Lady Gaga "Aura" Lyric Video

In conjunction with the release of "Machete Kills," Lady Gaga has released a lyric video for her song "Aura," which includes scenes from the movie (which she has a small part in). During the verses, I didn't get the same feeling as when I was listening to the leaked demo version and watching her iTunes festival performance. It seemed a bit restrained. I would have also liked the dialogue and sound effects from the movie to be put on mute so I could have enjoyed the song rather than hear Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson talking.

Alyssa Reid "Satisfaction Guaranteed"

I'm always a few weeks behind when catchy pop ditties drop. This one comes courtesy of Canada's Alyssa Reid, best known for her re-working of Heart's hit "Alone". "Satisfaction Guaranteed" isn't an actual single, but a promo one to tide people over until the release of her second studio album due in the near future. Tell Wax and AATW to get to promoting! "Alone Again" was a hit in the UK and I'm sure with some BBC exposure, this would chart decently too! It bangs and it's a lot better than anything on Miley's #tryharderz album.

IU "The Red Shoes" Music Video

I wrote off IU because of netizens comparisons to Taylor Swift (who I despise greatly for many reasons), but after hearing "You and I" a couple of times this past winter break, I decided to give her the old college try when she made her comeback this month...and I'm glad I did. "The Red Shoes" serves as the title track to the idol's new album "Modern Times," which sees her make a major shift in her cute girl next door image to a more mature (not sexy mature, but poised Ga-In without the pole dancing and masturbation mature). The big band number is a lot different from her previous material, but not too much to alienate her massive uncle fanbase The music video borrows the whimsical theatrics that were used for the "You and I" video, with IU coming oi. It reminds me of the musical number from "Anastasia"when when they all go to Paris.

Pitbull "Timber" (feat. Ke$ha)

I was over Pitbull during his last album cycle, which included the fauxstep mess that was "Back In Time" and the collaboration featuring serial oversinger Christina Aguilera. Pit's latest generic dance single "Timber" features Ke$ha, who Mr.305 has been on tour with and collaborated on the "Crazy Kids" remix. It takes a note from Avicii's use of honky tonk in his EDM smash, "Wake Me Up" and uses a very prevalent harmonica instrumental. As reyclced as this is, I really like this, the first Pitbull song I liked since "Give Me Everything." To be honest, I'm only here so hopefully this will get Ke$ha a much needed career boost so we can finally get "Thinking of You" as a single and a decent chart position.

Homework: What Does Nicole's Departure From KARA Mean?

Some major news has hit the Hallyu world today: It was annonced that Nicole, member one one of the most popular idol group's KARA, was not renewing her contract with DSP and will no longer be a member, starting this January. This comes as a major shock to probably everyone on the outside looking in at DSP, when we all under the impression that the groups contract negotiations were going well and that we would get another mini sooner than later. I literally just got into KARA when "Pandora" was released back in August of last year. I was mesmerized by the amount of fierceness that her and Seungyeon were able to convey without overshadowing one another. Their "Damaged Lady" single has been doing wonders in my library as well, especially since English-language music releases have finally kicked into high gear. The winner for me though was when I went back to 2011 and saw the video for "Step" (note 2:07 where Nicole is slaying all your basic faves by hopping and pointing) Being the optimist that I am, I'm hoping between now and the end of this year, Nicole will reconsider and continue on (which is reaching something serious) but there are also positives that can come with this decision:
1.We may get a solo career from her in the near future-I could see Nicole coming back and doing a Sunmi and releasing a killer with the times K-Pop tune complete with good choreography and oodles of confidence. I mean, her one off song "Lost" is quite the tune. She also gives me the Ayumi Hamasaki vibe, so she could work that angle in Japan if she wanted.
2.She may do more dramas/variety shows-A lot of people who mention Nicole mention her time on the now defunct TV show "Star Golden Bell." If she leaves DSP and decides to sign elsewhere, I'm pretty sure dramas and variety shows would be lining up to have her host/be a major star.
3.It gives a chance for KARA to re-tool their image-KARA would still have Hara, Seungyeon, and Gyuri (other member Jiyoung is also considering leaving to continue her studies). KARA could drop Sweetune, (who should exclusively produce for Infinite and Nine Muses tbh) pick up a producer like Rphabet or Duble Sidekick, and continue on as a more mature trio, filling a niche that is missing in K-Pop at the moment. KARA doesn't have to end just because Nicole is gone.

Either way, it's still sad to see one of K-Pop's most beloved idols leaving. I hope we at least get a goodbye group single, just so I can see KARA get that all-kill...

Britney Spears "Work Bitch" Music Video

It took a while for the will.i.am leftover that should have been album filler at best, "Work Bitch" to grow on me, but now I finally have the urge to have a hot body, look hawt in a buhkini and to party in France. To be honest, I was expecting another "Hold It Against Me" like video, where Brit-Brit was stationary and soulless and surprisingly, "Work Bitch" was not that. Miss Spears was looking confident, fierce and pretty much on point. I thought the S&M scenes were too similar to Christina Aguilera's "Not Myself Tonight" and was a bit forced. Also, the aesthetic from the video was kind of like Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and Beyonce's "Run The World (Girls)". I'm hoping for a director's cut where we see more dancing from her and less chop and paste.

Katy B "5 AM" Music Video

The music video for Katy B's second 90s throwback single "5 AM" was released Monday. In it, the ginger-haired diva attends a dark and eerie masquerade party, where the dancing is shotty and Katy isn't amused. While it doesn't beat the "Fast and The Furious" themed visuals for "What Love Is Made Of," it's still effective enough. Hoping that this breaks the top ten and puts Katy's album promo back on the right track.