BoA "Action"

The idol of idols is serving up some runway inspired dance pop. While "Action" isn't BoA's official comeback single, I wouldn't mind a "Live It Up" meets "Run The World" meets "America's Next Top Model" inspired music video to go along with such a strut-worthy tune. TEN! TEN! TEN!

Graded Song:VIXX "G.R.8.U (You're Impressive)

VIXX has already had two comebacks this year and neither one of them did it for me. "On and On" was too subdued for me compared to "Rock Your Body" and "Hyde" was just too bizarre, especially after seeing that freaky ass MV. Here comes comeback #3 with a repackage of the "Hyde" album as "Jekyll" (I see what they did there) and a new title track, "G.R.8.U" or "You're Impressive", either one will work.
After "Hyde," this song is quite a refreshing change. It's very light and kind of romantic with a pop/rock edge, compared to its majorly dark and dubstep-heavy predecessor, much like the characters of Jekyll and Hyde. Slight criticism that I have is that the song lacks a major climax. I also hear some Yasutaka Nakata influences thrown in there, so if they wanted to promote this in Japan, I smell a major hit in the making.
Final Grade:C+ 
The music video sees the boys being rewound after trashing someone's home mixed in with some choreo. Some scenes remind me of B.o.B's "Nothing On You" video and Boyfriend's "Don't Touch My Girl". And there were so many costume changes. So many costume changes.

Justin Timberlake "Take Back The Night" Music Video

Justin Timberlake just wants to have some fun in the Big Apple in his video for "Take Back The Night". The lead single from part two of his "20/20 Experience" was produced by Timbaland, who has seemed to have got his groove back after a slew of production terrors ("Pass At Me" anyone?). Anyway, JT is cruising the streets of New York, getting down in the club and performing at Yankees Stadium. A simple, yet effective video, but he should have waited until August to release this, since "Mirrors" is still doing decently and "Take Back The Night" has been falling. We're happy you're back JT, but don't overdo it.

T-ARA "Bikini" (Feat. Davichi and Skull)

While T-ARA wasn't officially supposed to come back until early next year, Core Contents Media opted them to release a guerrilla single with fellow lablemates Davichi and K-Reggae artist Skull. Rhythmically,"Bikini" sounds like the successor to SISTAR's summer tinged single, "Loving U" (both which were produced by Duble Sidekick, who also did T-ARA N4's "Countryside Life" earlier this year.) The video stars former Gangkiz member Lee Haein and looks like a lot fun, with surfing, large cups of froyo and tearing up pictures of oppas and throwing them into the ocean. It also looks very cheap to tell the truth, but at least they're on a real beach... T-ARA won't be promoting the song, as they are busy with promotions in Hong Kong and Japan.

Haim Comes Strong With "The Wire"

The sisters Haim, the winners of the BBC Sound of 2013 poll have been toiling away working on their debut album, which will hopefully see the light of day sometime during the fall. With the band postponing their European tour to work on it, I expect nothing but perfection from them. Single three, live favourite  "The Wire" is here in it's glossy studio form and a bit more barren than their guitar driven original. It is a slower monster than their past singles, "Falling" and "Don't Save Me", which were immediate grooves upon a first listen, but that doesn't mean that it is any less of a tune. With influences from glam rock and Michael Jackson apparent, who wouldn't like this song? Highlight: the climax with its layered vocal patterns and string section.

Graded Song:Monsieur Adi "What's Going On?" (feat. A*M*E)

My favourite Brit with a K-Pop inspired stage name has a new song out? It's another feature? A*M*E has already proven herself a hitmaker when she topped the charts in April with Duke Dumont's "Need U (100%). Now she has linked up again with another DJ/producer Monsieur Adi for "What's Going On?".
Starting off with a distinct orchestral/tango-inspired string section which leads into, twinkling sci-fi synths, the song is a mix of the 80's and modern day dance-pop music. A*M*E's diva vocals aren't taken over by the larger than life production, as she reaches for high notes and goes deep when you least expect it. It also does a better job of sampling Soul II Soul's "Back To Life" (sorry Estelle, you tried).
Final Grade:A-

Homework: Why Crayon Pop's "Bar Bar Bar" Was Bound To Happen

I had never heard of Crayon Pop until a fellow, way more popular blogger did a post on their comeback, praising them to high heaven (he referred to them as Slayon Pop or Crayon Pope). The song was a re-release of their 2012 debut "Bing Bing"(which is also very catchy). It took me a few listens to get into "Bing Bing", but it took me even longer to actually enjoy "Bar Bar Bar", as it didn't do it for me right away.  However, something in me kept drawing me back to the video. Maybe it was the fact that the girls were wearing bike helmets while in colourful track outfits. Maybe it was the fact that the video wasn't on a cut out set with flashing lights and hard-hitting choreo. Maybe it was the fact that that the concept wasn't aegyo or sexy (two of the most overused concepts ever). Maybe it was because I got high and this kept playing while I downed a 2 liter of orange soda with Francine from "American Dad"...

Definitely wasn't the latter, but I still got hooked on the song nevertheless. Crayon Pop aren't too far from how Girl's Day started off: a quirky, colourful fivesome whose music was fun and guiltily infectious. I mean, their debut song "Tilt My Head" is like a G-Rated cross between T-ARA's "Bo Peep Bo Peep" and Pop's "Saturday Night"
After the major successes of their singles "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Oh My God", Jihae left the group, and turned them into a foursome and went with the borderline sexy-yet-cute concept with "Don't Forget Me", probably their best song yet.

This year, Girl's Day became less quirky and more sexual (or mature as most netizens would call it) , especially with their last two singles, the flaw-free "Expectation" and its follow-up "Female President". Boy, that was a big transition! So essentially, Crayon Pop is the answer to Girl's Day's vacancy of the quirky K-Popper throne.
                                                                                                                    

<----------(jumping! jumping! EVERYBODAYYYY!!!)

The biggest thing that makes "Bar Bar Bar" is the dance, particually the pogo stick one during the chorus. It's similar similar to what PSY's "Gangnam Style" brought to the table with his horsey riding shtick. "Bar Bar Bar" is the first time where I've seen a K-Pop song start in the depths of the charts and rise as the weeks went on, currently in the top twenty and will most likely be a top ten. The song is currently outselling some of the most popular groups, including 2NE1 and SISTAR. I actually see "Bar Bar Bar" becoming the next viral video craze and Crayon Pop will be the next K-Pop act to snatch the wigs of major charts worldwide. CNN, get on this!!!

Tinie Tempah "Trampoline" Music Video

After dropping the highly infectious and twerkable "Trampoline", we finally get the video for Tinie Tempah's comeback. I'm torn. While I like the colourfulness of the video and all the hair whipping and gyrating to the Diplo produced track, I'm not really feeling the presence of 2 Chainz or the odd object placement, especially the bunny. He also stole the iconic flag scene from CL's "The Baddest Female" except that he added a horse. The power of K-Pop!

Icona Pop "All Night"

With "I Love It" beginning to lose steam on the charts, Icona Pop is ready to move on and prove they are more than a one hit wonder. They were going to follow-up with their yawn-worthy "Girlfriend" single which has now been relegated to European territories and opted to release "I Love It's" twin sister: "All Night." To be honest, I don't know why they just didn't release "We Got The World" or "Ready For The Weekend" as singles.

f(x) "Shadow"

Let the leak commence!!! The song that was in f(x)'s art movie teaser is here in its full glory The song "Shadow" is the final track on the group's upcoming "Pink Tape" album, which is set to drop in a few hours in Korea. The song is a frothy blend of bubblegum and indie pop, with sparse synths and twinkly bells

Rizzle Kicks "Lost Generation" Music Video

Harley and Jordan are the center of attention in the visuals for "Lost Generation". The boys are shown coming from a night out on the town, when their lives are turned into good old reality television in the vein of "Big Brother" and "Britain's Got Talent" for the masses to enjoy! The song is the first single from the duo's soon-to-slay sophomore album, "Roaring 20's," which will hit stores in September.

Graded Song:f(x) "Rum Pum Pum Pum"

Of all of SM's groups I think f(x) is my least favourite. Their songs have never really appealed to me from the poppy "Hot Summer" to the 2NE1 b-side "Electric Shock" released last summer. However, after the girls released that hipster teaser a few days ago for their "Pink Tape" album, I was genuinely interested in what was to come. The title track from the album "Rum Pum Pum Pum" sounds like it should be the follow-up to the Rihanna flop "Man Down". "Rum Pum Pum Pum" has this funky meets Middle Eastern thing going on. The structure is kinda of jarring, especially in the second verse when Amber raps and then Sulli raps and sounds like she's messes up, curses, and they cut it short. The chorus is the strongest point of the song, where the girls all sing in unison almost seductively claiming they will pierce their love interests heart and grow (sounds like a parasite/host thing to me). Final Grade:B- The music video is quite similar to "Electric Shock" with the very bright sets, basic choreography and bizarro fashion choices. I wish SM would give them some more intricate moves, especially during the breakdown where some twerking would have done some wonders. You can also watch the M! Countdown comeback stage below!

