Single Review | Ben Haenow - Something I Need

Ben Haenow

Something I Need - Single

Syco

Release date: December 14, 2014.

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Newly crowned winner of the X-Factor, Ben Haenow, has officially released his first single and news flash: this week, it has been noted as this year's Christmas number one (in the United Kingdom, that is), beating Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars' new funky hit, 'Uptown Funk'. 

Single Review | Madonna - Devil Pray

Madonna
Devil Pray (Non-Single Track)
Interscope / Boy Toy / Live Nation
Release date: December 20, 2014

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Mother of all pop stars, Madonna, has unveiled six tracks from her upcoming album, Rebel Heart, and while I couldn't care less about the Diplo-produced first single, 'Living for Love', I am much intrigued with the second track in the track list, 'Devil Pray'.

Music Video Review | Sam Smith - Like I Can

Sam Smith
Like I Can - Single
Capitol / Method
Release date: December 5, 2014 (Single) / December 12, 2014 (Music Video)

It was just about time before Sam Smith went cinematic, which he finally did via another heart-breaking tearjerker.

Music Video Review | Ella Henderson - Yours

Ella Henderson

Yours - Single

Syco

Release date: November 30, 2014 (Single) / December 5, 2014 (Music Video)

Ella, this year's breakout star and alumni of UK's X-Factor, has officially released the video of her undying love note to her lover, 'Yours'. 

LP Review | Nick Jonas - Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas

Island / Safehouse

Release date: November 10, 2014

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

So, the smallest of the JoBros (and prolly the most sexually explicit of 'em three) has returned to the music scene with a solo album that put him in the map as the new hero of pop.

Music Video Review | Hozier - Take Me to Church

Hozier

Take Me to Church - Single

Rubyworks / Island

Release date: September 16, 2014 (Single) / September 25, 2014 (Music Video)

Probably the heaviest music video I've watched this year, Hozier's 'Take Me To Church' just became my favourite to win Song of the Year in the upcoming Grammy.

LP Review | Olly Murs - Never Been Better

Olly Murs

Never Been Better

Syco / Epic

Release date: November 21, 2014

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Male pop saviour and the only male alumni of The X Factor who matters, Olly Murs, is back with his fourth studio album titled Never Been Better.

Music Video Review | Charli XCX - Breaking Up

Charli XCX
Breaking Up - Single
Asylum
Release date: December 15, 2014 (Single) / December 2, 2014 (Music Video)

Probably the only gal who inspired by the 80's punk/pop scene, Charli XCX stays true to that root and has since released stuffs that just scream 80's glam!

Music Video Review | Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)

Mark Ronson
Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) - Single
RCA
Release date: November 10, 2014 (Single) / November 19, 2014 (Music Video)

Mark Ronson is back with a totally ass-kicking 70's song, 'Uptown Funk'.

Music Video Review | Olly Murs - Wrapped Up (feat. Travie McCoy)

Olly Murs
Wrapped Up (feat. Travie McCoy) - Single
Epic / Syco
Release date: October 7, 2014 (Single) / October 28, 2014 (Music Video)

Olly Murs, the man who took my breath away in 2012 with 'Dance With Me Tonight' is back with a better single called 'Wrapped Up', the lead single off his fourth album, Never Been Better.

Single Review | Lana Del Rey - Big Eyes

Lana Del Rey
Big Eyes - Single
Polydor / Interscope
Release date: December 3, 2014

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Big Eyes is opening up soon and already got massive reviews from various critics who saw the film first. My forever muse, Lana Del Rey, has been hired by Tim Burton to sing two tracks for the film and one of them is the title track.

Music Video Review | Gwen Stefani - Spark the Fire

Gwen Stefani
Spark the Fire - Single
Interscope
Release date: December 1, 2014 (Single / Music Video)

Gwen Stefani continues her clamour to cash in on her stint on The Voice by rush-releasing another lacklustre single from her upcoming third LP.

Single Review | Delaney Gibson - Stars

Delaney Gibson
Stars - Single
(Independent)
Release date: November 4, 2014

Independent singer and songwriter, Delaney Gibson, is releasing her third album and the lead single off the new LP, 'Stars', has been released to celebrate our individuality and creativism.

Single Review | Dami Im - Gladiator

Dami Im

Gladiator - Single

Sony

Release date: August 8, 2014

Relatively unknown in our region, Dami Im, is a Korean singer who migrated to Australia at the age of nine and marked her name by winning the fifth season of The X Factor Australia. Her stomping single and this blog's new inspiration, 'Gladiator', is off her third LP, Heart Beats.