Rated MUSIC 2011

2011 was a great year for music! We got a sassy new album from Rihanna (surprise surprise), a baby Beyonce and her fourth album AND a stunning set at Glastonbury. We saw Coldplay light up Wembley for the Xfactor final, had news that rock Goddess Alanis Morissette will be dropping some new tunes in 2012, and got brilliant videos from the likes of Robyn, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. 


2011 was, as we all know and are unlikely to forget, the year of Adele. It was as if she was a brand new artist and her second album 21 has sold in excess of 12million copies in less than 12 months. A great feat for a British artist and regardless of how sick we get of hearing 'Someone Like You', she proved to be the saviour of British music in 2011, racking up millions of record sales in the U.S. Perhaps my favourite moment of 2011 though, was the rise of Lana Del Rey. I am completely obsessed with this lady right now and I can't express enough how excited I am for her in 2012!


Below are my top albums and top singles of 2011.


Let me know what you think? Opinions count, sort of. These aren't ranked.

Rated I Took A Little Something

I don't know an awful lot about Florrie, other than she drummed for Xenomania and she's from Bristol. Oh, and that she does the cover of Blondie's 'Sunday Girl' in the cute new Nina Ricci advert. I caught her new single today, via popjustice.com and I am in love! Check it out below!

Rated Talk That Talk!

Rihanna closes her 6th studio album with the pounding beat of epic ballad 'Farewell'. If this is a literal, but temporary, goodbye from the Bajan sex nuke then it can only be labeled "well earned". Reaching album number 6 in as many years is an impressive feat, yet it's one which concerned many as the world seemed to go under a Rihanna tidal wave. Thankfully, Talk That Talk doesn't disappoint after its predecessor Loud racked up 7million+ sales world wide, stole heaps of critical acclaim and produced a sold out world tour. This is a feisty r'n'b romp, with lots of cheek and charm and some really satisfying cuts.

Opener 'You Da One' is a West Indian flavoured, mid-tempo number in a similar vein to 'What's My Name?'. It's not quite as brilliant and hypnotic, but it leaves a warm sensation that is certain to prove vital this winter. Teaming up with Calvin Harris on epic floor filler 'We Found Love' proved to be a damn good decision as both are bound to see their bank balances notch up a few more zeros in the coming months. Lending a hand to Cirkuit and Dr. Luke, the Scottish DJ helps birth the wonderful, exhilarating 'Where Have You Been?'. One of the strongest songs on the album, this is more or less the 'Only Girl (In the World)' of Talk That Talk. Not quite as enormous, but packed with a grimey edge that we've not really heard on a Rihanna song before. "Where have you been?/All my life/Where have you been all my L-i-i-i-fe?", belts Ri over dirty electronic synths and a pulsating beat, with top form vocals on show. 

Notorious B.I.G sampler, 'Talk That Talk' is a brilliant song, with Jay Z opening up the classic sounding r'n'b track and Rihanna kicking into a catchy as hell chorus, "One and two and a three and four/Come on let me know if you want some more/You know what I like/Now get right/Boy talk that talk to me all night/...love it when you talk that talk to me yeah". This is the first instance of where the rasp of Rated R shows its welcome face. 

Rated Xfactor Week 7

Well, what a week. I can't help but let this program rule my life at this time of year. It saves me money in nights out and it gives me a huge amount to debate with friends and enemies alike. Also, providing me with countless facebook status updates and, of course, blog material! Week 7 was quite something. Misha B stripped it back and seemingly held it back with a big ballad and Janet did, yet again, something mediocre and completely lacking in bite. Even folk singers can have some attitude you know. Amelia rocked out, Marcus did some more shoo-wop style boogying, Craig was Craig and Little Mix were incredible with their rendition of 'Don't Let Go' by En Vogue (one of my favourite songs ever).

It transpires that ol' Craigy got the boot in a showdown with Amelia Lily, which is a shame considering how much work he's done and how much he's grown in the competition, but let's face it... he's not interesting enough to make it big. As my wonderfully insightful flat mate pointed out, "Craig has a case of Joe McElderry syndrome. He's boring but has a great voice. He should do theatre". Completely true. Craig Colton will be performing in a pantomime near you soon. 

Right now, my ranking is as follows:

1. Misha B

2. Amelia Lily

3. Little Mix

4. Marcus

5. Janet

I know everyone is hating on Misha B right now, but I don't get why? Are the British public really so fickle to believe everything they read in the press and are we really so impressionable and unable to exercise autonomous thinking that we need the media to tell us whether we should like someone or not. Honestly, I think it's a load of bull shit. The girl has a massive voice, tidal waves of stage presence and regardless of the whole 'bullying' LOLfest, should win this competition.

GO MISHA B

Rated Daddy Daddy

The last half of 2011 will always be, for me, a time when my prospects were turned around and I gained a positive outlook on my life. Similarly, for Aberdeenshire born singer Emeli Sande, the latter half of the year has been insane and mesmerising. Her debut solo single 'Heaven' (perhaps my favourite song of the year) reached number 2 in the UK top 40 chart and she hit number 1 lending Professor Green a helping hand.

