Shakira will be back on top when this video drops. Spectacular camp (read: elongating fingernails) mixed with double-take worthy dance moves (check out the isolation at the end in the cage) will make this song – and this video – massive. I’m also really digging that she comes out of the closet at the end in her pajamas and goes quietly to bed. Brilliant.
She Wolf - Shakira
What do you think of the She Wolf video? Too campy/too weird or just right for the song? Let me know by posting your thoughts in a comment below!
As Bloc Party get further away from their Silent Alarm days, so does their sound. And, not to disparage that album (it’s fantastic), I’m glad it has. If they made Silent Alarm again I wouldn’t esteem them so. Please excuse the rant, but I feel that all of the “fans” who claim that the band has not been as good/pure since that album aren’t fans of the band at all. Bloc Party has produced consistently good and interesting material without ever having to repeat themselves. If you want a bland, one note band look to Nickleback.
On to their new single: “One More Chance” continues the unique fusion of rock and electronica that Bloc Party brings to the table. The track is bound together by a particularly fetching piano line throughout the song that, while incredibly simple is incredibly effective – it brings the electronica a bit down to earth and gives way to the incredible electric guitar breakdown for the chorus.
One More Chance – Bloc Party
I waited to post this track until I got a better quality version because Bloc Party is – and has always been – about textured music; that’s why Kele Okereke’s voice has always been so buried in the mix. The song’s lyrics aren’t exceptionally brilliant or poetic like some of their others, but I don’t think they’re claiming that it is.
It’s a great single with fantastic production and depth in sound. Listening to it loud and with headphones will illuminate that.
Filed under: Hip-Hop | Tags: Blueprint 3, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Run This Town
Jay-Z has pronounced autotune dead so why not collaborate with big name artists notorious for its use and give us some stripped vocal lines?
Kanye West raps, Rihanna sings (would have known it was in her?) and Jay-Z is the ringleader. Together they “Run This Town”. It took me 2 listens to actually love this song. It’s hard to get acclimated to how stripped it is considering the current climate of hip-hop, but once you do you’ll adore it. The electric guitar loop in the background keeps the track deceptively simple with a fantastic Kanye West beat overlaid. It’s brilliant.
This marks Rihanna’s musical return to the scene after the Chris Brown scandal with her head held high:
“Life’s a game but it’s not fair
I break the rules so I don’t care
So I keep doing my own thing
Walking tall against the rain
Victory’s within the mile
Almost there, don’t give up now
Only thing that’s on my mind
Is who gon’ run this town tonight
Hey
Who gon’ run this town tonight?“
Off of the highly anticipated Jay-Z album, Blueprint 3, here’s the single:
Run This Town (Feat. Kanye West and Rihanna)
- Jay-Z
Blueprint 3 drops September 11th.
We gon’ run this town tonight.
Bonus Download:
DOA (Death of Autotune) – Jay-Z
What do you think about “Run This Town”? Does it live up to what you thought a collaboration between these massive artists would be? Let me know by leaving a comment!
Filed under: Pop, Rock | Tags: Chopin, Collateral Damage, Fredrick Pritchard, Muse, Nocturne Op.9, Queen, United States of Eurasia
Muse delivers yet another incredible piece of operatic rock called “United States of Eurasia“. This time it’s from their upcoming album, The Resistance. The track includes a beautiful piano coda called “Collateral Damage“. “Damage” is, essentially, Chopin’s “Nocturne Op.9” with a Muse touch of strings, vocals and ambient noise. The entirety of the cut is decidedly different from what we’ve heard from Muse before, but the change seems completely logical. I’ve always found Muse to be our generation’s Queen – with it’s giant pieces and unmistakable vocalist- and they live up to it here. That vocalist is Matthew Bellamy; who, though not as odd/eccentric as Freddie Mercury, still holds the same musical prowess. It is, after all, Bellamy who performs “Collateral Damage” on the piano.
Download:
United States of Eurasia/ Collateral Damage – Muse
“United States of Eurasia” holds killer harmonies by Bellamy and a classic rock backing that cannot even be explained without the mention of Queen. It is a blend of piano rock, a symphony, one man choir, and has touches of Middle Eastern strings a la Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir“. It is an ambitious work so, naturally, it will not be the album’s lead single.
That privilege will be held by album opener “Uprising” which will not be released until 7 September when the band performs it at the 2009 Video Music Awards on MTV. (That’s shaping up to be a huge show. I can’t wait.)
Bonus Download:
Nocturne Op.9 – Chopin (performed by Fredrick Pritchard)
What do you think of “United States of Eurasia?” Are you looking forward to hearing what “Uprising” will sound like? Let me know by leaving a comment!
I am about to rock your world with the plethora of new music I’ve just discovered. It’s going to be huge.
New tracks from Muse, Islands, Bloc Party, She&Him, Mr. Hudson, Mika, and some others are coming your way!
And what will you say? “I found it on SMB!”
[Wow. I need to change my blog name.]
I’ll keep you posted!
Filed under: Electro Wave, Hip-Hop, Pop, Pop Roundup Series | Tags: Boots and Boys, Dolla, Flo Rida, Kesha, P. Diddy, Right Round, Tick Tock
Having a number 1 song under her belt is sure to help Ke$ha be a smash. But, she’d still be doing pretty well without it.
[It's pronounced K-EH-shah, by the way. Not K-ee-sha like Keisha Cole.]
“Who is Ke$ha,” you ask? She’s that delicious female voice that blasted through your radio every time you jammed out to Flo Rida’s massive 80s rip-off spring hit, “Right Round“. (Stop pretending you didn’t jam. You did, you did.)
Here’s her lead single “TiK ToK “. It’s kick-ass fun and pretty hilarious. It’ll be a great radio single. The production is pitch-perfect for the times, holding a more electronic base, and it has a big chorus with an “oh-oh” vocal breakdown that has “HIT” written all over it.
TiK ToK – Ke$ha
The single plays up the independent party chick nature that Ke$ha boasts – all the boys want her, but she just wants to party with the DJ. It’s all about the music.
I’m really digging her lazy, half spoken vocals. It’ll be those that will make her a hit; she has to be instantly recognizable when she comes on the radio.
Check out another stellar track that’s been making waves and is featured on my new mix, The Prey:
Boots and Boys – Ke$ha
She’s just signed to RCA/Jive and her album should drop sometime this year. So expect it to be big by this time next year. The “anti-pop star” may be just that, a new breed of pop star that isn’t apologetic or conscious about creating a cutesy image.
A Nashville native, Ke$ha has been linked to big acts for her album and upcoming collaborations. She’s already had a hand in various big projects including Katy Perry, the Veronicas and Britney. And she’s rumored to be working withpop single gods Dr. Luke and Max Martin for her album. She’s also going to be featured on a new track from 3OH!3, who made a big splash this year with “Don’t Trust Me”.
Best story: Ke$ha snuck into Prince’s house, found him, and gave him her record. “His door was unlocked,” she laughs. She was escorted out. Hear her interview about it here: Freddie Smith DJ’s Podcast
The girl’s trouble. And who doesn’t love that? Watch out for this one. She should have a bombastic debut.
Follow Ke$ha on
and even
What do you think of Ke$ha? Do you think she’ll be a hit? Let me know. Leave me a comment!
