Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Loneliness by Pet Shop Boys

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Pop legends Pet Shop Boys are out with a new song today called "Loneliness." This is the first single from their forthcoming album Nonetheless, which is due in April.


"Loneliness" is a mid-tempo epic pop song where the title of the song describes the lyrical content. The music video is like a mini movie that was directed by Alasdair McLellan. It also has the extended version of the song. There is an age restriction to watch the music video on YouTube so you must have a YouTube account and signed in to see it. We've added the the music video to our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...


"Loneliness" was written by Chis Lowe and Neil Tennant. It was produced by James Ford. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! Listen to the radio edit on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify ...



Left to my own devices,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Pet Shop Boys and Poptastic Confessions on social media …


Pet Shop Boys
Facebook
Instagram

Poptastic Confessions

Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!

See our Top Songs of past years here ... Pet Shop Boys have had songs in our Top 21 in the blue highlighted years ...

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Everlasting by Jody Watley

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Happy Birthday to the legendary Jody Watley! As a special birthday treat to her fans, The Queen of Cool has released a brand new single called "Everlasting." HOORAY!


"Everlasting" is a contemporary soulful track that makes you makes you feel great. The lyrics are about self empowerment. We absolutely love it! Some fans of Jody Watley might know of this song because it was a bonus track on the CD of her incredible 2014 album Paradise. However, It has never been on streaming or downloading platforms before, and the new single version is a fresh new mix by Alex Di Ciò! Yay! We've added the official audio to our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...



"Everlasting" was written and produced by Jody Watley and Rodney Lee with additional production and mix by Alex Di Ciò. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! Listen to it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify ...



Still a thrill,

—Davearama


P.S. Please follow Jody Watley and Poptastic Confessions on social media ....

Jody Watley
Facebook
Instagram
Jody Watley's Official Website
Poptastic Confessions Top 60 Jody Watley Songs in 2019


Please like and share our posts so that more people hear the music! 

See our Top Songs of past years here ... Jody had our #1 song of 2013 and 2016. She also had many songs in our Top 21 in 2014, 2015, and 2018-2022.

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010

Monday, January 29, 2024

Kite by Benjamin Ingrosso

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Happy Monday! Let's start this week off with a bang! It's been awhile since we have featured Swedish artist Benjamin Ingrosso. However, he has a new song out called "Kite" and it is quite infectious! In fact, we love it!

"Kite" is a fun uptempo pop song. It just one of those songs that makes you feel happy. Benjamin gives a great vocal performance with high and low vocals. It will have you smiling in no time. The music video is quite good, too. We are digging his new look with long hair and a beard. And as a bonus, we get to see his hairy chest! Swoon! See it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...

"Kite" was written by Salem Al Fakir, Vincent Pontare, Anya Jones, Benjamin Ingrosso, and Jon Shave. It was produced by Vargas & Lagola and Jon Shave. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! Listen to it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify ...



Do you think about me,
— Sausi O'Sullivan

P.S. Follow Benjamin and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...

Benjamin Ingrosso
Facebook
Instagram

Poptastic Confessions

Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!

See our Top Songs of past years here ... Benjamin has been in our Top 21 twice ...

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010


Saturday, January 27, 2024

Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Dear Poptatic Readers,

Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 2001/2002 hit "Murder On The Dancefloor" is a hit again thanks to the movie Saltburn, which uses the song in a fantastic scene of the movie. Today, we look back at the classic.


"Murder On The Dancefloor" was originally released in the UK in early December of 2001, where it soared to #2 in the UK charts. It made a splash around the rest of the world in 2002 going Top 10 in 17 countries. In the USA, it went to #26 on the dance charts, and it was #39 on the dance singles sales, but radio wouldn't touch it because Sophie says "god damn" in the song, which was taboo back then. Maybe even now? Who knows.

The music video is a visual delight as the scene is a dance competition where Sophie starts taking out the better dancers in the competition. Dark humor at its best. Sophie looks absolutely amazing and gives a great performance in the music video. Watch it on our 2002 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Retro List ...