Homework: Miley and Me

These days, I have a love/hate relationship with Miley Cyrus. On one hand, I love most of the music she put out while she was a Disney Channel star on "Hannah Montana" snatching precious spotlight from Haley Joel Osment's more talented sister Emily, the show that catapulted her into the public spotlight. On the other, I hate the fact that she is now pretty much the poster child of downplaying cultural appropriation. Back in 2012, I was all here for a musical comeback from Miley! She dyed and cut her hair (a very edgy and well executed move), her fashion was becoming more ambitious and on point and she was working with more urban oriented producers for the follow-up of 2010's "Can't Be Tamed," which we can safely equate to what Rihanna stans claim her first two records were before "Good Girl Gone Bad" was released: a mixtape. When "We Can't Stop" first dropped, I was amazed on how far Miley and her team would go to get a hit (#3 on Billboard, most likely will go #1). What really surprised me was the lyrical content and embarrassing visuals. I mean, she's twenty, so it's a lot more acceptable than her being sixteen screaming she can't be tamed while in hot pants and faux-kissing girls on stage. Here are the problems I have with Miley and her new single/image:  

1.Promoting stuff you clearly don't do in your regular life 

While she owns up to smoking marijuana (and if she didn't we all saw the video), one of the lines in "We Can't Stop" suspiciously sounds like she is referring to "Molly", the street name for the drug Ecstasy. She has claimed on numerous occasions that the line says "Dancin' with Miley," then reneged about it, but we know she wasn't fooling anyone. There are those lines with double meanings like in "If U Seek Amy." Plus she references cocaine in the song, which is an equally dangerous drug. 

2.The "Twerking"

Miley, you can't twerk. You can't bend over, smile and attempt to shake what you clearly don't have. You're shaking it more like a geriatric woman than you're at the strip club. I could twerk circles around you, and I'm a guy. The real twerk team needs to give you some advice, like to stop "twerking" period.

 3.The lingo 

Miley is from the country. Tennessee to be exact. I'm not convinced by her twang that she is getting turnt up anywhere unless she's back on the farm turning up some type of farm machinery. 

4.Dissing your old music

 If it wasn't for Miley's pop records, we would not know you you are. If it wasn't for "Party In The USA" and "He Could Be The One," your name would be nowhere to be found on the charts. There is nothing wrong with your past music because it was appropriate for your age. D'OH!

5.Miley Being a Baby

There must be a different definition of growing up in Miley Cyrus's mind. Growing up doesn't mean thrusting your ass in people's faces in a music video. Growing up doesn't mean getting angry at every criticism that someone makes about what you're doing with your life. This is the image that you chose to present to the public, now you have to own up to your (or your record labels choice IDK)

This is clearly all an act to draw in a different audience to consume your music, since you wanted to distance yourself away from your moderately clean Disney image. Marina and the Diamonds did something similar with her "Electra Heart" era to establish herself as a pop star, but she made it known that she was playing a character and not parading around like she was a superficial rich bitch with daddy issues 24/7 in real life. I feel like it would be more acceptable if Miley was saying that her music was urban inspired, rather than telling a producer give me something "black".

                                        (what behind is she referring to?)
The antics that she showcased in the music video, with her ridiculous twerking, the gold fronts and the overall wannabe ratchet attitude is so bad that

Then there was that interview where she tries to play down that she doesn't know who One Direction is because all she listens to nowadays is urban music. Yeah ok, Miley. That being said, I'm still going to check the album when it comes out, because it's Miley and she was part of my childhood. But for now, I'm going to blast "7 Things" and "Party In The USA" (which btw is your biggest hit Miley) and pray that Pharell gives her some classy urban a la Britney Spears. 

Charlamagne Tha God said it the best:

Ariana Grande "Baby I"

Seems like Ariana Grande is going to ride this 90s revival into superstardom. After gaining many Mariah Carey comparisions on her first top ten single, "The Way" with Whack Mac Miller, Ariana follows up with "Baby I". "Baby I" utilizes the same formula that launched Mariah Carey's career: the sometimes nasally, but sweet vocals, heavy use of the whistle register towards the end of the song and straddling the line between R&B and pop. Her songs "Honey" and "Emotions" come to mind. I also hear some Brandy influences in there, especially during the second verse. I like it tons better than "The Way" and will definitely smash! Now to wait on all the pressed stans who are going to ridicule her for sounds exactly like their idol.

