Sunday, September 30, 2012

Boy Bands, Part II

Midnight Red
First off, Midnight Red is another five member band signed to Interscope Records, which should give you an idea of how they sound before even actually listening. The one thing that drives me crazy about this band is how stylized they look, but I guess that's going to come with almost every boy band, so I have to get over it. Their best known song is actually pretty well known, called Hell Yeah.Their only other song is called One Club At A Time, and it isn't too bad, and it's very good if you're a big boy band fan. I'm sure they'll keep releasing, but so far they have out one EP.

Heat2Heart
I feel obliged to mention Heart2Heart since unknown boy bands are very difficult to find, but let me warn you - everything is better without the music video. It is very stylized, and the music is very different from the other boy bands I have presented. It definitely has more sound added by machines, but it isn't bad different - just different. Go ahead and listen to their single Facebook Official to get what I mean.

Kazaky
Kazaky is...different. Everything about their style, from clothing to hair to music to voices is nothing like I've presented, so if you aren't satisfied, check them out. The music is definitely older and darker. The music video to their song Love features them dancing in what look like leather legging and bejeweled shrugs, just to give an idea. Other songs include I'm Just A DancerDance And Change and Barcelona.

Backstreet Boys
I would be surprised if you hadn't heard of the Backstreet Boys, but I'm partially announcing them because they have their eight album coming out early 2013. If you don't listen to them often or never have, here's a sample. I Want It That Way and As Long As You Love Me are both good - just like all their songs!

Be back in a few days for Boy Bands, Part III

Friday, September 28, 2012

Boy Band Love, Part One

Before my boy band shpiel, brief interlude: I have to admit I was wrong about an announcement I made. Remember me getting super excited about Colette Carr's album release? Turns out, the story is a wee bit different. Instead, Colette is releasing the songs as she records them, so she's releasing the songs in EP's (with four songs at a time) over a period of time. The first EP releases November 13, and they go on to come out every two months. After all four have been released, on July 9th 2013 (!) the full album will release, with all of the previous released songs, plus four new songs. To wait or not to wait? Well, according to her label,

"We're going to make the album available as fast as she records it. In other words, it'll be available for purchase in 2 weeks and will be delivered in installments (digital EP's) every 2 months. The incentive to buy now involves getting the music first the minute it's done in the studio and a guaranteed physical CD with all of the 4 EPs' songs, 4 additional new songs AND a special gift from Colette."

Well, even without that incentive, I'm buying it as it comes out. Here's the news and a recording of Colette announcing the news herself on Cherrytree Records site here.

Although they are pretty well known for their Nickelodeon show in America, I don't know how much of a household name they are everywhere else. So this means that basically, they're a bunch of random guys shoved together, and make music, but seeing as that's the case, I'm pretty impressed. Watching their videos, the posing is very clear, but if you just listen to the music, songs like City Is Ours and Music Sounds Better ft. Mann, it's easy to like. If you like One Direction, take a listen to this band. I don't listen to Big Time Rush, but if you like 1D, go ahead!

I only have two boybands today, so if you like and trust (well...maybe not TRUST) Perez Hilton, get ready. His band? IM5. They do a lot of NSync covers, and the first one that comes up on Youtube is It's Gonna Be Me. Although all it does is tell us that their voices aren't too bad, they also have an original song called Zero Gravity and feature Bella Thorne on their song Can't Stay Away. What do I think of them? Well...just listen!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Just Music

Hey guys, I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted. I'm so, so sorry, it's been crazy for me! But hopefully I'll get back onto my regular schedule, I'm doing as best as I can!



Okay, I'm talking about Colette Carr first since she is just the best ever, and I consider this news the most important. That is news is that... Skitszo is coming out October 15th! I am so excited! I don't know whether I should pop by Coco-Nico to buy it or go on iTunes...either way, I have to budget my money better for this! Yay!

I know you love Dragonette. She (yes, obviously Dragonette is a band, but I say "she" because I concentrate on the vocals" is this irresistible mix of indie (which I hate), pop, and some rock. The truth is, she's the only artist that I consider true indie pop that I like. Oh yeah - here's a stream of her new album Body Parts. Isn't it amazing music with amazing cover art to match? Thank you PopJustice for the embed code :) My favorites are Live In This City, Ghost, and Let It Go. Some of the others stray to far to the indie edge for me, but well done overall!



