Music Update!

Sorry I haven't posted in forever. Here's some music.

JLS-One Shot
UK boy band wonder, JLS, will unleash their third single, One Shot, across the pond next month. It's a very good, satisfying piece of modern pop sleekness. Like most of their videos, this one features the boys dancing except this time they have wicked sick microphones that appear and disappear. I'm totally into this song after a couple of listens. It's nothing new, but it hits all the right buttons: semi-emotive singing, repetition of words in the chorus (watch this moment go by eeey eeeye), an intro where you think the whole thing is going to be a standard piano ballad then some crazy synths surprise you and the groove begins, and also the reference to Boys Like Girls obnoxiously catchy, Love Drunk as well as the lyric: "She's the kinda girl boys read about in magazines, glossy magazines". I'm really impressed about the use of glossy in a song. Great single from the boys.


Alexandra Burke-Broken Heels
This single is the definition of campy and I love every second of it. Alexandra Burke has thankfully proven herself to be the opposite of fellow X Factor winner, Leona Lewis. Burke's songs are upbeat rushes of pop amazingness (see last year's Bad Boys). Broken Heels is produced by RedOne (Lady GaGa's frequent collaborator) and for once, a song he produces isn't instantly recognizable as a RedOne song. There are plinky plonky piano keys and an overall sound that don't just make it sound like Just Dance, Part 2. The song is a thundering beast though especially when we get into that chorus. Alexandra knocks another one out of the park. This is a good collaboration that appears to be continuing as it was reported last week that Alexandra is working on some new songs with Mr. RedOne. Also, the video: hilarious and genius at the same time. Girl can dance!


Fenech-Soler-Lies
A UK band I seriously have my eye on for 2010 are Fenech-Soler. They make sublimely funky electro-pop. Here's their most straightforwardly catchy song yet, Lies. How awesome is that high note Ben Duffy hits in the chorus when he sings LIES! They have two EP's out on iTunes that are both very good. Check out their song Airbrushed. Also, they have two other songs up on their myspace called Stop and Stare and Golden Sun. Golden Sun has a sexy horn undercurrent. All their songs are immensely likable and ever so different so as not to seem like every other band out there who likes to mix some electro in with their guitars and drums. Can't wait for a full album.
http://www.myspace.com/fenechsoler
Awesome glittery, silver cardigan in the video!


The Drums-I Felt Stupid
This is one of the bands I'm most excited about for 2010. These fellas from New York (they moved there recently from Florida) have a melange of sounds going on: down-on-the-beach-on-a-summer's-day guitar giddiness as well as 80's drama and melancholy drenched vocals from blonde-haired lead singer, Jonathan Pierce. You've heard these sounds before on Oldies 103.3 with the Beach Boys and any 80's song of your choice, but these guys use their influences to great effect especially on this gem, I Felt Stupid, which has a sweet chorus complete with yes, word repetition, (Ha Ha Ha Heart!) and a splendid bit where Pierce sings "And have I lived my life too selfishly baby". See the track and field-themed video below. Check out all their other songs on their myspace. Instruct Me is quite lovely and Submarine demonstrates the Happy Days/ 80's smoothie the boys like to make.
http://www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever


Plan B-Stay Too Long
British rapper makes old school R&B/soul and rap hybrid to strange and quite great effect.

