#TBT 2

For Throwback Thursday every week we're going to shine our poplight on a stone cold classic.

For this week's Throwback Thursday we go back to 1999 to a song by a boyband at the height of their powers. They've sold over 130 millions albums worldwide and are credited as the biggest selling boyband in history, they are also the only boyband in history to have their first 9 albums reach the top 10 in the US. This single's parent album 'Millenium' sold 11 million copies in the US alone, was nominated for 5 Grammys and produced sold gold pop songs like "I Want it That Way", "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" and our Throwback Thursday track this week. I am of course talking about the Backstreet Boys and their stone cold classic "Larger Than Life".

The song is a call out to all their fans, letting them know how much their love and support drives the band and keeps them going.

"All you people can't ya see, can't ya see,

How your love's affecting our reality.

Every time we're down,

You can make it right.

That makes you larger than life."

The song begins with an earworm of a bouncy synth and soon goes all out into that quintessential late 90's/early 00's sound that was also popularized by N*SYNC and Britney Spears. The sci-fi influenced video also deserves a mention purely for highlighting the excesses of pop promos at the time. Costing over $2 million dollars it was directed by Joseph Kahn (who was also responsible for the Backstreet Boys "Everybody (Backstreet's Back) video as well as other classics like Britney Spears' "Toxic" and Destiny's Child's "Jumpin' Jumpin'"). 

  

The song was a massive hit worldwide, #5 in the UK, #3 in Australia and #2 in Finland, and although it may not sound particularly fresh in today's pop landscape there is no denying that this is a standout pop song from the era.

Mashed POP-tato #2

'Mashed POP-tato' is where we highlight the best in mash ups on the net, a genre that can be absolute genius or completely bloody awful.

The next featured mash up is one that sounds terrible on paper and really shouldn't work at all. It marries a massive 2002 single from the first lady of hip-hop and a 1982 rock soundtrack song from a Sylvester Stallone film. The mash up in question combines "Work It" by Missy Elliott and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor to amazing affect.

This is a perfect example of a mash up being absolute genius, taking two completely different songs and molding them into 3 minutes of pop perfection. Combining the instantly recognizable guitar riff from "Eye of the Tiger" with Missy's unmistakable  flow and quirky lyrics coupled with the production touches from Timbaland means this is one of the most unusual but catchy mash ups I've ever heard.

Enjoy another serving of 'Mashed Pop-tato'.

(this should be more) POPular #2

You know that thing when you hear a song and you can't believe it hasn't been a massive hit? Yeah, that...

The next song in our series of 'how he feck was this not a #1 single??' we come back to the UK. The artist in question is VV Brown, she first came onto the pop scene in 2009 with the rockabilly/retro influenced album 'Travelling Like the Light' and its rather danceable singles 'Crying Blood', 'Leave!', 'Game Over' and the UK top 40 single 'Shark in the Water' (video below).

The summery, catchy 'Shark in the Water' was the only single from the album to chart in the UK, although it did make some waves internationally (#13 in France, #67 US Billboard Hot 100, and #11 US Hot Dance Club Songs), and the parent album went gold in France and charted in the UK and the USA.

Brown went back to the drawing board and recorded a song with Chiddy Bang, 'Children', which was due to be the lead single from her second album 'Lollipops and Politics' and had a nursery rhyme simplicity to it. The chorus firmly lodges itself in your head and will not budge - be warned!

However, numerous delays led to the album eventually being cancelled and replaced by the album that is home to our featured song.

VV Brown released her sophomore album 'Samson & Delilah' in September 2014. A concept album based on the biblical story of the same name. The album showcased a drastic change of musical direction for VV, see the other singles 'Samson' and 'Faith' featuring Kele Okereke of Bloc Party.

The song we're featuring this time was the second single from the album released in August 2014 and was a change of gear in her new sound driving up the BPM. The song is 'The Apple' and was written by Brown and Pascal Gabriel (he's also responsible for LadyHawke's 'My Delerium' which is still a tune!) who also produced it. It's a fizzy, squelchy pop masterpiece that concerns much darker material than the out and out pop of the earlier singles.

"Keep me down,

take my heart.

Hold me captive,

tear me apart."

The song, and it's accompanying video perfectly marry this darker lyrical content with a much stronger visual identity. Enjoy the next '(this should be more) POPular', 'The Apple' by VV Brown.

