We review this week's biggest music releases | 17/03/2017

CLEAN BANDIT (FEAT. ZARA LARSSON) - SYMPHONY

Coming off the back of two monster hits with 'Tears' and the Christmas #1 'Rockabye', the pressure really was on for Clean Bandit to continue their streak of amazing tunes. With 'Symphony', they've most definitely delivered on a third count with the help of Swede Zara Larsson, who just happens to have a new album out this week (which is also pretty fantastic, it's worth nothing). After leaning slightly into tropical influences with 'Rockabye', we see Clean Bandit return to their orchestral winning formula with gorgeous sweeping strings that manage to make a song ready for the clubs yet ready for a few tears in your bedroom all at the same time.

Zara's vocals are perfectly complimentary to the song which follows the same structure of 'Tears' in starting off as a ballad before thumping into a dance banger with a killer chorus. Sure, there's none of the ridiculousness of Sean Paul hollering nonsense like "DAILY STRUGGLE" over the top of this one, and let's face it, all songs would be better off for it, but we think this is another surefire hit for Clean Bandit. They've truly carved their own sound out that stays true to their roots but feels fitting on any current Spotify chart playlist and this is one of the best tracks we've heard this year. High praise.

TINASHE - FLAME

While the name Tinashe might not be familiar to all, if you've been to a club in the last 24 months, the chances are you've heard something from this woman. A modern day Ciara, you could say. She's an online favourite who's never quite blown up to the levels that she really ought to have, much to the dismay of her growing fanbase and here she returns with her most radio-friendly track to date. Though many of her other tracks such as '2 On' and 'Player' are 10/10 perfection for a good grind and twerk on the dancefloor, 'Flame' is a real sultry, mid-tempo jam that doesn't steer far from her RnB sound but opens her up to a whole new audience.

Tinashe's vocals will always sound sexy over anything, she just oozes such appeal from photoshoots to videos to every one of her songs. This time around though, she brings something more sentimental whilst still maintaining something pleasingly seductive. Sounding more like a slow jam at the end of the night than a booty-popper, the production is exquisite and Tinashe pleading "tell me if you've still got the flame for me" has us wanting to drunk text any ex. If this isn't a big hit, then we don't know what to suggest for the girl as this really ought to be the real birth of an RnB queen in the making.

MURA MASA (FEAT. CHARLI XCX) - 1 THING

Fresh from dropping a 10-track mixtape (aka, an album to anyone else) last week, Charli XCX has hopped onto a new single from British producer and DJ Mura Masa, whose last hit 'Love$ick" with A$AP Rocky was pretty unavoidable. The track certainly taps into the tropical side of things without sounding too derivative, maintaining the same quirky, glitchy dance-meets-hip-hop vibe that all of Mura Masa's output boasts.

Charli sounds as bratty and sassy as ever, but we wouldn't expect anything other, after all, it has become her trademark. It works fantastically on this track though, even if it came be a little grating at times. However, that can all be brushed over, once the steel drums hit in, we just want to be sat on a beach in Barbados sipping on a cocktail. It might only be March but any track that gets us in the mood for summer must be doing something right. 

TCTS (feat. Sage The Gemini & Kelis) - Do It Like Me (Icy Feet)

Once again, we'd forgive you for letting out a great "who?" at TCTS. We'd expect you to know who Sage The Gemini & Kelis are, though, after all you've probably been donning the sunglasses Snapchat filter and pouting to the former's 'Now Or Later' for the past few months. English producer TCTS, on the other hand, is definitely a lot less known. Infact, we hadn't even heard of him until now but one listen of 'Do It Like Me (Icy Feet)' and you'll know exactly why we're raving as this track has us wanting to party THIS INSTANT.

Sounding a little like 'Turn The Music Louder' with Tinie Tempah & Katy B, which was a big hit in 2015, this track somehow manages to feel even cooler. So cool, it may even provide you with the aforementioned icy feet. The electronic instrumental has your foot tapping from the get go and once the beat properly kicks in, we defy you not to dance. Sage The Gemini & Kelis's raps rest on top of the track perfectly as they trade lines and seem effortless in a track that keeps you on your toes for it's entire three minutes.