Rated: New Tracks Coming Very Soon (Flojemi)

Florrie - Live A Little

It's been a long, slowly paced, journey for Florrie. She was the drummer for Xenomania, you know, that production monster behind pretty much every Girls Aloud song there is. She's had some decent tracks, one of the most pleasant being 'I Took A Little Something' which is a soft beat dance number, but now she's really ascerting her own style with 'Live A Little'. This has bags of energetic charm, from the catchy as hell lyrics to the rapid percussion/horn section on the chorus. If there's anyone who hasn't had much commercial success to date and deserves it, it's Florrie. Oh and she looks like a catwalk model minus the purge.

5/5

Jessie Ware - Imagine It Was Us

I love JW. Everyone knows this. I'm like one of those crazy fans who eats left overs from their idol's bin. Jessie, you should go for 'Double Decadence' next time you order Dominoes btw. Just sayin'. This is the first new track from the re-release of her smashing debut Devotion. Normally re-release songs are shit, but this isn't. In fact this is one of my favourite songs by JW to date. It's a refreshing increase in tempo, but the beats are still soft with a discohouse feel weaved into the production. This is how pop should be done.

5/5

Demi Lovato - Heart Attack

She's never had any success over 'ere. However, she'd sold a hell of a lot of records in America and it's about time something happened in Blighty. Her appearance on the USA Xfactor last year raised her public profile a little and about time too. With songs like 'Give Your Heart A Break' and 'Skyscraper', we've been missing out. What's great about her is that it's 2013 and she isn't releasing dubstep infusion. She's sticking to pure pop music. "Heart Attack' wasn't a 5/5 when I first heard it and I still can't quite get there. It will no doubt be after repeated plays, but for now it'll have to settle for...

4/5

Click the artist name and song title for the video. 

Rated Icona Pop - I Love It

This is awesome.
5/5

Rated Jessie Ware - Devotion On Tour

I've been plugging Jessie Ware a lot over the past 12 months. I'm sure you're sick of me constantly trying to sell her millions of records. I'm sure I don't care if you are. I do care about an artist as talented and just damn lovely as Jessie making it BIG though and although her debut album Devotion hit number 5 on the charts, she deserves so much more success than she's getting! 

Jessie toured last year, but through unfortunate circumstances I missed the bloody gig; devastated. Then I got the most amazing Ticket Master notification ever, tickets for another leg of Jessie's tour were available. Shit the bed! Time past; I got tickets; I got drunk; I went to the gig; I got more drunk; I had one of the best nights ever.

Opening with the album's title track, she kicked things off in chilled fashion. The twinkles and the haunting beats meandering through one another right before those soft, soulful vocals pour down like a chocolate fondue waterfall. Following this Jessie performed all of Devotion bar 'Something Inside'. Her stage presence is undeniable; it's just her and her 4/5 piece band, stood in front of a large sign that reads 'JESSIE WARE'. It's all black, so there's no gimmick, no tack, this is pure class. Her banter is brilliant, joking with the audience throughout; looking appreciative and humbled by the audience's immense reaction to a gorgeous rendition of behemoth tune 'Wildest Moments'. This is a woman who knows she's good, but hasn't let it go to her head. 

'Wildest Moments' was a predictable highlight, but a surprise favourite for me was 'Still Love Me', which sounded so much more powerful in a live setting. That and a bloody awesome performance of personal favourite track 'Sweet Talk', which got some belting vocals in the climax, and moving performances of 'Swan Song' and 'Taking In Water' (I saw tears in some audience member's eyes). I've always said live music is better than studio recording. The beats are heavier and the artist has so much more freedom vocally. Closing track 'Running' has a pretty big finish in the studio version, but Jessie carried that mid section note of 'keep me running' into the stratosphere. 

I was always going to enjoy the gig, there was no doubt about that. I know Devotion, word for word - start to finish. I'm a super fan who doesn't have time to raid Jessie's bins and steal her belongings. I knew she could sing, but I didn't expect the power I witnessed. That voice is something really special, I'd even go as far as saying the record only showcases 75% of her vocal abilities. If you're looking to stand in the path of a hurricane force voice, this is the gig to see.

5/5

Rated Justin Timberlake 'Mirrors'

So 'Suit & Tie' was amazing, then it wasn't and now it kind of is again. The second single from a now smoother than ever Justin Timberlake works the opposite way. At first you're like 'WTF too repetitive' and then after about 7/8 plays you warm to it. 10/11 plays and you're finding yourself floating along with the chorus and JT's boyband perfect tones. It's a nice surprise from an artist who's notorious for grinding, twisting and thrusting and it's a JT ballad that actually works. Unlike Ciara, who should stick to the gravel humping, balladry aint your thing babe. Anyway, 'Mirrors' is pleasant from start to finish. It's more pleasant in its radio edit form - I haven't even brought myself to sit through 8 minutes of JT's limited range.

4/5

Rated: Video roundup - Justin still smooth, Rihanna still naked and Charlie XCX is a white M.I.A.

I've been out of action for a while. Sometimes life gets in the way of things you actually enjoy and you forget how much you enjoy them. Now I have decided to stop being a twat and write again. However, 3+ weeks out of the game are probably going to mean my writing is a little sloppy shite for a while, forgive me. As a little gift to stop you all hating me for disappearing because I know how much your lives depend on me, here are 3 of the biggest music videos emerging at the moment:

Justin Timberlake ft. Jay Z - Suit & Tie

Ok so when I reviewed this song a few weeks back I gave it 5/5. Then I changed this to 3/5 because I got bored of it and thought I was just overexcited that trouser snake was still alive and kicking. Now I've crept back to a 4/5 just because it's so smooth, so different to everything else around right now, and now because the video's out and Justin looks damn fine in it. All valid reasons to increase one's rating. It's my blog anyway, I can do what I want with Justin Timberlake. He's on my turf now. Check out the video below. Like I said, it's smoother than a Gillette shave with a katana. 

Rated: 'Scream & Shout' - Remix

Right, for some unfathomable reason to make a shit load more money Will.I.AM has decided to team up with Britney (not that she had to contribute anything more than her shoddy English-accent inspired vocals) again for a remix of their mega hit 'Scream & Shout', only this time PDiddy is on board along with some other rapper people who are probably quite famous but I don't care about.

I've listened to it a few times and I can't hear a 'It's Britney Bitch' line anywhere... cardinal sin of pop. Although PDiddy does slam down a lot of 'Turn it up bitch', whether this be to Britney or not I'm not sure. It's a pointless remix of a pretty pointless song. As much as I would dance to this in a club and I would dance to anything after 3 margaritas, this is even more annoying and a lot less infectious than the original mix.

Shite.

1/5

Rated: Boomerang - Nicole Scherzinger

She was 'shamazing' on the Xfactor last year; in fact she was the only amazing thing about the whole season. She also had a pretty decent debut solo album called Killer Love which contained some brilliant pop songs like 'Poison', 'Don't Hold Your Breath', 'Club Banger Nation' and 'Right There'. It's been a couple of years since this release and I was feeling a bit parched, until I found out a new single was coming out in 2013, called 'Boomerang'. 

The preview clips were unimpressive and instilled no hope and unfortunately the full length song is just the same as the clips, but the disappointment lasts for 3 minutes 19 seconds. It's not the worst song ever (have you heard Tulisa's abysmal debut?) but it does her vocal range no justice. The production is tinny, weak and pretty anticlimactic. I was expecting a kick in the nuts, I got an unwanted tickle. Fingers crossed single two is a leaping improvement.

1.5/5

PS: The song lost another .5 marks due to the horrendous artwork.

Rated: Suit & Tie

It's been 6 years since Justin Timberlake had an album out. Yes 6 years without the body popping, butt shaking, hip swaying, 'snake' swinging high pitched pursuits of the eternally attractive one. To be honest, I thought he'd given up since making a bag of cash from his first two albums and all that N*Sync homoerotica. 

