It’s almost time to show yourself some love (sweet love) Friday 10am BST https://t.co/rP15XwXU4U pic.twitter.com/GA9omHJG7j

— Little Mix (@LittleMix) August 30, 2021

The single announcement follows Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards’s double announcement last week of the birth of their babies. Pinnock surprise announcement revealed that she had given birth to twins. There have not yet been any announcements with regard to the gender/s of Pinnock and Edward’s new arrivals. Pinnock and Edwards make up the band’s lineup with bandmate Jade Thirlwall.

The band rose to fame after their X Factor win on December 11th 2011 with then bandmate Jesy Nelson. Nelson left the band on December 14th 2020 sighting that she struggled with her mental health whilst in the band. The trio expressed their support, following Nelson’s departure who is now set to release solo material and vowed to continue the band as a trio.

The band were put together whilst on the show and were known as Rhythmix before changing their name due to a children’s music charity with the same name. Following their eighth season win as the first and only female band to win the show, they enjoyed success with the release of their debut album DNA. The debut single “Cannonball” released on December 11th 2011 provided the band with their first UK number 1 single.

The band scored a further four UK number 1 singles with “Wings” (2012), “Black Magic” (2015), “Shout Out to My Ex” (2016) and “Sweet Melody” (2021). The band are also known for hit singles “Move” (2013), “Little Me” (2013) “Salute” (2014) “Touch” (2016), “Power” (2017), “Women Like Me” (2018) and “Holiday” (2021). The band have released six studio albums with their sixth album “Confetti” peaking at number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart and their last album to feature Nelson.

Pinnock and Thirlwall wrote the new single enlisting the support of MNEK and singer-songwriters Lauren Aquilina and Sakima. Thirlwall speaking of the co-writing team said “MNEK is family to us, so it’s always a joy to write with him, and Lauren and Sakima joining the mix proved to be very welcome!” The band also recently released news of their 10th Anniversary Album Between Us set for release on November 12th. Sighting the band’s 10-year reign Edwards stated “We can’t believe it has been 10 years. Time has flown, and when you look back we have done so much that we’re super proud of”  

Between Us 12.11 We are so excited about this album. It includes all our hits, as well as some brand new songs we can’t wait for you to hear #10YearsOfLittleMix https://t.co/4Yewo609pk pic.twitter.com/vcnE9n7WKA — Little Mix (@LittleMix) August 19, 2021

The trio has stated that the single is the first of five new singles from their new album with another four singles yet to be announced. The band have rescheduled their Confetti Tour for 2022 due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.

Busy times look set to be ahead for the trio with motherhood, the release of their new single, new album and upcoming 2022 UK Tour.

Listen to Little Mix’s Album Between Us here

See Little Mix’s Tour dates below. Tickets are available here

09/04/22 SSE Arena- Belfast
10/04 SSE Arena- Belfast
12/04 3Arena-Dublin
13/04 3Arena- Dublin
15/04 Utilita Arena- Newcastle Upon Tyne
16/04 Utilita Arena- Newcastle Upon Tyne
18/04 M & S Bank Arena- Liverpool
19/04 Sheffield Arena- Sheffield
21/04 Resorts World Arena- Birmingham
22/04 Resorts World Arena- Birmingham
23/04 Resorts World Arena- Birmingham
26/04 M & S Bank Arena- Liverpool
27/04/ The SSE Hydro- Glasgow
28/04/ The SSE Hydro- Glasgow
30/04 First Direct Arena- Leeds
02/05 Motorpoint Arena- Cardiff
03/05 Motorpoint Arena- Cardiff
04/05 Motorpoint Arena- Cardiff
06/05 The AO Arena- Manchester
07/05 The AO Arena- Manchester
09/05 Motorpoint Arena- Nottingham
10/05 Motorpoint Arena- Nottingham
12/05 The 02- London
13/05 The 02- London
14/05 The 02- London

Take another look at this year’s Rising Star Award with Apple Music nominees

Allegra
@HolHumberstone
@Kamalnw
@rachelchinourir
@willowkayne

Discover more at https://t.co/oRgEU1CZGs#TheIvorsRisingStar #TheIvors pic.twitter.com/4PbikgOvrV

— The Ivors Academy (@IvorsAcademy) August 10, 2021

Lewis Capaldi also has two songs nominated: “Before You Go” and “Semone You Loved“. Other artists nominated for songwriter of the year are AJ Tracey, Celeste and Jamie Hartman, Kamille and MNEK.
More than half of this year nominees are artists who have been recognised for the first time like Laura Marling or Mahalia. Arlo Parks who received the Best New Artist award earlier this year at the Brit Awards is also nominated for “Black Dog” in the best song musically sie lyrically category.
Shaznay Lewis from All Saints, an Ivor Novello winner and part of the committee commented: “Over the last year we’ve felt the power of songwriting and the stories told through music. The Ivors are so important because they celebrate where all the music begins – with songwriters and composers“.
“The judges have chosen a selection of exceptional music that moves, unites and inspires us” she added.
See a full list of the categories and the nominees on the Ivor Academy official page.
Tickets to the ceremony that will take place on 21st September are available here.

