Hot Video Alert: La Roux, Robyn, Whitney Houston, Taylor Switft - I Wanna Bulletproof Dancer (Mash Up)

As my final post of 2010 I've chosen this gem. I found this AMAZING video over on Popjustice and decided that I couldn't end 2010 without a little shout out. It's a mega MashUp using La Roux's spectacular "Bulletproof" as the backing track for remixed versions of Robyn's "Dancing On My Own," "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift and Whitney Houston's classic "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." Need I say more? Check it out. Also worth a look, Panos T's YouTube channel for more amazing Mash-Ups, many of them remixed by Titus Jones.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and an amazing 2011!

Hot Video Alert: Ellie Goulding - Your Song (Live on The Graham Norton Show)

What a beautiful way to send off 2010. Check out this beautiful performance by my favorite, Ellie Goulding. Singing the current single from her album re-release Bright Lights, "Your Song," Goulding brings a rawness and a realness to her live performance. She might not have the vocal range of some other artists but she doesn't need range. Her voice is perfect just the way it is. Happy New Year indeed!  Bright Lights is in UK shops and available at digital music retailers now.  Her debut album will be released in the States sometime in 2011 via Cherrytree Records.  Her EP, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding is available on iTunes now. Go grab yourself a copy HERE!

Check out Ellie Goulding on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: Ulrik Munther - Boys Don't Cry

Ulrik Munther is a 16 year singer/songwriter hailing from Gothenburg Sweden. Like many artists today, Munther caught a HUGE break on YouTube which ultimately lead to a record deal with Universal Music. With over a million hits on YouTube before being signed, it was only a matter of time before a major label or two would be calling him on the phone. Now in the middle of recording his debut album, Munther is set to release his debut single, "Boys Don't Cry" in January. The song first appeared on YouTube as a demo, prompting a mass scramble from major labels in both the U.S. and Britain. Ulrik quickly became a 16 year old jetsetter, flying to Los Angeles, New York, London and all over Europe at the behest of said record labels. What an experience that must have been!

Looks like all of the attention finally turned into something for this talented young musician. In addition to singing, Munther plays the piano, drums, guitar and harmonica - and not only that be he also writes and produces his own stuff, with a little help from Johan Åberg. Check out the video (BELOW) which was shot in LA and Munther's hometown of Gothenburg. There's something really listenable about young Munther's voice. It's not perfect and sometimes sounds a bit strained but I think that's part of what makes him so appealing. It's the imperfections that make him so real and raw. The emotionally-charged pop/rock ballad is the perfect introductory song for this promising new artist. Looking forward to hearing more in the coming year.  Listen to "Boys Don't Cry" in full below.

Ulrik Munther "Boys Don't Cry" by arjanwrites

If you like what you hear, perhaps you'd like to download a free track? Check out a new song from Ulrik Munther called "Life." Get it for free HERE.

Check out Ulrik Munther on the web:

Official Site//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: Sean Kingston - Party All Night (Sleep All Day)

Sean Kingston sure knows how to churn out a generic sounding party anthem. His new single, "Party All Night (Sleep All Day)" is no exception. What happened to cheesy pop songs like "Beautiful Girls," his first and to date, only #1 single? Since then Kingston has taken a decidedly club-friendly turn on recent records like "Fire Burning," and now "Party All Night (Sleep All Day)." I'm not really complaining - I like music that moves me physically but this is just too generic for me. Seems like there've been HUNDREDS of songs released recently with the exact same beats (AND lyrics).  Blah. That's how I'm feeling about this one. Just...BLAH.

"Party All Night (Sleep All Day)" was produced by Sandy Vee and Stargate.  The song is Kingston's fourth single lifted off his as-yet-unreleased 3rd studio album, Dumb Love, due in 2011 on Beluga Heights/Epic Records.  Download the single on iTunes HERE.

Check out Sean Kingston on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

New Artist Worth a Listen...Kai

Kai is a new artist from our neighbors to the North and she's definitely someone to keep an eye on in 2011. "I Choose Me" (LISTEN BELOW) is the first song released off of her forthcoming EP, 11:11, due out in 2011 and it's been chosen for the January launch of a national ad campaign for First Choice Haircutters. That's a pretty big deal for a new artist! Listen to "I Choose Me" below.

Kai - I Choose Me by AkidaMusic

You can download the song HERE and check out the ad below. The 20-year old Kai has teamed up with producer Brian Moncarz to record her EP. In addition to working with Moncarz, Kai also wrangled in Justin Abedin (Jacksoul), Craig Hunter (Philosopher Kings), Steve Zari and Robbie Grunwald (Jill Barber) to work work with her on her debut. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more from this talented young Canadian singer/songwriter.  "I Choose Me" is also available for download on iTunes HERE.

