Back catalogue: Pop

Review: It's hard to believe ABBA's third album is 50 years old this year and S.O.S. was one of the slef titled LP's most successful and distinctive moments. The song helped solidify the Swedish quartet's exciting blend of catchy pop and disco, as well as - absolutely true - providing the Sex Pistols with the intro for punk classic 'Pretty Vacant'. This period correct picture disc 7" celebrates one of their most iconic singles, backed with beloved album cut Man In 'The Middle' here.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


The 5 Seconds of Summer (10th Anniversary Edition) is a nostalgic celebration of the band's pop-rock origins, the infectious melodies and energetic rock vibes that marked their rise to fame. Featuring classic hits like 'She Looks So Perfect' and 'Amnesia', the latter showcasing their versatility with its stripped-down acoustic sound, while deeper cuts like 'Voodoo Doll' and 'End Up Here' remind listeners of the band's growth over the years. 'Kiss Me, Kiss Me' stands out with its infectious energy and the live arrangements add an extra layer of excitement to the song's performances. This anniversary edition not only revisits the chart-topping hits but also reminds listeners of the enduring quality of the entire album. This album became the soundtrack of countless lives, particularly during the mid-2010s and this picture disc is a great added touch to the package for fans.

Review: Abba's self-titled third album marked a creative and commercial turning point for the group; released in 1975, it was their first full-length following the breakthrough historic romance hit 'Waterloo', and the moment they cemented a sound that would dominate pop for years. Packed with high-drama hooks and refulgent production, the album of course also includes 'Mamma Mia' and 'SOS', both early experiments in the theatrical, harmony-rich style that would define the long-form productions of Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. With newly remastered audio cut at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road, we've two new inclusions: kitsch singalong gem 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do' and glam-leaning opener 'So Long'.

Review: Indeed, The Energy never does seem to die; The Black Eyed Peas' era-defining dance-pop and EDM record The E.N.D. is receiving yet another UMR reissue, this time on gatefold vinyl, breathing freshened life into such enduring cheese bangers as 'Boom Boom Pow', 'I Gotta Feeling', 'Imma Be' and 'Meet Me Halfway'. A significant departure from the Peas' previous albums, which were more mawkish and hip-hop intoned, The E.N.D. heard the band veer full cyberpunk and 'tronic, riffing on still-hot Y2K fervours even after ten full years into the century. We gotta feeling: the night you cop this reissue will be a good night, one tinged with childhood nostalgia (and a surprising rediscovery that the beats on this thing bang much, *much* harder than our older, sophist's ears might have first expected).

Review: Mariah Carey's tenth studio album stages a triumphant reclamation, not just of her voice but her autonomyicreatively, emotionally, and professionally. Rooted in Atlanta's crunk renaissance and steeped in New York r&b melodrama, it cuts through the excess of early-2000s pop with a steely sense of control. 'It's Like That' sets the tone: sharp, percussive, almost defiant. But it's 'We Belong Together' that cements the comeback, all tightly-wound longing and near-whispered devastation, sounding like midnight heartbreak on Hot 97. Neptunes collaborations 'Say Somethin'' and 'To the Floor' stretch her sound into slicker, clubbier territory, but never lose grip. Even on the gospel closer 'Fly Like a Bird', she dials back the melisma, letting space and breath do the work. From the brushed-off dismissal of 'Shake It Off' to the midnight crawl of 'Mine Again', there's a considered minimalism throughoutirestraint not as limitation but as liberation. Freed from industry baggage and tabloid distortion, Carey reasserts herself with quiet mastery, sounding not just back but unbothered, undefeated and utterly in control.

Review: Conan Gray revisits the corvine world of his 2020 debut, with three new bonuses as well as new cover art hand-drawn by Gray himself. Among them is 'Bed Rest', a previously unreleased song written during the original album sessions: Gray describes it as a time capsulate presciently mirroring his present state of mind, five years on. Then there're the two live versions: 'Heather (Lost Verse Version)' and 'The Cut That Always Bleeds', both of which provide subtle indication of the upward trajectory, though its maximal vintage pop stylings are kept intact . Kid Krow originally marked Gray's shift from bedroom pop phenom to breakout singer-songwriter; now the expanded edition lands beside a digital release, with physical preorders closing the loop on the very record that launched his career into orbit.

Review: By the time Heart reentered the studio to record their self-titled eighth album for Capitol, their commercial momentum seemed to be fading. Early successes, such as Dreamboat Annie and its three follow-ups, had all climbed to the Billboard Top 20, but 1982's Private Audition and 1983's Passionworks struggled to crest so highly, the latter especially failing to go gold, marking the end of their contract with Epic. Tough bargains all round! Yet, signs of resurgence emerged: the band drew fresh traction from the Passionworks single 'Almost Paradise' after it was featured in the film Footloose, motivating the follow-up record Heart. Hard hair rock and arena-bound glam metal are distilled down to an essential T here, kicking off with the medusan 'If Looks Could Kill' before moving into the Lynn Wilson lead-up ballad 'What About Love'.

Review: Hozier's 'Take Me To Church' was the ineluctable indie pop staple of 2013, finding the Irish singer-songwriter explore gothic and religious themes, bringing a confessional feel to a tired relationship amid intrafaith discrimination. This was despite short shrift for Hozier himself, where at the time, Hozier's queerness unfairly barred him from full participation in life as an orthodox Catholic. With a turbulent music video complementing the song, Hozier's accompanying album was sure to ignite the sympathies and passions of many an indie rock fan, cementing the artist's career and earning him several nominations. This new reissue from UMR sheds light on that same moment over a full decade on.

Review: Dedicated from May 2019 is a shimmering, synth-pop gem that builds on the emotional depth of previous album Emotion while refining Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen's signature sound. Packed with all the infectious hooks, lush production and heartfelt lyrics you would expect from a pop album, it also offers euphoric dancefloor anthems (such as 'Now That I Found You', 'Want You in My Room') with introspective, melancholic moments on 'Too Much' and 'The Sound'. Jepsen's knack for capturing love's highs and lows with sincerity and charm makes Dedicated an irresistible listen packed with playful grooves and 80s-inspired beats as well as joyful and bittersweet emotions.

Review: In light of the latest Bridget Jones flick comes Bridget Jones's Diary: The Mixtape, a curated collection of unforgettable tracks from the beloved film series. Released alongside the fictional, happy-go-lucky 30-come-50-something's latest film, Mad About The Boy, this mixtape celebrates the final chapter in Bridget's story. Expect Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, and Ed Sheeran, facilitating a ride through love, laughter, and respite, as we watch the unforgettable Renee Zellweger portray a relatable conjuration of wit and error.

Review: Moana is one of the modern day classic animations. A powerful and empowering tale with a female lead who bows to no one. The second instalment in the series had a lot to live up to and didn't fall short, and the soundtrack to it is just as filled with fun as the first with another wave of enchanting melodies and powerful anthems capturing the spirit of adventure and Polynesian heritage. This collection blends traditional instruments, soaring vocals and modern rhythms to tell Moana's next chapter and features contributions from returning talents like Lin-Manuel Miranda alongside fresh voices. From heart-pounding oceanic themes to reflective ballads, the soundtrack dives deep into themes of self-discovery, courage and connection and is a great celebration of Polynesian culture and storytelling.