Welcome to Poptastic Confessions! This blog is dedicated to glorious, unashamed alternative pop music! We hope to share new music with you that you might not have heard before because it is usually overlooked by the masses. Of course, we'll always encourage you to buy the music legally to support the artists. Enjoy! —Davearama, editor of Poptastic Confessions
Dear Poptastic Readers, Happy Friday! We aren't sure how this escaped us for so long, but Schitt's Creek actress Annie Murphy released a single called "A Little Bit Alexis" back in February! Even though we are a bit late to the party, it is deeply fab!
So what's the history about this? Annie Murphy plays a character named Alexis Rose on the hilarious TV show Schitt's Creek. This past (5th) season, Alexis auditioned for a musical using the theme song from her short-lived reality show called A Little Bit Alexis. Well, actress Annie Murphy did her homework and wrote this song for her character's back story. She wanted it to be a banger like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. We think it is awesome. Someone made this fan video and it is everything. Have a look ...
Cheers then, —Davearama (Ew, David!) P.S. This isn't the first song from Schitt's Creek that we've featured. Check out "Simply The Best" by Noah Reid, which we featured last year.
P.S.S. Please follow Annie Murphy, Schitt's Creek, and Poptastic Confessions on social media ... Annie Murphy Instagram Twitter Schitt's Creek Facebook Instagram Twitter
Dear Poptastic Readers, If you're in the mood for some indie rock pop, then we've got just the song for you. Singer Sean Smith, who we have featured several times in Poptastic Confessions, has a new song out with a band called Beware The Bear. The song is called "Show Me Love."
So what is "Show Me Love" like? Well, it is fun song that feels very real as you can tell that a rock band is playing the instruments. Sean does a great job on vocals — very emotional and powerful. On top of all that, it has a nice melody. Have a listen ...
Wasn't that nice? "Show Me Love" is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our2019 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll even hear Sean's previous single "Do Or Die" there. Enjoy!~
Cheers then, —Davearama P.S. Please follow Sean Smith, Beware The Bear, and Poptastic Confessions on social media ... Sean Smith Facebook Instagram Twitter Beware The Bear Facebook
Dear Poptastic Readers, One of our favourite guilty pleasures, Dolly Style, is back with a new single called "Sunrise." This their second single of the year as their previous single "Habibi" was in Sweden's Melodifestivalen back in February.
So what's the new song sound like? Well, it sounds like a very catchy Katy Perry song. Remember how fabulous her song "Hot N Cold" was? Well, it's like that but better because Molly, Holly, and Polly are singing. June 26, 2019 UPDATE: The music video has just dropped. Have look below. Also, Molly 2 has announced her departure in the group after 4 years. She will leave when their summer tour is over.
Wasn't that awesome? Yes, it was. Go ahead and have another listen. We know you want to! "Sunrise" isn't available for download worldwide. However, sometimes that can change. It is available to stream everywhere. We've added it (and the b-side "Twinkle") to our 2019 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear their previous single "Habibi" there, too. Enjoy!~
Cheers then, —Davearama
P.S. Please follow Dolly Style and Poptastic Confessions on social media!
Dear Poptastic Readers, Bananarama have released their second single from their latest album In Stereo and it is the fabulous fan-favourite "Looking For Someone."
"Looking For Someone" is not only a fan-favourite, Sara and Keren said it was their favourite track on the album when they appeared on a TV interview. It's a bit of a rock-pop track with lush layers and a gorgeous melody. It's also a track where they take turns singing the verses instead of singing the whole song in unison — Keren sings the first verse, and Sara sings the second verse. Check out the official lyric video ...
Dear Poptastic Readers, Madonna has released the second single from her forthcoming album Madame X. The new song is called "Crave" and it features rapper Swae Lee.
What's the song like? It's a mid-tempo number with an acoustic guitar mixed in with some smooth trip-hop. Lyrically, it is about craving someone, so it is rather seductive. Check out the music video ...
Dear Poptastic Readers, We are a tad bit late to report that Magdalena Bay released a new single last month called "Only If You Want It" and we are loving it. If you don't know Magdalena Bay, check out feature on them from back in February.
