Bad Boys-Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won last year's X Factor (the UK American Idol) and here is her debut single, Bad Boys. She did not take the Leona route and release a Bleeding Love-esque ballad. Instead, Ms. Burke put on a slinky sliver outfit and released a relentlessly uptempo gem. The song (especially tempo-wise) is similar to Britney's Womanizer (as Popjustice noted), and it gallops along at a frenetic pace. It rarely stops for air and builds splendidly to the chorus. I didn't love it after the first listen, but now I really enjoy it. It's super fun and the chorus is super catchy and satisfying. I love the "ooo way, ooo wah'' part in the chorus. Flo Rida rides the fast beat like he's in the Kentucky Derby, but honestly his presence isn't really necessary. Alexandra holds her own. Now I'm super psyched for her album.



The Saturdays-Forever is Over
So the video for The Saturdays new single leaked before the full song did. Odd. Anyway I enjoy the Satz new song. It's pop rock instead of the electro R&B pop of their first album. The video is pretty dull except for some cool, documentary-style and black and white camera shots and when blondie Mollie rubs off the heart tattoo with her finger. That's fantastic. Frankie and Rochelle's hairdos look really good as well. Rochelle sounds splendid in the second verse (she sings with conviction). The guitar-tinged middle eight is great, but too short. I think this song could do well for them if they released it in the US. It is very likable.



Miley-Party in the USA
Oh Miley, sometimes you have a really good knack for pop songs. I've fallen in love with this irresistible, funky, and sweet jam known as Party in the USA. The chorus is fun, joyful, and catchy. The verses feature amusing, original, and endearing lyrics about Miley's journey from Nashville to scary LA. "Nodding my head like yeah, moving my hips like yeah". Amen, sister. Gotta love it.


I'm Not Your Toy-La Roux
One of my favorite new acts of the year, La Roux, released the video for their next single, I'm Not Your Toy the other day. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs with it's gentle steel drums and superb lyrics. The video is kooky, filled with a strange array of people (dancers that all look like the lead singer of British band Noisettes) all in a glass pool house staring awkwardly at each other until everyone starts to dance a little. Watch for lead singer Elly Jackson's hair emerging from the water. Crazy beautiful.



Now I'm That Bitch-Livvi Franc
Another pop gal has emerged from Barbados (home of my love, Rihanna). Her name is Livvi Franc and her debut single is called Now I'm That Bitch. The electro-pop beat is minimalist, but effective because it let's Livvi deliver the sharp lyrics with sass and oomph. The first 40 seconds build spectacularly with the ominous beat slowly invading the song as Livvi gets more and more sassy. The video is pretty cool (crazy fabric dance) and I like Pitbull's rap. It's a modern pop song, but it doesn't sound like everything else out there (i.e. some variation on the Lady GaGa/RedOne sound). Choice lyrics: "Hi, my name is (genius pop music song pause BRAVO)....you won't remember, wait till December". Great debut.

Class

-Rowdy pics of Miley's main man, Justin Gaston, have popped up on the internet. They are of him at a Hollywood Hillls house party. They are amusing. See them here: http://bauergriffinonline.celebuzz.com/2008/10/mileys-boyfriend-justin-gaston.php

-He also churched it up with some of the Cyrus clan the other day when Miley was sicky poo.

-And he was modelling in a show last week and when he walked down the runway, Miley stuck her tongue out suggestively at him . It's possibly my favorite picture of her ever. Team Selena! Gaston is on a roll!

Justin is a fox though.

Tidbits

- Here's a recent picture of Shawn Johnson. Just because a little Shawn Johnson makes any day better.


-Scarlett Johansson embarrasses herself with the new Cosmo Girl cover. The outfit is just....no. I still love her though.



-Miley's man, Justin Gaston, performed at her huge Sweet 16 bash at Disneyland this past weekend. Here's what Miley's dad, Billy Ray, has to say about the Gas: "He actually reminds me a lot of myself when I was 20 years old and I was living and searching for the dream. He's got a great heart and soul, and a lot of determination. I think that's the true measure of a man, is when you measure his heart." (Billy Ray told this to Access Hollywood). This relationship is so weird but I love it. No way is she still a virgin. Look at that picture of him in his underwear model days (above). No way! Well, her excuse is....she's just being Miley.

-Katy Perry graces the cover of the November Blender looking vintage chic. I like her style. It's very 40's pinup.

-Krysten Ritter, one of Rory's college friends on Gilmore Girls in the last two seasons, rocks it out at a recent event. I love the puffy high waisted black skirt. She's pictured here with redheaded comedienne Isla Fisher who I love. The two of them will be starring in February's romantic comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic which actually looks decent. Hugh Dancy (!!!), Joan Cusack (I LOVE THAT WOMAN....the water bubbler scene in Sixteen Candles), and Kristen Scott Thomas also star.

-Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist stars Jonathan B. Wright and Aaron Yoo appear in an article at Out Magazine's website talking about the movie. They were both so great in that movie. I heart them.

















-Britney Spears new video for Womanizer will premiere during 20/20, of all shows, tomorrow night on ABC. 20/20 is a news magazine show. I don't see the connection. Check out these photos from the video shoot. Look at her as a shmexy secretary! Anyway, I bought Womanizer out of love for my Brit Brit, and I like the song more now. Dancing to it immediately makes it better. Also the lyric "Daddy-o, you've got the swagger of a champion" is an undeniably genius lyric. Not Brit's best though. Gimme More was way better.

Dayum!

Miley Cyrus' new boy toy, Justin Gaston, is a total fox who is also 20 years to her 15. He's an underwear model who competed on the reality show Nashville Star. Look at some of these pictures of him. No way is she still a virgin, no possible way. I mean, look at the guy! Miley knows how to pick them. I love it! I'm sure Disney is loving it too.

Quality Music from Disney

Demi Lovato, Disney's latest spawn, released her debut single a few weeks ago. It's called Get Back, and surprisingly, it's really good, and rocks pretty hard. The beginning sounds very Jonas Brothers, but Demi really makes the song her own. Her voice is very impressive. She has a real rock and roll voice which is surprising for a Disney star. She also knows how to sing the different parts of the song. Instead of just constant belting, she lets her voice die down at points then come roaring back. Her voice is better than Miley's, and she seems like a cooler person. The video was released the other day, and it's kind of boring, but she sells the song and wears cool red gloves. This ties with Miley's genius See You Again for best song from a Disney star.