The Monster Ball In Boston, Dec. 1

Okay, yes I admit, this blog is turning into a GaGa fan land. I'll try to cut back a little. But first allow me to gush about the amazing Monster Ball show I saw in Boston on Tuesday night. Walking into the stunning Wang Theater on Tremont Street, you just knew this was going to be a good night. People were dressed up in snazzy outfits and the GaGa t-shirts were clever and visually glorious. Upon reaching our seats on the lower right side of the theater we watched Kid Cudi do his last song. Then, as they set up the Monster Ball stage, we watched as a dance party commenced to classic Michael Jackson being played over the speakers. People were dancing in the aisles. The man in front of me was MJ-ing it up and lip-syncing along to "Bad" with conviction and another young guy in suspenders and a t-shirt was doing some sort of dance that may have been the worm (probably not, I couldn't really see all his moves). When the intro GaGa video started playing the crowd started freaking out, me included, then the countdown clock started and I just couldn't wait. She appeared doing "Dance in the Dark" off her new album, and I was beyond excited. The Lady performed for two splendid hours. The costumes were daring and bizarre while the dancing had elements of Broadway and vaudeville. Highlights included: "Monster", off the new album as well, which involved a backdrop with demented, twisted trees and a black feathered costume for GaGa, a wonderfully choreographed version of the raw "Teeth", a sexual tormented love affair dance to campy "Alejandro" complete with a sassy cigarette (which I just noticed was there in a close-up video), "Boys Boys Boys" with GaGa wearing a black leotard-type outfit with a gun strapped across her chest and some male dancers grabbing their crotches and grinding while wearing black suspenders and pants, fun versions of The Fame (complete with shielding face from fame hand movements) and Beautiful, Dirty, Rich (remixed with great choreography including a funny don't mess with me crotch gesture). There was a slight lull when she did some of her lesser known songs such as Paper Gangsta (which did have a cool dentist chair, dead female dancer thing going on) and Fashion (good nonetheless-male dancer in high-heeled black boots). Perhaps one of the greatest moments of the night was one GaGa sat at her piano and played a fantastic, moving version of Speechless, her new ballad about her Dad. She had us sing along and was very touched when we knew all the words to the chorus. Poker Face on piano was also terrific featuring GaGa doing her usual crazy piano antics: crouching on her piano bench, standing on her piano bench, striking what seemed to be a yoga pose while we all cheered, and playing the keys with her sassy high heels (she did that at the House of Blues in March as well). When she played Speechless was when all the emotions I'd been feeling since the show started came out. I started crying. I think it was one of those moments of pop euphoria where you pretty much surrender to the music and performer. I was holding back emotion from the moment she appeared on stage. I felt uninhibited. I screamed, I sang along, I danced. Paparazzi was a dramatic staging with GaGa coming out in a black coat with super long, blonde braids and sitting in a hanging scaffold filled with theater equipment. She was lifted up while in the hanging scaffolding as she sang and her Rapunzel-like braids were cut with giant scissors by some male dancers. The high of the show had to be the Bad Romance conclusion though. When the song started, the whole theater went crazy. GaGa did the weird and amazing choreography from the video in white pants, a black bustier of sorts, and a white jacket with comically high shoulder pads. It was ferocious. We put our monster claws up in the air and danced with abandon. Throughout the whole show, GaGa had brief video interludes while she changed costumes. The best one involved GaGa in a white dress seemingly made of paper posing then another version of GaGa with dark hair (who I originally thought was an Asian model) spits up greenish liquid onto the white dress. The spit up occurs again and again. It is out there, but brilliant. Another clip involved GaGa wearing various masks (gas mask, torture masks, African masks?). One involved her smoking a cigarette through the whole in a gas mask or a diving mask. The last video we saw followed Bad Romance and was of her getting a tattoo that apparently said the word "Fans" within her heart. And boy, did GaGa profess to loving her fans throughout the show. She also had some great, zany quotes per usual (not all which I can post...scandalous!). Here are some: "I hate the truth. Give me a load of bulls**** any day.", "When I went around the world, people asked me 'GaGa, what did you see?' and I said (dramatic turn around) ' I saw monsters'", "Is this Menthol?", "Do you think I'm sexy? I think you're sexy.", "My mom's here tonight...she's like me but normal,", "I went to get a large coffee yesterday and the man at the counter didn't say anything. He gave me my coffee and said 'See you tonight' (the Lady then snaps and turns around imitating the sassy fan). That is a Lady GaGa fan." She also had a quote about Boston and certain male appendages. She has a whirlwind of an onstage persona. She screams and yells for us to scream which we do because what else would you do when GaGa asks you something like that. She lies on the stage with her legs in the air pretending to be Tinker Bell and we have to scream and cheer to bring her back to life. She commands us to show her our teeth. Also, her dancers were all superb especially two male dancers (one who was Mark from So You Think You Can Dance season 4). Mark was always the kooky, weird modern dancer on SYTYCD and GaGa is the perfect person for him to dance for. He fits her vision and gets completely into character. Many of the male dancers had a masculine and feminine side that came out in different numbers. Sometimes they flitted about the stage and sometimes they were grounded and firm. It was a fantastic change from song to song or set of songs to set of songs. The Monster Ball was an experience filled with camp, sex, fierce costumes (the revealing sexy golden Egyptian style outfit), the solar system set piece, and real artistic vision. I was moved or laughed at GaGa's vision at various points. She's very serious about her art, but also you have to take everything with a grain of salt. She's self-aware. What a night! What a crowd of lovable GaGa loons.