Avicii "Wake Me Up" Music Video

Avcii has been taking the world over with the first ever country-inspired EDM song, "Wake Me Up", already snatching Robin Thicke's sexually frustrated wig on the UK Singles Chart as the fastest selling single of 2013. The video dropped today and it's not what I was expecting. It is just an ad for Ralph Lauren's Denim and Supply line with outcasts storyline, intercut with some scenes from an Avicii concert. I expected something epic for such an epic song. Oh well...

Graded Song:Infinite "Destiny"

Infinite follows suit and makes another comeback a few months after their "New Challenge" mini dropped. Though "Man In Love" was quite successful, it wasn't their best song in the catalog and definitly paled in comparison to their previous "The Chaser". "Destiny" is the named of the single and Sweetune had no hand in the production this time around.
I'm quite torn about this. The song is different from the 80s soundtrack style production that Sweetune usually dishes out to them. The weird fauxstep flourishes seem out of place with the boys vocals. There aren't many vocal variations either (I like hearing Woohyun and Sunggyu's voices reaching for dem high notes) while Dongwoo and Hoya (yet again) try to recapture the rap duality that made "The Chaser" such a tune...and they fail again. However, I do like the epicness that the track conveys and the fact that while it is different, it's still what I would expect from an Infinite release. Too bad it's pretty average and sounds like every other cookie cutter K-Pop dance song.
Final Grade:C+
The music video was filmed here in the US (Las Vegas and Los Angeles) and really doesn't follow any specific storyline . According to some sources, there is supposed to be a 25 minute drama video coming out soon. Like always, their choreography is amazing and in sync, but not really feeling the styling.

Kings of Leon "Supersoaker"

Kings of Leon are coming! The foursome made of the brothers and cousin Followill will be releasing their sixth album, "Mechanical Bull" on September 20th and the first single "Supersoaker" just premiered! "Supersoaker" just sounds like summer in the south, much like "Come Around Sundown" did in its entirety. However, as a first single, this is way more upbeat (if you recall "Sex on Fire" and "Radioactive". It kinda gives me early The Strokes vibes and I do love me The Strokes!

Kate Nash "Pink Limo Ride"

This is niiiiiccceeee. Kate Nash has given a new music in the form of "Pink Limo Ride". While it sounds like an outtake from the "Girl Talk" sessions, the song is a dedication to one of her friends, who was seriously injured protecting another friend being bullied. Take a listen!

Kate Nash - Pink Limo Ride
Shared from myignorantyouth using Embeddlr
download/iPhone

Graded Song:Avril Lavigne "Rock N' Roll"

Avril Lavigne will always have a space in my heart. I have a physical version of "Under My Skin," "Wish You Were Here" and "Girlfriend" are two of the most flawless pieces of pop of the 21st century and she doesn't give a fuck what people say about her teen pop/rock image. With all that said, "Here's To Never Growing Up" was a terrible first single choice. Now with it falling down the charts, the Canadian pop/rock princess has teamed up with Max Martin to give us the follow-up "Rock N' Roll"
On the surface, "Rock N' Roll" is essentially the same song as HTNGU, except that this is 100x better and doesn't suck. Avril goes a bit further and lambastes her critics and hipsters alike, while giving a faux tribute to Joan Jett. The chorus is a lot more anthemic with it's stomp clapping and chorale of background vocals. This the sound that Avril is best known for and should stick with. If she would have released this instead of "Here's To Throwing Never Growing Up" as the first single, she could have easily racked up a top ten hit and her team wouldn't have had to slash the price just for it to get into the top 20. In other words, flawless single is flawless.
Final Grade:A+

Example "All The Wrong Places"

Example is like the male equivalent of Rihanna (except that he puts out quality albums every year and writes most of his tracks). The newly married rapper/singer has debuted the first single from his fifth studio album, due later this year. "All The Wrong Places" keeps with the darker themes that "Playing In The Shadows" and "The Evolution of Man" showcased, except he doesn't do any rapping, like at all! The breakdown though has to be the best part of the song, similar to the Mortal Kombat theme song. Hoping that he can get another #1 with this one.

