Are we ready for a new episode of Back to Now? Get all caught up: linktr.ee/poprambler

Soundtrack for a Saturday Night. Thank you David Bowie. ❤️

That #totp Top 40 from 1987 is very number 9 isn’t it?

The Mobiles, Drowning in Berlin being all icy, cold, and wonderfully wintry electropop for January 82.

My goodness, 1999, this has been, quite frankly, a bit of a slog. Is it 1982 yet? #TOTP

I knew I had it somewhere. Inside an album sleeve of course. The review of the last Bowie gig I saw. Barrowlands, 1997. He walked on stage to accompany himself to the backing track of Quicksand. Never heard a cheer like it.

David Bowie on NOW. Happy birthday and thank you. #bowie

This is obviously amazing as listening to people such as Iain and Justin who know their pop onions always is. Also, a lovely couple of shout-outs to me too (you darlings). (btw I have it down as September 21st 1987)

Thank you Colm for your incredibly kind words. They’re really appreciated. It’s a privilege to be able to spend time with guests revisiting these albums that mean so much to us pop culture fans.

I could not be prouder to publish this remarkable, insightful work by Alex. An essential and truly worthy addition to the Bowie bookshelf. I hope you enjoy it @alexlarman.bsky.social

Beating January blues with Classic Pop.

If today is involving any form of reconnection with real life after the festive period, ease yourself back in with variously compiled pop chat. The latest episode of Back to Now with guest @whenisbirths.bsky.social is the perfect January listen! All podcast places or here: linktr.ee/poprambler

Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush on Duets at the BBC. Don’t Give Up is, of course, amazing and one of only three numbered NOW appearances for Kate. I shall not be including Utah Saints at this juncture.

Do you remember? Frankly, no. #totp

In which latest instalment of "what even are decades," @whenisbirths.bsky.social brilliantly proposes we call 1980 "nineteen seventy-ten"

Our friends at the Back To NOW podcast have a new swingorilliant episode hosted by @poprambler.bsky.social with guest @whenisbirths.bsky.social to discuss the NOW Smash Hits 1980-1987 compilation 💬🗨️😉 shows.acast.com/backtonow/ep...

If you’re enjoying the latest episode of Back to Now, here are the swingorilliant sleeve notes from the NOW/Smash Hits album in 1987. A reminder of how fabulous that team at Ver Hits were. Listen to the episode AND the full album here: linktr.ee/poprambler

Back to NOW! New episode! 🎧 The podcast celebrating the variously compiled world of pop is back, Back, BACK! Join @whenisbirths.bsky.social and revisit NOW/Smash Hits of the 80s. Start 2026 in swingorilliant style! Listen and subscribe at all podcast places or here: linktr.ee/poprambler

The new episode of Back to Now is available at midnight! It's NOW/Smash Hits of the 80s with Justin Lewis (@whenisbirths.bsky.social). Start 2026 in swingorilliant style! Listen and subscribe at all podcast places or via this party friendly link: linktr.ee/poprambler

Needing a soundtrack for the end of 2025? I’ve got three mixes available over there on Mixcloud. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, you may like these. Follow the link, grab a glass: linktr.ee/poprambler

Introducing the first swingorilliant Back to Now episode of 2026.

Very grateful to @newmodernbooks.bsky.social for the copy of Lazarus by @alexlarman.bsky.social A wonderfully written document of a period of Bowie’s career that whilst often overlooked provided some truly fabulous music worthy of rediscovery and reappraisal. Highly recommended.

RIP ❤️

Perfect Boxing Day soundtrack courtesy of one of my favourite 2025 albums The Smile You Send Returns to You, from @constantfollower.bsky.social Hoping everyone at @lnfg.bsky.social is having a good Christmas.

Happy Christmas everyone. Wishing you a fabulous time.

Day 5: Produced by Don Was, this was on the ZE label’s 1981 compilation 'A Christmas Record’ as the track before ‘Christmas Wrapping’ by The Waitresses. It deserves to be just as well known! Cristina - Things Fall Apart song.link/y/wuhvjgKa2xY #ArtistFaveXmas

This Christmas. WAFR TV. 1: A Christmas Top of the Pops by WAFR 2: 100 Top WAFRs of 2025 Pop Party

Chris Rea was a welcome part of my pop landscape growing up throughout the 80s & 90s. A frequent artist across compilations too. Discovering the remix of Josephine in the mid 90s was a revelation and still one of my go to summer tracks. Rest easy Sir.

Good morning midnight, it’s Christmas. Ze Records, 1981.

A perfect listen for a festive 82 experience!

Nearly 2026, still not managed to catch The Delinquents. #totp

The last ALFsplaining of the year is certainly an episode of ALF that Ben and I watched.

Thank you for celebrating the variously compiled world of pop in ‘25. Guests, listeners & friends including @wadeywade.bsky.social @nndroid.bsky.social @ricardoautobahn.co.uk @nickheyward.com @theelectricityclub.bsky.social @joemuggs.bsky.social Merry Christmas! linktr.ee/poprambler

Christmas ‘89 soundtrack. One for @joemuggs.bsky.social open.spotify.com/playlist/4ON...

You do realise that @wadeywade.bsky.social has the finest collection of Christmas sounds up there on Mixcloud? Well, you do now. www.mixcloud.com/BloodEverywh...

I think it’s safe to say Christmastime is here again. So whilst Kylie, Wham and Mariah snowball fight it out for the Festive top spot, revisit the sounds and memories of Christmas with @wadeywade.bsky.social. Handy cracker-shaped link to all episodes: linktr.ee/poprambler

Looking for a Christmas present for a music fan? Look no further than International Velvet: How Wales Conquered the 90s Charts, which relives Cool Cymru when Manics, Catatonia, Stereophonics, Super Furries, Gorky’s and more won over the masses! Signed copies at Armadilo in Wales Millennium Centre.

Last Christmas doc on BBC2. ❤️ #wham

This is how you revisit a ‘best of’ properly. Fantastic work from @ultravoxofficial.bsky.social

Much planned for 1989, Breathe? #totp

We were probably on our starters by now. Probably prawn cocktail. #totp

I remember every moment of this Christmas Day #totp in 1988. On in the living room while we set up lunch. I didn’t do much helping, too busy watching, whilst pouring over the glossy booklet of my first CD. Introspective, actually.

Thanks to everyone who has listened, subscribed or discovered the Back to Now podcast this year. Celebrating the variously compiled world of pop with you has been a blast. X

You require another half hour of me wanging on about NOW Christmas don't you. Of course you do.

Photo taken 2005 on my second visit to NYC. For John on the 8th December. 🤍

New Record Collector Magazine has arrived and proving to be the perfect coffee break distraction thanks to Chris Roberts fab festive piece on Christmas No1s. Heading back to work soon, I promise. (Turns page, puts kettle back on…)