Demi Lovato "Heart Attack" Early Release

Despite what I said about her new single being released March 4th, Heart Attack was released about 10 hours ago - and is already in the #1 spot in 9 countries. I know I love it - how about you guys?

I'm very excited to hear Demi's new album. Her new music seems to be more passionate, wilder, and just plain amazing. Although I usually feel iffy about songs that use a lot of electronic sounds, I love that Demi doesn't allow the machines to take over her voice, but rather uses it to make it more dance friendly. I really like how she's clearly moving farther away from ballads (though I'm sure she'll still have them on her new album). It's clear that Demi has no plans on selling out to fake music, because just in this song, we can hear how much she means what she's saying.

Revamped Acts

When Allison Iraheta placed 4th on the eighth season of American Idol, it didn't stop her from making an album that kicked butt. Just Like YOu came out in 2009, and was predictably amazing, with a fantastic pop-rock vibe. Notable songs include Friday I'll Be Over You, Scars, and D is for Dangerous. Whatever one may have called her then, her new direction isn't that. Now that she's formed a new band (called Halo Circus), she has a new, very intense rock sound to go with it. It isn't heavy, but it is definitely tough and loud - yet with her versatile voice and very cool hair, the songs aren't cliched and don't sound like every other rock band out there. Dazed and Confused and Out of Love are two samples of her work - but Guns In Our Hands, while lighter on the Instrumental, is no less intense. The new Allison is not for the faint eared.

In 2006, an artist with a beautifully elegant voice by the name of Holly Brook released a sweet, if somewhat boring, album. However, come 2011, she became Skylar Grey, a singer who showcased her sweet voice while making better music. From Invisible (beautiful because of the way she showcases her vocals, but not overly sweet) to Dance Without You (no words) to the satirical C'mon Let Me Ride (ft. Eminem) (funny, and full of attitude and a very clear opinion), Skylar's music is tough, hard, yet her ideas and what she has to say is very clear. Her first album as Skylar Grey is being released this year - just another thing we get to look forward to!

A new kind of K-Pop, a new single, a new album

Apparently, 'tis the season for newness. That's the theme here anyways.

K-Pop. Also known as Korean Pop. Also known as PSY. Also known as electronic, fast, and made to dance to. But it looks like 2013 is a new era for K-Pop to combine with...country?

24/7, by 2YOON, takes place in a barnyard. That's point one. But getting back to the actual music, the sound is so shockingly different. It is still quintessentially K-Pop (fun sounding and dancy) but the country influence is undeniable. The duo, Ga Yoon and Ji Yoon (Get it? They're both "Yoons", so "2Yoon"?), are actually from 4minute, but they decided to move away after being inspired by our own Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. It may not be in English, but it's a hit with me! Their EP is called Harvest Moon, and was released a month ago. Another son of theirs, Why Not, has decidedly less of a country influence, but it is definitely not the regular K-Pop. So what do you think of the new K-Pop? Is it something for the future or just a 2Yoon thing?

So Demi Lovato? Her new single is called Heart Attack. It's also being released March 4th. After poor Demi's struggles, it's clear that she must have fantastic song writing material. 17 more days until we hear Demi's new sound. Are you ready for this?

Amelia Lily is absolutely incredible because of her attitude, her sass, and her ability to speak up and say exactly what she wants. Which she does, especially in he single Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got). It's pretty much exactly the kind of person she is. Her album is being released on May 6th, and it will definitely be so Amelia Lily. Hopefully we here in the States will be able to get it - I'm sure it will be too good to miss!

Old Bands Redone for Pop Lovers - and Tich

Everyone in the good ole U.S. of A knows E! as the show that brought us the Kardashians (good? bad? sound off below!), but now it's also the network with a new show called "Chasing the Saturdays", starring a certain five lovely ladies who make kick butt music. My source to this knowledge? The most recent issue of Glamoholic magazine (what a name...) features the Saturdays on the COVER, and the interview is all about their new show and some of their new U.S. music. Their first single What About Us is incredible. It feels more powerful to me than their other songs (though maybe I'm just loving the Los Angeles-esque background and video, reminds me of the time I was at Venice Beach and on the set of Miranda Cosgrove's video Kissin' U The new EP, title Chasing the Saturdays after the show, has What About Us and four additional songs: All Fired Up which sounds more classically Saturdays than What About Us, which I love, but it was nice to have a change. Higher shocked me at first with the electronic opening. It's a very Saturdays signature to play around with electronic stuff, but I felt this song was a bit heavy on the electronic music. The music video, on the other hand, is adorable. FINALLY I can buy Notorious, because it is easily one of my favorite Saturday songs. I'm not sure why, I just love it so much (maybe the whole attitude? Probably). Ego was stronger than Higher, but less than All Fired Up, but I think it's a very good ending song (seeing as it is a bit about ending a relationship, so the tune is a bit goodbye-ish). I'm super excited about what else the Saturdays may have in store for us! Think they'll break America?

