I still think they could fully tap into the world of Pop and include songs that are being really enjoyed, but don’t get the streaming numbers.

Music is so open to everyone now, and multiple tracks get released each week - and only 5% chart, and then the percentage goes down even more regarding songs being hits. So instead of “what’s selling to most” it should be “what’s getting good reviews, buzz, and followings?”.

At one point NOW were the forefront for getting a bit experimental with track listings during the 90s when licensing was more of a battleground for exclusives for other albums. Albums like NOW 26 missed big hits, but kept people interested with unique song choices like “Creep”, “This Garden”, and “Play Dead”. Songs that don’t really fit a “pop-chart” comp, but were still popular due to public reaction.

In this day and age, what a lot of fans from my era like is Pop. And it’s not just limited to chart stuff. Like I said, Pop releases are aplenty right now. And if any fans are like me, we would love to see our Pop faves grace a NOW more frequently than now - which is all based on if they chart. You only have to look at something like Mighty Hoopla - a pure pop music festival which brings in 25,000-50,000 people each year. Seeing pop faves like Agnes (hasn’t been on a NOW since 74), Scissor Sisters (82), Cascada (73), Diana Vickers (77), Louise (56). All these, plus artists from previous years still have a big fan following, and probably some discovered these from past NOWs. So adding them again probably wouldn’t hurt, and will bring back a few pop fans.

Then we can add brand new acts that are gaining momentum - with lack of promotion on radio/tv for new artists, a physical copy of the song on a CD sandwiched between established acts and big hits can really get the ball rolling. NOW haven’t been strangers to this before. New acts would usually appear as part of labels deal when licensing their bigger songs. Bring it back! Give us something new. Also, so many songs never get a physical release now - so it being on a compilation CD that is yours to keep is such a huge exclusive in my opinion - cos one day an artist, a label, even the streaming service could pull it and never put it back.

Finally, get some new people in to curate the album track listings. Keep the ones who have been working since they got there, but add fresh people of different backgrounds who can recommend something new and exciting.

The NOW album isn’t dead, it just needs updating for sure.

(Sorry the long post - I was talking about this to someone at Hoopla, and I had to share our ideas here)

44 minutes ago, SuperWooper said:

I still think they could fully tap into the world of Pop and include songs that are being really enjoyed, but don’t get the streaming numbers.

Music is so open to everyone now, and multiple tracks get released each week - and only 5% chart, and then the percentage goes down even more regarding songs being hits. So instead of “what’s selling to most” it should be “what’s getting good reviews, buzz, and followings?”.

At one point NOW were the forefront for getting a bit experimental with track listings during the 90s when licensing was more of a battleground for exclusives for other albums. Albums like NOW 26 missed big hits, but kept people interested with unique song choices like “Creep”, “This Garden”, and “Play Dead”. Songs that don’t really fit a “pop-chart” comp, but were still popular due to public reaction.

In this day and age, what a lot of fans from my era like is Pop. And it’s not just limited to chart stuff. Like I said, Pop releases are aplenty right now. And if any fans are like me, we would love to see our Pop faves grace a NOW more frequently than now - which is all based on if they chart. You only have to look at something like Mighty Hoopla - a pure pop music festival which brings in 25,000-50,000 people each year. Seeing pop faves like Agnes (hasn’t been on a NOW since 74), Scissor Sisters (82), Cascada (73), Diana Vickers (77), Louise (56). All these, plus artists from previous years still have a big fan following, and probably some discovered these from past NOWs. So adding them again probably wouldn’t hurt, and will bring back a few pop fans.

Then we can add brand new acts that are gaining momentum - with lack of promotion on radio/tv for new artists, a physical copy of the song on a CD sandwiched between established acts and big hits can really get the ball rolling. NOW haven’t been strangers to this before. New acts would usually appear as part of labels deal when licensing their bigger songs. Bring it back! Give us something new. Also, so many songs never get a physical release now - so it being on a compilation CD that is yours to keep is such a huge exclusive in my opinion - cos one day an artist, a label, even the streaming service could pull it and never put it back.

Finally, get some new people in to curate the album track listings. Keep the ones who have been working since they got there, but add fresh people of different backgrounds who can recommend something new and exciting.

The NOW album isn’t dead, it just needs updating for sure.

(Sorry the long post - I was talking about this to someone at Hoopla, and I had to share our ideas here)

I mean, when you consider only 7000 sales of an album, you can’t necessarily say it’s thriving either.

The NOW albums used to be for teenagers who wanted to sample all the latest and greatest hits, which would lead to them getting into certain artists as a result.

The need for that is gone thanks to streaming and TikTok. I doubt many teenagers still ask their parents for the latest NOW album for their birthday or Christmas.

Stack that with more and more artists removing their rights to be added on compilations and the end result is subpar.

I agree on your approach with new compilers and such, and gearing it more toward the pop crowd, but then it ends up being for a certain demographic rather than the general public. However, the general public don’t really decide on what goes into the charts now these days, as streaming has democratised the charts, so people can listen to whatever they want and it’ll contribute to the chart. Because of this, super fans dominate when they continually stream their songs and as a result, get on to the chart.