Calvin Harris Drops "Thinking About You" Visuals, Makes Robin Thicke and JT Look Basic

Calvin Harris' 18 Months has been such a monumental success. It has spawned successful crossover singles and made Calvin a household name."Thinking About You" is the closing song on the LP and is arguably the standout song with featured singer Ayah Marar's vocals and Calvin updating the sound that made his first #1 single "I'm Not Alone" such a runaway success. The video for the song has a very lavish theme to it and has a lot of nudity. There's is literally a scene where you are staring at the ass of a woman for like 45 seconds straight just to be subjected to her flashing her boobies and taking a puff of a cigarette. There also seem to be four different stories going on: Ayah Marar is enjoying a boat ride when she gets jacked by pirates, Calvin is Gatsbying up with Theo Hutchcraft (of Hurts), some young guy gets beat up and then begins pummeling some other guy, and then there's a girl in the club fussing with her man so she goes and makes out with another chick. Very confusing indeed but still more enjoyable than Robin Thicke's gloried softcore porno for "Blurred Lines" and Justin Timberlake's boring "Tunnel Vision" vid. (Note: This is NSFW, will update with censored version if available).

Graded Song: Zendaya "Replay"

Since Selena Gomez left the Disney Channel machine, my eyes have been on Miss Zendaya Coleman as the next big thing (sorry China Anne McClain). She's is the whole package: an amazing dancer (which really isn't showcased well on her show "Shake It Up"), a good singer, and hopefully a good actress too because all Disney seems to do is rehash teen sitcoms rather than gives us anything substantial. The 16 year old is prepping to release her debut solo album in the fall and the lead single, "Replay" has arrived.
I can't believe that this is a Disney song. They usually start their artists off on pop/rock tunes, then slowly progress to dance-pop, but they gave Zendaya a R&B song. A legit R&B song at that! The production (helmed by the guy who did Jeremih's "Birthday Sex) is very sensual, yet icy: a blend of Cassie's "King of Hearts" and Usher's "Climax". Her vocals are also very mature, but it's kind of alarming that she's sixteen singing such a mature song. Hollywood Records must be trying to showcase that's she's not going to be like her peers and I'm glad. I was getting tired of her and mini-Ke$ha (Bella Thorne) doing generic dance songs together, though "Watch Me" and "Something To Dance For/TTYLXOX" are tunes.
Final Grade:B

Victoria Justice "Gold" Music Video

Former "Victorious" star Victoria Justice has finally dropped the vid for her first mainstream single, "Gold". The video stars Colton Haynes (Teen Wolf, Leona Lewis's "Trouble" music video) as the object of Victoria's  affection. A pretty straightforward video with her in different outfits, a 50s era car, and some gold objects scattered about. Not much to be said beyond that. Watch below.

Britney Spears "Ooh La La" Music Video

The video for Britney Spears's "The Smurfs 2" contribution, "Ooh La La" premiered last week, but I wasn't aware of that fact, hence the lateness of this post. Miss Spears is enjoying the movie with her two sons when Gargamel zaps her right into Smurf Village, where she bounces around and interacts with the blue creatures. Scenes from the movie are also incorporated. She genuinely looks like she is having fun in the video, but her kids however look like they would rather be anywhere else. "Ooh La La" is out now.

Graded Song: Rizzle Kicks "Lost Generation"

Rizzle Kicks, the singer/rapper duo from Brighton are prepping for their follow-up to 2011's "Stereo Typical". The boys are known for their early 90s hip-hop sound, but proved that they could get down with the top forty sound, as we saw with the success of "Mama Do The Hump," which peaked at #3 in the charts. "Lost Generation" (which may or may not be a Hemingway reference) is the first single from the album.
Structurally,  "Lost Generation" is just like their debut single, "Down With The Trumpets," but instead of advocating weed smoking, they are tackling more socially conscious topics over a horn filled instrumental. They take shots at the music industry, slut shaming, reality TV among other things. Harley's singing during the chorus "I've got my heart, I've found my soul" don't seem to match with the tone of the song however, making it a bit uneven. The most fun part of the song is when Jordan does the #trend part, then Harley follows up with a very forceful, yet lighthearted "watch yo' mouth son!" "Lost Generation" isn't anything new, but it isn't too old to call it boring, dated or calculated so that's a good thing at least.
Final Grade:B

King Krule "Easy Easy" and "Six Feet Beneath The Moon" Details

After I whined and bitched about how King Krule was M.I.A and hadn't released any details about his debut album, he goes and Kanye/Jay-Z us with all the deets!!! "Six Feet Beneath The Moon" will be released August under XL Recordings with 14 tracks including the new single "Easy Easy" and two tracks "Out Getting Ribs" and "Ocean Bed" originally released when he was known as Zoo Kid. It's a shame that "Rock Bottom" or "Octopus" won't be on the album, but I guess I can deal since the album is actually coming a lot sooner than I thought! Check out the full tracklist, the songs "Easy Easy", "Out Getting Ribs" and "Ocean Bed" below.
Easy Easy
Ocean Bed

Out Getting Ribs
Tracklist:

Easy Easy

Border Line

Has This Hit?

