Category: Video

Strip That Down

6/26/2017

Key Lyric: I Love It When The Music's Loud / But C'mon Strip That Down

Of all the One Direction boys, I probably had the lowest expectations for Liam Payne. He proved me wildly wrong. He eschews the artistry that dominates Harry Styles, the serious R&B of Zayne, and instead goes for fun. Thank God that 1D didn't take everything from him.

Not everything is so serious and Liam stirs mild controversy with the much hyped line, “I used to be in 1D / Now I'm Out Free”. The track is danceable (actually danceable) and it doesn't take itself too seriously. It follows mainstream sounds, even bringing in Ed Sheeran for a cowrite.

The song has HIT all over it. If that's not enough Quavo has a guest verse. I was past my limit with Migos / Quavo by the time their Katy Perry collaboration dropped, but the world still wants more. The music video is drenched in color and dancing girls. Liam isn't reinventing the wheel, but he's playing the newly minted popstar perfectly.

Buy "Strip That Down"

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Nothing's Real

7/18/2016

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There's nothing that screams talent and passion like “London based singer/songwriter”, it's a phrase you'll find on any website describing Shura. A pop star for the 2010's who defiantly breaks and embraces the mold of what it is to be a female singer.

Shura does not have the cheerleader body of Katy Perry or the voice of Celine Dion, but much like Jewel her charm comes from her personal musings. She has a hand in writing every song off of her new album Nothing's Real.

Most of the songs play with being on the brink of love and not quite getting there. Her attention gathering song “Touch” finds her running into a past lover and seeing the love but recognizing that something's changed. They can't be what they were.

“Touch” was released almost two years ago, but just as recently as February found itself given the video treatment with some extra verses from rapper Talib Kweli. It's jarring to find him parring off against, Shura's light breathy vocals. That's possibly the reason that version was left off the album, but it shows a record labels well defined need for a radio hit.

Buy "Touch"

The well versed “2 Shy” deals with youth and friendship and a want for something more, but the fear of anything changing. It's blissful and sweet and it's no surprise it was chosen as a single from the album.

Buy "2Shy"

Nothing's Real finds her not only writing, but producing on the album along with the help of Joel Pott most well known for his work with the band Athlete. Greg Kurstin also stops by for a few tracks. He's the man who helped Adele break records with “Hello”. He's worked with a host of other pop stars, but most notably Tegan and Sara in regards to Shura.

The eighties synthpop Shura has achieved runs consistent with everyone's favorite lesbian duo. It's the easy to hear bright eighties synthpop influence of Heartthrob and Love You To Death. Albums that helped inspire Taylor Swift's 1989.

It's no surprise then that you can find Shura opening for Tegan and Sara when they tour North America this year. Her music will coincide with what their fans already listen to.

The album standout is “What's It Gonna Be?” The same questions are asked. Do I tell I love you? If you say no let me down gently. The song itself never answers the questions, but that's what we have music videos for. It has a high school setting. It plays with our heteronormative values. Shura and her best friend find love. Her with the beautifully intelligent girl in Chemistry and him with the preppy boy with the good hair on the sports team.

Buy "What's It Gonna Be?"

Shura doesn't play the sad lesbian and she doesn't envelope the melancholy that is so trademark of Troye Sivan's releases. Instead she gives us music about being young and gay and in love. Nothing's Real is truly heartwarming break from the norm.

The album has not found a physical release for the CD or vinyl in the United States, but you can always order it online or purchases a digital copy.

#NeverTrump

Buy Nothing's Real

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#IStandWithAmber

6/20/2016

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On May 22nd Amber Heard filed for divorce from her spouse and actor Johnny Depp citing “irreconcilable differences”.

Less than a week later it came to light that Johnny Depp was both physically and verbally abusive to her during their relatively short marriage that lasted for under a year and half. Pictures of her bruised face surfaced and are reportedly the result of Johnny hitting her in the face with her iPhone.

Amber Heard is the talented actress known for her roles in Magic Mike XXL, The Danish Girl, Machete Kills, and my personal favorite All The Boys Love Mandy Lane. Her husband was clearly the A-List superstar in this relationship.

Amber Heard requested a temporary restraining order from a California judge from her abusive husband and the request was granted. Meaning that the evidence she provided was sufficient enough to prove that she was in physical danger and in need of legal protection.