"Murder On The Dancefloor" was written by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Gregg Alexander. It was produced by Gregg Alexander and Matt Rowe. It was the second single from Sophie's debut solo album Read My Lips. The song was her biggest seller, but she did have a song go higher in the charts: "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" with Spiller went to #1 in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand in 2000.


In 2024, "Murder On The Dancefloor" really took off when the movie Saltburn went streaming on Prime Video. The song has gone back to #2 in the UK charts, and it is has finally broken the US Billboard Hot 100 debuting at #98 and peaking at #58. 

Kudos to Sophie for the renewed success in a brilliant song. Poptastic Confessions wasn't around when it was first released, but have done retro playlists on Spotify, and Murder On The Dancefloor was #2 on our 2002 Poptastic Confessions Retro List on Spotify ..


We have featured plenty of Sophie's songs over the years. Check out these songs and where they placed on our year-end countdowns ...

Music Gets The Best Of Me,
—Albert Green

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

Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Facebook
Instagram

Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!

See our Top Songs of past years here ...

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010


Friday, January 26, 2024

Girls, Girls, Girls by Dolly Style

Dear Poptastic Readers.

Now that Sweden's sugary sweet girl group Dolly Style is no longer a trio, but a quartet, they have released a their first new song as foursome and it is called "Girls, Girls, Girls." We introduced the new character Yolly (who was Molly 2) in our review of "Mi Amor" earlier this month. If you aren't familiar with them, we have a history of the group at the bottom of this post.




"Girls Girls Girls" is a fun bop with lots of energy. It might start off a bit quiet, but it doesn't take long for it to go into full banger mode with the first chorus. There is even an unexpected saxophone. It even has a key change! Woo! UPDATE: We've added the music video to our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...


"Girls Girls Girls" was written by Anders Wigelius, Caroline Aronsson, Jimmy Jansson, Michael Didriksson, Palle Hammarlund, and Robert Norberg. It was produced by Robert Norberg. It is available on streaming outlets. Listen to it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear "Mi Amor" there! 



Glitter under my nails,

—Davearama

 

P.S. Please follow Dolly Style and Poptastic Confessions on social media …


Dolly Style
Facebook
Instagram

Popt
astic Confessions

Please like and share our posts so that more people hear the music! 

See our Top Songs of past years here ... Dolly Style has been on our countdowns the past 9 years, with many songs in our Top 21 in years 2015-2019. They also had many songs in our Top 101 in years 2020-2023.

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010


Dolly Style History (2015-2023)


Version 1.0: Molly 1Holly 1Polly 1 (2015)

"Hello Hi" (This was their first entry in Sweden's Melodifestivalen) in February 2015


Version 2.0: Molly 1Holly 1Polly 2 (2015)

"Cherry Gum" in May 2015
"Upsy Daisy" in September 2015


Version 3.0: Polly 2, Holly 1Molly 2  (2016)

"Rollercoaster" (This was their second entry in Sweden's Melodifestivalen) in 2016
"Unicorns & Ice Cream" in August 2016


Version 4.0: Holly 1Molly 2Polly 3 (2016-2017)

"Young & Restless" in October 2016
"Tänd Ett Ljus" in December 2016
"Bye Bye Bby Boo" in April 2017
"Moonlight"/"Glitter" in July 2017


Version 5.0: Molly 2Polly 3, Holly 2 (2018)

"L-O-V-E" in August 2018
"Hush Little Baby (VIP)" (Molly 2 Solo) in October 2018
"Red Lights" (Holly 2 Solo) in October 2018
"B-A-B-Y" (Polly 3 Solo) in November 2018


Version 6.0: Holly 2Polly 4, Molly 2 (2019)

"Habibi" (This was their third entry in Sweden's Melodifestivalen) in February 2019
"Sunrise" in May 2019
"How Far I'll Go" in June 2019


Version 7.0: Molly 3Holly 2, Polly 4 (2019-2021)

"Sayonara" in November 2019
"FRKN Perfect" in January 2020
"Boom Boom Box" in April 2020
"Kick It & Break It" in January 2021
"We R" in April 2021


Version 8.0: Molly 4Holly 2Polly 4 (2021-2023)

"Christmas Lights" in December 2021
"Bam Bam" in May 2022
"Dance Til Tomorrow" in March 2023
"Jump" in June 2023
"Mi Amor" in December 2023



Version 9.0: Yolly 1Molly 4Polly 4, Holly 2 (2024)

"Girls, Girls, Girls" in January 2024

Thursday, January 25, 2024

You Want My ... by Bright Light Bright Light

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Bright Light Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas) has a new song out called "You Want My ..." and we quite like it and think you will, too.


