Some new pop sounds

There was really no way that the duo A Great Big World would never have made it big. The incredible voice of Ian Axel combined with the emotive, piano-based melodies and heart-tugging lyrics that he co-wrote with bandmate Chad Vaccarino all make for a potent hit-making combination.

As if those were not enough, fate in the person of Christina Aguilera even stepped in to lend a hand. The pop diva from The Voice heard the song Say Something and decided she wanted to do a duet with the boys. And you already know what happens when Christina records a duet. Ask Maroon 5 and remember that huge winner Moves Like Jagger. She makes chart history. This duet of Say Something, spurred by the enchanting, laidback Christina and a tearjerker of a video, became a sensation and reached No. 1 in many countries.

The album titled Is There Anybody Out There is now in the stores. Two versions of Say Something are included. One is without Christina. Those two cuts are more than enough for the album to sell. But there are other great well-written and well-executed songs. Rockstar, Land Of Opportunity, Already Home, I Really Want It, You’ll Be Okay, Everyone Is Gay, There Is An Answer, Shorty Don’t Wait and Cheer Up. Standouts are I Don’t Wanna Love Somebody Else which is particularly beautiful and the rousing This Is The New Year, that fans doubtless recall from Glee.

A Great Big World reminds me a lot of fun. While these guys can really rock, it is never at the expense of the music.

 Meanwhile, Aloe Blacc, who comes from Panama, makes classy, timeless soul music. This guy has vocal chops that echo the legendary Stevie Wonder and then sashays to the present to channel Bruno Mars. Like most of you out there, my introduction to Aloe took place via Wake Me Up, his hit collaboration with electronic dance music star Avicii. But Lift Your Spirit, Aloe’s new solo release, shows him up to be more than a vocalist. Sleek and sophisticated, the album is a brilliant showcase of assorted rhythms anchored by Aloe’s amazing vocals and smooth songwriting flair.

You will surely love his acoustic take on Wake Me Up without Avicii. He easily turned the ubiquitous song into a future classic. You can then dance to Love Is The Answer produced by no less than the hit-making Pharrell Williams of Happy fame. Here Today and Wanna Be With You have an infectious country feel. You can do some hand-clapping with Lift Your Spirit and emote with all your might to the bluesy Red Velvet Seat that even the great Aretha Franklin will surely love to cover. And in case you are wondering, that is indeed Elton John being sampled in The Man. And there is no need anymore for Aloe to go searching for his next single. The album’s closer, Eyes Of A Child, should do very nicely.

Exotic and thoroughly mind-blowing. This is how I describe the music of the Bombay Bicycle Club and it is no surprise that this young band comes from the UK where strange twists and turns result in new and unique approaches to pop music. Dubbed the BBC, this group was formed by high school kids, named after a chain of Indian restaurants and then discovered in a talent show. After only three albums, it has evolved into a fearless, innovative group with potential for greatness.

All the main ingredients are present. It is made up of Jack Steadman (lead vocals, guitar and piano), Jamie MacCall (guitar), Suren de Saram (drums) and Ed Nash (bass) — all excellent musicians now in their 20s. Then Steadman has an affecting singing style that goes with any type of music. I think he would even make a good crooner. Best of all, his writing has the daring that keeps him from being confined to the usual parameters of pop. As a result, the music of BBC is rock but laced with electronica, Far Eastern pipes, smatterings of Latin percussion and other strange sounds.

Titled So Long See You Tomorrow, the new album by the Bombay Bicycle Club goes everywhere. It takes you dancing with the happy first single Carry Me, goes dreamy with Luna and gets all starry-eyed romantic with Overdone. You will be amazed at what you will hear in between those songs. Every cut — It’s Alright Now, Home By Now, Whenever Wherever, Eyes Off You, Feel, Come To and So Long See You Tomorrow — hints of experimentation that works remarkably well.

I am also happy to find out that the Bombay Bicycle Club chose to record an album that is best listened to in its complete form. As you may have already noticed, ours have become a time when music buyers have reverted to buying single songs online, instead of whole albums. I am sure you will find singles in So Long See You Tomorrow. But why deprive yourself of the experience of enjoying the entire package.