Hip-Hop & Soul N°412 – 2010s Music Videos
How well do you know the music of YNW Melly, Cardi B & Bruno Mars, Blocboy JB, Juice Wrld, Offset, Drake, Migos, Lethal Bizzle, Calvin Harris, Jay Rock, Nicki Minaj, Fredo ? Take our 12-track quiz.
‘L’Amour Toujours’ N°658 – 2010s Music Videos
How well do you know the music of Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa, Lady A, James Bay, One Direction, Samantha Harvey, Khalid, Rihanna, Loick Essien, Picture This, Lemar, Plan B, Sugarland ? Take our 12-track quiz.
‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°670 – 2010s Music Videos
How well do you know the music of Arctic Monkeys, Remady P&R, AJR, Take That, Owl City, Fall Out Boy, You Me At Six, Muse, Mumford & Sons, Plan B, Rudimental, Paloma Faith ? Take our 12-track quiz.
‘Music For The Dancers’ N°611 – 2010s Music Videos
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"Run Up" by Major Lazer featuring PartyNextDoor and Nicki Minaj blends breezy Caribbean vibes with dancehall finesse, featuring PND's melodic charm and Nicki's confident swagger. Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" shines as a defiant pop anthem, driven by catchy drum loops and infectious sax riffs. Both tracks radiate chart-friendly appeal with polished production and hooks that linger.
Avicii & Nicky Romero's "I Could Be The One" offers a melodic EDM touch with Noonie Bao's emotive vocals, while Pitbull and Kesha's "Timber" fuses harmonicas and EDM beats into a global hit. Meanwhile, Bakermat's "Teach Me" updates gospel with modern house, aiming for vibe over depth, and Philip George's "Wish You Were Mine" reworks Stevie Wonder into house grooves.? Take our 12-track quiz.
‘Music For The Dancers’ N°653 – 2010s Music Videos
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Lizzo's funky "Juice" exudes self-love through retro grooves and a vibrant music video, while Martin Garrix's "Animals" thrives on a minimal yet powerful EDM drop that cemented his place in electronic music at just 17. Avicii's "Seek Bromance" blends emotional vocals with club-ready beats, shaping his early progressive house signature. will.i.am's "Bang Bang" juxtaposes 1920s jazz with modern synths for a bold if uneven experiment.
David Guetta's "Turn Me On" fuses Nicki Minaj's dynamic vocals with sleek EDM production, while Cheryl's "I Don’t Care" delivers carefree pop rebellion and chart dominance. Swedish House Mafia's "One [Your Name]" showcases polished big-room elegance, and Jonas Blue's "Polaroid" pairs Liam Payne's smooth vocals with an easygoing, nostalgic soundscape. Each track offers a mix of innovation and crowd-pleasing charm to varying degrees.
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Hip-Hop & Soul N°411 – 2010s Music Videos
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Tracks like Migos and Drake’s “Walk It Talk It” stick to hypnotic beats and catchy repetition, with a retro-themed music video adding light humor. AJ Tracey’s “Ladbroke Grove” blends UK garage vibes with slick production, marking its chart success as a radio favorite, despite questions about deeper resonance. Rae Sremmurd’s “No Type” thrives on minimal production and brash simplicity, making it a mood-driven chart staple.
Drake’s “The Motto” introduces YOLO to pop culture on a minimalist beat, while Pitbull and Ne-Yo’s “Time of Our Lives” fuses pop appeal with motivational themes. Kid Ink and Chris Brown’s “Show Me” modernizes nostalgic hooks into a radio-ready club hit. Flo Rida’s “My House” keeps the energy light and accessible, anchoring his pop-hip-hop style. D-Block Europe’s “Kitchen Kings” leans into melodic trap, cementing their UK rap influence without breaking new ground.
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‘We Are Live’ N°126 – 2010s Music Videos
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Stereophonics’ "Indian Summer" blends nostalgia with arena-ready riffs but feels a bit predictable, while Foals’ "My Number" pulses with rhythmic precision and post-punk cool, earning notable chart success like No. 23 in the UK. Cover Drive’s catchy "Lick Ya Down" peaks at No. 9 in the UK, showcasing polished pop-reggae, and Bruno Mars’ heartfelt ballad "When I Was Your Man" tops the US Billboard Hot 100 with raw, stripped-back emotion.
Mr. Probz’s "Waves," enhanced by Robin Schulz’s remix, rides emotional metaphors to international chart-topping status, while Passenger’s "Let Her Go" captivates with its folk-pop simplicity, becoming a global hit. Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey’s "The Middle" perfects infectious pop but sacrifices edge for mainstream appeal. James Arthur’s "Safe Inside" brings tender familial reflections, gaining Platinum certification despite its safe musical choices.
