There’s album listening parties, and there’s Billie Eilish smashing it concert style with screaming fans, hot merch, smoky fog, a live YouTube broadcast and the artist herself bringing it large. That’s. How. You. Do it.
Ok it was sponsored by American Express which feels distinctly unyoung and uncool. But if they’re willing to put the cash into an event like this, then we say sign us up to the APR. We think an event like this is a beautiful thing. It’s dramatic, and gives die-hard fans something to remember forever. But everyone’s invited to play their part, which is what proper pop music is all about. Landmark moments you’ll never forget. So what’s the album about?
Ironically enough given the unmissable attention that launch will have garnered, it’s born of the pits of despair and confusion that come from the world constantly invading Eilish’s headspace. It’s dark, it’s powerful, but it’s tender and sweet. Stand out tracks like the bass-driven ‘Lunch’ and the simply hypontic“Chihiro” are the earworms that we’re playing on loop. But there’s so much to explore, with every track a series of surprising movements, punctuated by Eilish’s uniquely dynamic range of voice.
The main take away is that this is an album packed with classics for the ages. With a depth of text that sink fans into a lifelong emotional relationship with the artistry. Not only that, Billie Eilish is still only 22. With so much life to live, and so much more authentic, honest emotional experience to share with us, we can only wonder what might come next?
Ahead of appearing at Swingamajig and Shambala this summer, we caught up with one of Electro Swing’s hottest acts, Emma Lea.
At Pop Playrooms we’re all about the hottest hits, with a little discovery thrown in, and Emma Lea is here to serve up something a little bit different.
Signed to one of the UK’s biggest Electro Swing labels, Ragtime Records, Emma Lea has been so lucky to work with some of the best artists in my genre and will has just released her 15th Electro Swing track, ‘I got you’.
“What inspired me to create Electro Swing music, was the creativiy. There are no limits to your creative imagination. In commercial pop/dance, you’re always so focused on what is the right fit for the current market, where as in Electro Swing, it’s more about what feels great!”
“Growing up, my teachers were the likes of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Whitney. These woman just ooze soul and true raw talent. When you hear them perform, you feel everything!
I would also say my father had a major impact on me, as he too was a singer in a band and I wanted to be just like him. He would take me gigging with him from 13 and I would sing in his breaks. He gave me the confidence to believe I could do it.”
Inspired to get into Electro Swing by the freedom it affords the artists, Emma is a firm believer in crediting the people who make the magic possible,
“I’m surrounded by inspirational artists every day and the list just keeps growing. I would also like to highlight one of my biggest inspirations and that is an incredibly talented, wonderful soul called Tom Hyland. Tom is one of the owners of my label home, Ragtime Records, as well as the man at the helm of my favourite band Electric Swing Circus and my right hand musical man! He is the master behind organising my musical life, so I can concentrate on the creative side, as well as being my main vocal producer.”
There’s loads more to come from Emma in the coming months, and plenty of new music try out if you’re up for discovering Electro Swing (which we highly recommend).
“My next release is with one of Austrias favourite artists, the band Deladap, called “Boopbabadoboo”, released on the 27th May, which is a very different sound to what I’m used to. This track features lots of traditional Austrian sounds, mixed with Electro Swing and more of a festival feel. I also have further tracks with Tom ESC (Electric Swing Circus), Odd Chap, Bart & Baker, Atom Smith, The Swing Bot and many more. Also later this year, we will also be releasing my debut Electro Swing Collaborations album, so exciting times ahead.”
You have an authentic artistry, so what’s your take on AI in music?
“I hate it! Music, in whatever form, is a human self expression, born from emotion and life experiences, something a computer system has the inability to experience. In my personal opinion, anyone using AI for music is only in the business to make money. I create songs, because I love what I do and I love to tell stories to music.”
Career high?
This one is a tough one, because there is SO many!! From singing with the cast of Miss Saigon as a child, to Pete Tong championing my music, to headlining at the Colston Hall in Bristol with my old band MellowStar, for their multi-million pound relaunch, travelling the world as a dance artist, achieving 7 Spotify Editorial playlist adds, performing at bucket list festivals, to working with the best people in my genre. I’ve been blessed with some truly incredible highs and I just know there are many more to come.
