Category: Bang

Indie Debuts of August

8/3/2015

July was a surprisingly dead month for music. For me at least. I also haven't had the money to invest in my ever expanding record collection. In August four albums are going to be released. One of them is the delayed Carly Rae Jepsen album Emotion that I talked about in the music of June. It's her third album release and also the exact opposite of indie. The album has been released in it's entirety in Japan if you want to listen to it.

I don't know what about August attracts the indie crowd, but this year it did. A string of artists are dropping music, the biggest name being the Weeknd when he releases Beauty Behind The Madness on August 28th.

Ivy Levan
No Good
August 7th

Ivy Levan continues a trend that is bound to pick up support this coming year. Her debut album is being released on a Friday instead of the now traditional Tuesday. I have spoken of Ivy Levan on two occasions on this blog. I have to say that I'm obsessed with her and eagerly anticipating this new release.

The singer describes her music as “swamp hop” and it's the most striking music I've heard in the entirety of 2015. I'm surprised she's yet to receive substantial radio play from her lead and sexually suggestive single “Biscuit”. It's all about a lover kissing the “biscuit”. As the pure innocent homosexual that I am, I have no idea what she could mean by that.

Some of the production has been handled by Diplo, the man who is half the team behind “Where Are You Now?”, the frenetic “Bitch I'm Madonna”, and two of M.I.A.'s studio releases. He is also featured on No Good on the track “27 Club”. Sting also makes a guest appearance on the highly infectious second single “Killing You”. No Good has the potential to be the anti-pop album of 2015.

See Swamp Biscuits and Lick My Biscuit for further reading on Ivy Levan.

Buy "Biscuit"

Melanie Martinez
Pity Party
August 14th

I've been meaning to talk to you about Melanie Martinez. She's the dark, bang wearing contestant from The Voice. Her debut album is also set for a Friday release. It features a string of singles none of which have made much of an impact on pop radio. Yet, surprisingly enough it was pop radio where I encountered her single “Dollhouse”.

Her music is looming and atmospheric. It has a radio friendliness that Lana Del Rey lacks. Melanie Martinez is the pop Lana (who's album Honeymoon is set for a September release). She plays with all the tropes of a troubled childhood. These themes have become common in the pop landscape with Natalia Kills and Lana Del Rey treading similar territory. However, Melanie plays it with her own vivacity and voice. The character she is portraying is a “cry baby”

The tracklist has yet to be confirmed. However, it is expected that the five preceding singles “Dollhouse” (my personal favorite), “Carousel”, “Soap”, “Sippy Cup” and “Pity Party” are to be included. “Pity Party” also samples the Leslie Gore hit “It's My Party (I Can Cry If I Want To)”. It's going to be a fascinating release.

Buy "Dollhouse"

Halsey
Badlands
August 28th

Of the three singers, Halsey is the newest to me. She was brought to my attention by Miss Sara Bellum and The Mayor of Townsville. She opened for Imagine Dragons this summer where they saw her live. She is the most explicitly indie artist on this list. All of your hipster friends will be impressed with your worldliness if you bring her up.

I can't imagine her becoming a major pop star. At least not at this point in her career, but I certainly do enjoy her music. Two singles have been released from this album so far. “Hurricane” and “Ghost”. My personal favorite is “Ghost”. I think it's the most accessible pop tune here. However, with Ella Henderson's similarly titled hit earlier this year it's hard to imagine it grabbing a foothold.

Her music videos are otherworldly. The one for “Hurricane” has a story that is about young reckless lovers and finished with a “to be continued”. Hopefully, not in the way “Telephone” was “to be continued”. The one for “Ghost” is colorful, effervescent, and what I've always wanted Tokyo to be like. If you like these two songs. She's also released the audio for “Hold Me Down” and “New Americana” if you need more before the album drops at the end of August.

Buy "Ghost"

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Bitch, She's Madonna

10/15/2014

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For people not invested in the process of Madonna's new studio album. It is a lot of information to keep up with. Collaborators, tracklists, instagram pictures. That is why I will try to summarize the event that is sure to hit us in year 2015.

For over a year now Madonna has been teasing us with the release of her 13th studio album. It's been a cruel process to the fans. At the start of this year, I thought there was a strong possibility that we could have a new album that summer, maybe later that year. Well, it is no longer later this year. It will be 2015. No release date within 2015, but I think the album is close to done.

From the collaborators swirling around in the studio, this album should be EDM inspired. We have Avicii, Diplo, Disclosure, Natalia Kills, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys all as possibilities.

Avicii is for all intensive purposes confirmed as a collaborator. I do not approve. Although, it doesn't surprise me that Madonna likes him. His music is derivative of her American Life album. His lack of originality and his critical acclaim bother me as Madonna's similar work was derided by the critics. However. I have chosen to accept him as the Queen has graced him with her presence.