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‘L’Amour Toujours’ N°657 – 2010s Music Videos
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Taylor Swift’s "Style" captures the push-pull dynamics of a turbulent romance with sleek production and nods to nostalgia, standing tall on *1989*. Sam Smith’s "Like I Can" blends heartfelt vocals and polished power pop, finding popularity on TikTok years after its UK Top 10 charting. Zedd’s "Stay the Night," with Hayley Williams, merges emotional intensity and polished EDM, though its formulaic pop-EDM appeal feels tied to its 2013 moment.
Maverick Sabre leans into raw introspection on "No One," showcasing his emotional depth, though it stayed under the radar compared to his earlier hits. David Guetta's "What I Did for Love," featuring Emeli Sandé, is anchored by its vocal heft but leans heavily on familiar EDM motifs. Meanwhile, Fergie’s "L.A. Love (La La)" shines more through its rhythmic hook and global themes than any bold artistic leap, earning its spot on global charts.
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‘L’Amour Toujours’ N°692 – 2010s Music Videos
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Paramore’s "The Only Exception" showcases a softer, stripped-down ballad in 6/8 time, veering from their usual energy. Hayley Williams’ heartfelt delivery anchors the track, which gained commercial traction, hitting No. 17 in Australia and earning a Grammy nod. Its quiet introspection marked a shift, resonating on the UK Rock Chart but drawing mixed feelings about its restrained predictability. Similarly, Marina’s "How to Be a Heartbreaker" paired cheeky breakup rules with a polished pop backdrop. Produced by Benny Blanco and Dr. Luke, the track aimed for mainstream success, achieving platinum status but peaking modestly on UK and US charts, balancing humor with a team-driven sound.
Jack Savoretti’s "Candlelight" leans into cinematic elegance with lush, atmospheric instrumentation, hinting at James Bond vibes but sanding down emotional edges for mass appeal. Meanwhile, Ne-Yo’s Disney piece, "Never Knew I Needed," oozes romance with polished R&B stylings but feels like a chapter in a broader narrative rather than a standout. Sugarland’s "Stuck Like Glue" blends country and reggae, delivering an earworm that polarized fans with its quirky energy, while Alyssa Reid’s "Alone Again" borrowed Heart’s ’80s hit, blending nostalgia with crisp pop charm to climb European charts. These tracks highlight diverse approaches to balancing emotional weight and commercial appeal.? Take our 12-track quiz.
‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°669 – 2010s Music Videos
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Sam Smith’s "Lay Me Down" carries raw emotion, evolving from a modest 2013 release to gaining wider notice with a 2015 reissue and a remix featuring John Legend that hit No. 1 in the UK. Similarly, James Blake’s haunting "Retrograde" highlights sparse production, delicately blending post-dubstep and soul. Rihanna’s "Needed Me" pairs cool detachment with DJ Mustard’s grinding beats, sticking to a slow-burn electro-R&B vibe, while Miley Cyrus’s "Wrecking Ball" leans on emotional heft paired with over-the-top visuals for cultural impact.
Bombay Bicycle Club’s "Luna" layers vibrant harmonies and tabla rhythms, balancing exotic textures with indie sensibility, whereas Rag’n’Bone Man’s "Skin" delivers cinematic emotionality rooted in TV-inspired drama. Tracks like One Direction’s "Steal My Girl" and Imagine Dragons’ "I Bet My Life" favor polished production over innovation, while Tinie Tempah and Labrinth’s "Lover Not a Fighter" leans into radio-ready pop-rap charm. Elbow’s "Magnificent (She Says)" and Example’s "Perfect Replacement" round out the list, offering tracks that feel precise yet miss risks that could truly resonate.? Take our 12-track quiz.
Hip-Hop & Soul N°455 – 2010s Music Videos
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Stormzy’s "Cold," from *Gang Signs & Prayer*, delivers sharp grime energy in just 2:36, with Swifta Beater’s taut production elevating its impactful brevity. Certified Gold and peaking at #21 on the UK Singles Chart, the track weaves empowerment into punchy bars, marrying confidence with playfulness. In contrast, Drake’s "Energy" from *If You're Reading This It's Too Late* showcases defiance and paranoia layered over eclectic samples, climbing to #26 on Billboard Hot 100 and earning multi-platinum certifications worldwide, supported by a satirical music video that amplified its bold lyrics.