Due to her ongoing popularity in France VV also recorded a version en francais (that's French for 'in French'), which you can listen to right here.

You can follow VV Brown on social media:

twitter - @VVbrown

Facebook - VV Brown

instagram - @vvbrownofficial

Track of the Week #2

It's only the bloody track of the week!

This week for 'Track of the Week' we travel to sunnier climbs. To be more specific the pure and virginal surroundings of Las Vegas, Nevada, for that is the place that gave us Shamir.

Shamir first came onto pop's radar in June last year when he released his debut EP Northtown, named after the suburb of Las Vegas he grew up in. He arrived in a buzzing haze of disco-inflected dance on the infectious 'Sometimes a Man', playing up to the androgyny of his blistering countertenor voice he delivered effortless cool and flawless pop hooks. Other tracks of note on the EP include 'If it Wasn't True', a break-up song built around a dreamy piano house riff before buzzy synths crash in mid-way, and the more plaintive 'I Know it's a Good Thing' which has a driving, slightly 'Rolling in the Deep'-like piano.

Later in 2014 Shamir secured a major record deal and signed with XL Recordings and this was where he really started to make waves. He got mainstream attention with the release of the pop monster single 'On the Regular'

Starting with possible the catchiest cowbell ever heard this is 3 minutes of perfect pop, irresistible synths,wickedly cutting lyrics and a charismatic delivery from the man himself. It was becoming more and more obvious that Shamir was one to watch.

So that brings us to our 'Track of the Week', In March 2015 Shamir released his next single, 'Call it Off'. Sounding more polished and catchy than ever the song is constructed around an erratic bassline with flourishes of cowbell it lodges itself in your brain and sets up camp there from the first listen, and that's before you even get to the the simple yet effective Sylvester-like chorus complete with Chic-style backing vocals. The sassy rap breakdown shows Shamir protecting you from making a mistake with the skank that has caught your eye:

"Just can't make a thot a wife,

No more basic, ratchet guys.

Listen up, I'm saving you,

From all the hell that you'll go through."

The video is a mindfuck of the best kind, Sesame Street takes over Dorothy Perkins to a shiny pop soundtrack. Ladies, gents and anyone else who is still reading, I give you 'Track of the Week'. 'Call it Off' by Shamir!

Both 'Call it Off' and 'On the Regular' will appear on Shamir's debut album 'Ratchet, due May 18th. You can pre-order on iTunes right now! 

You can follow Shamir on social media:

twitter - @ShamirBailey

Facebook - Shamir Bailey

instagram - @shamir326

#TBT

For Throwback Thursday every week we're going to shine our poplight on a stone cold classic.

For our first throwback Thursday we're going to feature one of the lesser known singles by a group who have received accolades like 'the UK's best selling girl group of the 21st century' and 'most successful reality group of all time'. Yes, we're talking about the five pop goddesses collectively known as Girls Aloud, and the song in question is 'Wake Me Up'!

Released as the final single from the group's double platinum second album 'What Will the Neighbours Say?' in February 2005 (seriously, how is this 10 years old already??) 'Wake Me Up' was a #4 hit in the UK. Built around crunchy pop guitars and a frenetic dance beat this further developed and enhanced the trademark sound of the group. 

Follow us on Spotify

You can now follow Pop is Not the Enemy on Spotify where all the songs talked about on our twitter feed @PopEnemy will be uploaded in handy weekly playlists!

Check out this week's playlist right here!

Mashed POP-tato

'Mashed POP-tato' is where we highlight the best in mash ups on the net, a genre that can be absolute genius or completely bloody awful.

Our first 'Mashed POP-tato' is a marriage between two pop juggernauts, artists that have excelled in very different genres but who have both furthered the cause of pop massively.

Ladies, gents and inbetweens I am talking about Robyn and Whitney Houston, and the mash up uses the pop masterpieces of 'Dancing on My Own' and 'How Will I Know'.

This mash up falls most definitely in the genius side of the equation coupling the bubbling, Moroder-esque production of Patrik Berger (also responsible for masterpieces such as Icona Pop's 'I Love It' and 'We Got the Power' by Loreen) and Whitney possibly at the top of her game with an absolutely flawless vocal (the isolated vocal track is crazy good).

So, press play and enjoy one of the finest pop marriages since Jessica Simpson met Nick Lachey, 'Dancing in Houston'.