Back in stock: 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: Charli XCX's sixth studio album, Brat, marks a triumphant return to her experimental roots following 2022's Crash. Steeped in the aesthetic of the 2000s London rave scene, this album is a highly personal and intriguing nostalgia trip. The intricate beats, polished production, and confrontational lyrics evoke the underground decadence of the Myspace era. Charli and her collaborators craft each track with a rich sense of atmosphere, transporting listeners to a vividly recalled past. The opening track, '360,' sets the tone with Charli declaring herself "666 with a princess streak." The throwback rave anthem 'Club Classics' and the retroclash headtrip 'Von Dutch' show her at the top of her game, maintaining her status as a significant pop experimentalist. The sleek standouts 'Sympathy is a Knife' and 'Girl, So Confusing' tackle contemporary conflicts. Beneath Brat's deceptive veneer lies a melancholic sense of anxiety. 'I Might Say Something Stupid' reveals Charli's existential desperation, while 'So I' serves as a poignant eulogy to Sophie, highlighting her emotional depth. The introspective 'I Think About It All the Time' finds Charli at her most confessional, pondering motherhood and the fleeting nature of success. Brat is a crucial step in Charli XCX's artistic evolution, blending mainstream pop with her experimental roots. Her themes of celebrity, growth, obsession and creative liberation are articulated with biting wit and innovative vision.