Check out Kai on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Twitter

Jennifer Hudson Shows Off New Body and New Song For 'Weight Watchers'

Jennifer Hudson is looking GOOD! Wow. If you haven't seen her recent string of Weight Watchers ads then you are in for a surprise. While I always thought she looked good, Hudson has really shed off the pounds (56 lbs reportedly) while still maintaining her curvy features. The newly released video for Hudson's version the of often-covered classic "Feeling Good," a song Hudson recorded exclusively for Weight Watchers, showcases not only Hudson's talent as a singer but her new bodacious body as well. Simply stunning. Weight Watchers won't let me embed the video but you can watch it yourself if you "LIKE" Weight Watchers on Facebook and then click on THIS LINK for the video. Definitely worth a look AND a listen, even if you "Un-LIKE" Weight Watchers right after watching the video. In the meantime, check out these hot photos from the "Feeling Good" photo shoot.

Hudson is currently working on the follow up to her debut self-titled album. Her debut featured the the Top 40 hit "Spotlight" and went on to earn Hudson three Grammy nominations, including R&B Album of the Year, which she won. You can download Jennifer Hudson's version of "Feeling Good" on iTunes HERE. Oh! And you can check out JHud performing the track live tonight on ABC when she appears on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with host Ryan Seacrest.  Hudson joins Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Jason Derulo, Drake, Far East Movement, La Roux, Avril Lavigne, Ne-Yo, Mike Posner, Willow Smith and Train.  Sounds like a party. Can't wait!

Check out Jennifer Hudson on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Sky Ferreira Album Delayed, EP 'hopefully' Out in February

Well this certainly is disappointing. One of my most anticipated releases of 2011 announced recently in a blog post that her debut album is being pushed back. 18-year old Sky Ferreira, who's been mentioned a few times on my blog, announced on her December 16th blog that, although the album is done, it's not coming out on 1/11/2011 as originally planned. Good news is, she hasn't been dropped by EMI, as was the rumor, but we're going to have a wait a little bit longer for the album. Here's the situation...in Sky's own words:

"Okay.  My album is no longer coming out on 1-11-11...unfortunately. It was done, but things/people constantly change within ALL record labels & in life (DUH!). I am now recording even more material for the record because I feel like I've grown (musically) since when I was 15-16 years old. All of the songs will eventually come out because they are all important to me. I'm trying to push for an EP to come out in February too. It's been extremely frustrating,but you know "these kinda things happen for a reason". Thank you for the support and I'm glad I can CLARIFY what's going on...Keep your eyes peeled for some big things happening this winter...STAY TUNED! <3

PS .  I am still on EMI

I'm also glad that Sky got the chance to clear the air here. There's been no news from the Sky Ferreira camp since the release of her video for "Obsession" (watch HERE). Looks like her label is hoping for a hit, hoping Sky and her collaborators can come up with something that U.S. top 40 radio can latch on to. Sky's hit potential is HUMONGOUS and I would hate to see her talent squandered based on a couple early chart failures. Perhaps a few more songs would be good for her international launch as well, considering "One" only managed to peak at #64 on the official UK singles charts. That's at least better than "Obsession," which didn't chart on the Billboard Hot 100, only managing to sneak in at #37 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

I'm definitely rooting for this girl. Here's hoping that EP she's talking about becomes a reality in 2011. Download "Obsession" on iTunes HERE and watch the video for one of my favorite songs from 2010, "One" below.

Check out Sky Ferreira on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: J. Lewis - Shut 'Em Up

Blackground/Interscope recording artist J. Lewis is a little bit Justin Timberlake, a little bit Mike Posner and a little bit Jay Sean all neatly rolled up into one attractive pop package. His new single, "Shut 'Em Up" actually came out at the end of October and at that time I did download it...I just haven't really listened to it until now. I tend to do that on 'New Music Tuesdays,' peruse through all of the new digital releases and download a bunch of shit. Sometimes I listen to it right away...sometimes I sit on it for a while. In the case of J. Lewis - I sat on it. Watching the Erik White-directed video I'm left a little bored. J. Lewis is a good looking guy with a really nice voice and lots of urban/top 40 radio appeal...but the video and the song just don't do enough to showcase his talent. As much as I complain about paltry pop ballads, they do a good job showcasing an artist's talent. I'd kinda like to hear J. Lewis just sing a ballad.

"Shut 'Em Up" has a rather irritating hook, if you ask me and while it does give Lewis plenty of riffs to sing, it all comes back to the hook. As far as J. Lewis singles go, I'd much rather listen to "Dancin' For Me" featuring Flo-Rida (Watch HERE). Not only does the song better showcase Lewis' vocal abilities, but it has Flo-Rida. Done and done.

Whatever your thoughts are on these two songs, I think J. Lewis is someone to keep an eye out for in 2011. He's currently working on his debut album, to be released in 2011 on Blackground/Interscope Records. Download "Shut 'Em Up" on iTunes HERE.

 

Check out J. Lewis on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO