Katy Perry - 'Part Of Me'

As pointless as a repackaged edition of the brilliant Teenage Dream is, it's always nice to get a brand new track from an artist as fun as the busty Katy Perry. The last 24 months have been very kind to this young lady, career wise at least. With epic pop singles like the exhilarating empowerment trip of 'Firework' and the electronic bite of 'E.T', this was a defining pop album of 2010. 

If the title track from this album was a reflection of Perry's feelings back in 2010/2011, new single 'Part Of Me' is a reflection of her current emotional state after her split from hubby Russell Brand at the end of last year. "You chewed me up and spat me out like I was poison in your mouth" she sings in the first verse, a telling assortment of words. The song itself is decent. It has the typical, punchy, Katy Perry pop beat and insanely catchy chorus, but for me it lacks the originality that shone through on singles like 'Last Friday Night' and 'California Gurls'. It's not epic by any means, but it's a strong enough pop song to rack up another million notches on her musical bed post.

3/5

Adele - Flying High with 21

As if things weren't perfect enough in Adele's life right now. An album which is probably going to hit the 15 million sales mark in the coming months; tonnes of royalties pouring in from said album sales; 6 grammy awards; and now a 20th week at number 1 on the Billboard 200. If she hits this mark again next week, she'll break the record set by the late Whitney Houston with her BodyGuard Soundtrack in the early 90s.

'iyaaaaaaah'

21 is reviewed hyah

Rated Our Version of Events - "Creamy-Delicious Neo-Soul"

"Sande has a mesmerising gift"

Emeli Sande rocked up to the frontline in mid-late 2011 with her startlingly good debut single 'Heaven'. From there she's gone musical miles. A number one duet with Professor Green and impressive writing credits for the likes of Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Prof. Green and Tinie Tempah (not to mention being linked to numerous other stars). We no longer have to settle for three songs, we get a lovely 15 (itunes deluxe package) track album packed with passion and that soft yet powerful, gorgeously pitch perfect vocal. 

Her abilities as a singer are unquestionable on all of the tracks, from the soulful 'then I'm gone/then I'm gone' on the Massive Attack-esque beats of 'Heaven' to the stunning power ballad 'My Kind of Love'. Her range is perfectly illustrated on the lullaby style melodies of 'Where I Sleep', with its soft verses which effortlessly melt into creamy-delicious neo-soul.

First a songwriter, then a singer, Sande's talent shines on 'Mountains', a stunning love song about the journey of a relationship and the determination to overcome all obstacles. It feels real, with lyrics like 'I'd never work these hours if I didn't love you' and 'I keep my fingers crossed that we're gon' be able/I touch the wood for luck on our broken table...' Coupling lyrics like these with a voice like Sande's, creates a perfect song and a beautifully authentic message.

Rated Brown - Grammy Injustice

I cannot believe Chris Brown was honoured with a Grammy Award for Best R'N'B Album last week. Have we forgotten he smashed his girlfriend's face into the dash board of his car and put her in a choke hold till she almost passed out? Ok, I'm the first to admit some bias when it comes to Rihanna (such a babe) but regardless of who she is, it's pretty sick that A: he gets away with it and B: he is applauded for and actually allowed to perform at a prestigious musical awards ceremony that features a tribute to a great artist like Whitney Houston. 

Shame.

It's a sad state of affairs when a woman beater gets an accolade like this. It actually angers me that people are fickle enough to forgive and forget an incident like this. Yeah so I might have bought 'Yeah 3x', I'll hold my hands up and admit that foible. However, I would never and will never buy one of his albums, which by the way I think are completely awful. It's up to Rihanna if she wants to interact with the man who pummelled her till she resembled a piece of fruit thrown down the emergency stairs of the Empire State building. It's also up to her fans, particularly those who are so obsessed they can't make up their own mind and form their own opinions on the matter, if they want to do the same and forgive. I however, will never condone behaviour like this on this blog, in voice or in my thoughts. 

