Daley Pop x February 2025 starring JADE, Griff, Marcello Spooks, Nadia Ali, Self Esteem, Bonnie Tyler, Cher Lloyd, Samantha Mumba, FKA twigs and Rose Gray!

Music has been embedded in my life ever since I was in the womb, my Mum and Dad basically raised me on music, especially POP music! I grew up listening to Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Spice Girls, Britney Spears and even AQUA and I’ve always been obsessed with pop culture and Eurovison! I love sharing my favourite songs and album every month with the world from Scene HQ!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GdSKAho4bGJNsVWJGmiI0?si=FS_xGLKtRUmBoWccsT8BeQ&pi=19rvZy0sS8-Gj

JADE – IT girl

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall aka JADE has kicked off 2025 (thanks Jade) with the release of her highly anticipated song IT girl. IT girl is a bass-heavy, bold, tongue-in-cheek electro pop bop written by Jade with Cirkut and Lostboy alongside Lauren Aquilina and J Hart, the sharp lyrics reflect her experiences in the music industry and the often ruthless and complex nature of fame. We’ve been patientlynotpatiently waiting for IT Girl since a snippet appeared at the end of the Angel Of My Dreams music video and now we’ve finally been fed woo, JADE know’s what we want!

JADE said: “IT girl is the cunty little sister to Angel Of My Dreams. There’s still so much that people don’t know about me, so I was eager to surprise people and prod the bear a bit. I have to write about my experiences in my own melodramatic way. I’m not going to sugarcoat it.” Oh and JADE has confirmed she’s performing at this year’s BRIT Awards in March-we won! Hopefully we’ll get an iconic medley?!

Griff – last night’s mascara 

I can’t get enough of this epic pop masterpiece, it honestly is living rent free in my head!

Breakout pop powerhouse Sarah Griffiths (not to be confused with Sarah from Big Brother last year lol) aka Griff dropped fan fave last night’s mascara that was given its live debut whilst she was on tour supporting global star Sabrina Carpenter (no big deal) around the US. last night’s mascara even went viral on that app that got banned in the US for less than 24 hours (TikTok).

Marcello Spooks – Winner

Independent singer, songwriter, and rapper Marcello Spooks is back with an electrifying new single called WINNER, a powerful anthem celebrating strength, perseverance, and the unwavering support of his fans. The track marks an uplifting new chapter in Marcello’s journey, following a transformative experience on ITV2‘s Big Brother, where he finished as runner-up, earning the title of “people’s champ” from his loyal supporters.

Marcello, whose career skyrocketed after the international success of his independently released hit True Colours (a bop with over 2 million streams) has always remained rooted in authenticity and resilience. His songwriting and performances speak directly to those facing challenges and WINNER is no exception—an anthemic celebration of triumph over adversity.

Marci said “I wrote WINNER for all the people who stood by me through thick and thin,” and “After everything that happened on Big Brother, the love and support I received were overwhelming. The messages calling me the “people’s champ” kept me going, and I’m forever grateful for that strength. This song is for anyone who’s ever had to fight through life’s struggles.”

Known for his versatile talents, Marcello has not only made a name for himself as a solo artist but also as a sought-after writer. His work on Junior Andre’s Slide propelled the track into the UK Top 50 and dominated iTunes charts. With WINNER, Marcello continues to showcase his unique ability to blend genres, delivering an authentic, feel-good record that resonates with listeners around the world. WINNER is more than just a song; it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt knocked down but found the strength to rise again. It’s a reflection of Marcello’s own journey—one that proves the power of perseverance and the importance of surrounding yourself with love and positivity.

Nadia Ali – New Energy

Omg Grammy-nominated artist Nadia Ali, the iconic voice behind the timeless hit Rapture is back with her first solo single in 15 years-15 YEARS! Known for shaping the sound of an era, Nadia is returning with a bold new sound, style, and vision for 2025.

On Instagram, Nadia said “Wrote this song in 2024 to motivate myself. This is the first time in 25 years of making music where I have written, recorded, produced, and released a song all on my own. It’s a milestone for me and it is just the start of it ✨”

Self Esteem – Focus Is Power

Self Esteem aka Rebecca Taylor has announced her third studio album, A Complicated Woman, is coming in April via Polydor Records! Focus Is Power is the first fabulous single and features House Gospel Choir and is about taking back control of your own life all while exposing the excess and additional labour that women are expected to undertake.

The track was inspired by words Becky wrote on a sticker apparently, working from her mum and dad’s shed during the pandemic.

Bonnie Tyler – Yes I Can 

The legendary Bonnie Tyler is making a comeback with Yes I Can, her first solo music in four years since her 2021 eighteenth studio album The Best Is Yet to Come.

The song is a powerful anthem of resilience and determination, blending her iconic sound with a modern edge and tbh this song got me through the longest ever Dry January, thank you Bon! Feel free to sponsor me HERE btw.

