Benson Boone, O2 London review - sequins, spectacle and cheeky charm

Two hours of backwards-somersaults and British accents in a confetti-drenched spectacle

After cancelling his Birmingham gig an hour before curtain-up due to illness, the anticipatory hype around whether Benson Boone’s London show at The O2 would actually go ahead was almost as electric as his infamous song. But a reassuring ping from the ’gram confirmed: it’s on. And indeed, it was.

'Vicious Delicious' is a tasty, burlesque-rockin' debut from pop hellion Luvcat

Contagious yarns of lust and nightlife adventure from new pop minx

Three of last year’s finest singles were by Luvcat, a classy-but-naughty Eartha Kitt-style bad girl steeped in burlesque-rock’n’roll spirit. In fact, she’s the wanton basque’n’fishnets persona that, during a decadent sojourn in Paris, possessed the soul of Liverpudlian singer Sophie Morgan.

The question is, can she engagingly maintain this wordy, filmic conceit for a whole album? The answer is… yes.

Music Reissues Weekly: Joe Meek - A Curious Mind

JOE MEEK - A CURIOUS MIND How the Sixties producer’s preoccupations influenced his creations

How the maverick Sixties producer’s preoccupations influenced his creations

A curious mind, indeed. Outer space, and what may be there. Communicating with those in the hereafter. Spooks, vampires and other horror film perennials. The wild west. Deceased rock ’n’ rollers Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly.

Demi Lovato's ninth album, 'It's Not That Deep', goes for a frolic on the dancefloor

★★★ DEMI LOVATO'S 'IT'S NOT THAT DEEP' A frolic on the dance floor 

US pop icon's latest is full of unpretentious pop-club bangers

Demi Lovato is impressive on many fronts. She’s a Noughties Disney tween star who’s become an outspoken activist in an America where it’s increasingly dangerous to be one. She’s lived a rollercoaster ride of a life, rampantly exploring sexuality, drink and drugs amid chaos, abuse and serious mental health calamities, and she’s overcome the worst of it.

The Lemonheads' 'Love Chant' is a fine return to form

Evan Dando finally gets back in the saddle with an album of new tunes

The Lemonheads were one of the original punk-pop outfits and have been an on-off going concern for 40 years. However, singer, guitarist, bandleader and loveable slacker, Evan Dando’s well-documented relationship with Class A drugs also made them the kings of underachievement – even if there is plenty of gold to be found among their recordings that did see the light of day.

Music Reissues Weekly: Evie Sands - I Can’t Let Go

EVIE SANDS - I CAN'T LET GO Treasure-packed tribute to one of 60s America’s great vocal stylists

Diligent, treasure-packed tribute to one of Sixties’ America’s great vocal stylists

Over 1965 to 1968 Brooklyn's Evie Sands issued a string of singles with classic top sides. Amongst them were “Take Me For a Little While,” “I Can't Let Go,” “Picture me Gone” and “Angel of the Morning.” For reasons which are tackled in the essay coming with I Can’t Let Go – the first-ever collection of Sands’ seven-inch A- and B-sides – all either charted low, or not at all.

The Last Dinner Party's 'From the Pyre' is as enjoyable as it is over-the-top

★★★★ THE LAST DINNER PARTY - FROM THE PYRE As enjoyable as it is over-the-top

Musically sophisticated five-piece ramp up the excesses but remain contagiously pop

Before we get into it, reader, can you accept that The Last Dinner Party are a band born of privilege and high academic study? Of poshness, classical composition, private education, master’s degrees in music? No? Might as well stop reading then. That’s where they’re from. Let's have a valid debate somewhere else about the arts shutting out those with less money.

Music Reissues Weekly: Marc and the Mambas - Three Black Nights Of Little Black Bites

MARC AND THE MAMBAS - THREE BLACK NIGHTS OF LITTLE BLACK BITES When Marc Almond took time out from Soft Cell - a great listen

When Marc Almond took time out from Soft Cell

A month after Soft Cell’s "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" single peaked at number three in the UK charts, Marc Almond issued a single credited to Marc and the Mambas. March 1982’s "Sleaze (Take it, Shake it)" / "Fun City" was produced by his Soft Cell partner Dave Ball, who also contributed drums and synth.