Rihanna is continuing to dip her toes into the world of fashion. The CFDA awarded her fashion icon and Rihanna is doing her best to live up to her award. You might remember her Fenty Puma collection that was launched this February during fashion week. Not to mention her role as a creative director for Stance socks. That and her own brand of weed and we wonder why it took four years to get Anti. |
Rihanna's brand ambassadorship with Dior has lead to her putting input into a new sunglasses collection titled “Rihanna”. Their futuristic and reportedly inspired by Star Trek, specifically the character La Forge. She also lent her voice to the movie with the single “Sledgehammer”. The sunglasses are one good paycheck away from being in your wardrobe. One frame comes in six different colors and retails for $840, while the other 24 Karat plated shade will be locked up for $1,950. Dior may still not have a creative director, but who needs a creative director when you have Rihanna.
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This list is a review of all of the albums I've bought this year. They are all rated on a scale of 1 to 5 bubbles. My favorite song is listed along with the album. This is determined solely based on how many times I've listened to it individually.
Music comes in so many different forms and textures that it's hard to say definitively what album is “better” then another. I never did buy Adam Lambert's The Original High, but from what I've listened to it's a stellar return to form. The same goes for Selena Gomez's Revival. When I heard Justin Bieber's new album Purpose I found it to be acceptable plodding mid tempo fair. However that said, I know quite a few people who really enjoy his new musical direction. Ellie Goulding's Delirium is not in my taste, but if you're a fan of her earlier work her new seventeen track epoch should satisfy
The most important news in music this year is the continuing lawsuit between Kesha and Dr. Luke. She is asking to be released from her contract after revelations of physical and mental abuse on the part of her record producer Dr. Luke. Sony Music has refused to let her out of her contract and is siding with Dr. Luke. A growing protest has started, creating the trending hashtags #FreedomForKesha and #SonyMusicSupportsRape.
Sign the petition to release Kesha from her contract here.
Broke With Expensive Taste: Azealia Banks
2 ½ Bubbles The album originally dropped too little digital fanfare in 2014 finally saw it's physical release in 2015. Azealia Banks is the beleaguered rap artist more known for her trans-phobic discourse and public melt downs. Her first album, although full of solid moments tends to drag and concepts run into one another. And, nothing on the album quite replicates the viral sensation of “212”. The best cuts off the album tend to be the singles. Most Played Song: Tie between “Heavy Metal and Reflective” and “BBD” Buy Broke With Expensive Taste
The Eephus: Wondaland
3 ½ Bubbles A joint EP released by Janelle Monae's recording mates on Wondaland none of the songs on the EP live up to the fun of singles “Classic Man” and “Yoga”. The bonus remix of “Classic Man” featuring Kendrick Lamar does little to liven up the final two songs off the EP, which are both slow burns. Most Played Song: “Yoga” featuring Jidenna. Buy The Eephus Emotion: Carly Rae Jepsen 4 Bubbles The much lauded album by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen it features “Really Like You” a song that intended to return her to the top of the charts with a cameo studded music video. The album is a glossy, easy breezy, down your throat listen, even at 17 tracks long. An accomplishment that goes much further then any of the album's singles did. Most Played Song: “Your Type” Buy Emotion
The Fool: Ryn Weaver
2 ½ Bubbles This album hinges on an experimental electronic influence that is well captured on buoyant songs “Pierre” and “Octahate”. Ryn Weaver never quite matches the magic that made her contemporary, Halsey's debut so fascinating. It's a listenable if unremarkable debut. The Fool also features one of the most pretentious songs of 2015 finalized with the spoken word outro on “Traveling Song” that consists of talking about “turtle soup” Most Played Song: “Octahate” Buy The Fool
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Florence and The Machine
4 Bubbles The first release from the indie rock band in four years it finds Florence Welch deepening her outlook on themes explored on their other two studio albums. The album is bolstered by her voice and big strings. Some songs falter in their length and remarkability, but the album is focused none the less and features some of the most anthmetic and personal work of her career. Most Played Song: “What Kind Of Man”
Peace is the Mission: Major Lazer
