Icelandic Singer/Songwriter Jon Jonsson Releases Debut Album

So apparently not everyone from Iceland comes to awards shows dressed in a dead swan costume. Case in point, up and coming Icelandic singer/songwriter Jón Jónsson.  In listening to his new single, "When You're Around," Gavin DeGraw immediately comes to mind.  Jónsson's got a smoothness to his voice that makes you hang on every word.  "When You're Around" is definitely a singer/songwriter's equivalent to a pop anthem, in that it's definitely more on the singer/songwriter end of the "pop spectrum" but still boundlessly sun shiny and joyful like you'd expect out of a traditional Top 40 pop track.  I think it's safe to say that Jón Jónsson's got a fair shot at cracking the Adult Contemporary market here in America.  Listen to "When You're Around" BELOW.

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[Review] Colbie Caillat featuring Common - Favorite Song

When I first heard that Colbie Caillat was pairing up with rapper/actor Common for her new single, "Favorite Song," I was a little skeptical.  Sure, rappers have paired up with singer/songwriters in the past (Common paired up with Lily Allen on what would become one of my favorite songs!) but something in me just couldn't see Colbie's light & fluffy pop/rock style meshing with Common's hard-hitting hip-hop, and unfortunately a live performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show didn't make me a believer.

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Hot Video Alert: Gavin DeGraw - Sweeter

Photo credit: Debra Rothenberg/PictureGroup

"Sweeter" serves as the title track and second single from American singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw's fourth studio album.  Written and produced by DeGraw and Ryan Tedder, "Sweeter" is a worthy follow up to "Not Over You," which was released all the way back in May of 2011. Why the wait Gavin?  "Not Over You" peaked at a reasonably decent #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart so you'd think that the label would have been a bit more aggressive with album promo.

Starting out with a funky, head-boppin' guitar solo, DeGraw comes in and starts showcasing his skills on the piano.  DeGraw really exhibits well-roundedness on this song, coming in strong vocally at the beginning of each verse, and showing restraint towards the end of each line, all the way through dazzling us with his beautiful falsetto.  He really sounds his best on those big wailing choruses, mixing the gritty & gruff hard elements of his sound with the soft & delicate falsetto.  This is DeGraw really in his funky pop/rock element and I love it.

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Hot Video Alert: Gavin DeGraw - Not Over You

Gavin DeGraw - how could I ever have doubted you? Back on June 27th, DeGraw premiered the video for new single, "Not Over You" on VH1’s live morning show “Big Morning Buzz Live.” Featuring ?? English actress Emilia Clarke (from HBO's Game of Thrones) as the love interest, DeGraw looks great in his trademark hat in this Diane Martel (Mariah Carey, Pixie Lott, Jennifer Hudson) directed video shot on location in New York City.  The single was released on iTunes June 7th, peaking at a paltry #96 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Not Over You" is the first single taken from his new album, Sweeter, due out August 9th on RCA Records, available for Pre-Order over on U.S. iTunes HERE.

Sweeter features DeGraw co-writing (SURPRISINGLY) for the very first time, including on this single, co-written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. Producing on the album we have Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, Weezer), Eric Rosse (Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos), and Ron Aniello (Barenaked Ladies, Matt Nathanson). The single's disappointing chart performance is a bit of a bummer, especially considering the positive reviews (Entertainment Weekly called it a "soulful majestic ballad").  Here's hoping DeGraw really gets the momentum going before the album's release later this summer.  Lord knows he could use a hit!

Check Out Gavin DeGraw on the web:

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

Singer-Songwriter Gavin DeGraw To Release New Single June 7th, Joins Train + Maroon 5 Summer Tour

To be honest, when I first heard that Gavin DeGraw was releasing a new material, I wasn't that excited about it. The last Gavin DeGraw album I really listened to was his 2003 major label debut, Chariot (J Records), which spawned his one top ten single, "I Don't Want To Be." That album was chock-full of singer-songwriter pop gold including "Follow Through" and the album's title track, "Chariot." DeGraw had an awesome voice that transcended the singer/songwriter genre, vocally speaking. A little bit folk, a little bit country a little bit R&B - Gavin DeGraw was the voice of the moment, a real, raw, untapped talent and someone who would be on our radios for years to come.  Nearly five years later, DeGraw released a follow up to Chariot. The self titled set featured lead single "We Belong Together," which debuted at #38 before peaking at #26. Unfortunately, after the release of "We Belong Together," I can't for the the life of me remember another Gavin DeGraw single. Thank God for Ryan Tedder, I suppose.

On June 7th, singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw is set to release his new single, "Not Over You" to digital music retailers everywhere. The single is a welcome return for the talented artist from New York, who's last album was 2009's Free. "Not Over You" is an uber-radio-friendly pop/rock number, co-written and produced by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. It's the first single to be taken from his forthcoming fourth album of original material entitled, Sweeter, due out on J Records August 9th. Check out the new single BELOW and let me know what you think of it. I think it's dangerously skirting into straight up pop territory (UM, HELLO! Ryan Tedder?), but I imagine that an acoustic performance of the single will take us back to the soulful, slightly shy Gavin DeGraw that we all know and love.

Sweeter promises to be typical Gavin DeGraw, at least as far as the voice, melodies and charm are concerned. Fans can expect a few new sounds thrown in the mix as well, per the press release:

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Kelly Clarkson Album Leaks & New Album Artwork

First things first, it looks like Kelly Clarkson's new (brilliant) album, All I Ever Wanted, leaked onto the Internet, courtesy of the Norwegian iTunes Store, as Rolling Stone reported earlier today. That's a shame. I hope it doesn't drastically impact sales. It might, given that it's not set to be released for a month. I wonder if the label will bump up the release date? Buy your copy! Pre-order on Amazon, iTunes or wherever you buy your music.

Kelly Clarkson - I Do Not Hook Up

2nd Single/Release Date - ??

Album - All I Ever Wanted

Now, since it's Friday and I'm WIPED OUT I'm going to keep things light and fluffy tonight with some new album art, available courtesy of my favorite album art resource on the web, Coverlandia. I've talked about them before but they really are fantastic! They have a great team of artists who make their own album art but they also post official artwork. Below, you will find some of my fav new official album and single sleeves. Enjoy!

Leona Lewis - I Will Be

3rd U.S. Single/Released February 3rd

Album - Spirit

Solange - Sandcastle Disco [Remixes]

2nd Single/Released Digitally February 10th

Album: Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams

Jennifer Hudson feat. Ludacris - Pocketbook

3rd Single/Released February 17th

Album: Jennifer Hudson

Enrique Iglesias feat. Ciara - Takin' Back My Love

2nd Single/Release Date - *

Album - Greatest Hits

* Released in Europe

Lady Gaga - Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)

3rd Australian Single/Released January 31st

Album - The Fame

Gavin DeGraw - Free

3rd Album/Release Date - March 31st

First Single - ??

Lady Sovereign - Jigsaw

2nd Album/Release Date - April 7th

1st Single - So Human/ Released February 3rd