Robyn premieres Body Talk Pt.2 artwork and reveals tracklisting

Swedish pop singer Robyn has released the cover art for Body Talk Pt. 2, the second in her three part Body Talk series obviously (duh)! The cover art is fantastic and a real step up from the ugly ass cover art of Body Talk Pt. 1. (Warning: This troll is not safe for work).

Robyn was also kind enough to release the eight song tracklist. It features a collaboration with Snoop Dogg! YASSSS!!!!

1. In My Eyes
2. Include Me Out
3. Hang With Me
4. Love Kills
5. We Dance To The Beat
6. Criminal Intent
7. U Should Know Better (featuring Snoop Dogg)
8. Indestructible (Acoustic)

Body Talk Pt. 2 is out in September alongside single Hang With Me.

P.S. Anyone else think that Indestructible will be given a dancey makeover and released as the lead single of Body Talk Pt. 3.

Katy Perry reveals new album and single artwork as well as tracklisting, premieres ‘Teenage Dream’

The gorgeous Katy Perry has revealed the artwork for her new album and single, both by the name of Teenage Dream. The album cover, as seen above, is reminiscent of a scene from her California Gurls music video – albeit less cartoony and more artistic. The cover has a slight Renaissance feel to it with Katy looking like a sexy angel, sans lilac wig, lying on a cloud made of cotton candy. According to Ms. Perry, via UStream, the album cover was painted by Will Cotton (cotton candy, geddit?) and will have absolutely no text. When you buy the album, the above painting will simply act as the cover art with no further description given and the booklet will smell like the clouds she’s lying on. I guess Katy has fully reached superstardom being allowed to do that – much like Prince made himself into a symbol.

While the album cover is easy on the eye, I much prefer the single cover for the title track Teenage Dream, as seen below, which will act as the second single from the album and follow up to the smash California Gurls. The colourful cover far better sums up the sunny nature of the album and has a real B-movies influence to it. The bubbly text has a real 1990s look to it too. At least KP has some cool artwork for this era of her career.

And finally the tracklisting for the album. This was posted a while back my many websites but I wasn’t sure if it was actually genuine. I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt though because many of the songs on the album were mentioned from the lucky people who got to go to the album listening party about a month ago. Check out the tracklisting below. Fans will be delighted to find that the sublime leaked track E.T. will be included.

1. Teenage Dream
2. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
3. California Gurls (featuring Snoop Dogg)
4. Firework
5. Peacock
6. Who Am I Living For?
7. The One That Got Away
8. E.T.
9. Circle The Drain
10. Pearl
11. Hummingbird Heartbeat
12. Not Like The Movies

I’m unnaturally excited for this album, it’s embarrassing.

EDIT: The Teenage Dream single has just premiered in full HQ. Two words. SUMMER SMASH! And a return to her pop rock roots.

Eminem scores double whammy on the US Chart

Eminem might be looking a little glum in the image above but he’s sure to turn that frown upside down when he finds out that he’s bagged the top spot on both the US single and album charts. Eminem has succeeded in taking down the monster that is Katy Perry’s record breaking smash California Gurls with his own monster smash Love The Way You Lie, which features Rihanna. This is now Eminem’s fourth US #1 single and Rihanna’s seventh!!! In Rihanna’s five short years on the scene, she has achieved the most #1s out of any artist in that timespan. That’s pretty impressive.

Rihanna’s fellow Bajan Shontelle has also managed to defy her sceptics with the former one hit wonder reaching a new peak of #13 with her catchy ballad Impossible. Paramore may have already moved onto next single Careful but its predecessor The Only Exception is proving to be something of a sleeper hit by reaching #36 on the singles chart. Paramore’s previous singles Ignorance and Brick By Boring Brick from their #2 album Brand New Eyes failed to make any significant placing on the chart so I guess this is Paramore’s first US hit from the album.

Usher has proven that there’s just no stopping him! DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love, the Pitbull assisted lead single from new album Versus has debuted at a stellar #19. I smell future OMG like success but I’ll actually be happy for it because DJ is a catchy, fun song. The biggest drop in the chart is Kanye West’s Power which goes from #29 to #60. Kanye better get a video made and some promotion done quick to ensure that he doesn’t face a similar fate to Christina Aguilera.

California Gurls hasn’t died just yet. Its still sits at #1 on the Pop Charts while Paramore’s The Only Exception gains a rise in airplay and debuts at #19. The R&B/Hip-Hop Chart is still held on to by Alicia Keys with Un-thinkable (I’m Ready). I think Un-thinkable is the least commercial single Keys has released to date from The Element Of Freedom but it has ironically sold the best. Looks like my dream of working for a record label has been cut short. I brought you Wynter Gordon’s Dirty Talk video a few days ago. That was  the master of the Dance Chart last week but has now being kicked off by British duo Goldfrapp’s Alive. Great to see that the single has charted somewhere after it flopped in the UK.

Enrique Iglesias continues his reign at the top of the Latin Charts with Cuando Me Enamoro, Shinedown are #1 on the Rock Chart with The Crow And The Butterly while Luke Brian is atop the Country Charts with Doin’ My Thing.

Eminem might be spending his fourth week at #1 with Recovery on the album charts but there are quite a few Top 10 debuts this week. Metal band Korn have debuted at #2 with their ninth LP Korn III: Remember Who You Are, Christian rock band; the terribly named Newsboys debut at #4 with album Born Again, Sting’s new record Symphonicities slides in at #6 followed by unknown-to-me artists Jerrod Nieman and HellYeah at #7 and #8. The US are kinder to M.I.A. than the UK were. Her new record /\/\ /\ Y /\ has debuted at #9 while it flipped feebly into the UK album charts at #21.

Thanks to Rap Radar for the image.

And watch this cool Top 50 video from the wonderful Billboard Goddess on YouTube. I really appreciate her hard work.

Katy Perry and Eminem also debut at #1 in Australia

Katy Perry and Eminem have the charts in a chokehold all over the World having cracked the Singles and Albums charts respectively in all the major markets – US, UK and Australia (as well as my home country of Ireland).

As far as the Aussie charts go, there isn’t any huge changes in the Singles Chart. Thankfully, it looks like the Land Down Under has decided to adopt prized cunt Brian McFadden from us as he’s listed as Australian on the ARIA site where he rushes in at #12 with single Chemical Rush. McFadden managed to score himself an Aussie #1 with previous single Just Say So recently so he’s no flop around there.

Em’s Love The Way You Lie also enters at #14 over there too which shows how big a smash this song is going to be. Other new entries include Adam Lambert’s euphoric new single If I Had You at #34 while Train mightn’t have to wait another15 years for a hit with If It’s Love at #37.

Over on the album chart, Recovery is closely followed by Sia’s We Are Born and Jack Johnson’s To The Sea. Bloc Party frontman Kele has also debuted at #35 with his new album The Boxer. What do you think of the Australian charts?