An as yet unsurfaced video of the two of them claims to show the abuse. It is as of yet unknown if this video is of the abuse that took place on Saturday, May 21st where Johnny hit her in the face with her iPhone.

The marriage according to Amber Heard was both physically and verbally abusive throughout their short time together.

Their neighbor Raquel Pennington filed court documents that stated that she saw Johnny Depp “screaming loudly at her (Amber Heard)” and that he “picked up a large bottle of wine and began swinging it like a baseball bat”. This correlates with Heard's statements that Johnny was physically abusive.

Since, the public accusations of Johnny's abuse, people have come out of the woodwork to support Johnny Depp and dismiss Amber Heard as a “gold digger whore”. Comedian Doug Stanhope thoroughly supports him saying, “Johnny doesn't abuse anyone.” Clearly he has been in a romantic relationship with Johnny and would know from first hand knowledge. Men behave differently with other men then they do with women.

Even, Johnny's former wife Vanessa Pardis speaking out in favor of him saying that “he has never been physically abusive with me” does not deny the accuracy of Amber Heard's claims. People change over time. Relationships are different.

There is an attempt to paint Amber Heard as “manipulative” and a “bitch” and someone who “deserved it”, but no woman deserves to be beaten or verbally abused by her husband. I stand with Amber, because men want to abscond Johnny Depp of all guilt, because he's “talented.” Sure, he looked good in a crop top in the eighties. Google the pictures and let his career die.

We let abusive men get away with things in our culture, because of their talent. Woody Allen molested his daughter. Sean Penn beat and almost killed Madonna. Sean Connery beat his wife. The only man we truly seem to hold accountable is Chris Brown and he still holds a thriving career.

It's time to stop dismissing women in support of powerful men, because we don't want to see their career's hurt. The women they abuse and damage are more important then any career or art they might create. I stand with Amber.

1 in 3 women have experienced some form of violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Amber Heard's accusations are not rare or absurd. They occur all the time.

More then 10 million Americans are victims of physical violence annually. Domestic violence is the most common among women 18-24 and 25-34. Amber Heard is 30. I stand with Amber Heard.

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March Music 2016

2/29/2016

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After an eventful January and February, March seems unlikely to match the set of high profile oddball releases. I'm not even sure The Life of Pablo is even finished and the noncommercial Anti already produced a number one, repetitive Caribbean flared banger with “Work”. February saw the massive uprising in the #FreeKesha movement. You can sign that petition here.

As of the time this article was written there is no date for Fergie's as of yet untitled and long delayed second studio album. It's rumored to be called Double Dutchess and is due to be released at the end of March. Celine Dion was supposed to have a French album released this month, but after the familial tragedy that struck it remains unseen whether the star will pass on that baton.

This Is What The Truth Feels Like
Gwen Stefani
March 18th
No Doubt front woman, Gwen Stefani is about to drop the most intense break up albums on the world has ever seen when she releases third studio set This Is What The Truth Feels Like this March. Scrapping previous singles “Baby Don't Lie” and “Spark The Fire” for new heartfelt material, the album is reported to be deeply personal. Gwen is currently going through a divorce with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale who cheated on her with the nanny.

Lead single “Used To Love You” is a bombastic return to the form and the fluttery second single “Make Me Like You” assures us that the album isn't entirely built on tears. Gwen is also be touching on her budding romance with country superstar Blake Shelton, who according to Gwen is only her second boyfriend. “Make Me Like You” also marked the first live music video to ever be aired on the Grammy's with all it's colors and car crashes.

Buy"Make Me Like You"

Mind of Mine
Zayn
March 25th
One Direction star, Zayn Malik's first studio set as a solo artist is set for a release near the end of this month under RCA. A flagship of rape supporting Sony music. It's lead single “Pillowtalk” already launched onto the top of the charts in multiple countries.

Your favorite blogger will not be buying this album, but I will certainly be listening. “Pillowtalk” is sexy and slinky, but this faux R&B pop star hasn't released an inescapable banger yet. I also sincerely hope that this music video he released was his idea of “artistic vision”. He looked much like a lost boy amongst the naked embrace of his female costars.

The album cover is hardly original. Zayn's claims that it has no ties to Lil Wayne seems arbitrary and unbelievable considering that the similarly covered Tha Carter III launched with over 1,000,000 copies sold in it's first week in the United States. Zayn is building his career on originality and I'm not sure I believe he's anything more then a contrived pop star with a goal to impress us with his individuality.