Bravo GaGa! Ooh, la, la!

(Thanks to CEG and GaGa Daily for the photos)

Here's the dual GaGa video interlude

Brilliant.

Songs, Songs, Songs

Try Sleeping with A Broken Heart-Alicia Keys
Ms. Keys is back, releasing a new album, The Element of Freedom, in December. The first single, Doesn't Mean Anything flopped on the Billboard Hot 100, but here is the beautiful second single, Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart. It's the best thing she's done in a few years (I wasn't a big No One fan). Its got big drums and bits that sound like lightning bolts in an 80's video game. The chorus is fantastic with Keys' defiantly singing: "I'm gonna find a way to make it, without you tonight" Classic Keys. I'm very curious about her new album now.


Orally Fixated-Roisin Murphy
Electro diva Roisin Murphy has released a new single, Orally Fixated. It's very different than all her other stuff. Very sexy with the beat kind of doubling back on itself, stopping and starting at points. The strutting, stuttering beat fades in and out after the chorus. It's quite naughty and delicious. Best bit: "Orally fixated. Never satiated." Can't wait for her new album.



Acapella-Kelis
I never expected to be writing about Milkshake singer, Kelis, on this blog, but this week she's gone and posted her new song, Acapella, online, and it's quite fantastic. It's produced by dance man David Guetta (When Love Takes Over, Sexy Chick, I Gotta Feeling)and features a strutting rhythm and beat similar to Roisin's Orally Fixated. I love the idea of the song that Kelis' life was always acapella before she met this person who her life became a fully orchestrated song. Okay, I know very cheesy, but very effective in a song. I'm super excited for her new album now.



3 Words-Cheryl Cole and Will.I.Am
Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud released her debut solo album in the UK last month and it is a huge hit. Her next single is the dark and sensual, late night clubbing slow burner 3 Words which features Black Eyed Pea and producer, Will.I.Am. It's probably the best song on the album. Anyway, the video premiered today and it's quite lovely. There are dancers with fabric across their faces going loco and Cheryl looks quite stunning. Better than the Fight for This Love video. Her black and gold outfit around 1:52 is gorgeous and Lady GaGa-ish. A lot of the video seems influenced by Lady Gaga especially when Cheryl sports an odd-looking blond wig. Very cool concept though. I like how it is pretty much set in one, museum-like room with a stained glass window. Very interesting Cheryl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiWXIQ85ho

Mind Blown

Lady GaGa's new video for Bad Romance premiered on Tuesday and it is potentially her best video yet possibly even topping the absolute over the top decadence and drama of the splendid Paparazzi video. First off: the costumes are out of this world. It's sexy and alluring and weird. GaGa wears a stunning, ridiculous polar bear coat, a diamond encrusted top, a bizarre red top, and crazy tall high heels called Armadillos made by the English designer Alexander McQueen. The plot of the video is that GaGa is being sold into the Russian sex slave trade and she rebels and sears her buyer alive in a bed. It is genius. The dancing is odd and awesome. Le Lady looks truly beautiful in this video. My favorite parts: the dance routine when GaGa is being auctioned off in her diamond outfit, the fiery dance routine in the red outfit near the end, the part where the diamonds are suspended around her in the air and she's standing in the middle of a circle of men (the dark shoes in that scene are gorgeous), and the end bit when she enters in the polar bear coat then takes it off and the bed catches on fire, killing her horrible buyer. Also the end is hilarious when she's lying in the bed looking somewhat like Amy Winehouse smoking a cigarette with her cone bra emitting sparks, next to the burnt bones of the evil Russian man. There's also the bit where she is in flames, posing inher polar bear coat. Classic. Oh wait, and there's the crazy big eyes, the freaky cat, and the close ups of her crying! Overall, this video is a triumph that cleans the floor with pretty much every other video out there as well as every other major pop song out there. GaGa's vision is wonderfully original and passion-filled. She inspires me. I wish I was as brave and daring as her. This video is a huge present to the pop music world. I'm infatuated. I don't think my description does it justice. Just watch:

Here are some new photos for her new album The Fame Monster as well as new weird photos from Vogue (I adore the one where she's holding the pot and spoon--regard the shoes!) and retro ones from Vanity Fair Italy that look like old school lingerie ads and propaganda posters. Also, the Alexander McQueen shoes of amazingness (thanks to Coco Perez.com). Ahh, je t'adore, GaGa.

