Ones to Watch: Conor Maynard

PHOTO CREDIT: Brooke Nipar

19 year old singer/songwriter Conor Maynard might just be Britain's answer to Justin Bieber.  While I don't think Bieber has to worry about this talented young newbie stealing his thunder, or more specifically pilfering his fans - musically speaking, Maynard fits snugly in that same urban pop genre where "The Biebs" currently reigns supreme.  Personally, I think they are different ENOUGH artists that Maynard should have no trouble breaking through. What do you think?

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The Noisettes Tease Upcoming Third Album, New Single, 'Winner' Released July 9th

This is the moment I've (and hopefully you've) been waiting for!  English indie rock darlings, the Noisettes have a new single coming out this summer!  It's been nearly three years since we've heard a peep of new music from the talented London-based threesome, consisting of the ever ravishing singer/bassist Shingai Shoniwa, guitarist Dan Smith and drummer Jamie Morrison, and I don't know about you but my mouth has been salivating with anticipation!  Well, it's safe to say that the wait is finally ALMOST over.  Due July 9th, the aptly titled "Winner," offers music lovers a small sampling of what's to come off of the band's upcoming third album, and boy are we in for a treat.  Two weeks ago, the band uploaded a 1:29 clip of the new single onto their SoundCloud page, so feast your ears folks...

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Dutch Dance Diva Eva Simons Returns with Hot New Single

Dutch recording artist Eva Simons needs to become a household name.  After releasing popular tunes like her 2009 hit "Silly Boy," and the international smash collaboration with DJ Afrojack, "Take Over Control,"  27 year Eva Simons is BACK on the dancefloor with a bangin' new track called "I Don't Like You." AMAZING.  Simons premiered the new single March 20th and released it internationally on March 26th through Interscope Records.  The song was produced by German producer/DJ Zedd, who's known for 'Zedd style' which draws from the Progressive house, Complextro and Dubstep genres of dance music.  Zedd has worked with everyone from The Black Eyed Peas, and Lady Gaga to Fatboy Slim, Skrillex and Armand Van Helden.

Eva Simons first gained notoriety in 2004 when she competed in and won the Dutch version of Popstars, a TV talent show and precursor to the Idol series.  On the show, Simons was a member of short lived girl band, Raffish, which disbanded in 2006.  Simons surfaced again in a big way in 2009 when her song "Silly Boy" leaked online, featuring hot as hell remixes by Dave Audé, DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio and Richard Vission.  "Silly Boy" was eventually released as Simons' debut single at the end of July 2009, after amassing over 10 million listens on YouTube.

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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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Hot Remix Alert: Chris Brown feat. Benny Benassi - Beautiful People (Suneil S Remix)

I have a special treat for all you dance remix lovers out there. After putting his spin on Katy Perry's "E.T." and Chipmunk's "Champion" Suneil S is back with another hot remix. Chris Brown's latest single, "Beautiful People," in it's original form, had a great electro house/europ pop feel so you can imagine how hot it's going to be remixed by Suneil S. You can listen to the remix below and if you like what you hear, download it for free.

Chris Brown feat. Benny Benassi - Beautiful People (Suneil S Remix) by Suneil S

"Beautiful People" was co-written by Brown and Jean Baptiste and co-written and produced by Benny Benassi and Alle Benassi. The song currently sits at #4 on this weeks Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, rising up 5 spots from last week. Elsewhere the song has been doing well on the regular charts, peaking at #8 on the UK Singles Chart and at #4 on the UK Dance Chart. It's also peaked in the top ten in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. "Beautiful People" is the latest single to be lifted off of Brown's fourth studio album, F.A.M.E. You can also get the "Beautiful People" remix EP on iTunes by clicking HERE. The EP features official remixes from Felix Cartal, The Knocks, Ultimate High, Lenny B, Cosmic Dawn and Tonal.  Watch the music video below and spot cameos from Diddy, Bow Wow, T-Pain, Nelly, Brandy, Estelle, Tinie Tempah and more. 

Check out Suneil S on the web:

MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube//Beatport//SoundCloud

Hot Remix Alert: Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown - Champion (Suneil S Remix)

Hot on the heels of his Katy Perry remix, Suneil S is back with his take on UK rapper Chipmunk's latest single, the Chris Brown-assisted "Champion." When the single was released on February 6th it made it's chart debut at #2, narrowly beaten to the top by the Jessie J/B.o.B. hit single "Price Tag."

"Champion" is the first official single to be released from Chipmunk's sophomore set, Transition, due out April 18th on Columbia Records. Written by Chipmunk, Eric Bellinger, Erika Nuri and Harmony "H-Money" Samuels (who also produced) the songs seeks to inspire listeners to become champions in their own right.  Chip's first album, 2009's I Am Chipmunk went on to become one of my most-listened to albums that year.  Debuting at #2 on the UK Albums Charts, the disc wound up producing 4 Top Ten Hits including the #1 single, "Oopsy Daisy."  Now, with the release of this new remix from Suneil S, perhaps Chipmunk could inspire some champions on the dance floor as well?

Download the remix HERE and get dancing!  Chipmunk's new single, "In The Air," featuring American R&B artist Keri Hilson, is due out April 3rd.

Chipmunk Feat. Chris Brown - Champion (Suneil S Remix) by Suneil S

Check out Suneil S on the web:

MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube//Beatport//SoundCloud

Jordin Sparks - Debut Album

So far so good. That's what I have to say as I'm listening to Jordin Sparks' debut self-titled album on Britney Spears' label Zomba. Well for the most part anyway. Currently playing is an atrocious, over the top cheese-fest ballad called God Loves Ugly. I mean seriously Jordin...WTF? Save the depth for a book of poetry (a la Jewel) or something. But the other tracks...not bad. Am I still thinking that Blake Lewis' album is going to be better? Yes. Most definitely. But it's a good effort. It's a (mostly) solid, pop/R&B album. Slick production by StarGate and Bloodshy & Avant (Britney Spears) and Jordin's vocal talent make this a safe and kind of fun album. It's definitely heads above last year's American Idol runner up Katharine McPhee (the last Idol CD I was genuinely excited about). McPhee's album was a big mish mash of crap. McPhee's debut album had so much potential.

In my opinion, McPhee is far more talented that Sparks (vocally speaking...keep in mind that Sparks is quite a big young and holds infinite potential for growth) but her CD failed in the production department. It was just all over the place. Danja Handz produced much of it, with Babyface producing a track as well. I think a lot of people were expecting McPhee to come out with a Norah Jones inspired album...and that it wasn't. I mean I guess part of that was McPhee's decision...she wanted to appeal to a younger market. Fine. OK. But Jesus...there wasn't a single song on that album that was remotely close to having the hit potential of Miss Independent. Love Story was a pretty good single, and a good single...it just didn't take off.

Do I think Sparks' debut features any HUGE hit-worthy singles? Not particularly. No Air, Sparks' collaboration with R&B sensation Chris Brown is pretty hot but not hot enough. If this song does well it might be because of Brown. We shall see. I DEFINITELY thing a smart second single would be No Air. Hopefully Jordin can go on to be another American Idol alum to make a top-charting album. If this album doesn't chart, she has a good number of years ahead to hone her craft and find the right niche for her.

As a side note...the ONE song on the album where she shares songwriting credit, Freeze is kind of hot.