Katy Perry and Eminem debut at #1 in the UK

In which comes as a shock to no-one, Katy Perry has managed to do it again and knock the irritating Shout by Dizzee Rascal and James Corden from the top spot, debuting her multinational hit California Gurls straight to #1. The song already sits at the top spot in the US and Ireland.

The Top 10 remains pretty much unchanged but poor Kylie Minogue has fallen down two places from #4 to #6 while Eminem sneaks a second single into the Top 10, the Rihanna assisted Love The Way You Lie, which is sure to follow in the footsteps of California Gurls and be a smash hit everywhere. Hell, it’s already a smash hit without an official release or music video yet. It’s clear that despite the release of two lacklustre albums in the past, Em certainly hasn’t lost any of his fans. His album tracks Won’t Back Down and No Love which feature P!nk and Lil’ Wayne respectively also appear towards the bottom of the charts. Christina must be reading the charts now and grinding her teeth.

Some new entries to the chart include Scissor Sisters with comeback single Fire With Fire which just misses the Top 10 by landing at a respectable #11. Hip-hop may just be making a comeback with Dirty Money’s Hello Good Morning sailing in effortlessly at #21 and Big Boi’s fantastic Shutterbug coming in at #31. The biggest jump happens to be Plan B with his fantastic new single Prayin’ which jumps from #139 to #46.

Meanwhile over on the album chart, Eminem has obviously topped it with his solid new album Recovery while the remainder of the Top 10 is made up of Oasis and albums that have been there for ages such as Lady GaGa’s The Fame/The Fame Monster and Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D.. Miley Cyrus debuts at #8 though with her album Can’t Be Tamed while Ozzy Osbourne just misses it with his new album Scream.

Robyn’s Body Talk Pt. 1 though takes a massive drop debuting at #46 last week and now dropping down to #99 in its second week. Eeek! Probably the ugly artwork that did it because single Dancing On My Own is still getting plenty of airplay.

Over on genre related charts, what has made #1 in singles? The Pretty Reckless remain #1 on the Rock Chart with Make Me Wanna Die, the Indie and Dance Charts has Example’s Kickstarts and the R&B Chart has K’nann’s Wavin’ Flag. I would classify that as more World than R&B but good for K’nann. What do you think of this week’s UK Chart?

Katy Perry also claims top spot in Ireland, Eminem raps his way to the top of the Albums Chart

It looks like Katy Perry has #1s across the board with her Dr. Luke produced California Gurls. The single which was released in my native homeland of Ireland last Friday, has shot straight to the top of the charts, joining the US, Canada and Australia in the process. Even if you’re not a fan of Katy, praise needs to be given for knocking the God-awful Stereo Love by Romanian nobodies Edward Maya and Vicky Jigulina the boot.

The rest of the Top 10 singles chart is made up of the aforementioned duo at #3 and K’nann at #2 with his World Cup anthem Wavin’ Flag. Interestingly, Eminem and Rihanna’s album collaboration Love The Way You Lie has shot straight to #4. The track is rumoured to be the second single from the album and considering it’s got this far on digital downloads alone, I have no doubt that that’s exactly what the record company will do. The track is fantastic so I am anticipating the announcement any day now. Other tracks in the Top 10 are the current singles by Lady GaGa, Eminem, David Guetta, Example, B.o.B.’s Airplanes and Jason Derulo.

New entries include Enrique Iglesias’ Auto-Tune flooded, RedOne produced I Like It, Scissor Sisters’ anthemic Fire With Fire, Diddy’s Hello Good Morning and out of nowhere Get It Up by Young Swayzz and T. Coles whoever they are.

The albums chart sees Eminem at the top spot with his promising comeback album Recovery while Mumford & Sons, Glee, Lady GaGa, AC/DC, Florence + The Machine and Paolo Nutini continuing their chokehold on the Top 10 album charts. Some reasonably new blood makes it  in their though with the latest compilation from the now-defunt Oasis at #3 and the new Miley Cyrus album at #5.

The Indie Album Chart is ruled by Villagers Becoming A Jackal and the Compilation Album Chart is ruled by NOW That’s What I Call Music 75.

Now seeing as we’re halfway through the year, let’s look at all the #1s that have hit the Irish Singles Chart in the last half of the year.

01. Joe McElderry: The Climb (2 weeks)

Considering the brainwashing capabilities popularity of The X-Factor, this was bound to be #1 because Ireland didn’t give into the genius Facebook campaign of putting Rage Against The Machine there instead. SMH! As you’d expect, Joe McElderry’s cover of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb was just another soulless marketing campaign by Simon Cowell to continue his Empire. Joe is a capable voiced singer but this is probably the worst X-Factor single ever, hence why everyone’s already referring to Joe as a flop.

02. Lady GaGa: Bad Romance (1 week)

GaGa came back for a second run at #1  with this infectious but massively overplayed track, after McElderry stole her thunder.

03. Owl City: Fireflies (2 weeks)

This catchy yet whispery little ditty was wonderful when first released but Adam Young’s emo vocals started to grate quick.

04. Jedward featuring Vanilla Ice: Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby) (4 non-consecutive weeks)

Only sheer patriotism from the Irish people saw these idiots spend so long at #1 and in the Top 10. Terrible. There better not be repetition when All The Small Things is released.

05. Helping Haiti: Everybody Hurts (1 week)

This suprisingly good cover of REM’s Everybody Hurts by Simon Cowell’s X-Factor and BGT protegés and regular guests was a worthwhile charity single that put a short-lived dent in Jedward’s success. This had astoundingly little promotion which is why it’s success didn’t last long.

06. Boyzone: Gave It All Away (2 non-consecutive weeks)

This reggae-tinged ballad rose to the #1, being the first single to be released from the Boyz following the tragic death of Stephen Gately.

07. Lady GaGa featuring Beyoncé: Telephone (4 weeks)

Lady GaGa scored her fourth Irish #1 in this fast-paced superstar duet, which I still love to this very day despite it’s level of overexposure.

08. Glee Cast: Gives You Hell (1 week)

The Glee Cast have been making dents in the chart ever since the FOX musical dramedy appeared on-screen but this was their first Irish #1 thanks to an impassioned vocal delivery by Lea Michelle.

09. Usher featuring will.i.am.: OMG (2 weeks)

This stinking piece of shit also made it to #1 in Ireland…DESPITE BEING ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE!

10. Train: Hey Soul Sister (1 week)

Train scored their first hit in years with this radio friendly folk pop-rock track. A deserved one at that.

11. Alexandra Burke featuring Pitbull: All Night Long (1 week)

Alexandra’s stunning but sadly fleeting pop single got to #1 before being knocked off by…

12. Edward Maya featuring Vika Jigulina: Stereo Love (3 weeks)

…this piece of shit! Honestly this accordion heavy trance number is so bad even Eurovision would sneer at it. I’m guessing people just accidentally bought this of iTunes…or else I’ve lost faith in humanity.

13. Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg: California Gurls (1 week so far)

Katy Perry is the big breasted saviour of humanity. Just like Wonderwoman.

So what do you think of the various Irish Album and Singles Charts? Do you agree or disagree with how well (or how bad) a record is doing? What do you think of this year’s #1s so far?

For full news on the chart: visit irma.ie.

Katy Perry continues to reign on the Billboard Hot 100, Drake #1 album on Billboard Hot 200

*drools all over computer screen*

Sorry, what?! Oh that’s right, I’m composing a post. Okay, so trying to drag my eyes away from the image above and look down at the keys, Katy Perry has managed to hold onto her position at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 with her infectious comeback hit California Gurls. While not participating in mouthwatering shots for Esquire, Katy Perry also has to deal with her new album’s title track and second single Teenage Dream leaking online earlier today. Wish I could share the clip with you but it’s being pulled down everywhere and I didn’t get a chance to listen. 😦

The rest of the US Top 10 singles chart comprises of universal hit tracks from Usher, B.o.B., Drake, Ke$ha, Lady GaGa, Taio Cruz, Eminem as well as forthcoming international singles by Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy and newbie Mike Posner.

Seeing as Drake has managed to climb straight to #1 in the albums chart, a few tracks from his debut album Thank Me Later have made it into the Hot 100 which include his Nicki Minaj assisted Up All Night, his second Alicia Keys duet Fireworks and Drake all by himself with 9AM In Dallas.

Over on the Billboard Hot 200, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Sarah McLachlan, NOW 34, Jack Johnson, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Justin Bieber, Lady Antebellum, Christina Aguilera and Glee snap at Drake’s heels in the Top 10 in respective order.

Meanwhile in specific genre single related charts, Katy Perry also reigns at the Top of the Pop Charts. Three Days Grace are atop the Rock Chart with their single The Good Life, Alicia Keys is atop the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts with Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) and Miranda Lambert is on top in the Country Charts with The House That Built Me. The Latin Charts sees Spanish heartthrob Enrique Iglesias’ Spanish language duet with Juan Luis Guerra Cuando Me Enamoro and the Dance/Club Play Charts are ruled by Lady GaGa’s Alejandro see GaGa on top with a similarly Latin themed but more upbeat track.

We’re already halfway through 2010 now so let’s take a look (with some analysis thrown in by me) at all the #1 singles in the US this year so far.

01. Ke$ha: TiK ToK (9 weeks)

Seeing at the song has been overplayed to death at this stage thanks to its nine weeks atop this chart and elsewhere, many of you probably hate this song by now. But at the time Ke$ha’s TiK ToK, a fun drunken girl party anthem, was one of the catchiest tunes of late 2009 thanks to Dr. Luke.

02. Black Eyed Peas: Imma Be (2 weeks)

The Black Eyed Peas continued their lucky streak from the 2009 album, The E.N.D.,scoring their third US #1 and 4th Top 10 single from the era. What is will.i.am doing so right at the moment?

03. Taio Cruz featuring Ludacris: Break Your Heart (1 week)

The Brit Invasion continues in the US with Taio Cruz, following in Jay Sean’s, footsteps and scoring a #1 out of nowhere. Pity Cruz is so bland and boring and the song is so generic, made even more so by throwing Ludacris on it.

04. Rihanna: Rude Boy (5 weeks)

Rihanna ditched the dark side of earlier singles with this sunny, upbeat jam about a rude boy failing to get ‘it’ up.

05. B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars: Nothin’ On You (2 weeks)

This surprisingly romantic hip-hop track introduced us to the latest innovative rapper B.o.B.. And newcomer Bruno Mars!

06. Usher featuring will.i.am: OMG (4 non-consecutive weeks)

I fail to understand why this monstrosity of a song about tech speak acronyms sang by two 30 year old men managed to make 4 weeks at the top of the chart as well as #1 elsewhere. will.i.am either has a Midas touch or is bribing a lot of chart officials.

07. Eminem: Not Afraid (1 week)

Eminem made chart history and showed the two above how real urban music is done with his stellar comeback single. While unspectacular, it did inform listeners that Eminem is aware of past mistakes and ready to make you love him again. Aparently the love didn’t last long because Usher and will.i.am. were back on top next week.

08. Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg: California Gurls (3 weeks so far)

Dr. Luke has struck gold again with TiK ToK Part 2. As well as sounding sonically the same, it looks like Katy’s pop track is going to get the same overplay as TiK ToK resulting in super catchy to super irritating tune.

So what do you think of the various US Singles Charts and Album Charts? Do you agree or disagree with how well (or how bad) a particular record is doing? What do you think of this year’s #1s.

For full news on the chart: visit Billboard.com.

Singles Reviews Diary 20 – 18th June 2010

It’s twenty weeks old! It’s twenty weeks old! It’s twenty weeks old! I am so delighted with the achievement of having written twenty of these diaries now and I think I’ve managed to cover pretty much every major single in them. To add to this being the twentieth (week) anniversary of the Singles Reviews Diaries, there are also 20 singles to review below. Check out my reviews and let me know what you think of the songs or the reviews in general. What’s your Track Of The Week? What’s your Stinker? Which band/artist are you really loving at the moment? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Singles Reviews Diary 20 – 18th June 2010:

01. Adam Deacon and Bashy featuring Paloma Faith: Keep Moving

While Chipmunk and Tinchy Stryder can be described as the British equivalents to American counterparts Flo Rida and Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, I think it’s fair to describe Adam Deacon as a British equivalent to T.I. or Jay-Z. Teaming up with fellow occasional actor Paloma Faith, the two create a mature but not entirely original hip-hop track witha soulful chorus. Faith’sbeautiful vocals bring a hint of retro-ness to the track while Deacon is a surprisingly good rapper. Bashy joins halfway through to add a little diversity to the track. What we get in the end is a fairly typical hip-hop track – but avery good fairly typical hip-hop track at that! 3.5 STARS

02. Ash: Spheres

This is Single Letter S from Ash’s A-Z Series. They should really get to promoting this single because it’s probably the best track we’ve heard from the singles collection so far. Ash’s music is normally simple catchy pop rock but with Spheres, we see the Northern Irish trio go over to the dark side. Featuring an eerie piano line which runs from the intro throughout the whole song, pounding drums and a hammering bass. It all comes to a stunning climax when the guitars crunch up and the chorus becomes more aggressive. The song is definitely worth a buy. 4 STARS

03. The Automatic: Cannot Be Saved

The Automatic return with the third single from their Tear The Signs Down LP. If you’ve heard Automatic before – and many of you have – remember that song ”What’s that coming over the hill, is it a monster? Is it a monster? – then you’ll know what to expect. A song that doesn’t take too seriously, a fun shout-along punk pop track that travels at 100 mph, this isn’t going to be the highlight of the year. But it’s a fun track to add to that Summer playlist. 3.5 STARS

