Welcome back to the Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the last few weeks. This selection takes in two very different sounding pop bangers from emerging artists from opposite ends of the globe, a very knowing synth based track from a familiar name, a cover tune from a prolific, well known act…and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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A quarter of a century ago, Modesty Blaise released a self titled album full of retro pop gems that took cues from various touchstones from the past, including The Beach Boys and The Zombies, and recycled them with love. A second record, ‘Melancholia’ improved on the formula, and at its best, the record flaunted a huge budget and equally big hooks. In terms of that kind of musical pilfering, Jellyfish became absolutely worshipped in the power pop community, and by comparison, Modesty Blaise have sort of become also-rans. That deserves to change.
At the beginning of 2025, funk and pop duo DIZZY! released the ‘Hot Mess’ EP, sharing four tracks of well produced, soulful material that really captured a mood that seemed set to soundtrack the summer. The music, drawing influence from various corners of 70s and 80s soul and pop, was pin-sharp, but the material really came into its own when shining a light on DIZZY!’s vocal blend. David and Izzy Gruner’s vocals were obviously a natural fit with each other, with Izzy’s brighter tones sharing an especially pleasing tone. Despite featuring just four tracks, the EP was genuinely varied: the DNA from Lenny Kravitz’s ‘It Ain’t Over ’It’s Over’ could be found on the stand out cut ‘Bitter’; a great blend of pop and soul showed off the duo’s more buoyant side on the brilliant ‘Mess’ and ‘Crybaby’, while ‘Too Late’ even teased with lounge jazz.
Shannon Smith’s breakthrough single, 2023’s ‘Dance The Night Away’ introduced the Australian singer songwriter in fantastic style. The track’s upbeat nature, driven by stabbing keys, bright horns and a shamelessly infectious, wordless chorus presented a near perfect homage to the AM radio sounds of the past. It would have been easy for him to follow that with something equally uplifting, but instead, he chose to explore moody balladry and country influences on the tracks that followed.
In October 2024, Gustaffson released ‘On Broadway’, a brilliantly theatrical single that fused muted guitar parts with a waltzing time signature and a crooned vocal to create something that brought a fantastic twist to the world of adult pop. More than style over substance, the single also ultilised a huge yet simple hook to make the track even more memorable.