Back with her 2nd critically acclaimed single 'Daddy', Sande has cemented the fact that she is on route to big things. Destined to join the growing ranks of brilliant British female soloists (Adele, Ellie Goulding, Katy B) she is continuing with the retro 90s dance vibe that backed her debut. "You got your family back and you got your smile/And you promised your sister that you'd never go back again..." sings Sande with her distinct, silky vocals. Like 'Heaven', this song showcases just what an epic talent this young woman has/is and when the song hits its climax her vocals are on traffic stopping form.

There's something about this woman, something special. She can sing fantastically and she is a great live act. She's cool and unique, but there's something else. I just can't put my finger on it, but I can say that I smell immense success and worldwide stardom coming her way.

5/5

Rated Marry the Night

Lady GaGa tantalised us with the brilliant Born This Way earlier in the year. The album has since sold in excess of 7 million copies and generated millions of single sales for the magnificent 'Judas', 'Edge of Glory' and the enormous gay anthem 'Born This Way'. Thankfully things aren't stopping there. 

New cut, 'Marry the Night', is an epic electro dance floor filler. It features some of GaGa's most powerful, ferocious vocals to date and I can only imagine the upcoming music video will be huge. "I'm gonna marry the night, I'm not gonna cry anymore..." sings GaGa on this ode to the New York underground club scene. Dark electric riffs are laid over a series of huge synths as this beast of a track unfolds into an exhilarating break down. 

After the disappointing performance of 'You & I', GaGa could really do with this hitting the top 10. It would be a shame for such a brilliant song to miss out on success, although with 7 million copies of Born This Way sold, it's unlikely there is anyone left to fire this one to the top.

5/5

Rated Xfactor Week 6, I think?

I can't keep track of what week we're at now...but it doesn't matter. Last night was a reet-ol' rollercoaster weren't it? Who was your favourite performance? Comments please. As usual here's my chart for Saturday:

1. Amelia 

2. Janet

3. Misha

4. Craig

5.Kitty

6.Marcus

7. Little Mix

This may seem bewildering to some of you but allow me explain myself. Amelia seems to be getting flack for waltzing back into the competition so late and being placed as bookies' favourite to win. Why? Last night this girl completely shat in the other contestants' cereal. Her rendition of 'The Show Must Go On' by Queen, was brilliant. I get some Christina Aguilera vibes from her at the highest notes; she's got the roar in her throat. Janet was amazing, probably my favourite week for her so far and I am really not a fan. Misha was great but she loses major points for wearing an outfit she picked out in Quiz. Craig killed Paparazzi but it wasn't original, Gaga's done that rendition before (PS: singing to a girl, wtf??). Kitty was meh, but I enjoyed her theatrics and the gimp horses. 


MARCUS WHAT HAPPENED? "I saw Bruno Mars and felt inspired"... Are you kidding me? We do not need another Bruno Mars, certainly not for at least another 10 years. I loved his Prince vibe when he did Stevie Wonder in the Halloween week. That's the direction I see for him, not some doo-wop, re-rendered, edgeless nonsense. I do like Bruno Mars, just for the record. Little Mix fell flatter than I did after half a litre of straight Whiskey. I was close to spewing my guts when I heard those flat, out of synch harmonies too. Poor Kelly must've been texting queen B under the desk like, "deez gurlz ain't sUvivors".


Amelia to win.

Rated 'You Da One'

6 albums in 7 years and now 2 singles from one album within a month of eachother. It seems Rihanna really is taking over the world. New album Talk That Talk is dropping in 8 days (stupidly excited right here) and just to tease us there's a summery new single for us to sink our nails into. 

This scenario reminds me of the Loud release, when the immense dance floor behemoth 'Only Girl (In the World)' was followed by a mid tempo, West Indian flavoured hook fest. Lead single 'We Found Love' is a huge, summery dance hit and now with 'You Da One' we have a more chill reggae-ish r'n'b effort. "You Da One that I think about all day-ay-ay", Rihanna sings in her ohsoaddictive Bajan tones, harking back to the "eh-eh-eh" of 'Umbrella' and the kettle drum beats of 'What's My Name?'. It's not as instantly brilliant as WMN or 'Man Down', but it's a relief to know that there is some classic sounding Ri on the upcoming TTT. WIth a few more plays this will become one of the catchiest tunes this winter.


4/5

Rated TTT 14

Talk That Talk is ready. People, I won't see the light of day for weeks once it drops. If 'We Found Love' is anything to go by we're in for a treat. Expect a full review as you got with Rated R and Loud. That's full dependent on me not having a heart attack waiting in the queue to pay for my copy. 

Girl is fierce!