TRACK OF THE WEEK!
04. Big Boi featuring Cutty: Shutterbug

One half of the genre defining hip-hop duo Outkast and the lesser known member to Andre 3000, Big Boi has struck out on his own with new single Shutterbug and like his band continues to show some innovation in hip-hop. While hiring an R&B singer like Cutty to croon over the song isn’t entirely original, this track is all about Big Boi. Lacking any real chorus, Big Boi raps along with an incredible flow while the instrumentation of funky ‘80s synths, drumclaps and samples of Soul II Soul’s Back To Reality provide the main hooks of this song. I really love this track because it has a chilled out yet cocksure vibe that you rarely hear in rap nowadays. I’m seriously looking forward to Big Boi’s album now. 5 STARS

05. Cypress Hill featuring Pitbull and Marc Anthony: Armada Latina

Sigh. Another week. Another Pitbull feature. Why must he torment me so?! That said Cypress Hill’s track will provide a little Latin flavour this Summer. With a repetitive “oooh-oooh-oooh” hook running through the song, Jennifer Lopez’s husband Marc Anthony provides the Spanish sung chorus while the rapping is provided in English by Cypress Hill and Pitbull. Cypress Hill’s rapping is fairly passable and Pitbull continues to rap random words in Spanish over an unrelated rap about him not being an “asshole”. Right. *side eye*. Still those oooh-oooh hooks and Marc Anthony’s chorus is what make this must have on the Summer playlist. But then again…I am a sucker for pretty much every Spanish song in existence. 4.5 STARS

06. Daisy Dares You: Rosie

This is a pretty catchy pop rock jam with a massive chorus. That said so was her last single Number One Enemy. And that song drove me mad for a few weeks. Daisy manages to provide radio friendly fodder that will get airplay all over the place before being completely forgotten about in a few weeks. I appreciate the fact that Daisy has said she wants to stay away from the clichéd teen romance lyrics on her debut album, something she’s managed so far, singing about rowing with her sister Scarlet (ginger?) and backing up her friend Rosie (another ginger?)but she hasn’t managed to stay away from the clichéd Auto-Tune. Plus the electro breakdown with the fast paced rap doesn’t really gel well towards the end. All I’m hearing is a Z-grade Avril Lavigne mixed with a Z-grade Lily Allen. But points for only being 16 and making music a little more bearable than other 16 year olds *cough Justin Bieber*cough*.2.5 STARS

07. Dan Balan featuring Katie DiCicco: Chica Bomb

WTH? Why is Dan Balan credited as a lead artist on this track when Katie DiCicco, the sexy, breathy singer isn’t even credited? Last time I looked, practically whispering “chica-chica-bomb” over an unoriginal Eurodance backing constituted this being his song. I would give this Stinker Of The Week but DiCicco’s breathy vocals are seductive (I may be blinded by my urge to have sex with her), the cheesy Ibiza beats are just right for Summer and the middle eight is actually rather gorgeous. Dan Balan is a complete tool though. Many of you will agree with me as he was one-third of defunct band O-Zone (The Numa Numa Song), possibly the most annoying Moldovan poppers anywhere. 2.5 STARS

08. Declining Winter: Official World Cup Theme 2010

Something for the UK to be proud of, Declining Winter have been given the honourary role of providing the theme song for World Cup 2010. Really it’s a strange choice of theme song, it doesn’t particularly draw you in or have a very celebratory sound. In fact, it’s very ‘indie’ and brooding in its sound. The instrumentation is rather good though with some beautiful string sections. Only the end of the song with some World Cup commentary makes you actually believe this song is for the World Cup though. 3 STARS

09. Dirty Money featuring Rick Ross and T.I.: Hello Good Morning

Diddy, Timbaland called and asked what you’re doing right and what he’s doing wrong. Because Hello Good Morning sounds like it could have been released as a single of Timbaland Presents: Shock Value. Seriously? Yup. Diddy and his new ‘band’ of female rappers spit out some clichéd lyrics about being in a club and being so ‘fly’ with a little help from Rick Ross and recently freed T.I. over some wonky synths. It offers nothing new to the table at all but if you liked the singles from Timbaland’s FIRST Shock Valuealbum, then you should like this. Plus the epic breakdown at the end reminds us of why Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy aka P. Diddy aka Diddy is one of the most revered rappers out there. 3 STARS

10. Feeder: Call Out

‘90s rockers make a return with a big heavy rock number that grabs your attention as soon as the opening chords kick in at a lightning speed. Combined with a catchy chorus, Feeder have returned with a solid lead single from the forthcoming albumRenegades. Hopefully with the right promotion and airplay, this track can introduce the band to a whole new generation. 4.5 STARS

STINKER OF THE WEEK!
11. Justin Bieber: Never Let You Go

This is simply being released as a promo single so its unlikely to blow up like previous singles One Time and Baby, thank goodness. Now I could be nice and say I’m that I’m not 3 years old so I’m not the target market for this audience. However, J. Bieber has just released another stinker that only his die-hard fans can enjoy. I’ll admit Baby grew on me eventually and his forthcoming single with Usher Somebody To Love is actually rather good but this…this is just terrible! Not only is it bland, insipid and clichéd but who wantsto hear an eight-year-old boy sing about heartbreak in the form of an Auto-Tuned ballad. Yeah, we’re really reading into your soul there, Justin. Stick to the catchy dance-pop, methinks! 1 STAR

12. Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg: California Gurls

Despite it’s huge commercial success, this song has divided critics. Probably Katy’s own fault for declaring this as the LA equivalent to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ timeless modern classic Empire State Of Mind. Now California Gurls will probably be timeless too – but more in the way of “Oh crap! I can’t believe I actually liked that song” and then giving it a sneaky listen on your iPod or whatever replaces iPods in the future. BecauseCalifornia Gurls is just a fun pop song – nothing more. Combining Calvin Harris like synths, ‘90s wah-wah guitars, sunny melodies, a West Coast rap and a gigantic chorus, I think California Gurls deserves its huge success it will have this Summer. Oh sure, some of it sounds like Ke$ha’s TiK ToK and its clearly gimmicky but that doesn’t matter, as it is the must have song to play at the pool party this Summer. The song is so hot…my popsicle just melted. 4 STARS

13. K’nann: Wavin’ Flag (Celebration Mix)

The original version. The Young Artists For Haiti version. The will.i.am and David Guetta featured version. This Celebration Mix. I am absolutely sick to my teeth of this song and its many incarnations. Even though a few months – hell, a few weeks ago – I would have being encouraging you all to start checking out K’nann. No need now he’s so well known. Now, I know K’nann wrote this song but nothing for me will trump the Young Artists For Haiti version of this song. NOTHING! I find the verses are a bit lyrically clunky on this but that chorus still gives me goosebumps everytime it’s sung. So credjt to K’nann for writing such an inspirational chorus and introducing this song to the World. A few points off though for the song’s overexposure. 3.5 STARS

