Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Two decades have now passed since the release of Back To Bedlam, James Blunt's debut album. Initially a flop, the set rocketed up the charts following the success of single 'You're Beautiful' - still the former soldier's most recognised song - and went on to become one of the biggest-selling albums of the noughties. Blunt has naturally decided to celebrate the album's 20th birthday, with this expanded anniversary edition providing a wonderfully remastered edition of the original set (CD1) and a bonus disc of previously unheard material. This disc includes lots of demos, alongside early performance recordings and - most excitingly for fans - a handful of unreleased songs recorded during the period. The definitive edition of one of the most popular albums of the century so far.

Review: The ingredients of Charli XCX's latest album, Brat, are clear, but intriguing: dance-pop songs arranged and sequenced to make it sound like a "club record" (a nod to her roots performing at London raves as a teenager), with lyrics and vocals that are in turn "aggressive" and "vulnerable". This approach - dance-pop with genuinely soundsystem-friendly weight - pays dividends. For proof, check recent singles '360', where Charli XCX's attitude-laden vocals rise above punchy beats, deep bass and eight-bit synth sounds; the deliciously up-tempo, grandiose and brilliantly bonkers 'Club Classics' (mutant garage meets everything-but-the-kitchen-sink peak-time madness); and growling EDM-pop of 'Von Dutch'.

Review: Charli XCX's Brat And It's The Same But There's Three More Songs So It's Not is the deluxe edition of her genre-defying album Brat. Here her avant-pop brilliance and ability to blur the lines between underground innovation and mainstream appeal is on full display and the deluxe edition arrives just as Charli celebrates her first UK #1 single, 'Guess,' featured on this release. Charli XCX has consistently pushed the boundaries of pop, fusing experimental electronic elements with infectious hooks, and this deluxe edition is no exception. Each track brims with the creative energy and rebellious spirit that have become her trademarks. From its bold production to its daring lyrics, this album offers fans an even richer experience of Charli's trailblazing sound, ensuring her influence on pop culture continues to grow.

Review: After a longwinded brat summer, this re-iteration of Charli XCX's sixth album features 16 reimaginings of the smash success tracks from 'brat' from a star-studded list of appearances - namely Robyn, Yung Lean, Dua Lipa, Lorde and the first-ever feature from Billie Eilish. The club-influenced album became a smash success, catapulting her to become a top 100 artist overnight following a viral marketing campaign - whether you know it or not, the puke green and blurry font has definitely crossed paths with you. Whilst we have already had some great moments, with Lorde's verse on 'girl so confusing' responding to the original song, with Charli venting about a woman that she was incessantly compared to that she was jealous of and therefore couldn't be certain of the foundations of their friendship. The song of course broke the internet just like Charli foretold in the lyrics "One day we might make some music, the internet would go crazy". Many fans will just be excited to hear more in general, hardcore fans are eagerly awaiting the '365' remix by rising legend EASYFUN (aka Finn Keane), PC Music alumni, 1/2 of Thy Slaughter and producer for the likes of Bree Runway and Charli herself of course. The long-awaited remix album promises to close this era with a bang.

Review: While working on The Age of Pleasure, her first album for five years, Janelle Monae frequently played rough cuts of the tracks at parties, choosing to dispense with any that didn't rock the dancefloor. As a result, the album is tons of fun from start to finish, with Monae's lyrics exploring "all the things that give me pleasure" atop music that giddily blurs boundaries in pursuit of genuine good times. 'Float', featuring mighty horns from Afrobeat combo Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, sets the tone, blurring the boundaries between hip-hop, reggae and modern soul, while 'Lipstick Lover' delivers another low-lung reggae/r&b fusion from the top drawer. Throw in guest spots from Grace Jones, Sister Nancy, CK, Amarea and Nia Long, and you have a vibrant and entertaining set that won't leave your headphones all summer long.

Review: The understated brilliance of this release, the first from the singer of massive K-Pop girl sensations BlackPink, lies in its quiet intensity. It's an album that feels more like a journey than a set of individual tracks, unfolding with gentle but persistent layers. The melodies are sparse yet rich, never rushing to make an impression, but slowly pulling you into their orbit. You'll find yourself caught in the understated emotion of it allimore subtle than obvious, but powerful when you let it wash over you.