Of the most popular songs this year, a significant number are collaborations, which has brought new sounds to the limelight. Some have been from breakthrough acts, and all are reflections of the various events of 2020. Here are our top ten songs of 2020.

10. Contagion – Napalm Death
Arguably the highest peak in Napalm Death’s sixteenth record Thores of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism (Century Media, 2020), ‘Contagion’ is the ruthless manifestation of Napalm Death’s forty-year long crusade against ignorance and social injustice. In a milestone album with influences ranging from signature grindcore to old-school industrial, the track is a straightforward brutal tirade against greed and corruption.

With music and lyrics by bassist Shane Embury and produced by Russ Russell (At The Gates, Dimmu Burgir, Exploited), ‘Contagion’ captures the rage and defiance of the whole record. The song is a fast and precise blend of grind and death metal, with doom feel and hardcore attitude. It is moody and angry, but above all, it is pure Napalm Death and one to remember 2020 with.

- Viktor Balchikliev

9. Strange Girl – Laura Marling
Strange Girl was written by Laura Marling and comes from her seventh studio album ‘Song for Our Daughter’ which was released in April of 2020. ‘Song for Our Daughter’ was co-produced by Laura Marling and long-time collaborator Ethan Johns. The album is a collection of messages Laura wants to convey to her future daughter.

The song addresses this fictional daughter as someone quite like Marling and has given up financial stability to pursue her art. The song is the perfect dance around the kitchen song, it follows the classic folk song style of and undeniable beat with a beautiful message, told through passionate lyrics. ‘Song For Our Daughter’ was shortlisted for the 2020 Mercury Awards and was also nominated for Best Folk Album in the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

- Susan Owens

8. Heat Waves – Glass Animals
Written by Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley and produced by Paul Epworth (Adele, Rihanna, Florence and the Machine), has been pivotal in the band’s career – and this year for fans, gaining over 64 million streams. ‘Heat Waves’ is blends genres in the way that Glass Animals so often do; despite featuring hip-hop beats and influences from trap music, there is ultimately an electro-pop sound running throughout.

This was one of many singles to be shared from the band’s latest album ‘Dreamland’, premiering in June, with the album following in August. Lyrically, the song focuses on combatting the judgement of other people and staying true to one’s own path. Bayley wrote on Instagram, “It’s about realising you can’t make everyone happy. And realising it’s ok to be defeated by something,” going on to say, “being vulnerable should be a positive thing.”

7. Head &Heart – Joel Corry ft. MNEK
Head & Heart by Joel Corry, featuring the widely popular MNEK on vocals, was the UK’s favourite dance-track of the summer after its massive release in July. The single had the added benefit of being mixed by the acclaimed Kevin Grainger who has worked on iconic dance records, including with the late Avicii. Head & Heart was the fun and optimistic club-banger that was sorely needed in a time of isolation and therefore rocketed to the top of the charts in its first week.

Corry is a relatively new artist, only breaking onto the London DJ scene in 2019, so his success with this track has been unprecedented as it sat at the number 1 spot on the UK Single Charts for 6 weeks straight. Corry has come a long way from his reality television days on Geordie Shore as Head & Heart has made him one of London’s most successful DJ’s and producers of the year. It would be fitting to say that Head & Heart makes 2020’s heart go ‘boom boom bah doom!’

- Shana Briddock

6. Ain’t It Different – Headie One ft. Stormzy and AJ Tracey
‘Ain’t It Different’ was written by 13 writers (including AJ Tracey) and produced by Fred (Ed Sheehan, Rita Ora, Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding) and Toddla T (Major Lazer, Sean Paul). The song sees the three rappers trade straight-talking bars about how different their lives are now.

It’s an important message depicting how different their lives have changed since their younger days, which uses samples from M-Dubs’ Bump and Grind and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Pretty Little Dirty. Sitting at over 60 million streams and peaking at number 2 in the UK charts, these rap and R’n’B legends have hit out with a powerful and immersive song.

