Canadian rising pop starlet My Name Is Kay, who recently changed her name from simply Kay, continues her reign as one of pop's most promising artists with the release of her new eponymous EP, which features two brand new slapping tracks!
The Interscope Records signee once again worked with hitmaker Ryan Tedder, whom helped create the irresistible "My Name Is Kay". Tedder along with Evan Bogart, produced and co-wrote the stomper "Dum Diddy" and radio-ready "Strangers" featuring Pusha T. Also included on the release are the Doctor Rosen Rosen-produced "M.A.J.O.R." and "Going Diamond" that features rap legend Kurtis Blow and was produced my Martin "Cherry Cherry Boom Boom" Kierszenbaum.
Unfortunately, the EP is currently only available for purchase in Canada but rest assured that by the end of 2012, My Name Is Kay's debut album, in all its pop perfection, is going to be making a definite impact.
I don't have time right now to write a review of Far East Movement's new lead single "Live My Life" but I could not keep this on hold until later. All you need to know about this infection pop collaboration with Justin Bieber is that it will reach No. 1 in no time! I really don't like Far East Movement or Justin Bieber separately, but together they've creative one massive radio single!
Up-and-coming British rapper Smiler has released his track "Spender" featuring none other than 2012's it-girl Lana Del Rey. The pair recorded the duet back in 2010, when they were working on their respective material in studios directly next to each other. Lana's beautiful and strong vocals on the chorus should help ease the detractors of her now infamous SNL performance.
This recorded version of Shirley Bassey's "Big Spender”, originally from the musical Sweet Charity, will be released on Smiler's new mixtape All I Know on February 27th. It's rumored that a music video might be in the works.
Marcus Collins, runner-up on the eighth season of the UK X Factor, has unleashed his debut single "Seven Nation Army". Despite the strong criticism he has and will receive for covering TheWhite Stripes’ iconic Grammy-winning track, Marcus has produced an exceptional version that respects the original creation while putting his own unique pop spin on the song. Granted it's not a huge leap from the original but with his smooth vocals and a horns section that sounds as though it was plucked directly from Mark Ronson's discography circa 2007, it's a really firm piece of pop.
"Seven Nation Army" is due out for release in the UK on March 4th, while Marcus' eponymous album Marcus Collins will hit shelves a week later on March 12th. The album will feature original tracks as well as two additional covers including "Your Love Is Lifting Me Higher" by Jackie Wilson and (personal favorite) "Tightrope" by Janelle Monae. You can hear a snippet of the very promising "Break These Chains" below, which was co-written by Marcus along with Paul Meehan and Jamie Scott of Graffiti 6.
You know who I hate? Nicki Minaj. What do I hate even more? The fact that I love this song.
Right off the heels of one of the worst performances in the history of the Grammys, Onika Maraj has released a new track from her highly-anticipated (not by me) sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which is due in stores on April 3rd. In a move that will only fuel the Lady Gaga comparisons, the rap starlet sought out the production skills of none other than frequent Gaga collaborator RedOne.
The LA Times commented on Nicki's copycat claims:
"Her over-the-top shtick at the Grammys for the unveiling of 'Roman Holiday,' a new track from her upcoming album, felt familiar. She arrived on the Staples Center red carpet in an overflowing red dress and matching cloak, accompanied by an actor dressed as a pope. During her performance of 'Roman’s Revenge' and 'Roman Holiday,' she levitated, writhed, appeared to speak in tongues and romped through a stained glass-windowed set surrounded by white-robed backup dancers. While we applaud her for pushing the boundaries and offering a spectacle that you just don’t see within the rap genre, the moment didn’t feel wholly original. Possibly because she tapped Lady Gaga’s former creative director Laurieann Gibson to stage the performance; it was only a few years ago that Gaga turned the 2009 Video Music Awards into her version of an ethereal cathedral."
Just like many other artists before her, The Young Money queen is cashing in on the controversy and it's definitely going to pay off because the track is straight fire! It's a glossy slice of Euro-Pop trash filled with an infectious chorus and heavy synths that is sure to bring Nicki back to the top of the charts sooner than expected.
I'll give it to Nicki...after I swore her off Sunday night and became a huge Nicki hater, she's now made me give a little more than two fucks about her. Job well done.
Following his No. 1 smash hit "Louder", DJ Fresh again hits the top of the British charts this week with his second single "Hot Right Now" featuring Roc Nation newbie Rita Ora. The 21-year-old Kosovo-born, London-raised singer, who signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation in 2009, is currently hard at work on her debut album with Drake and Kanye, rumored to be released some time in 2012.