14 Days.

Rated 'Love U More'

Sunday Girl first caught my attention with 'Four Floors'  over a year ago and I've never stopped listening. In fact she made it to number 2 on my top 5 songs of 2010. Still waiting for that debut album to drop, she's teasing me yet again with 'Love U More'. This is completely different to previous singles like 'Stop Hey', losing the 80s/90s synthy vibe that  resonated in favour of a more current sounding dance track, with a dub-steppy breakdown and then back onto a 90s sounding floor-filler crescendo. 


Her vocals sounds strong, confident and as distinct as always. I hope this gets her the attention she deserves and gets 'Four Floors' a proper, promoted release. Her spotlight is waiting, it's just a matter of time. She also looks stunning in the video. See below. 

Rated Party - A Winter Warmer

I said in my review of Beyonce brilliant 4 album that I thought the song 'Party' was "a pointless and oomph lacking song". I still stand by my point that 'Party' is not the best song in the collection, nor in Beyonce's vast back catalogue, but after seeing the video I appreciate it so much more.

J. Cole steps in and takes over from the horrible Andre 3000 rap segment, which is still a pointless addition to the song, but sounds so much better. I'm seeing a trend in my rating behaviour. If I don't like song, it's a guarantee I'll warm to it once I've seen the video (I love promo clips!) and that's just what's happened in this instance. 

I just cannot wait to see the 'End of Time' video. B gon' put it down, as Kelly would say.

Rated Xfactor Week 5

Things are getting a little stale, IMO. It's just, I feel like the bite is gone from the show this year and there's, as usual, a completely unjust voting trend. Keeping Frankie in week after week? What is wrong with the British public? Putting someone as immensely talented as Misha B in the bottom 2? WTF? It's the most frustrating series to date. Thank God there are only 5 more weeks till it ends.

Last nights performances, Rated:

   1. Marcus

2. Misha

     3. Little Mix

4. Kitty

5. Craig

     6. The Risk

7. Janet

   8. Johnny

   9. Frankie

+ It's about time Kitty got some credit. Marcus blew everyone out the running. Little Mix continued to show growth. Craig's voice was HUGE. Misha killed it, as usual.

- Johnny was cringe. Frankie is about as talented as a turd in the street. Janet, stick to your ballad singing love. The Risk are boring me to tears.

It's double elimination week (how original). Based on last night I think Janet and Frankie or Johnny and Frankie need to leave. She's not ready, Johnny is constant cringe and Frankie is a twat. Easy decision to make.

Rated The Park

I forgot how much I enjoyed Feist's The Reminder until my itunes popped it on during a shuffle session the other night and now I can't stop playing it! I have fond memories of travelling on the bus with only 'The Park' to keep me company. The song is so understated and Feist's unique, folksy voice washes over your like some ethereal cleansing holy water. It's a marvellous wee number.

Sit back and relax.

Rated Misha B

There was a lot of drama on last night's Xfactor show, mainly around the Queen Misha B. This week the hair was pretty dramatic, but for a change that wasn't the focus. Apparently, this teen is being a right wee mare backstage and causing upset in the ranks. "Bully" was mentioned by the oh so wise such a douche Louis Walsh and Tulisa was very quick to hump his leg and join in the attack. My main thought on this whole scenario... Who gives a shit?


Whether or not M.B actually is being a wench backstage is besides the point of the competition. I would say don't believe what you're seeing or hearing because we don't know how sensationalised this is forcibly made, but it's hard when it's right in front of you in a judge brawl. GURL can sing. That should be the focus. She's the star of the 2011 lineup and she, as far as I can see, is confident yet dignified. I don't smell arrogance, I smell self assurance and I think this is something we should embrace in a potential British mega star. I'm bored out of my mind with this British modesty; this constant playing down of one's abilities to ensure no one feels uncomfortable. If you know you're great at something and have a fantastic gift you should be allowed to express your pride in your own achievements without being chastised as an arrogant, insensitive moron.

It's time Britain, that we got some balls and praised ourselves. America got it right, so should we.

Go Misha B.

Rated i is right behind you. 

Rated We Found Love (The Video)

I know I post a lot about Rihanna these days, but it's because she's the only one ripping up the music charts right now. When 'We Found Love' dropped I was very pleased and excited. Now, I have a brilliant music video to swoon over and by brilliant I mean brilliant.

I know I'm slightly biased, but this is by far the best video to get released in 2011. It's a smart approach to visually portraying the song, which otherwise seems like a positive one. I thought the video was going to be Ri running about in fields being happy about loving some fit dude. Alas, only half of this is right. The video shows how poisonous loving someone can be and self destructive it can make you. We see Rihanna throwing up in the streets (presumably after taking drugs) but it's ribbons that come out of her mouth, so cool. We see her going crazy on pills and we see her get dirty at a party in someone's farm yard. It's by far the best video she's done so far and the most meaningful.

Rihanna isn't bad at acting and the guy she's with is hot. It's a bit like watching an indie British film; like a mini-Trainspotting style affair. Take a look.

The video above is the uncut version (the one on TV is boring).

