Rated Flashback - Sweet Dreams

Beyonce has really disappointed me with her latest song, so much so I won't even utter its name on here. I'm sure in a few weeks it will have grown on me and I will have to apologise to the lady herself, but for now I hate it. It is certainly nothing like the immense tune 'Sweet Dreams' that graced the latter stage of her I Am... Sasha Fierce collection. With its roaring synth and catchy as hell verses, chorus, bridge, everything, it rightly earns its place in the top ten songs of 2009 and the top five Beyonce songs of all time. So come on Beatch, impress me with the next song, I beg you.

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.

Rated Hafdis Huld - Synchronised Swimmers

The last artist to make me “omg” to myself was Sia Furler, back in 2008 when I first heard her second studio album ‘Some People Have Real Problems’. It was refreshing to find a singer who presents a collection of down tempo love songs and fills them till they overflow with passion and sincerity. Three years on and it’s happening to me again, this time with Icelandic star Hafdis Huld and her second studio release Synchronised Swimmers. This album will revolutionize your ideas of ‘chill-out’, ‘background’ and ‘cutesy’ music. Hafdis’ unique, soft tones are as easily consumed as cotton candy and her brand of female folk pop is brimming with charm.

Far from her days in electro-pop outfit GusGus, where she sounded a bit like Moloko star Roisin Murphy, Hafdis sings her newer material in such a relaxed manner that it tingles the spine. Opener ‘Action Man’ is, potentially, the cutest song you’ll ever have the pleasure of hearing. “Wishing, wishing and wishing away, by my window everyday, while he’s on a mission…” sings Hafdis on a track about a heroic lover and his absence from home. It’s the perfect introduction to an almost purely folk inspired album. ‘Oldest Friend’ continues the nostalgia theme that seems rife here, before the tempo picks up on lead single and Icelandic chart number one ‘Kongulo’ (Icelandic for Spider), which is about the human spider Alain Robert. This quirky source of musical inspiration is reminiscent of Icelandic superstar Bjork’s often odd-sounds and subject matter.

Synchronised Swimmers’ folk charm is continued with the minimalist ‘Boys & Perfume’ and on the mid-tempo title track, which is one of the album’s highlights. A darker moment is ‘I Almost Know a Criminal’, but this step down from chirpy nostalgic moments is minor and short lived, as ‘Robot Robot’ kicks in and Hafdis sings about building herself a lover. Album closer ‘Winter Sun’ is a gorgeous end to an intelligent, interesting and delightful album.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Hafdis Huld has big things coming her way on an international scale. With the recent rush of folk females (Ellie Goulding and Laura Marling are just two examples) on the commercial music scene, the door is already open for Hafdis to stick a toe over the threshold and bring some much-needed luminescence into our lives. 

Rated 'Till The World Ends.

I wasn't impressed with 'Hold it Against Me' when I first heard it, nor when I saw the crappy ass music video. Its unconventional structure threw me a little as did the lack of a really big climax. However, it has grown on me and I will give it time on my ipod, but not as much as I give to Britney's new single, 'Till the World Ends'. The song was begging for an apocalyptic music video and that's just what it got. I love a good apocalypse, so I'm pretty happy with the result. Britney looks hot, like really hot. Almost 'Golden Age Britney' hot, which is a relief because I thought she'd just about lost all her charisma and charm. There's dancing and lots of sweaty half naked dancers, oh and a red lace catsuit with spikes on it. Thankfully there's a distinct lack of narcotics a la 'Gimme More'. Britney's lovin' life.

Rated Extra Terrestrial.

The new video for Katy Perry's new single from sophomore album Teenage Dream dropped recently and it's amazing! I wasn't a huge fan of the song when I reviewed the album many moons ago, but now with some visual stimuli I am all over this on my ipod. Check it out above, such a cool video.

Rated Club Banger Nation.

Nicole Scherzinger's new single 'Don't Hold Your Breath' is an epic slice of poptasticness. However, it's got nothing on the club thumper 'Club Banger Nation'. From debut album Killer Love, the song is as dancey as Scherzy gets and about as dancey as she could possibly get. A mix of dance, glam-rock, techno and electro, this is a Red One produced floor filler, with an anthemic chorus. If this doesn't make it to single release I will be disappointed.

Rated Femme Fatale.

Another ‘comeback’ record, Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale is the seventh studio album from the iconic pop princess. Her last album Circus was a strong enough collection of pop songs, harking back to classic Britney moments and also ditching a little of the voice manipulation software that her producers love overdosing her on.  With amazing songs like ‘Unusual You’, ‘Womanizer’ and ‘Shattered Glass’, Britney sold millions of copies of the album and, of course, brought her bank balance to orgasm. Now she’s back, again, with Femme Fatale, which shows clear dub-step-pop-electronic influences.