Foreign 2

Ceiling

Baby Blue

Cementality

A Lizard State

Will I Come

Ocean Bed

Neptune Estate

The Krockadile

Out Getting Ribs

Bathed in Grey

Lana Del Rey "Summertime Sadness" (Cedric Gervais Remix)

America: always proving me right that they are tardy to the party when it comes to music releases. Lana Del Rey has already released a full-album, an EP, a soundtrack single and is working on a second album and Interscope FINALLY gives her a third single almost a year later? "Summertime Sadness" was serviced to radio early last week and this remix is currently climbing up iTunes, #47 at the time of this post. I guess with "Young and Beautiful" being so successful and this song having summer in the title, it was a no-brainer to see if Lana could give them another hit. The remix itself is pretty good, simple dancefloor filler that will do well in the clubs. But if she can pull this off... Here is a fan edit of the original video with the remix
Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix 128) from DJ Nyce on Vimeo.

Graded Song: Jay Park "I Like 2 Party"

Second comeback of the year from Jay Park!!! He came back in early April with "Joah" a very feel good R&B/pop song, perfect for spring. Fast forward to July and now he's serving up some dance-pop with "I Like To Party."
Initially, I wrote this song off as generic dance-pop song that should have been on the album, but not released as a single. The excitement from when I heard a snippet of the song in the Korean "After Earth" trailer had gone away. It sounded too similar to Usher's "DJ Got Us Falling In Love," a song that I despise to this day. A few listens later though, I was hooked. Cha Cha did a great job on the production, but with dance music starting to bow out, it doesn't sound like something he should be making at this point and time. Jay sounds great as well, but then again, when does he ever sound horrible? Overall, a nice effort, but very generic.
Final Grade:C
Jay seems to be the unofficial warden of an underground women's prison, where the inmates wear barely any clothes and writhe awkwardly in the cells. Jay dances a bit, more than he did in "Joah," but not enough. His shirt is off a lot (so is some of the vocals), which is nice for his fans I guess but he's already reached that quota with the "Welcome" M/V. Ok vid, I guess.

My Favourite Songs of 2013...Thus Far

With half of the year over and another half to go, the music has been just coming and coming and coming and...well you get the idea! Some of it good, some bad, some meh and some very exceptional. While a lot of American artists seem to be giving us the run-around with their music (a certain artist whose name begins a B and ends with a Eyonce?), other countries have been keeping their music flowing (sometimes overflowing) that I can't keep up with releases. I usually do a best of list, but since it's only the middle of year, I decided to go with some of my favourites rather than the ones that I think are the best, which can wait until December.

Girl's Day-Expectation

Girl's Day shed their quirky, side-splitting antics for a more mature concept and did not disappoint with this highly infectious dance-pop slice of heaven. It's already my most played song of the year and second most played of all time (damn you BoA for releasing "Only One.")

     Nine Muses-Dolls

The classy nine get paired with Sweetune for this equally classy, jazz-inspired record. If you aren't tapping your toes to the beat, you seem to be missing a soul (or just don't like K-Pop).

              Ellie Goulding-You,My Everything 

This song is everything that is right with Ellie Goulding. "You, My Everything" is just  Ellie's husky yet dreamy vocals over Jim Eliot's drum and bass inspired production. Just how I like her.

Girl's Generation-I Got a Boy 

The hate for this song was warranted. I commend SM for breaking the Americanized cookie-cutter mold for K-Pop songs by mixing and mashing five or so songs together and transforming the divine nine into aegeyo hip-hop queens. #bowdown.

2AM Club-Black Liquor 

The band laments their late night escapades over a minimalist beat fit for a The Weeknd record. If I told you that I have never cried listening to this record, I would be telling you a lie.

Rudimental-Hell Could Freeze (feat. Angel Haze) 

Rudimental is a extremely versatile and "Hell Could Freeze" has to be one of their best. New York raptress Angel Haze talks about a failed relationship that she is willing to try again

Jessie Ware-Imagine It Was Us 

Her solo foray into the 90s house trend that has become so popular within the past year, Jessie blesses us with her consistently sultry vocals while serving some "Queen of The Night" realness in the music video.