The new album from Charlie XCX is a text book example of how to build excitement before you drop your latest release, from one of the irresistibly cool pop artists in modern history.
From her ultra collectible merch, to the interviews she gives to the music press, Charlie XCX has focussed the conversation, less on the album itself and more on how just how epic she is as a person, hypnotised us with ‘cooler than we’ll ever be’ views on the industry, and left us wondering just how exciting this new album probably, definitely will be. It’s marketing genius and we love it.
In updates since the initial PR started we now know the album will be called ‘Brat’, and we do have one track to go on, ‘Von Dutch’ which is a stone cold banger. Just added to the Pop Playrooms Hits & Trends playlist, you have to hear this. Charlie has been reported as saying that, it was written about being an object of gossip or obsession for people around you and embracing it. Which makes sense when you think about just how obsessed we are with her latest work.
Once the poster girl for Hyper Pop, that label now seems frivolous. You can’t pigeon hole an an artist this deep into their own world. There’s nothing fabricated here, it’s a real life authentic talent, reacting organically to people trying to label her. And her reactions just make her even more appealing.
‘Brat’ doesn’t have an exact release date, but is available for pre-order now. And at Pop Playrooms we’ve secured three USB singles of Von Dutch to give away to our customers. If you’re up for getting your hands on one of these collectibles get over to our Insta and share this post.
The race for Christmas No.1 is hotting up like Santa in a fully functioning chimney stack. Regardless of who grabs top spot, the real winners are the ones who made the 2023 Pop Golf Christmas playlist.
We’re all about the biggest hits and latest trends, that said Sam Ryder is out, while The Pogues are in. Why? Because we lost and irreplaceable legend this year, but also because our playlists are on Spotfiy and Mr Ryder is an Amazon exclusive. And refusing to share just doesn’t feel like a Christmas vibe.
Luckily there’s loads of slam dunk hits in the mix this year, so here’s the low down on what to expect from the Pop Golf playlist this Christmas.
Creator Universe – I wish it could be Christmas everyday
30 of the UK’s biggest TikTok stars have got together to cover Wizzard’s classic 1973 track I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.
Music to our ears, we get to blast out the Christmas classic you all want to here, despite it being released 27 years before our music policy allowed. That’s the joy of TikTok, if it’s trending, it’s in.
Recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios 100 per cent of profits from the track will go to The Trussell Trust, to provide emergency food support in the UK. Now that’s Christmas vibes.
Nala the Station Cat – Check Meowt
The cat is out of the bag. Nala the Station Cat is a four-year-old cat from Stevenage with a talent for trance. That’s right. The only domestic animal that refuses to be tamed has released a bid for Christmas Number 1. And it’s as catchy as a game of …..cat & mouse?
Believe it or not, this one started life on the platforms at Stevenage railway station. But soon strayed out social media and now it’s one of the sensations of the year.
Check Meowt is produced by Danny Kirsch and written alongside Joe Killington. And Nala the cat. All proceeds from the single will be donated to the RSPCA and Stevenage homelessness charity Feed Up Warm Up.
Mimi Webb – Back home for Christmas
This is a bit of what we’re all about. A brand spanking new Christmas classic from Mimi Webb. This is hands down our number one. It’s one of those tracks that signals the end of the year with cheer and pathos.
We guarantee there will be a million memories made to Back home for Christmas, happy, tipsy, warm, mushy, reflecting on something wonderful kind of memories.
Bravo Mimi Webb. (Whew, got a little emotional there).
Tyla – Water
Not your usual Christmas fare, but an outstanding contender none the less. A sexy fusion of pop and ampiano (a sub genre of house music from South Africa in case you missed it).
The artist has spoken passionately about how this is her opportunity to bring Africa to the world. Well, we say bring it. Inspiring a explosion of viral dances on TikTok, Water is a seductive track with a lot of fans. You might say it’s making waves for all the right reasons.
OneRepublic – Dear Santa
Nostalgia can be a brand new sound. OneReplublic have done a lovely lovely thing. It sounds like it could be a boy band hit from the 90s, but it’s not. And the joyful music video is straight out of the Wallace and Gromet claymation playbook, featuring the band members in Santa’s workshop as they strive to make a Christmas miracle and bring a couple back together.
