CONTROLRadioUK Picks 5 Songs You May Not Have Heard Of

Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.



So to get Bank Holiday Monday started we've got a nice up tempo ballad here. Delta Goodrem is a great all round Musician - one heck of a voice, great lyrics here & she's a master on the Piano. There is a small sample at the beginning of the song which is a very soothing intro & it's a rare song where I don't mind the rap part. I love this song along with Dear Life as they've both got strong messages. Delta is probably an Artist you have heard of but in case you haven't, she's an Australian Singer/Songwriter/Actress.



Here we have a classic example of why I really need new glasses, considering for the longest period of watching this video I thought both of the blonde women were the same. They're not, one is indeed a singer part of the Broods duo & the other is an actress from IZombie - something that I should've realized sooner considering I love it & you should definitely check it out (end shameless plug). I love the music, I love the scenery + the music video in general which works really well with the songs lyrics. Broods are a music duo from New Zealand comprised of a brother-sister duo & I will definitely be checking out some more of their music.



I'm not gonna say much about this since the lyrics & the video do that for themselves. Not every Artist is going to be a person's cup of tea, if they were music would be quite boring. I checked this out because I was curious and came away not hating it & the song stuck in my head. A word of warning though that some may find the issues covered in the song & indeed the music video triggering.



I am a massive fan of OneRepublic and need the album to hurry up and come out. That's basically the only reason this is here. Looking at the song objectively though, it is beautiful. The lyrics are on point (but then every OneRepublic sonng is) and the music is so airy I can happily dance to this all day long. At first I wasn't a big fan of the video but the more you watch it, the more the story soaks over you & it's actually quite good. OneRepublic are a band you probably know but if for some unknown reason you don't, they're an American Pop/Rock band. Who are awesome.



I already love this song and I've only heard it twice. Musically this is once again great with the drums & the drop beats along with the break beat before the songs end chorus & lyrically this isn't bad either. I'm very curious to see what the video looks like since that can make or break a song. Overall from the singles Dua Lipa's released I think she's got a good future ahead of her. It's just a shame we have to wait until next year for the album. Dua Lipa is an Artist I've covered here before but in case you need a refresher, she's an English born Singer/Songwriter & Model.

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Mark Anthony Reckless Caution - The Album - Feature Article

"Reckless Caution" is the debut album by the UK songwriter & vocalist Mark Anthony, set to be released on Monday 31st October 2016.

The origins of the album began when in September 2014, when Mark's former music group "The Meds Collective" began an indefinite hiatus from writing, recording & performing together as a music group.



In October 2014; Mark met the music producer & Echobelly's bass guitarist Oliver Radio, and Oliver subsequently offered to produce some tracks for Mark, at Oliver's recording studio in London, "Attic Studios".

In November 2014; Mark & Oliver then embarked on a series of secret recording sessions, where Mark would write the songs and Oliver would compose and play the instruments live in the studio, with Mark also contributing with some bass guitar work.

These recording sessions continued sporadically until October 2015; by which time, Mark and Oliver had written & recorded a number of tracks.



Towards the end of these sessions, the saxophonist Jake Telford and backing singer Heidi J were brought into "Attic Studios", to contribute to some of the recorded tracks, which then saw the completion of the recording project, by the end of 2015.

After reviewing the recorded material, on 14th November 2015; Mark announced that his debut single "An 80's Vibe", would be released on 21st December 2015.

Mark also subsequently released the singles "London City" on March 21st 2016 and "I Still Miss You" on 20th June 2016.

In June 2016; Mark & Oliver returned to "Attic Studios" to revisit the material which had been previously recorded between November 2014 & October 2015; and on 13th August 2016; Mark announced that his debut album "Reckless Caution", would be released on 31st October 2016.

The track listing for the album is:

1) ATMOSPHERIC
2) AN 80’S VIBE
3) CARNIVAL
4) SKA TRAIN
5) I STILL MISS YOU
6) NIGHT CRUISING
7) LONDON CITY
8) CLASSIK RAP
9) ROAD TRIP
10) FESTIVAL
11) WELCOME
12) BROWNSWOOD ROAD
13) THANK YOU

The artwork for the album was completed by the artist Eniko Toth. Mark describes the album as being very autobiographical, with a number of songs making references to his life experiences of growing up in London. The album combines a number of different genres, including Rap, Electro, Pop, Hip-Hop, Funk, Ska, Indie, Acoustic, Soul & Rock.

