GRAMMY Award-nominated singer and songwriter Kehlani joins forces with longtime friend Justin Bieber on new single ‘up at night’.
“It’s about having a healthily obsessed relationship. You’re telling someone, ‘I love you so much it keeps me awake at night’. I love what Justin did, and it’s such a fun one to dance to.” – Kehlani
The collaboration follows their joint effort on a song entitled‘Get Me‘, which was taken from Bieber’s 2020 album ‘Changes’.
Kehlani’s forthcoming album ‘blue water road’ is set for release on 29th April 2022.
Now in it’s sixth edition (yep… I’ve been around that long), my Random List seems to be the most visited post on this blog every ear.
Due to life being hectic I haven’t had much time to reflect on the last twelve months much, but I feel that while people are claiming new music is losing it’s direction – well, it’s good to shake things up every so often.
I’ve found myself mostly being drawn to pop in 2017, although there was a lack of those ‘massive’ hit singles that we usually see in previous years. Nonetheless, credit given where it’s deserved…
Banger Of The Year
The older I get, the more I start to dig Justin Bieber. I don’t know why. It is what it is. I think this is one of the best radio hits of the year.
Trend Of The Year
Hot British guys who manage to blend RnB with soul and funk, each of them in a very unique and painfully cool way. You’ve got Zak Abel, SG Lewis,Tom Misch, Toulouse, Louis Mattrs, Jarreau Vandal… The list goes on. And actually, I am near obsessed with each of these guys.
Scandi Country To Have Perfected Pop
Norway (they managed this accolade back in 2015 as well). I mean it couldn’t be anywhere else this year. In the last year we’ve seen some excellent music from Astrid S, Sigrid, Dagny, dePresno, Smerz… The country even has it’s own museum dedicated to pop (it’s the cool building you see up there). That’s saying something. Check out my full list of Norwegian talent here.
Best Hair
ALMA! Finnish talent has never been so exciting! The hair’s even got it’s own (amazing) song.
Most Tear-Jerking Music Moment
Portugal’s Salvador Sobral winning Eurovision this year. Whatever you think of this TV show, the kid (who was struggling with heart problems) single handedly commanded a huge arena and a whole world to listen to this blissful and simple melody.
Best Track Not Sung In English
Cezinando’s ‘Håper du har plass’ is undoubtedly my most loved song of the year. Entirely in Norwegian (see, Norway getting another mention on the same List), this mellow hip hop sound mixed with some strings had me emotional all the way through. I still feel warm when I listen to it now. And it took his home country by storm too. Just look at the love from the crowd on this…
Best Gig
Jessie Reyez put on a very short set at London’s tiny Miranda venue back in May this year, and the buzz in the room was inspiring. Powerful vocals, intensely sharp lyrics and beautiful melodies.
Most Played On My iTunes
Yep – Swedish music had to make an entry on this list somewhere. I honestly don’t know what the deal is with We The Kids aside from the fast that they released this great piece of Scandi pop earlier in the year, and that they came from the Tenacity label which is run by mega-important Swedish production company Ten. Believe it or not, this clocked up 170 plays on my iTunes since July so I really hope more comes in 2018!
Likely To Be Huge In 2018
This is a tricky one because there’s a few on my radar. I think a safe bet will be the UK’s Tom Walker. I’ve seen him live a few times this year and I honestly think he has great mainstream appeal.
But I also want to mention a Danish talent called Maximillian, who’s been on my radar for some time and I can’t fault any of his releases to date…
And there we have it! I hope you’re all as excited as I am about the next twelve months, and thank you for logging on and enjoying the music that I post – it gives me so much life!
For previous editions of The Random List, head here.
As has become tradition, here’s this year’s Random List. A collection of music highlights that have caught my attention in the last year. I spend the whole year featuring new and edgy stuff, so it’s nice to put up the last post of the year as a little fun. For previous years, head here.
Most Underrated Talent Of The Year
Kwabs has been a dilemma in 2015. He’s so good, so talented, and the songs are so on-point. But he’s still not tapping the mainstream the way he deserves to be. Maybe it’ll change in the next twelve months.
