Rated Roundup - June - Rihanna keeps going, Stooshe improve and KC keeps kicking

Chris tried to get Rihanna to take a break... she head butted him.

We've been thrust into the summer months with some stunning weather, lots of topless male models strutting about town and street party's a-plenty. Smell shite? Thought so. Well, the weather's been about as much fun as a night in a hostel dorm with Kerry Katona, Louis Walsh and Jean from Eastenders, but the charts are lighting up with some lovely musical codeine to relieve the pain.
Cheryl Cole just obliterated her competition to hit number 1 with the tremendous 'Call My Name' (potential pop song of 2012) and Rihanna's 'Where Have You Been?' is still hovering around the top 10. What else is coming up or knocking around chart world that's caught my eye...ear?

Coldplay ft. Rihanna - 'Princess Of China' 
This is gorgeous. Roaring, epic sounding, inspiring and intoxicating, this is perhaps my favourite Coldplay song and one of my favourite songs of 2012. I didn't take much notice of it when Mylo Xyloto was released but now with it pounding its way through my radio I couldn't stop myself falling in love. Rihanna's vocals are stunning and fit perfectly over Coldplay's incredible electronic production. If you don't enjoy this you're damaged.

5/5


Tyler James - 'Higher Love'
Say what you will about reality TV contestant Tyler James, his cover of Windood's 'Higher Love' is swoontastic. Those falsetto notes are flawless and the ease with which he changes between registers is immaculate. One of my top songs for June, this will keep you smiling on your trudge to work on a Monday morning. Lovely.

5/5


Stooshe - 'Black Heart'
I thought Stooshe's debut single, 'Love Me' was embarrassingly bad. The gimmicky cackling and chatting in between verses and the relentless attempts at exuding girltude were boring, tried and tired. There's still a little bit of this at the end of their new single, but thankfully the song is good enough to overshadow this blip. Better than their debut by a universe's length and breadth, this is a catchy wee bugger that just will not get out of your head. Wee shit.

4/5


Usher - 'Scream'
'Climax' was terrible. I don't know what critics were listening to but it can't have been the same song, surely? He's made a good move releasing 'Scream' as the follow up, picking up the tempo and harking back to the electronic synths and dance beat of 'OMG'. This is by no means great, but it's fun and in a club setting this could be an epic moment. It's a shame he's left behind his more rnb type material from past albums, because as one of the best male pop stars around, Usher could be doing so much more with his direction rather than following the trends that have been set before him.

2.5/5


Kelly Clarkson - 'Dark Side'
Following 'Stronger' was always going to be tough because let's face it, no one disliked that song. If you did, leave my page immediately because I no respect for you. Prick. New single 'Dark Side' is similarly huge sounding, but what Kelly song isn't? Her vocals are on traffic stopping form and as a standalone single, this song actually attracts more attention than it does on the album. That doesn't happen often in the world of duff songs. Keep it up KC.

4/5