Now JT is back with a slice of pop so smooth it could feature on a Gillette ad. He's roped in Jay Z for shits & giggles too, which makes the whole affair even more exciting. 'Shirt & Tie' has a retro funk soul sound, not unlike something you'd encounter on a 'Greatest Funk Ever' compilation. It's a step away from the pop/r'n'b Timbaland stylings of 2006 and a leap forward into a much more mature arena. If this is the worst cut from his upcoming album then it's bound to be the best album ever... right?

5/5

Ok on further listens I've realised I was over excited that JT was back and overrated. It's actually more of a 3/5 than a 5/5. Sorry for any distress caused.

Rated i: Top 25 Songs of 2012

The end of another year. Jesus Christina. 

So here we are, preparing our stomachs for the warmth and imminent agony of 'post Xmas dinner'. Figuring out what the hell we're doing at New Year, whether we're going to spend it getting pissed at a party or curled up on the sofa in our new slipper boots and long-johns, watching something uber violent and scary (just me?). One thing is certain, even if our festive plans aren't, 2012 has been an awesome year for music. It's been emotional, fun, surprising, revelationary (made up a word there) and camper than Louis Spence's underwear drawer.

We had the long awaited come back of Xtina with the epic 'Your Body', which didn't quite burn up the charts, but it's one of my top played songs of the year so far. There was the gorgeous revelation that is Jessie Ware and her mind blowing album Devotion; an album so perfect, I shit you not, it changed my year for the better. An Xfactor contestant released a 5 Star single and made my top 15. Rihanna is in there, of course, when wouldn't she be? She'll still be releasing singles when she's 65, probably still wearing a see through dress and getting soaked on the Xfactor live shows, now judged by 3 corpses and Louis Walsh (immortal). Rita Ora managed to get one on there, as did Leona Lewis who yet again flopped a bit. Poor cow. You're going to notice soon enough that there's a Eurovision entry on there too... I know good pop music when I hear it and it's one mother of a pop song.  Then we have the behemoth debut album by Scottish songstress Emeli Sande, Our Version of Events which has a single flying high in my countdown. Have a look below and let me know your thoughts, positive or negative. To be fair, I don't care if you think Sam and the Womp should be number one. Also, don't go expecting to see the ear torture that is 'Candy' by Robbie Williams. Over my dead body:

25. Aiden Grimshaw - Curtain Call

The first of the Xfactor alumni to appear on my countdown, and not one of them's a winner. Aiden surprised with his brilliant debut album, packed with dub-step and drum & bass influences all produced by the same dude who helped pull together Lana Del Rey's debut album. This was the second single from the album and although it didn't really see much of the charts, it's a stunning power ballad, brimming with cool and a huge chorus.

24. Girls Aloud - Something New

At first listen I despised this annoying little bitch of a song. Then once I realised how awesome the chorus was I let them off for having the 'G-g-g-go-go-go' stutter. It's not their best song but it is one of the catchiest mothers of 2012. Xenomania never falters.

23. Loreen - Euphoria

I've never liked a Eurovision entry/winner, let alone loved one. This song is instantly incredible and is Eurovision's finest moment to date.

22. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

When I first heard this I thought it was a joke song, like 'Candy' by Robbie Williams. I thought, 'what is this pish? It's a bit like that joke song by Robbie Williams called 'Candy''. Then after a couple of listens and seeing the video I thought, 'This is actually amazing and so much better than 'Candy' by Robbie Williams, which is total shite'. This is the second biggest song in the UK this year and will remain one of the catchiest pop tunes of the next decade (I imagine).

21. Rita Ora - R.I.P (Feat. Tinie Tempah)

Rita Ora hasn't had 20 number one hits on the charts; she has had 20 number one hits between her legs though. Ooohhhh Boom. The best part about this debut single from 20 Ora, apart from the hotness that is Tinie Tempah, is that panting bridge. It's one of my favourite moments of 2012 and is the finest song from her debut album ORA, which I didn't review very favourably.