Most Random Act To Pick Up Recognition In Sweden
Just before the world was introduced to MNEK’s work with Zara Larsson (one of pop’s biggest successes in 2015 in my view), Sweden took an unexpected liking to MNEK’s ‘The Rhythm’ to the point where the track picked up Gold sales. Which is nice since it hardly made impact in the UK. And let’s face it, Sweden knows good pop.
Most Played On My iTunes
Dua Lipa. Emerging from the same team behind Lana Del Rey only less of the weirdness. This is a fresh slice of pop.
Best Pop Banger That No One Will Hear
Lucas Nord’s work is already well noted through this record with Tove Lo, but this track that was released in November took me by surprise. It’s just SO GOOD.
Hottest Fans At A Gig
HONNE are a staple on this blog. This year I managed to catch them live and not only was the gig sold out but it was packed with Abercrombie model look-a-likes. Fancy yourselves a hot boyfriend / girlfriend? Catch HONNE live…
Scandi Country Of The Year To Pull It’s Act Together
Norway. What with Aurora (and that John Lewis advert), Astrid S and Loveless all making impact this year in some shape or form, Norway’s shown that it’s the country to watch in 2016.
Biggest Turnaround Moment
Justin Bieber… Where did that come from? Seriously- everyone seems to be on Justin’s side this year with the release of ‘Purpose’ and the random pop gems that are contained within that record. Just goes to show that kid stars can make good as they grow.
Act Who Owned 2015
Years & Years, as predicted in last year’s Random List. More importantly though, these kids have shown that you can have a lead singer be out, gay and comfortable with himself and have no one care.
Act Who Will Own 2016
Jack Garratt. No one’s even pretending that Jack won’t take over the next twelve months. It’s great though; he’s showing off a new style of dark soul-pop that’s touching people in a way I wouldn’t have expected.
I don’t actually mind Justin Bieber. I think if I was a lot younger I would think he was pretty cool. Austin Mahone is getting a ridiculous amount of hits on YouTube so having an army of teen followers is a certain. He’s got a good voice.
This cover by Rachael Cantu of Justin Bieber’s ‘As Long As You Love Me’ (which I actually happen to think is a pretty decent pop song) is very beautiful.
The much-anticipated Capital FM Summertime Ball hosted by Capital FM in association with Vodafone takes place at the legendary Wembley Stadium on the 9th of June 2012 with Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Jessie J, The Wanted, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Example, Ed Sheeran, Usher and Kelly Clarkson all on the bill.
Obviously though, it has now sold out. But don’t worry if you haven’t got your ticket yet, Capital FM and Vodafone are delighted to announce the ‘Take Your Seats’ competition.
In the draw there are Golden Circle tickets to the Ball, as well as lots of amazing goodies to be won.To unlock the goodies, all you need to do is scream about the comp on your Facebook and Twitter. The louder you scream, the bigger and better products you unlock.
You could win loads of other really good stuff.Click here to playand take your seat in the virtual Wembley Stadium and good luck!
My favourite blog of all time, Popjustice, has just published it’s 2010 Popjustice Readers’ Poll. Interesting and hilarious at the same time, highlights include:
Worst Single: Black Eyed Peas – The Time (Dirty Bit)
Best Album: Robyn – Body Talk
Most Ridiculous Recording Artiste on Planet Earth: Jedward
Most Pathetic Song to reference ‘The Club’: JLS – The Club Is Alive
Two future pop superstars-in-the-making played the tiny Dingwalls last night. This is the same venue where I saw Mika and Robyn just before they both went on to take over the world, so maybe it has something in the air for these aspiring singers. Eliza Doolittle was really good, and her harmless tracks were pretty fun to listen to. She also did a cover of a Justin Bieber track which I enjoyed far more than I should have…
Alex Gardner, who headlined the night, was also pretty amazing. This kid is only a teenager, and I mentioned him on here months ago. His sound is pretty unique, and you forget sometimes just how young he is from the way he performs.
