang 'Cooler than me' and a verse on Cher Lloyd's 'With Ur Love' and then nothing else seemed to happen. Then one day I was scrolling through Perezhilton.com and who do I see, Mr Posner himself. He has released an EP called 'The Truth' and my days does he tell the truth - starting with the single 'I Took a Pill in Ibiza'. It is an honest story about his time at the top and the demise as he found himself living in his own shadow. It is heartbreakingly sad. However there is an uplifting tune by the name of 'Be As You Are'. I find this refreshing as you will rarely hear this type of song sang by a male. It is beautiful, and be warned it will make you want to hug your mother. 

After the major success of 'King', Years and Years had a lot to live up to. And in my non-professional opinion they did. This album isn't filled with club anthems, there is a lot of heart. Just listen to the lyrics of certain songs. I love this album, I feel as though Ellie Goulding could sing any of these songs and I wouldn't be mad about that at all. Particular favourites include 'Ready For You', 'Shine' and 'Without'.  Olly Alexander's voice knocks me out. 

I am seriously in love with this girl's voice. Take a bit of Cher Lloyd and pour Ellie Goulding over it and you might get a sense of what her voice sounds like. Her songs are powerful pop rock anthems. I stumbled across her on someone else's blog, I mean the song was called 'I'm gonna show you crazy' so you know I was going to give it a listen - best choice I have made in a long time. It opened the flood gates to all of these other amazing songs she has written and recorded - did you know she wrote the chorus to 'Monster'? It is actually a full song and Eminem just sampled the chorus (the full song is better in my opinion), and you know that song 'Hey Mama' you have been singing along to for last couple of months? Well this is who is singing the chorus, not Nicki Minaj! How good is her voice please?

My Top 10 Girl Bands - Worldwide Edition

I recently wrote my Top 10 British Girl girl bands, and I was racked with guilt that I completely discredited the music of the non British folk.  There is such a variety of girl bands out there, past and present, and I feel as lover of them all I should impart my knowledge. Plus you never know, I may introduce you to the next song you skip to when you mistakenly put your music on shuffle and regret it. I am not going to put them in a top 10 because I have picked quite a pick and mix of genres. We have country, K-Pop, rock, R'n'B, pop and hip hop to get through, so lets get going.

Destiny's Child

I fell in love with these ladies the second I heard the word 'no' repeated 3 times in rapid succession. They came out at the time that slow jams of the 90's was deteriorating and pop was coming back. They captured both the audiences and went on to sell over 60 million records. Yes, we all know the lame jokes about line up changes (they only had 3 line ups, and 6 girls in total!) but the music never lost quality. We have girl power anthems after girl power anthems. I had the honour of seeing the ladies on their final tour and they were outstanding (Michelle is seriously underappreciated). For any nay sayers out there, if it wasn't for Destiny's Child we wouldn't have Beyonce where she is now, so respect that. 

The Veronicas

I couldn't step away from Destinys Child more if I tried. We have taken a quick trip to Australia and found two beautifully talented twins by the names of Lisa and Jess Origliassio. I, for some reason, resonate with twin acts, been a twin myself I always champion other twins. However, take away whether they share a womb or not these girls are perfection. They created some of my favourite albums of all time, rocked my world twice in Manchester and basically supplied my soundtrack for last few years. They had some issues with their record label but they are back and better then ever. I'm a Veronica.

2NE1

So South Korea do things a little differently, this amazingly talented band didn't just come together by chance; they were hired and had four years training before releasing their debut song in 2009. Boy, did it pay off. They exploded on to the scene, becoming the face of K-Pop and churned out hit after hit. Yes, their songs are mainly in their native tongue but they have recorded some english versions - plus their choruses are predominantly english. However, for some reason it doesn't matter that they don't sing in english - the talent shines through and their videos are spectacular. And their fashion? Forget about it - flawless.

Pussycat Dolls

Hey! Don't argue with me here! I am fully aware this girl band was basically Nicole and her dancers - I don't care. That is what they were paid to do and god damn it they did it well! I love the Pussycat Dolls. They are pop perfection. Everyone knows the words to 'Don't cha', everyone wishes they had the flexibility of a doll and everyone should respect what they did. There is a reason they are the fourth biggest selling girl group of all time with more than 54 million albums sold from only two albums recorded. They sold more than The Supremes, En Vogue and Sugababes combined. These ladies are a guilty pleasure that actually I don't feel guilty about at all.

Pistol Annies

What happens when you combine three talented country singers? Magic, thats what. These ladies decided to join forces for two albums and they are perfect albums to say the least. Don't look any further when you want to find country goodness, great lyrics and vocals that could only be compared to the greatest. I was saddened that they decided to call it quits after only 3 singles and 2 albums. They are for sure on my bucket list for live acts I have to see. For now I will have to listen to them separately and pray to Jesus for a reunion. 

Salt-N-Pepa

First of all let me get this off my chest, I never quite understood why they completely discredited Spinderella in the title of this band, but whatever - I'm guessing her accountant isn't too mad about it. These ladies were ahead of their time, a trio of ladies in the hip-hop world was unheard of, they were true trailblazers. They rapped and sung about things that most women shied away from, they weren't afraid and they have been celebrated for it ever since. It is my dream to be able to rap 'Shoop' word for word one day. 'Whatta Man' is such an iconic song and is often sang by myself when by myself - its just one of those songs you have to belt out once in your life.

