.
Search

Follow Us

Edit Content
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
Facebook Instagram Spotify Tiktok
RPM031 Menu-3
  • NEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Jimmy Somerville Dare To Love 30th Anniversary London Records-4

    Jimmy Somerville shares details of Dare To Love reissue

    Originally released in June 1995, the LP reunites the former Bronski Beat and Communards frontman with regular collaborator Stephen Hague, along with producers Chuck Norman and Gary Wilkinson, and delivered the UK Top 30 hits, Hurt So Good and Safe In These Arms.

    Adam And The Ants The Singles Sony CMG-4

    Adam Ant unveils new career-spanning retrospective

    ‘The Singles’ collects recordings from both Adam & The Ants and the enigmatic frontman’s solo repertoire in chronological order, from 1978’s Young Parisians through such Top 10 hits as Stand And Deliver and Goody Two Shoes.

    Kesha Mighty Hoopla 2025 Press Handout Credit Corinne Cumming-4

    Mighty Hoopla headed Down Under

    Taking place on February 21, 2026, Mighty Hoopla Sydney sees Kesha – who headlined this year’s London Event – return to the stage, alongside a stacked line-up including Delta Goodrem and Becky Hill.

    Haircut 100 Boxing The Compass Press Handout-4

    Haircut 100 reunite for first album in 40 years

    The band, who scored Top 5 hits in the ’80s with Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) and Love Plus One, returned last year with the single The Unloving Plum, and have now shared details of their long-awaited new LP, ‘Boxing The Compass’.

  • EXCLUSIVES
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Cascada Studio 24 Handout-4

    Cascada on her Studio 54-inspired new album and 20 years of global hits [Exclusive]

    As they return with their fifth album, Cascada’s Natalie Horler looks back on 20 years of hits and reacts to her recent interview that went viral online.

    Nicki French Who, What, Where Handout Energise-4

    Nicki French considered Eurovision return with new album track: ‘Would they really go for a 60 year old singer… again?’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her new album, Nicki French reveals she almost submitted one track into the running for next year’s Eurovision.

    Pixie Lott Encino Press Handout-4

    Pixie Lott talks new album Encino: ‘When you fall into your authentic self, that’s when the magic happens’ [Exclusive]

    A decade after releasing her self-titled third album, Pixie Lott returns with a body of work that reflects the place she’s at in her life today.

    Betty Boo Rip Up The Rulebook Credit Sandro Hyams-4

    Betty Boo: ‘It’s a philosophy that I have to not let anybody tell you that you can’t be who you want to be!’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her epic new album ‘Rip Up The Rulebook’, Betty Boo opens up about creating her most diverse work to date.

  • NEW MUSIC
  • REVIEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Alexis Strum Swim

    Alexis Strum – Swim

    Alison Goldfrapp Flux AG Records

    Alison Goldfrapp – Flux

    Tom Aspaul Cabin Fever Artwork

    Tom Aspaul – Cabin Fever

    Kim Wilde Closer Artwork Cherry Red

    Kim Wilde – Closer

  • CAUGHT LIVE
  • FUTUREPOP
  • RELEASE RADAR
Home Reviews

Róisín Murphy – Hit Parade

Connor Gotto by Connor Gotto
September 4, 2023
in Reviews
Roisin Murphy Hit Parade
21
SHARES
205
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Released: September 8

Delivering her most diverse and captivating work to date, Róisín Murphy conjures a sonic wonderland of creative possibilities on ‘Hit Parade’. 

Don't Miss...

Róisín Murphy reacts to backlash to ‘anti-trans’ comments: ‘I’m still here, doing the best tour of my life’

Róisín Murphy announces UK and Europe tour in support of latest album Hit Parade

The sixth solo LP from the iconic performer is produced in collaboration with DJ Koze and pushes the boundaries between electro-pop, ambient and psychedelia across 13 tracks that rewrite the pop rulebook. 

