Starships

Well, it's taken me a couple days, which was mostly due to the fact that I couldn't really formulate the words to describe the video, but I will now briefly share my thoughts on Nicki Minaj's new video for her lead single "Starships" on her latest album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The video is basically all Nicki just being her normal, crazy self, and rolling around in a chlorine-colored wig and getting her trash dance on on the beach. The video was directed by Anthony Mandler (of Heidi Montag's "Higher" fame) and while I get that Nicki is going for the whole sex appeal route, I'm not feeling this video. She could have gone so much crazier. What do you think about the new "Starships" video?!

Well This Is Pretty Decent

Little Nikki, you know, Nicole from SoundGirl, has gone off and done her own thing a bit and released a new track called "Intro Intro." Surprisingly, the video that accompanies the new track has a star-powered production behind it and I'm more than impressed by the showing. Obviously Little Nikki decided that she would pull her failed career back out of the garbage and clearly has breathed new life in to it. Take a look at the video for "Intro Intro" below and try getting the beat out of your head.

I Want To Scream

Oooh baby, baby, the new Usher single is wonderful. His new track, "Scream," serves as the second single off his upcoming album Looking For Myself, out June 12th. The track is a more uptempo number from his most recent release, "Climax." Produced by the same hitmakers behind DJ Got Us Fallin In Love (Max Martin, Sellback and Savan Kotecha), the track is sure to blow up when it is officially released to the radio. Definitely check it out and get ready for Usher's return to glory!

Chasing The Sun

Just yesterday, The Wanted (you know, that "new" boyband that actually matters) released the video for their second single off their US debut album, "Chasing The Sun." Both the track and the video itself are pretty good, although they don't quite reach the same level that "Glad You Came" does. That being said, "Chasing The Sun" is still a great showing from the Wanted boys and the ending of the video twists things around rather nicely.
The Wanted's US EP is out now, and it combines material from their first two British releases, The Wanted and Battleground, as well as featuring a few new singles. Believe it or not, but these boys have been making hits in the UK for a few years now...

Blown Away By Carrie Underwood

Finally, the title track off Carrie Underwood's new album Blown Away has been released, and it might be one of the best song's Carrie has ever done. The rest of the album will be out on May 1st and iTunes has begun streaming previews of all of the tracks. Co-written by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear, who were previously responsible for Carrie's smash "Before He Cheats," "Blown Away" is definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album.

Sam Sparro's New Single Is Just Alright...

And by "alright," I actually mean that it is strictly amazing and might be the best song of my entire life. Beware, the first time that I listened to this, I almost lost it and broke out in dance in public. You've been warned.

But in reality, the new Sam Sparro single, which is his first after nearly FOUR YEARS being out of my life, is titled "I Wish I Never Met You" and shows a more matured side of Sparro (not to mention that mustache!).

Produced by none other than my idol Erik Hassle (you know, the one who did that cover of that Robyn song with that Ellie Goulding girl?) and is the first single off Sparro's upcoming album, Return to Paradise. Erik Hassle has yet again done what he does perfectly, crafting an electronic-infused hit without the over-production of all the electronic garbage out right now. He has a way with hooks and this track is no different.

There are so many things to love about the new song, but I'm just going to let the video speak for itself. Oh, the dancing, the chorus, the MAN. Okay, enough of that. Just watch:

Introducing: GIulietta

Giulietta is a new up-and-comer from Australia who released her second studio album 911: Code Pink last year. A naive to the Melbourne area, Giulietta has worked with the famed Marcus Knight to produce a series of sleeper hits on the Australian charts. Working with local producer Simmy, Giulietta produced her second album and just recently has released the video for her single "VooDoo." The track is a seriously infectious piece of utter pop perfection. It shouldn't be that good, really, but something pulls it together (similar to that "Call Me Maybe" song) and it's an actually a really good release from Giulietta and Company.

Not to mention, the video features the singer looking strictly fierce (the hair!) and a man covered in glowing paint. Count me in!


Plus, head to Giulietta's Soundcloud page to get a free download of "VooDoo!"

Aubrey O'Day: "Wrecking Ball"

Former Danity Kane member and current Celebrity Apprentice superstar Aubrey O'Day has released her second single off her upcoming album. The track is titled "Wrecking Ball" and rather than go for an upbeat dance anthem, she's come 'round with a power ballad. The song was written by American Idol alum Pia Toscano and produced by David Hodge, and it is probably the best outing from Team O'Day that we've heard yet. It's a fantastic single that's sure to give her all the success that she deserves. Check out "Wrecking Ball" below:

Weird, But Also Pretty Great

After gaining a considerable amount of attention on various music outlets, Sylver Tongue (AKA Charlotte Hatherley) has released a new video for her single "Creatures." Admittedly when I saw the artwork for the track, etc. I wasn't expecting much of a stunner. However, literally 5 seconds in, I knew I was going to be hooked. "Creatures" is one of those tracks that has the great hook and the beat that sucks you in without being too much like the generic Calvin Harris-produced nonsense we've been getting lately. The video is just as great, featuring Hatherley in a series of fantastic costumes while being hased around by some crazy creatures. It's a pretty fantastic step out for Sylver Tongue and I'm loving the '80s vibe the song and video put out. Check it out:

Erik Hassle - "Stay"

Erik Hassle has recently released his latest single, "Stay," and now we have the accompanying video for the absolutely killer track. The video is filled with just as much emotion as the track and features a shirtless Erik begging his lover to stay with him while flashes of their relationship appear across his chest. It's simple, yet still powerful. Many believe this song to be the "Someone Like You" of 2012 and it certainly has all the potential. It's an beautifully heartbreaking cut that even gives the new Marina leak a run for it's money. If you've got the kleenex near, take a look:

Chezza Is Back

Cheryl Cole, my favorite Girls Aloud member (well, she's tied with Team Ginge's Nicola), has released her latest single, "Call My Name." The track is the first single off her upcoming album A Million Lights, which will drop in the UK on June 18th. The track is the latest collaboration of Calvin Harris with [celebrity name] and it's actually not quite what I was expecting. After a series of radio hits such as "We Found Love," "Let Go," etc. I was expecting something almost as dull after 3 listens. However, after multiple listens "Call My Name" only gets better. The chorus is deliciously addicting and hopefully this will be enough to give Chezza's career the resurgence that it needs.



Also, the video for "Call My Name" will be out on May 2nd and from the shots that have been released, Cheryl is look just as fierce as always.

Disclaimer: I would like it to be noted, however, that should this track pose any threat for a Girls Aloud reunion, I will bash it to no avail.

New Video: Lana Del Rey - Carmen

Lana Del Rey has just recently released the video for her track titled "Carmen" off her debut album, Born To Die. After noting that she had filmed a video for the track, Del Rey has finally released it. Similar to "Video Games" in it's production, the video is a series of clips stitched together in the antiquated style that made Del Rey famous to begin with. While it doesn't quite hold the same power that I felt with "Born To Die," the video is still spectacular. The shots of Lana on the streets of New York are perfect and on a second watch, the scenes all start to make more sense. Check out the video for "Carmen" and decide for yourself!

How Did I Forget This?

A few weeks ago, my favorite up-and-coming rap troublemaker Azealia Banks released another new track titled "Fuck Up The Fun." Featuring a heavy beat courtesy of none other than Diplo, the track is yet again Banks doing what she does best: spitting out rhymes like no one's business. (She's rather fantastic, isn't she?) This girl is going places, believe it or not, and after her performances at Coachella and that triumphant finish in the Sound of 2012 poll, she's poised to take a more mainstream stance.

Words Have Officially Escaped Me

The Scissor Sisters have released the latest video for their second single, "Only The Horses" off their upcoming album Magic Hour. I'm currently unable to formulate sentences about the video, so here are a few bullets to accompany it's viewing:

• Horses running in slow motion. Never stops being awesome.
• The horses are tied to something...
• The Scissor Sisters covered in paint
• Jake Shears is covered in paint. Dying.
• Paint being taken off in reverse. In slow-mo. Officially dead.
• What the hell is that pyramid? 
• Paint exploding out of the pyramid.

This isn't real life and I'm not sure how I feel about it. The slow motion is what makes the video, oh and Jake Shears, too. It might not be the electro-pop banger we've been waiting for, but the production is insane and spot-on.

Is This Love

After two years of flying under the radar while his colleagues blew up in the UK and Stateside, Aiden Grimshaw has finally burst out on the scene with his debut single, "Is This Love" on his upcoming new album Misty Eye, out August 13th. The X Factor alum, who hopefully will be up in the ranks of Cher Lloyd and One Direction (remember them?) in no time, has produced the new track with the help of Jarrad Rogers, who has recently collaborated with the chanteuse Lana Del Rey.

"Is This Love" is a dark yet very poppy blend of electronic beats with Aiden's soft, brooding vocals. It feels like a sort of male-inspired Ellie Goulding piece, which is probably what sold me on it so quickly. I literally can't wait for Misty Eyes to get here, as rumor has it that it's one of the best debut releases of the year.

