NOW That's What I Call Music! 105 (Sony Music/Universal Music)

You might think in this age of streaming and downloading that no one would need the Now compilations. In the diminishing album market the Now series seem as popular as ever.

Even if you haven’t a clue who is currently Number 1 or which songs are in the charts you can always get a resume of what is popular with the latest Now release.

The Weekend have been up and down off the top of the charts for the past two months with Blinding Lights, a track that owes very much to the sounds of Now 5 from 1985, rereleased at the same time as Now 105. The retro sounding song resonates across various generations which explains its popularity.

Dua Lipa at one point had 3 tracks simultaneously in the Top 10 a few weeks back. Don’t Stop Now stands out as the vocal actually sounds individual and not some auto tuned faceless singer.

Little Mix might have had to postpone most of their planned outdoor summer shows, but one of their best tracks Break Up Song is featured here, why it never got higher in the charts than it did is a mystery.

Lady GaGa has been away from the pop arena for a while but Stupid Love is rightfully a massive airplay hit currently.

The plethora of solo female singers means that the latest singles from Mabel, Anne-Marie, Billie Eillish, Selena Gomez and Rita Ora are here amongst others.

The rock element is backed up with Liam Gallagher and Once, The 1975 with Me & You Together Song and Tom Grennan shines with This Is The Place.

Lewis Capaldi, one of the biggest selling album artists of 2019 gives us Before You Go whilst Sam Smith delivers To Die For.

Originally released in August 1985 Now 5 opens with Duran Duran and the theme from the James Bond film, A View To A Kill. Elsewhere Sister Sledge sound cheesy on Frankie, Katrina and The Waves provide the perfect summer soundtrack with Walking on Sunshine and Bryan Ferry is a Slave To Love.

The 2 albums might be 35 years apart but one thing that rings true - music still has the power to forget your everyday problems. Right now that is something we all need.

I give both albums 4 out of 5