You can find out more about Mark Anthony on his official website www.markanthonymusic.net.

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CONTROLRadioUK Presents Throwback Thursday: 80's Rewind - Best Of Reggae & Dance

Hello and welcome to another CONTROLRadioUK Throwback Thursday Rewind. So far we've taken you on a journey through 80's Pop, Rock & RNB. Saying goodbye to the 80's this week, we thought there was no better way to close on the decade than looking at 80's Reggae & Dance.



The Artist: Maxi Priest
The Song: Wild World
Released: 1988

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: I first heard this song during the first season finale of Skins & being the baby I am thought it was an original song for the show. It wasn't and here I present to you the original & somewhat superior version. Lyrically I actually think this song is quite dark yet it's put to upbeat somewhat summery music & it works really well on the contrast.

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The Artist: Culture Club
The Song: Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Released: 1982

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: My favourite song of Culture Club is actually 'Karma Chameleon' but this song here is iconic. Everyone knows what it is as soon as it starts playing, it was the bands first #1 in the UK and also reached #2 on the US Charts. Again like 'Wild World', the lyrics are a little dark but the songs nice & funky and the video's just as good.

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The Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers
The Song: Mix Up, Mix Up
Released: Not an actual single but from the album 'Confrontation' released posthumously in 1983 2yrs after Bob's death.

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: You can't have a list featuring reggae songs & not feature Bob Marley. Most of his well known songs were released before the 80's so won't feature here, but this is still a great find. The lyrics aren't as dark as the other tracks above, but they still tell an interesting story & the music's a delight.

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The Artist: Blondie
The Song: Call Me
Released: 1980

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: Stepping into 80's Dance, we have this absolute monster from Blondie. It was #1 on the billboard chart for 6 consecutive weeks. It also hit #1 in the UK & Canada. It was the top selling single of the year in the US. Lyrically it is not the best song you will ever hear. Musically though it's superb. The guitar, the drums, the tempo, the riff. It's a great song that everyone knows, even if you're not aware Blondie is behind it.

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The Artist: Michael Sembello
The Song: Maniac
Released: 1983

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: This song was used in Flashdance. It hit #1 on billboard for 2 weeks & is one of the highest grossing songs ever for a film. I've heard it many times before but had no idea who it was by. Lyrically I think this all comes together perfectly. Like Blondie you've got the drums, the guitar & the highter tempo. Here though the urgency of the pace never lets up, constantly moving you forward and I absolutely love it. The guitar at 2:55 is a real standout for me.

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CONTROLRadioUK Picks 5 Songs You May Not Have Heard Of

Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.



I'd never heard of Black Veil Brides so coming across this by their lead vocalist and founding member was quite the surprise. But this is a tune. I love the subtle build up in the music, the lyrics are interesting and I absolutely love the chorus. The only critique I have is the tour music video. Sometimes they can be good, but more times than not they're really bad & a total waste of a song.



Ahh Haley Kiyoko. Mostly known as the person that gave us the masterpiece that is 'Girls Like Girls' and from a bad CSI show (sorry Cyber but you should never have got past the 1st season). Here she gives us 'Gravel To Tempo' which is another great track. Musically this isn't my favourite of hers (that's reserved for 'Girls Like Girls' followed by 'Given It All') but lyrically I do think it is one of her best & I like the story of the video.



I've been wanting to feature this for a while but unfortunately I can only pick 5 tracks. Trying to do that when there's so much great music out? Not easy. I love everything about this song and the video makes it even better which I didn't think possible. It's got humour, it's got sadness & Angel masters a million different facial expressions to make us feel so many emotions. That's difficult enough for an actor to do let alone a singer. Angel Olsen is an American Folk/Indie Rock singer & guitarist.



Here's another smash for you. Lyrically I think this is a masterpiece as they resonant in so many different ways. Musically it is so pleasing on the ears, especially the chorus, and is easily one of my songs of the year so far. You should also check out 'Silent Fever' & 'Modern Psyche' or basically their whole album as there isn't one bad song on it. April Towers are an English duo from Nottingham.