Supercell-The Bravery 

J-Pop as I remember it from when I used to watch Anime as an awkward pre-adolesent/teen. Full of energy, heavy on the rock and a soaring inspiring chorus with so whoas and yeahs added for good measure. The five minute length is a turn off though.

Kate Nash-OHMYGOD! 

Kate Nash starts this punk-pop tune languid then hits us with a stir-crazy chorus that was made for the summer and for pop radio. Too bad she's independent now.

Kanye West-Bound 2

The Kanye West that everybody was waiting for to come back. Though the lyrics are a bit iffy, it still captures perfectly who Kanye was before his "808"days.

T-ARA N4-Countryside Life

THE BEST K-POP OF 2013 SO FAR!!! Only T-ARA would have the balls to have their sub-unit come out with a netizen diss song, incorporate the real Harlem shake in the video and update Richard Simmons's ridiculous exercises. Why U Hatin'?

AlunaGeorge "Bad Idea"

With "Body Music" only two short weeks away, AlunaGeorge have served up a brand new track from their debut set. "Bad Idea", which will be either included as a B-Side to their re-release of "You Know You Like It" or the single after. Either way, the song is amazing. It gives an early 2000s R&B vibe as Aluna Francis coos "You’re a bad idea that’s gone out of fashion And I’m even gonna put you in the back of the show" Yes Aluna! Read that Bad Idea then drop it!!! "Body Music" is due July 29th.

Miguel "Adorn" (UK Version) [Feat.Jessie Ware]

Miguel's "Adorn" peaked within the top twenty of the US charts and was nominated for a Grammy..To prepare for the UK release of the single, the R&B crooner paired up with the soulful Jessie Ware to make it more Euro-friendly. The song sounds no different, minus Jessie's relaxing vocals singing along. I hope this does well. Adorn is a good song on it's own but Jessie really deserves a decent charting hit and since "Imagine It Was Us" was not well-received with the public, the mainstream feature route may be the way to go.

Graded Song: 78Violet "Hothouse"

It's been five years since we heard a major peep from sisters Alyson and AJ Michalka. The duo released two successful studio albums ("Into The Rush" and "Insominatic") and spawned Hollywood Records' first million seller, "Potential Breakup Song", making them the Disney's star act before Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana came along. After their time at Hollywood, both sisters have had acting roles on TV and movies while working on music as the newly coined 78Violet. Five years and a successful Roxy showcase later, the duo have released their first 78Violet branded single, "Hothouse".
A major 180 from the electro rock/pop of their last album, 78Violet go for a soft acoustic alt pop/rock sound with this. For some reason, I'm reminded of Shawn Colvin's "Sonny Came Home" meets anything Lana Del Rey has released in the past two years. There aren't many solo spots to highlight, as both girls are harmonizing perfectly, which they always seemed to pull off so there isn't much surprise there. Though I think five years is a while to be waiting, it was definitely worth it.
Final Grade:A-
The girls seem very in tune with nature in the music video, serving up some G-rated Lana Del Rey spoken word realness and an almost 4 minute long intro. Rocking long sundresses and floral wreaths, the girls frolic through lush green fields with horses, drive down dirt roads and serve Bambi face to the camera. Is it too soon to say they're back and better than ever?

Graded Song: 2NE1 "Falling In Love"

2NE1 "I Love You" was my summer obsession in 2012, along with Rihanna's "Where Have You Been". From the time it hit the web last July, I was obsessed with its trot and electropop flawlessness. Too bad Calvin Harris had to top said flawless piece with his Florence Welch collab "Sweet Nothing" and BoA's self-composed "Only One" or it probably would have been my top song of the year. The fierce four have finally come back as a full unit with the first of many new singles to come: the "reggae" tune "Falling In Love."
This song is about a year old actually. If you follow Korean comebacks closely, you will know that the girls performed this as an intro for their Inkigayo comeback (the one where CL got a lot of flack for having a parrot on her shoulder):
YG is not fooling anybody! That pushed aside, the song is Ok. Just OK. That's saying a lot for a 2NE1 song. Comparing it to "I Am The Best" and "I Love You," which were infectious as hell, "Falling In Love" falls kind of flat. Dara and Bom get snubbed in terms of lines and I would have enjoyed if YG would have allowed CL to do her whole first rap in English like in their comeback stage. It also isn't as reggae as I assumed it to be. The reggae remix of "I Don't Care" was more reggae than this.
Final Grade:C+
The video shows the girls living in the lap of luxury: all gold everything, high fashion (courtesy of Jeremy Scott) and boys! boys! boys! One of these boys (the one with the dark wavy hair) is Hong Jong-Hyeon, who plays Moo-Jin on K-Drama Dating Agency Cyrano (along with Girl's Generation's SooYoung). Apparently, there's another well-known Korean actor (Lee Soo Hyuk), but I'm not too familiar with him.

