Calling all pop fans! We have 10 of the best new tracks right here for you to get stuck into. This week's playlist includes David Bowie's beautiful farewell, Shakira's new Disney anthem, and a return to form for Nelly Furtado.
1. DAVID BOWIE: 'I Can't Give Everything Away'
Upon first listen to David Bowie's latest album Blackstar over the weekend, 'I Can't Give Everything Away' was one of our favourites. Hazy harmonica, gliding strings, jazzy brass lines and the iconic star's sombre delivery meant it was as mystical as some of his very best. With the news on Monday of his sad passing following an 18-month battle with cancer, the track struck deeper with its poignancy. "I know something is very wrong / The pulse returns for prodigal sons," he laments. Only Bowie can say goodbye as beautifully as this.
2. SHAKIRA: 'Try Everything'
Despite her Colombian heritage, Shakira really knows how to capture the spirit of Africa in her music. 'Waka Waka' was a huge hit for the football World Cup when it was hosted in South Africa back in 2010, but now the 38-year-old has taken on the role of an African gazelle. No, really. It's for upcoming Disney film Zootopia, in which she has also recorded 'Try Everything' as its theme song. It's full of tribal chants, galloping beats and an uplifting energy warmer than the Kenyan plains. Imagine herds of wildebeests dancing to it around the watering hole.
3. PITBULL: 'Freedom'
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You know how Coca Cola is packed full of sugar, gives you a rush of caffeine and gives you a soaring high for 10 minutes before you crash? Well, Pitbull's music isn't too dissimilar. 'Freedom' is basic pop at best, but damn, does that hook grab on to your ears and not let go. Meaning you'll likely end up listening to this more than you probably should. Say hello to your new Coke break.
4. ST. LUCIA: 'Love Somebody'
St. Lucia is Brooklyn-based musician Jena-Phillip Grobler, but trust us when we say that his music will leave you as chilled as the Caribbean island. His 2013 debut album When the Night was criminally overlooked, but we have hope that upcoming collection Matter will grab more attention. Promo track 'Love Somebody' puts it in good stead with its woozy synths and sharp clicks, before it kicks in for a powerful flute-based ending. That's right. A flute.
5. NINA NESBITT: 'Chewing Gum'
This is one pop transformation we didn't see coming. Nina Nesbitt used to be the doe-eyed blonde girl, armed with a guitar crooning about selfies. Not anymore. The 21-year-old has strutted into 2016 with a new sound (attitude-spiked electronic pop) and an equally striking image overhaul to go with it. 'Chewing Gum' signals exciting times ahead for the Scot - and with lyrics like "I'm a made-up mess in a backless dress", we are so here for it.
6. SIA: 'Reaper'
Sia's been knocking around the studio with Kanye West. Actually, that's a lie, Kanye never actually made it into the studio. He did work his magic from afar on 'Reaper' though - a track originally pitched to (and rejected by) none other than Rihanna. RiRi must get offered bundles of songs on a daily basis, but we have a feeling she might've missed a trick by letting this one go.
7. VANESSA WHITE: 'Nostalgia'
Vanessa White who-used-to-be-in-The-Saturdays-although-actually-technically-still-is-because-they-haven't-officially-split-up has sprung a brand new solo track on us. 'Nostalgia' sees her go all Mariah Carey and show us her inner R&B diva while nailing a song that's essentially about getting a bit pissed and jealous while looking at old photos of your ex.
8. RAT BOY: 'Move'
You might recognise Rat Boy's name from the many ones-to-watch-in-2016 lists he's been plonked onto. Real name Jordan Cardy, his new single 'Move' is packed with the kind of frenetic pace and rhymes about "eating Maccy D's" that means he's already lined up a date at Shepherd's Bush Empire, without even releasing his debut album yet.
9. NELLY FURTADO x BLOOD ORANGE: 'Hadron Collider'
The only thing we didn't like about the news that Nelly Furtado and Blood Orange had teamed up for a joint tape, was the fact you could only get your hands on it at Blood Orange's live show. Well, now it's online, so we're free to love everything about it. And that we do. Nelly's nostalgic vocals are the perfect fit for Dev Hynes' sleepy production.
10. THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS: 'Bad Habits'
We've been poised and waiting for new Last Shadow Puppets music ever since they dropped an amazingly weird teaser at the beginning of December. Unfortunately for the duo, the big reveal coincided with news of David Bowie's death, and 'Bad Habits' slipped under the radar. Being honest, it also wasn't helped by being, well, a bit underwhelming. But it's still a solid start for Alex Turner and Miles Kane - and we're sure they've got plenty more tricks up their tracksuit sleeves.
