- Words Nick Lowe
Songwriting and production collective ROOKIES team up with UK band New Hope Club for their brand new single 'Paycheck' and share the top 10 tracks they can't get out of their heads.
After emerging onto the scene in 2016, ROOKIES a.k.a. Jon Maguire, has now collected over a billion streams, working with mainstream pop acts like Dan Bastille, Liam Payne, Freya Ridings, Sam Feldt and The Vamps. Despite largely staying out of the spotlight and maintaining a mysterious persona, ROOKIES has continued to grow in the music scene. On his new release – a catchy and modern pop ballad – he delivers a blissed-out, carefree vibe that sees ROOKIES collaborating with British pop-act New Hope Club who bring their impressive vocals of to the forefront.
Made up of Reece Bibby, Blake Richardson and George Smith; New Hope Club formed in 2015 and released debut EP ‘Welcome to the Club’ two years later. Over the last few years, the band has accumulated over 73 million streams across their previous singles and have successfully built a global fanbase. Recently embarking on a world tour, the group have played to sold-out crowds in America, Canada and all around the UK in cities including Glasgow, Manchester and London. The trio are poised to play a slew of UK dates throughout August, September and October, including the Manchester Academy and O2 Empire Shepherd’s Bush and Birmingham O2 Institute.
The future is looking bright for the two acts following their masterful collaboration ‘Paycheck’, but in the meantime check out their top 10 Trax below!
"Imagine" by John Lennon
"This is a pick from George, I love this song. It is on what has to be one of my favourite albums ever. I bought the album on vinyl while in London the other week and can’t stop playing it back to front."
"Friday I'm In Love" by The Cure
"This is a pick from Reece. This is a feel-good song that always puts me in a good mood. As soon as I hear the intro it reminds me of my childhood."
"We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles
"This is Blake’s pick. It is has always been my favourite Beatles song because it’s classic Lennon and McCartney. You can sort of hear them writing it in a hotel room together somewhere and that alone just inspires and excites me. Personally this song also reminds me of singing in the car with my Mum because when I really started getting into The Beatles it was this and “Eight Days A Week” that we used to belt out."
"Bye Bye Badman" by The Stone Roses
"We love this song, such an easy one to sing along to and very good for travelling, the same goes for the rest of this album. Up there as one of the best for sure."
"Trouble" by Coldplay
"Another amazing song to relax to, this song is so simple but it’s so amazingly written. A classic & a song that we wish we could have written."
"Around The World" by Daft Punk
"One of the first dance songs I ever loved. Brace yourself though - it's 7 minutes long!"
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
"Off-piste but just my favourite song ever."
"Later Bitches" by The Prince Karma
"Was in Greece last year writing with these guys and this song just blew me away."
"Piece Of Your Heart (Stickmen Remix)" by Meduzza
"It's just a banger. My favourite song of the year and this remix is just fire."
"Paycheck" by New Hope Club and ROOKIES
We just had to include the new single from the boys here! Give it a spin.