Khalid’s "Talk," powered by Disclosure’s polished yet restrained production, explores the hesitations of a fragile relationship, resonating globally with top-three Billboard Hot 100 success and Grammy recognition. Meanwhile, Big Sean’s "Bounce Back" channels resilience with slick trap production, peaking at #6 and earning platinum plaques for its catchy yet introspective vibe. Tyga’s "Rack City," minimalistic and repetitive, became an early-2010s club staple, quadruple-platinum-certified despite its simplicity. Across these standout tracks, each artist leaves their mark, blending genre-defining elements with unique stylistic choices.
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‘We Are Live’ N°145 – 2010s Music Videos
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Sam Smith’s heartfelt "Lay Me Down," re-released with John Legend, turned solitary yearning into a poignant duet, hitting number one in the UK. Meanwhile, Jon Bellion’s "All Time Low" paired sleek pop production with breakup vulnerability, making waves internationally. Little Mix’s early empowerment ballad "Change Your Life" showcased polished vocals but leaned on safe universality, peaking at 12 in the UK.
John Newman’s "Love Me Again" blended raspy vocals and modern soul-pop energy, topping UK charts and gaining traction globally thanks to its dramatic flair. Saygrace’s update of "You Don’t Own Me" added a contemporary edge to a classic feminist anthem, lifted by Quincy Jones’ involvement. Kodaline’s "Honest" brought emotional tension but stayed in familiar sonic territory, marking another solid, if cautious, hit for the band.
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Hip-Hop & Soul N°410 – 2010s Music Videos
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Nicki Minaj's "Stupid Hoe" shines with chaotic, stripped-down beats and divisive energy, featuring rapid-fire lyrics and a theatrical music video by Hype Williams. Its biting tone, speculated as a jab at Lil' Kim, polarized audiences, while the track peaked modestly at No. 59 on Billboard but broke Vevo’s 24-hour views record. Similarly, J. Cole's "Middle Child" balances introspection and industry critique, highlighting his role bridging hip-hop generations. Produced by T-Minus, it became his highest-charting single at No. 4 on Billboard and earned 3× Platinum certification, blending personal reflection with a polished yet familiar sound.
Chris Brown’s "Yeah 3x" injects club-ready energy with its electro dance-pop sound, charting globally and going quintuple platinum in Australia despite plagiarism disputes with Calvin Harris. Meanwhile, AJ Tracey’s "Psych Out!" trades gritty bars for melodic finesse, achieving a No. 18 peak in the UK charts but leaning towards polish over rawness. Migos’ "Walk It Talk It," featuring Drake, thrives on repetition, supported by a retro "Soul Train"-inspired video, peaking at No. 10 on Billboard and earning a 6× Platinum certification. Blueface’s "Thotiana," backed by viral remixes, ascended to No. 8 on Billboard, though its sparse production and offbeat flow rendered it more fleeting cultural moment than rap cornerstone.
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‘Look Ma, No Mike!’ N°133 – 2010s Music Videos
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N-Dubz’s "Girls," with its hedonistic themes and polished beats, sees Dappy's over-the-top theatrics paired with a glossy yet disjointed music video, peaking modestly at No. 18 in the UK. Troye Sivan’s "Youth" shines as millennial synth-pop, blending sparkling hooks and universal themes of first love, landing higher in charts like Australia (No. 17) and achieving multi-platinum accolades globally.
The Vamps and Matoma teamed up for "All Night," a streamlined EDM-pop crossover with childlike vocal production quirks, staying on UK charts for 26 weeks. Sophie Ellis-Bextor slowed the pace with "Young Blood," an introspective chamber pop piece that peaked at No. 34 in the UK, offering cinematic strings and tender vocals that departed from her dance-pop roots.
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‘Look Ma, No Mike!’ N°108 – 2010s Music Videos
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Ed Sheeran’s "Castle on the Hill" shines with nostalgia, blending personal childhood memories with a polished production, hitting global charts and achieving multi-platinum status. Jessie Ware’s "If You’re Never Gonna Move" offers a delicate balance of emotive vocals and airy production, though its reworked sample slightly dulls its initial edge. Craig David and Bastille’s "I Know You" pairs smoothness with moody textures, leaving an understated if calculated impression.
Mabel’s "Finders Keepers," featuring Kojo Funds, rides minimalistic R&B beats, achieving UK chart success with its catchy yet restrained vibe. Meanwhile, Sigrid’s "Don’t Feel Like Crying" blends empowering pop with a slick finish, peaking at #13 in the UK. The Lonely Island’s "YOLO," alongside Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar, flips the catchphrase into satire, while James Blake and Travis Scott’s "Mile High" offers a moody collaboration balancing soulful introspection and modern trap influences.