We shall see.

Buy"Pillowtalk"

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I Still Love You

11/23/2015

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Nineties and mid 2000s icon Gwen Stefani has returned. Her much talked about new single “Used To Love You” has impacted radio. She's performed it on The Voice. The song harkens back to the ballad form of past solo releases “Cool” and “Early Winter” and “Don't Speak” if you include the iconic No Doubt hit.

This is the third single from her as yet untitled third studio album. It's a welcome return to form. And, hopefully one that will make strides on radio and turn into a mega hit. Last year she released “Baby Don't Lie” and the amusing if uneventful “Spark The Fire”.

Now Gwen has said of her new single that she's “not making music to make hits”. Bullshit. We all know that is not the truth. If she was making music to just release it we would already have the album. Just like she said we would back in December 2014.

Sales matter and Gwen hasn't had a serviceable hit, since “The Sweet Escape” in 2006. She's an aging pop star. A pop star we adore, but one that is aging none the less. People aren't buying albums the way they used to. We need some convincing.

I think “Used To Love You” does that. The song is clearly about her failed relationship with Gavin Rossdale. That right there gives it peak interest value. People want to know about that. The fact that it's catchy as fuck doesn't hurt anything either.

Now Gavin was the frontman of a nineties band Bush. They had some commercial success. He made his money, but they are hardly iconic.

Their divorce is messy. It's not messy yet, but it could be. It has the potential. The reason for the split hasn't been revealed. Yet. Which, is why this song is such an interesting piece of art for us to look at. We know it's about Gavin. Now we just got to put it together between the music notes.

Interesting enough it's been thrown around that her and fellow Voice host Blake Shelton have been very close lately. He is also going through a divorce to Miranda Lambert. I don't think this is the best decision on Gwen's part. They should both be grieving over their marriages. Not having hot middle aged sex. In my humble homosexual opinion.

I understand. It's a fling, but maybe they could wait until the papers are signed. Just out of respect for their partners. Blake has some rugged country boy charm. But, when he says “sweet iced tea” it sounds like “sweet assed tea” and that's not sexy.

Now the music video for this song is moving and low budget. Three minutes of close ups of Gwen's well put together face, crying. Being emotional. It won't win best video at the VMA's, but it's serviceable.

Buy "Used To Love You"

Her new album has not been given a name yet, but I will keep you updated. From what Gwen's saying we're going to be getting it sooner rather then later.

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The Havana Brown Update

8/31/2015

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I'm a little late on the charge, but I had to do my civic duty and update you on the wonderings of the wonderful and talented Havana Brown.

The last update I gave you was really prior rehashing of what she has been up to. As most of her mainstream commercial success has happened in Australia this is not general public knowledge. One of the blogs I read recently said she was one of the highest selling Australian artists.

He wasn't wrong, but he was stanning hard. Who are universally famous Australian recording artists? Olivia Newton-John, Kylie Minogue, and ACDC. Sia if you want to go current. Their platinum certification is 70,000 copies compared to the United States a million copies. The thresholds are wildly different. Havana Brown's “We Run The Night” sold over a million copies in this country. She might be one of the highest selling Australian recording artists, but that doesn't mean well renowned.

Olivia Newton-John has sold an estimated 100 million records.

Kylie Minogue has sold an estimated 70 million records.

ACDC has sold over 200 million records

Sia has sold over 25 million records.

Havana Brown has for over the past year being gearing up for a follow up to her sensational debut album Flashing Lights. I was hoping it would be slated for a 2014 release, and now I'm just hoping we get it in 2015.

So far five singles have been released to promote this album. None of which have attained commercial success the way “We Run The Night” or “Warrior” have. "We Run The Night" being the single that brought her to international attention.

“Whatever We Want” was a catchy banger. Original might not be how I would describe it, but obsessed with it none the less I was. It reached the top forty in Australia for one week and it seems unlikely that it will appear on her new album. Much like it's follow up “Better Not Said”.

But "Whatever We Want"

Now “Better Not Said” actually got a music video made for it. I liked “Better Not Said”, but it took a couple spins for Havana Brown's breathy vocals to take over me and for me to fall head over heels for this song. That is not the way a hit pop record is done. It not all that surprisingly also did not fare well.