Beautiful Electro

Little Boots next single in the UK is the lovely Earthquake. Bootsy looks absolutely stunning in the video with her gray and purple dress. There are some splendid, gentle "oh woah woahs" and beautiful, soaring high vocals. Good electro pop for the end of fall.



Mini Viva are a new British gal duo (Britt Love and Frankee Connolly), who released their first single, Left My Heart in Tokyo, in the UK in September. They were brought together by genius producers Xenomania (they do the Girls Aloud albums). Their second single is perfect for late fall and early winter. It's called I Wish and I'm quite in love with it. Popjustice was right when they compared it to Girls Aloud's hit from fall 2007, Call the Shots except I Wish is gentler. Britt Love, on left, has a slightly odd, brassy voice that adds a little something extra to their songs. The best section of I Wish is the part that comes after the chorus and at the end:

And I go oh no
He could be the one who hits the light inside my soul
Oh baby, This could be the last of my control
And I go oh no
He could be the one who hits the light inside my soul
Oh baby, This could be the last of my control

Lovely, sweet lyrics. Another great entry in the "sad disco" genre. Also, wonderfully metallic and shiny single cover. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album now. Check out the video below:

I WANT YOUR PSYCHO

Lady GaGa's new single, Bad Romance, from the re-release of The Fame (entitled The Fame: Monster) was premiered on UK radio station BBC Radio 1 this morning and it is a beast! It's another RedOne collaboration (he produced most of The Fame notably Just Dance and Poker Face), and they evolve their signature sound with this fortress of a pop tune. Bad Romance comes at you fast and it hits hard. GaGa sings as if she's singing a hard rock tune, but it works with the song's intensity. The chorus is fantastic and soaring and as XO Middle Eight blogger wrote last week: "The chorus is beautiful. When she actually sings in a full, throaty voice she transforms into a sort of Eurodisco Joan Baez,". GaGa digs into her grimy lyrics making them sound raw and primal (and she sings in French at one point). The "oh oh oh" part of the chorus is stunning and extremely catchy. The album version has a lovely intro that I wish was part of the radio edit. In short, Bad Romance practically compels the listener to react whether that be through dancing or singing along or turning the volume up as high as it will go. This is a song to blast. This song bodes well for her future and shows how her sound has expanded over the course of a year. Simply magnificent. Also check out that single cover. It's so weird yet awesome at the same time. I love how we can't see her face, and that red fabric just pops! Great font!

The Fame: Monster will include 8 new songs (yay!) and will be released on Nov. 24, 2009! She starts a new tour, The Monster Ball Tour, in November.

Full Version

Lady GaGa + SNL

Saturday night Lady GaGa preceded to steal Saturday Night Live from its host, Ryan Reynolds the other night. She appeared with Madonna in the Deep House Dish skit, and they got into a mock catfight. The most exciting moment was when Keenan Thompson announced them and they had their backs to the audience and we weren't sure whether it was really them or not. Then it was! Awesome moment. Then, GaGa did a good version of Paparazzi complete with a dangerously red "outfit" leotard thing. Her male backup dancer was really into it. She did a fantastic medley of LoveGame, a little bit of her new song Bad Romance, and a sweet and moving piano version of Poker Face devoted to her hometown of New York all while wearing a bizarre solar system around her waist. Her voice was in fine form. Overall, it was glorious. The last thing she did was a skit with Andy Samberg that was a send-up of the bubble dress she wore on her Fame Ball Tour. They were both wearing the bubble dresses and attempting to kiss each other. It was pretty funny. GaGa was very likable and even though she's not the greatest actress, I ended up loving her more than I already do by the end of the episode. Also, she looked pretty with her long, flowing blond hair.







P.S. Her debut album The Fame will be released as The Fame Monster on Nov. 24 with new songs! The first single from it will be Bad Romance which I can't wait to hear the studio version of.