Filed under: Electro Wave, Pop, Pop Roundup Series | Tags: Loba, Shakira, She Wolf
Shakira has released a new single from her upcoming (still untitled) English language album – in Spanish. The song is called ”Loba,” or “She Wolf” and it will be an absolute smash. Even though it is an electronic dance track, the song sounds like nothing on the mainstream charts. Typical Shakira.
Shakira always manages to keep her sound varied while being very comfortable in her musical skin. “Typical” Shakira is, by definition, entirely atypical.
When I pressed play, I thought I had started playing a funky indie electronic song – maybe even by Justice [how incredible would a remix by them be?]. But then Shakira’s instantly recognizable voice filled my speakers, spewing lyrical gems at a million miles per hour. I can’t tell you how fast I fell in love with this track.
She hadn’t done her trademark tongue-twisting verses very much in the Oral Fixation series, so it was a welcome addition to this track. I think it grounds the song for longtime fans of the songstress while, as always, creating a sound that is superbly unique.
The song chronicles the voracious appetite of a wolf that lurks within woman. The appetite is both the animal desire for men and a dreamer’s desire for adventure; she doesn’t want a boring man – she wants to domesticate a wolf of her own. The chorus warns the man against the wolf he has caged in his armoire: “Let her eat the neighborhood before you go to sleep.”
[Lyrics here. Sorry, only in Spanish.]
I can’t wait to hear how she’s translated this one.
The song culminates in a break from the electronica to an army of strings echoing the melody of the chorus. It’s, admittedly, not the catchiest track in the world, but incredibly bold. I hope that the masses can enjoy the odd substance enough to make it a giant hit.
People like to call Madonna the queen of pop, but they are absolutely wrong. It’s Shakira. Here’s the proof:
Loba – Shakira
Check out the awesome viral marketing for the upcoming English version of the song at SheWolfiscoming.com and the YouTube channel SheWolfHunter. Pretty creepy and cool.
What do you think of “Loba”? Are you looking forward to the English version now? Please leave me a comment with your reactions!
Filed under: Electro Wave, Pop, R&B, video | Tags: Collaborations, Heartbreaker, John Legend, MSTRKRFT
I’ve never really been completely taken by MSTRKRAFT or John Legend. I’ve liked what they did musically in theory, but I’ve never been able to truly enjoy one of their tracks. (I also always thought the golden hockey masks kinda creepy.)
So my surprise at their collaboration was big, but my expectations weren’t very high. It’s possible that the low expectations were what made me enjoy “Heartbreaker” thoroughly. It’s a great blend of the respective artists’ styles, MSTRKRFT with their grand electo flourishes and Legend with his soulful crooning. The song sounds like a gimmick in text, but it flows wonderfully.
Heartbreaker – MSTRKRAFT feat. John Legend
Here’s the video (no golden masks here, thankfully):
What do you think about “Heartbreaker”? Was the collaboration good in your eyes? Let me know with a comment, please!
Filed under: Indie, Pop, video | Tags: I Am Not A Robot, Marina & The Diamonds, Marina and the Diamonds, Mowgli's Road, Obsessions, Seventeen, Shampain Sleeper
Marina and the Diamonds, aka Marina Diamond, is a Welsh/Grecian one woman band who is incredibly addictive. In a video interview I saw Marina insists that it is the fans that are the diamonds. Well, polish me up ’cause I’m a fan.
I featured Marina’s astounding track, “I Am Not a Robot“ on my latest mix, Let Love Rule. After I heard the track, I knew I had to get her album.
Here’s the video for “I Am Not A Robot”
But since she doesn’t really have a solid release (or one you can get in the U.S., as is usually the case) I’ve settled for scouring the internet in searches of all kinds for more music from this lovely young woman. Finally, I have found a total of five tracks that I’ve deemed worthy of sharing, here they are:
1) I Am Not A Robot [ DOWNLOAD]
2)Mowgli’s Road [DOWNLOAD]
3) The Shampain Sleeper [DOWNLOAD]
Not sure I really understand why “champagne” is spelt “shampain” in this song
4)Obsessions [DOWNLOAD]
5) Seventeen [DOWNLOAD]
My favorite as of this moment is “Obsessions“, but that’s likely to change since her songs continue to surprise me with each listen.
Here’s the video for “Obsessions”:
What do you think of Marina? Are you ready to enlist as one of her diamonds? Don’t forget to leave a comment with your reactions!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Deaths, Kanye West, King of Pop, Michael Jackson
Like the rest of the world, I’m shocked and saddened to hear about the death of the biggest recording artist of our time.
Here’s my favorite by him, remixed by Kanye West.
Billie Jean (Kanye West Mix) – Michael Jackson
Wilco’s newest single, “Wilco (The Song)” from their upcoming album, Wilco (The Album) is brilliant. [Wrap your head around that!] The track is, at first listen, a love song to themselves; but it’s really an examination of the morose music lover’s dependence on his favorite band.
Wilco (The Song) – Wilco
What do you think of “Wilco (The Song)”? Is it too tongue in cheek for your taste? Leave me a comment with your thoughts!
“Fuck You” was the track first leaked from Lily Allen’s 2009 album, It’s Not Me, It’s You. The album title delivers Allen’s tone quite perfectly: it’s charming, clever, and kind of bitchy.
In other words, cute chic.
“Fuck You” was first released in mid-2008 and called “GWB (Guess Who, Batman)” a title that was a bit too obvious – and seriously dating – for my taste. It’s good she’s changed it; I’m glad it’s less directed to a former (but recent) U.S. president [that's for those who didn't get the old title] and more toward a group of people who don’t agree with her points of view. I think it’s especially hilarious that though she’s promoting tolerance, she’s giving a big fat middle finger to those who disagree with her. It’d be great satire if she weren’t being serious – which I fear she is.
All logical fallacies aside, the song is really fun; and it has the best use of “fuck” in music I’ve ever heard. Who thought that word could sound so cute and charming?
Here’s the brilliant new video for the song: it’s basically an extended POV shot with lots of incredibly used after-effects with Allen mucking up peoples days – just ’cause she feels like it.
“Fuck you, fuck you very very much.”
Fuck You – Lily Allen
Do you think Lily Allen meant for the song to be satirical about those people who promote tolerance but reject those who oppose their views? Or do you think, like me, that she’s just being herself? Leave me a comment with your thoughts!