14. Pearl Jam: Amongst The Waves

The third single from Pearl Jam’s Backspacer album finds the band in an uplifting mood with some inspirational, gruff yet impassioned vocals from Eddie Vedder. This is a great rock mid-tempo that really picks up towards the end with some great guitar solos from Stone Gossard. One of the standout tracks from the album, this is another Summer playlist option if you want to shake it up a bit. 4 STARS

15. Rihanna featuring Slash: Rockstar 101

This is only being released as a promo single over here so no need to worry if you’re tired of Rihanna overexposure or think Te Amo has been cancelled. This track is probably one of the weakest songs of Rihanna’s Rated R. Although the prospect of Slash appearing as a feature on this track initially sounds exciting, it wears off pretty quick as this is far more heavy urban than it is rock. Rihanna’s claims of being a rockstar are ridiculous despite her level of swearing, the chorus is repetitive and wears thin fast and the only thing I like about it is the beat heavy production and the guitar solos towards the end. If Rihanna wanted to release some rock numbers from the album, she could have chosen the absolutely brilliant Fire Bomb, Cold Case Love or The Last Song. However, record companies probably thought these ballads would be too depressing after the sunny Rude Boy so have gone with this relatively upbeat track. I’m just glad it doesn’t have an official release over here. Poor America! 2.5 STARS

16. Rusko featuring Amber Coffman: Hold On

Dubstep producer Rusko, who has worked on M.I.A.’s new album and also rumoured to be working on Britney Spears’ new record, provides a bass heavy club track here with some decent yet unoriginal vocals from Amber Coffman. There are a few different layers to the song but overall this doesn’t step out too far from the dubstep genre or do anything new. Good club record though. 3 STARS

17. Scissor Sisters: Fire With Fire

Starting off as a subdued ballad, this track quickly takes off and becomes a big, anthemic fists-in-the-air dance rock number thanks to Jake Shears’ uplifting vocals and the synth rock instrumentation from the rest of the band. This a terrific comeback single from the New York quintet and as many people have pointed out, it has a whiff of Elton John to it. My only problem is that it’s a bit subtle. Compared to earlier lead singles like Laura and I Don’t Feel Like Dancing which were instantly infectious, Fire With Fire takes a few spins to get into. In a year where two of our biggest hits have song titles that are misspelled (California Gurls) or an Internet/text speak acronym(OMG), can this song have any lasting appeal when attention spans appear to be getting lower and lower? 4.5 STARS

18. Shout For England featuring Dizzee Rascal and James Corden: Shout

The only good thing about this song is the Tears For Fear and Blackstreet samples. The rest of the song is utter cack. This is probably the most creative thing Simon Cowell has put his name to but then again that’s not saying much considering The X-Factorwinner singles. I’ve lost all respect for Dizzee Rascal as a rapper and James Corden always annoyed me and I don’t find him particularly funny. This is basically a crowd shouting aloud to the rhythm of Shout which I don’t find particularly appealing because I can hear that down in my local at the weekends anyway. 2 STARS

19. Tegan And Sara: Alligator

Fresh from their recent collabo with Tiësto, Canadian duo Tegan and Sara have just released new single Alligator over here. I’ve just figured that the two girls have those distinctive, borderline annoying vocals that Irish band Heathers have. The song is a catchy little toe-tapper but in all honesty, the girls have brought out much better. This sounds like it should be soundtracking the latest Apple ad…which is maybe T&S’s goal. Either way, enjouable but passable. 3 STARS

20. Wolfmother: Far Away

I’m definitely noticing a 1970s Led Zeppelin vibe with this song. Amongst an electric piano, acoustic guitar and laidback drums, lead vocalist Andrew Stockdale sings in a relatively toned down voice compared to what we’re used to hearing from him. His voice definitely has echoes of Robert Plant, Axl Rose and to a lesser extent Jack White. If you’re looking for something that recalls a little ‘70s rock, then this is your song. Although to me, this is kind of your typical indie love song and doesn’t come close to Zeppelin. Still, this Aussie band don’t do a bad job of paying homage to them so I’ll keep an eye out to see if they progress in sound and maturity. 3.5 STARS

Adam, Basshunter, B.o.B., Gorillaz, Inna, Jessie James, Justin, Kat, Katy, Kelis, MGMT, N*E*R*D*, OK Go, Plan B, Snoop and Uffie unleash an onslaught of videos for us!

After Lady GaGa released her much discussed video clip for Alejandro about two weeks or so ago, it looks like some of the other artists in today’s music industry want in on the game and the last two weeks have seen an absolute onslaught of music videos float our way. Seeing as other areas of my life are taking over my blogging (despite me really getting into it lately), I’ve not been able to keep track of them all as soon as they’ve been released. However, never fear because I’ve combined them all into one humungous post. Here are some of the most notable (and not so notable) videos being released recently.

Adam Lambert: If I Had You

After getting off to a disappointing start with his dull as dishwasher ‘proper debut’ single For Your Entertainment, Adam Lambert has been very impressive lately. Not only am I mad about his current UK/Irish single Whataya Want From Me, released this July, but I’m also really loving If I Had You, Adam’s third single in the US (fifth if you count his American Idol runner up song No Boundaries and his soundtrack song Time For Miracles).

While Whataya Want From Me is a brooding P!nk penned rocker, If I Had You is a delightful electropop stomper that is sure to keep America partying all Summer. If I Had You is hugely euphoric, positive and massive and should ensure the larger than live vocalist and artist a massive hit. The video is a simple yet effective affair. Adam and a large group of people go out and party in a forest. The video has some fantastical elements to it with colourful fairies flitting about and Glambert resembling some character from either a sci-fi, fantasy, manga or anime movie/show I’d seen recently, I just can’t put my finger on who. Watch the video below, I hope this is released on these shores soon…although it is essentially a Summer single.

Basshunter: Saturday

The male Natalie Horler, Basshunter is back with a brand new single, Saturday, which will be taken from his currently untitled third album. *groan*

Not a huge groan though. Saturday is a minor improvement on some of the Sweedish DJ’s earlier work although it still remains generic, bland and soulless. Jonas has ditched the cheesy Eurodance for some pure Americanised dance-pop, á la Cascada with Evacuate The Dancefloor. Like Cascada, Jonas has definitely cashed into the Lady GaGa sound as he and some anonymous female vocalist sing over giant club beats. At least he’s ditched the repetitive soap storyline he used for previous videos and has gone for a full out club video.

B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams: Airplanes

After scoring a #1 hit with his Bruno Mars collaboration Nothin’ On You, innovative rapper B.o.B. is back with a new single Airplanes featuring Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams.