Rated Loud Tour 2011

BABE

It's been just over a year since Rihanna toured her 4th studio album Rated R . We've been in the midst of a Rihanna tornado since then with a constant stream of singles, a new album and yet another tour. It leaves one wondering, how does she do it? Where does she get the energy from? Where do all these tremendous songs come from? Apparently some ether of pop brilliance.

The Last Girl On Earth tour of 2010/2011 was a great showcase of the darker material from the Rated R era. It featured songs like 'Russian Roulette', 'Rude Boy' and 'Te Amo', performed against a robo-apocalyptic backdrop. There was latex, lots of war imagery and a huge amount of rockstar charm. Now, on the Loud Tour, supporting an album that has now sold in excess of 8 million copies worldwide, Rihanna is cranking the pace up a notch.

Things kick off with a 3/4 minute film, which has the Bajan babe in a bobbed red wig and black outfits, screaming as loud as possible. It crescendos, the screen splits in the two, and out she pops in a neon lit, transparent orb. Belting out the tremendous 'Only Girl (In the World)' , she makes the crowd insane, all the while strutting up and down the stage in a tiny blue glossy coat, leaving very little to the imagination; that's why we love her! Her vocals are on top form, better than they have ever been in fact. She engages with the crowd, bellowing 'Glasgoooow', more frequently than she did on her last tour, making the whole affair that little bit more exciting. De-robing to reveal a rainbow coloured, beaded bra and pant combo, she slips into 'Disturbia' and 'Shut Up and Drive', before sitting non-chalantly against a wrecked car to show off her West Indian tones on the Bob Marley inspired 'Man Down'.

The tempo at this tour is much higher with less balladry and more big beats. There is the essential ballad segment, but it takes up very little time for the pace to quicken again. A revved up rock cover of Prince's 'Darling Nikki' slips into a raunchy performance of 'S&M', identical to that she performed with Britney Spears at the VMAs. 

The pink tank of the previous tour returns, but it's smaller and fires projectiles into the audience. Getting G with 'Raining Men' and 'Hard', Rihanna rides her ad-hoc army vehicle to the front of the stage, surrounded by gun-toting topless dancers.

Rated TTT.

Expect a full review of Rihanna's new album, out November 21st, when I lay my hands on it. I feel an early pre-work purchase coming on. Clearly buying it Deluxe. TTTD here I come.

Love the album covers. 

Rated Neva Soft.

It's been a long time since we heard anything from Ms. Dynamite-ee-ee. In fact it's been 6 years since her last studio album Judgement Days, a significant under performer. She all but vanished at the end of 2005 and now she's back. Following on from the brilliant duet with Katy B on 'Lights On', the first lady of the UK Urban scene is offering up an original and immense piece of dub step mastery in the form of 'Neva Soft'. 


The song packs a bite, particularly on the rapped verses where Ms. Dynamite comments on her hiatus, "I'ma high from the anticipation, Never know 'bout the moves we've been making, Best things come to those who have been waiting...". The track slows down to a halt half way, and after some lovely soft vocals it bursts back to an uptempo, euphoric crescendo packed with rough synths and attitude.


 It's true, the best things come to those who wait as 'Neva Soft' proves itself to be her most interesting and edgy track to date.

Check it out for yourself.

Rated MOBOS 2011

Like I said before, I got FREE tickets to the MOBO Awards and last night was the night. The night blew open with a massive performance from Jesse J and then some typical, rehearsed award show chatter from Jason Derulo and Alesha Dixon, the sexy presenters. It seemed to just get bigger and better as the night progressed, with amazing slots from Dappy (Yes, Dappy was amazing!) and Wretch 32. Katy B. sang 'Broken Record' and then slid into 'Lights On' with an actual flesh and bone featuring from Ms Dynamite. The night got more sombre with a stunning rendition of 'Love is a Losing Game' by Dionne Bromfield and then a camped up stage show from Alexis Jordan. My favourite moment was the first verse and chorus of Emeli Sande's 'Heaven', which she popped into the middle of her duet with Professor Green. It was such an exhilarating night. I just wish I had one of the VIP tables.

Rated Jessie J

I've been pretty hard on this young British singer of late, but that all changed last night when she opened the MOBO Awards in Glasgow's SECC. I got some free tickets through work and after one of the most stressful journeys of my life I finally made it into the arena. I knew Jessie was going to be there and I did a lot of moaning about it. Let's just say, her performance of 'Do It Like a Dude' kicked me in the balls.

Kudos JJ.

Rated 'We Found Love'

It seems Rihanna can't quite help but court controversy. First she drastically sexes up her image with Rated R, then she gets killed in her marvellous 'Russian Roulette' video and pisses parents off with her vibrant, cheeky, video for 'S&M'. Now the controversy isn't about what her music is saying or showing, it's about the speed at which she's popping out new material. It's been less than two years since we had Loud and less than a year before that we had Rated R. It seems Rihanna is a bajan musical snowball and the only question to ask is where will it melt?