3 ½ Bubbles Another Diplo helmed DJ set, his production as Major Lazer is decidedly reggae themed. Featuring global smash “Lean On” the album powers through some of the most fun dance music produced this year. The album features guest vocals from superstars Ellie Goulding and Ariana Grande. Most Played Song: “All My Love (Remix)” featuring Ariana Grande and Machel Montano. Buy Peace Is The Mission
Pitch Perfect 2: Soundtrack
3 Bubbles The album fares just as well as the movie did. The more you liked the movie, the more you'll appreciate the accompanying soundtrack. As so often is the case the sequel proves to be not as good as the original. Besides the movies chronicled performance it also features new music from Ester Dean and Jessie J. Most Played Song: “Crazy Youngsters” by Ester Dean Buy Pitch Perfect 2
Reflection: Fifth Harmony
3 Bubbles An initial glance at this album would show it to be one of the glossiest releases of the year. The first five opening songs are exemplary of what processed pop is supposed to sound like. It's the final six tracks that sink into the nineties influenced R&B that Ariana Grande does so well, except on Fifth Harmony they play like throwaway B-Sides. The album although promising doesn't show the full potential of the group. Most Played Song: “Top Down” Buy Reflection Sremm Life: Rae Sremmurd 4 Bubbles Rap's latest and greatest duo, Rae Sremmurd dazzle with the ridiculous jangling of “No Flex Zone” and “Unlock The Swag”. The album benefits from guest appearances by Nicki Minaj and Big Sean. A thoroughly fun ride and the antithesis of what Kendrick Lamar is trying to do with the genre. Most Played Song: “No Flex Zone” Buy Sremm Life
Favorite Album of The Year: Breathe In. Breathe Out by Hilary Duff
Favorite Song of the Year: "Breathe In. Breathe Out" by Hilary Duff
You know Carly Rae. The sweet voiced Canadian behind “Call Me Maybe”. The definitive song of 2012. Her own success hurt her. No one wanted to hear anything after this. Even, with synth goodness of “Good Time”, no one bought it's parent album Kiss.
Buy "Call Me Maybe"
Now were here in 2015 and people are praising Emotion. Her latest album featuring the kind of hit “I Really Like You”. Even with a Justin Bieber appearance it couldn't reignite her hit status. But, everyone is praising this album. They all love it. Carly Rae Jepsen is a Queen now apparently.
This is my problem. I like Emotion. I like Emotion a lot. It's certainly one of the best pop albums of 2015. It's no Breathe In. Breathe Out, but I have been living. Carly Rae Jepsen herself has torn apart Kiss and I am just not about this life.
Letting you know right now that it's hard to see Emotion on a store shelf. It doesn't stand out at all. Right now my personal favorite song on the album is “Your Type”. Mainly because every single word describes my life. It was in that moment I realized I have the love life of a middle schooler.
Buy "Your Type"
It appears to be working. The show has already been renewed for a second season, although it remains unclear if it will be a continuation of this plot line of if it will center around a new cast much like American Horror Story.
Mr. Branson: The Teacher
Most of these actors don't have wikipedia pages and there acting is two dimensional. The characters are wooden and predictable. The popular jocks and girls and the outsiders. The people who don't fit in. The boy who just moved to town. The hot teacher. Sex obsessed students. Wild parties.
It works. I'm obsessed with this show. I anticipate every Tuesday. This show is a self aware drama. The students are taking an American Gothic literature class and one of them explains that a slasher show “just wouldn't work”. In fact MTV has marketed it on this point. And, in truth one person was hanged. Not slashed
I saw one person say it was going to be the teacher. They were like its “so obvious” and I was just like is it? Is it really? I have no guess at this moment. I'm just enjoying the ride.
We also don't have enough main characters to kill one person every week. There was one episode where we only killed one person and I'm just wondering how this is supposed to work. And, I'm supposed to be invested in these people. Just to have them axed. I don't know how much I'm about that life. But, I'll be watching.
Cherie Cheezcake has started watching this show along with Black. It is the five star experience across the boards. I know we're already half way through the season, but you can catch up on MTV.
Watch the first episode here.
“High Off My Love” is the third single from Paris's yet untitled second studio album that was due for release back in December of 2013 when “Good Time” was thrown into the world. I loved that song in 2013 and most certainly would have blogged about it then. I loved “Come Alive” and I love “High Off My Love” now.
