Carly Rose Sonenclar

Before today, I had not considered Carly Rose Sonenclar to be trained enough to present as a good recording artist to check out.

To those of you who haven't kept up with the X Factor USA, Sonenclar is 13, and second place on the second season of the show.

For her audition, Carly stunned the judges (including Simon Cowell) with her powerful rendition of Feelin' Good by Nina Simone. For her interview preparing to go on the show, Carly said

"I want to bring the soul back to pop. My record would be a mix of those two genres because I think that is something that is not really out there right now. I could fill that gap and appeal to a wide range of ages. I think I have the X factor because I have a uniquely mature sound and style for my age."

However, I have not posted about her at all until now. Despite the fact that the voters and judges loved her, like L.A. Reid, I noticed and was bothered by her penchant for oversinging. Her versions of Your Song and Imagine were prime examples of this, while Hallelujah had a perfect Jeff Buckley rendition, it was too much if she aimed for the original, Leonard Cohen version.

Recently, Carly Rose released two covers recorded in a studio - a mashup of After Tonight and I Knew You Were Trouble, naming the combo After Tonight There's Trouble. However, I considered the mashup still too oversung and "try hard" to be deemed a good song. In other words, I wouldn't download it if it were free on iTunes.

However.

Her cover of Bruno Mars's Runaway Baby? Better than the original. What I loved is that I listened to it, and she didn't try to match a very powerful voice to fast music that fits Bruno. Rather, she made it slower and incorporated some soul instruments, and while that alone may not appeal to many, it was clear that she had worked on her skills by not trying to dominate the music. Later, the music speeds up, closer to the original sound, but once again, Sonenclar holds herself back. She's getting far better, and if this is more like the skill she'll demonstrate on her album, I will pay for it.

News from Natalia and...

We have a Problem. Natalia Kill's new song that goes by that very name, at first listen, is very grungy, scratchy sounding, and sort of weird. But if you listened to her first single from her new upcoming album Trouble called Controversy, then you'll see that it is totally in line with her new style. I'm going to end up buying the album because it's so unique and she isn't making an effort to be unusual - she's being herself. I usually wouldn't rate this song well, but Natalia is just so...irresistible. Imagine her last album...and now add some really weird autotune effects. Oh - and a weirdly catchy chorus, despite being repetitive. The thing about her style is that she uses a beat that can be dancy, and then she adds something weird on topp of it, and somehow it ends up being really great. However does she do it?

With good looks and an angelic voice, Travis Garland shouldn't be able to fail. His song Where to Land ft. III isn't a song that I would normally buy (can't dance to it) but it's very good anyways. It's a nice one just to listen to, and not have to move. Interestingly enough, if I listened to Neighbor without being told who sang, I would thing it was somebody completely different. Not all of his songs are fantastic, but luckily they're up for free download on his site here. Would you buy it if you had to pay?

Skitszo Part 3

Why have I taken so long to review this EP? I have such mixed feelings over it. Unlike the first EP, which I loved, and the second EP, which I most certainly did not love, I can't really split these songs into distinct sections of "good" and "not good". Still - here's what I think!

When it comes to rap music in general, here's what I think - either I know it, like it, and and dance to it, or it sounds like every other rap song in the universe. I'm a pretty strict judge about it too. Colette's first song is rap - it's like she heard my complaints about the pop in Skitszo Part 2, and made a track that IS rap. Can't Touch This is a VERY classic rap track. So classic in fact, that I'm pretty sure that if one of the more well-known male rappers did it, I would consider it generic. It isn't a great song song to dance to, but it is a fun one to listen to. So I do like listening to it, but the reason I do is because it sounds more unique because she is female. It's a hard truth.

Never Gonna Happen (the music video is being released soon) isn't as good. It starts off a bit weirdly, and the chorus, as far as I'm concerned, is weird and just not good. Thank goodness for the rapped lyrics. It isn't that I don't like her voice - when she sings the bridge, I think it's pretty good, but the chorus has a weird background music and she sings in a weird octave...it's just a group of things that don't work out. I really did want to like it because it's rapping and singing, which I love, but the chorus tune and lyrics just don't work out for me.

One By One starts off with a fantastic beat, a silly and poser sounding "Yee" and then dives into the rap. And Boom - there you've got a Colette Classic. The chorus is sung, and unlike Never Gonna Happen, it isn't unpleasant or overdone. It's a very simple chorus, and very catchy. This song is fantastic. It's really fun and is definitely more like her old stuff. Definitely one of the better songs that she's released, from beginning to end.

The very beginning of this song is so typical to a rap song, and the rest of The Finest Things has a really great rap beat that isn't too generic or boring, and it is once again woven with Colette's typical lyrics and attitude. I can easily picture her performing this one in a music video or live. I have a never ending contest in my mind as to which one is the best song of the EP - this or One By One. If you don't like plain rap without a pop aspect at all, then this might not be for you. But the electronic beats and great lyrics are worth a listen.

So far, I'm a bit scared that I'm becoming the dreaded old-school fan. That is, that fan who like the artist in "the old days" with their first music, and gets grumpy whenever they go into a new direction. I do like it when Colette doesn't go to far into the rap or pop realm best, but instead sticks to what she's good at. I'm hoping she'll stay the same or go one way or another - bridging and trying to cross the worlds of pop and rap is very difficult, and she'll have to work and decide what she wants for her audience.

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!