#DALEYPOP X November 2025

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!

Melanie C - Sweat

Sporty Spice aka Melanie C is back Sweat blending club and pop influences. The disco pop song, which is also the title track for her upcoming ninth studio album, samples 1982 track Work That Body by Diana Ross and channels vintage workout video energy. Sweat was released in collaboration with DJ and producer Joe Goddard known for his work with Hot Chip.

“Sports, raving, finding joy-these elements are such a huge part of my personality,” the singer said of the track. “What works in the club works in the gym. There’s a real crossover.”

Diana Vickers - Pretty Boys

Pretty Boys by Diana Vickers fuses early 2000s nostalgia with sharp, modern pop production. 

I actually still can't get over that Diana Vickers is back....after 84 years! Pretty Boys showcases Diana's unique vocals for crafting fun, character-driven pop songs.

Diana said “After my type always turned out to be the toxic narcissist and after spending hours in my therapist’s chair-I decided it was time for a change. Honestly, I recommend going for the pretty boys, because they do it better. Pretty Boys is about reclaiming my power and stepping into my most confident, sexual energy. In the video, I’m channelling my inner Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct-unapologetic, dangerous, and completely in control.”

Pretty Boys marks an exciting new chapter for Diana, radiating confidence and creative renewal. Her dazzling debut single Once soared to the top of the UK charts in 2010 (still an absolute bop btw) and after what feels like 84 years devoted to acting and other artistic ventures, she's returned in 2025 with a reimagined musical persona. Embracing a vibrant, quirky aesthetic that celebrates her unique charm, Diana is clearly carving out a bold new path and I’m thrilled to see where it leads next!

WILD WILD - Boiler Room

I raised my algorithm so well even though this was released in June and YouTube only recommended this to me last week so actually I guess my algorithm could do better because now I look like I'm late to the party but oh well! Boiler Room by WILD WILD is erm, well, wild.

It's an electrifying EDM piece rooted in bass tech house and immerses you in a sultry, high energy soundscape, serving as both a standalone single and a teaser for a South Korean musical, well it's basically a rendition of Magic Mike called WILD WILD and W2COMPANY say that Boiler Room was basically crafted to capture the raw, magnetic energy of the show.

It's the official music video that I can't get over though....I've never watched a three minute long video without being distracted before!

Oliver Sim - Telephone Games

Telephone Games brings the gorgeous Oliver Sim, renowned as the bassist of indie pop trio The xx into collaboration with Bullion, the moniker of producer and songwriter Nathan Jenkins. Notably, this marks one of Oliver’s first solo ventures outside the creative orbit of longtime collaborator Jamie xx.

The official music video draws inspiration from vintage chat lines, cleverly teased through enigmatic calling cards scattered across London. Telephone Games is a seductive and horny electro-pop gem that fuses nostalgic textures with emotional resonance signaling a daring leap forward in Oliver Sim’s solo evolution-and I’m completely hooked!

Freya Ridings - Wicker Woman

Freya Ridings, one of the UK’s most compelling yet underrated voices returns in full force after a dazzling run of summer performances, including a sold-out, spellbinding show at London’s Somerset House. Her latest release is a blazing anthem of resilience and self-discovery, radiating the kind of emotional power that instantly calls Florence Welch to mind. Honestly, the thought of a duet between those two?!

Wicker Woman arrives with a haunting visual companion, masterfully directed by Benjamin Darville. The video amplifies the track’s raw, primal energy, conjuring windswept landscapes and echoes of ancestral heritage.

“Wicker Woman is a raw feminist breaking point-bone, blood, and roots torn from the earth, ignited in a blaze that demands attention,” Freya declares. “It’s a fearless, euphoric reclaiming of primal feminine power-a return to our essence and a tribute to the forgotten women and deities who came before us.”

The track’s cinematic production paired with Freya’s emotionally charged vocals creates a visceral experience that feels both timeless and urgent. With its lyrical depth and fierce delivery, Wicker Woman resonates as a rallying cry for anyone rising from adversity. If this single is any indication, Freya’s forthcoming album is poised to be a transformative and unforgettable journey and I can't wait.

Micah McLaurin - Dancing With My Broken Heart

Dancing With My Broken Heart by Micah McLaurin is a glitter-soaked, disco-tinged anthem that transforms emotional pain into radiant pop euphoria, blending heartfelt lyrics with shimmering production.

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DWMBH was produced by Mark Taylor, known for his work with Cher, Lady Gaga, and Kylie Minogue!

INTERVIEW: Micah McLaurin returns with glossy new pop bop Dancing With My Broken Heart and gets candid about life, love, fashion and ....Eurovision?!

“I don’t like being put into boxes”

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In my opinion, the track is a triumphant celebration of resilience, showcasing Micah’s ability to channel vulnerability into a dancefloor ready masterpiece that feels both deeply personal and universally uplifting.

Brandi Carlile - Human

I can't believe I've only just discovered the joy that is Brandi Carlile, thanks to Elton John so thanks Elton if you ever read this ha. Human is a deeply emosh track that taps into a universal struggle-one that feels especially poignant in today’s fractured world. Her impassioned vocals serve as a rallying cry, inviting her band to rise to the moment with equal intensity. And they do, delivering a performance that’s both powerful and profoundly moving.

Taken from Brandi's fantastic eighth studio album Returning To Myself which marks her first solo project in four years. Human is one of Carlile’s most emotionally resonant tracks to date, capturing the universal struggle of self-acceptance with a grace and honesty that only she can deliver.