"You Want My ..." is a mid-tempo pop song about a relationship that is over and the other one still wants sex. It's a great "look what you're missing out on" song. The music video is a visual delight. Watch it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...


"You Want My ..." was written Rod Thomas and Ian Masterson, who also produced the track. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! Listen to it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify ...


Love, Truth & Honesty,
—Sausi O'Sullivan

P.S. Please follow Bright Light Bright Light and Poptastic Confessions on social media …

Bright Light Bright Light
Facebook
Instagram

Poptastic Confessions

Poptastic Confessions 12th Anniversary

Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!

See our Top Songs of past years here ...

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Holiday '23 by Parralox

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Have we got a treat for you. Parralox has released Holiday '23 and this year it is an EP instead of a full album. There definitely is a standout track here, and you might not guess it just looking at the track listing. 


If you aren't familiar with their Holiday Series, Parralox releases an album/EP each year and mostly it is cover versions, but not always. Check out our reviews for Holiday '15, Holiday '16, Holiday '17, Holiday '18, Holiday '19, Holiday '20, and Holiday '22. We didn't do reviews of Holiday '14 or Holiday '21.



"Never Let Me Down Again" is a cover of the Depeche Mode song from 1987. This is a pretty faithful cover of the original. John is on vocals, and he sounds great. 




"Walk The Night" has taken this cult classic originally recorded by Skatt Brothers and turned it into a synth pop power track. The original version was used in the movie M3GAN during the robotic doll's dance scene. It has since become a trend online with fans doing their own dances. This sounds like early Kraftwork or Human League with a modern twist. John commands this track. The music video uses footage of a dance troupe doing an extended dance routine. Check it out on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...




"Kickstart My Heart (Instrumental)" is just that. It is a cover of the Mötley Crüe song turned into a synth pop delight.





"My Life" is indeed a cover of the Billy Joel classic. We weren't expecting this one. How can this sound more 80s than the original? Amazing. Have a listen ...


"Never Let Me Down Again" was written by Martin Gore. 
"Walk The Night" was written by David Andes and Richie Fontana. 
"Kickstart My Heart (Instrumental)" was written by Nikki Sixx.
"My Life" was written by Billy Joel.
All songs were produced by John von Ahlen. 

Holiday '23 is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added all of the tracks to our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify ...



Crying on the dancefloor,
—Davearama

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

Parralox

Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
Parralox's Official Site
SoundCloud
YouTube
Poptastic Confessions Interview with John von Ahlen of Parralox in 2015

Poptastic Confessions

Facebook
Instagram
Poptastic Confessions 12th Anniversary

Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!

See our Top Songs of past years here ... Parralox had the #1 Song of 2017. They were in the Top 21 in many other years, too!

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010


Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Rather Kill My Feelings by Flora Summers

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Last year, new artist Flora Summers captivated us with her first 3 singles, all of which did really well on our Top 101 Songs of 2023: "Obsessions" (#42), "Sweet Summer Feels" (#8), and "Little While Longer" (#28). She has just released her 4th single "Rather Kill My Feelings." Let's check it out!


"Rather Kill My Feelings" is a slow, quiet acoustic affair with raw emotions. Flora sings about being in love, but considers maybe it is better to not get her heart hurt. It's a beautiful song. Have a listen to the official audio on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions YouTube Playlist ...


"Rather Kill My Feelings" was written and produced by Ida Johansson. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! Listen to it on our 2024 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify ...


Sweet summer feels,
—Davearama

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


Flora Summers
Facebook 
Instagram

Please like and share our posts so that more people hear the music! 

See our Top Songs of past years here ... Last year in 2023, Flora was in our Top 10! She was also on our countdowns in 2019, 2021, and 2022 as one half of the duo Isle Of You.

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011, and 2010