Such Trying Times by Belvedere Kane

Dear Poptastic Readers,

We recently heard about a UK artist named Belvedere Kane who released one single in 1996 called "Never Felt As Good." Unfortunately, after the single, they were dropped by the label, and the album they recorded was shelved. Until this year! The album finally released after 30 years! WOO! The new album is called Such Trying Times.

This is a very fun album. It brings back fond memories of the time with songs having the gallop beat, soaring synths, and glorious sing-along melodies. Singer/songwriter Barry Stone must feel so happy having the music finally released after 30 years. We were so inspired by the album, that we made faux single covers for some of our favourite songs! Like this ...

The album starts off with a banging duet with Pete Burns of Dead Or Alive (who is no longer with us). It's a hi-nrg dance pop affair. We quite like this! The lyric video was released back in February! Check it out on our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

Let's see how it all started ...

"Never Felt As Good" is listed as the Kobold Album Version. It is a bit different from the actual 7" radio edit (and actual artwork above) that was released 30 years ago. We actually prefer the Kobold Album Version. Again, this anthem is fantastic. It is a shame we didn't know about it in 1996. The original music video has been updated to have the album version music. Check it out on our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

And for your consideration ...

"Getting Away With Murder" is the current focus track. Don't be fooled by the title! It's not a how-to, but an accusation! This is a fun song and we really like it. Looks like a video was filmed and maybe this was meant to be the second single back in the day. Check it out on our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

And one more ...

The one other song that we wanted to highlight is called "Isabella Rossellini." This is brilliant! The melody and clever lyrics are just ace. There is a lyric video that features a live performance from 30 years ago plus clips of Isabella. It is FABULOUS! We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Legends (Forever Young)" was written by Julian Gingell, Hannah Robinson, Pete Burns, Steve Coy, Peter Oxendale, and Barry Stone. It was produced by The Alias. 

"Never Felt As Good" and "Isabella Rossellini" were written and produced by Barry Stone.

"Getting Away With Murder" was written and produced by Julian Gingell and Barry Stone.

These songs and the rest of the album Such Trying Times are available for purchase on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copies today. You can stream the album here ... 

We've added these 4 songs to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Could this be love?
—Davearama

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Summer's Gone by Rikky Disco

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Rikky Disco just released a new song called "Summer's Gone." This makes the fifth single by the Swedish duo this year! It follows: "Gimme All You Got" with Birdee, "It's My Style", "Feel You On The Dancefloor", and "Monte Carlo." 

"Summer's Gone" is delightful disco pop song sung in both French and English. The lyrics are about wanting summer to last forever. The lush production will just make you feel happy. We love it. We've added the official audio to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Summer's Gone" was written and produced by Christian Jonson, and Fanny Wahlqvist. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

We've added the extended version to our 2026 Remix Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Gimme all you got,

—Davearama

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See our Top Songs of past years here ... Rikky Disco had the #1 song in 2021! They were in the Top 21 these years ...

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Easy by Flora Summers

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Swedish artist Flora Summers released a new song on Friday called "Easy." This is the fourth song this year from Flora. The previous three singles were: "Pretty Girls" and "Boom Boom", and "Losing You As Mine." 

"Easy" is an easy-going pop song with a lovely melody. It has one of those choruses where you want to sway back and forth. It's a lovely light pop rock love song. We've added the official audio to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Easy" was written by Ida Johansson, Gabriel Bendel, and Sixten Börjesson. It was produced by Flora Summers and Gabriel Bendel. Mastered by Sebastian Winskog. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Nothing has been easy,

—Davearama

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Crucified Reborn by Merkel x Rolinski

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Last year, Tess Merkel from Alcazar and Martin Rolinski from BWO teamed up for a tour called BWO vs Alcazar where they sang the hits of both groups. Earlier this year, they released their debut single called "Let There Be Love" under both their names. Now their duo name has been shortened to their last names, and they have just released a cover of "Crucified" by the legendary Army Of Lovers. Their new version is called "Crucified Reborn."

"Crucified Reborn" is not really a cover, but perhaps an interpolation. Of course, it uses the chorus of the original and some of the lyrics for the verses, but other lyrics are new. The melody is the same and slightly changed too. The music video is a visual treat. Army Of Lovers members Jean-Pierre and Alexander have some cameos. Tess and Martin have pulled out all the punches with this one, and it shows. We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Crucified Reborn" was written by Alexander Bard, Anders Wolbeck, Jean-Pierre Barda, Tess Merkel, Martin Rolinski, and Johan Röhr. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Saint-like behaviour,

—Davearama

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Rave The Nation by Rebecca & Fiona

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Swedish duo Rebeca & Fiona are back with a new track called "Rave The Nation." We last featured them in June with their single "RAMA." 

"Rave The Nation" is another super-fast song! Rebecca & Fiona keep turning up the BPMs! We find this song is charming as the lyrics are a love song. There are lots of interesting musical elements here, and the choir near the end. We quite like it. We've added the official audio to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Rave The Nation" was written by Fiona Fitzpatrick and Rebecca Scheja. It was produced by Carli Löf. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Megadance,

—Davearama

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Side By Side EP by Appleton

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Sister duo Appleton recently released their new EP called Side By Side. It features the two singles: "Falling Into You" and "Ready To Begin Again."

The Side By Side EP has 5 songs, and we already know the first 2 tracks, so that leaves us with only 3 to review. It's a short EP, but quite good!

Up first is "Strange Kind Of Paradise." The music is a midtempo pop song with a strong guitar presence. The melody is quite good, and the chorus is catchy. Their vocals are very smooth. We quite like this. We've added the official audio to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Monster" starts off a bit somber with pleasant melody. Then the big chorus hits with a beat. The second chorus is downtempo, but a bit more dramatic than the first verse. We quite like it. We've also added the official audio to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

The last track is a live performance of "Wichita Lineman" from BBC Radio 2 Piano Room, where it was recorded with an orchestra. "Wichita Lineman" was originally recorded by Glen Campbell in 1968. This is quite beautiful, and it showcases the Appleton sisters lovely vocals. Watch their performance here ...

Side By Side is a lovely EP from Appleton. Although a bit short, it leaves us wanting more. We hope there is more new music in their future. Over the weekend, Appleton performed in England at BBC Radio 2 in the Park. They sang their All Saints hit "Pure Shores" and they sounded fantastic. It's absolutely lovely to hear them on lead vocals. We'd love a studio version of this! 

Both "Strange Kinda Paradise" and "Monster" were written by Natalie Appleton, Nicole Appleton, Daniel Zak Watts, and Gareth Young. They were produced by Shadowhands. Mixed by Pete Hoffman. Mastered by Dick Beetham. 

"Wichita Lineman" was written by Jimmy Webb. Arranged by Katie Chatburn. Produced by Shadowhands. Mastered by Dick Beetham. 

Side By Side is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. Listen to it on Spotify here ...

You can also hear the songs on our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Swimming closer to you,

—Davearama

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STA!N by Emly Clausen

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Swedish artist Emly Clausen has released a new song called "STA!N." You might remember that we featured her song "Devilish Dreams" in 2024. And again in 2025 when it released with the Gideyo Remix.

"STA!N" is a bit of an epic midtempo pop song with lots of drama. It has a nice melody, and the vocals are quite good. We've added the official audio to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"STA!N" was written by Michael Lövgren, Linda Sonnvik, and Per-Olaf Dahl. It was produced by Michael Lövgren and co-produced by Linda Sonnvik. It is available for purchase on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2026 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.

Cheers then,
—Davearama

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