Cher Lloyd – Head Down

Wowowow another comeback, Swagger Jagger QUEEN and a newly independent artist, Cher Lloyd is back with a brand new single called Head Down, her first release in four years!

Cher said “It’s been a long road to get here. Definitely not an easy one either.” and “I’ve always tried to be as honest as possible, although sometimes I find it hard to open up. This is the first time I’ve truly laid everything bare. There have been many times that I could’ve just thrown the towel in, but I always chose to get back up when I’d been knocked down.” and “So to anyone reading this, I hope you hear the song and it gives you hope to carry on.” <3

I recommend listening to Cher’s interview with Paul C. Brunson on his We Need To Talk podcast btw, such a great interview, rooting for you Cher!

Samantha Mumba – My Way 

Irish singer-songwriter Samantha Mumba has her eyes set on the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Switzerland, what a time to be alive! One of my favourite 90’s pop sensations is the fourth finalist competing in Ireland’s Eurosong 2025 omgomgomgomgomgomg.

Speaking on RTÉ One‘s Ray D’Arcy Show, Sam said she was “excited and nauseous” and that she felt “too old to be putting herself through this stress” and that she had been “asked about it (Eurovision) for years” and that “she really wanted to do it” but she didn’t know the “powers that be”. All I’m saying is, you have 1 job Ireland! #TeamSamanthaMumba

ALBUM(s) OF THE MONTH: FKA twigs – EUSEXUA and Rose Gray – Louder, Please

I’ve had these 2 flawless albums on back to back so I couldn’t just pick 1 album of the month!

Tahliah Barnett aka FKA twigs third studio album is her absolute best so far and is her highly anticipated follow-up to her 2019 LP MAGDALENE (and 2023 mixtape CAPRISONGS).

Released via twigs’ long-time label home of Young Recordings, the album takes its name from a word that twigs created which is a portmanteau of sex and euphoria. The record takes inspiration from late nights at techno clubs in Prague while she was living in the city and shooting scenes for The Crow.

“Eusexua is a state of being,” twigs previously said and “A feeling of momentary transcendence often evoked by music, art, sex and unity. Eusexua can be followed by a state of bliss and feelings of limitless possibility.”

The album takes in production from Koreless, Eartheater, Sasha Stargate and twigs herself, while Eartheater and Nicolás Jaar are also among the acts who have writing credits. North West, the daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, appears as a featured artist on the track Childlike Things, who knew North could rap in Japanese?!

My faves are Striptease, Perfect Stranger, Girl Feels Good, Sticky, Eusexua, 24hr Dog, Room of Fools, Drums of Death oh and Wanderlust! I love Keep It, Hold It too obvs and Childlike Things.

This album is definitely the most mainstream album she’s released but it’s not mainstream, it’s still authentic and weird and interesting and not generic pop at all. I keep seeing online that EUSEXUA reminds people of Björk and Ray of Light-era Madonna (TWIGONNA hehehehe) and even a dollop of Kate Bush which I agree with but this is a huge compliment surely?! Although twigs is a one of a kind artist too. Fun fact: yesterday twigs bagged her highest charting album on the UK Official Top 100 Albums Chart with EUSEXUA, it debuted at number 3! Her second highest charting album was LP1 which peaked at number 16 in 2014.

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I featured Rose Gray in my column back in 2022 and now she’s released her debut studio album, Louder, Please and I feel like a proud panda and it’s honestly bop after bop-what a time to be alive and loving!

Rose said “This album is an amalgamation of everything I love. It’s pop, it’s club, it’s underground, it’s maximalist, it’s delicate… it’s so me, and I’m incredibly proud of it. I’ve waited patiently persistently pushing for an album. I feel like everything has happened for a reason because this moment feels so right.” and “Back in July, when I started the campaign with “Free,” I felt like the music started connecting in a whole new way. With every release, it’s felt like a stepping stone towards bringing out L,P. I feel like I’ve reached the waterfall now, and I’m ready to swimmmmm hehe”.

Honestly Louder, Please is a must listen if you love fun pop music and you’ll want it injected into your veins or is that just me?! I’m obsessed with Wet & Wild, Just Two, Free, Party People, Damn, Tectonic, Angel of Satisfaction, Switch, Hackney Wick, First, Everything Changes (But I Won’t) and Louder, Please obvs.

“Writing this record has been my greatest life achievement. Before anything, I’m a songwriter and vocalist, it’s my craft and something that has kept me going, even when a finished album felt miles away. I’ve loved every passing studio moment with every collaborator on this record. You guys have brought this album to life. I’ve been lucky to connect with my heroes. Behind it all, I’m a studio hermit ..it’s my favorite thing to do. So, ty to all these legends for helping me in my happy place. Every lyric, synth line, melody, and weird orchestral humm has been made with so much love”. Oh you can tell <3.

Rose Gray will be the next big British pop girlie and will blow up just like Lola Young I reckon, watch this space!