I'm thinking they probably should have released 'Cruel' instead of 'Better Love'? Although I know that came at the exact time of the awkward transition from pre-order to OA/OS releases and many acts faced an uphill struggle, so maybe the outcome wouldn't have been that much different for her.

2. Youth (9.09)

 

I mean!!! They just don’t make debut singles like this anymore- at first a broody pop moment- in fact the majority of the song is quite a slow, dark pop moment until that final break into the instrumental (that I remember being used on the Debenhams adverts lol). The glitchy middle 8, the crescendo-ing drums, her beautiful soft vocals- it’s these subtle features that make this song so memorable- I can’t say I’ve ever heard a song quite like this, so I’m happy to see it get the recognition it deserves!

 

1. Body Talk (10.16)

 

And of course, the winner was always going to be the phenomenal, Body Talk. Leading her sophomore albums and reaching a fairly respectable number 25 in the charts, this is an absolute behemoth of a pop track and possibly one of the greatest ever pop songs for me- 3 minutes 28 seconds of absolute sheer joy and unabashedly happy 80s pop!

 

Thank you for joining! I’ve loved rediscovering some of her old gems and finally, I will say GO F**KING STREAM WILDSTAR ITS A BOP

WHAT a song 'Body Talk' is :wub:

 

So euphoric and joyous.

 

Thank you for doing this George!

'Body Talk' really was one of THE best pop songs of the 10s, it will always be a crime how that didn't get what it deserved.

 

What a top 2 though! Both at least 10s.

 

Also, this remix of 'Youth' is a big fave:

 

Omg the Debenhams adverts *.* Youth would've been my winner but I didn't rate so I can't complain, the perfect top two! Youth was such a WAY to introduce a new artist, it made a statement that I don't think she's ever quite replicated since.