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

Rated Born To Die [Review Time]

It's been a big ol' wait, but finally Lana Del Rey's debut album Born To Die is in my hands, on my itunes and in both my ipod and iphone memories. From nobody to star in a few weeks, she is proof of the wonderful marketing tool we know as youtube. She instantly won over millions of viewers/listeners with her Nancy Sinatra tones on debut single, 'Video Games' and caused controversy with her fake lips. With an album as satisfying as this, who gives a shit?

Said debut single is still an album highlight, with gorgeous melodies layered on top of a haunting piano and Lana's sumptuous vocals gliding across the surface. There's a vulnerability and authenticity to her sound, with the odd crackle in her throat making it all sound like a live recording. The low tempo is continued with the title track, which is my personal favourite. "Oh my heart it breaks every step that I take/but I'm hoping at the gates they'll tell me that you're mine..." she sings in a lower, raspy register. 'Blue Jeans' also brims with a heartfelt message of love and passion, "I will love you till the end of time/I would wait a million years/Promise that you'll remember that you're mine."

The majority of the album is down tempo, however the pace picks up with the intoxicating 'Off to the Races', 'Summertime Sadness', and the giddy playground chants of 'Diet Mountain Dew'. The tempo crescendos, when the glorious 'National Anthem' kicks in and Lana semi raps her way through an intricately produced beauty. The chorus blows the arse out of any other song released this year. "Tell me I'm your national anthem/Booyah baby bow down making me say wow now," bites Lana as the pounding, exhilarating drum beats vibrate through your rib cage. 

Rated Wednesday Tune

I'm lying in my bed, about to get stuck into my book (300/900 pages - ugh) when a lovely song, I completely and stupidly neglected for the last 6 months popped on itunes' shuffle. If you are looking for a truly stunning, stripped ballad, check out 'You Have Been Loved' by Sia. It's totally stunning.

Rated Next to Me

There's so much excitement surrounding Emeli Sande (most of it from yours truly) that there's nothing that can stop her from hitting super stardom. Debut single 'Heaven' was an exhilarating 90s dance tinged delight and follow up 'Daddy' continued with this vibe. This is the theme I expected from all her debut album's material, however, new single 'Next To Me' couldn't be more different. 

With an Emeli Sande meets Sara Bareilles sound, this is one of the catchiest songs of January/February. The pounding drum beat, pumps its way alongside her gorgeous melodies as she soulfully sings, "when the end has come and buildings falling down fast/when we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea/when everyone has lost their heads around us/you will find him you'll find him next to me." With penmanship like this I have great expectations from her album.

Her voice is, as it was on all other cuts, absolutely flawless. There's a substance in there that I've never quite heard before. I hope this song makes waves, but even if it doesn't her album will surely drown out the rest of the charts for months to come. 

Our Version of Events is out on Feb 13th.

Rated Incoming Jan/Feb 2012

There are two HUGE albums coming out in the next month and I couldn't be more excited. This is going to be such a good Jan/Feb!

First up is the gorgeous Lana Del Rey's debut album Born to Die, which spawned the immensely popular 'Video Games' and the stunning single 'Born to Die'. The latter is my personal favourite thus far, but I just know there are going to be some truly haunting moments on this album. Released 30th Jan, this is an essential album to take us to the end of winter. Lana baby, here I come!

Secondly, we've got the great Scottish talent that is Emeli Sande. With a voice like warm honey and a funky hair-do, she's a star in the making. Scrap that, she's already a star, bigger and better than so many of the artists who've made it in this country. I expect huge things from Our Version Of Events when it comes out on February 13th. With singles like 'Heaven' and my new obsession 'Daddy', this album is guaranteed to be special.

Rated Born to Die LP

Words cannot describe how insanely excited I am about this record. The day before my birthday too! If anyone fancies purchasing a copy for my birthday, let me know so I don't go getting it myself.

; )

Rated 'Born to Die'

I cannot wait for the debut album from Lana Del Rey. Not only does it come out a day before my birthday (hint hint!), I just know it's going to be phenomenal. 'Video Games' is a masterpiece, thus you wouldn't be bad in thinking it can't be surpassed. I think second single, 'Born to Die' does just that though. It opens with gorgeous violins and then the echoing, haunted beat kicks in. It's more affective than her debut single and the video is stunning. 'Choose your last words, this is the last time, cause you and I, we were born to die', she sings with her rough 'Nancy Sinatra' vocal. I expect great things in 2012 from this lady. Check out her new video below.

ALSO, how beautiful is this woman? I am besotted.

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.