Friday is the new Tunesday! On TUNESDAY, I share some of the songs, music videos, and live performances I’ve been groovin’ to. Here are some of my top favourites from July…

Nick Fradiani – Beautiful Life
This pick is a reprise from May, but it bears repetition. American Idol winner Nick Fradiani was the special guest at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Fan Zone event in Vancouver on July 4th, and he did a mini-set consisting of his single, “Beautiful Life“, an original song from his Beach Avenue days, “Coming Your Way“, and a cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity”. In his official music video for “Beautiful Life”, Nick and friends celebrate one more beautiful night together before going their separate ways.

Rachel Platten – Fight Song
This is the kind of empowering anthem that you want to shout-sing at the top of your lungs. Just ask Taylor Swift. “This is my fight song! Take back my life song! Prove I’m alright song!“

Tove Lo – Not On Drugs
Tove Lo easily takes the title of my MVP (Most Valuable Performer) for the month of July. After loving “Habits (Stay High)” and hearing the infectious “Talking Body” all over the radio, I finally caved and listened to her album. There is something so hypnotically eargasmic about Tove’s music, and I admire her for truly baring it all – from the passion to the pains of a relationship – out on the line. “Not On Drugs” is my favourite track from Queen of the Clouds, which is one of the best pop albums I’ve heard (from start to finish) in a long while.

Kiesza – Sound of a Woman
Who could forget Kiesza’s funky and cool one-take music video for “Hideaway“? This Canadian singer has got both killer vocal chops AND dance moves, and her Pop/Dance/R&B-influenced album, Sound of a Woman, is one that deserves your full attention.

HAIM – Falling
I heard this song in the film adaptation of Paper Towns and immediately downloaded the Californian sisters’ album, Days Are Gone. Just as the music video portrays, “Falling” makes one want to live your cares behind to frolick and dance in the wilderness.

Kelly Clarkson – Can’t Help Falling In Love
I love it when Kelly Clarkson goes on the road because it means the return of Fan Requests! At every tour shop, Kelly fulfills a cover song request from the audience. So far, she’s done renditions of Tori Kelly’s “Nobody Love“, Nick Jonas’s “Jealous“, *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye“, and my favourite song by my all-time favourite singer… “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley. Now, can someone please request the Rickroll for me, or do I really have to wait until October?

Disclosure – Omen (feat. Sam Smith)
Sam Smith’s last collaboration with Disclosure, “Latch“, was a complete smash, and I have no doubts that this single will dominate the charts and the clubs in no time. Fans attending the Squamish Valley Music Festival on August 7th will likely be one of the firsts to hear this song performed live, and no, I’m not envious at all…