- Rory Aitken

5. Obey – Bring Me The Horizon and Yungblud
‘Obey’ is a collaboration between two pop-punk giants; Yungblud and Bring Me The Horizon. Full of battering guitars, hard-hitting drum beats and electric vocals, the song pulls from multiple genres nu metal, electronic dance music and rave music.

Throughout, the song carries a riotous energy, focusing on the oppression and suffering many face due to government control; “Obey, We’re gonna show you how to behave, Obey It’s nicer when you can’t see the chains.”  The track has received universal acclaim from fans and critics alike, being voted Annie Mac’s Hottest Record of the Year for 2020.

- Lily Blakeney-Edwards

4. Rain – Aitch, AJ Tracey and Tay Keith
Two of the biggest names in UK rap, Aitch and AJ Tracey, released their track ‘Rain’ this year on the 5^th of May 2020. The track was produced by Tay Keith, who also featured on the hit single which was premiered on BBC Radio 1 and 1XTRA as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World and DJ Target’s ‘Targo Embargo’.

The LA Filmed video was produced by Arrad. NME says it “sees Aitch and AJ making it rain – both literally and metaphorically – as they hold onto stacks of dollar bills and rock various pieces of iced- out jewellery.” The 3 rap artists roll out their lyrics effortlessly over a heavy piano beat produced by Tay Keith. The highly anticipated track was a brilliant collaboration and it’s therefore no surprise it was a huge hit this year.

- Ashleigh K

3. All I Need – Jacob Collier ft. Mahalia and Ty Dolla $ign
Penned by our very own Jacob Collier, the ‘Clarity’ artist offers a soulful, R&B infused standout single. A creative collision between Jacobs, American rapper Ty Dolla $ign and singer- songwriter Mahalia (formally known as Mahalia Burkmar), All I Need draws upon the three artists’ eclectic and equally strong vocal prowesses.

‘All I Need’ is taken from Collier’s fourth studio album, ‘Djesse Vol. 3′. Released back in August, ‘All I Need’ is a genre-blending, foot-tapping bop, filled to the brim with sounds of both neo-soul and synth pop. Lyrically, the track hones in on the all too relatable feeling of infatuation. Collier sings: “I love the way that I feel when you put your arms over me/(There must be something I could say to make you stay baby)”. He said of the track’s meaning: “In the gorgeous, naive space that exists when one falls in love with somebody, it can really feel like they are exactly everything you need in that moment.”

- Sadie Willis-Falkiner

2. Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
Released as a single ahead of her successful ‘Future Nostalgia,’ album late last year, Dua Lipa’s ‘Don’t Start Now,’ made a splash which has led to it to becoming one of the biggest hits of 2020. The tune charted at number 2 on the official charts, only narrowly behind her two biggest hits, the UK number ones ‘New Rules,’ and ‘One Kiss,’ and it remained on the charts for a whopping 52 weeks.

Like the rest of ‘Future Nostalgia,’ don’t start now has a retro 80s disco vibe with a great bassline and neat guitar work, the lyrics are in some ways typical of Dua Lipa’s songwriting, dealing with everyday themes like relationships and heartbreak with simple, yet effective delivery. As we head into 2021 ‘Don’t Start Now,’ is still one of the hottest tracks in a hear of British music which has undoubtably been owned by Dua Lipa.

- Felix Leif

1. Black Dog – Arlo Parks
2020 was a breakthrough year for Arlo Parks, and in ‘Black Dog’ the Londoner produced a timely and powerful reflection on mental health which captured the frustrated, longing mood of a nation in lockdown. Parks’ lyrics fuse the mundanity of everyday life stuck indoors (“Let’s go to the corner store and buy some fruit/ I would do anything to get you out your room”) with a dark sensuality, particularly that superb opening line, “I’d like the grief right off your lips/ You do your eyes like Robert Smith”.

It’s a curious and winning combination which has gained over 10 million streams. Sonically, ‘Black Dog’ is sweetly melodic and quietly intense: an indie ballad which blends in folk and R&B influences to stirring effect.

2021 looks set to be another big year for Parks – her debut LP ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’ is due for release next month – and you wouldn’t bet against this prodigious young talent scaling new heights in the very near future.

- Daniel Parker

The Sun newspaper reported an insider for the BBC to of said, “The BBC has gone all out with securing talent for this year’s Top Of The Pops Christmas special and they want it to be bigger and better than ever. Getting Craig to join the line-up was a real coup as he’s such a legend. He’ll be performing his song Really Love with KSI but everyone would love it if there was time for him to throw in one of his classics. It’s been a tough year for the industry so the Beeb is going to make this year’s one-off episode as ­celebratory as possible.”