While the track is a certified smash and possibly even a future hip-hop classic, I’m a little disappointed with the video. Despite B.o.B.’s success, its clear that the label didn’t throw a huge amount of dollars at the video and I would have liked to see some interaction between B.o.B. and Hayley. Still the flashing lights look good and with a song so epic, with a simple yet effective chorus and having already cracked the Top 20, if not Top 10 across the World, clearly a below par video is the least of B.o.B.’s worries. Plus, I’m glad Hayley’s doing this collaboration. If Paramore ever go on hiatus or split, Hayley has the looks, talent and charisma to embark on a successful pop career, like No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani.

Gorillaz: On Melancholy Hill

Virtual band the Gorillaz have pushed back the release of second single Superfast Jellyfish in favour of new second single On Melancholy Hill. Superfast Jellyfish will be released later in the year, instead.

On Melancholy Hill was originally intended to be the third single from the album and it baffles me why the positions of this and the much more sunnier Superfast Jellyfish were reversed around. I also feel that the underwater theme and the images of jellyfish floating around were originally for a Superfast Jellyfish but the song was changed at the last minute.

That said On Melancholy Hill is one of the highlights from the brilliant Plastic Beach. The video is characteristically stunning, combining 2-D and 3-D seamlessly. My personal favourite parts are where the Gorillaz finally discover Plastic Beach and the cameo from a 2-D Snoop Dogg (who appears in three videos this post).
You can watch the stunning video here.

Inna: Amazing

To inject a little Eurotrash into this post, the trashily sexy Romanian singer Inna is set to release her second UK/Irish single Amazing. As you’d expect, it’s anything but – but at least we get to see her flail around in a bikini and view some stunning Portuguese landscape in the song’s video. Plus the song is much better than her surprise #10 hit Hot which was released a while back.

Jessie James: Boys In Summer

To inject a little country flavour into this post, why not check out the new music video by American singer Jessie James. The sexy Georgian is expected to be country music’s next ‘it’ girl (watch your back, Taylor Swift) and while it’s not being released over here yet, the song is a fun track that almost acts as the country equivalent to Katy Perry’s California Gurls, capturing the sound of the Summer perfectly. The video’s a lot of fun too, showing plenty of eye candy for both men and women. The song is definitely more country than whatever Taylor Swift has put her name to. You can watch the video here.

Justin Bieber featuring Usher: Somebody To Love

Self obsessed lesbian lookalike Justin “I Don’t Know What A German Is” Bieber and his mentor Usher have teamed up for a remix to new single Somebody To Love, which is bound to give Bieber yet another hit.

This time it’s deserved though as the song is a catchy little pop stomper with a stylish video to match. Clearly puberty is getting to young Bieber as his voice could be better on this track but thanks to a little help from Usher and some great choreography, Bieber has actually impressed me for once. Now if only he didn’t come across as a narcissistic little toe-rag pretending to act wholesome, I might actually start to like him.

Kat Deluna featuring Akon: Push Push

Flopstar Kat Deluna is back with her new single Push Push which features chipmunk voiced singer/rapper Akon. The reason why I’m including Kat in my post is because Ms. Deluna is in desperate need of a hit. Deluna has worked with RedOne long before GaGa ever did and while her combination of electropop, R&B and Latin music is extremely infectious, Deluna has never scored a hit. Maybe this song and its stylish video will help…though I doubt it. Shame because this is just ideal for Summer.

Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg: California Gurls

The much anticipated video for Katy Perry’s current US #1 California Gurls has finally surfaced. Rather than go with a literal video, Perry is thinking outside the box with a Candyland board game theme meets The Wizard Of Oz.

It’s no secret that I have a hard soft spot for Katy Perry so I naturally enjoyed this fun, cute video. Katy’s ‘quirkiness’, you’re either going to love or hate, and many will complain about her blatant selling off sex in this video (appearing naked on the cloud, whipped cream gun bra etc.) but as a red-blooded male I have no complaints. My personal highlight of the video is where Katy waves at the walking gummy bears, only for it to show her the middle finger, resulting in a hilariously camp over-exaggerated expression of offence from Ms. Perry. I also think the final scene with Snoop buried in the sand alongside the California Gurls would make a great desktop wallpaper.

Kelis: 4th July (Fireworks)

Kelis is back with the second single from her Flesh Tone album – the US holiday anthem 4th Of July. The video was done on a low budget but like her previous hit Acapella, Kelis does not disappoint, giving us a visually delicious video which displays plenty of the song’s namesake fireworks and explores the four elements of air, earth, fire and water.

While I’m not loving the song or the video as much as Acapella, I’m hoping it will grow on me and become another hit for the deceptively intelligent artist. Who would have known Kelis had so much creative vision when she released Milkshake all them years ago.

MGMT: It’s Working and Congratulations

Before the release of their second LP Congratulations, New York hipster band MGMT had stated that they planned to release no singles from the album as they wanted to stand on its own as its own “collection of work”. Two months on and the band have released music videos for the third and fourth single from the album It’s Working and the title track. Neither songs are exactly mainstream or radio friendly but the videos are a lot of fun so hopefully they get some airplay on the music channels.

N*E*R*D* featuring Nelly Furtado: Hot ‘N’ Fun

Hip-rockers N*E*R*D* make a return to the World of music, with new single Hot ‘N’ Fun from forthcoming album Nothing. Featuring Nelly Furtado, the video was directed by Telephone director Jonas Åkerlund. You can watch the video here, seeing as its being pulled down everywhere else.

While I do enjoy the feel good groove of the song, the video is very reminiscent of Ke$ha’s Your Love Is My Drug video as well as Lady GaGa and Beyoncé driving around a desert in the Pussywagon for Telephone. The blond lady in the Indian headdress, the Californian desert and the animated sequences recall Ke$ha’s most recent single. Not to mention Nelly Furtado being copy and pasted into the music video with some amateurish special effects. This isn’t the first time Ms. Furtado has had to be copy and pasted into a video – having done so already in Timbaland’s Morning After Dark as well as clearly not filming alongside James Morrison in his Broken Strings video. Don’t even get me started on her CGI presence in Flo Rida’s Jump. Surely she isn’t that busy that she can’t show up for a video shoot alongside her co-stars every now and then.

OK Go: End Love

Quirky indie rockers OK Go are also back with another mad video for new single End Love. Depsite its low budget, OK Go have taken their usual DIY approach to making music videos with some genuinely funny shots of them running about, posing with great camera work that speeds up and slows down the video. I love when the goose joins them. I really want these guys to be successful.

Plan B: Prayin’

Following the success of the toe-tapping She Said, rapper/soul singer Plan B continues the gripping storyline from his music videos of imprisoned soul singer Strickland Banks in new single Prayin’.