Things are remaining pretty damn hot in the RiRi world for the time being with new single 'We Found Love'. The Calvin Harris produced number is a summery club exhilarator, with the expected Calvin Harris bouncy synths. "We found love in a hopeless place" sings our fox on a repetitive, but completely intoxicating, chorus. It doesn't have the thump of 'Only Girl', or the sumptuous kettle drum synthy charms of 'What's My Name?', or even the sassy bite of 'Rude Boy', but 'We Found Love' is a lovely taster from the 23 year old's upcoming 6th studio album. We're in Rihanna overload right now, so this album has a lot riding on it. If this song is anything to go by though, she isn't going anywhere.

4/5

Rated 'Freedom'

The Sugababes have had a pretty busy career. Sure they've got countless hit singles and millions of album sales, but their biggest achievement is still existing after numerous line-up changes to a point where now there are no original group members left. 

After their flop album Sweet 7, the girls are back and are desperate to prove their worth as the pseudobabes. They're doing this with a vamped up image and club ready new single 'Freedom'. The video harks back to the dark club setting of their epic single 'Freak Like Me' but the song is very different. Keeping with the times and going for gay anthem complete with dub-step breakdown, 'Freedom' proves that the ladies can still knock out a good tune. The song's crescendo, post-breakdown, is exhilarating but the song still lacks the bite and originality that their older efforts have become famous for. It's a great dance-floor track, but overall it still isn't hitting the mark you'd expect. On a plus note, the song is brilliant when compared to some of the disasters from Sweet 7 and as long as they manage to recapture their feistiness on their upcoming album, things could be on the up.

3/5

Rated Keisha

It's been a while since the Sugababes' much publicised and speculated refurbishment and just as long since we heard anything from Keisha Buchanan. The original member and her big pipes are now back, with debut solo material and a lovely set at Jacques Townhouse back in July. I have only just managed to find said video footage and I am hugely impressed. Not only does she have a great solo presence but her voice seems more powerful than ever.

Check out her cover of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' below and make up your own mind. I, however, am already sure that this woman is on the track to the top of the charts.

Rated 1+1

In true Beyonce fashion, there are to be a number of music videos directed for both singles and non singles from her newest album 4. This is exciting and will keep my youtube playlist/favourites list full for some time. She did the same with her 2nd album B'Day and made lots of sexy videos for the songs from I Am... Sasha Fierce. A video for 'I Care' would be great B', thanks!

On a more title relevant note, the first non single to receive a video is track number one, '1+1'. The song itself is startlingly powerful and raw, with B's vocals on traffic stopping form. To emphasise the message of the song, there's now a mesmerising video to promote it. Hypnotic, sexy and dream like, the video for '1+1' is completely stripped back from the production spectacle of 'Run the World'. It's slow and erotically charged, but remains classy and tasteful like B always manages to maintain in her presentations. She seductively dances with a male, in leopard print underwear and manages to not look like a hooker. It's pretty damn beautiful as is the lady herself, her skin covered in glitter like a vampire from Twilight. This might actually be the most expressive video she's ever done.

HOT.

Rated Jealousy

It has been three long years since we heard anything from the harmonious pipes of Mr Will Young. I had all but written him off after the lack of leverage his last album Let Go received, but now his pretty head has popped up once more and with it comes a new single and a lovely new album called Echoes; more on said album once I have heard it all in full.


For now, we have a gorgeous new single called 'Jealousy'. Produced by Richard X, who has worked with artists like Sugababes and Roisin Murphy in the past, the song is a delicious, big, slice of pop perfection. Starting off in true ballad fashion, it soon picks up and slides into an echoey ride of soft synths and electronic percussion. My first thought was that 'Jealousy' sounds like Girls Aloud's single 'Call the Shots' and we all know how damn good that song was. Will's voice is as perfect as ever. It never sounds over produced, remaining organic and authentic throughout, much like his finest past singles, 'Leave Right Now' and 'All Time Love'. If 'Jealousy' is a preview of the remainder of Echoes, I have high hopes, because this is, perhaps, one of the best songs by a male solo artist released in 2011 or even in this decade. Let's face it, we're running short on male solo singers right now who don't rap about big booty and slide around on the bonnets of sports cars. 


Go Wills!


5/5

Rated RiRi - FAIL.

Due to painfully unfortunate financial failings on my part, I can no longer afford to go down to London to suck up the immense aura of my favourite bitch, Rihanna. I am now left, cold and lonely on October 5th...completely Rihanna-less. In her place I will blast her back catalogue and down a bottle of Cava, maybe two? 


Should anyone be interested in two standing tickets for the O2 Arena on the 5th October 2011, please let me know via twitter and I will sort something out for you. We can discuss price at the time, I don't like quoting figures online, it's so messy.

Just a picture to rub salt into my Rihanna shaped wound.

I love you, woman.

Rated 'I'm In Here'

My favourite song this month (August) is the very non-summery 'I'm In Here' from the tail end of Sia Furler's stunning disco-pop infusion album We Are Born. I love every song on here, but this song is so affective and so self reflective that I can't resist its charm. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Check out my review of We Are Born here.

Rated Swagga Jagga.

If I am subjected to the horrendous, excruciating torture of 'Swagger Jagger' by Xfactor failure Cher Lloyd one more time, I may resort to desperate measures. I don't understand the critics who commend it and I don't understand the morons who bought the bloody thing on Itunes. It is a gaping, putrid wound on the face of British music and I want it to die (the song, not her). So, I remind myself of the great music that the country has produced prior to mini Cheryl Cole's debut single. Ellie Goulding, Sunday Girl, Coldplay, Tinie Tempah and Katy B...hell even The Wanted and JLS haven't released anything quite as infuriating. 


Now, on this overcast Thursday afternoon, I am trying to plot some way to destroy the song and any possibility of the girl scoring a number one album. Come on forces from musical heaven, STOP HER!

"I'm an unoriginal, image thieving harlot"

Rated Titanium.

It's no major revelation that I love Sia Furler. Her music has been in my life for over 2.5 years now and I haven't once been able to fault her, not once. Her voice is so unique and so wonderfully emotive that it's impossible not to fall for her charms. Song like 'Death By Chocolate', 'Clap Your Hands' and 'I'm In Here' are fine examples of why this artist deserves far more credit than she gets. Hopefully, in time people will become more aware of her presence in the music market and everyone will know of her brilliance. At the same time I kind of just want her all to myself.

Anyway, her new song with David Guetta is a great way to break into the mainstream (although I'm not sure how I feel about this move entirely) and thankfully it's a stunning song. Vocals on full throttle and the beats smash behind her in dramatic, club fashion. It's a pretty orgasmic dance floor filler and I cannot wait to get down to this. So excited!

Rated Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend

To accompany her brilliant new single, 'Call Your Girlfriend', Swedish synth siren Robyn has popped out a one-take wonder. The video is pretty much Robyn's own 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)' and has one of the funkiest breakdowns of the year 75% of the way through. The song itself is just one more slice from the delicious, sumptuous Body Talk cake.

Other Robyn Posts. I do love a bit of Robyn y'know.

Rated Albums of 2011 So Far...

2011 has proven to be quite the year for pop music. Adele's 21 has become the biggest selling digital album in history and her single 'Rolling in the Deep' leaped to the number one spot in the UK and the US billboard Hot 100, which is quite a feat for a British solo female artist. Beyonce released her fourth album, the aptly named 4, which gave us the dancefloor grinding 'Run the World (Girls)' and a sex war video. The album sold bucket loads in its first week of release and has remained at number one in the US for two consecutive weeks (watch this space). Britney released her seventh studio album Femme Fatale, and although it's got some brilliant pop moments on it, it has not made the cut for the top 3 so far... count down.

1: Beyonce - 4

Ok, so this was predictable and I cannot deny I am a HUGE Beyonce fan. However, I am honest and the one thing I am honest about is that I expected this album to be horrific going on the previews I experienced and the comments of others. Thankfully it is a brilliant collection of original sounding pop music. Mixing 80s synths, pop, rock and rnb and some weird, almost experimental, electronic sounds, this is a fantastic addition to the record collection of 2011. Well done B. Read my full review here.




2: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

There was so much critical dismay before this album came along. Title track 'Born This Way' divided fans, more than any song has done in this century I imagine, but proved itself a success becoming her fastest selling single in the US. The album is nothing like her debut. Her vocals are more raw, authentic and powerful and the songs are ridiculously catchy euro-pop thumpers. 'Marry the Night', 'Hair' and 'Scheibe' are all deserving of accolades for best pop song. Read my review here.







3. Adele - 21

I didn't review this album, mainly because I didn't have time and now it's a little too late. Maybe soon? We all know it's amazing though, considering it's been played to death in just about every home in the UK and now the US. Look out for 'Someone Like You', 'Rolling in the Deep' and my own favourite, 'If it hadn't been for love'.

Rated 'I Wanna Go'

Britney's Femme Fatale tour kicked off last week and, I must say, it looks incredible. I'm not so sure about praising a singer for singing 40% of their 'live' show with a live vocal, but I guess for a Britney tour that's pretty impressive (hmmm). From the clips on youtube I gather that it's a pyrotechnic, dance fuelled, booty shaking extravaganza. The opening with 'Hold it Against Me' is brilliant, as is her performance of 'Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know' from the Oops! era.

Anyway, back on track. The video for third Femme Fatale single, 'I Wanna Go', dropped the other day and it's pretty epic. Random, weird and ridiculous, but oh so much fun. What's great about it is that it's the first glimpse of the old Britney Spears being back in the real world again. Her constant glazing of the eyes is gone and she has some sass back in her, which is a relief because as questionable as her input in her work is, she is the biggest pop star of her generation. The most key aspect of video, pushing aside the Terminator style robotic paparazzi and Britney looking a bit Avril Lavigne, is that Brit looks HAWT.


The song itself is one of the better moments from 7th studio album Femme Fatale. It's anthemic dance pop with a killer hook. The robotic Britney makes a return on the track and it works here because she's at least recognisable. "I’ve been told who I should do it with, to keep both my hands above the bl-an-ket, when the lights out...", sings Britney, challenging those who dictate how naughty she's allowed to be. It doesn't have the huge finish of 'Hold it against me' or 'Till the world ends', but 'I wanna go' has enough punch to make it a classic Britney song.

Rated 4

Beyonce surprised me when she released the epic ass shaker ‘Run The World (Girls)’. I then surprised myself by leaping from a venomous hatred for the song to an epic love that has me imitating the shoulder shudder on every dance floor I grace. You would think, going by what the lead single suggests, that the forthcoming 4 would be an album in much the same vein as past material. Lots of uber feminist and patriotic booty bumping a la ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)’ and some sexually charged grind like ‘Video Phone’. If you’re expecting any of the above then you’re about to be surprised, shocked and maybe even disappointed. However, what it lacks in sass and sex appeal, it makes up for with passion, aggression and determination.

Don't use 'Run the World' as a basis for judging this album, this is the best advice I can give you in relation to 4. It's the closer and although would have been nice as the introductory track, when you grasp the structure of the album you appreciate it as an ending. The tempo begins at zero but reaches climax when the Major Lazer sampler beats the doors of love down. So just sit back and relax and gird your loins for the epic finish. Don't do as I have done and listen to the critics who are saying the album is "horrific", "messy", "worst album ever". I have been pleasantly surprised by the final product and although there is one weak moment, by Beyonce's standards, this is a damn solid album.

Rated Flashback - Spirit Room

There's one album that sticks with you from your teen years and showers you with nostalgia upon every listen. That one album for me (aside from the likes of Jagged Little Pill and Hotel Paper) is The Spirit Room by Canadian singer/songwriter Michelle Branch. She never took off over here, but she made a pretty big impact overseas, scoring a Grammy and 3 top 40 singles, not to mention the 2million+ sales of the album in the US alone.

This album sticks with me because it's, simply, catchy as hell. It's pretty standard acoustic pop/rock from the early 00s, but there's just something rather marvellous going on here that I've never been able to put my finger on. Whether it's Branch's distinguishable vocals, emotion driven performance, the brilliant melodies or the well constructed lyricism, I do not know. Maybe it's a combination of all the above? I was only 13 when this album came out and some pretty harrowing stuff was going on in my personal life at the time, thus the reason it's remained a pretty important part of my musical therapy collection. I felt down recently so I whipped it out and began soothing my soul once more.

With singles 'Everywhere', 'All You Wanted' and the superb 'Goodbye to You', the album couldn't really go wrong. There's not one filler, every song feels like it's been carved out of musical stone, and the non-singles are either equally as effective and fun as the released or they take things to another level. 'Sweet Misery' and 'Something to Sleep to' for example, are startlingly awesome pop songs. The former, probably my favourite from the album, features a lovely vocal performance and stunning choral melody, something that recurs throughout Branch's work (she's got a knack for cracking out hooks). A surprising moment on The Spirit Room is 'Drop in the Ocean', which goes from haunting love song to a trippy Tori Amos style dancey number. This is a bout as sonically experimental this album gets, but it is supposed to be a pop/rock album, not a 'Professional Widow' style collection.

Sounding mildly like Alanis Morissette in her earliest years, Branch's vocal style reaches a similar sound at her higher pitches. However, Morissette's material was beyond her years at Branch's age and was as intricate and metaphorical as lyrics can possibly get. The Spirit Room certainly is not Jagged Little Pill, the main reason being a lack of maturity. Branch's age shows with her coolly named book of love songs and angst. However, as young as these love songs are they're written masterfully. Song writing is Branch's main forte, proven with the release of second album Hotel Paper, which had more love songs but more maturity, making for a slightly darker sound (emphasis on slightly). This is an album that will always stick with me, kind of like a child hood teddy bear that keeps reappearing every time you start to feel a little low.

Rated Run The World (Girls) - I caved.

Beyonce, I'm sorry I ever doubted you. My sincerest apologies. Be bffs again ye?

So... I caved and have fallen for the Queen B charm of 'Run The World (Girls)'. I slated it at first, but because I genuinely thought it was horrific. Now that I've watched the Billboard Awards performance 100 times and the music video even more, I have a new found appreciation for it. It's actually quite a fun, catchy, ass shake inducing track with bite. It's still, by no means, in the top 5 Beyonce songs of all time, but it's acceptable.

I am excited about 4, although not loving the album title. A tad unimaginative BB. The artwork is hot though.

Rated Born This Way - it's here

It’s potentially the most anticipated album of the decade; Born This Way is finally here. With tonnes of euro-pop charm, bloody weird electro production and some startlingly fantastic moments this has potential to be one of the most unique pop albums since Madonna’s “ground breaking” Ray of Light. 