Then her and DJ Walden worked up a remix of Sade's “No Ordinary Love” with Havana on lead vocal. This wasn't a hit for Sade back when they were popular. Not that they were the tantamount of smash hit after smash hits. Needless to say it did not slay the charts the way she wanted.

Buy "Better Not Said"

Buy "No Ordinary Love"

This was the song I stood for. “Bullet Blowz” was good. It was a club banger. Too much of a club banger for radio. That's a damn shame, because that song is amazing. Havana slayed it. Our bald headed boy DJ Kronic served up some sick beats. You couldn't figure out the name of the song to save your life. It was tragically not destined for success.

Buy "Bullet Blowz"

The song that is ready to go top ten is prepped and ready for war. “Battle Cry” has Bebe Rexha as a feature along with Savi. Savi is not important. Bebe Rexha you may know as one of the cowriters on Eminem's hit “Monster” and her own turn on Cash Cash's “Take Me Home”. Bebe Rexha is a multitalented powerhouse with a voice to kill for.

This song is a more pop direction. Potentially signaling the drop of the previous four singles as a change of direction for Havana. This song is pop with a big battle cry. It doesn't take more then one listen to realize Havana has returned and is ready to let us have it. This is the song that could relaunch her in the United States.

The music video? To die for. Literally. There are sexy shirtless men surrounded in a stilted western themed extravaganza where Havana Brown gets her revenge. The concept is already more original then the shoot she and Pitbull did for “We Run The Night”.

Buy "Battle Cry"

She croons. She slays. Havana Brown's “Battle Cry” deserves to top your end of summer playlist.

With any luck we should have a second studio album release by the end of this year. I will keep you updated. With even more luck it might even be released in the United States. Wouldn't that be nice. Shipping from Australia takes too much time.

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A Fashionable Obsession

8/24/2015

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It's finally happened. The queen of moody alt-pop has returned with a new album due for release in September.

Lana Del Rey spent the summer touring with Courtney Love on the Endless Summer Tour and putting the final details on her new album Honeymoon. The album has been in the works, since recording sessions for Ultraviolence finished last year.

Last year's full length featured production credits from Dan Auerbach. A man most widely known for his work with blues rock band The Black Keys. It has been thrown around that much of this year's LP has been helmed by Mark Ronson. You may know him as the leading man behind the fourteen week chart topping “Uptown Funk”.

This album is bound to only expand on Lana Del Rey's sound and cement her growing fanbase. The first teasings of the album we have was when Lana released the audio to the titular track “Honeymoon”. It was moody and seductive. Her voice being the centerfold to it's lush surroundings and stylistically leaned closer to Ultraviolence then Born to Die.

The first proper single was “High By The Beach”. It's the kind of song that makes you want to smoke a joint and shoot a helicopter out of the sky. Languorous and epic it has me hooked. Only Lana could say “all I want to do is get high by the beach” and “truth is I never bought into your bullshit” and still come out of it as a classy sophisticated woman. But, she did.

The single also garnered a music video. It had a style of one continuous shot, similar to Birdman, or my YouTube videos. You think everything is fine. The beautiful Lana Del Rey is lounging in her Californian beach home. The wind is billowing her dress. She goes down to the beach to get her guitar case and then all of a sudden she pulls out a rocket launcher and kills the paparazzi. The girl really does need the Mary Jane.

Buy "High By The Beach"

Honeymoon should have a similar promotional campaign to that of Ultraviolence. That means more songs (!!!) will be released. One or two more music videos will be produced. The album will sell a few hundred thousand copies worldwide in it's first week on sale, then maintain a steady stay on the chart until the next follow up.

Right now the only three songs we have available are the aforementioned “Honeymoon” and “High By The Beach”. With preorder of the album you can receive the second official single “Terrence Loves You”. It's jazzy and not my favorite Lana Del Rey masterpiece. That's what I said about the second single on last year's Ultraviolence, “Shades of Cool” and now I croon to it.

In exciting news the album cover has been released. I like the rest of the Lana Del Rey fan base are not overwhelmed with love for it. I am hoping a deluxe edition cover will be revealed, although it's yet to be acknowledged if there will be more then one version of the album. The vinyl artwork for Honeymoon is much more in style of Lana Del Rey. You too can go to Urban Outfitters and spend $35 on a vinyl record.

The track list for the album has been unlocked. It features fourteen songs of love and heartbreak. Or something like that.

