Mollie's Feel-Good Feed: Trust me on this album recommendation!

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Welcome to Mollie’s Feel-Good Feed, a place where each week Mollie King shares her round-up of the things bringing her joy in these strange and uncertain times. Check back each week for uplifting music, self care tips and, hopefully, a smile being put on your face.

After a week which saw us start off in shorts but in woolly jumpers by the end, I have some little ideas that will hopefully brighten up your chilly Friday. When it’s raining I always suggest we sing Rain On Me, so when those darker nights draw in let's remember it means Christmas is on its way. OK, OK, it may still be a way off, but as someone who starts counting down to Christmas in September, I’ve been at it for a while now...

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Music

At last! We’ve been gifted the first new release from Zayn Malik since 2018. Following on from hugely successful singles like PILLOWTALK and I Don’t Wanna Live Forever from the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, it’s great to have something new from him!

With last week seeing Zayn become a father, it’s undoubtedly been a busy time for him. But this release, which has elements of both Khalid and Justin Barber, is a real wind-down treat that hopefully he and girlfriend Gigi Hadid can make use of if the little one is keeping them up at night!

Next up, we’re treated to another release from Scottish singer songwriter, Bow Anderson. For a new artist releasing music and trying to figure out their perfect sound, it must be an incredibly hard task to create something that sounds like a current radio hit, but also different enough to stand out from the competing noise.

Bow Anderson has really found her own unique lane and has given us a fun, light-hearted, almost reminiscent of the fifties pop hit. Enjoy!

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TV shows

In the world of television where the choice is endless, the standout documentary for me right now has to be the frighteningly real and eye-opening release from Netflix, The Social Dilemma. With ex heads of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter all appearing, we are given a firsthand insight into just how intelligent – and almost manipulative – these multi-million pound platforms can be.

It can leave you feeling almost foolish for having been taking in by the tricks of these social media giants but, ironically, will probably not stop you reaching for your phone.., after all, for many of us having a scroll has become more habitual than sipping a glass of water! Well worth a watch (and also probably a good idea to put your phone out of reach so as to not lose focus).

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Albums

October sees a lot of exciting releases coming through, from the likes of Headie One, Nothing But Thieves and Sam Smith, but the album released this week that has got me most excited might be a slight curve ball for a lot of us!

As a self-confessed pop fanatic, this next album takes a sharp detour leading us down country roads. I’ve been in love with country music for years now; the detailed song telling, the unique voices and the joy of the harmonies coming together. This album, coming from one of the most successful country bands of all time, does all of that and beyond! (That so nearly sounded like a direct quote from Buzz Lightyear!)

Rascal Flatts are the band I’m referring to and who have well and truly earned the right to release their greatest hits, entitled Twenty Years of Rascal Flatts. With hits on there like Life Is A Highway – which, if you have kids, you’ll instantly recognise from Disney’s Cars movies – alongside Bless The Broken Road and Why Wait.

This album will have you wishing you had a swinging seat out on a veranda, very much like a scene from Dawson’s Creek! (Oh Pacey and Joey!)... Instead perhaps, as most of us are in the UK, we’ll settle for a glass of our favourite vino, running a bath and sing along to our heart’s content. Trust me on this one!

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Self care

With the winter chill definitely creeping in and teasing us, I would say it’s the perfect time to switch up our moisturisers or add to our current routines. The two products I’ll mention I actually first saw Hilary Duff using in a skincare tutorial. God love Hilary Duff, she can do no wrong in my eyes!

First up is calendula oil, which I looked around for, and after researching came across Kiel’s Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream. This beauty find is a gel moisturiser, which is a perfect light weight option especially if you’re following it up with other products.

The second product is the Wild Carrot Eye Balm by Evan Healy. This travel balm is the perfect antidote to dry skin and leaves you glowing, with rosehip oil completing the perfect combination!

Here comes our new winter skin, ready to take on that drop in temperature. Thanks, Hilary!

Thanks so much for reading Mollie’s Feel-Good Feed – check back on Marie Claire every Friday for more of my feel-good recommendations. Take care and stay safe!

Mollie King rose to fame as one-fifth of the multi-platinum selling girl band, The Saturdays. The last few years have seen her become a Radio 1 DJ, present across flagship TV shows and a campaign in Parliament.

During her time in The Saturdays, the group sold over five million records worldwide, achieving 13 Top 10 singles and five Top 10 albums. The band also embarked on four nationwide tours and had three primetime TV series, including Chasing the Saturdays for E! which aired in over 40 countries.

In 2018, Mollie turned her hand to presenting and after guest presenting for several weeks on Matt Edmondson’s Radio 1 show, she was offered a permanent role at the station. The duo began hosting the Matt & Mollie Weekend Breakfast show and 2021 moved their new afternoon slot. Mollie also presents her own Friday morning show Best New Pop, sharing music from her most loved genre. After only six months into her role at Radio 1, Mollie won the silver award for ‘Best New Presenter’ at the 2018 ARIA Radio Academy Awards.

In addition to Radio, Mollie has also guest presented This Morning several times, including a month-long stint in the summer of 2018. She’s covered the entertainment slot on Lorraine, and guest presented on Blue Peter. In 2019, Mollie hosted The Greatest Dancer podcast for the BBC. She also presented the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards, alongside Greg James and Maya Jama, which aired on BBC2. Mollie also took part in the 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, making it all the way to the semi-finals.

Away from her TV and Radio work Mollie writes a weekly column for Marie Claire magazine, ‘Mollie’s Feel Good Feed’ and has worked with numerous brands including Estée Lauder, L’Oreal, Amazon, GHD and Aspinal of London.

Mollie is a proud ambassador for the Dyslexia Association, a learning disorder she was diagnosed with as a child. Mollie is very passionate about campaigning for early diagnostic tests in schools, as well as funding to support children through education with Dyslexia and spoke about this in Parliament in 2019.

Mollie is also a Born Free anti-captivity ambassador, has worked closely with the charity Mothers2Mothers and traveled to Ghana in 2014 with REDD charity to help raise awareness and funds for HIV.