Craig rose to fame in 1999 having featured on the single, ‘Re-Rewind,’ by Artful Dodger. His debut solo album ‘Born To Do It’ was released in 2000 from which he had four Top 10 singles, which sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and earnt multi platinum selling status in more than 20 countries. Since then he released another six albums and has not only had success as a singer, but as a rapper, DJ, record producer and song writer, proving he’s an all rounder when it comes to music talent.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Craig David (@craigdavid)

Craig released his latest album ‘The Time Is Now’ in 2018, which reached Number 2 in the UK album charts and last month he announced he’s been working on his comeback. The Sun reported him saying, “I’ve been recording loads of music through lockdown. I love to think I can keep singing for ever and I will sing for as long as I can. And I hope the fans welcome that.” His latest track ‘Really Love’ currently sits at number 11 in the Official UK Charts, after it’s 5th week of being released.

BBC have also announced a New Years Eve Special ‘Top Of The Pops’ show for this year. Both shows will be hosted by Ferne Cotton and Clara Amfo who took over from Regi Yates in 2017. Fern admitted to The List that she was worried the show maybe cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus. She said, “I have my fingers crossed that they will find some sort of socially distanced way to make it happen. It’s such a tradition now that you sit down to watch it as a family, and your parents complain how awful pop music is today and then you all go and have your lunch.”

There is no doubt people will be looking forward to the popular iconic music chart show on the festive day to add some Christmas cheer. With the current line up in place, the festive programme will surely not disappoint.

The song has made a massive global impact, having entered the US hot 100 earlier this month and number 20 on Billboard’s global 200 chart. It has also charted high in other countries such as Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Croatia and Australia.

MusicWeek has reported Sony/ATV UK president and co-MD David Ventura to of said, “I remember our first meeting when they played us some incredible songs, and it was evident that they have the absolute ‘full set’ as writers, topliners, producers and singers. Collaborations and opportunities for them are limitless and they have incredible music coming as both artists and songwriters. We couldn’t be happier and there is a true feeling of euphoria to welcome them at Sony/ATV!”

Newley appointed head of A&R for Sony/ATV UK commented on the duo in an interview with MusicWeek, “Dan and Johnny have an endless supply of creative energy and their hard work and versatility has deservedly paid off with Head & Heart. This is just the beginning and I am excited we are a part of their next chapter and beyond.”

. @sonyatvpubuk signs @KOLIDESCOPES to global dealhttps://t.co/rEuSe0EIai pic.twitter.com/qyhNcBCZoH

— Music Week (@MusicWeek) November 24, 2020

Courtidis, from Melbourne Australia, had his first hit with the single with ‘Can’t Get Better Than This.’ The song made Number 1 in nine countries, with more than 50 million streams which earnt him platinum sales. Dan Dare from London has also had success as a song writer, having collaborated with artists such as Charlie XCX, Marina & The Diamonds and Giggs amongst others.

The duo have recently released their much anticipated debut single ‘Torn,’ in the UK under the major label Atlantic Records. They spoke to Variance Magazine about the making of the video saying, “We wanted the music video to feel really British, inspired by the movies ‘Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. We shot the video the week when everyone was able to come out of lockdown and so we got together a load of our friends to take part. The story plays on the idea of love lost and being ‘Torn’ between two different lives. We hope our fans will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed shooting it.”

The powerhouse team have recently collaborated with artists such as Sigala, MNEK and Raye. There is no doubt that following the success of their latest hit, many more will be cueing up to work with them. They said to Music Week on their signing to Sony/ATV, “We are beyond excited to begin this new chapter with David, Daniel, Sarah and the entire team at Sony/ATV. They are the kind of music publisher every songwriter would be proud to have in their corner and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”

Teasing the song on a few of their promotional posts over the last few weeks, the four members – Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson – commented on their announcement of the song’s release saying, “Confetti is out now! So so excited for you to hear the rest of Confetti on Friday.”

View this post on Instagram

Confetti is out now! So so excited for you to hear the rest of #Confetti on Friday. Link in stories

A post shared by Little Mix (@littlemix) on Nov 4, 2020 at 9:21am PST

The song includes a lot of electro-pop sounds, and even a few dubstep influences. With the girls R&B-style vocals, it’s overall a slow, steady, and sensual track which follows all the other singles released so far. Lyrically, there’s a clear, simple message: self-love and worth regardless of who questions it – specifically, in the song, the girls are referencing a man who they are moving on from. The hook in the chorus sings “You’re missing me, but I’m finally free/I got what I need, so let it rain down like confetti.”