Diplo is confirmed. Diplo is just a producer. You probably know some of his work. He's the man behind “Paper Planes”, “Look At Me Now” and “Too Close”. He has guaranteed us that there are three certified smashes from the album with his name attached to it. Now when I listed those three songs earlier and said this is what you should know him for. That is literally all you will know him for. He's worked with other big names, but those are the hits he's attached to. Three.

So, he wants to tell us he's co-written three hits with Madonna when he has only produced three hits in his entire career? I don't think so, bitch. He is also the only one talking about Madonna's new album with anyone. I'm sorry Guy O'Seary her manager isn't talking. What makes you think your special. Oh, right the same person who couldn't make it to Madonna's Academy Awards Party. What is your life sir. This music better be the shit, because you are rude. And, if anything goes wrong I will not be blaming Madonna.

Now Disclosure is interesting. They're a relatively new production team. I don't particularly care for the Sam Smith fronted “Latch”, still with the right backing vocals (*cough* *cough* Madonna) I'm interested. They said recently to Billboard that they are not working with Madonna, but they would “consider it”. Everyone would consider it. Are you being shady, Disclosure. Are there plans to work with Madonna that you are respectfully choosing not to inform us of. That is my question. I think they are definitely possibilities. I expect to see collaborations from them on her new album.

This brings us to a very interesting point. Natalia Kills, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and Alicia Keys have been linked to this album. The question is are they appearing on the album as songwriters or featured artists?

Madonna with Natalia Kills

Madonna with Nicki Minaj

Madonna with Miley Cyrus on MTV

Madonna with daughter Lourdes and Alicia Keys

Natalia Kills I am very up in the air about. She is a wise move for Madonna to team up with. Natalia has that underground pop vibe that could lure the hipsters into looking into a Madonna record. I think a duet or just some backing vocals from Natalia Kills would be great for the album.

The same goes for Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and Alicia Keys. I like what they bring to the table. Katy Perry has been rumored to have been collaborating with her since their S&M themed V cover shoot last Labor Day. Miley Cyrus's twerking “We Can't Stop/Don't Tell Me” mash up with Madonna this year shows it as a possibility. And, I think it would be a great move. Both Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus draw from different sectors of the pop market. It is too bad that the Queen couldn't have gotten Katy during her Teenage Dream phase. Everything Katy was touching turned multi-platinum, but she will still be useful to her.

Nicki and Alicia are collaborators. No question. Who knows what song Alicia Keys will be featured on. This is a rather new announcement made through Madonna. Personally. I'm shocked Nicki is back in the studio with Madonna. I love it. It will be great. Madonna almost never collaborates twice with someone. William Orbit and the producers of her earlier records being the major exceptions.

What's great about all these women is that they all draw from different sectors of the pop market. This new album will be big. It will catapult Madonna to the upper echelons.

Word has it that Nicki Minaj is doing a rap verse for a song, tentatively titled “Bitch, I'm Madonna”. I hope this song exists. However, in the way of star power. A “Bang, Bang” style trio would be fantastic. Imagine.

Lead single.

Titled, either “Messiah”, “Living For Love”, “Rebel Heart”, “Sorry Not Sorry” or “Unapologetic Bitch”. I repeat. “Unapologetic Bitch”

Featuring: Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus.

Yes. Do you feel it. Can you imagine. Shaking at the thought of it. Also in case you weren't aware all of those song titles I threw out there are popular tags Madonna has been adding to her twitter and instagram. Conversely all of those tags could be the title for her new album.

It saddens me that the album won't be out this year, but I think it's a good thing for its sales. Madonna is a legend. Legend status doesn't get you on the radio. If anything it's a barrier to get on the radio. Madonna does not need to be fighting the Rihanna's for radio play this holiday season. When the music industry has slowed back down, she should strike. For all intensive purposes, though I think the album is done.

A “source” stated that if the album was done there would be sales sheets and other proof it was coming out this year. They said she would have a cohesive plans for music videos and the “look”. Now if anyone does follow her on instagram. Madonna has the look down. She's settled on what this album is. It's just not going to drop. Anyone who suggests that Madonna will drop an album like Beyonce did last year is blindly mistaken. This is Madonna bitch. She is not going to copy someone that shamelessly.

The earliest I feel we can hope for any music from this new untitled set is December. An album release in February at the earliest. The first public performance of a lead single at Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve. I would push that forward to the Grammy's in February. Leaving the album to a release date in March or April of 2015.

Once, she has a large public performance of her single she can drop the album and go on tour. Drop it like MDNA and link ticket sales to the album. She doesn't need to prove herself anymore and she certainly doesn't need a song on the radio.

At this point it's more a point of pride. If however she's going to get on the radio. We need better promotion then what we got for MDNA. And, a better lead single. I love “Give Me All Your Luvin'”, but “Girl Gone Wild” was a better choice. Especially if all America was going to hear of the new album at the Superbowl was that song.

If all these collaborations pan out with featured singers it should be interesting. Madonna has never been a major collaborator on her albums or in general. When she did “Me Against The Music” with Britney Spears she was using her. Just like she used Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, and M.I.A. It's to endear her to a younger fan base. To prove that she's cool still. It's a strong plan. Even, if she doesn't need to prove it.