Some notes on the tracklist. Song number two was originally thrown around as the concept for the album. How about that for a fun fact. Track 9 has it correct. Lana is our religion. And, in true form of predecessors Paradise and Ultraviolence there is a cover song. “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood” is an old jazz standard. Hopefully it will stand up just as well as “Blue Velvet” and “The Other Woman” did.

In other Lana Del Rey news will be featured on The Weeknd's new album Beauty Behind The Madness. Lana Del Rey doesn't do collaborations. This is bound to be fascinating. Ed Sheeran is also set to appear on the album. The duet with Lana Del Rey is entitled “Prisoner” and is sadly not part of the tracklist for Honeymoon as of right now.

The duet will be officially unveiled on Friday August 28th when the Weeknd's album drops. It's bound to be a massive seller. With two songs in the top ten (“Can't Feel My Face” and “The Hills”) and the 50 Shades of Grey single “Earned It” to back it up, who won't be buying Beauty Behind The Madness.

I won't be. But, if this Lana Del Rey collaboration pans out, I will be tempted. I'm a slut for Lana. This Friday Halsey also releases her debut album Badlands. That's certainly something to check out. The new Lana Del Rey album is set for release on Friday September 18th. And, in case anyone is counting that's 25 days away.

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Vicious Like A Viper

6/22/2015

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Bonnie McKee should have been apart of my “Music of June” post, but I didn't find out about her latest release until after it was queued up.

The name Bonnie McKee shouldn't be familiar to you. Her list of song credits should. Think “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz, “Hold It Against Me” via Miss Britney Spears, and any number of Katy Perry hits ranging from “Roar” to “Teenage Dream”.

Much like Ester Dean her focus has been behind the music's production. She is a hit maker and what's more sexy as fuck. Besides a stray studio album she released in 2004, Bonnie McKee's solo career has been uneventful. She's planning on changing that.

I have sporadically been watching Bonnie McKee's career since she released “American Girl” back in 2013 from her still upcoming studio album. I heard this song on the radio of all places. I heard multiple times all in the same day and it was clear. I was either going to love it or I was going to hate it. I really thought this song was going to blow up. It didn't.

Buy "American Girl"

The woman knows her way around a hook. She's the backbone of Katy Perry's career and yet some how her own music doesn't warrant radio play. It would seem she's the perfect candidate to rule the top forty.

This song didn't do well. Although, I still watch the video once in a while. It's sexy and fun and very summer. She followed “American Girl” up with a song and a video. However, they were just for her fan's enjoyment??? She's honestly not a big enough star to warrant that. “Sleepwalker” had zombies hot girls, a house party, and enough make out sessions to make the casual pop fan happy. It was fun if not impressionable.

The song was good. If not number one material. All of 2014 there is no news from Bonnie McKee until almost December where she drops a Christmas song complete with video entitled “California Winter” which is perfectly catchy. This was not meant for top 40 domination. What was Bonnie McKee doing.

Then, I find out in late may that she has dropped “Bombastic” with an EP release coming on June 30th. The titular lead single “Bombastic” is rife with plenty of memorable tidbits that could easily send it to the top of the charts. The video has a dated eighties theme that's been played out before. This time with twerking and cardio. A Jane Fonda work out video with Bonnie McKee heralding the flag. It's sexy. It's the definition of summer.

The only thing that worries me is that Bonnie McKee is no longer with her major record label. Something about not having artistic control or whatever it was. She is no longer with them. Now, I like “Bombastic”, but this needs a good record label push. The song and the video are not on the viral level of “Gangnam Style”.

This is also hopefully just a teaser for her album, which should be released at some point later this year. And, “American Girl” along with “Sleepwalker” will find their way on to the track list. The EP is called Bombastic and it's guaranteed to be just that. It's out on June 30th. It will be the four hottest songs of the summer all in one place. You can preorder it now on iTunes.

Buy "Bombastic"

Preorder the Bombastic EP

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The Music of June

5/25/2015

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June is the biggest month in music that has happened so far in 2015. Multiple (hopefully) solid albums are going to be released. I know what your saying. But, Madonna's album, Rebel Heart, came out in March. That is true, but one queen cannot hold down an entire month. The only month that really rivaled this was January when Fall Out Boy, Ella Henderson, and Marilyn Manson all released new music.

Granted I didn't buy any of those albums. I am working on it. I was trying to save money by not buying music. And, then I bought 20 albums this month, so I think it worked out really well for me.