The album has been much anticipated; the lead single ‘Break Up Song’ was released in the midst of the first UK Covid-19 lockdown back in March. Next, ‘Holiday’, ‘Not A Pop Song’, ‘Happiness’, and ‘Sweet Melody’ came out, giving listeners a clear insight into the LP. It will be released via RCA Records, and MNEK who worked on the album with Little Mix has revealed that they were “in the driver’s seat” throughout the whole process.

The band will tour the UK in 2021, and share a film of their previous tour from last year in support of ‘LM5′. It will be shown in cinemas around the world on 21st and 22nd November 2020, and shares a full recording on their last show in The O2 Arena in London.

MNEK told the PA News Agency about working with Little Mix, “In this instance the girls have really been in the driver’s seat and so everything on this album as far as – there is an A&R at RCA – but it’s now going through them. Because by album six they want to have a stronger say at how these songs end up. It’s been very that, it’s been them steering the wheel this time.” – Yahoo News

The Grammy nominated South Londoner who has also recently released the dance track, ‘More Than Words,’ with Sleepwalkr talked about the affect lockdown has had on the album saying,

“Literally the day I was supposed to go into the studio with the girls to do the last bits of recording I had to cancel a session because of lockdown things. But otherwise, doing the finishing touches of the album has been cool and has been great. I love working with the girls and I am all for them being the best that they can be and applying themselves whenever they come to the studio.” -Evening Express

Not only has MNEK worked on the recent chart topping dance hit with Joel Corry, ‘Head in my Heart,’ but also the successful track, ‘More Than Words,’ with Sleepwalkr’s which gained more than 500,000 Spotify streams in the first week. The music video shot by Michael Baldwin, features a deaf dance troupe’s expressive routine.

When asked about the video he said that he, “I really hope that people watch the video and know what we were trying to do with it. Hopefully it elevates the song to where it needs to be. It was actually really interesting to see dancing from that perspective and to see how they would take in information on how to improve their performances. The director would say something and then it would be translated to sign language so they could know it. That was an interesting process to watch.”- Evening Express

He praises the girl band’s recent tv talent show to Yahoo News saying, “I am glad that this show is happening. I like that the public get to see what we, as collaborators of theirs, get to see their personalities and just their bluntness, their humour, their goofiness. All of their best qualities as people are being shown on this show.” 

Their is no doubt that ‘Little Mix’s’ next album will be a huge hit following their recent successful single releases as, ‘Holiday,’ ‘Break Up Song’ and their current release, ‘Not a Pop Song.’ There is no doubt their new album is set to be another chart topping hit.

Years and Years frontman and now a friend of MNEK, Olly Alexander, wrote the song with the Grammy-award winning dance-pop artist Uzoechi Osisioma “Uzo” Emenike, MNEK, last year and have since performed it live on a few of the Years & Years arena tour dates. Olly said: “Uzo and I were inspired to write a song about the many fuck boys who have done us dirty.

“I’m lucky to have a friend like Uzo – somebody I talk to when I’m upset about a boy and working together was basically an extension of us hanging out. Particularly proud of the message it sends across and how “unashamedly gay” the song is, Olly goes on to explain why the song is not quite the norm in regards to other mainstream pop hits.

“I’ve known Uzo for a while now and I’m just in awe of his talent. I hope the lyrics connect with people regardless of their sexuality – we all know a Valentino – but I am so proud of this song for how unashamedly gay it is.

“Two men singing about a boy is still disappointingly uncommon so it makes me very happy to be putting this song out with MNEK.”It’s safe to say the feeling is mutual as MNEK admits to having the “best time” producing the new song and was excited when Olly suggested releasing Valentino in a timely fashion.

MNEK said: “Olly has become a really good friend of mine, so I had the best time not only producing this record but also writing and singing it with him. He invited me to perform the song with him on a few stops of the Years & Years’ tour last year which was amazing. He texted me a few days ago saying, ‘we need to put Valentino out on Valentine’s Day’ so of course, I said, let’s go!”

The video for Valentino has also been launched today which involves the two friends getting over their “fuck boy syndrome” by going on an anti-Valentine’s mission to purge the nefarious ‘Valentino’ character for good. The visuals were shot in Stockholm which was a stop on Years & Years’ European tour and was directed by Olly, Uzo and Jordan Rossi.

Years & Years has also recently released ‘Play’ with Jax Jones which went Top 10 in the UK singles chart ad alongside this has received a nomination for Best British Band at this year’s BRIT Awards. Years & Years are currently bringing their wonderful world of ‘Palo Santo’ to Russia and Ukraine before they head to Asia and South America for a further string of live shows.

Listen to ‘Valentino’ HERE / Watch the video HERE.