Head bopping, upbeat, and packed with Christmas spirit. It’ll probably drive the Pop Golf staff mad when they can’t get it out of their heads.
The Pogues – Fairytale of New York
There’s not much that needs to be said about one of the best known Christmas tracks in the world.
Pour yourself a (responsibly sized) drink and join us in raising a glass to lost legend Shane Mcgowan.
This guy is a different kind of good. If you think you know hiphop, Ren is about to reset your brain. Self made, self produced, and self released with err… a track with 8 million hits on Spotify. Rare.
People are calling out similarities with Childish Gambino and Eminem, but we think this guy deserves to be known for his own identity. Especially as the Welshman from Anglesey is doing something not too many artists can pull off. Smashing the mainstream whilst carving out his own experimental niche.
‘Sick Boi’ is a heavy weight 18-track monster of an album. Tackling taboo issues such as suicide and mental health, so there are some seriously meaningful messages wrapped up in the funk, techno, and fluid rap skills.
The PR behind pop music doesn’t always ring true, but Ren’s truth is as clear as a bell. Asked about his purpose as an artist, Ren recently told NME:
This guy is smart…
“I’d like to say creating threads of humanity between topics that are sometimes quite difficult to talk about. It’s interesting because what I’ve realised from the community of people that are resonating with my work at the moment is that [it provides] a voice for people who either have chronic illness or anxiety disorders. I’m not trying to sugarcoat it. I’m not trying to make it anything other than as ugly as it can sometimes be – or as beautiful as it can sometimes be.
“And I think by creating that window into that world, a lot of people feel seen. I think it’s really important to see people because it’s a very isolating place to be a lot of the time. Say if you have a chronic health problem or anxiety where you don’t want to leave the house or talk to people, having a companion [in the form of music] is really important. And I think in mainstream music, it’s an area that’s not so much catered for. So I think being able to cater for that is my purpose.”
…and a perfectionist in the studio
Watch any of Ren’s videos and you won’t be able to take your eyes off them. Not only has he created the truly arresting content any serious artist in 2023 must have, he’s done it on a budget of next to nothing or less. Visceral and honest, he’s transaprently sharing very real struggles, in a way that belongs to the entertainment space. That’s called art.
You won’t see him at Glastonbury
Health issues mean Ren had to turn down a spot at Glastonbury, and he claims that it’s unlikely he’d have the resilience for big time tours. But that just adds to his appeal, because fans are far more likely to encounter him in popping up in a local car park, doing something unexpected, DIY, and little more real everyone else.
Doja Cat is on fire right now, and if her surreal video plunging her own eyeball into the depths of hell is anything to go by, that’s no surprise.
Not only does she cozy up to death, dance with the devil and chuck bloodied meat around, she also rides a monstrous green sea creature through the sky. But why?
‘Paint the town red’ samples Dionne Warwick’s 1964 hit song “Walk on By.” and the for the chorus Doja raps, “Bitch, I said what I said/I’d rather be famous instead/I let all that get to my head/I don’t care, I paint the town red.” Let’s take a quick a look at what the hottest track in town right now is all about:
It’s for the true fans
If there’s one thing Doja Cat has been good at recently its courting controversy – see posting socials wearing a sweatshirt featuring a graphic of alleged ‘Neo Nazi ‘ Sam Hyde for example
In this video she’s seen making use of tarot card symbolism, using the The grim reaper and the death card to represent change in her life, which chimes with her public statements about rejecting image pressure through superficiality and embracing her true self.
It’s a message to the haters
Let’s face it, if you put your head above the parapet and behave outside of societal norms in a digital world, you upset some pretty vocal people. This track seems to be pretty clearly turning that poison into medicine. You can damn her to hell if you want, but she’ll dance with the devil and paint the town red despite you. Not a bad mantra to live by for all of us.
It’s an epic video
There are obscure references to things like the Whore of Babylon, and it’s all very cleverly constructed such as dropping her own eye down to the pits of hell, But basically it’s just extremely visually arresting and works as a fantastic piece of entertainment. Which is after all, what it’s really all about.
The power of creativity as a tool for taking care of
Mental Health.
In one sentence, The Noisy Brain encourages people to get their mental and emotional health experiences out into the open, by writing them down and sharing them. The concept is to use these ‘writings’, craft them into lyrics, and the lyrics into songs.
Musicians from all over the world are adopting these brave shared experiences and making them into songs. In just two years, we’ve already got around twenty songs/demo’s finished and around forty+ in progress around the world. We plan to release some of these songs and the stories that inspired them as an album and documentary series. Each song and piece of writing shared helps towards raising awareness and educating us all on the various mental and emotional health issues. It all helps towards ending the harmful stigma around mental and emotional health issues. It’s going well and gaining momentum.
But, this whole movement started, as these things often do, when something broke. What broke, exactly, matters slightly less than how the pieces are put back together.
The Noisy Brain: built strong, from broken pieces.
Do you know Kintsugi? What sounds like a cool band name is actually the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Kintsugi highlights the breakage in the way that the object is repaired, rather than hiding it as something to be ashamed of. A break becomes a badge of honour, the object now has a story to tell – an indication of qualities that only a lived experience can bring.
In Japan, Kintsugi is also used as an analogy when appreciating the beauty and strength in the efforts of someone who picks up the pieces and works through traumatic events in their life.
Stumbling upon Kintsugi, just when I needed to, made me understand that we all break. It’s the most normal thing in the world. What matters is how we put the pieces back together. It’s what shapes and strengthens not just ourselves but those that witness that it’s possible I didn’t always know these things, obviously.
A few years ago, the cracks started to reappear in my own story. But we tend to ignore them, don’t we? Instead we believe that any problems are best kept to ourselves, rather than expressed. In clichéd rock ‘n roll style, I was burning the candle at both ends.
Working hard and using alcohol to escape from and medicate my noisy brain. There’s only one way that this goes, right folks? I became stuck in a seemingly unending fog of depression and suicidal thoughts.
These intrusive thoughts became a huge part of my life. Any moments of relaxation or fun would suddenly be interrupted by terrifying gasps – as if remembering something crucial that I’d forgotten to do, as if the anxiety was feeling jealous.
Thoughts of how to make it all stop were always lurking, ready to turn anything at all into a signpost to the same hopeless narrative. At the cinema with my wife, I’d glimpse a bridge or tall building during the film. The gravity of
ever-present anxiety immediately took me hostage, down into a rumination on nearby places for me to end it all. I’d picture the exact locations. Where I’d land. Where people might find my final resting place. All this whilst eating popcorn with one hand and my wife holding the other. I’m fairly sure I was never going to go through with any of these plans. But the fact I couldn’t type that sentence with ‘definitely’ makes for uncomfortable writing. Those intrusive thoughts that stole my focus led to some of the most terrifying moments of my life.
I’m not the first person to say this, but I wish I’d known then what I know now: they’re only thoughts. We are not our thoughts. They are fleeting, not truths that need to be acted on. Most of all – if they aren’t released, shared, spoken out, they bounce around and get bigger. They warp out of proportion and block out any light.
Now, I consciously pause. I recognise them for what they are; unhelpful thoughts, not truths. I’m less triggered to react. I let them go – by writing and talking to friends and professionals. I get help. (Yeah – help. That thing that most of us are coded to think is ‘cheating’ – which is one lie that needs to end right now).
Back then, back in the fog, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I couldn’t give myself care. Coping with too much, bottling it all up for too long, pushed me through anxiety and into a kind of paranoia. In that state, nothing makes sense and we grope for meaning, and the warped thoughts take on a desperate, dark logic. It’s everyone else making it worse.
And so, one night after drinking, I got into an argument over something small that in my confused state of mind, seemed so big. Something that, on a regular day, would be nothing. But, those ‘noisy’ thoughts were loud, ready, waiting, and unfortunately I reacted to them. I did something I instantly regretted. I lashed out. That’s when things broke.
I had to go to court. But, I was also judged via a social media shitstorm, complete with death threats against me and my family. Six dark months followed. In my self-imposed lockdown (before lockdowns were cool), I found that hiding away couldn’t stop what I’d set in motion. But I found something else; it didn’t stop good caring people from reaching out. Even those people that I least expected, wanted to help me. I immediately knew that the only correct reaction was to accept help and openly seek to sort out my mixed up mind.
