A new single for the 4 piece Manchester outfit has proven their change of sound. The transition from “love pop” to political music is an exciting venture lyrically for lead singer Matthew Healy. The single, “Love it if we made it” was the 3rd teaser of the upcoming 3rd album. The most noticeable line of the track features Healy exclaiming “Jesus save us, Modernity has failed us” reiterates the importance of the transition for this band. In my opinion, it is lyrically intriguing and captivating as they drift away from lyrics about “simple love” and now venturing onto making a change politically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5l6ZoVY2zQ

Rating 8.5/10

You can not mention Mancunian music without mentioning “The Smiths”. The song “Panic” was released in 1984 on the album “Louder than Bombs”. The influence for the song as stated by the lead singer “Morrissey” was listening to the radio during the Chernobyl event’s in Russia, where the DJ continued to play WHAM’s “I’m your Man”. The fact that a happy song about love was played directly after news of a horrible radioactive meltdown caused Morrissey to write the lyrics “Hang the DJ” as a threat to all Dj’s which encompasses his hate and disgust for the lack of human empathy especially on that day.

Rating: 8/10

After talking about the Mancunian band of Oasis, it is noticeable to acknowledge the works of “New Order” (Who were from Salford in Greater Manchester, so not technically full Mancunian’s as some may suggest) The new wave, electronic 4 piece released “Blue Monday” in 1983 with Factory Records. It soon became the highest selling 12 inch record of all time, I personally class the song as 7 and a half minutes of technical brilliance. If “Blue Monday” was released today and I was not aware of the song before, I wouldn’t question it’s relevance and modernity. The noticeable bass line of Peter hook accompanied by the imperfect singing of Bernard Sumner creates a harmony which this song and those who listen to it deserve.

Rating : 9.5/10

From Britain to the close cousin of Australia. The three piece Sydney outfit of DMA’s released the song “In the Air” on their 2nd studio album “For Now” which was released earlier this year. The influence of Oasis can be visibly heard especially in this song as it is a powerful love ballad with the singer captivating the audience like Liam Gallagher does. With the catchy background guitar solo towards the end with the repeated lyrics of “I can say she’s beautiful” gives the band a very modern twist to an old Brit pop genre of music.

Rating 7.5/10

Keeping with the theme of inspirational British artist’s from South London to Sheffield, are the Arctic Monkey’s with their recent album “Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino” in particular the opening song “Star Treatment. From the American pop sounds of “AM”, the transition for Alex Turner and the Arctic Monkey’s has been drastic in terms of their overall sound. Lyrically, this new album stay’s with the notion of love, but some aspects explain the regret’s of Alex Turner, especially in this opening tune. “I just wanna be one of the strokes” it is evident that “The Strokes” were a big inspiration not only for Alex, but the band as a whole unit. This song scream’s Bowie and is a very well constructed, thought provoking 6 minutes of music.

“What do you mean you haven’t seen blade runner?”

Rating: 8.5/10

A fitting first song to review. As my profile picture suggests, the revolutionary MC Dizzee Rascal (whose real name is Dylan) inspired a whole generation. In particular those of South London specifically through grime. The 2003 song “Jus’ a Rascal” from his debut album “Boy in Da Corner” is an excellent first impression of grime. It is a lyrical masterpiece, which demonstrates the “grit” of South London in particular which define’s this upcoming genre. Along with fast paced rapping which is interluded with a catchy chorus makes the song an easy listener. When listening to the song lyrically, Dizzee explains the struggles of living in an area such as South London, overall it is a very good song.

Rating: 8/10