In and Out of Love by Melanie C

Dear Poptastic Readers,

We had big plans to bring you a lot of music this week, but life got busy. We'll fit them in next week for sure. In the meantime, happy Friday! Melanie C is on a roll because she has just released a new single called "In and Out of Love" and this is her 4th home run in our book!

"In and Out of Love" is a fun dance pop song that has an unexpected feeling to it. This is one to sit up and take notice of. We are so happy that Melanie is embracing dance pop again after journeys into rock pop. She soars at this, and honestly fills the gap where her other 4 bandmates (aka the Spice Girls) currently are not making music. The video is quite fun. Melanie said that they took precautions to keep everyone 6 feet apart while filming. Have a look ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z89z6syErqY

Wasn't that fun? Yes. It was. "In and Out of Love" was written by was written by Melanie C, Biff Stannard, Jonathan Howard, and Joseph Murphy. It was produced by One Bit. We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear her previous singles "Who I Am"  and "Blame It On Me" there. Enjoy!~

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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The 30th Anniversary of Only Your Love by Bananarama

Dear Poptastic Readers,

It was 30 years ago this month that Bananarama released the single "Only Your Love" — July 1990. It would be the first single from their then forthcoming album Pop Life, which turns 30 next year! Perhaps you aren't even familiar with the track, or why it is important in the history of Bananarama's career. We're here to tell you!

Artwork by Paul Jackson

Leading up this single, Bananarama had their most successful era with producers Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW). Siobhan didn't like the new music direction for Bananarama and left in early 1988. The record company demanded that Bananarama stay a trio, so Sara and Keren asked Jacquie to join. They knew her from the clubs, and they knew she could sing as Jacquie was the lead singer of the Shillelagh Sisters. 

With Jacquie on board, the group finished the promotion from the WOW! album and then went right in to The Greatest Hits Collection followed by the 1989 World Tour. During this time, Jacquie was featured on a handful of singles — some new songs, some rerecorded songs that Siobhan was originally on, and some remixes of previous classics without Jacquie's vocal at all.

Artwork by Paul Jackson

So by 1990, Bananarama fans were ready for a new sound, and ready for Jacquie to lose her "new girl" status in the group. "Only Your Love" did just that. Bananarama had left the SAW camp and gone to indie producer Youth (aka ex-Killing Joke member Martin Glover). The new song was a bold new sound from Bananarama, but it didn't lose any of the fun of Bananarama. Just watch the fantastic music video where Sara, Keren, and Jacquie all look absolutely gorgeous ...

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

Still FABULOUS to this day! "Only Your Love" was written by Sara Dallin, Andy Caine, and Youth. It was produced by Youth. Unfortunately, the song didn't do well on the charts (#27 in the UK, and #51 in Australia). However, UK fans say that Radio 1 played "Only Your Love" a lot, and the chart placement wasn't representative of the actual air play. Sadly, the single was not released in the US.

Artwork by Paul Jackson

Looking back, "Only Your Love" brings back fond memories for Bananarama fans. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, the Pop Life Fanzine has released a special edition dedicated to the single. It features fan's memories of the song, as well as producer Youth and remixer Terry Farley. You can download the issue here.

If you missed the 2017 original lineup tour special edition of the Pop Life Fanzine, you can download the 2017 issue here.

Eventually the printed issues from 2003 to 2007 will be online. In the meantime, you can see the first 3 issues on the Poptastic Confessions Facebook page. Go to the photos, when it shows the albums, click more, scroll down and you will see the first 3 issues.

You can hear "Only Your Love" and the fantastic Pop Life album on Spotify here. It is available on digital outlets everywhere, so be sure to buy your copy today!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

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Davearama's 2005 interview with Keren
Davearama's 2006 interview with Sara
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P.S.S. Here's a special wallpaper made by Jason Fisher!

Closer by Alice D

Dear Poptastic Readers,

What's this? Another new single from Alice D? Yes, and it is the second time this week that we featured Alice. Her latest single is called "Closer" and we think you are going to love it. We do!

"Closer" is a feel-good soulful pop song. It's about the joys of being in love. This mid-tempo jam just makes you feel happy. Alice gives an amazing strong vocal performance. The melody is just ace. Check out the wonderful lyric video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbS4rhbTbvA

"Closer" was written by Alice D and James Mackenzie Robinson. It was produced by Big Pretty. "Closer" is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!~

Check out Alice D's other singles this year as well as her Lioness EP.

"Forever Mine"

Lioness

"Brand New"

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Say Something by Kylie Minogue

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Kylie Minogue made pop fans rejoice this week when she announced the release of a new single called "Say Something." The new single was released today and it is the first single from her upcoming album Disco due in November.

"Say Something" still has a bit of the Golden-era feel to it, which isn't a bad thing. Kylie's last album Golden was a country music affair. And while this isn't a country song, one could imagine it being one, which is kind of strange coming from an album named Disco. The lyrics are a bit topical with the pandemic. The music has a great rhythm, the vocals have a nice melody. You want to hear it again as soon as it is over, and that is why we think this a great pop song. 