Whatever happens with this record I want it to sell well. At least a million copies in the United States. We need to get it certified platinum and stop these haters from saying she's “under performing”. Being certified any type of sales record means you didn't under perform. If we have to, Madonna fans we will buy two copies of this album to hit that platinum mark. We will gift it to someone for Christmas or there birthday or just because.

Everyone needs one Madonna album. It's practically a civic duty for us to give it to them. Stay unapologetic bitches.

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Bothered, Bewildered, and Bewitched

9/4/2014

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Cheek to Cheek

The upcoming album collaboration between jazz legend Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga finally has a set release dates after being constantly pushed up in true Gaga fashion (ARTPOP was supposed to be released in early spring 2013 not, early November).

Gaga's first Thanksgiving Special proved with the release of the EP A Very Gaga Holiday that Gaga could do admirable covers of jazz standards. Any true fan of Gaga knows her love for jazz, with album tracks “Brown Eyes” and “Speechless” showing this. There's a reason Lana Del Rey sang before her breakthrough with “Video Games” that “Stephanie you suck” calling her a fake.

Buy "Brown Eyes"

Buy "Speechless"

When, she first started Lady Gaga did not start out as a dance diva, but instead a sultry lounge singer.

After months of saying I wouldn't be buying this Gaga release, I am know considering it. I'm still bothered by it. The release of this album will most certainly put an end to the promotion of ARTPOP or as some critics deemed it ARTFLOP. I think that's a little dramatic. It had a strong first sales week, was certified gold, and sold about the same as Madonna's last studio set MDNA. Of course people called that a failure as well.

It most certainly was not on as point as Born This Way, but that album sold over a million copies in the space of week egged on by a download price of one dollar on Amazon. It's not a fair comparison. If you see ARTPOP in stores you know

it has a hefty price tag. I think it's $17, compared to a high of $14.

The tragedy of ending the promotion of ARTPOP is that there are hits on it. The ratchet “Jewels N Drugs” featuring Twista, T.I., and Too $hort deserves a release to hip-hop stations and “Gypsy” could easily be the follow up to mega-smash “Edge of Glory”. The hits are there. “G.U.Y.” as fabulous as it is, was just too sexual for Top Forty radio fare. Her record label needs to keeping pushing the album forward. Katy Perry's team didn't stop with the underwhelming (By 'underwhelming' I mean underwhelming in compared to other Katy Perry hits) performance of “Birthday”, they pushed “This Is How We Do” on the radio. And, God only knows how they managed that trick.

Buy "G.U.Y."

Buy "Jewels N Drugs"

Buy "Gypsy"

Gaga is queen, though. When ARTPOP was released I went out that morning at eight, the minute Target opened with a good friend who is also obsessed with Gaga so we could jam out to ARTPOP together. We were both hard core judged by the cashier and that's okay.

Personally, I would have settled with “The Lady is a Tramp” being Gaga's and Bennet's only collaboration. But, I say whatever, it's happening and it is in the works. I am not really a fan of Mr. Bennet's voice, but he's a living legend, and a living legend deserves our respect. I know my Great Aunt absolutely adores him and his voice. So, the man knows what he's doing in his respective field.

Gaga has claimed that this album is going to consist of covers of standards. I hope that she is lying. I hope were going to have new jazz inspired Gaga material. She said ARTPOP was going to be a dual disc album one side being “ART” and the other side being “POP”. We all know she changed her mind on that. According to wikipedia confirmed tracks include “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”, “Cheek to Cheek”, “It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)”, “Lush Life”, “Sophisticated Lady”, and single “Anything Goes”.

Let's just start with “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. Your really going to cover mother fucker Cher? That's your plan. Let me slap both of you in your face. Cher is a living legend in a way that Tony Bennet cannot understand. Somebody stop them. I'm bewildered and I don't even have a firm grasp on what that word means.

As for these other songs, there were hyperlinks to Wikipedia pages on them, I did not click on them. I am however intrigued by “Sophisticated Lady” and “Lush Life”. These titles just sound fantastic. My ambivalence towards “It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)” is so strong. I'm not here for the word “swing” in the title of any modern song unless it's a parody. I don't know if they think this is a Bette Midler album, but I'm not here for this song. We shall see, though. Mark the 23rd on your calendars. It's already on mine.

They have released one single that has topped the “Jazz Singles” chart. I am not even sure if this exists. But, listen to “Anything Goes” below if you want to know how classicist they're going with this album. I hate to admit that I'm bewitched by it, but I am. It might just be the fact that Asia's in the music video or it might be the fact that it's actually good. I'm really not sure.

This article is really just to psych me into wanting to buy this, but if you really want to know if I got. Check me out on twitter on the 23rd. If I buy it, I most certainly will tweet about it.

Buy "Anything Goes"

Are you going to buy Cheek to Cheek?

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Indie Debuts of August

Bitch, She's Madonna

Bothered, Bewildered, and Bewitched

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