Thursday, August 13, 2009

Music Is My King Size Bed

Music Is My King Size Bed


Musical Snippets - Annie, Britney Spears, Guy Sebastian, Lady Gaga & More!

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 09:00 PM PDT

Britney Spears

Britney Spears - "Unusual You": Britney Spears...I'm over "Radar" and ready for a new single...and with that said, I'm hoping and praying this rumor is true. On The Prophet the other day I saw a report that "Unusual You" will be the fifth single off of Circus. The Bloodshy & Avant track has always been one of my favorites...in fact...I voted for it when Brit's website gave her fans the chance to choose the new single. For the time being, I'll just treat this as a rumor...but a boy can dream.

Check out Britney Spears on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube//Twitter

Guy SebastianGuy Sebastian - "Like It Like That": The last time I saw Australian Idol Season 1 winner Guy Sebastian was on World Idol. I thought he was cute at the time and had quite the voice. I was rather impressed. Recently, I saw that Guy was on Twitter and I learned that he was moving to and doing shows in New York City. Something is brewing! Well, it appears that he's releasing an album here in the states on October 9th. Awesome! First single, "Like It Like That" is a fun little number. It's got a beat and really shows off Sebastian's chops. U.S. iTunes also has 2007's The Memphis Album, full of soul classics (I just downloaded his cover of Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" - not bad). His U.S. album is supposedly going to be a collection of both old and new tracks. I like Guy. I potentially could dig this album.

EDIT - Apparently October 9th is the Australian release date of Guy's new album. Due to some label personnel changes at Sony Victor, the U.S. release is up in the air. It seems likely that it will still happen, it's just not known WHEN or on WHAT LABEL. Bummer. Perhaps I'll pick up the Australian import? For more information, look HERE.

Check out Guy Sebastian on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga on the cover of Out Magazine: Out.com has a little teaser up of the September cover of the magazine featuring electro-pop goddess, Lady Gaga. Coincidentally, Out.com links back to Lady Gaga's official site for another "sneak peak" of Gaga's Out cover. It appears that Lady Gaga is going to be mostly naked. SWEET! Check back on Out.com August 13th to see the full cover, read the cover story and check out more photos of the shoot (photographed by Ellen von Unwerth). I'm sure it's gonna be hot.

Check out Lady Gaga on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/Imeem/YouTube

Natalie ImbrugliaNatalie Imbruglia's "Want" is Properly Hot: Wow. The Popjustice Tuesday "Song of the Day" was the new Natalie Imbruglia single, "Want," that I blogged about previously. It's gonna be FIRE! It's a total 360 from the usual AC crap she puts out. Don't get me wrong...I've loved a few Natalie Imbruglia singles...but never more than 2 or 3 per album. Not enough to purchase the whole album. If this new single is any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like...I'll be buying the import.

Check out Natalie Imbruglia on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter//Vimeo

Annie - Don't Stop New Album CoverNew Annie Album Due in October: This is GREAT news! Norwegian electro-pop star Annie was due to release her second album (follow up to 2004's Anniemal) Don't Stop in September of 2008, however Annie parted ways with her label before that happened. Having signed an international deal with Island Records, the planned album release was preceded by first single, the Richard X-produced "I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me," and a promotional single, 'Two Of Hearts." At the time of the split announcement, Annie remained positive, adamant that her album would see the light of day. She delivered in the form of next single, "Anthonio," released digitally with a nice little remix package.

Annie Now on Smalltown Supersound, the album has been retooled. Gone are all three previously released singles ("I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me," "Two of Hearts," and "Anthonio"), nut never fear...there are some new tracks added into the mix. The album features collaborations with Richard X, Timo Kaukolampi, Paul Epworth, Brian Higgins, and Alex Kapranos (of Franz Ferdinand fame). The album is out in the UK October 19th and supposedly in the U.S. in November. Check out the track listing! I'm SO excited about this one. - Via Popjustice & Pitchfork

"Hey Annie" - Produced by Paul Epworth
"My Love Is Better" - Produced by Xenomania
"Bad Times" - Produced by Xenomania
"Don't Stop" - Produced by Paul Epworth
"I Don't Like Your Band" - Produced by Paul Epworth
"Songs Remind Me Of You" - Produced by Richard X
"Marie Cherie"- Produced by Timo Kaukolampi
"Take You Home" - Produced by Timo Kaukolampi
"The Breakfast Song" - Produced by Timo Kaukolampi
"Loco" - Produced by Xenomania
"When The Night" - Produced by Xenomania
"Heaven And Hell" - Produced by Xenomania