"I'm so OVER the haters..." Well you should have thought about that before embedding your fists in your girlfriend's face. Idiot.

Rated Little Black Sandals

One of my favourite album of all time is Some People Have Real Problems by the almighty Sia. One of my favourite songs (three actually) of all time is on this album. 'Little Black Sandals' is a cute, chilled yet bouncy number, with a gorgeous chorus and some lovely lyricism. Everyone has an artist that inspires them everyday and Sia does that for me. New album in 2012 please, PLEASE.

Rated 'How Will I Know'

My favourite Whitney Houston song, 'How Will I Know'.

Legend.

Rated RIP Whitney Houston

Another year, another musical legend kicks it. Amy Winehouse, Etta James and now the iconic Whitney Houston. This lady owned the 1980s and a chunk of the 90s with her well produced power balladry and core shaking vocals. With brilliant pop mastery in the shape of 'How Will I Know?', 'I Will Always Love You', 'It's not alright, but it's OK', 'Greatest Love of All' and even more recent hits like 'Million Dollar Bill', she churned out some huge tunes. RIP Whitney Houston, and thank you for having the impact on pop music that you did. You've left behind a pretty tremendous musical legacy.

1963 - 2012

Rated Song of the week (W/C 6th Feb)

This week I cannot stop listening to Rihanna's 'What's My Name?'. Literally re-hooked, to the point of notching up 14 listens last night. I think it might be partly to do with the awful weather and the images of a Caribbean beach it conjures up when the West Indian tune kicks in. Love love love it.

Rated Give Me All Your Luvin'

With her brilliantly, yet controversially (of course), titled album MDMA coming out at the back end of March it was time for Madonna to drop us a new single. As one of music's most loved and probably most influential, female icons, the pressure is always on for auld lady to reinvent her sound. Transgressing the expectations of pop music fans for decades, particularly with the experimental sound of albums like Ray of Light and the retro feel of the immense Confessions, Madonna has never been one to stick to her guns (no pun intended).

New single 'Give Me All Your Luvin' is a gay club filler waiting to happen, with relevant (all be them predictable) cameos from hip-hop tart Nicki Minaj and the brilliantly imaginative M.I.A. It's a step back to pop, but a step forward from the awkward hip-hop inspired moments from Hard Candy. Even if you don't enjoy its cheerleader chants "L.U.V Madonna/Y.O.U U Wanna?" you're going to be hard pushed not to be singing this to yourself for months to come. Catchy little number.

Check out the video below, where Madge is looking damn fine for a 50-something year old woman. In fact, is she hotter now than she ever was before?!

4/5

Rated "You should be alone for this travesty!"

There are some classic songs that just can't ever be covered successfully. Heart's epic ballad 'Alone' is one of these. However, some chick has taken it upon herself to do just this; musical blasphemy. 'Alone Again' by Alyssa Reid loses all credit when the over produced vocals of its assailant flood their way into earshot. Things get even worse when some guys called Jump Smokers, start rapping. An iconic 80s song, ripped to shreds in three minutes. This is, perhaps, one of the worst cover versions since Geri Halliwell obliterated the Weather Girls' 'It's Raining Men' many years ago.

Awful, unimaginative crap.

0/5

Rated 'Stronger'

It's pretty impressive for an artist to be around as long as Kelly Clarkson has and still to be popping out brilliant pop tunes. It's even more impressive that, as a reality tv contestant, the big voice babe has managed to survive in the industry with such longevity and popularity. With anthemic songs like 'Since U Been Gone' and 'My Life Would Suck Without You', I didn't expect many more belters, particularly as she kind of fell of the music map for a few years. 

New single 'What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)' is proper pop mammoth. It starts off pretty light, but when the chorus kicks in things get BIG. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger/stand a little taller/doesn't mean I'm lonely cos I'm alone..." KC blasts in her finest melodious roar. If any song is going to stick in your head this February it's this one.

5/5