Lady Gaga erupted into pop consciousness with ‘Just Dance’ in 2008 and then the record breaking/setting ‘Poker Face’, both of which have become contemporary pop anthems. Her initial collection of songs, The Fame, sold over 20 million copies throughout the world. Its sound was quite pop standard, laced with some rnb to keep it brimming with attitude. This commercial, rather chart safe sound soon dissolved however, into the euro-pop styling of the immense ‘Bad Romance’, lifted from the 1.5 album The Fame Monster. With this evolution in Gaga’s sound it became clear that there was something quite special coming next. It's here.

 Born This Way opens with ‘Marry the Night’, homage to Gaga’s nights cruising the New York City underground club scene and how it served as escapism from the sorrows of life. With a soaring electro chorus she beautifully blasts, “I’m gonna marry the night, leave nothin’ on these streets to explode”.

Next up is the single that divided fans, ‘Born This Way’, which is one of the album highlights (but by no means reflective of the album’s sound as a whole). “No matter gay-straight-or bi, lesbian-transgender life, I’m on the right track baby I was born to survive”, has become the key line from the pro-gay anthem. It’s not all about being gay though, this is a song with a dynamic message of equality and self-love, cleverly written and catchy as fuck (I get to swear, Gaga would approve).
Things get dark, dirty and very Berlin discothèque with the hugely anticipated ‘Government Hooker’. Kicking off in semi-operatic fashion the song decends into a decadent array of synthy growls and electric twitching, as Gaga speaks, “Put your hands on me, John F. Kennedy, I’ll make you squeal baby, as long as you pay me”. I’m not quite sure if there’s any intellectual, political message in here, but who cares when it sounds this cool?

Rated Run The World... a bit.

Ok, so I said I hated this song a couple of weeks ago. I still don't love it and it didn't move my world when it blasted through the speakers on Saturday night, but this performance at the Billboard Awards the other night is epic. Beyonce still cracks the jaws of all other performers out there right now, she's just got bite that not many others even have half of. The song is mildly more pleasant to my ears now, but still...it's by far my least favourite Beyonce single since 'Video Phone' with Lady Gaga.

Rated Robyn - Why did I miss you?

Devastated that I missed out on a performance like this last October. She is, truly, one of the greatest artists around at the moment. Utter awe.

Rated Yasmin!

There's a new girl knocking about the charts right now and I absolutely love her. Her name is Yasmin and she's fit, like really fit. The (almost) sexuality conversion aside, this girl also writes and sings some damn good rnb songs. Loaded with soft echoing synths and buffed up with a superb Freemason's remix, her new single 'Finish Line' is brilliant and currently picking up substantial airplay as well as a decent chart debut of #13. Her previous single, 'On My Own' was a great way to unleash her talent on the country, with a stunning sounding chorus and an unescapable hook. Her voice is refreshingly smooth and understated. Strafing away from the roaring of other female singers out there (Beyonce and GaGa) and staying strong sounding enough to avoid the weaker, whiny sound of other rnb singers like Alesha Dixon, she lands in the perfect spot.

She first popped up on the Devlin track 'Runaway' and since then she's been garnering popularity, fast. Check out the videos below, I challenge you not to be impressed or fall instantly in love.

PS: Love the hat.

Rated The Edge of Glory.

One week to wade through until the most anticipated album (of my life) arrives and gives us all the power to walk on water. Born This Way is hurtling towards us from the Gagaverse. For some perspective, I am a Lady Gaga fan, but I am by no means biased in my opinions of her music. The Fame for example, was a brilliant pop album, let down by some ill-chosen tracks that didn't gel well into it as a whole. This was rectified by the fantastic Fame Monster, which spawned great pop hits like 'Alejandro' and 'Bad Romance'.

Originally released as a promo/taster for the incoming album of life, 'The Edge of Glory' has torn up pop charts all over the world, without having an official release as a single. Kicking off with the pumping of a heart beat, the euro-pop stylings of the 2011 GaGa thump soon after. "I'm on the edge of glory, and I'm hanging on a moment with you", blasts GaGa with some startling vocals. She roars her way through the track, which proves itself to be more exhilarating than the two official singles from the album combined. It's a definite classic, not just for the Lady, but of all time. Well composed, structured, written and most importantly sung, this is a bloody tremendous pop song.

Rated California King Bed

Loud has, so far, provided us with uptempo, feisty, booty shaking beauties. 'Only Girl' is, perhaps, Rihanna's most anthemic song to date and 'What's My Name?' and 'S&M' are sexy, sassy songs about the kinky stuff and a little bit of love, obviously. The big debate amongst her burgeoning fan base was "what will she release next?". Apparently the US is getting the epic reggae inspired 'Man Down'. Not us though, we're getting a ballad, a country ballad. It's not all as bad as you think. In fact, 'California King Bed' contains Rihanna's strongest vocals so far and the most authentically emotional performance she's given since 'Russian Roulette'. "In this California King Bed, we're ten thousand miles apart", sings Ri on this song about the crumbling foundations of a failing, yet intense romance. It's a bloody brilliant song and is one of the main reasons why Loud is a must have album.

Check out the lovely video too. Just lovely.