Mount Kimbie "You Took Your Time" (feat. King Krule)

Archy Marshall (also known as King Krule) has yet to deliver his first studio album under this alias and the only other solo material we got is from his rap monkier. That hasn't stopped the 22 year old from collaborating with post-dubstep group Mount Kimbie on two tracks for their own album, "Cold Spring Fault Less Youth". "You Took Your Time" is the better of the two (both are killer) and showcases why I love Archy's music so much: the harsh angst in his voice when he starts to feel the music. He is such an old soul. It wouldn't sound out of place as a single of his own, if it had a bit more guitar in it. Check the music video for the song.
Mount Kimbie: You Took Your Time on Nowness.com.

Ellie Goulding "You, My Everything"

After premiering the compelling pop piece "Burn" yesterday, Ellie Goulding recorded a song especially for a special episode of the UK version of "Skins" (since MTV fails at adapting every British TV show and makes it shit). Let's us pray that "You, My Everything" makes the re-release of "Halcyon" and she comes to her senses and removes the Nate Ruess collaboration.

Graded Song: Natalia Kills "Saturday Night"

September will be here before you know it and dark pop vixen Natalia Kills will be releasing her sophomore album, "Trouble" at that time too. She's served up social commentary with buzz track "Controversy" and made it known she's a pretty bad bitch with 1st single "Problem" and its steamy music video. Single #2 "Saturday Night" is out now and... A bit more pop than her previous releases, it's more personal than anything she's released as she touches upon domestic abuse, homelessness and escapism in the lyrics, with a chorus that screams 80s movie closing credits. I need the album in my life, like yesterday!

Tinie Tempah "Trampoline" (Feat. 2 Chainz)

After three years of him teasing us endlessly to death with his #disturbinginsertcityname here on Twitter and trolling us by releasing "Drinking From The Bottle" with King Calvin Harris earlier this year, Tinie Tempah is finally setting his sophomore comeback in motion: by releasing a trap banger. The banger in question is called "Trampoline" and it features American rapper 2 Chainz. Tinie's delivery in the song is similar to Trinidad James's in "All Gold Everything" if he rapped faster and the production is so twerkable it hurts. Even 2 Chainz's presence can't put a damper on this piece of urban-inspired gold. Tinie's 2nd album, "Demonstration" will be out (hopefully) later this year, but for now, bring out the twerk team!

Pink "True Love" Music Video

Pink has kept it coming strong this era with three top ten singles (the first time she has ever reached this feat). She's onto single #1 with the Lily Rose Cooper (formerly known as Lily Allen) assisted song, "True Love". The video has Pink showing a softer side to herself as she plays around with daughter Willow over a really colourful pop-up background and some tour footage. Her husband Carey Hart makes an appearance again and Lily makes a much-appreciated cameo chopping up veggies and blending them! Hoping for another top ten hit!!!

Graded Song: Ellie Goulding "Burn"

Ellie Goulding pumps out quality hits, whether they are her own alt-folktronica masterpieces of covers of other alternative artists, she knows music and keeps her fans begging for more. A re-release of Goulding's sophomore effort, "Halcyon" will hit stores later this year with a bunch of new tracks. The first single from the set, "Burn" was co-written by hitmaker Ryan Tedder and produced by pop's new go-to man Greg Kurstin. With this obviously being a calculated effort by Goulding's label, it is calculated enough to give her a massive hit? Ellie Goulding, you can do no wrong! The production boasts a Stargate-esque feel (Rihanna's "What's My Name" and Keri Hilson's "Lose Control" come to mind and has some nice reggae undertones to it, much like what Kurstin did for Beyonce with "Standing on The Sun". Ellie's high notes really give the song the character that makes it stand out amongst the rest of the top forty. So glad that this went to Ellie and not Leona Lewis (who also recorded a demo version of the song). This could be the follow-up to her stateside mega-smash "Lights" to make Ellie a radio staple again.
Final Grade:B+