Lead single, ‘Hold it Against Me’ was a grower for me. I panned it at first, which I now regret because it’s actually a pretty cool pop song. It’s a shame the song’s climax isn’t just a little bit more rip-roaring though. Second single ‘Till the World Ends’ is a club dance-floor filler, with an infectious ‘Oh oh oh oohh’ hook and a potentially awesome video to come. ‘Inside Out’ is a filthy number with Britney singing, ‘Give me something to remember, shut your mouth and turn me inside out’ and ‘Hit me one more time it’s so amazing’. It’s no surprise that Max Martin, the genious behind ‘Baby One More Time’ and other key Britney moments like ‘Overprotected’ and ‘If U Seek Amy’, makes an appearance at the knobs of the aforementioned tracks.  My personal ‘liked’ tracks from this album are the club-ready ‘I Wanna Go’ and the intoxicatingly melodious ‘Trip To Your Heart’. Critically acclaimed track ‘How I Roll’ doesn’t quite hit the spot for me, but I can see where others find it charming. It’s quite a different sound for ol’ Spears, but it just doesn’t quite get me tapping my heel. ‘Seal It With A Kiss’ and ‘Drop Dead Beautiful’ are fun pop songs, the latter packed with growling synths. ‘Big Fat Bass’ is noteable because it features Will.i.am, but aside from its cool sounding bridge and chorus, it gets a bit annoying hearing ‘It’s getting bigger, the bass is getting bigger’ over and over again. ‘Trouble For Me’ kicks off sounding like a motor starting, then bursts into a ‘Lace and Leather’ sounding, sexy pop verse. ‘Gasoline’ is equally as catchy as the other strong moments on the album, taking a few listens to really feel its charm. Closing ‘almost’ ballad ‘Criminal’ features weird pan-pipe sounds and an almost authentic Britney vocal.

The key moments here are the released singles, ‘Trip To Your Heart’ and ‘I Wanna Go’. It’s more consistent than Circus and almost as perfect as Blackout, regardless of aforementioned annoying repetition. Femme Fatale shows that Britney’s team knows exactly what direction will make her/them money. With over an hour of potential club anthems on one disc this is a sure fire dollar devouring machine.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 10

The finale from the week of an intermittent challenge. Oops.

DAY 10

The Fight - Sia

rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 9

DAY 9

Bjork - Army Of Me

I Love this song. I'm not a big Bjork maniacal fan, but I do like what she did/does with her innate eccentricity. The best thing to come out of Iceland... 100% Kerry Katona free.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 8

DAY 8

Destiny's Child - Survivor

This song is a total empowerment anthem. It's essential on the 'I am amazing, I am amazing' playlist I know you all have. Each to their own, everyone needs a pat on the back and a Beyonce hand to hold now and again. I barely even notice the other two, it's all about the big B.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 7

DAY 7

Lady GaGa - Born This Way

She is relentlessly good and I mean really good. Lady GaGa worked hard for what she's got, but she seemed to appear overnight. Her stardom is unbeatable at this moment and she is one of the most 'original' pop stars of our time. Not shy to admit and physically show us her inspirations (Madonna, Prince, MJ) in her videos and in her choices of song releases, this lady is going to be around for a long time. I'm sending a Madonna2 era, minus the grossmuscularoldladyarms. 'Born This Way' is an epic song, which I reviewed upon release. Check it out.


LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 6

Fell behind YET AGAIN. It's been a stressful week so far, but it's also turned into one of the most amazing ones of the year so far. So happy right now. Here's a song to transfer my joy to you.

DAY 6 

Janet Jackson - Escapade

This is one of my favourite songs of all time. Once you get listening to it a few times it will be one of yours too. Everyone bangs on about how amazing MJ was, and yes he was pretty damn good in his earlier days (a la 'Black or White'), but they forget about how superb and inspirational the female, flashing machine Janet Jackson was. If it weren't for her daring move into 'sexy' pop music, we wouldn't have Britney or Xtina or maybe even the raunchier GaGa moments. She might not belt it out like Mariah, but she released some of the catchiest pop songs of the 80s and 90s and even in the 00s. Love this song and then check out 'Rhythm Nation', 'Together Again', 'All For You' and 'Rock Witchu'. Legend.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 5

DAY 5

Gossip - Don't Make Waves In The Water

I absolutely love Gossip. From the anthem 'Standing in the Way of Control' to the Bluesy rock of 'Dimestore Diamond' and poppy 'Love Long Distance', they have never once disappointed me. Of course their sound has evolved, now sounding more polished ("sounding" until they split of course) and 'professionally' produced. However, the raw authenticity that laced their debut album Movement, was key to their success on their first 'mainstream' album. The amazing thing about Movement is the live quality and the soulful, blues rock sound that is brought with Ditto's immensely identifiable and loveable voice. 'Don't Make Waves In The Water' is one of the highlights from said album, so check it out. Why? BECAUSE I SAY SO.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 4

Oops, got side tracked yesterday and failed to keep the flow going with this post. 

Day 4

Rihanna - Man Down

It's no secret that I love a bit of the Bajan bogle queen. 'Man Down' from Ri's latest album Loud is an original moment for the new queen of dance-hall inspired pop. It's mid-tempo reggae ramblings allow her Bajan accent to slip through at its thickest to date, easily heard when she sings "Pull the trigga pull the trigga BOOM". With its Bob Marley inspired 'Rom papapom', 'Man Down' is an interesting, intelligent and damn charming moment for the pop-tart. 

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 3

DAY 3

Sia - Breathe Me

This song was THE song that seduced me into buying Sia Furler's second album Some People Have Real Problems, which contains one of my favourite songs of all time, 'Death By Chocolate'. Once I had this LP I was hooked and managed to get hold of a free copy (the HMV man forgot to scan it) of Colour the Small One. It was love at first listen once more, just as it was when I popped on her latest effort We Are Born. 


'Breathe Me' is a haunting, mesmerising piece of music. The stripped back, husky vocals backed by the gorgeous arrangement of violins, light percussion and pianos is undeniably perfect. You will already love this or you will now be falling in love with it. Welcome to joy.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 2

DAY 2

Oh Land - Sun of a Gun

I first read about this Danish lovely in Dazed and Confused magazine a couple of issues back. Once a ballerina, she fractured a disk in her spine, being forced to lie flat on her kitchen floor for months. In this down time she put together melodies in her head and here we are, with her debut (mainstream) single 'Sun of a Gun', which has been tickling my audio receptors for a week now. The ghostly 'oh oh oh' of the opening through to the twinkly chorus make this a lovely pop song about the Sun and its teasing nature. Definitely one to watch.

Rated 10 Day Song Challenge - Day 1

There's some new fad on Facebook where my friends are posting a different song everyday for 30 days. I don't have the patience for this nonsense, but I do have the weakness and sheep like qualities that mean I have to follow the crowd in some manner. 10 Days will do and I will do it on here, because I'm cool.

DAY 1

Nicole Scherzinger - Don't Hold Your Breath

It had to be done, as I've already pumped this pop beauty through my ipod and itunes 17 times today. Likely number one this Sunday, this is the break the ex Pussycat Doll has purred for (sorry). While her last effort, 'Poison', was a great pop track, this is a far more poignant moment stunning 32 year old. It isn't ground breaking, but it's pretty damn good, sounding a bit like a classic break-up, mid-tempo, ballad.

LOVE THIS.

Rated Flashback - Flesh Tone.

With stunning albums from an army of female artists (new and established) in 2010, it was no surprise when Kelis emerged from the ether once more to tantalise us with her attitude filled soul/hip-hop. However, she did surprise when it was revealed that her new collection would be a non-stop electronic pop ride. Flesh Tone couldn’t have been any more different to her past efforts, brimming with thudding electro beats and glorious choral climaxes.

Lead single ‘Acapella’ instantly bought its Barratt home on my Itunes’ ‘Recently Played’ plot and has since meandered in and out of situ. It is, by far, one of the top 10 songs of 2010, with its stunning David Guetta production and Kelis’ soft, affective vocals trickling over the beats like melting Neapolitan ice cream. This magnificence echoed on the gorgeous ‘4^th of July (Fireworks)’ and the ‘Vogue’ style chat-segue of ‘Scream’. ‘Brave’ and ‘22^nd Century’ could send tremors through the dance floor, it’s just a shame the album and its fantastic dance-tracks didn’t take off the way they deserved. By now they should be circling in orbit, but remain firmly grounded in the discount basket at HMV.

Under-appreciated brilliance.

4.5/5

Rated Someone Like You.

Adele is having quite a 2011. A number one single, a number one album that's about to notch up a sixth week at the top and her first number one album in the US. I imagine she is lying unconscious somewhere from the shock? Probably diving into a mattress spewing £100 notes actually. Anyway, back to the matter in hand. That Brits performance of new single 'Someone Like You' was tremendous. Stripped back instrumental and minimal stage lighting made the most gorgeous sounding/looking four minutes of the year. 

The song itself, a masterpiece? Oui. I would go as far as saying it's her best song to date (although 'Cold Shoulder' and 'Rolling in the Deep' are tough contenders) and it's from, so far, the album of the year. Adele's voice sounds more mature than on earlier singles and her charisma seems more potent. It's a song pretty much everyone can relate to and even if you can't, you'll still have it on your 'recently played' itunes playlist for years to come. Instant classic.

Rated Bethy +

I posted on the new Beth Ditto solo single a while back and now I come again, coupled with la video. It's an instant WIN of a song.