Katharine McPhee 'SMASHES' Through with 'Touch Me', Smash Soundtrack Due May 1st

If you watch Smash, NBC's brilliantly addictive prime time musical drama then you likely heard Katharine McPhee's song featured in last week's otherwise bland episode.  Co-penned by OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder (Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis) and Bonnie McKee (Katy Perry, Taio Cruz, Britney Spears) "Touch Me" is utter electropop magnificence.  While this dance pop gem is an awkward fit in a show that chronicles a team of Broadway producers, writers and actors trying to fast track a new Marilyn Monroe themed musical, as a standalone pop single it's PERFECTION.

"Touch Me" serves as the lead single from the forthcoming Smash soundtrack album, due out May 1st on Columbia Records.  McPhee, who turned in a series of impressive performances during her season of American Idol (before losing to nobody Taylor 'Where Is He Now' Hicks), shines on this up-tempo club stomper.  Bradley Stern of MuuMuse really hits the nail on the head in his review:

"Think Kelly Rowland‘s “Commander” meets Britney‘s “Hold It Against Me.” Not only is “Touch Me” pure dark, sexy club-pop euphoria, but it’s one of McPhee’s most thrilling pop productions yet. Actually, it’s probably her greatest song to date."

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Hot Video Alert: Monica & Brandy - It All Belongs To Me

R&B sensations Monica & Brandy have paired up for a new duet, "It All Belongs To Me," making it their first collaboration since "The Boy Is Mine" 14 years ago. The girls released the single, penned and produced by Rico Love, Earl Hood and Eric Goudy II, on February 10th 2012.  The Chris Robinson-directed video premiered on VH1 March 5th, borrowing elements from female-centric girl power films like Thelma & Louise and Waiting To Exhale.  In other words, Monica and Brandy are two women scorned, driven to exact revenge on the man that did them wrong.  

While the video for "It All Belongs To Me" (BELOW) features some pretty powerful imagery (including the two stars looking absolutely fierce), the song is lacking something for me.  I don't know about you, but there's just something not kosher about incorporating pop culture references like Facebook and MacBooks into a song.  When you include imagery into a video that's one thing - that's product placement, but when you infuse those references into the lyrical framework of the song, that dilutes it all down to dribble for me.  You just fixate on those references and the songwriter's intent is clouded. That was my experience anyway.

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Cassie Picks Up Right Where She Left Off with 'King Of Hearts'

It's official. I'm obsessed with Cassie's new single "King Of Hearts," which consequently means I'm obsessed with Cassie - all over again. It's been a minute.  I know, I know...I've been sitting on this one for a while now.  I've been reading about her new stuff over on MuuMuse and The Prophet Blog but only just recently sat down to listen to what she's been up to all of these years since the insanely infectious "Me & U."  While I realize Cassie has been releasing music intermittently since  her self titled debut album back in 2006, up until now, nothing she's put out has really connected with me.

For me, "King Of Hearts" is a natural progression for the 25 year old recording artist. I honestly think we should consider this song her official third song. Please disregard "Is It You," her contribution to the Step Up 2: The Streets soundtrack, or even "Official Girl"- her 2008 single featuring rapper Lil' Wayne, not to mention the slough of more urban-leaning promotional singles ("Must Be Love" feat. Diddy, "Let's Get Crazy" feat. Akon, "Make You A Believer" feat. Jadakiss and "Radio" feat. Fabolous).  Yessir, "King Of Hearts" sounds like exactly the kind of music you'd expect her to make as a follow up to the deliciously delectable "Me & U" and it's equally smashing follow up, "Long Way 2 Go."

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