And from that moment things started to change. I started to change. I opened up; to my wife, to my family and friends. I sought out therapy, discovered (at 47yrs old) that I’d been masking ADHD all my life, was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder, had further counselling, and then, after quite the journey, ended up serving a short sentence in prison Yep. Prison.
It was around then that I found Kintsugi, and it continues to define my recovery. Picking up the pieces. Putting them together. But instead of keeping quiet, I started highlighting the experience, to enable and encourage others to open up. It’s a framework for being able to acknowledge what happened, what I did, and why – but without letting the negative thoughts use it as fuel for self hate. In the long run, it’s those flaws that make me who I am. From that comes strength. Thankfully things can always change. Happily, these changes have brought me to a situation where I’ve found interest and purpose with The Noisy Brain is raising awareness and encouraging others with Mental and Emotional Health Issues (MEHI) to open up.
I do what I do, and I take care of myself in the way that I do, to let others witness and be encouraged to embrace their own flaws as experiences to strengthen them, not be hidden away in shame. Whatever your past actions may have been, remember that you can make a difference during whatever you chose to do within the now, and during the future.
Through The Noisy Brain, I actively encourage people to share their thoughts
– let them out so that they don’t bounce around and get all warped inside.
When we write about them, people relate and we feel validated. When we turn them into songs, we’re putting the pieces together and we turn them into powerful positives. We help each other on journeys of Kintsugi and take steps towards finding unexpected strengths.
Take that first step. Please join our growing community, download The Noisy Brain app.
Get in there, explore! Interact! Leave kind words, write your own words, and tell everyone you know to join the growing community of ‘Noisy Brainers’
We believe that the more people who are willing to talk openly, the more people will relate, feel less alone, less isolated and be willing to share their own stories without stigma keeping them trapped.
To check out more info on The Noisy Brain movement:
Instagram: @thenoisybrainer
Website: www.thenoisybrain.com
or message me direct; at:
stu@thenoisybrain.com/hello@thenoisybrain.com
We look forward to seeing you within The Noisy Brain community soon.
And, as if I didn’t have to say it … #ITSOKAYTOTALK
As 2022 draws to a close, we’ve pulled together our top playlist inspirations of the year. From the return of Jamie XX to a very festive Elton & Ed, these top tracks are must listens to reboot your Spotify algorithm for the party season.
Jamie xx – LET’S DO IT AGAIN
Lady Marga MC feat. Doris of Five Star, Felix of Basement Jaxx Never Can Give You Up. (filmed at Pop Golf).
1.What’s the most important thing people need to know about you? That I’m a people person, that lives, laughs, loves,that is my way of thinking I’m all about the good vibes,I have that lay back chilled attitude because life is to short so you gotta live your life to the full, be you, stay happy
2. Tell us about your new video Well my video and song features my cousin doris of five star and felix of basement jaxx the song is a remake of my cousins five star top UK hit system addict,I’ve alway love the song since I was a kid and I wanted to do a remake but its done in away where its different to the original it’s very now.its fun,very quirky and everyone is a system addict right, alway on there phones, computers,laptop etc. So what you will see in the video is some elements of this but I cant give to much away. you will have to see the full video to get what I mean
3. Where would be your dream venues to play live and why? Hmm good question well there are a few but I will name two. Wembley Stadium I did Wembley arena so now i want to do the Stadium and second it’s got to be the 02 arena
4. Some people write pop music off as mainstream and formulaic, to others it’s an art form that breaks all the rules and crosses boundaries into any genre it wants to. What does pop music mean to you? A exactly that it’s art form that breaks all rules and crosses boundaries into any genre it wants to.
5. If you were a superhero what would your power be? Invincible superpower so that I could never be harmed or destroyed have that power to live forever and ever
6. We believe music has the power to change the world, what would you use it to change right now? It would have to be change the world to.to stop the war bring peace and harmony.to stop all the bad and bring the good,
Raquel is a new rising star who hails from North-West London, she spent some of her young life in Columbia with her mum and sister which she shares on how this has shaped her sound. Not only is she a debuting singer and songwriter, she is also our resident Bar and Tik Tok superstar!
Raquel’s Single Esta Noche, releases 20th July 2022 which was inspired by a party that she had attended – which shows her inspiration is drawn from her own experiences, life and her emotions.
