Pop Life Fanzine returns for the 40th anniversary of Bananarama

Dear Poptastic Readers,

This year, Bananarama celebrated their 40th Anniversary. YAY! The Pop Life Fanzine is back with their 29th issue dedicated to all 12 studio albums.

In this issue, the reviewers were asked to rate every Bananarama song on those 12 albums. The reviewers ranked the songs on a scale from 1 to 5. The worst being 1, and the best being 5. There was the option to include half points, but not above 5. Then we added up the totals and did math to get the average score for each song. Then we added those totals and got the average score for each album. Basically, it involved a lot of math. 

Today, you can download all 29 issues of the Pop Life Fanzine. (Issues 1-28 were digitally updated in July of this year.) The fanzine was originally printed from 2003 to 2007. There were special editions in 2017, 2020, 2021, and now 2022. All of the issues have been updated and modified since the original publications.

DOWNLOAD THE CURRENT ISSUE HERE

DOWNLOAD ISSUES 1-28 HERE

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Davearama's 2005 interview with Keren

Davearama's 2006 interview with Sara

Davearama's 2006 interview with Jacquie

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Open & Alive by Jenny Berggren

Dear Poptastic Readers,

It's been a long time since we heard from Jenny Berggren, formerly of Ace Of Base. Her only solo album My Story came out in 2010, the year before Poptastic Confessions started. In 2011, we wrote a piece about how she should have released more singles from that album. Well, she is back with a new song out today called "Open & Alive."

"Open & Alive" is a dance pop song that has some intense energy. It's a bit hard to describe because there is a lot going on ... from the various layers of vocals to a lush production that takes a few turns throughout the 3-minute song. Jenny sounds great, and it is really nice to hear her back singing. This does not like sound like an Ace Of Base song, and that probably is the point. Have a listen ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEgp7Jxobcw

"Open & Alive" is available on digital outlets everywhere.  Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Jenny and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...

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Mi Casa Su Casa, Moving Like That, Todo De Ti (All That She Wants) and Simon's Song by Omar Rudberg

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Swedish recording artist/actor Omar Rudberg has been on our radar all year. You might know him from the Netflix hit series Young Royals. Omar plays one the main characters named Simon, and his latest song "Simon's Song" is from that TV show. However, he has had other singles out this year. Let's have a look ...

Up first is "Mi Casa Su Casa", which is of course Spanish for "My House Your House." Omar was born in Venezuela and moved to Sweden when he was 6 years old. This mid-tempo song is very modern flamenco pop. Not all of it is sung in Spanish, as there is English, too. Check out the music video here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEZzvu7oIbU

Next up is "Moving Like That", which was an entry for Sweden's Melodifestivalen Song Contest for Eurovision. This is more upbeat and energetic. It still has that flamenco sound with a dance beat and a great melody. You see Omar's live performance at Melodifestivalen here. Or watch the music video here ...

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

"Todo De Ti (All That She Wants)" is a remake of the Ace Of Base classic, with new lyrics for the verses sung in Spanish. This brings the song into Reggaeton territory, which fits right in with the Ace Of Base reggae rhythms. Check out the tongue-in-cheek video here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXnusmf2Po

At last, we have the new song from Season 2 of Young Royals called "Simon's Song." This is not your typical pop song as it starts of acapella with a choir coming in, and then what sounds like an orchestra. Have a listen ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQaEUsj11oE

These songs are available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added them to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists is to buy their music. Please do so!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Omar and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...

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Ennill Yn Barod by Ani Glass

Dear Poptastic Readers,

It's been awhile since we heard from Welsh artist Ani Glass. She recently released a new song called "Ennill Yn Barod", which translates to "We've Already Won." The song celebrates the Welsh national football team’s long journey back to the World Cup. The tiny country is taking its place on the world’s biggest sporting stage for only the second time ever and the first time since 1958. Go Wales!

"Ennill Yn Barod" is an electropop song with lovely melody. We don't even speak Welsh, but it is fun to listen along. The music video is very eye catching. Ani looks gorgeous as always, but you might notice that she is a blonde this time around and we love it. We've added the video to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube. Check it out ...