Florence + The Machine
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
June 2nd

This is going to be the third album by British indie rock band Florence + The Machine. You should know them for their hit single “Dog Days Are Over” and for lead singer Florence Welch's wailing on Calvin Harris's hit “Sweet Nothings”. Vocal stylings are Florence's prowess. She has a very unique voice and all of her albums have been critically acclaimed. I know multiple people who love and adore this band.

This is going to be my first Florence + The Machine album. I've decided this is going to be my first experience. I've always liked them, but I am obsessed with their song “What Kind of Man”. The music video is great. Florence Welch has very nice breasts by the way. And, if it is representative of the album at all. This is a stellar release.

Buy "What Kind of Man"

Hilary Duff
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
June 16th

My love for Hilary Duff is undying. This is going to be 1 of 3 albums I'm buying on the sixteenth. My body is shaking. This album has been proceeded by three singles “Chasing The Sun”, “All About You”, and “Sparks”. “Sparks” is cowritten by Tove Lo who has been having her own string of hits with “Stay High”, "Heroes (We Could Be)" and “Talking Body”. “Sparks” is Hilary's shot at hitting the top forty. The video is adorable and very Hilary Duff. Ed Sheeran is also a collaborator on this album that was originally titled This Heart. I'm so glad she changed it. Breathe In. Breathe Out. has such a better impact. It should be a collective mix of quality recordings.

Buy "Sparks"

Ryn Weaver
The Fool
June 16th

Ryn Weaver is the dark horse on my list. She has not had a hit song, but I find her music to be fascinating. The song that's been somewhat successfully vying for radio play is “Octahate” if you heard it on the radio you would not know this was the name of the song. Ryn Weaver would probably fall under “indie pop” because that's where any artist goes if your not sure what their music is. Listen to the song. Make your own opinion. The twins like it and god knows that's hard for us to find common ground on music. She's definitely pretty enough to be a pop star and honestly that's step number one.

Buy "Octahate"

Giorgio Moroder
Deja Vu
June 16th

I blogged about this when legendary producer Giorgio Moroder first announced plans for a solo album and as I said I am keeping you updated. Giorgio Moroder is the man behind Donna Summer and Daft Punk's phenomenal return to the top of the charts with Random Access Memories. This is going to be a 74 year old's take on pop music with vocal stylings of Sia, Charli XCX, Britney Spears, Kelis, among others over the production. New music from mama Kelis is necessary. Her last hit was with Calvin Harris with “Bounce” and that was only in Europe. This could be what she needs to return back on top.

Britney Spears is covering “Tom's Diner” and that song has already been released. It's an invigorated cover and it's Britney. It's a necessary addition to any album collection. Kylie Minogue was on the lead single “Right Here, Right Now” that although catchy, failed epically. Mikky Ekko is also on the album if you have any interest in him after his duet with Rihanna on “Stay”. This might not be an album for you to buy blind, but definitely look into. Giorgio Moroder has been in the industry for a long time and it's sure to be memorable whether or not it's something you want to turn up to at the gym.

Buy "Tom's Diner"

Tori Kelly
Unbreakable Smile
June 23rd

The name of her album is Unbreakable Smile and yet she isn't smiling. I honestly don't understand that. But, that's fine. Maybe the Target deluxe edition will have her in full smile. She's the girl behind “Nobody Love”. You may or may not have heard it on the radio. It's catchy. Her vocals are not the best. I can actually say I knew of her before she achieved a certain level of semi-fame. She was on YouTube and more specifically she was on the Superfruit channel with Scott and Mitch. That's when I heard of her and I was like I like you.

This album should be interesting. This is the only one I'm a little hesitant on buying, but I hope it will be good. I have my fingers crossed. I most certainly will be tweeting and tumblring about if it does not live up to expectations.

Buy "Nobody Love"

Carly Rae Jepsen
Emotion
June 23rd

Hear me out on this one. I know no one likes Carly Rae Jepsen. We're over “Call Me Maybe” and “I Really Like You” is juvenile. Your criticisms of those two songs is accurate. However, her last album Kiss was phenomenal. I bought that album for “Good Time” and I loved it. “Call Me Maybe” was one of the lower moments. Carly Rae Jepsen knows how to make a consistent album. I have high hopes for Emotion and I will shamelessly be buying it.

Buy "I Really Like You"

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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.