Here's A Little Spring Playlist

I've taken a little time to create a new Spotify playlist of the lastest music that I've found and am currently obsessed with litstening to since the buzz has been a little slow lately. It's a pretty good compilation, if you ask me, and it'll surely have you dancing around in your underwear. So take a listen below!

Oh, The Scissor Sisters Have Another New Single?

That's right, they sure do, and if you haven't heard it by now, I'm pretty sure you need to get out from the cave and take a listen. The track, "Only The Horses" is produced by none other than hit-legend Calvin Harris and features my true love's, the Scissor Sisters, duh, doing their genius pop-tastic brilliance in it's truest form. Genius in both it's production and ultimate craftsmanship, "Only The Horses" is a fantastic release to follow up the Sisters' recent release, "Shady Love." Take a listen to the new track below and let us know what you think!

Prepare to Cry

Just yesterday, the always amazing Marina + The Diamonds released an acoustic version of a track off her upcoming album Electra Heart titled "Lies." The track is without a doubt completely stunning and at the same time absolutely heartbreaking (It's not really a question if you will cry; it's going to happen). With the album being produced by literally the best powerhouse of producers you could ask for– Dr. Luke, Diplo and Cirkut, the entire Electra Heart project is shaping up to be one of the best albums of 2012. Every piece I've heard this far has been incredible and I expect nothing less from Marina. Grab a box of tissues and take a listen to "Lies" below!

Never Close Our Eyes - Adam Lambert

Speechless. Dead. Obsessed.

Three words that describe my feelings after listening to Adam Lambert's latest single, "Never Close Our Eyes." The track serves as his second single on his upcoming sophomore album, Trespassing, which is due out May 15th. Produced by Bruno Mars (weird, right??) and hit-master Dr. Luke, the production is insanely spectacular and Adam's vocals are just as incredible as ever. The song is a sure hit for the masses and I will say right now that it's going to blow up. Mark my words. Take a listen to "Never Close Our Eyes" below!

Let It Go

This morning, UK X-Factor alum Alexandra Burke called in to Kiss FM to debut her latest single off her upcoming sophomore studio album, which is due out later this Summer. The track is called "Let It Go" and it's a well-produced, up-beat dance number that is just too catchy to not stand out in the sea of dance numbers that have been released lately. Another welcome change from Burke is the lack of auto-tune that was so ridiculously over-used on her most recent release, "Elephant." Take a listen below and snatch the download if you're interested!

Mark Foster + Kimbra + A-Trak = My Life Is Over

"Warrior" might be a highly elaborate lucha-libre-inspired video selling Converse, but the new collaboration from Mark Foster (of Foster the People, you know, that one band), Kimbra (coming off the collossal succes of her guest verse of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know") and A-Trak (who's cuts were featured in Project X) is still incredible. Featuring Foster and A-Trak as two poor, unfortunate souls that have to fight in a lucha libre ring while Kimbra croons in the background, the single is spot-on. It has the Foster the People-styled alternative folktronic beats with the A-Trak techno vibe underneath. The whole single comes together with Kimbra's unmistakeable voice. If you have been living under a rock and haven't seen the new video, make sure to check it out below.

I Just Don't Get It...

After such an amazing series of releases, leading up to their uh-mazing third studio album On Your Radar, it seems like The Saturdays might be getting a little lazy with their latest release. The new track, "30 Days," dropped on Scott Mills show earlier this week and while it is a decent showing from my five favorite women, when you compare it to the absolute brilliance that was on On Your Radar (ummm, "White Lies" and "All Fired Up," anyone?), it's hard to take "30 Days" seriously.

That being said, the video for the new release is almost equally as lackluster. However, Mollie, Una, Rochelle, Frankie and Vanessa all look incredible. But really, would you expect any less? It's basically three minutes of these gorgeous goddesses wandering around a diner speed dating, but boy, do they look great doing it.

I suppose my main concern here is that if The Sat's expect to hold any power in Britain with the Spice Girls reunion during the Olympics AND the Girls Aloud reunion, they had better step up their game. Have a look at the video for "30 Days" and decide for yourself!

How About That New Dragonette Single?

First off, my apologies for being MIA lately. I've been on Spring Break and haven't had enough time to update the blog. But I have a new HUGE release that I'm incredibly obsessed with. It might actually be one of the best songs of the year. Not Kidding.

The track is called "Let It Go" and it's by Toronto-based synth-pop group Dragonette. The song is the new single off their forthcoming new studio album and features some seriously catchy synth riffs and fantastic hooks that just make me want to dance. The track, produced by the band themselves, is a welcome return after their huge smash, the Martin Solveig hit "Hello." Get excited, get your hands up, and get listening below!