Musically this song is so relaxing I could listen to it for hours. For a dance song it's surprisingly deep lyrically which is a big plus in my book. The animation in the lyric video is really airy which I'm also loving. I usually don't like electro/dance songs that have a solid lead but don't go up in the chorus, since it's usually a complete waste of build to just stick on the same note or go lower. This however is a rare song where it actually works not to go too high, instead letting the vocals do all the work. Vicetone are a Dutch DJ and Production duo.

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CONTROLRadioUK Presents Throwback Thursday: 80's Rewind - Best Of RNB

Welcome back to another edition of Throwback Thursday Rewind on CONTROLRadioUK. So far on our tour through music history we've explored 80's pop & 80's rock. This week we're slowing things down and getting our groove on to 80's RNB.



The Artist: Kool & The Gang
The Song: Get Down On It
Released: 1982

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: One of the most popular tracks from back in that era & renowned. The video is quite something to look at and the song is a favourite of CONTROLRadioUK. It's impossible to hear this song and not want to dance along.

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The Artist: Chaka Khan
The Song: Aint Nobody
Released: 1983

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: This song has been covered. A lot. Most notably my Mary J Blige, Natash & Daniel Bedingfield & Liberty X. When a songs been covered by so many artists, you know it is brilliant and it is. It's a great anthemic song which was a major hit (obviously) and as soon as Chaka Khan's name is mentioned, this song comes straight to your head.

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The Artist: Soul ll Soul
The Song: Back To Life
Released: 1989

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: A classic 80's anthem which peaked at #4 in the US and #1 in the UK, Soul ll Soul are an iconic group. It's a great song lyrically & also musically, setting a trend for Artists over the next decade.

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The Artist: Aswad
The Song: Don't Turn Around
Released: 1988

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: It was originally recorded by Tina Turner as a B-Side to 'Typical Male' in 1986 before being covered by Aswad 2 years later. It's a rare upbeat break-up song that is a lovely summery tune, different from the classic 80's tunes in that it's quite summery and you can dance to it.

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The Artist: UB40
The Song: Red Red Wine
Released: 1983

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: Another cover here with the original sung by Neil Diamond in 1967, but you can't pick 80's RNB songs without including UB40. There are many a song we could pick, but Red Red Wine is a stand-out that hit #1 on both the UK and US charts & the videos great to.

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CONTROLRadioUK Picks 5 Songs You May Not Have Heard Of

Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.



Last week after finally deciding to give Tegan & Sara a listen I brought you BWU and this week I'm bringing you the equally awesome Faint Of Heart. The backdrop on this song is very 80's with a bit of 90's mixed in, so it only makes sense to have the video as a tribute to some really fine artists. The only small critique I have is the video & lyrics don't match. Oh and this song should be neverending.



This is here for 2 reasons; The song is really good and the kid in this video is adorable. I'm gonna focus on the song here though because it is a bop, lyrically & musically solid. Again, the beauty of me bringing these picks every week is discovering bands I had never heard of before & probably wouldn't have. Glass Animals are an English Indie/Rock band from Oxford. Enjoy this beauty whilst I enjoy going through their discography.



I'll admit when Bastile first came out they weren't really my thing due to radio/music channels overplaying them. Now whilst I don't love every song they've done, but I don't dislike them either. Good Grief for example is a nice track with a very colourful video. Fake It on the other hand is an awesome track that I've been exhausting the replay button on (the chorus is epic). Bastille are an Indie/Pop band formed in 2010 you probably have heard of. Wild World will be released on 9th September which I'm very much looking forward to enjoying, before they're overplayed all over again & I'm back to disliking.



This was another song to fit in the 'not my usual type of music' bracket. But I was soon being praised by the other lovelies at CONTROLRadioUK HQ for bringing such an awesome song to their ears. Sometimes you just hear a song & you love it which is definitely the case here. The lyrics are certainly interesting & something to ponder over. I like the fact more attention is being put into lyric videos now, though the downside can be when actual music videos pale in comparison. Epica are a Dutch Symphonic/Metal band formed in 2002.