I'm honestly not sure what is holding Paris Hilton from dropping this album. We've been waiting, since 2013. Her last album was not some commercial juggernaut. There aren't any expectations. We can say she's waiting for one of these songs to break through like “Stars Are Blind” did, but Paris was popular back then for being scandalous. Unless she plans on snorting cocaine off of Lindsay Lohan's body and calling it gum she is not going to have a hit. She's polarizing and radio does not play with that.
I don't know what Birdman is doing on the song. His inclusion seems unnecessary. It's certainly not the kind of star power she needs to get a hit.
If Paris wanted to go for a spotlight song she should enlist someone like Lana Del Rey. That would have people talk. Lana Del Rey would never do it, but it would be a fascinating collaboration. Someone intersting and prevalent that's what Paris needs.
Now, in this video there are sexy shirtless men in masks. Something about masquerade balls is a turn on. There are Paris Hilton clones. There's seduction. There is some good “Justify My Love” vibes that any Madonna fan will appreciate. Especially with the recent popularity of 50 Shades of Grey. Bondage is in.
Way back in the way back in 1979, Anita Ward released her first and only number one single “Ring My Bell”. It was really bad timing for her. It was a disco hit and people were like “down with disco” and “disco sucks”. So, she really picked a bad time to launch her career. She is the definition of a one hit wonder.
Buy "Ring My Bell"
There are a lot of sexy lines in it. Like “I know you want to kiss me”. That's my favorite one or “I know you've got a crush”. Both resonate with me. Probably because I'm not a very poetic person. I've been obsessed with this song for years. The music video is absolutely perfect.
Sexy shirtless men abound, there are vampires. Back when vampires were cool and everything anyone wanted in their life. For her not being famous by any stretch of the imagination, I really enjoy her music video. I think it was well done. I also enjoy the remixes that she released. I bought her remix album and I personally feel the “Almighty Remix Radio Edit” of “Gimme All”
This song came out in 2012 and none of her subsequent releases have lived up to it, but I still really enjoy Liza Fox and her music. I think her song “Dynamite” is a lot of fun. Her follow up to “Gimme All” was “Free”, which worked on the same concept that “Gimme All” did. It interpolated another popular dance song this time “Everybody is Free (To Feel Good)”. I guess I just don't like that song as well. It didn't work for me. “Dynamite” is also built upon a cliché. That said I really like Liza Fox. I turn up to her and for as hard as she tries to be sexy, she's just adorable.
Buy "Dynamite"
The first album that Manila ever released was entitled Eternal Queen and it was dedicated to Sahara. Because, yes in great drag queen history, Manila also sings. Questionably of course. Manila describes her voice as “super fake sounding”. They're kind of perfect. All of the music is dance oriented trash, but that's okay.
Buy "Eternal Queen"
My personal favorite is “Hot Couture”. The video is precious. I also feel her duet with Latrice Royale “The Chop”. They premiered this song right after they both got kicked off the All Stars season of Drag Race. That was probably the most disappointing thing that ever happened. I love Latrice and Manila and they both deserved to go further then that.
She's attempting to be the first transgendered Victoria Secret's model and she could do it. Carmen is sexy and I love her. Not everyone feels her the way I do, but I have soft spot for her. She kills it and I love it.
In totally unrelated news, I was at this event recently where there was this boy who looked exactly like Christian Slater in The Heathers. As great as that is. Like he was cute and all, but let's be real. I was a little afraid that he had a plan to mass murder everyone. That might be unreasonable, but you obviously haven't seen The Heathers as many times as I have.
The first time I watched that movie was with the twins. We were baby freshmen. We should not have been watching that movie, but we loved it. I've made so many people watch it. Thunder and Rosencrantz love it. J Lo is not into it. Whatever. She can be boring.
Side note that Manila Luzon makes club appearances. If she is in your city. Go see her. She's amazing. She might even perform “Helen Keller”. Probably one of the most offensive songs in existence, but most certainly labeled as one of my guilty pleasures.
Buy "Helen Keller"
Rumors continued to go around that a video for the lead single “Living For Love” would be filmed in January. After all the leaks she declared it “artistic rape” and “terrorism”. Maybe a little to strong of language, but Madonna was throughly pissed the fuck off. I would have said the same thing.