Check out Annie on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Twitter


Aubrey O'Day - Party All The Time

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 08:26 PM PDT

Aubrey O'DayFor a while now, former Danity Kane member Aubrey O'Day has been talking about the electro pop sound she plans on bringing to her first solo record. Up until now, it's just been talk. Well, now we finally have something to sink our teeth into! Aubrey O'Day and producer Maestro (Lil Wayne, The Game, Ice Cube) have created a electro-pop masterpiece...or re-created I should say.

Aubrey O'Day"Party All The Time," was originally done by Eddie Murphy in 1985, then updated in 2006 (as "PATT") by Iranian-American house DJ/Producer Sharam (of Deep Dish). This time around, the song is covered by Aubrey who slinkily sings her way through the track with the help ex-Danity Kane singer D. Woods' sister Shanell. Rumored to be the theme song for Aubrey's upcoming reality show - this song has DANCE CLUB HIT written all over it. I see so much remix potential for this track. I'm hoping it gets an official release some day soon. In the meantime, listen to it HERE. - Via The Prophet

Aubrey O'DayCheck out Aubrey O'Day on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter


Album Review: Erika Jayne - Pretty Mess

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 06:27 PM PDT

Dance music is my thing. Whether it be a remix of a pop song or an original production...if it has that steady dance beat that gives me a certain swagger walkin' down the street - you know it's doing what it's supposed to. I'm by no means a club kid. In fact, I avoid the clubs like the plague. Don't get me wrong...I love dancing, but not in a club environment. This might be confusing to some, given my passion for the art of the remixed song. Perhaps it's insecurity...perhaps it's the fact that I haven't found the right crowd yet. Whatever my reasons are, after listening to the new Erika Jayne album Pretty Mess...my inhibitions are melting away and I'm THIS close to entering a club.

Erika Jayne - Pretty MessWhen I heard Jayne's first single, "Roller Coaster" I have to admit that I wasn't that impressed. I first heard the remixes (by Moto Blanco, Mark Knight, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Dave Pezza, M2, and Peter Rafelson) and of course loved them...but there wasn't much in the way vocal. I like my dance music with vocals. If there's not a powerful voice carried by that bass line, I'm not into it. When I downloaded the album version of "Roller Coaster," I was disappointed that there wasn't really much more in the way of vocals. The song had a catchy beat, but it was just a lot of dirty whispering (the song has since grown on me significantly). Enter "Stars" and my whole outlook on Erika Jayne changed.

Erika Jayne - Roller Coaster"Stars" has everything...a driving dance beat, a hook, a beautiful melody and strong vocals to back it all up. You know it's a solid song in my book when I love the original AS MUCH IF NOT MORE than the remixes (by Moto Blanco, Steve Mac, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Tony Moran & Warren Riggs, Eric Kupper, Mike Rizzo, Peter Rafelson & CagedBaby).

Erika Jayne - Stars

Upon my first listen of Pretty Mess (out now on E1 Music, formerly KOCH Records), a number of comparisons were going through my mind. Some tracks ("Just A Phaze") called to mind early Madonna. Let's say if Madonna was recording her debut album in 2009 - this is what it would sound like. Other times she reminded me of a blend of Cyndi Lauper & Lisa Stansfield ("Lose Myself"), while still others recall Gwen Stefani ("Run Along"). Apparently, I'm not alone. UK newspaper the Guardian wrote that Erika Jayne "is Madonna trapped in the moment when she recorded the Erotica album. She's Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge goes trance with a dash of debauchery, or Gwen Stefani goes burlesque."

Erika Jayne - StarsI think they nailed it...and so does Jayne herself! "That is a perfect description of my music and vibe, actually" she says. As sexy as she is talented, Jayne was also inspired by Purple Rain, old Hollywood fashion, Studio 54 and Kylie Minogue. No wonder why I love this record! Speaking of Prince, "Time To Realize" features "Prince protégé" Sheila E. on percussion. Hot indeed! Also playing homage to Purple Rain is a cover of the Apollonia 6 track "Sex Shooter" (I knew that song sounded familiar!).

