#MusicMonday 4

Welcome to the fourth #MusicMonday! As it happens, collaborations seems to be a common theme on my playlist this week, so here's five awesome partnerships that I've been playing on repeat. Don't forget that you can check out last week's #MusicMonday here.

1. Beyoncé featuring Jack White - Don't Hurt Yourself

One of the biggest news stories in music recently was the return of Queen Bey, and the surprise release of her latest album Lemonade. The twelve track album, which was released following an hour-long visual extravaganza showcasing the tracks on HBO, is easily Beyoncé's most talked about work to date. There's been plenty of speculation as to the messages garnered from the song, including husband Jay-Z's alleged cheating.

Whatever the truth may Bey (sorry, couldn't resist that pun!), she has managed to create an iconic album with many different styles. 'Hold Up' and 'Sorry' are faves of mine, but I have to say that Beyoncé's collab with Jack White slays everything else. 'Don't Hurt Yourself' is so far removed from what I expect from Bey, but it's just so right. It's angry, hardcore and savage on every level, I can only imagine how insane it would sound live. Check out the visual for it below - the full version is available to stream/download on Tidal/iTunes etc.

Beyoncé • Don't Hurt Yourself https://t.co/qxh0rva3kt

— ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ (@jiggymusicvibe) April 27, 2016

2. Calvin Harris and Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

Calvin Harris and Rihanna have teamed up once again for 'This Is What You Came For', which has all the credentials to be a summer smash! Lots of people have been raving about this track since its release on Friday, and I don't blame them at all. I can imagine that it's going to be a popular track at all the festivals and party places this summer.

3. Nathan Sykes featuring G-Eazy - Give It Up

Nathan Sykes is back with a new single, due for release on May 13. He has been performing an acoustic version of this song on Little Mix's tour for the past two months, and on Friday he released the video for the official version, which also features rapper G-Eazy.

I really love this song, it's sultry and shows another side to Nathan. (Let's be honest, he could sing the phone book and I'd pay a lot to play it on repeat haha). The accompanying music video leaves very little to the imagination but I guess it very much plays on the 'different side' to Nathan! Apparently it got banned on the music channels due to the end scenes, which I find hilarious as I've followed Nathan's career since he was an innocent child in The Wanted. You can probably see why it's a bit steamy from the thumbnail below, but regardless of the video, it's a great song.

4. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello - I Know What You Did Last Summer

Shawn Mendes and Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello teamed up for this track late last year but it's only now starting to get UK airplay. It's such a great song which acts as a conversation between two people in a dying relationship. The chorus is catchy and the song also samples Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine' which holds a special memory for me, and adds to my enjoyment of the track. It's great to see Shawn and Camila (as well as Fifth Harmony as a whole) start to get the recognition they deserve in the UK.

5. Zedd and Kesha - True Colours

'True Colours' is a song from Zedd's second album of the same name, which was released in 2015. A few weeks ago, following an on-going legal battle with Dr Luke and Sony, Kesha made a triumphant return to the music industry by performing 'True Colours' with Zedd at Coachella. On Friday, an official recording was released, marking Kesha's first music release in over three years. Zedd has allowed Kesha to share her beautiful vocals again, with the lyrics proving to be extremely poignant following her ordeal. It's good to have you back Kesha ♥ 

That's all for this week! Don't forget to share what's on your most played lists this week :)

Hwyl am y tro ✌️

#MusicMonday 2

Hellooo! It's Monday again so I guess it's time for another #MusicMonday! These are some of the songs that I've been listening to this week. If you missed the first instalment from last week, then you can check it out here.

1. Meghan Trainor - No

I heard this song a few weeks ago but I was undecided as to whether I liked it or not. Needless to say, the more I've heard it, the more I've grown to like it. The 'My name is No' bit is still a bit annoying but I love the rest of it, it's a real bop.

 

2. P!NK - Just Like Fire (From 'Alice Through The Looking Glass')

P!NK is back! I feel like she hasn't been around for forever, but she's returned with another great song called 'Just Like Fire' which is from the new Alice Through The Looking Glass movie. The chorus is the best part of the song and it makes me want to sing along at the top of my voice.

3. MKTO - Hands Off My Heart

My American baes are back with a new single. Originally a fusion of two tracks, 'Hands Off My Heart/Places You Go', the song has now been remixed by Mysto & Pizzi and they've given it a video too. Check out the remix and the full version, both are fab.

4. Little Mix (featuring Sean Paul) - Hair

Last week, Little Mix announced that 'Hair' would be the new single from their latest album Get Weird. I think it was originally released as a promo single late last year, however it's been given a bit of a twist as pop world's favourite collaborator Sean Paul now features on it. The song is quite empowering and full of sass - girl power all the way!

5. Nathan Sykes - Stitches (Cover)

Okay so this isn't an official cover, but last week Nathan Sykes decided to share a video of him doing a vocal warm up, and it just so happened to involve him singing Shawn Mendes'  'Stitches'. My goodness, it is INCREDIBLE. The chorus in particular hit me right in the feels - Nathan has such a gorgeous tone to his voice and so passionate, even when warming up! He can sing pretty much anything, forever getting goosebumps and being in awe at his vocals.

I've been loving this song for ages so I decided to use it as my warm up! @ShawnMendes #Stitches hope you like it!!https://t.co/mQU66JHc1I

— Nathan Sykes (@NathanSykes) 14 April 2016

What are you listening to this week? Let me know! I always like suggestions of new music to listen to.

Hwyl am y tro ✌️