The “X Factor Winner’s First Post-Show Single” is always a tricky hurdle to overcome. Whilst it can be a “Bleeding Love” (aka massive worldwide domination), it could also fade into the background faster than you can say “Leon Jackson”. Which is a shame, because he seems like a really sweet guy… Anyway, to avoid being added to the Simon Cowell “To Drop List”, you need a rockin’ first song. And I’m happy to say that Little Mix have more than delivered! I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did, and it just really suits them and their style (which is a little urban, little pop, little R&B and other ingredients of in-between). A catchy chorus, optimistic lyrics, cool harmonies; hell, even the intro is better than most these days. You can actually tell their voices apart so they haven’t been merged into a single autotuned blur. It’s so unexpected as an “X Factor Winner’s First Post-Show Single” that it could create a Little Mix brand separate from the X Factor association…meaning they are established artists of their own right and accord. Oh, and there’s clapping too.

Newton Faulkner’s first and second albums are a happy and cosy part of my CD collection and always take me to a place with unexpected melodies and guitar riffs where he’s obviously showing off. And I love it. “Clouds” is an upbeat track that just oozes summer. It’s classic Newton and makes me want to smile at random strangers on the street. Yes, really. A feel-good summer anthem is right down my street, and it has given me expert advice too, should I ever need it: “Stop looking down at the ground, pick it out of the clouds. No one’s gonna put you down. Just let it out, let it out.” Amen to that, brother.