Hey guys, sorry for being slightly MIA but it’s a time to celebrate! This is the first of one of two regular features (the other is coming Friday). This one will include guest writers so you don’t have to get too bored of me (party over here).

Okay so without further ado, let me introduce to this feature. Below we have 10 of my top tracks. They aren’t all brand new but I’ve tried my hardest to include a couple and wow, if I’ve learnt anything it’s that I need to get my nostalgic ass out of my comfort zone and into the New Music Friday playlist on Spotify. Hopefully the guests can help me out with that one in the upcoming weeks but for now, throw yourself into some of these slightly older (but hopefully still unknown to you) songs.

Rhett Price – California Love

Although California Love, originally by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre, isn’t one of my favourite songs, this genius just seems to know how to make any track sound insane in a whole new way. He truly taught me to appreciate a violin and as you can tell with my pick of Happiness (Reworked), it sure worked. Make no mistake though, for some reason this dark horse has kept his best work on Facebook including the likes of Fetty Wap’s Trap Queen – and yes, I did really just say that.

Fever 333 – ONE OF US

Okay, so firstly a warning – don’t listen to this around your grandparents. But if you’re all for nostalgia, you’re going to love the screaming which will throw you back to the early 00s and the vocals will remind you perfectly of bands like Sum 41. If you can get one step further and see them live, fucking do it. I can promise you you won’t have a fucking scooby what’s going on about 98% of the time and, trust me, you won’t be the only one but oh wow, it’s an experience that you absolutely don’t want to miss. I never have quite forgiven myself for going to the loo during their set and finding out I missed him smash up his drum set for the fun of it…

Dean Lewis – Be Alright

Lewis, an Australian singer-songwriter, released his debut album two weeks ago but his single Be Alright is definitely still my current favourite and has been the only song I’ve been sure of making this list since I had the idea three months ago (yes, it’s taken that long, shh). Although this song is about being cheated on and going through a breakup, it’s actually a combined number of experiences of both his own and his circle of friends. Whatever it’s about, it sure is relatable as hell with lyrics such as “I know you love her but it’s over mate / it doesn’t matter, put the phone away” and “it’s gonna hurt for a bit of time / so bottoms up, let’s forget tonight”. Okay, Dean, we hear you. We’re crying too.

Deaf Havana – Happiness (Reworked)

The funny thing about this song is that because it is my favourite song literally ever (and if you know me, you know how hard I find picking favourites), I don’t even know where to start. His insane vocals that just amaze me with every bloody song they produce? Those strings that come in towards the end that you don’t expect but my god, they make an already-perfect song better? The lyrics that I can actually kind of relate to? Guys, just go and listen. Nothing I can say will do it the slightest bit of justice so I won’t even try. Seriously, just go and listen. (P.S. if you want MORE chills, listen to the Live at Brixton Academy version – oh BOY.)

Handstand Parade – Want More

Hello, controversial time. I don’t like The 1975, okay? I think they’re rather overrated and although I can bop to a couple of their first EPs I JUST DON’T SEE IT, OKAY? Whew, that felt good to get off my chest. Anyway, if you’re like me but you still like that style of music then check out Handstand Parade. Think of them as The 1975’s younger brother with the same chilled out vibes as You. Want More is about them writing a letter to their teenage selves saying goodbye and telling them they’ll be making them proud.

James Bay ft. Julia Michaels – Peer Pressure

James, I love you, okay? And now I love you more because this time you only made us wait a year for new music. Fresh off the back of his Electric Light tour, Bay paired up with Julia Michaels to bring us Peer Pressure – a song all about meeting the right person. He says of the song, “It’s about that person who, no matter how much of a guard you hold up, finds their way through to you”. So with that relatable content, and Bay’s classic guitar, guess who’s going to have this on repeat until the end of time?

We Three – Heaven’s Not Too Far

We Three, three siblings from Oregon, first appeared on the first episode of Season 13 of America’s Got Talent last year. They took both the judges and social media by storm with this song as their first audition – a tribute written to their late mother who sadly passed away two years earlier. With lyrics such as “I’ve got to move up north / but it’s just temporary” and “no honey, I don’t want to go / please know that I have to” sung by Manny’s strong lead vocals, this one’s bound to be a tearjerker. The siblings also commented that every listen of this song for them is like “having another conversation” with their mum – who started chopping onions in here?!

Holygood – Oh No!

If you think you know the voice and you can’t figure out why, there’s a slight chance you’ll recognise them as Light You Up who, let’s face it, had a banger of an album with All You’ve Ever Known (check that out too, trust me). After an unexpected period of quiet following this album, things started changing in January when they reappeared, announcing they would now have a new identity: Holygood. Oh No! is classic pop-punk but oh god, it’s good. If that’s your style, check this and their other single Darling out. You won’t regret it.

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

I’m sorry, okay? I told myself I was going to try to not include songs that everyone and their mother knew but honestly it came on shuffle when writing this blog post and it felt like a sign. I don’t even need to speak about this track, we all know it does that itself.

Bring Me The Horizon – ouch

This track, from their new album amo, could be considered monumental for frontman Oli Sykes as he finally addresses his relationship with Hannah Snowdon. When talking about the track, he makes sure fans know he’s not wallowing in it any longer but that it was also an incredibly painful time for him. Can we also just mention that glo-up from “so you can drag me through Hell / if it meant I could hold your hand” in Follow You to “and I know I said you could drag me through Hell / but I hoped you wouldn’t fuck the Devil”. YES OLI.

Right that’s me out guys. I hope this hasn’t been too long a read for you – apparently I waffle on a lot. Who knew? I also hope that it hasn’t been too obvious and that you have been able to discover a few new songs. Stay tuned for the next version with a special guest!

To make it easier, we put them all into one playlist for you which you can check out below: