Ella Henderson - Chapter One (Album Review)

The Xfactor was once a force to be reckoned with. It governed the charts in the run up to Christmas, with retro covers performed by hopefuls week on week appearing in the top 10 decades after their original release. In some ways the Xfactor did a great service to commercial pop music by increasing music sales in the Autumn/Winter period. Things haven't been so immense down Xfactor street in recent years though, with winner's sales figures nowhere near what they once were and no winner having quite the success of Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke. The format is weakening and its transparency is becoming all the more apparent with constant gimmicks and ridiculous contestants. Thankfully, it doesn't take a winner to release an incredible album. Alumni Rebecca Ferguson's Heaven is the perfect example, runner up to uber douche Matt Cardle (somehow now on his fourth album) it sold over 500,000 copies in the UK and quite rightly so. The shock exit of similarly likeable contestant Ella Henderson in week 6 was flabbergasting, a travesty at the time. It's clear that it was probably for the best because here she is a few years on with her debut album Chapter One and it's a damn doozy. 

Ariana Grande - My Everything (Album Review)

Still not rich enough to afford a full outfit.

Honestly, before behemoth single Problem filled airwaves the world over with its awesome catchiness I was pretty much completely unfamiliar with Ariana Grande, some may say ignorant to her work. I knew of her, sure, but I didn’t know she had a top 10 album in the UK nor did I know a top 10 single in America plus said album hitting number one there. Problem proved itself a game changer in her career and with a little help from Iggy Azalea Ariana grabbed herself a more adult consumer base and thus immense success. Now she’s released her new album My Everything and what I’m here to tell you is if it’s good. Is it good like opening a new tub of Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Yoghurt? Or is bad like opening a new tub of Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Yoghurt only to find it contains cotton wool. Not a satisfying experience I bet!

There’s an Intro to kick things off and it’s a very demure affair, with lovely harmonies and pretty vocal touches. I’m normally not a fan of an intro track, they usually get deleted from itunes in order to get to the ‘good stuff’, but in this case it’s not unpleasant but ultimately it’s unnecessary. Once the pianos trickle out of earshot your treated to the famous horn intro of Problem and the rap styling of Iggy Azalea. It’s an upbeat, at times incredibly fun, track and stands out like the proverbial sore thumb on My Everything. The only similarly paced moments come in the sounds of Hands On Me (feat. A$AP Ferg) and epic collaboration Bang Bang (bonus track) with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj. The former is a likeable if not slightly predictable R&B number where the latter is an epic club-soul banger with startling vocal turns from Ariana and Jessie, plus a solid rap verse from Nicki. I shouldn’t leave out album highlight Break Free, a song so great you’ll put it on your gym playlist 10 times. It’s one of those pop songs that only comes around every few years; a camp, electronic pop-spree with superb production from Gaga collaborator, Zedd.

Lady Gaga - G.U.Y (Girl Under You)

We never got a visual to support the release of Do What U Want. That was a pretty careless move considering how brilliant the song is, just as careless as the original plan to release Venus with its dodgy pound shop production. ARTPOP was always going to polarise its audience, featuring some brilliant moments that are amongst some truly confusing, ridiculous songs that sound unfinished. Thankfully, Lady Gaga has made a good move at last and decided to release G.U.Y (Girl Under You) as the next single from her oddball collection electronic insanity. 

Produced by Zedd, this is similar to Venus but better, obviously. It starts off with sci-fi synths before erupting into a rough electro riff. The lyrics are a bit mad and the song is packed with entendres, but the chorus is memorable and the "G.U.Y" hook is killer.  It's got a solid middle 8 and Gaga's vocals (although spliced with some vocoder) soar into the stratosphere when she belts out "I don't need to be on top to know I'm wanted/Cos I'm strong enough to know the truth...". It's not original, nor is it as awesome as its predecessor, but it's one of ARTPOP's strongest tracks and when you cast aside a critique of originality, you remember this is simply another good pop song by an often brilliant pop artist.

Note: The music video is fun.

3.5/5

Lady Gaga - Do What U Want featuring Christina Aguilera

Lady Gaga's ARTPOP is certainly a slow burner in terms of likeability. It's taken me over a month to appreciate some of its quirkier charms, but it's still no masterpiece and it's still more than half shit. However, Lady Gaga is herself a likeable entity and a damn good popstar. Do What U Want was released late last year with R. Kelly laying down some smooth vocals, making the song one of the best of 2013 as well as one of the best Gaga songs of all time. A couple of months move by and she's gone and re-released the song but this time she's roped in supposed one time "copycat" Bionic star Christina Aguilera for an exciting rendition. The lyrics in the second verse are different and of course Christina belts out some raspy high notes, but honestly the whole song loses some of its sass & sexiness without R. Kelly and Gaga's chemistry. It's still very enjoyable though, particularly the "what you want Lady Gaga" bit.

Watch the live performance of the song here.

3.8/5

Rated i's Top 25 Songs of 2013

                    

http://open.spotify.com/user/primitive_/playlist/7JR93Xu9k1Ofy6YecbwL18

It's almost the end of another bloody year which means a new year is upon us and it will be filled with new, hopefully amazing music. It would be silly to go into 2014 without looking back at the best pop moments from the past 12 months. 2013 saw the release of a new Lady Gaga album, ARTPOP, which wasn't very good but created a lot of excitement all the same. We also got a new Katy Perry album in the shape of Prism and it wasn't perfect, but it was nice to have her back. There has been great new music from UK babe Katy B, proving that sticking to what you're good at can be a good thing. JT also rose from the pop ashes with a hugely successful album and equally as popular singles. Leona Lewis even out right some wrongs with a superb Christmas album! It's almost too much to take in!

The year didn't just have plenty for 'pop' fans, there have also been plenty of brilliant, slightly more 'alternative' tracks/albums. VV Brown made a comeback with the surprisingly incredible Samson & Delilah. Kanye West kept rap fans happy with his new album Yeezus which contains elements of punk-rap and newcomers HAIM proved that playing your own instruments and writing your own 
alt-pop songs is still cool and can produce amazing results.

The big news though, you know what's coming, was the surprise release of Beyoncé's 5th studio album Beyoncé. It turned out to be a surprise in more ways than one and is her best album to date (fact). If it had come out a few weeks earlier I would have included a couple of the songs on here because they really are that good, but it wouldn't be fair so late in the year and so close to the publishing of this post. So, Beyoncé, release some amazing cuts next year and you will surely find yourself on this list.

Kick back and have a read through my top 25 singles from 2013. There may be some surprises in there, there may not. We know MKS are going to fare well don't we? Here we go:

                   

TWENTYFIVE. Heart Attack - Demi Lovato    

A far cry from the antics of Miley, Demi Lovato maintained pure pop in 2013 and gained herself some new fans in the process. Brilliant track Heart Attack hooked thousands when it came out earlier this year, with its heaving pop production and catchy lyrics. It was just what the charts needed, frivolous pop fun from a well respected vocalist.

TWENTYFOUR. You (Ha ha ha) - Charli XCX         

She's not very well known at all bar a credit on Icona Pop's mammoth hit I love It. She does have an album of her own though and it's quite good. You is one of the quirkiest tracks from the album, sampling Gold Panda's eastern sitar arrangement to add a bit more flavour to her electronic synth stylings. This is begging for a club spin.

TWENTYTHREE. Can't Hold Us - Macklemore ft Ryan Lewis 

His second single from The Heist, this is a Brazilian flavoured, dance floor filling extravaganza that is literally impossible to resist. It's not as tongue in cheek as Thrift Shop but what it lacks in humour it makes up for with sheer ass shaking genius.            

TWENTYTWO. Thunder - Jessie J

Jessie J came back in 2013 with her second album Alive, releasing new hit singles Wild and It's My Party. She decided for a third single though that she'd prove her new album isn't all about being famous and being amazing. Thunder is a thumping pop anthem with some of the best vocals of her career on the best song of her career so far (bar Domino).               

TWENTYONE. The Apple - VV Brown 

This is one of those songs that will struggle because the artist it's attached to has a minimal public profile. It's the most commercial cut from her new concept album Samson & Delilah but retains enough 'alternative' flavour to keep the snobs happy. With its heaving beats and synths, along with an opera inspired vocal, this won't grab everyone at first but give it a chance and you'll find yourself very surprised.

TWENTY. I Love It - Icona Pop       

A kinda surprise number 1 in the UK, I love It put this dj duo on the pop map. It opens with a standout ignition riff that repeats throughout the song and bursts into a roaring, chanting chorus about throwing someone's "shit down the stairs". Now that is stuff, not actual shit... I think? It's doubtful they could ever match the success of this single. It could be a trip to the one hit wonder hall of fame for these ladies.

NINETEEN. Black Skinhead - Kanye West

It's the only time you'll get some solid punk-rap in 2013. It opens sounding a bit like a Marylin Manson track before erupting into an aggressive race rap. I love it and I am not a Kanye West fan. He might be a dick but the guy sure does know his way around a recording studio. Now, to erase Bound 2 from my mind.

EIGHTEEN. Hold On, We're Going Home - Drake       

Drake could have struggled to match the awesomeness of Take Care but thankfully he didn't. This is an incredible R&B dance track and it's actually quite beautiful to behold. Drake shows off his actual singing/not rapping talent and his voice sounds pretty nice. This song shows exactly why people like Rihanna and Beyoncé want him on their albums. 

SEVENTEEN. 5am - Katy B     

5am is the second cut from her new album Little Red. It reinforces the promise made by the lead single What Love Is Made of, with gorgeous dance production and wonderful vocal control throughout. It's another should have been top ten song, but we can at least rest assured that Katy is still writing brilliant music. Just wait till you hit the chorus, wow.

SIXTEEN. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell  
Controversy aside, Blurred Lines is a damn well constructed song with a disco-R&B sound. It won't inspire any positive response from feminists, but it's so catchy I defy even the haters of the track's controversial lyricism not to sing along. It's the biggest selling song of the year, so it must be pleasing someone. "Everybody get up!"

Rated: Lady Gaga - ARTPOP Review

'My Artpop could mean anything', sings Gaga on ARTPOP's title track. It's a strong track, opening with inklings of Madonna's Ray of Light before slipping into mid tempo Gaga gorgeousness. The song should reflect the quality of the entire body of work; it doesn't. This is an album so confused & directionless it causes physical pain in its worst moments. In its best moments though, it's bloody brilliant. 

Being Lady Gaga isn't a relatable concept. The reason I fell in love with her debut album The Fame was the fact that this was a pop star, a pure pop star with lots of really good pop songs. There wasn't anything overly pretentious about the music, it was just a plate of pop with some wacky visuals serving as a side dish. Then she got pretentious and started being 'artistic', swapped her disco sticks for pig's heads and produced a not very good song by herself. This song, 'Venus' wasn't received well by fans when it was chosen as the 2nd single release. Thankfully this heinous decision was overruled and a much better song got released instead and did quite well. In comparison to some of the album though, 'Venus' is only mildly shit.

Lead single 'Applause' was a good way to sate her hungry fans and is akin to the catchy pop artistry of her past. The song faired well on the charts, not a number 1, but a success all the same. It's a shame that this isn't the intro song to the album. Instead we have 'Aura'... what do you say about 'Aura'? It's certainly something? It's, err, fucking insane? Those are both very valid points and yes, on first listen I was actually horrified (seeing your mum naked horrified). However, once you get past the structureless arrangement you reach a pretty hypnotic chorus that is unfortunately bookended by abrasive electronic rumbles. This roar of electronics is also a fault of  'Swine', which actually has some interesting lyricism and production... it's a shame that the two don't meld well together. 

The misfires continue with 'Manicure', 'Donatella', 'Fashion!', 'Mary Jane Holland' & 'Jewels n' Drugs'. 'Manicure' is the least bad and serves as a welcome break from electro pop production and after repeated listens becomes one of the album's stronger tracks. 'Donatella' & 'Fashion!' are both pointless. The latter is a disappointment considering that Gaga recorded a song of the same name minus the '!' years ago which was actually a lot of fun, and 'Jewels n' Drugs' is perhaps the worst song on the entire album. It could even be a contender for most annoying song of the year. 

I thought it would be good to get the bad bits out of the way first, so you finish this review with some hope. ARTPOP isn't the complete festering pile of faecal matter it could have been. Songs like 'G.U.Y', the title track and 'Sexxx Dreams' make a play-through worth while. 'Sexxx Dreams' is a triumph, a song so self assured it demands to be a future single release. 'I lay in bed, I touch myself & think of you...' she harmonises over thumping electro beats on a song about erotic dreams of either her gay male friend or one of her girlfriends. The verses are half spoken/half beautifully sung but the bridge slides into pure gorgeous melody before the incredible chorus comes into earshot. It's only matched by the startlingly good second single 'Do What U Want' featuring R Kelly. I'd go as far as saying these are in the top 10 Gaga songs of all time. 

The album closes with two ballads and 'Applause'. 'Dope' is another promo single and is a complete U turn in sound. It's piano lead with some intense vocals and is the most vulnerable we have ever heard Gaga sound. It's 'Gypsy' that serves as a surprise album highlight. Opening with a piano solo, it seamlessly flows into an upbeat pop number, as Gaga sings 'I don't wanna be alone forever but I love gypsy life'. It's packed with euphoric energy, but none of the abrasiveness of the album's poorer tracks and Gaga's voice sounds incredible.

A 15 track album should really be an album with 15 solid songs on it. You're always bound to find a filler somewhere on a pop record, but the terrible moments on ARTPOP can't even be called fillers because I genuinely believe Gaga thought they were good ideas. Of the 15 tracks, 8 are good to brilliant, the other 7 are far below par. An EP would have been a much better idea, or perhaps taking the time to not record 7 ear stabbing songs. That said, the 8 strong songs are worth the listen. With tracks like 'Sexxx Dreams', Do What U Want' and 'Gypsy' the album can't be called a complete disaster. ARTPOP is just bit messy.

Download: Sexxx Dreams / Do What U Want / Gypsy / Dope

2/5

Rated: Lady Gaga - Top 10 songs so far...

Things have gone a bit Gaga crazy over the past week. With singles becoming non singles and non singles becoming singles because the original single was shite and lots of wacky public appearances, one where she looked like an alien dressed in a doily, it must be time for a new Lady Gaga album. As a sort of commemoration to her brilliant back catalogue of work and also a reflection to bring hope that her newest collection will be just as good as her earlier songs, I've compiled a ranked list of the top 10 Gaga songs. I predict there will be some 'little monster anarchy' in response to this post. I promise to wear my stab proof vest to work tomorrow:

1. Bad Romance

2. Poker Face

3. Judas

4. Paparazzi

5. Just Dance

6. Edge Of Glory

7. Lovegame

8. Do What U Want

9. Alejandro

10. Schiebe 

Queue the torrents of death threats for not including 'Born This Way' and 'Applause'. 

Rated: Lady Gaga - Do What U Want Review

R Kelly's ripping off Rihanna's "Eh Eh Eh Eh" on Lady Gaga's new promo single 'Do What U Want', but we'll over look this, for now. This is the moment we've been waiting for from Gaga, something that harks back to her FAME days but moves forward far enough to not sound like a rip off of its predecessors. 'You can't have my heart & you won't use my mind but do what u want with my body' she roars over a metallic rumble and thumping synths. It's a convincing collaboration and it's the finest song she's released since 'Judas'. It's unfortunate it can't chart due to the manner of its release, because 'Venus' is a sad shit of a song in comparison.

4.5/5

Rated: Lady Gaga - Venus Review

'Venus' is rammed with electronic synths, robotic vocal tweaks, & so many pop theatrics that it's hard to focus on the lyrical content of the song itself. It's certainly random and it's definitely camp. The verses are quirky but the lyricism is to its own detriment; it just doesn't stick. There's a pleasant enough chorus, but it's just not enough. Even the chorus can't save 'Venus' from falling into wacky 'album track' territory and the song ignites concern that her upcoming collection ARTPOP is going to be just a bit too silly to match up to the quality pop of her past. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this is as shit as the new music gets. Crossed really fucking tight.

1.5/5

Rated: Lady GaGa 'Applause' Music Video

Lady Gaga has always been in the business of weird music video concepts. The weirder they got the more we loved them. I'd say 'Applause' has grown on me considerably in the past few days, but I'm sticking to my 4/5 rating (haters gon' hate). The video however, makes it all the more enjoyable. It's not as self indulgent as a lot of her past videos, which were/are still marvellous to behold. It's fun, sexy (who doesn't love a hand shaped bra cup) and best of all it has Lady Gaga as a Swan... 

Rated: Katy Perry VS Lady Gaga - Roar VS Applause

They're both back. They both have impressive back catalogues of pop-amazingness. It's hard to decide who you prefer because they're both incredibly influential 21st Century pop artists. One sings a bit better than the other, but then the other did wear a whipped cream jizzing bra. The choice is nigh on impossible. Let's make the call based on their new singles? Fuck yes!

Katy Perry - Roar

'Roar' follows an album packed with more pop perfection than it had the right to. Katy's vocal's are strong throughout, bursting with conviction. It sounds a bit like 'Hard Knock Life' when it bleeps into ear shot, then the chorus blasts into a pop/rock mid tempo stadium shaker. The 'you're gonna hear me roar-oh-oh-oh-oooohoooh' is so catchy it sticks in your head even when you're sitting on the toilet... true story. This is a melodious pop masterpiece and let us not overlook the input of pop Sith Lord (he must be evil to be so powerful) Max Martin. Long may he live.

5/5

Lady Gaga - Applause

'Applause' opens with shaky David Bowie imitation vocals and a Tetris on acid electronic arrangement. The chorus is the song's strong point; it's typical Gaga, big, ballsy and camp. Her vocals are solid and at points the production is exhilarating, particularly when the chorus erupts like a pop volcano. This was designed for a gay club dance floor, much like the majority of her upbeat roster. After cancelling some of her world tour due to a hip injury, this will certainly have her fans back in their bath tubs, pouring breakfast cereal all over themselves in Gaga fuelled euphoria. Even if you don't like her, no one can deny how fucking brilliant/essential her pop-artistry is.

4/5

Katy just wins this battle. However, overall both of them are so brilliant it would be callous to choose one over the other. 

SOZ I CHOOSE KATY!

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 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 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 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 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 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 Judas Vidz.

So the Judas video dropped this evening and I love it. It's exactly what I expected and in a totally good way. Poor Gaga is being criticised by followers as trying too hard and being predictable. If she released a video of her sitting bareback on a Sheep's back playing a banjo, they'd complain then too. The fact is that this chick doesn't need to "try hard", she's beyond that stage now. She has so much $ that she could "order China as a takeaway". She piled on the madness in the early stages of her career but that was necessary to garner attention. Now, it's standard Gaga and I don't see why we should expect anything else. Otherwise, she wouldn't be Lady Gaga would she?

WATCH IT HERE

Rated Run The World?

I've been waiting for Beyonce's new solo material, eagerly, since the release of her I Am... tour DVD last Christmas. I saw said tour twice within 12 months and it was absolutely incredible. There's no doubt that Beyonce is the greatest live performer of our generation, regardless of whether you like her music or not, she is a bloody brilliant entertainer.
With an array of superb singles under her booty (Crazy In Love, Deja Vu, Single Ladies and Sweet Dreams to name a few) I expected something huge from the queen; something so big it would make the Royal Wedding cower in its significance.

Unfortunately, Run The World (Girls) is about as satisfying as having nail varnish remover poured into your eyes. Maybe a bit over-dramatic, but this is a horrendous mess. It's written a bit like an Independent Women Part 3, only when she wrote it she was out of her mind on Es (not literally-lawsuit averted). The song samples Major Lazer's Pon Di Floor, which sounds incredible in a club and no doubt Beyonce's sampler will sound just as exciting and base pounding as the original when it's accompanied by vodka shots. The main issue is that it just doesn't gel, at all. The song is tired and the subject matter is getting boring now. We know you love an independent woman B, but write about something else for Christ's sake! Beyonce's vocals aren't sounding their best here, with the production calling for lots of shouting rather than intricate harmonies and when the song occasionally breaks down to reveal the soul sound we're used to, it sounds nice but feels like a pointless filler to break up an annoyingly repetitive track. Run the world? Run me over more like.

I pray that this is just a mishap, all great artists have them, even Beyonce (apparently). The new album has to offer better than this, otherwise it's going to be a catastrophic musical disaster in the shadow of the brilliant, talent showcase that was I Am... Sasha Fierce.


1.5/5

Rated Judas and Born This Way.

There's a lot of discontent with the new GaGa material circulating amongst her fans at the moment. It's amazing how much her sound has evolved since her mega-commercial 'Just Dance' days. This evolution is entirely positive. Lady GaGa has become Lady Euro-Pop, belting out self empowering gay anthems about love, life and gender alteration. What needs to be kept in mind is that the most successful female artist of all time changed her sound (pretty much) with every album. This development kept listeners enticed and kept pop music interesting. Lady GaGa is the Madonna of our generation (I'm 24 - ONLY JUST).

'Born This Way' was an epic slice of pop knobbery and has, since release, notched up well over 100 plays on my ipod. Second single 'Judas' from the upcoming album Born This Way is yet another euro-pop inspired floor filler with one of the gayest sounding choruses in history (but I love it). With 'Bad Romance' style thumping synths this is guaranteed to become top of the list on party playlists the world over. The lyrics are smart and the bravery of using a biblical metaphor is typically GaGa, who is already causing unrest within Christian groups. When this reaches number one she can stick her two, well manicured, fingers up to the fussers and bathe in her ever growing fountain of cash. Jealous.