Speaking about her individuality and no-gimmicks personality, Rita says, "To be different you have to sound different. My musical style is very free. I love pop music but I do it with an edge. I want to bring that whole British style to America, I think we take different chances musically."
I am mostly interested in Rita because although DJ Fresh's well crafted drum'n'bass sound is spot-on, it's Rita's slapping vocals that make this song an absolute banger! With a No. 1 hit already to her name, album features from Hip-Hop royalty, and a style to kill for, Rita is definitely one to watch in 2012.
American indie pop band fun. are set to release their sophomore studio album, Some Nights, next Tuesday, February 21st.
With the unexpected success of lead single "We Are Young", Some Nights is set to reach a wider and more mainstream audience. While avid hipster fans will cry out and mourn about "the death of their favorite indie band", I'm excited about this new era for fun. and I'm looking forward to seeing radio's response. I never could have imagined the success these guys have received when I saw them play their first show ever three years ago in Rhode Island but it's extremely well deserved!
While Australia's musical talent is currently being presented around the world with the tremendous success of Gotye, whom I posted about back in August, there's another Aussie that I believe will be making an impact of her own very soon.
Rising pop starlette Elen Levon exploded onto the scene a few months ago with her electric smash "Naughty" and now she's back with a teaser of her second single off her upcoming debut album.
Simply based off of the thirty second clip, Levon is giving off some major Rihanna swag. It seems like a track that was offered to Rihanna's management at some point and it just never made it on an album. I mean that in the best way possible because this pop track is straight fire! It's a blend of RiRi's Good Girl Gone Bad era and the newest Talk That Talk period. It's also 100x better than Rihanna's struggling second single "You Da One" that has yet to hit the Top 10, something RiRi is definitely not used to.
There's no concrete information on the title or date of the album's release but if what I've heard so far is any indication of what is to come, then I'm eagerly awaiting its arrival.
Update:Elen has released the official music video for her second single! This is the first time I'm hearing the song in full and I am loving it. Starting off the track with the chorus was a super smart move on the songwriters' parts!
This newly-released remix by fast-rising producer Gigamesh of alternative/rock/pop quintet Grouplove's "Tongue Tied" is a slice of pop perfection. Do yourself a favor and go download it for FREE in the SoundCloud widget below!
Also, check out Grouplove's fantastic performance of the original version of "Tongue Tied" on Jimmy Kimmel!
Israeli duo The Young Professionals have crafted arguably the best remix of Lana del Rey's debut single "Video Games"! The pair, composed up of MTV's EMA 2011-nominated Ivri Lider and producer Johnny Goldshtein, describe their music style as an alternative/pop mixture of electronic sounds with acoustic percussion and guitars. This slapping remix is only going to bring Lana even more fans.
What the hell is in Britain's water? The UK has always been a breeding ground for enormous musical talent but as of recent there seems to be an influx of authentic artists ready to make a name for themselves. One of the newest acts who's set for major takeover is 19 year-old Brighton singer/songwriter Conor Maynard. Early last year he became one of Britain's most popular YouTube stars known for covering other people's songs. Fans loved it and even artists started to take notice. Many celebs tweeted about him and Ne-Yo even called his house and offering to produce him.
But Parlophone was the lucky label who ultimately ended up signing Maynard while encouraging him to continue to build his social media following. With 50 million YouTube views, he now has the 7th most subscribed music channel in the UK, his Facebook fans now stand at 175,000 and he has more than 60,000 Twitter followers. All of that without releasing a single piece of original music. Impressive.
With all that online success, it is time to take it to radio and up the charts. On April 30th, Maynard will release his debut single "Can't Say No" that was co-written by Conor and produced by The Invisible Men (the men behind, three of my favorites, Jessie J, Nicola Roberts, Pixie Lott). "Can't Say No" is an edgy, electronic slice of prime R&B-styled pop that is nothing like the cookie-cutter teen pop sound out there, which will surely help to get him noticed. And I know that almost every male pop up-and-comer is compared to Justin Timberlake but Maynard really does remind me of him!
"Can't Say No" precedes his debut album which Maynard has been working on in recent months with the likes of Jermaine Dupri (Usher, Mariah Carey), Midi Mafia (50 Cent, Frank Ocean), Kevin Rudolf (Jay Sean, Lil’ Wayne), Sandy Vee (Rihanna, Katy Perry), Crada (Drake, Kid Kudi) and legendary songwriter Dianne Warren.
Keep your eyes on this one as big things are sure to happen!