Now as far as who I think is behind the leaks, I think that fucker Diplo might have something to do with it. I get it. Diplo brings the beats, but you're Madonna. Who gives a fuck.
The real surprise came on the 19th of December. I was horribly oblivious to it as that was the day I was having a house party. But, Madonna released her album for pre-order on iTunes. Not only that, but with six songs that came with it.
I am going to break it down for you step by step the six songs that have been released and give you my opinion. You might be saying to yourself why the fuck has it taken you three weeks to write a Friday Favorites on your Queen. Let me redirect your attention to the 12 Days of Bubbles and let you figure out why I wasn't in the blogging mood.
Let's start with lead single:
“Living For Love” With enough radio play this song will be another hit for Madonna. The hooks runneth amok over the entire song. This song might displace the potential for an Alicia Keys feature on the upcoming Madonna album as Alica Keys is listed as one of the writers for this song. This song goes every which way and I am feeling it. I'm excited to see the video and of what we've heard so far. I think it's a good choice.
Listen to "Living For Love"
“Bitch I'm Madonna” featuring Nicki Minaj
This song goes every which way and I really like seeing Nicki and Madonna back together. I would love to have seen this song as the lead single. However, if Queen Britney can't get “Work Bitch” to the tops, the radio will not be playing this song. I enjoy the electronic screaming, that dog barking thing, the immediate call to party. “Bitch I'm Madonna” is everything I could have wanted it to be.
Listen to "Bitch I'm Madonna"
“Illuminati”
Break downs abound, filtered vocals. Madonna name checks a list of celebrities in her sing songy rap voice she honed during American Life. I hate to say it again, but I like this song better then “Living For Love”. I would love to see a video for it and I tentatively feel like it could be a massive hit for her. It is immediately ear catching. The only problem she would have getting it on the radio is that radio at this point is biased against her. They obviously haven't heard this song, yet.
Listen to "Illuminati"
“Unapologetic Bitch”
Remember way back when I wrote on all the speculation surrounding Madonna's 13th album. I suggested this should be lead single featuring Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. It features none of the above, it's not the lead single, however I really like it. It is not the brash in your face song I expected. It's actually very introverted and honest. And heartbreaking. I really relate to this song. Everything except for the part of “You didn't know how much you loved me until you lost me.” That part doesn't relate to me at all.
Listen to "Unapologetic Bitch"
“Ghost Town”
RuPaul named this as one of his favorite songs from the six that were released. This one is not like the others in that this what you might call a ballad. It's beautiful and haunting. She out did herself.
Listen to "Ghost Town"
“Devil Pray”
What an interesting song. It's about Madonna's drug use, something she talked openly about in Interview Magazine. Another song I enjoy. Everything about it is very relateable. I don't think it could ever be a hit. What teenager wants a 56 year old woman's knowledge on how to drop acid and sniff glue. They don't.
Listen to "Devil Pray"
If we're basing how great her new album is off of these six songs, I can tell you it's going to be Ray of Light part two. Make sure to pre-order Rebel Heart on iTunes if you're not like me and insist on having the CD. I think you can also download the songs individually if only one of these caught your interest.
Let's be really clear about this list. It is simply a review of the albums I have bought this year. I could never numerically list my favorite albums for a year. I could knock some out of the top ten, but let's be honest. I love music too much. Now almost all the music I got this year, I bought the day it came out.
You know I like my CD. That means some albums I may have talked about or have wanted, I do not have. RuPaul never released Born Naked in a physical format, Troye Sivan didn't release TRYXE physically in the United States, and Azealia Banks will be putting Broke With Expensive Taste out in January. It will make next years list. I'm going to try to be a cold calculated bitch to my faves. Will see how well this goes. I'll give you a general rating out of five bubbles and include the song I played the most individually according to my computer.