So what's the new song like? Dreamy fun pop! "Only If You Want It" has nice melody and lovely vocals. The music video is their trademark retro budget video and it just makes it all that much more adorable. Check it out ...
Wasn't that fun? Yes, it was. We've added it to our 2019 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. They are also available on digital outlets so please support the artist and buy your copies today! Enjoy!~
Cheers then, —Davearama P.S. Please follow Magdalena Bay and Poptastic Confessions on social media. Magdalena Bay Facebook Instagram Twitter
Dear Poptastic Confessions, The 80s synth legend Howard Jones has a new album out called Transform and we quite like his new single "The One To Love You." We think you will, too!
Now if you don't know Howard Jones, we'll give you a bit of his pop history. As we said, he is a synth pop legend. However, he also a pop legend as he often used live horns, and other instruments in his songs. Howard is also an amazing songwriter and vocalist. Within a 10-year span, he had 15 top 40 singles around the world. He was part of the 80s British invasion the US, and he was a household name on MTV back in the day. Howard's 1983 debut album Human's Lib went to #1 in the UK.
Human's Lib in 1983
(UK #1, US #59)
His debut album would have his highest chart performing single with "What Is Love?". The following four singles were from that album ...
His second album Dream Into Action in 1985 is when the US really took notice of him as he had his first top ten hit with "Things Can Only Get Better." The singles from the second album were ...
In 1986, Howard did a re-recording of "No One Is To Blame" (which was on the album Dream Into Action) with Phil Collins on drums and backing vocals. It was featured on his Action Replay EP in 1986, and it was his biggest hit in the US.
Howard quickly followed that up with this third album One To One. The album did well, but it wasn't as successful as the previous two albums, and this singles didn't chart that high. The singles were ...
His fifth album In The Running came out in 1992 and the album didn't chart anywhere. In the US, he had a moderate hit with "Lift Me Up." It would be his last single to chart in the US.
The Best Of Howard Jones was released in 1993. There was a new single, which was a cover of a Donald Fagen song, to promote the best-of album, but it was only a minor hit in Germany. It was ...
Although not in the charts, Howard kept his career going. Between 1993 and 2019, Howard released 8 more albums. We must admit, we lost track of him during this time, too. However, he has a new album out this year called Transform, and it was his first album to hit the charts in the UK since 1989. What a nice comeback!
Transform in 2019
(UK #49)
So what's the new single "The One To Love You" like? Classic Howard Jones. While it may have a nod to his past, this sounds very current. It has a nice melody and Howard's vocals still sound great. It's like hearing a long-lost friend. It just makes you smile. Check out the music video ...
Dear Poptastic Readers, Glass Slipper has had 3 releases since we last featured "Momentary Joy" in February! D'oh! And the best news is ... they have given us RADIO EDITS! Woo!
First up is "STFU." If you don't know what that means, look it up. It really is a fun groove. Lisa gives an outstanding vocal, as always. No radio edit here. However, it is available as a vocal mix and a dub mix. Have a listen ...
"I Remember Love" is the next release, and it offers up the most mixes. Tears on the dance floor would accurately describe this somber song. Quite like this one a lot. Very well done. Listen to it here ...
The Vibin' EP offers up 2 songs, each with a mix. First up is the track "Vibin' With My Tribe." Both original and mix are offered up as short radio edit tracks. Both are bit light on the vocals. Have a listen ...
Dear Poptastic Readers, Shakespears Sister is back to being the duo of Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit. They haven't been a duo in 27 years! They are back with a new single, best-of album in July, and a UK tour in November.
Now if you aren't familiar with Shakespears Sister, we'll walk you through their history. Siobhan Fahey was an original member of Bananarama. She left during the promotion of their fourth album WOW! in 1988. She decided to go solo, but instead of using her name, she chose the name Shakespear's Sister (notice the misspelling of Shakespeare and the apostrophe, which would later disappear).