The production value is high of course, and there’s an impressive cast of characters amidst the mainly stripped down approach, including Brandi's spirits, twins Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, SistaStrings (Monique Ross and Chauntee Ross), drummers Matt Chamberlain and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, keyboardist Josh Klinghoffer, with Watt, Dessner, Vernon and veteran composer Mark Isham.

The song closes out with a quietly powerful plea: “Let the bitterness die, fall in time to the beat. When you look in the eyes of the strangers you meet, be human.” It’s a line that lingers, an invitation to empathy in a world that sorely needs it.

Khalid - out of body

Out of Body sees Khalid stepping into a bold new era, delivering a hypnotic, Y2K-inspired R&B groove that pulses with sleek, club-ready production. His signature sultry vocals glide effortlessly over the track’s glossy textures, signaling a fresh evolution in his sound. It’s a standout moment from his lush new album, After the Sun Goes Down and it’s every bit as delicious as it sounds.

Produced in collaboration with Darkchild, the track is hypnotic yet restrained, built on intricately layered production that feels deliberate and immersive. The official music video weaves together choreography, intimacy, and performance within a space charged with tension and desire. Khalid embraces a male love interest on screen, stepping into a more expressive, physical role-an empowering move following his public outing by an ex on social media last year.

“This is my love letter to the icons who paved the way,” Khalid reflects. “As a kid, singing Britney melodies or watching Rihanna videos lit a spark in me-it gave me permission to express myself freely. I’ve always dreamed of being that kind of pop star, and with this project, I finally let that little boy shine.”

That spirit pulses through the official music video (and the song), which echoes the aesthetic and energy of Britney's I'm a Slave 4 U. SO. GOOD!

AOTM: Lily Allen

West End Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Omg every month, I swear I know what my album of the month will be-sometimes before I’ve even hit play. I was fully committed to Dangerous and Moving by t.A.T.u. especially with their long-awaited reunion and the release of a deluxe remastered edition (plus that opaque caution yellow vinyl-hellllooooo, collector’s dream!) to mark its 20th anniversary. Originally dropped in October 2005, it followed their multi-million selling debut 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane and still hits hard.

Fun fact: Friend or Foe was penned by Eurythmics legend Dave Stewart, and none other than Sting plays bass on Gomenasai. If you’ve never explored this album, now’s the time-it’s a gem.

I’m obsessed with their newly released Поднебесной (In the Celestial Empire) album too. It’s a treasure trove of previously unreleased tracks and fresh versions of fan favorites, including the iconic Простые движения (A Simple Motion)-finally available to stream!

While technically not a new release (the songs were recorded back in 2004), many never saw the light of day or were pulled from platforms over the years.

And speaking of obsessions: Florence + The Machine’s Everybody Scream is everything. Plus, my favorite The Celebrity Traitors traitor-tied with Alan Carr, of course-Cat Burns just dropped her How To Be Human album and it’s absolutely stunning.

Speaking of stunning and back to my AOTM though, Lily Allen made a triumphant return with West End Girl, a searing, theatrical masterstroke.

Like I said, t.A.T.u. were going to be my AOTM but then when Lily casually dropped a surprise album with zero fanfare, and just like that….plans changed. It stole the spotlight and claimed the AOTM crown.

West End Girl is a brutally honest divorce album that unfolds like a one-woman stage show, brimming with emotional crescendos and gut-punch monologues. In true Lily fashion, she’s crafted her own version of British Lemonade. IYKYK.

Crafted in just ten days after her split from Stranger Things actor David Harbour, West End Girl marks Lily's first album in seven years and arguably her most best and most personal yet. The title pays homage to her recent triumphs on London’s West End and the songs unfold with the theatrical flair and precision of a live stage performance.

From the samba-tinged opener to the haunting closer Fruitloops, Lily lays bare the unraveling of her marriage with unflinching honesty. Passive-aggressive exchanges, the discovery of sex toys and love letters-nothing is off-limits. Delivered with her trademark wit and crystalline vocals, it’s a raw, riveting portrait of heartbreak and self-reclamation.

What I loveee most about the album is how it unfolds in chronological order, tracing the unraveling of her relationship with raw precision. It’s as if we’re right there beside her, listening as she vents in real time. She doesn’t hold back opening up about an open marriage, infidelity, and emotional manipulation with unflinching honesty.

West End Girl is a genre-blending triumph, seamlessly fusing sophistipop, synthpop and orchestral elements into a rich, cohesive narrative. Tracks like Ruminating and 4chan Stan highlight Lily's gift for marrying razor sharp lyricism with deceptively buoyant production, while Madeline (basically this century's Jolene) and Just Enough dive head first into raw vulnerability, unfolding with cinematic depth. Lily's signature airy soprano remains a potent force, able to channel both scathing wit and aching sorrow in a single breath.

West End Girl isn’t just Lily's strongest release in over a decade, it’s a masterclass in pop storytelling. Where other recent divorce albums offer glimmers of hope or moments of escape, Lily’s refuses to flinch. There are no soft landings, no comforting interludes, just a raw, unfiltered chronicle of emotional collapse. It’s relentless, riveting, and achingly intimate, yet speaks to something profoundly universal and it breaks my heart tbh!

At its core, West End Girl is a cathartic release. Raw, unfiltered and fiercely honest. It doesn’t shy away from the mess or the pain, instead inviting us to sit with the discomfort and witness the unraveling of a dream as it happens. In doing so, it dares us to find beauty in the wreckage.

Honestly, it’s heartbreaking but absolutely brilliant. Lily's storytelling has always stood out and this album is no exception. Her narratives are vivid, emotionally charged, and completely captivating. Long live Lily Allen, our West End Girl. xoxo