Erika Jayne - Give You EverythingServing as producers and co-writers on her debut album are big names in dance - Peter Rafelson (Madonna, Britney Spears) and Eric Kupper (Shakira, Kylie Minogue) - both of whom I know exclusively for their dance remixes. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that a favorite of mine, Canadian singer/songwriter Esthero (as Pinklake) contributed additional production to the album. All of this adds up to a very impressive debut.

Erika JayneWith three #1 dance singles, Erika Jayne can only go up from here... and up she goes with several songs making it into Hollywood motion picture soundtracks for American Summer (2009), Deal and Bumper (2008) and The Neighbor (2007). Erika Jayne is a star-in-the-making. The official press release couldn't be more dead on, calling her "perfect dance-pop confection." I'm sold. Look for me in a club near you endulging my sweet tooth.

Top Tracks: Stars, Just A Phaze, Give You Everything, Sex Shooter

Check out Erika Jayne on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube


New Album Art Wednesday!

Posted: 12 Aug 2009 05:22 PM PDT

You know me and album artwork by now. I'm obsessed with it. Need to have it. Here's a bunch of new stuff for you to scope out. Thanks mostly to Coverlandia.

Blake Lewis - Sad Song Much to my surprise, iTunes was selling remixes for the new Blake Lewis single "Sad Song" this Tuesday. Featuring remixes by Jason Nevins, Pilotpriest, and Craig C, this is a pretty hot collection. It also features new album art with Blake actually in the photo. That makes it all better for me!

Eva Simons - Silly Boy US Single
Eva Simons - Silly Boy Digital Single
I've heard rumblings about Eva Simons but only just now did I actually listen to her debut single, "Silly Boy." Wow. It's hot! Apparently it's coming out in the U.S. on September 7th. Exciting indeed. The 25 year old Dutch singer first gained recognition in 2004 as part of the now defunct pop group Raffish - winners of the the Dutch version of Popstars. Now signed to EMI, she has her eyes on world domination with her sexy new single, first uploaded to YouTube in May of this year.

Straight No Chaser - Six PackI was super excited when I heard that my favorite A Capella group, IU's own Straight No Chaser, was releasing a new EP. Well it's here! I guess I forgot...or thought that it was coming onto iTunes at the same time. I just didn't remember all the details. While it will eventually be released to iTunes I'm sure, right now it's being sold exclusively on the SNC official site. You have 3 options - "The Solo," which includes the EP in your choice of HQ digital file formats; "The Duet," which includes the HQ digital files AS WELL as the EP on a physical CD; finally, "The Trio" which includes everything from the first two options PLUS a free T-shirt. I chose "The Duet." I love it. So far my favorite is the boys' cover of The Script's beautiful "The Man Who Can't Be Moved." Stunning.

Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon I don't know too much by Kid Cudi to be perfectly honest, with the exception of that bangin' club remix of "Day 'n' Night" with the Crookers. Regardless, from the interviews I've read and the other tracks that I've heard this is definitely going to be a hot album. Thanks to The Prophet for posting this album art.

Nelly Furtado - Mi Plan I'm all for "world music." That being said, I'm more excited about the new Nelly Furtado English-language album (out 2010) than I am about her Spanish language album, Mi Plan (out September 15th) but I am definitely excited about ANYTHING Nelly Furtado. First single "Manos al Aire," and newer singles "Más" and the title track featuring Álex Cuba are all strong. I love Nelly's voice...PERIOD. I also am loving the Robbie Rivera remixes of "Manos al Aire" and can't wait to hear the Tiësto remixes that are forthcoming.

Shakira - She Wolf According to Coverlandia, this IS NOT CONFIRMED to be official...rather it's THOUGHT to be the official album artwork for the long awaited new English language Shakira album. I like it, whether it's fanmade or official. Shakira is looking fantastic these days. "She Wolf" is one of my favorite tracks of the summer so far and her album is looking like it will be one of my favorites of the fall. I know this will be a favorite because, working with RedOne, Pharell Williams, Wyclef and others AND because of the fact that she's admitted to having more of an electro sound this time around, how can this not be bomb? Tailor made for me.