Rated: Rihanna - Stay

Like the bus in Speed, Rihanna continues to tear up the chart roads like a hot wheeling musical maniac. Following on from the wonderful 'Diamonds' from the not so wonderful album Unapologetic, new single 'Stay Ft. Mikky Ekko' is a gorgeous piano lead ballad and perhaps one of Rihanna's most accomplished moments. Both singers give emotive performances; Ri's vocals are on point and the piano riff is one of the most perfect I've heard this year. As far as Rihanna ballads go this is grown up, cool, authentic and packed with passion.

If you don't like the song you soon will, trust me.

5/5

Rated: Jessie Ware - 'Sweet Talk'

 Even though her debut album Devotion had me amending the tracklisting to play 'Wildest Moments' and 'Night Light' after every other song, the album is packed with gorgeous 80s synth inspired tracks just begging for release. New single 'Sweet Talk' is one of the more upbeat songs, with a retro feel and stunning vocal hooks. It's definitely an album highlight, not quite as affecting as WM or 'Taking in Water' but still perfect. This is a great example of why you need Devotion in your life. Fresh, inspiring, stunning. Album of 2012 for sure!

Check it:

5/5

Rated: Gossip - Recall

It's been a few months since we heard from the wonderful pipes of Gossip front woman Beth Ditto. So, feeling a little Gossip nostalgia this evening I played through Music For Men. When it ended I remembered how amazing their last single was/is. Have a listen below and roll about in its awesomeness:

'Move in the Right Direction'

Rated: Lulu James - Sweet Soul

If you haven't heard about Lulu James before, I'm sure you were going to soon enough, had I not just posted this. That was a mouthful. This North-East girl has one of the most intriguing voices I've heard this year, smooth, soulful and just damn gorgeous to behold. Check out her single 'Be Safe' below:

Rated: Rihanna + Xfactor = Poporgasm(s)

The Xfactor Live stage is used to ol' dirty Rihanna Fenty parading up and down its walkways with her buns out. She's belted out some impressive and, at times, iconic, performances on its fancy glowy surfaces. Her recent performance of 'Diamonds' saw her get totally drenched on stage and I am pretty certain that's never happened on the show before; well it did happen to Chris Maloney every week (nervous sweats). 

Tonight saw RiRi slow things right down with her beautiful new single 'Stay' from 7th album Unapologetic. It's one of the good songs from the album and she showed off some vocal ability many probably didn't expect her to have. It was lovely, really just lovely, but I wanted more... well fuck me did I get more?! She only blasted out 'We Found Love', which is only one of the best pop songs of all time. The joint was pumping. I was elated to the point of palpitation and my faith in her was once again restored. 

Rihanna, as much as I don't love your newest album, I still love you... almost as much as my mum and cat. Almost.

Click through below for some Rfactor highlights!

Rated: Leona Lewis - Lovebird

The third album from Xfactor revelation Leona Lewis, Glassheart, should have been a perfect 5; it wasn't. Then again, nobody's perfect right? Unless you're an artist known as Jessie Ware and you released a glorious debut called Devotion. I digress! Leona is immensely talented and Glassheart is good, but it's just good and not mesmerising which is really the kind of album she needed to release at this point in her career. A strong yet mildly disappointing chart debut of number 4, the album was expected to tear things up. It didn't; it didn't do a lot of what was predicted, actually.

New single 'Lovebird' is a grower, but it is instantly likeable. It's a big pretty ballad about breaking out of your cage and such, with big stunning vocals from Leona and easy-osy contemporary ballad production. The problem I have is not with the song, but with the selection of it as the 2nd single from an album that has hardly set the world alight. With 'shock factor' songs like 'Come Alive' and 'Glassheart', this could be a musically fatal move for the girl who was once unstoppable. 

3/5

Rated: Solange - Losing You

Solange Knowles is one of those artists whose under-ratedness is an utter travesty. Her second studio album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams was a triumphant record, so soulful and so funky it deserved far more success than it achieved. The singles lifted from the album, 'I Decided', 'Sandcastle Disco' and 'T.O.N.Y' were some of the best singles around at the time. Unfortunately due to little/no marketing and no presence in the UK, the album kind of floundered a bit. Shame.