Buy 1989
1989: Taylor Swift
4 Bubbles Who else was shocked at how great this album was. I bought it the moment it came out. The Target staff was still putting it up and I had to reach past them to get it. This album is so much better then “Shake It Off” predicted. I know I said I wouldn't it. Of course I did. I'm so glad, I did. I am now a proud and out Taylor Swift fan. This album is everything. Most Played Song: Tie between “Welcome To New York” and “Blank Space”
Cheek to Cheek: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett
4 Bubbles I bought it for Lady Gaga. Real talk. That's why the world bought it. This is a jazz album. I tentatively think it was well executed. I don't listen to jazz. When I do listen to this album I jam, but is it going to take the place of ARTPOP? Absolutely not. Most Played Song: “I Can't Give You Anything But Love”
Buy Cheek to Cheek
Food: Kelis
4 Bubbles This is an album. I don't listen to the songs individually when I listen to Kelis it is the full experience. This is a soul funk R&B album. I love it. It may not be for everyone, but it's an insanely well executed project. Most Played Song: Tie between “Bless The Telephone” and “Jerk Ribs”
Buy Food
Going to Hell: The Pretty Reckless
4 ½ Bubbles One of the best albums of the year. Obsessed. I love. Every song is almost perfect. It strays a little too hard rock for me at times, but that's because I'm not usually one of hard rocks biggest proponents. Buy this album. It's fronted by Gossip Girl alumn, Taylor Momsen, and man does she kill it as a provocative Lolita figure. Most Played Song: Tie between “Heaven Knows”, “Why'd You Bring A Shotgun To The Party”, and “Fucked Up World”
Buy Going To Hell
Motion: Calvin Harris
4 Bubbles DJ Calvin Harris has hit his stride. This album is everything you want, radio friendly pop fodder with plenty of bangers. The fantastic Big Sean feature with “Open Wide” or the Tinashe led “Dollar Signs”. He did a great job creating a flowing record. It also doesn't hurt that he back loaded the album with it's best songs. Another collaboration with Ellie Goulding hit home and you should check this album out before these songs hit the top ten. Most Played Song: Tie between “Pray to God” featuring Haim and “Dollar Signs” featuring Tinashe
Buy Motion
Platinum: Miranda Lambert
3 ½ Bubbles Miranda is my country darling, I love her music. This is a rambling album and it works. It does, but as a rambling album some songs turn me off to the overall aesthetic. “Little Red Wagon” being the biggest put down. And, I read in a review that they consider it a stand out track, so I might just be missing something. There's her trademark humor in tow with “Old Shit” and “Gravity is a Bitch”. I am also not impressed with lead single “Automatic”. It's kind of condescending and it doesn't really sound like Miranda. It also must be known that I am overwhelmed with both “Smokin' and Drinkin'” and “Platinum”. They barely missed being the my most played song. Most Played Song: “Something Bad” feauturing Carrie Underwood
Buy Platinum
Queen of the Clouds: Tove Lo
3 Bubbles Another album I want to get into. I didn't it. It didn't click for me. “Like Em Young” did resonate with me. I just want to send this song to my crush anonymously and say how does this make you feel. The concept of splitting the album into three distinct parts of “The Sex”, “The Love” and “The Pain”. That was really cool. I know someone who loves this album. Give it a shot. I'm going to keep trying. Tove Lo as a pop star intrigues me. Most Played Song: “Not On Drugs”
That's Christmas to Me: Pentatonix
3 Bubbles People went gaga for this acapella Christmas album this year. I bought it because of Mitch and Scott. It's acceptable Christmas fair. It does not compete with Celine Dion or Bette Midler. If you want it I say go get it. Most Played Song: “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”
Sound of a Woman: Kiesza
3 ½ Bubbles Solid and unique debut by dance singer Kiesza. This is artistic dance music in the highest regard. It doesn't hit home for me quite hard enough and some of the more R&B inspired tracks leave me bored. However, I like her and would look into her next album. If you didn't hear her almost hit “Hideaway” that's something you should get on. Most Played Song: “Hideaway”
Buy Sound of a Woman
Super Critical: The Ting Tings
4 ½ Bubbles The Ting Tings are one of the winners this year in music. True they are my favorite band, but this album got to me. First listen I was set on three bubbles. A few more spins later and this new disco sound was everything I wanted from The Tings. It's light fun filled and some of the tracks I initially questioned, I am now in love with. The only two that haven't quite clicked are “Wabi Sabi” and “Green Poison”, but I still like them. Of the two singles released so far, I believe “Do It Again” is the best. Most Played Song: “Failure”
Buy Super Critical
Volume 3: Pentatonix
3 ½ Bubbles 3rd EP from acapella group Pentatonix it includes covers of some of the years most popular songs. When you play a game like that it comes down to whether you like the original version better or not. They usually hold there own when it comes to the covers. It's the original song “Papaoutai” that features violinist Lindsey Stirling that disappoints me the most. I had so much hopes, because it's Lindsey Stirling and it did not come through. Most Played Song: “See Through”
Buy Volume 3
Ultraviolence: Lana Del Rey
4 ½ Bubbles Moody songstress Lana Del Rey came out with her second album the same day as Jennifer Lopez. I like this album better. Maybe not at first, but it's sunk into my soul. Every song is a masterpiece. I've played each individually and I don't know what keeps it from being a five bubble experience for me. Lana Del Rey knew what she wanted for this album and she delivered. I would recommend it to anyone. My mother and Boomer both claimed that they preferred Born to Die better. I told them to never talk to me again. Most Played Song: “Ultraviolence”
Buy Ultraviolence
The Voyager: Jenny Lewis
4 ½ Bubbles Adore would be too light of a word for how I feel about Jenny Lewis. If you want to know what emotional state I was in for a better part of 2014, you can listen to this album. It's soft, modern rock. It's easy listening. The only reason it's not a straight five bubbles is that one of the final songs “Aloha & The Three Johns” just didn't quite sit well with me. If I was to tell you an album you need to buy this year, it would be this one. Both Cosmopolitan and Billboard included this album on their year end lists. Most Played Song: “She's Not Me”
Buy The Voyager
Favorite Album of the Year: Tie between Going to Hell by the Pretty Reckless, Super Critical by The Ting Tings, Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey, and The Voyager by Jenny Lewis.
Favorite Song of the Year: “Failure” by The Ting Tings
Buy "Failure"
I actually started watching it, because of Tumblr. I just said this looks like my show. Hot boys and hot girls. What could possibly go wrong. The four male leads are just take me now kind of hot. Tyler Posey is the main one. And, he is definitely attractive, but really it's his eyes. He has dimples and cute brown eyes. I'm just like slay me. He's just really cute.
Then, there is Colton Haynes. He is straight sex. I try to like his character, because he is so attractive. I just watch the show and I want him to take my body. Then, he opens his mouth and I'm not here for it. I was actually really feeling him towards the end of season 1, then he messed it up. Now, I'm trying to like him, so I can shamelessly be obsessed with him. If you follow me on tumblr you probably now how obsessed I am. Like all my tumblr was pictures of him for a minute there. At the top of the food chain is Tyler Hoechlin. Now he is attractive, but he's such a father figure to me. He's kind of like a DILF. Which, I might add is the creepiest thing. Who started this as a thing. No. We should not want to have sex with people who we think of as our fathers. Just stop. The women are just as cute. Crystal Reed and Holland Roden are everything to me. Their friendship is weird. I don't get it, but I like it. One of them plays the whore and I'm here for it. I just love Holland Roden as Lydia. Lydia is one of my favorite characters, although I did not start out liking her. Crystal Reed's character is the main love interest, but the thing is I just don't care about her love with Tyler Posey. This show is kind of like Orange is the New Black in that sense. No one really cares about the problems of the two main characters. It's kind of like, shut up about it already. I want them to move on. The plot itself is basic. It kind of scares me. That's so embarrassing, but I cover my eyes when I watch this show sometimes. I'm not good at handling that kind of stress. There are also a lot of wholes in the plot. In the first season this one character kept dying. There is blood coming from his mouth. He has to be dead. Next episode. No explanation, no one acts like it's weird that he is among the living. Or the other time he gets shot multiple times with a bow and arrow, then shot in the heart with a gun. He is dead. The two killers are not even bothering with him. Then, the big bad werewolf comes along, and this character miraculously is able to take him down. Like how did he go from dead to I'm in perfect condition to beat up my stronger opponent. Writers. Think through your life choices. I'm going to have to start reading fan fiction to explain all the gaping holes. That being said. It is actually enjoyable. It has substance. Unlike Kingdom, I really do like watching it. If you judge me for watching it, I feel you, I understand. But, to be honest I'm not really watching it for the plot. And, I'm okay with that. I see a lot of good plot.
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