With a new sound, new image and new album, Westlife were poised to enter the second chapter of their career - until Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh had other ideas.
Pop Essays #43: Westlife, ‘Hey Whatever’
Pop Essays #42: The Pussycat Dolls feat. Timbaland, ‘Wait A Minute’
After releasing no less than five hit singles from their multi platinum debut album, even the law of diminishing returns caught up with The Pussycat Dolls.
Pop Essays #41: Jakatta feat. Seal, ‘My Vision’
Jakatta's third single marked Dave Lee's attempt at crossing over to selling albums - whilst also bringing Seal back to the dancefloor.
Pop Essays #40: Leilani, ‘Madness Thing’
With it's bonkers production and nuns and Curly Wurlys referencing lyrics, Leilani's debut single was certainly anything but ordinary.
Pop Essays #39: allSTARS*, ‘Love Is’
The stars of CITV's STARStreet might have laboured in their peers' shadow, but could a Lamont Dozier co-write have turned it around?
Pop Essays #38: Texas, ‘I’ll See It Through’
Texas appeared on the soundtrack to the Richard Curtis blockbuster Love Actually in 2003 - something most people have forgotten until now.
Girls Aloud’s “What Will The Neighbours Say?” at 20: revisiting a modern pop classic
One thing I have tried to curb a little bit coming into this year is the expansion of my vinyl collection. Some of this was borne out of necessity (I had to upgrade my storage trunks over Christmas, as my collection had outgrown the original ones I stored them in), but also to try and … Continue reading Girls Aloud’s “What Will The Neighbours Say?” at 20: revisiting a modern pop classic
Pop Essays #37: McFly, ‘Ultraviolet / The Ballad Of Paul K’
With their chart topping second album Wonderland, McFly didn't make it easy - for themselves or their fans - as they rebelled against their image and sound.
Pop Essays #36: Madonna, ‘Miles Away’
The release of Madonna's final album under Warner Bros marked the moment the Queen of Pop led rather than followed working with Timbaland.
Pop Essays #35: Charlotte Church, ‘Even God Can’t Change The Past’
After reinventing herself as a pop rock "Crazy Chick", Charlotte Church tried a little self reflection with a song co-written by Boy George.
Alex's Blog (still Crazy, still Stupid)... 