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.