...Wow. A*M*E has done it again. As far as I was concerned, if you saw one of her videos, you saw'em all. Nope, not so. Here's her video for "Play The Game Boy".



So here I was, doing my blog research, when I come across this band called, of all things, "Supanova". While not the greatest or most original of names, their music is very good. There's a live/acoustic version for their song Paranoid (For You), and they have the image, the voices, and the song to get pretty successful. What I like is that they don't sound like they came out of a can like a lot of other boy bands, but definitely like they have their own style.Hopefully they will release more music - according to the comments on their (one) video, they've had a performance that was pretty good, so more music sounds likely.

Swag List

Rihanna - Diamonds
Emily Osment - Lovesick
Myah Marie - Chemistry
Colette Carr - (B)A$$
Lolene - Radio

Sunday, September 16, 2012

New Single and New Female Rappers

Originally, I was going to dedicate this post only to some female rappers on the scene, but all of a sudden I found out that Natalia Kills and Colette Carr each released new singles! So first our better known ladies, and then our new girls to the scene.

So remember my post about Natalia Kills and the preview for her new single Controversy? Well, here's the full version - and I love it! There is definitely no problem of people comparing her to Lady Gaga now. It's a crazy cool song, and the lyrics are intense - but not in a soulful intense way, like a scary, Natalia Kills way. I am super interested in hearing what the rest of her album sounds like, and the developments sound good!

Interestingly enough, I found out about this new song the same day I had decided to do a post on female rappers. Coincidence? Yes. The new song in question is called (B)A$$, and unfortunately, will not be on her upcoming album. It wasn't a fall in love the instant I heard it song, but I do like it a lot, and after one listen, like the rest of Colette's songs, I had to listen again. The thing with Colette is that if you love her pop side, you love her rap side. And I fully embrace my love for everything Colette.

Honestly, I have a list of like, 20 people. Obviously, I'm going to have to cut the list down, so here is my (much edited) list so far.

The most famous on my list is Kreayshawn, and it's mostly an album announcement. Everyone by now has heard Gucci Gucci (that's the kind of flow I love), and not everyone has heard about her new album, titled Somethin' Bout Krey. The single Left Ey3 is a good one, though the link I gave does lead to a tabloid website with an exclusive link to the song.

Becky G, although she shares the same lsat name and looks exactly like Selena Gomez, is no relation. I can't say I like her music, which so far consists of the song Turn The Music Up. Her rap doesn't have a very good rhythm, at least not with the beat behind it, and the lyrics aren't great. Overall, it sounds a bit forced to me, but I am no rap connoisseur. I don't think I'll see her name again, but who knows? The music world is fickle.

Unlike Becky G, I really like Kitty Pryde. Maybe it's the hair, but probably not, since her rhythm is very laid back and relaxed, but at the same time, has that attitude that all laid back rappers have. Okay Cupid is not a title I'd expect to hear from a rapper, but for Kitty, it works, just like her song Justin Bieber, which I really enjoy. Keep an eye on the Kitty, guys.

K. Flay has a pretty good rhythm, but it is very similar to Dev. Similar enough that during the chorus, I had to double check my closed tab to make sure who was listening to. If you like Dev, check out K. Flay's We Hate Everyone. I wouldn't say she's for every Dev fan, but similar enough. In case you like that and Less Than Zero, check out her free mixtape on her website!

I posted about Rye Rye a couple of months ago here, and I would have to say that along with Kitty, she's my favorite on this list. Her music is very typical (at least Dance is) and very receptive to the U.S. audience at least. I couldn't speak for the U.K., but I have a feeling that Rye Rye is a very potential hit.

3D Na'Tee has been around for a while, and it sounds like it too. She isn't well known enough to get more than 6,500 views in 3 months though, like on Youtube for her song No Love, so I figure she could use a boost by being posted about.