First things first; this song is great but I would've rather had an audio or lyric video instead of this actual video because it does absolutely nothing for the song. I like the occasional song from Sophie but not a majority of them so I wasn't expecting to like this song but I do. It's got a real nice funky sound to it and I love the guitar running through & the lyrics aren't bad either. Familia is due out in September & according to others at CONTROLRadioUK HQ sounds good from the snippets, so I may give it a listen. Sophie Ellis-Bextor is an English Singer/Songwriter.

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CONTROLRadioUK Presents Throwback Thursday: 80's Rewind - Best Of Rock

Welcome to another edition of Throwback Thursday rewind. Last week we started you off with 80's pop. This week we're bringing you 5 songs from the one and only legend that is 80's rock. So sit back, unwind, have a listen to these might bops and as always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment box (I swear we are a friendly bunch here)



The Artist: Queen
The Song: I Want To Break Free
Released: 1983

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: You can't pick 80's rock songs without including Queen somewhere, it's just not possible. Everything about this is iconic from the lyrics to the musical composition and of course the video.

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The Artist: Simple Minds
The Song: Don't You Forget About Me
Released: 1984

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: Everyone knows this song from The Breakfast Club and scenes from the movie are featured in the music video. The song in itself is so airy and feel good, it's again impossible to have a list of 80's songs & not feature this.

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The Artist: Toto
The Song: Africa
Released: 1982

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: I heard this song on an episode of The Goldbergs and I've loved it ever since. It's probably not as iconic as some of the others here, but that doesn't mean it's any less perfect. The video I think is really clever for the decade it's from, the musics really chill and the lyrics are heartfelt.

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The Artist: Guns N' Roses
The Song: Sweet Child O' Mine
Released: 1987

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: Again, I don't think you can pick 80's rock songs and not include Guns N' Roses. It's one of those songs you know even if you don't actually know it. Special mention to the guitar riff which is out of this world.

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The Artist: Bon Jovi
The Song: Livin On A Prayer
Released: 1986

CONTROLRadioUK Thoughts: To finish off this weeks Throwback Thursday we have the legend that is Bon Jovi. What can you say about this song? It rocks! You know all the words. You've bounced to it on your air guitar. Everything about it is brilliant.

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CONTROLRadioUK Picks 5 Songs You May Not Have Heard Of

Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.



Gavin DeGraw gave teenage me such bops as 'Just Friends', 'We Belong Together' 'I'm In Love With A Girl' and of course 'I Don't Wanna Be' which was the epic theme tune to one of teenage me's favourite shows One Tree Hill. Amongst his recent bops are 'Fire' and this beauty, so of course taking all this into consideration he had to feature here. Lyrically this song isn't as great as some of his previous work & I could do with the chorus sounding stronger, but I still like it and I look forward to Gavin's new album which is due out in September. Gavin Degraw is an American musician and song-writer.



This song is mostly here because I like the dance routine. It's also a fun little number that could quite easily fit on a Saturday night playlist. As with most dance songs it isn't exactly strong lyric wise and again, I could do with the chorus being stronger (what is the point in a dance song if you don't have a kick-ass chorus) It's the debut single from House music singer Imani Williams which features House DJ's and producers Sigala & Blonde. For a debut, it's not bad at all, as long as the song isn't overplayed on radios for the next decade of course.



Ah Tegan and Sara. They've been around since 1995 and are a duo I've known about for a while but never properly listened to. My sincerest apologies for that because this song is great. The lyrics are catchy but go somewhere and the music's quite good as well, reminding me somewhat of 80's synth. The video's nice and simple as well, letting the song do the talking which is always a plus with me. I'm very much looking forward to giving the album a listen over as I haven't been dissapointed so far.



This song is a bop. Pure and simple really. I have very much been enjoying looking through Elliphant's discography because she has some bangers. Like Tegan & Sara this video is simple which again really helps the song, as do the strong lyrics and that guitar? Oh how I love that guitar. Elliphant is a Swedish singer/songwriter/rapper and you will not regret pressing play.



I've been listening to Kerli's music for a while and love it. Her music videos are just as beautiful. She's released the video for 'Diamond Hard' which you should totally check out because it's awesome. Unfortunately not everyone at CONTROLRadioUKHQ agrees with that, so I give you Feral Heart instead. You should also give the video information a read as I think it adds to the music video & Kerli's music in general. Kerli is an Estonian recording artist and songwriter.

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