TLC

When I mentioned earlier about having a bucket list for live acts, these ladies top it. I have been a massive fan for as long as I can remember. They never got the attention they deserved over here and that really upset me, of course everyone knows 'No Scrubs' but they were so much more than that. I could sit here and list every great song they did, but I would literally be listing every song on record. They never faltered. Devastated wasn't the word when I heard of Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopez's passing. It was probably the first time I had experienced a non relative death that affected me. However she left a legacy that can never be beaten, the original and the best. TLC have pledged to make one more album and I pray to all the saints that I get to go see them on tour- I need closure god damn it.

Haim

I have never felt that an album was written with me in mind more than I thought theirs was. Every song touched me in a very inappropriate way. I just fell as soon as I heard them. Then to see who was singing this music from the heavens made it even better. These beautiful sisters, who all played their own instruments, wrote their own songs and had a style every girl was envious of  had this amazing album. And I will be forever proud that us Brits made it number one!! Well deserved. I had the amazing honour of seeing these ladies live, thanks to my gorgeous friend who bought me tickets for my birthday. I wasn't expecting the emotional response that I had - when they played 'My Song 5' I didn't know what was happening, I was in a trance, yet very in the moment. That will stick with me for a while.

Danity Kane

Oh what these girls could have been. Why couldn't they put their differences away for the sake of the music. They were put together on Diddy's MTV show 'Making the Band', they recorded two number one albums (a record they set for american girl bands), released great r'n'b/pop singles and could put on a hell of a show. Their vocals were unmatched at the time. Unfortunately they just didn't get on, whether it be with their management, with Diddy or even with each other. They were going to make a comeback this year, but apparently they couldn't even sit in a recording studio without one of them clocking the other around the back of the head. We will always have what they released but I will always want more.

Fifth Harmony

These ladies have filled the hole left by The Saturdays for me. They are pop perfection. Every song they have released I have had a solo bop to. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the music of these talented women. They were formed on The X Factor US and have become the stand out stars of the show - and they didn't even win, go figure. This is just the beginning for them and I see big things. They are five normal lasses given a chance by the big guy Simon Cowell. Camilla's voice alone is one for the books, so special and unique. Listen to 'Bo$$' and lie to me that you didn't shimmy that body. 

Notable Mentions

En Vogue

The Supremes

SWV

Wilson Phillips

The Go Gos

Girls Generation

Wonder Girls

Girlicious

t.A.T.u

No Angels

Pointer Sisters

B*Witched

The Cheetah Girls

GRL

The Runaways

Those Dancing Days

Return Of The Girlbands

For a while it seemed like Little Mix and The Saturdays were having to hold the fort down when it came to girlbands. However we can now all take a joint sigh of relief - we have some more girlbands breaking through. There has always been a hole in the music industry where girlbands just couldn't make the cut. Ever since the Spice Girls, Sugababes, Pussycat Dolls, Destiny's Child and Girls Aloud all left us to fend for ourselves we have needed a group of females to come out and kick the boyband's arses. Little Mix and The Saturdays have done a dame good job but they need a little help. And lets face it, The Saturday's next album is a Greatest Hits, this is normally the beginning of the end. They will say that they are going on a break and we all know what that means. The Spice Girl's break lasted 7 years and they only came back with one single and one tour, Girls Aloud's break lasted 3 years and they only came back with one single and one tour and Destiny's Child's break is currently on it's 7th year. 

So now we have a bunch of new ladies ready to take the stage. I have shortlisted 4 girlbands that I am quite excited about. Lets go -

Neon Jungle

This british 4 piece have already made waves with two singles in the top 10 and a 3rd released this week already in the iTunes top 10. I like these girls because they have an edge about them. They aren't singing your generic pop music, they have more of a dubstep vibe about them. Although saying that my favourite song so far is 'Louder', its a pop ballad that really showcases their voices. And yes, all four of them can sing. I was a bit unsure of them when I first heard them with their song 'Trouble' as I wasn't quite sure why they were shouting at me, but I have warmed to them in a big way and I am very excited for their album.

M.O

Another british band we should be taking notice of. Once again they are taking a step away from the happy pop music and they are bringing a more urban vibe. I first heard them as a soundtrack on a TV show and had to find the song instantly. The song was 'Ain't Got Time', the chorus was so catchy and I guarantee that with one listen you will be singing the words as you walk around town. The single didn't do great in the charts but I am happy to say it hasn't stopped them, they are releasing new music and videos as I type.

Fifth Harmony

You may already know who these are as they were finalists in last years The X Factor US. They were put together on the show after all auditioning solo, and what a great idea it was (except maybe Camila, she kind of shines on her own). I fell in love with their voices straight after hearing them sing Shontelle's 'Impossible' - if you get the chance YouTube it. They released a couple of songs after leaving that were extremely pop and sold them to a tween market. However their latest single 'Bo$$' is showing some growth, some may argue too much growth but at the end of the day they aren't stepping on Miley's toes with this song - its fun, very powering for a female and a good time.

GRL

I can almost guarantee that you have heard these ladies sing, or at least one of them. These are the five girls singing behind Pitbull in his song 'Wild Wild Love' and the blonde lady is the singer on LMFAO's single 'Party Rock Anthem'. However they no longer have Feat. infront of their names and they have released music on their own. There has been a lot of comparison to the Pussycat Dolls - it's an easy one to make as they have the same creator, Miss Robin Antin. And to be honest I don't think they should be judged for this, the Pussycat Dolls are no longer around so why not bring 5 fresh faces to come and fill the void. They are fun and I absolutely love their latest single 'Ugly Heart'. I have a feeling these grl's will be around for a bit, I mean Britney Spears has already given her approval and who are we to argue with Queen Pop herself.