Describe your music style in 3 words: Therapeutic, Truthful and Just me – I know that’s more than 3 words but that’s a hard one! – you wait for the rest of them Raquel!
Is there a figure in your life who shaped your taste in music? My mum and my sisters, there would always be music filling the home. I would be able to tell what was going on in the house just from the music playing for example if mum was playing a certain playlist I knew it would be her cleaning time or Monica (sister) playing her garage would usually be chilling in her room. Juliana (sister) has shaped a lot of my taste and has introduced me to so many of my favourite artists from party next door to Tyler the creator. My Columbian heritage is also important to me and has had a big impact on my personal sound such as Reggaetón, Bachata, Salsa and the traditional Cumbia throw that in with some of my personal experiences in London.
I think I was also impacted largely by a singer I love named Selena Quintilla, she was such an inspiration and remains this way to me as she was a Mexican-American artist who broke into the mainstream music scene as well as being an entrepreneur, she had her own fashion line and it is something I want to achieve in my life.
What inspires you when you are writing and creating your own music? I write all my music in studio and most of the time they start off as freestyles. My music is all inspired by how I feel in the moment. I work closely with my producer Jovis, sometimes I am just inspired by the beat that we created that day. I think the fact that my music is so spontaneous when being made really translates not just in my sound but also for those that listen.
Do you have to be in the right mindset in order to write your lyrics? Yeah, I mean it’s not that I have to be its more that I kind of use my studio sessions as therapy sessions, so I guess if something or someone has really had an impact on my life good or bad, they’ll have an impact on my music in some way. I think a lot of people use music for different reasons, when they are deep in their feels whether they are happy, sad or angry and everyone has that one song they need. I know I do but I also use that time in the studio to record my feelings, I write my music for me but I hope it translates for others, if it ends up being that song they need to me that is a bonus and what I hope for.
Have you had any moments where there is a writer’s block? If so how do you get past that? So when I feel intense emotions, I write and I use the notes app in my phone. A lot of the time it’ll manifest into a stream of consciousness poetry, in the words of Tyler the creator “This isn’t a song I just happen to rhyme when I get emo and find time to write facts” – if I am ever stuck I just head to my notes and my rhyming facts and most of the time it helps me be rid of the block
Are there any other forms of media that shaped you and inspired you as an artist, any films, art, fashion designers or eras that shaped your sound? Selena of course, as well as the 90’s aesthetic had an impact, I love the fashion of the 90s, and that the music itself no one was scared to layer harmonies, its part of why I like some church music as Gospel is such a big sound – I am not afraid to admit I did sing in the church school choir when I was in High School, I just love the harmonies.
If you could voice one thing that you could have an impact in changing, what would that be? Representation, there is a lot of parts of me that I feel when I was growing up that were not represented and if you don’t have that representation then you feel out of the norm. Not that being “normal” is in itself a thing, being normal is very much overrated anyway, but making everyone feel included. I’d like my music to be that “safe space” where people like me or feel like I do are able to feel seen. I want Latinos in the UK to know they don’t have to be in a box of the stereotypes that have been placed upon them. Yes I am Columbian and I love my culture, Salsa and I could eat empanadas everyday if I could but I am also not a “Spicy and Crazy” stereotype, I am a person who loves RnB and silly things like the colour of the sunset and the way water moves as well as so many other things, hopefully my music shows all sides of that.
At the end of the day I want people to know if they don’t already, that being authentically you, no matter who you are, even if that means you change it up every day or stay the same for years it’s ok. In fact, it is more than ok, it is something to be celebrated.
Who are your current favourite artists? Ohhh don’t do that! I have lots! Ok so top 5, I think erm actually can I do 10? Obviously, Selena, Ariana Grande, Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Olivia Rodrigo, Whitney Houston, DVSN, Doja Cat, Ari Lennox, Phoney Ppl
Is there anyone out there at the moment that you would like to work with in the future of your music career? Mostly Tyler the Creator, probably Doja Cat and Summer Walker, oh and Frank Ocean!
What is your go to Karaoke Track? I will always Love You – Whitney Houston
In your opinion, what is the best pop song ever written? Oh no, don’t do that – I don’t know I hear so many good tracks whilst working and the Fresh Friday playlist brings me new favourites each week.
