Set your stereos to stun, music lovers - because we have another ten freshly released tracks for you to laugh, cry and jump along to. Missy Elliott is back to doing what she does best, Adele will have you blubbing into your headphones once more, and Troye Sivan proves why he's one of tomorrow's biggest stars.
1. Adele: 'When We Were Young'
After nearly half a decade of being Adele-less ('Skyfall' aside), the world will get to hear if the singer's new album 25 was worth the wait on Friday. So how does Adele follow up a massive, record-breaking comeback single like 'Hello'? By using her peerless skill of taking something as seemingly mundane as growing older and turning it into an emotional gut punch.
2. Troye Sivan: 'Youth'
Amongst the blockbuster music releases from Adele and Coldplay this Christmas, fans of a pop persuasion are also anticipating the long-awaited debut album from Troye Sivan. The Aussie YouTuber first started posting covers on the video-sharing platform back in 2007, so it's been a lengthy eight-year wait for Blue Neighbourhood. But as 'Youth' - the latest track lifted from the record - proves, Troye has come a long way in that time. Its contorted vocals, smart hip-hop influences and emotive lyrics pin him as a star destined to have his own blockbuster moment in the future.
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3. Dua Lipa: 'Be The One'
London singer-songwriter Dua Lipa might have grown up listening to Bowie and Dylan - but her first album was by none other than '00s pop legend Nelly Furtado, so from the off we know she has good taste. Her new single 'Be The One' cements her growing status as music's Next Big Thing with its smoky vocals and earworm chorus. That debut album can't come soon enough.
4. Justin Bieber: 'Love Yourself'
The motivationally titled 'Love Yourself', co-penned with Ed Sheeran, sounds cute doesn't it? It's actually thinly veiled code telling you to go f**k yourself. Justin Bieber's pulled out the ultimate diss track to slam a narcissistic ex and disguised it as a kitsch serenade. To add insult to injury, despite drilling in the fact his "mama don't like you and she likes everyone", Justin's not even that bothered. Ouch.
5. MIAMIGO: 'Last Summer'
Brighton-based duo MIAMAGO have been working on their new EP Soda Lime Love over the past year, and 'Last Summer' is the mini-collection's bittersweet conclusion. It wallows in the very best kind of '80s music references, from murky synths and prowling funk undertones, to their despair delivered over slick pop hooks.
6. Hailee Steinfeld: 'You're Such A'
You may know her better as the 14-year-old actress who was nominated for an Oscar in 2014 for her role in True Grit. Or even more recently, the star who played Emily Junk in Pitch Perfect 2. Hey, you may have spotted her playing Trinity in Taylor Swift's epic 'Bad Blood' music video. Whatever the case, Hailee Steinfeld is quickly adding another title to her talents: being a fantastic popstar. 'You're Such A' is a chanty earworm with a nursery rhyme refrain that promises this is one Hollywood belle with bundles of future chart potential.
7. Missy Elliott: 'WTF'
WTF. Missy Elliott is back. Expectations have been high ever since the rapper sprung up during Katy Perry's Super Bowl halftime show and reminded us we've been sorely missing her all these years. After dropping that unforgettable N.E.R.D line "her ass is a spaceship I want to ride" over ten years ago, Pharrell's preoccupation with spacecrafts has also returned. According to his verse, he thinks like one (whatever that means). Good job it's all about Missy on this cut.
8. Vanessa White: 'Don't Wanna Be Your Lover'
After recording shiny PG pop ditties during her time in British girl group The Saturdays, Vanessa White has taken it sultry and seductive for her solo effort. 'Don't Wanna Be Your Lover' is the kind of flirtatious R&B to get you hot under the collar. As the 26-year-old suggests: while the bedroom isn't out of bounds, that doesn't mean she's going to become your girlfriend. Oo-er.
9. Kylie Minogue ft. Dannii Minogue: '100 Degrees'
Not many things are camper than Christmas, but Aussie sisters Kylie and Dannii Minogue singing a festive disco-tinged banger certainly takes the glitter-covered cracker. It's everything you'd want from a Minogue team-up; distinctly breathy vocals, plenty of shimmering funk, and a bongo backdrop. No, seriously. And it's all wrapped up with golden tinsel and plenty of charm. Christmas has never sounded so fabulous.
10. Asami: 'Strange and Beautiful'
Remember girl band Neon Jungle? Since their split, former member Asami has been plotting her solo career. It all kicked off with a trinity of covers of her favourite tracks. After taking on Placebo and Neil Young, Asami's wrapped things up with a soulful take on Aqualung's 'Strange and Beautiful'. If her forthcoming original material is of a similar ilk, consider us very excited indeed.