Last off are two in one paragraph, because they're a bit "tainted" by pop. First off is Karmin, whose music is mostly pop but injected by rap, and second is Dominique Young Unique, who is the opposite. I enjoy Dominique's song The World Is Mine and Karmin's Hello.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Album Announcements

As we know, Sky Ferreira is releasing an EP before an album. However, I'm still putting it under album announcements, since the alliteration has such a nice ring. Her EP will be called Ghost and be released October 2nd. I've never been Sky's biggest fan, and I have to say that I'm not super excited about this album. I know some people will go absolutely gaga over it, but I personally am a complete dancy music fan. I would say this music is sort of alternative rock...but definitely not her pop of old (so sad, I absolutely adored Obsession!). Her song Everything Is Embarrassing has been pretty popular, though it doesn't do much for me. I won't be purchasing, but if you like her sound, check it out.

In six days, Carly Rae Jepsen's second album will be released, called Kiss. Unlike Sky, I really love Carly's music (I'm almost embarrassed to admit it). Sometimes her stuff isn't totally to my taste, but I am super looking forward to Turn Me UpBeautiful ft. Justin BieberThis Kiss and I ADORE Good Time. This is one album where I'll be test driving all the songs, choosing which ones pass and fail the iPod test, and I can't wait to do so. Even if you didn't like Call Me Maybe (which I had a fairly cool attitude to at first), try some of the other songs, because as we all know, one album can cover a lot.

Swag List

Make It In America - Victorious Cast ft. Victoria Justice
Somebody To Love - Leighton Meester ft. Robin Thicke
You Can't Get In My Head (If You Don't Get In My Bed) - Tatana ft. Natalia Kills
The Next Worst Thing - 78violet
When I Grow Up - The Pussycat Dolls

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Song and Video Reviews

Sorry I was gone darlings! But here I am again.

With Nicki Minaj, I'm either going to love her song or hate it. I loved Super Bass because it was easy to sing along to and fun to listen to in the car (half my criteria for a song is if you can listen to it in the car) and Starships (another car song). I could not stand Beez In The Trap or I Am Your Leader. When I first heard Pound the Alarm, I wasn't super excited about it. Not only that, but I was in the car and I didn't really like it. So I guess Nicki really had to do what she did with the video - make it action packed and full of feathers and sparkles, for me to love it. You don't have to like the song - just liking Mardi Gras will keep you under the spell.

When I heard the opening lyrics to Jessie and the Toy Boy's relatively new song On With My Bad Self, I was not by any means impressed. It didn't sound like the Jessie I liked, but 50 seconds in the video, I was rewarded with a wonderfully pop chorus. The next lyrics after had the same beat as the beginning but somehow were not as irritating or cliche feeling. Favorite line? "How do you spell Plagiarism? Mmmmmmmmmmmm I don't know" A warning to those who are faint of heart - unless you like zombie movies, don't watch past 2:20.

Swag List

Lady Marmalade - Chrisina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, P!nk
Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding
Obsessed - Miley Cyrus
We R Who We R - Ke$ha
Life's A Happy Song - Gary and Walter

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Album Announcements

I don't think it is possible to express how much I love Natalia Kills. I don't think it's possible to express how much I believe everyone else should also love Natalia Kills. At first appearance of her makeup and clothing, on may compare her to Jessie J or even Taylor Momsen, when in truth, her music is extraordinarily different. Her attitude definitely has a hardcore twist to it, especially with songs like Break You Hard and Mirrors, but on the same album, there are songs like Broke and Heaven. I absolutely adored her first album, titled Perfectionist, and I'm happy to tell you that her second album is coming soon, titled Trouble. The first single is title Controversy, and a preview for it can be found here. This sounds very different from her previous music - the blurry voice sounds like Nadia Oh's song Got your Number, but I have a feeling that the chorus to it will sound clearer and more poppish. No idea what is ahead of us, but in 2013 it looks like Trouble is coming out, so that is very exciting!

I've wanted to do a post on these girls forever! Their only similarities are their ages and the fact that they starred on Disney Channel. But somehow, the three stars have always been linked together, and this year, a third similarity comes in - the release of their fourth albums.

Demi Lovato - We know for sure that Demi is releasing a fourth album. It sounds like it will be far more intense, as she has confirmed that she will not hold back at all on this new album - and we thought Skyscraper was intense! To those who love very deep and heartbreaking songs, definitely look forward to Demi. Besides her intense lyrics, her voice adds a lot of definition to normally soft and even to fluff songs. I call her a contemplative artist - an artist you want to listen to when it's just time to sit and be within music.
Her Best Known Song - Give Your Heart A Break
My Favorite Song - Don't Forget

Miley Cyrus - It's been two years since Miley released her album Can't Be Tamed, and it was very clear what her new face on music is. Previously one with a very bouncy attitude to music, she made large ripples when songs like Can't Be Tamed and Who Owns My Heart came out. Her power over her voice was well demonstrated when she recorded a song for the Amnesty International Album, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go, a Bob Dylan cover. Her most recent recording has been when she was featured on Rock mafia's mixtape on the song Morning Sun. Her so far untitled fourth album promises to be very different, as she is working with producer Pharrell Williams, and Cyrus promises the album will have more of a hip hop and electronic sound - which, as we all now, could sound amazing or awful.
Her Best Known Song - Party In The U.S.A.
My Favorite Song - Two More Lonely People

Selena Gomez - Probably the star with the widest demographic, Ms. Gomez has been focusing a lot on movies this past year, but has also confirmed rumors of her fourth album. It also sounds like unlike the previous two, Selena's music will make the least change. As Demi's has gotten more emotional and Miley's less poppish, Selena's music has gotten to have more of a typical pop style, and from what she's said of her her influences and loves (Jason Mraz, Katy Perry, and Parachute) it will be very radio friendly and good for the car. I think her album will come out last, since Miley has been working for a while, as Demi has as well, but Selena has started fairly recently, but they all seem like they will come out late 2013.
Her Best Known Song - Love You Like A Love Song
My Favorite Song - Hit The Lights

Sunday, September 2, 2012

A Tribute to K-Pop

I posted about K-pop once ages ago, here, and recently, I've been really into it even more. Despite the fact that most of the songs are in Korean, Japanese, and occasionally Chinese, the thing about K-pop? It is always bouncy, dancy and really fun. Note to you guys - The List of songs at the bottom of the post are all specially K-Pop for this post, but I couldn't do a paragraph about all of these equally great artists! Take a listen to every song!

I think the most famous of all K-Pop girl groups is Wonder Girls. I'm sure this is because they have a fair amount of songs in English, unlike many other groups, and appeal to a larger demographic. One of their more recent songs is called Like Money ft Akon, and has a very futuristic video and sound effects, but not to the point where it drowns out the signature K-pop sound. It's been said that Wonder Girls have recently "Americanized" their music, since they had to make the song The DJ is Mine ft. School Gyrls (which I am TOTALLY addicted to, by the way) for TeenNick TV, but I think that although their sound is different, it isn't like American or European artists. The two above songs have attracted criticism for their different sound, but I love just as much as their previous, VERY K-Pop songs, such as Two Different TearsNobody and So Hot. If, unlike me, you like listening to songs in different languages, there are even more - songs like Be My Baby and Like This among them.

Another fantastic Girl Band is 4minute. Not only are their videos ah-mazing, but even though it drives me crazy when I can't sing along to lyrics, I love to listen to their Korean songs. Take a listen to Volume Up and you'll see what I mean. Once you're properly addicted, listen to a Japanese single, called Why, or Love TensionReady Go is even more sound packed than the previous three. If you hear English verses, then to clear up confusion - it's pretty common to have English words or a chorus mixed in.

For my first male artist in this post would be Se7en. I was definitely caught by his name, and although I tend to like the girl band formation of K-pop, his single Girls ft. Lil Kim receives my approval. I don't enjoy listening to his songs in Korean as much, except for When I Can't Sing, which sounds romantic and sentimental even without words.

Girl's Generation, also a very famous girl group, has only one English song, but The Boys is good enough to make you desperately want more. Twinkle  features an interesting mix of an old fashioned vibe with an electronic topper. Even when one can't understand the words to Hoot, the complete sass dripping off makes it a very enjoyable listen. Mr. Taxi, while not quite as good as The Boys, is a fun beat, and one that I'm willing to listen to in Korean.



K-Pop Swag List

2NE1 - Can't Nobody
Sistar - Alone
Kara - Step
Trouble Maker - Trouble Maker
Orange Caramel - Magic Girl