Arriving three years after her most-recent Top 20 LP, ‘Róisín Machine’, the hitmaker says of her latest release: “It’s a joyful record, I’ve never been happier, that is partly down to personal reasons but also in my work I’ve been very fulfilled. For me the record is about love and sensuality but also it’s about music itself and how it’s always been there for me. 

“There are tinges of darkness, of the abyss, as well as all the joy. There’s contemplation of mortality which is meant to serve as a reminder to me (and perhaps you the listener) to really live while we can.”

Trip-hop influences run through the opening number, What Not To Do, leading into the breezy lead single, CooCool, on which she declares, ‘That old magic’s back / An old feeling flooding’, in its opening lines. 

The Universe is similarly wistful with a laid-back charm that Murphy executes with ease, yet never appearing disengaged, while layered, enchanting vocals on the verses of Fader juxtapose the semi-spoken chorus, underpinned by electric guitar tones and a steady bassline. 

Played front-to-back, ‘Hit Parade’ journeys from laid back ambience through electronic euphoria before arriving at avant garde experimentation, offering nods towards her most commercial releases while veering distinctly away from the realms of chart fodder and into a kaleidoscopic world of experimentation.

Hurtz So Bad features pulsing synths and augmented vocals over hypnotic beats, while The House – clocking in at 3:33, the perfect pop duration – is an obvious single that would fare well on radio. 

Meanwhile, the run from Free Will through Can’t Replicate best represents her dance floor sensibilities, all clocking in around the seven-minute mark and showcasing a knack for sustaining an audience over extended beats like only Murphy can. 

Come the close of the album, Two Ways and Eureka are among the most abstract recordings on ‘Hit Parade’; the result of a sonic journey through a plethora of influences that have shaped her sound and continue to influence her musical exploration. 

Murphy’s latest LP is the musical equivalent of ‘Inception’; it draws you in, takes you for a ride, and leaves you on the other side questioning everything you just heard. Overwhelming for some, therein lies the brilliance of ‘Hit Parade’ – that even in its wildest moments, it speaks to the artist at its core, showcasing her command over her work and instantly becoming an essential Róisín Murphy album. 

Tags: Roisin Murphy
Connor Gotto

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Usually seen with a wine in hand.

More Like This

Roisin Murphy CooCool Single
News

Róisín Murphy reacts to backlash to ‘anti-trans’ comments: ‘I’m still here, doing the best tour of my life’

by Connor Gotto
March 31, 2024
Roisin Murphy Credit Nik Pate (1)
News

Róisín Murphy announces UK and Europe tour in support of latest album Hit Parade

by Connor Gotto
September 15, 2023
Jessie Ware Roisin Murphy Freak Me Now Credit Luka McGhie
New Music

Horse Meat Disco remix Jessie Ware and Róisín Murphy’s Freak Me Now

by Connor Gotto
August 12, 2023
Jessie Ware Roisin Murphy Freak Me Now Credit Luka McGhie
New Music

Jessie Ware and Róisín Murphy unleash new version of Freak Me Now

by Connor Gotto
July 30, 2023
Róisín Murphy Credit Nik Pate (1)
New Music

Róisín Murphy and DJ Koze unveil You Knew from new LP Hit Parade

by Connor Gotto
July 22, 2023

Follow Us

The RETROPOP Edit

Never miss a story - sign up to RETROPOP's Daily Edit newsletter for free!

Please wait...

You're in! Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest!

The Latest

Jimmy Somerville Dare To Love 30th Anniversary London Records-4

Jimmy Somerville shares details of Dare To Love reissue

October 21, 2025
Adam And The Ants The Singles Sony CMG-4

Adam Ant unveils new career-spanning retrospective

October 21, 2025
Kesha Mighty Hoopla 2025 Press Handout Credit Corinne Cumming-4

Mighty Hoopla headed Down Under

October 20, 2025
RETROPOP No. 31 : Sept '24
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Change privacy settings
MEDIA KIT

RETROPOP participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Copyright © 2025 Irresistible. All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1
    • Home – Layout 2
    • Home – Layout 3
  • News
  • Fashion

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

CloseMenu

New issue out now

SHOP HERE