Thankfully she's getting of that long overdue recognition. New single 'Losing You' is as classy as pop can get. Its smooth neo-soul groove is so hypnotic you'll be floated away on first listen. Check out the video below.

5/5

Rated: Girls Aloud - TEN

Girls Aloud have been away for what feels like forever (I think it's only 2 years...?) and when it was announced they would be making a comeback gay pulses were sent into a stratospheric beat frenzy all over the UK. If you don't love Girls Aloud you're an idiot. If you don't love Girls Aloud you're lying, because there's nothing to dislike. Over the past 10 years they've rebranded girl group pop, hell they've contributed to the reshaping of the female pop landscape along with their deceased rivals the Sugababes (God rest their souls). When 'Sound of the Underground' slipped onto airwaves it was the biggest surprise of the 00s. Uber-cool girl pop which actually did have an underground feel about it. Nobody expected it and it was that song that helped start the shift in British pop music for the 21st Century.

Follow up 'No Good Advice', like its mother, still holds its ground today. A gift of super producer Xenomania; his ability to put together timeless pop songs is unsurpassed. Basically, every artist in the world should work with him. True story. 

Right, so it's been 10 years since SOTUG and NGA. It's been 10 long, wonderful, poppy years. New track 'Something New', I was very hard on a few weeks ago (scoring it 1 out of 5). I was very hasty as in the weeks between the review and now, where I've heard it on the radio everyday, I've amended my rating to a 4/5. I guess I'm impressionable, but the more I listened to it the more I realised how brilliant the song is. It's timely, well produced and so Girls Aloud it hurts and that's not even mentioning how fantastic the chorus is. So yes, sorry about the bad rating, gays. 

Rated: Sia Aka God - Sings Diamonds

My favourite, adorable, wonderful, talented and just fucking incredibly perfect singer Sia has performed  Rihanna's 'Diamonds' live. Good for her because it's her song. Good for her because, where Rihanna's is a 5/5, this is a 10/5. Popjustice drew my attention to this fantastic moment this evening and I thank him/her/them from the bottom of my Sia soaked heart. Let's hope she does just as PJ says she should do and release her own original versions of all the amazing songs she's written/contributed to for the likes of Ri and the unstoppable crap music machine that is Flo Rida.

Click through on the link below for a lovely song from Sia's amazing album We Are Born.

Rated: Ke$ha - Die Young

It's been a while since we heard from the 'not so great a singer - every inch a great popstar' KE-dollarsign-HA. Her debut album Animal sold over 3 million copies, pretty impressive for a 25 year old who can't hold a note. It's not vocal talent that garnered favour for this crazy wench though, it's her wacky persona and tanks of charisma. With hair that looks like it hasn't been washed in weeks, a dirty snarl and a string of ridiculously catchy hit songs she's the ideal pop character in an age where perfection is so heavily sought. 

New single 'Die Young', from upcoming second album Warrior, opens a bit like a Flo Rida track with a heavily produced guitar riff and a playground chant of 'let's make the most of the night like we're going to die young'. It soon bursts into a hyper, electropop dance anthem with more hooks than a Fisherman's tackle box. This is probably her best song to date (almost tying 'Tik Tok' and 'Blow'), and is definitely one of my favourite songs of 2012. It's a fun way to close of the music year.

5/5

Rated: Kelly Clarkson - Catch My Breath

With the release of her first greatest hits compilation hurtling towards us it seemed only fitting for Kelly Clarkson to release a new song to sate her pop hungry fans. With 20million+ albums sold she's had a pretty impressive run of damn strong hits and songs that deserved to be hits but didn't quite make the impact expected ('Dark Side' had number one written all over it). 

Like Christina Aguilera's Stripped is her unbeatable album, Breakaway is Kelly's. This was an album without filler, without cheese and gimmick; just pure pop perfection. New single 'Catch My Breath' is worthy of such a title. Another self empowerment, think positive, pop power anthem with awesome vocals and simple production. It's typically Kelly, but typically and predictably great.

4/5