August 8 UPDATE: Kylie has just released the music video for "Say Something" and it is FABULOUS! That sequined jumpsuit/hoodie is AMAZING! Check it out ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l73FJBnjp28

"Say Something" was written by Ash Howes, Biff Stannard, Jon Green, and Kylie Minogue. It was produced by Biff Stannard and Jon Green. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!~

Kylie's album Disco is due November 6. We are sure to get at least another single before the album is out. Maybe two. Stay tuned!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

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The Bomb by Annie

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Annie has released the second single from her upcoming album. The new single is called "The Bomb."

It picks up where "American Cars" left off, as it starts off a bit mysterious and epic. Then the beat kicks in and becomes a dance tune. There is what seems to be "quotes" like it is from a TV show or movie. It definitely stays a mystery though the whole song. Just have listen ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl2Jkt547rA

"The Bomb" was written by Annie and Stefan Storm, who also produced the track. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!~

You'll also hear Annie's previous single "American Cars" on the playlist.

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Brand New by Alice D

Dear Poptastic Readers, 

You might remember that we featured Alice D's wonderful new EP called Lioness back in April. Several of those songs have been on our playlist all summer long. And the amazing track "Brand New" has been given the remix treatment by Mission Groove.

"Brand New" is a fabulous song that has been on constant rotation since we first heard it. Check out our EP review of Lioness to hear what we first said about it. You can hear the original version here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYVbKggeZ78

Bill Pardue of Mission Groove gave it the remix treatment! His first mix is called Mission Groove Uptown Mix. It is a 8-minute mix that gets your groove on with some house keys! Listen here and download for free!

Mission Groove · Alice D - Brand New (Mission Groove Uptown Mix)

https://soundcloud.com/missiongroove/alice-d-brand-new-mission-groove-uptown-mix

Wasn't that fun? Yes, it was! Mission Groove did it again with a second mix. This second mix has more of a disco feel and it is called Mission Groove Downtown Mix. It is about 3 minutes shorter, too, as it clocks in at just over 5 minutes. Listen here and also download for free.

Mission Groove · Alice D - Brand New (Mission Groove Downtown Mix)

https://soundcloud.com/missiongroove/alice-d-brand-new-mission-groove-downtown-mix

Wooo! We love them both! "Brand New" was written by Alice D and James Mackenzie Robinson, who also produced the track. Bill Pardue of Mission Groove did both of the remixes above. The remixes are free, but please buy Alice D's original. We've put "Brand New" at the top of our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!~

Alice D has a new song out on Friday called "Closer." We will do our best to feature it on Friday. If not, definitely next week!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Need You Now by Carda & Keeks

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Australian artist Carda is back with a new song out today! YAY! It is called "Need You Now" and it was recorded with Keeks. We are still loving Carda's previous single "Wasted" featuring Emily Falvey from back in January.

Who is Keeks? She is an Australian singer named Ciara Muscat, who is also from Melbourne, where Carda is from. (Also, Parralox is based in Melbourne.)

Ciara/Keeks

"Need You Now" starts off a bit slow and guitar-y. The first chorus has the music drop out while the Ciara carries it nicely along with her beautiful and strong vocals. Before you know it, the music is back and it is a steady pop song with a wonderful melody. This is really is quite good. Check out the lyric video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQe10efmw8

"Wasted" was written by Adrian Cardamone (Carda), Angus Legg, Ciara Muscat, and Jeremy Drakeford. It was produced by Carda himself. "Need You Now" is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear "Wasted" there. Enjoy!~

Want to hear more from Carda? Of course you do! And you should! How can you resist?

Carda

We just listened to a playlist of Carda songs yesterday and it was a blast! Check out these tunes that were featured in Poptastic Confessions ...

"Never Let You Go" featuring Maddy Tab

It was #10 in our Top 100 Songs of 2018

"Remedy" featuring Maddy Tab

It was #37 in our Top 100 Songs of 2018

"Caught Up" featuring Cirillo

It was #19 in our Top 100 Songs of 2019

"For A Little" featuring SØPHIA

It was #27 in our Top 100 Songs of 2019

"Wasted" with Emily Falvey

In December, we will countdown songs of 2020

Cheers then,
—Davearama

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The Healing Lyric Video by Jody Watley

Dear Poptastic Readers,

It sure has been an interesting year with everything going on. In May, we featured the new song by Jody Watley called "The Healing." We put it on our summer playlist and it has become part of the soundtrack to the summer.

A couple of weeks ago, Jody released a lyric video for the song. We meant to add it to the previous entry about the song, but we forgot. D'oh! So we decided to do an all-new entry for the lyric video. It's lovely and we all need some healing right now. Check it out ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrH56KhroDM

We absolutely love it! Please remember to support Jody by purchasing the EP (3 tracks) on digital outlets everywhere. Jody is an independent artist, so every sale supports her and she can continue to make music for us. "The Healing"  is on our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear Jody's song "Weigh On Me" with SRL on the playlist, too!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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