Sacred Heart in 1989
During recording her debut album called Sacred Heart, Siobhan met Marcella Detroit. Marcella was a singer/songwriter with a solo album under her belt. She had worked with many artists, one Eric Clapton who Marcella help write "Lay Down Sally." Siobhan and Marcella hit it off and started writing together. With Siobhan singing in her lower register, and Marcella singing with a very high voice, both complemented each other and Shakespear's Sister suddenly wasn't a solo project but a duo. Siobhan was the lead singer, Marcella played guitar and did backing vocals. Their debut album featured the singles ...
During the recording of their second album, both Siobhan and Marcella were pregnant, thus they named the album Hormonally Yours. For most of the album, Siobhan sang lead vocals with Marcella on backing vocals. However, there was one song with Marcella on lead. It was called "Stay" and it was a #1 hit in the UK for 8 weeks, and their only top 10 hit in the US. The album contained the following singles (note: Most of the singles, the apostrophe was dropped from the band's name) ...
(#1 in the UK for 8 weeks, #1 in Ireland and Sweden, #2 in Switzerland, #3 in Australia and Germany, #4 in Austria and the US, #5 in New Zealand and #28 in The Netherlands)
(#7 in the UK, #10 in Ireland, #11 in New Zealand, #18 in Australia, #28 in Switzerland, #29 in Austria, #34 in Germany, #38 in Sweden, #55 in the US, and #57 in the The Netherlands)
During the promotion of the second album, there were personal conflicts between Siobhan and Marcella. At the 1993 Ivor Novello Awards, the group won for Best Contemporary Collection of Songs. Marcella attended the event, but Siobhan didn't. When the award was given, Siobhan's publicist read Siobhan's acceptance speech on stage with Marcella in which Siobhan dismissed Marcella from the group wishing all the best for the future: "all's well that ends well."
Jewel in 1994
That didn't keep Marcella down. She quickly recorded and released a new solo album called Jewel in 1994. It contained 3 UK top 40 hits, one was even a duet with Elton John.
"I Believe" in 1994 (#11 in the UK, #10 in Australia)
In June of 1996, both Marcella and Shakespears Sister would have singles out. First up was Marcella with a track called "I Hate You Now." It was not a success. "I Can Drive" by Shakespears Sister was released about 2 weeks later and went to #30 in the UK.
Even though Siobhan had recorded a new Shakespears Sister album called #3, the record label dropped her and the album was shelved until Siobhan got the rights to release it in 2004 on her own label.
Dancing Madly Sideways in 2001
In 2001, Marcella released an album called Dancing Madly Sideways, which featured the single "Lust For Like."
In 2002, Siobhan released a single called "Bitter Pill" under her own name. It was an awesome electro song. The Pussycat Dolls later recorded it but they added the Donna Summer chorus and the title was called "Hot Stuff (I Want You Back)."
These 3 songs by Siobhan would eventually find their way onto the next Shakespears Sister album in 2009 called Songs From The Red Room. The album would have a single out in 2010 called "It's A Trip."
Marcella released a few more albums over the years. Poptastic Confessions has highlighted 2 of her songs from her album Gray Matterz, and her song with Parralox.
Throughout the years, Marcella would try to reach out to Siobhan, but Siobhan wouldn't answer. The pair went 26 years without talking. In 2017, Siobhan reunited for a reunion tour with Bananarama. They actually wrote and recorded a new song for the reunion, but it was scrapped for some unknown reason. And no new music came out of the reunited trio. Bananarama decided after the reunion tour, that they wanted to continue as a duo as they already had their next album (In Stereo) finished.
Bananarama in 2017: Keren, Siobhan, and Sara
Perhaps it was the reunion with Bananarama that inspired Siobhan to finally reach out to Marcella. They met up and worked out their differences from 26 years ago, and fans have been speculating and comeback from the duo ever since.
Singles Party in 2019
Now, they are back together. They have a new song called "All The Queen's Horses" and a new best-of album called Singles Party, and a tour in November. So what is the new song like? Well, it's a bit of a western number with lyrics about the pair's relationship. The video was directed by Sophie Muller, who directed a lot of the previous Shakespears Sister videos. The new video shows Siobhan and Marcella haven't lost their sense of humor. Have a look ...
Wasn't that nice? "All The Queen's Horses" is out on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! And preorder the Singles Party collection. We've added the new song to our 2019 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!~