With the song’s gigantic, expensive and rousing production, I think this should be another hit for the London singer who avoids rapping on this track. The videos which have been a huge draw to this era have me wondering what will happen to our down on his look protagonist next.

Snoop Dogg: Oh Sookie

True Blood mega fan Snoop Dogg is definitely not stopping Alan Ball’s rejection of a Snoop cameo on True Blood without a fight. The pervy California rapper has now released a promo single where he confesses his love – or rather lust – for telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Snoop Dogg rapping about my favourite TV show and proclaiming his lust for the show’s stars Anna Paquin and Rutina Wesley suggests we have much more in common than I thought. This video, with its Sookie Stackhouse back-up dancers, isn’t going to sway regular listeners but this is a must see for any True Blood fan.

I think Alan Ball needs to stop being so unfair and fulfill Snoop’s dream of appearing on the show. 😀 Maybe, Snoop could be killed in the True Blood world and come back as a mentally disabled vampire who helps out the Louisiana vampires á la Bubba in the Sookie Stackhouse books (read: Elvis). It would be authentic and if stars like Anna Paquin and Evan Rachel Wood can appear in the show, then why not Snoop.

Uffie featuring Pharrell: ADD (SUV)

Finally, Miami singer/rapper Uffie has teamed up with Pharrell for her first proper single ADD (SUV), the video which surfaced yesterday. The electropop song with an alternative edge is quickly becoming amazing to me but the video seems randomly put together with Uffie and Pharrell driving around the city at night with some animated sequences throwing in, probably as a tribute to her favourite star Ke$ha. 😀 Check it out below.

Phew! Told you there was lots of videos.

Singles Reviews Diary 6 – 12th March 2010

It’s getting even earlier and earlier…but I have my reviews for singles being released on Monday this week. Cos I’ll most likely be busy. It’s a whopping 37 singles I’ll be covering this week (all though not all of them will be major releases).

As per usual, here are my thoughts on all major singles being released next week on:

Singles Reviews Diary 6 – 12th March 2010:

01. All Time Low: Lost In Stereo
Nothing remotely original about this at all, but if you’re like me and into you’re uptempo emo cuts, you’ll love this. 2.5 STARS

02. Ash: Dionysian Urge
I only continue to review/mention singles from Ash’s A-Z Series because I’m pedantic and can’t bare to leave them out. This is Single Letter L so there’s still a bit to go until Ash finish this project and hopefully release something a little more hyped up. If you like Ash, then you won’t mind spending 99p/99c on this single. 3 STARS

03. Band Of Skulls: I Know What I Am
A big stomping garage rock tune from the up and coming British rock band. It has a great chorus and if radio picks it up, it could be a big hit for the group. 4 STARS

04. Black Eyed Peas: Imma Be
Seeing as the futurtastic Imma Be Rockin’ That Body mash-up video seems to be getting a nice amount of airplay on the music channels, there is a small chance this song might chart in its own right. Really, its probably a good thing that this song is only being officially released over in North America, because this wouldn’t be an ideal single on this side of the Atlantic. This song is very hit and miss. Like previous hit My Humps, you’ll either find this very catchy, very irritating or both. The BEP repeat the words Imma Be about 100 times throughout this song, they show off some urban swagga, send out messages of positivity (yet again!) and the whole thing has that schizophrenic quality that a lot of tracks on The E.N.D. have, changing tempo about 3 times throughout. If you like what you hear, then get downloading. If not then, don’t.2.5 STARS

05. Black Eyed Peas: Rock That Body
The Black Eyed Peas go all Daft Punk on this David Guetta produced track. While not instantly accessible or poppish as I Gotta Feeling and Meet Me Halfway, this pulsating electro tune is rather brilliant. Definitely one of the better songs to dance to in a club, this single fits best with The E.N.D.’s futuristic theme. My only concern is a lack of normal voiced Fergie (she been swallowing far too much helium on this song) but the Black Eyed Peas seem to be unstoppable this year with everything they touch turning to chart gold. 4 STARS

06. Cheryl Cole: Parachute
Like Fight For This Love, this sounds terrible at first. However, after a few listens, this quickly infiltrates your brain until you don’t mind hearing it anymore. I wouldn’t give it 5 stars but this is a pleasant enough listen. Good stuff although ironic at this for Mrs. Cole/Ms. Tweedy. 4 STARS

07. Chris Brown: Crawl
Poor old Chris. Is his career on the downfall because of what he did to Rihanna or is it because his latest LP Graffiti a substandard bland affair. Good points out of the way first, this has a lovely sparse intro and the strings are suitably dramatic. The video is also rather good too. But this is a ballad that is so generic, so bland, so lacking in any identity with its lyrics and vocals that any R&B singer could have pulled it off. I know I’d much rather listen to Jason Derulo sing this song. 4 STARS

08. Chris Brown featuring L.A. The Darkman: In My Shoes
As well as promoting Graffiti, Brown has also released the mixtape In My Zone. As you’d expect, this just sounds like an underground version of I Can Transform Ya. Chris sings about a girl with a nice ass and a skinny little waist. Wow, Chris you’ve convinced us all, you’re so ghetto. L.A. The Darkman shows up for the customary rap.1 STAR

09.Craig David: One More Lie (Standing In The Shadows)
For his new album Signed Sealed Delivered, Craig David will sample old Motown classics and give them a modern twist. On this new single from the album, he delivers by sampling The Funk Brothers Standing In The Shadows over some ravey production. To be honest, I’m done with Craig David. I don’t like his voice and I don’t like any of his new material. This is okay, I can’t see it being a huge hit. 2.5 STARS

10. Delphic: Halycon
The Teens Decade’s (2010-2019) answer to New Order return with this brilliant new single. Like their criminally underselling previous single Doubt, this takes a few listens to reach its full catchy potential. Hopefully this charts better than Doubt. 4 STARS

11. Drake featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy: I’m Goin’ In
I really like Drake. I really don’t like crude slimy Lil Wayne and horse voiced Young Jeezy. They make an otherwise underground solid hip-hop track less enjoyable. 3 STARS

12. Drake: Over
After months of releasing mixtapes and appearing on other peoples’ records, Drake releases his first proper single from his first proper album. Things look promising with this track, a moody and brooding “fuck you” to all his detractors. Despite cracking the Top 30 in the US, this is more alternative but the wonderful production should see it get some mainstream attention. 4 STARS

13. Elaine Doonan and Pete Fagan: Haiti Child
Another week, another Haiti single. This is a nice yet unextraordinary live acoustic cover by little known Irish singers. 2 STARS

14. Erykah Badu: Window Seat
Wow just discovered this girl and wow she is good! With lovely silky vocals and a smooth R&B production, she sounds like a modern day Macy Gray. 4.5 STARS

15. Glee Cast: Don’t Make Me Over
Jennifer Hudson Junior is perfect for this retro styled cover of the soulful Dionne Warwick track. A great way to start of this week’s episode Hairography. 3.5 STARS

16. Glee Cast: Papa, Don’t Preach
Again, another epic cover by the Glee Cast. Pregnant Cheerleader is perfect for this acoustic cover of Madonna’s 1986 smash. Her voice works so well with this song. 3.5 STARS

17. Glee Cast: Imagine
The Glee Cast are on a roll this week, this is an actually amazing heartwarming cover of the John Lennon classic. 5 STARS

18. Glee Cast: Bootylicious
Glee goes Destiny’s Child with this karaoke rendition. Probably the weakest cover in this week’s episode. 2.5 STARS

19. Glee Cast: True Colors
The Quirky Girl With The Fake Stutter gets her chance to shine with her cover of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors. Its perfectly fine but Quirky Girl hasn’t a very distinguishable voice. I would have much preferred if she cover “Puh-puh-puh-poker face, puh-puh-puh-poker face”. 3 STARS

20. Glee Cast: Hair/Crazy In Love
This is another amazing mash-up by Glee and it features my two favourite characters – The Wheelchair Guy and Jennifer Hudson Junior. It’s brilliant and is the most likely tune to break the chart next week. Hairography is an episode you do not want to miss. 4.5 STARS

21. Groove Armada featuring Will Young: History
Very ’80s and very good. I must go out and buy Groove’s new album Black Lightsoon…and I recommend you do too. 4.5 STARS

22. Jamie T: Emily’s Heart
Jamie T is a wonderful songwriter and this single from sophomore album Kings And Queens showcases that perfectly. Sounds a bit like The Streets. 4 STARS

STINKER OF THE WEEK!
23. Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston: Eenie Meenie
I was going to award Stinker of the Week to Justin Bieber’s other song but I decided that this promo single is even more dire. This is a joint collaboration from the tween…sorry teen…heartthrob and the irrelevant Jamacian singer/rapper. Built around the juvenile “Eenie Menie Minie Mo” rhyme, Sean and Justin sing about an “eenie meenie mo lover” (sounds explicit for someone whose not legal yet) and refer to her as “shawty” throughout the song. Yeah guys, cos ye are so tall. This song is terrible. Terrible. Boring R&B. Has a Summery vibe but still crap. Has to be heard (for free) to realise how terrible it is. 1.5 STARS

24. Justin Bieber: Baby
I have nothing personal against the Biebmeister but if he continues to release such generic R&B junk, I’m gonna keep up my criticisms. This, for me, is worse than One Time. The chorus is just a lazy man’s way of being catchy, repeating “Baby” over and over again. Justin’s voice also sounds weak on the chorus. Ludacris turns up to spit out some uninspired verse about his tweenhood. Can I ask why cool rappers like Ludacris and Drake (who appears in the video) want to hang around with a bunch of 15-year-olds? Like come on! 2 STARS

TRACK OF THE WEEK!
25. Lady GaGa featuring Beyoncé: Telephone
GaGa might be pretentious and fond of using gimmicks but you can’t deny her talent, creativity and her knack for writing some amazing pop songs. This will hopefully be GaGa’s fourth Number 1 in the UK. Originally written for Britney Spears, it’s a good thing GaGa held on to this for herself because only she could pull off the restrained harp backed intro and outro, the speedy club friendly production and sirens, the countless number of hooks and the fast paced verses. Beyoncé almost steals the show with her raspy verse, but after her being the lead artist on their last collaboration Video Phone(which was a real stinker), it’s only right that Lady GaGa shines on this much better offering from the pair. 5 STARS

26. LIGHTS: Ice
Yes! A brand new find! A much cooler, female version of Owl City. LIGHTS is a one woman band who writes and plays her own New Wavey electropop tunes. Sounds like a bit like Blackout Britney. 4 STARS

27. Major Lazer featuring Vybz Kartel: Pon De Floor
This combines rave and dancehall quite effectively. Great production but we’ve heard it all before. 3 STARS

28. Michael Bublé: Cry Me A River
Housewife favourite Michael Bublé returns with the second single from his crazy selling album Crazy Love. The intro to the Canadian crooner’s new song is epically dramatic and his voice is very powerful but this ballad doesn’t really go anywhere. Could be a nice James Bond theme. 2.5 STARS

29. Paloma Faith: Upside Down
Paloma changes pace with the third single from her brilliant debut album, Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful? After teary eyed ballads like Cold Stone Sober and New York, this is a much more lively track from the multi-talented soul artist. 4 STARS

30. Rod Stewart: (You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher
Rod Stewart releases this solid but really unnecessary cover of the Jackie Wilson classic. Rod Stewart fans will lap it up but for everyone else, this will hardly be a blip on your radar. 1.5 STARS

31. Rowetta Howett: Beautiful Lies
Anyone remember Rowetta? Nope neither did I! She got to the Final 9 (yup, it was the Final 9 as opposed to the Final 12 back in those dark days) of the first ever series ofThe X-Factor. She was also the first to be knocked out of those live finals. Her debut single is actually rather nice, nothing out of this World. Showcases that she has talent though. 3 STARS

32. Rox: My Baby Left Me
Much like Noisettes Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go!), this could be a massive crossover hit if it gets enough airplay. A super catchy soulful indie track! 4.5 STARS

33. Skepta: Bad Boy
A slicky produced grime track. Much like Rox, this could be a massive crossover hit. Much better than Tinie Tempah, in my opinion. 3 STARS

34. Snoop Dogg: Rida Man
Snoopie samples the Spiderman theme in this novelty promo single. I like it but its nothing amazing. 3 STARS

35. Snoop Dogg: I Wanna Rock
A solid old skool hip-hop track that samples Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s 1988 song It Takes Two. It Takes Two is popular this week has the Black Eyed Peas have also sampled the song for Rock That Body. But while Black Eyed Peas shoot to the future, Snoop sticks to keeping the song in the past. 3 STARS

36. Three 6 Mafia vs. Tiësto featuring Flo Rida and Sean Kingston: Feel It
Wow, I’m pleasantly surprised that a song featuring my “two favourite artists” Sean Kingston and Flo Rida could be so good. Thanks to Tiesto’s fast paced production, this is a great club banger and driving song combined. Love it! 4 STARS

37. T.I.: I’m Back
T.I.’s comeback from prison song. I like T.I.’s so I won’t knock this too much but we’ve heard this kind of track from him (and many other rappers) many times before.3.5 STARS

38. Timbaland featuring Bran’Nu: Meet In Tha Middle
Timbaland continues to release promo singles from his poor selling Timbaland Presents Shock Value II album. This is a really great rap track and has that old skool feel of some of his earlier tunes. Brandy (of Moesha fame) also shocks by unleashing her rapping alter ego Bran’Nu and she’s just fantastic at it. One of the few artists who can rap as well as they sing. 3.5 STARS