"Ennill Yn Barod" was written by Ani Glass. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Ani Glass and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...

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Me My Selfie And I + Losertown by Luxia

Dear Poptastic Readers,

We've been on an Ace Of Base kick lately listening to all of their music as former singer Jenny Berggren has a new song out next week. Of course, we LOVE former singer Clara Mae's solo career, and we have been following her since 2016. We've always wondered what happened to Julia Williamson, the other singer on that last album. 

Julia Williamson, aka Luxia

Recently, we found out that she released 2 singles under the name Luxia in 2017! How did we miss them? We are bummed that no one told us. Well, we are 5 years late to Luxia, but we will still feature her anyway ...

Luxia's debut single was called "Me My Selfie And I" and it is a fun pop song! It's got a groove and the melody is quite nice. Julia/Luxia exudes confidence and this is a bop. Just check out the super cute video with LOTS of outfit changes. It was uploaded to YouTube November 1, 2017 ...

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

Luxia's second single came a month later as the video was posted to YouTube on December 1, 2017. "Loserville" is a darker, edgier song. It's got a droning bass and Julia/Luxia's vocals are a bit distorted, except for the middle 8 where her vocals shine. The music video is a bit of trip. Don't mess with her! Haha 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFQBSpyZ-Uc

Luxia's social media accounts went silent shortly thereafter. Maybe if she sees this feature, it might ignite more new music. We'd love to hear it!

Both of these songs are available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copies today. Even though they are from 2017, we've added them to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Eventually, we will add them to our 2017 playlist. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. Buying the music will really help the artist. Please do so!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

 

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Satisfaction by Darin

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Out and proud Swedish artist Darin has a new song out called "Satisfaction." You might remember that he had another song out this year called "Superstar." Last year, his song "Can't Stay Away" was #5 in our Top 100 Songs of 2021.

"Satisfaction" is a sexy, slinky number. It has a groove that instantly catchy and you will be moving in no time. The music video is very sensual, and we've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ..

"Satisfaction" was written by Darin Zanyar, Wayne Hector, and Luke Fritton, who also produced the track. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'l also hear Darin's previous single "Superstar" there. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Darin and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...

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Lifetime by SG Lewis

Dear Poptastic Readers,

We recently featured 2 new songs from SG Lewis, and now he is another one out called "Lifetime", and it is quite good!

"Lifetime" has a such a big, full chorus that the song starts out with it. The groove is very cool and melody is lovely. The music video features SG as a wedding singer who gets a little too involved with the willing bride. We've added the video to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU36kq5BzYc&list=PL8ch-6GbsSQ6cvgYDm65xfK0LAGkiXf4D

"Lifetime" was written by Ed Drewett, Jay Mooncie, Nathaniel J. Warner, Reuben James, and SG Lewis, who also produced the track. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear SG Lewis's previous singles "Missing You", "Something About Your Love", "Vibe Like This" and "Call On Me" there. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Stand Up! and Saturday Night by Hungry Hearts

Dear Poptastic Readers,

There is a Norwegian group that popped up on our radar earlier this year with a song called "Saturday Night." The group is called Hungry Hearts. We liked the song and meant to feature it, but we dropped the ball. We just saw they have a new song called "Stand Up!" Today, we are featuring both songs ...

Let's start with their recent song "Stand Up!"  It's very political song about standing up for yourself and what is right for the future. The sound is very electro dance. "Stand Up!" was written by Beverly Jackson. It was produced by SoundFactory. Listen here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeIlRFrRub0

"Saturday Night" is a fun synth pop dance song. It has a very Pet Shop Boys sound to it. Now this is interesting: There is a female version and a male version. The male version is sung by Kristian Kaspersen. How fun is that? "Saturday Night" was written by Emil Hellman, Pontus Hagberg, and Tonje Gjevjon. It was produced by SoundFactory. 

Hear the female version here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24nAtpbE3WY

Hear the male (Kristian Kaspersen) version here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v5t-WD2UIY

All of these songs are available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copies today. We've added them to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. Buying the music will really help the artist. Please do so!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

 

P.S. Please follow Hungry Hearts and Poptastic Confessions on social media …

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