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‘L’Amour Toujours’ N°655 – 2010s Music Videos
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James Morrison's heartfelt "I Won’t Let You Go" offers soft acoustic devotion, while Zayn Malik's "Pillowtalk" fuses seductive R&B with electronic elements, marking a break from his boy band days. Rihanna's "Work," blending dancehall and pop with Drake, stands out for its minimalist rhythm and massive global success. Selena Gomez's "Hands to Myself" melds synth-pop precision with restrained sensuality, while Justin Timberlake's ambitious "Mirrors" reflects personal relationships over an extended runtime.
Little Mix's "Think About Us," featuring Ty Dolla $ign, pairs sleek production with vocal power, though it lacks standout originality. The Chainsmokers’ "Roses" epitomizes 2015’s electronic pop vibe with Rozes’ haunting vocals adding depth. Kojo Funds and RAYE's "Check" combines Afrobeat and R&B, riding catchy Craig David-esque riffs. Jason Derulo's "Breathing" wraps grief in Eurodance beats, and Shawn Mendes with Camila Cabello crafts tension in "I Know What You Did Last Summer," driven by vocal interplay and emotional confrontation.
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‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°718 – 2010s Music Videos
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Justin Bieber’s "Confident," featuring Chance the Rapper, capped off his "Music Mondays" campaign with a slick R&B experiment. Released in 2013 as part of his *Journals*, the track blends swagger with Chance’s laid-back delivery, achieving Platinum certifications despite modest U.S. chart performance. Its music video, directed by Colin Tilley, channels Michael Jackson-inspired energy, while a notable live feature during Chance’s 2014 Coachella set kept its buzz alive.
Neon Trees’ "Animal," from their 2010 album *Habits*, balances polished ambition and controlled energy, peaking at number 13 in the U.S. The track stretched its appeal across international charts while securing a number-one spot on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart after a lengthy climb. Bebe Rexha’s emotive pop anthem "I Got You" paired glossy production with relatable themes, resonating globally with strong digital traction. Meanwhile, Modestep’s 2011 debut "Feel Good" fused dubstep intensity with melodic rock to carve out its niche in early 2010s rave culture.
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‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°668 – 2010s Music Videos
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Alan Walker's "Faded" blends atmospheric introspection with mainstream appeal, driven by Iselin Solheim’s haunting vocals and a looping piano refrain. Its staggering success, including 11× platinum in Sweden, leans on polished production but risks overreliance on repetition. In contrast, Twenty One Pilots’ "Stressed Out" captures millennial anxieties with introspective lyrics and a blend of alt-rock and hip-hop, earning a peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bazzi’s "Mine" rides viral fame into polished pop territory, blending simple melodies with sleek production, embodying catchy appeal despite shallow emotional depth. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish’s "Bury a Friend" explores dark self-reflection through a skeletal, minimalist sound, backed by unsettling lyrics, securing cultural resonance with its haunting vision and tightly controlled creativity.
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‘Music For The Dancers’ N°610 – 2010s Music Videos
How well do you know the music of Rizzle Kicks’ funky "Mama Do the Hump," produced by Fatboy Slim, blends cheeky wordplay and nostalgia, while Demi Lovato’s "Sorry Not Sorry" channels defiance with bold vocals and a glossy pop-R&B vibe. Disclosure’s "White Noise" fuses AlunaGeorge’s ethereal vocals with sharp beats, and DJ Fresh's “Louder,” featuring Sian Evans, balances dubstep chaos with melodic control. Shift K3Y’s "Gone Missing" combines UK garage grooves and BB Diamond’s sultry vocals, and Rudimental’s "Rumour Mill" keeps it chill with Anne-Marie and Will Heard's vocal dynamic over a relaxed backdrop.? Take our 12-track quiz.
‘Look Ma, No Mike!’ N°129 – 2010s Music Videos
Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock” oozes swagger with confident R&B beats and nods to Bill Withers, while Britney Spears’ “Hold It Against Me” balances industrial pop grit with dubstep flair, anchoring her chart legacy. Billie Eilish's "idontwannabeyouanymore" strips down to raw vulnerability, contrasting with Avril Lavigne’s playful rebellion in "What the Hell." Vampire Weekend’s “Cousins” delivers jittery indie charm, and Ellie Goulding’s “Goodness Gracious” blends self-reflection with lively electro-pop. Rae Morris’ “Under the Shadows” crafts atmospheric indie allure, and Alicia Keys’ “Brand New Me” channels quiet strength through a piano-led ballad. Finally, Susan Boyle teams with Elvis Presley for a nostalgic “O Come All Ye Faithful,” exuding festive tradition.