Some serious change needs to be undertaken at NOW Towers if they want the numbered brand to survive.

Any word on the collector's group on FB regarding this week's announcement, anybody?

Edited June 3Jun 3 by geraintlewis268

If I was in charge of Now tracklists, another thing I’d do is keep the explicit lyrics in the songs rather than censor them

Just now, geraintlewis268 said:

This is due out on 10 July.

3 minutes ago, geraintlewis268 said:

I don't see 'Like a Rolling Stone' on there...

Just now, geraintlewis268 said:

This is due out on 10 July.

1 minute ago, Harrison FB said:

I don't see 'Like a Rolling Stone' on there...

Nor do I see Sunny Afternoon. And also, I'm gutted by the fact they didn't decide to showcase 1965-1967. Oh well... Regardless, I wouldn't say no to a yearbook.

Nice to see 'A Walk in the Black Forest' on there! Feels quite forgotten for a #3 hit.

Seeing as this is out 10th July, they’re more likely gonna announce 12" 1987 part 1 next week with a release date of 17th July and wondering if Now 124 is being released 24th or 31st July? I’m hoping for the former as new Spider-Man is out 31st July which will most likely have a soundtrack so I’d rather it got released on 24th to manage a week at number 1 than get released on 31st and miss the top spot

34 minutes ago, geraintlewis268 said:

Quite an eclectic selection. Will be adding this one to my collection. I’ve been a growing fan of the 60s sets. Some memorable tunes on them!

I hope we get volume 4 1967-1969 sometime in October but I reckon November. They should release it 6th November so it’s released before Now 125 but saying that, they won’t wanna release it too close to the 90s yearbook which well more likely get 30th October and saying that, if they wanna rehash Now Christmas, release it on 23rd October or 6th November so it’s not clashing with the 90s yearbook

I thought I’d do a prediction for Now 124

CD 1

1. Olivia Rodrigo - Drop Dead

2. Ariana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love Me

3. Bella Kay - ILoveItILoveItILoveIt

4. RAYE & Hans Zimmer - Click Clack Symphony

5. Tate McRae - Nobody's Girl

6. Bruno Mars - I Just Might

7. Alex Warren - Fine Place To Die

8. Sabrina Carpenter - House Tour

9. Gracie Abrams - Hit The Wall

10. Sonny Fodera & CHRYSTAL - My Loving

11. Ellie Goulding - Black Prada Dress

12. SIENNA SPIRO - The Visitor

13. Lady Gaga & Doechii - Runway

14. Dominic Fike - White Keys

15. Noah Kahan - Porch Light

16. Olivia Dean - Baby Steps

17. Charli XCX - Rock Music

18. Maisie Peters & Julia Michaels - Kingmaker

19. OneRepublic - Need Your Love

20. Miley Cyrus - Younger You

21. Calvin Harris & Jazzy - Satisfy

22. Bebe Rexha & Faithless - New Religion

23. Teddy Swims - Mr Know It All

24. The Kid LAROI - Back When You Were Mine

25. The Chemical Brothers - Go

CD 2

1. Alex Warren - Fever Dream

2. Myles Smith - My Mess

3. Lewis Capaldi - Stay Love

4. KATSEYE - Pinky Up

5. RAYE - Nightingale Lane

6. Temper City - Self Aware

7. ANOTR & 54 Ultra - Talk To You

8. Nathan Dawe & Tion Wayne - Cola

9. Martin Garrix & Ed Sheeran - Repeat It

10. Lana Del Rey - First Light

11. Ella Langley - Be Her

12. PinkPantheress - Girl Like Me

13. F3miii - Noble

14. Dermot Kennedy - Funeral

15. Prospa & Cloonee - Free Your Mind

16. Malcolm Todd - Earrings

17. Stella Lefty - Boston

18. Paul McCartney - Home To Us

19. Westlife - Your Love Amazes Me

20. Take That - You're A Superstar

21. Sam Fender - I'm Always On Stage

22. Dara - Bangaranga

23. LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - Eins, Zwei, Drei

24. Delta Goodrem - Eclipse

25. Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj - Beauty And A Beat

Hoped that they would issue yearbooks from 1965 on as there is enough material to choose from.

13 minutes ago, DaTilt said:

Hoped that they would issue yearbooks from 1965 on as there is enough material to choose from.

I agree and if not, they should’ve at least done it like the 00s millennium series and do 1960-1961, 1962-1963 etc rather than how they’re doing it now

I know we haven’t got a chance in the universe, but I’d love Bring Your Love by Madonna/Sabrina to feature on NOW 124!

I can’t have Madonna’s only appearance to be on a meh-ish Sam Smith track

Now 124 Predictions

Edited June 17Jun 17 by nowmusic1993

Edited June 7Jun 7 by nowmusic1993

Love that cover art

2 hours ago, nowmusic1993 said:

Now 124 Predictions

I'm not sure if ALL of these tracks have charted... but this still looks better than what 123 had altogether. We shall see if the NOW team does improve from that album. If not, then me and @Hadji are gonna leave poor reviews again!

Edited June 7Jun 7 by Harrison FB