Until now, I have resisted dubstep. The electronic squealing, the weird vibe that means instrumental is more important than the voice, the whole general weirdness of it.

Luckily, I think I can count Krewella as dub-pop. Now that I've FINALLY listened to them at the insistence of an extreme dubstep fan, I have to admit myself a convert. Their song Alive is easily my favorite - its also the least dubstep-ish one that I've heard by them, interestingly enough. Krewella is actually pretty well known, so I wouldn't usually present them, but if you blew them off on the basis of their being dubstep, check again! Play Hard actually is a very dubstep song, very screechy and electronic (not a huge fan of that one, as you can tell)but Feel Me is a great song with a killer video. Killin It isn't the best as far as I'm concerned, but it is pretty good! And of course, their clothes are amazing.

Tich. When I first found out that was the name of an artist, I had absolutely no clue as to what they would sound like. Pop? Indie? Rock? Turns out, "they" are a "she", and she came to fame thanks to her covers. Breathe In, Breathe Out is a pretty sweet song of hers, and although it definitely has an instrumental feel, the lyrics and the beat has a pop attitude. And her accent is adorable. Not as great as A*M*E*'s accent (I am a sucker for accents) but it's still great. Dust is sweeter, and sounds less like pop, and more like something else - I'm not sure what. She definitely has those Alicia Keys power notes, but it isn't R&B. Let's just call her a pop beauty and keep listening!

Colette Carr - Skitszo Part 2

I was SO excited when I downloaded this. Once it was safely in my iTunes library, I took the opportunity to listen to the whole EP once through. Then again. And again. While the last E.P. was definitely more rap oriented, this is not only more pop like, it's also...gentler? Let's put it like this - F16 was Colette's first video where there was this whole story about her being happy with a guy, then they broke up. It was definitely less unusual than her other stuff, and this new EP has a style that definitely fits the whole songs-are-amessaeg-to-someone thing. Here'e my review.

Hearsay - I was very surprised when I heard this. It starts off with a bit of an electronic thing, and when she first started to sing, I could swear it sounded ever so slightly like the beginning of Ke$ha's song Blow. Not really, but enough that from now on when I listen to that I will think of the Ke$ha song. My first impression was how different it was from her other music. It is totally like other music, and I can't see any Colette signature on it at ALL. I can barely picture her singing this, and while it isn't horrible, I'm not too impressed with Colette on this one. It gets better toward the end, but I don't think her voice is powerful enough to sing another song like this very well.

Why Are You Leaving? - The first minute of this, I hated it. Not because of the tune. But because the opening lyrics are as follows:

"Why? Oh why, are you leaving, when I desperately need you? Why, oh why are you leaving? I guess I will not know."

This repeated, but sounded a bit odd with a repeated "you". There was then a soft rapped lyric, which was far more like the Colette that we all know. This sequence then repeated, with a short interruption but a mystery rapper (who turned out to be Kev Nish of Far East Movement). Anyways, despite the awful lyric that keeps getting repeated, this song has rather grown on me. I do like how she intersperses rapping with the singing, which sounds better than I would have expected.

I Love Kev Nish - Easily my favorite song on the EP. Interestingly enough, it's also the rap one. It is very Colette, and I'm glad to hear another song that has such a Colette Signature, including that part that snaps "Are you even listening? You aren't even f*cking listening!". Naturally, this song is the shortest (grrrrr) and ends way too soon.

Racking Up - I hate the chorus. Love the rest of the lyrics. I think her rapping is fabulous - it isn't scary fast so that you can't understand it (read: I can attempt to sing along) but the chorus is repetitive and irritating.

Overall, I am pretty disappointed with this EP. Colette tries to have more of the worlds of pop and rap (getting classically pop like on Why Are You Leaving and Hearsay, but trying to do the repeated chorus like Lil' Jon, Snoop Lion and 2Chainz) but her attempts just create weak music. I don't think I'll be listening to thiis one - Although I probably will have I love Kev Nish on repeat.

The Year of Albums

Hello everyone! I hope you had a wonderful New Year's, and got a kiss at midnight!

In music news, everything I'm hearing blares "NEW ALBUM!" "RELEASING DEBUT ALBUM!" "SO-AND-SO RELEASING NEW ALBUM IN 2013!" So which pop darlings will have new and different material for us?

Original Sugababes (aka MKS) - Remember them? Monday night, these girls performed together for the first time in a decade. Pretty fitting that they performed on the opening of the year that is supposed to see the release of their next album. Now known as MKS, they performed Rihanna's song Diamonds here. All the girls have had to say on this new album is that it will be far better than their first one. Can't wait!

Cher - Known as the Goddess of Pop, this will be her first album released in a decade, though in Cher's case, this will also be her 26th release. The lead single is called Woman's World a femenistic anthem fraught with robotic sounds that Cher made famous in 1998. However, the most apparent thing about the song is Cher's unmatched voice. Looking forward to the album - and the rumored collaboration with Lady Gaga!

Demi Lovato - Consider yourself warned! It has been declared by Lovato herself that this will be her most intense album yet, and "this time, there will be no holding back". To get an idea of what she has in store for us, her cover of Angels Among Us should give an idea.

Miley Cyrus - Though recently she's been known more for her haircut than anything else, Cyrus's album is supposed to be released this year, and sound more adult, and with more of her personal style coming out. Ms. Cyrus has described it "Dirty South Hip-Hop" (naturally - she is working with Pharrell Williams), but the  mix of country with hip hop should be an interesting change. Soon we'll be able to compare how far from her pop beginnings she's traveled!

Janet Devlin - With her previews of Wonderful and Crown of Thorns, Janet has only confirmed that what she has in store for us will be great. In a classic Janet move, she has eschewed record labels to work with pledge music, an organization that has customers pledge to buy a version of the album. Once it reaches 100%, the album will be released.

Misha B - Another X Factor lady! Her mixtape is free to download on her facebook page here. Her singles so far are Home Run, Do You Think Of Me and Runway.

What should we expect from these artists? Hard to say. Some other people releasing albums this year (though I didn't include them in that list because their material will be fairly predictable) are Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Selena Gomez & the Scene, and Nikki Minaj.

A Summary

Winter Break is a thing of beauty. Especially when a certain long term project has taken all your time away from your music blog.

Back to music. During my unfortunate hiatus, the music world did not deign to pause (and it should not) for me. There have been truckloads of new artists, singles, releases, so I'm going to take a moment to share the ones that have stuck out for me when I first heard them.

Nikki Williams - Kill, Fuck, Marry - At first I was all like "This is the weirdest thing I've ever seen" and was SO not into it. Ditto when the opening stanza came on. From then on, it was clear sailing. The fact that she's classically gorgeous and the video is such a cliche Americana thing only helps.

Nikki Williams - Glowing - I know it looks like I have Nikki Williams Music Obsession disease or something (NWMO for short) but this song is amazing. First off, it's so different from Kill, Fuck, Marry, and when I first listened, I was blown. Away. The chorus is dancy enough to be categorized as pop, but the rest isn't sugary or cheesy or stupid. Loving this.

Colette Carr - F16 - Yes, this song has been out for ages. Yes, I probably have Colette Carr Music Obsession disease (CCMO for your reference), but I just think that everyone should be aware of and love the music video. Part of what I loe is that as a video, it's so radically different from everything else Colette has done. She's done the pool party with the almost naked girls and old creepy guy, the insane asylum inmate, the rapping by the railroad tracks, the looking cute while skipping down the street, the blonde bombshell from Grease, the bejeweled bodysuit. The classic video about a boyfriend she loved and lost? It's new territory, and done as well as one would expect of Colette (meaning she climbs all over a plane, not like we could expect her to be normal).

Janet Devlin - Wonderful/Crown Of Thorns - Wonderful and Crown Of Thorns are actually two different songs included in the same video. The song Wonderful, while not fully played, promises to be a fun song, though not necessarily pop-py. Crown of Thorns reminds me a bit of her on the X Factor, ans while I like it less that Wonderful, it is appropriately dramatic and is very cool.

April Kae - The Writings on the Wall - I don't really know what I was expecting when I clicked the link to April's song, but it was not this. Perhaps a sassy woman pretending to be Gwen Stefani, yes? Awkward, because no. Nothing about her is similar to Gwen, least of all her voice. The one thing that bothers me is how she's singing that beautiful song and ends up dancing to it in a club, of all places.

Dragonette - Merry Xmas - I shouldn't have to explain. To anyone averse to Christmas songs for whatever reason, don't worry about it. It has a Dragonette twist that expels it from the realm of Christmas songs forever.

Jhameel - Shadow of a Man - Half great, half bizarre. I don't quite understand what's going on, but okay!

Chris Cab - Good Girls (Don't Grow On Trees) - I have to admit the title inclined me to the song. And when there is a rap song that has pop moments as well, then I'm a goner.  Of course, this song is better than most that fall under that description. Furthermore, I usually don't pay much attention to lyrics (funnily enough, I can't pay attention when I'm listening to something, unless it's music) but the lyrics to this song are gold.

Christina Aguilera - Army of Me - Oh yeah...that's why she's a judge on The Voice...

Sirah - Double Yellow Lines - until the chorus, I did not like this song, but for the sake of fair judgement, I kept going, and I know love this song and plan to buy it as soon as I earn 99 cents.

Obviously, there is so much more. But over the past few months, this is what really stuck out in my mind - must be better than the rest of the stuff, right?