Finding dearALICE, Waiting for Ariana, and a Lifetime of George Michael
From impressive festival sets to albums that have soundtracked different chapters of his life, Samuel's picks reflect a listener who values both the thrill of discovery and the comfort of returning to familiar favorites.
Some artists stay with you for years. Others appear out of nowhere, catching you completely off guard before becoming part of your regular rotation. The most rewarding music fans seem to make room for both. Samuel (@samuelonvinyl) does exactly that, moving comfortably between artists he's loved for decades and those he's only just begun to follow, always with the same excitement and curiosity.
The July 23 to 27 prompts follow those different moments of connection. One asks which artist he discovered at a festival, leading to a reflection on the excitement of an unforgettable first impression. Another turns toward an album cover with a smile, becoming a conversation about following an artist's evolution over the years. The next prompt is about a Christmas in July pick, where music becomes a way of revisiting memory, tradition, and the emotions tied to the season. Another asks which album he'd love to hear again for the first time, returning to a record whose creative vision still feels remarkable today. The final prompt asks which song comes to mind when he thinks of the word "fresh," becoming a reminder that freshness isn't always about what's new.
Which artist did you discover at a festival?
I very recently discovered the boyband dearALICE at British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park, London. I was vaguely aware of them and knew they were from the Made in Korea TV show on the BBC but I hadn’t watched it and hadn’t heard any of their music.
I had a big gap in my schedule on the day so made my may over to the Rainbow Stage as I had at least heard of them whereas I hadn’t the other artist playing at the same time. I’ve never been a huge boyband fan (pop girlies ’til I die!) but I was so impressed with dearALICE from the second they took to the stage.
I was really impressed by the level of performance and how polished the four members were. There was a genuine chemistry between them and it was obvious they were having as much fun as the crowd. Although I didn’t know any of the songs they performed beforehand, I was drawn in by their stage presence and slick choreography. I particularly loved “Ariana,” “Drums,” and “Vibes” but think their new music, “Body On” and the unreleased song they performed “Close,” will elevate them to a new level.
James wasn’t at the performance and it was announced soon after I discovered them that he has left the band which I think is a shame as since watching Made in Korea he is a member I have really gravitated towards and I think it’s amazing how involved he became with the band’s production later down the line. I have been rinsing the Made in Korea and bitterSWEETsummer EPs since seeing them live and think “Body On” is a strong contender for song of the summer. I’m glad the rest of the boys have decided to continue and I can’t wait to see what is next for them. I’m definitely going to be grabbing a ticket to see them on their headline tour later this year.
What’s an album cover with a smile you love?
The album isn’t even out yet but the artwork that immediately came to mind when I saw this question was Ariana Grande’s petal. Ariana has been one of my favourite artists for years and having followed her career and life since she was on Victorious, it’s felt really special to be able to watch her grow and evolve both as an artist and person. Seeing her smiling on the artwork instantly stood out to me as she usually takes quite a serious, sultry, and sometimes verging on moody approach to her album covers, so this feels like a refreshing change.
With so much discourse surrounding her body image and personal life online at the moment, it feels so refreshing to see her looking genuinely happy on the artwork for petal. There’s a vulnerability that comes through with her smile which feels a lot more open and personal than some of her previous album covers. I think the image makes her look so young, carefree and at peace and I truly hope she’s as happy as she looks on the artwork. While she’s always been an open book with her writing, it makes me excited to hear if there’s an even more personal layer to the music she’s been creating. I’m intrigued by a lot of songs on the tracklist and am most looking forward to hearing “kiss me” and the title track, “petal,” as well as finding out what “(bunny hop)” means after “bad thing.”
My only criticism is that I wish the artwork wasn’t in black and white and the rest of the visuals and packaging for the release weren’t so dark. Especially with the title being petal, a softer and more colourful palette comes to mind and I think this would have complemented the warmth of her smile even more.
What’s your pick for Christmas in July?
Girls Aloud are my all time favourite band so I was only ever going to pick their Christmas album for Christmas in July. Originally a limited edition bonus disc on their third studio album Chemistry, it finally got the full release treatment last year, being issued on standalone CD and vinyl and given the official title Christmas Round At Ours after being christened Christmas-try (Chemistry but also Christmas Tree, get it?) by fans for two decades.
The eight-track album is the perfect mix of Christmas classics and original tracks that sound quintessentially Girls Aloud despite being filled with festive lyrics. I could speak until I’m blue in the face about how “Not Tonight Santa” should have been made a double A-side single with Chemistry’s “See The Day,” which ended up being their campaign for Christmas number one in 2005. After it picked up traction after being featured in Netflix’s 2021 Christmas romance Single All the Way, it was made a promotional single to support the new release of the album with a brand new remix being issued and the band even releasing a music video made from archive footage. This unseen footage is especially special to Girls Aloud fans now as it gives us a chance to remember late member Sarah Harding, who tragically passed away after a battle with breast cancer in September 2021 aged just 39.
“Count The Days” might be my favourite song on this mini album. I think it is such a beautiful song about missing a loved one and counting down until you’re reunited. As magical as Christmas is, it can also be a very lonely time of year and this song perfectly balances the poignancy and hope the season carries for many. There are a few lyrics that I really love. “All over town, people running around, they’ve got stars in their eyes, hurrying home to be close to the one that they love” takes me right back to Christmas and that frantic period where you’re rushing about to pick up presents but full of the excitement for the season. But it’s Nadine’s opening verse, “I would write a thousand letters just to talk to you, I would climb a hundred mountains just to be with you, I would make it snow in summer if it meant you stay, turn back time when we’re together, make it Christmas Day” that I think really highlights the poignancy of Christmas that anybody that has lost a loved one can relate to.
Which album would you love to hear again for the first time?
My mum was a huge George Michael fan and always played his music around the house when I was a child, so I was exposed to his songs long before I was old enough to truly appreciate his artistry. Because of this, I wish I could hear Faith for the first time now I have a deeper understanding of his musical genius and why it is hailed as the groundbreaking record it is.
While Older is considered by many to be George’s creative masterpiece, Faith is his magnum opus for me. He is undeniably a blueprint for modern artists – both male and female – and I think that stems from the foundations he laid on his solo debut. George wrote, arranged and produced every track on the album by himself with the exception of “Look at Your Hands,” one which he co-wrote with David Austin. That level of creative control is remarkable, especially for a debut album, and speaks volumes about the confidence he has in his vision of himself as an artist.
Almost 40 years after its release, the Faith album still sounds fresh and effortlessly blends a number of genres in a cohesive body of work, making it one of very few timeless records for me. Faith being so eclectic and such a broad mix of genres means I can revisit it whatever mood I’m in for whatever I want to listen to. Some standouts for me are: “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “Monkey,” and “Kissing a Fool.”
Which song comes to mind when you think of "fresh"?
When I think of a song that still sounds fresh, “Call My Name” by Cheryl is one of the first that comes to mind. Released in 2012 and produced by Calvin Harris, it perfectly captures a moment when dance music and mainstream pop were becoming inseparable, yet it has never felt trapped by the trends of its era. Every time I hear it, the euphoric synths, driving beat and soaring chorus sound just as exciting as they did over a decade ago.
I think a lot of that comes down to the production. Calvin Harris struck a balance between club music and radio-friendly pop that still feels modern, while Cheryl's vocal performance brings an infectious sense of urgency and excitement. It's the kind of song that immediately lifts my mood, whether I'm listening on my commute or turning it up during a walk on a sunny day (it always has to be played at max volume).
What I also love about “Call My Name” is the energy it creates. It feels spontaneous, carefree and full of optimism, making it impossible for me not to sing along. There are plenty of songs from the EDM boom of the early 2010s that now sound dated, but this has never been one of them. Almost 15 years after its release, it still feels vibrant, exhilarating and genuinely fresh.
Finding dearALICE, waiting for Ariana, and a lifetime of George Michael all point to the same thing: Samuel is interested in every part of the relationship people build with music. There is the moment an artist first catches your attention. The period where you wait to see what they do next. The years that turn a song or album into something that feels connected to your own history.
His playlists seem to work the same way. “I’m a pop fan at heart,” he says, although the boundaries around that description are much less fixed than they might suggest. Bubblegum pop can sit beside hyperpop. A house track can sit beside a quieter piece of songwriting. What connects everything is not necessarily the sound, but the feeling. As Samuel puts it, “I just love music that makes me feel something,” whether that means the energy of a song that makes you want to dance or the nostalgia of something that takes you back to a specific moment.
That might be why Kylie Minogue feels like such an important figure within his relationship with music. Her career has always been built around more than individual songs: the performances, the community, and the feeling of celebration that surrounds them. For Samuel, the best music seems to work in a similar way. It creates a moment first, then stays with you long after.
A pop music enthusiast, record collector, and reader with a soft spot for nostalgia, pop culture, and the stories that make music feel bigger than itself.
