20. Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
19. Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
18. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
17. Rihanna – Talk That Talk
16. Theophilus London – Timez Are Weird These Days
15. Drake – Take Care
14. Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi
13. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting
12. Lil B – I’m Gay (I’m Happy)
11. Selena Gomez & The Scene – When The Sun Goes Down
10. CocknBullKid – Adulthood
9. araabMUZIK – Electronic Dream
8. Cher Lloyd – Sticks + Stones
7. Riz MC – MICroscope
6. Beyoncé – 4
5. The Sound of Arrows – Voyage
4. Toddla T – Watch Me Dance
3. Britney Spears – Femme Fatale
Britney’s people have told her that every song on her album Femme Fatale is inspired by a different femme fatale from history, myth or fiction. Poor Britney just can’t work it out though! Can YOU match the lyrics from the album to the foxy ladies in question? Answers below.
2. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
Poor Abel Tesfaye has just got the artwork for his epically miserable comedown album back from the designers, but it looks like they’ve strayed from his original vision! Can YOU spot the five subtle differences hidden in the new cover?
If you are having trouble spotting all five differences here are some hints!
- I wonder who else was at those debauched parties he sings about?
- There’s a subtle theme running through the album but we’ve “inflated” it
- “Well doesn’t that put the cherry on top”
- Track titles ‘MAY’ not ‘ALWAYS’ be correct!
- A dog’s face
1. Katy B – On A Mission
Here are Katy’s missions explained track-by-track:
Attributes: Slowly unfolding; sweeping musical vista; quite long. Mission: 1986 film THE MISSION. (From the IMDB plot synopsis: “Initially, the Guarani warriors prepare to kill him, but after Gabriel plays an unforgettable solo on his oboe, they allow him to live”. And we’ve all had days like that.)
Attributes: Bold, purposeful, brill. Mission: KATY’S MISSION STATEMENT
Attributes: Elegant; structured; accomplished. Mission: MISSION REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE.
Attributes: Startling; Bleepy; Full of twists and turns that leave you feeling dislocated. Mission: Doctor Who‘s 1965 MISSION TO THE UNKNOWN episode with its imagination-gone-mad monsters and lack of regular cast.
Attributes: Propulsive; No nonsense; Designed to make you move. Mission: A SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSION.
Attributes: Dignified; Luxurious; Satisfying. Mission: The DIPLOMATIC MISSION where the Ferrero Rocher-stuffed Ambassador’s Receptions are held.
Attributes: Solid; A bit old-fashioned; Cheery. Mission: THE GLAD TIDINGS MISSION FROM 60s CORONATION STREET, over which Ena Sharples presided; a handy refuge in case of a gas leak on the Street.
Attributes: Bright; Bouncy; Pretty. Mission: MISSION BELL (the flower, stupid.)
LIGHTS ON (FEAT. MS. DYNAMITE)
Attributes: Passing the torch from one generation of singer to the next; Shiny; Confident. Mission: THE CONTINUING MISSION of Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Enterprise-D.
Attributes: Fun; In your face; Sassy with the fanfares. Mission: The original series of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.
PERFECT STRANGER (WITH MAGNETIC MAN)
Attributes: Romantic; Irresistible; Destined to help Magnetic Man be warmly remembered even though most people shrugged at their album proper. Mission: A RESCUE MISSION.
Attributes: Charming; Laidback; Basking in the glow of all that’s come before. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.