Having headed off to the studio towards the end of 2016, Leeds based Esper Scout have been busy creating the foundations for their yet to be titled debut album. Having released their latest single, ‘Compass‘ back in June we stole the band away from their busy schedule to create us a special playlist.
After settling on the topic ‘A Spectrum of Power Ballads: The One-Up Energy Boost’, we let Kirsty, Abby, Rebecca and Sarah loose on our Spotify to pick some of the biggest and best power ballads. Read what each member had to say about their choices below.
Kirsty
Zara Larsson – Lush Life
“Makes me want to dance all day long, in the sun, on a beach, with my friends.”
CeCe Penistone – Finally
“What an absolute monster of a tune. I challenge anyone to not feel utterly fabulous when they hear it.”
Rick James – Super Freak
“This song makes me want to be the ultimate badass. Peps up any activity and helps take you into a funk dream for a couple of minutes.”
Abbi
Jill Scott – Hate on Me
“Jill Scott is my queen! This song speaks for itself, and there’s just something about this particular live version. If I listen to it in the morning it sets me up for the day, as long as I’m not hurting anybody people can think what they want of me. I’m gonna do my thing!”
Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch
“Sarah introduced me to Silversun Pickups when I first joined Esper Scout, so it seems fitting that they’re on this list. This song definitely gives me that excited feeling in my chest, and if this song is on in the car I’ve noticed I start driving faster… oops!”
Rae Morris – Skin
“I saw Rae Morris years and years ago live in Manchester, just her singing and playing keys. Her voice and her song-writing were so captivating she absolutely blew me away and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. Her debut album felt like a long time coming and it’s been amazing to see her growing and achieving so much, I’m excited for what she does next. Every time I try and pick just one of her songs to recommend to someone I find myself getting lost in YouTube for hours/days/weeks… I literally feel like I could listen to her voice forever! So hard to pick just one song, you should definitely check out some more of her work.”
Rebecca
Smashing Pumpkins – Geek USA
“When the song drops half way in then comes back up with that riff I feel like nothing isn’t possible.”
Carly Rae Jepsen – Cut to the Feeling
“I don’t care this is a song from a kids film, I get shit done 4x faster when this comes on.
Yes – Leave It
“I challenge anyone to sit down through this song.”
Sarah
Tei Shi – Bassically
“Building electronica at its best, with an empowering vocal hook and harsh beat which stomps at a perfect tempo for rising up and kicking out into a steadfast and sure future. Even if only for its alluring and cathartic five minutes of sensational swagger. Then repeat. “
Alexisonfire – Midnight Regulations
“This band have been an inspiration to us since we were teenagers (helped that a friend got ‘Crisis’ stuck in her car CD player and etched it into our minds), but this track from their fourth album ‘Old Crows/Young Cardinals’ most perfectly packages a revitalising grassroots call to arms ethics and declaration of shared social responsibility through their brand of melodic punk. The lines ‘forced to live a life that his future’s on his way … the palace walls dismantled, brick-by-brick you will have your day’ are particularly cutting and telling of the times.”
Jesca Hoop – Born To
“An example of a song that at first isn’t the most obvious firebrand at first but by the time the chorus hits you realise its intentions to galvanise the listener. ‘Now you’ve gotta get it with what you’ve got; with what you’ve been given or not.’ Shake what you have in your own way. Sincerity and conviction is the only route to a pure sense of achievement, pride and well-being in life.”
