[Hot Video Alert] Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen - Good Time

After his last album failed to produce anything resembling a hit, Owl City (AKA Adam Young) continues in his quest to avoid being another ONE HIT WONDER, this time enlisting the support of relative newcomer and bonafied hitmaker, Canadian singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, who's own single "Call Me Maybe" catapulted her into superstar status and earned her #1's all over the world.  Pretty smart if you ask me. So far, the new single entitled "Good Time" has peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Owl City the second Top 20 hit of his career.

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Ones to Watch: Matthew Koma

Matthew Koma is a talented singer/songwriter from New York who's about to make a BIG splash here in America and around the world.  Having already hit the mainstream, writing the hook for Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso's SMASH single, "Calling (Lose My Mind)" featuring OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder,  Koma's ready for his closeup.  His debut four-track EP, Parachute is set for release this Tuesday, May 29th via Cherrytree/Darkchild/Interscope Records.  Listen to snippets from the EP BELOW.

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Ones to Watch: Quigley

While the name Quigley might be foreign to most of you, fans of American Idol probably recognize the talented 22 year old Minnesotan singer/songwriter by her given name, Casey Carlson.  Carlson appeared on the popular reality competition's eighth season back in 2009, making it through to the Top 36, where she was eliminated.  Now going by the name "Quigley," Carlson has undergone a complete transformation, hooking up with English singer/songwriter/producer Vincent Frank (AKA Frankmusik) and signing to his LA-based record label, KillPop Records.  Quigley's lush debut EP, Pleiades is now available on her official website as a free download.

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Hot Video Alert: Owl City - Deer In The Headlights

Is it possible for an artist to still be a "one hit wonder" with two top 10 albums under his belt? The reason I ask is because Owl City is now two albums into his career and only one single can really be considered a success. I guess I'm wondering if we should look at the single as the hit or the album. Maybe both? "Deer In The Headlights" is the second official single to be lifted off of Adam Young (AKA Owl City)'s latest album, All Things Bright And Beautiful, which was released in June and peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart. Written and produced by Young, "Deer In The Headlights" tries hard to be as catchy as "Fireflies" but ultimately fails. To be honest, I have no idea what it is about the song "Fireflies" that made it into such a bonafied hit.  There was something there in the song that connected with radio audiences and music fans that his new album just hasn't done quite yet.

"Fireflies" went all the way to the top of the charts in several countries when it was released back in 2009.  Since then, Young released a couple of other singles from the first album, but none of them saw the same success.  In fact, only single #2 "Vanilla Twilight," charted on the Billboard Hot 100, coming in at a disappointing #72.  Between Owl City albums, Young  attempted the singer songwriter thing under the name Sky Sailing, releasing a single and album, the latter of which peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200.  The first single released from All Things Bright And Beautiful, "Alligator Sky" was a musically and stylistically refreshing return for the "folktronica" singer/songwriter/producer, featuring a guest rap from California based hip-hop artist Shawn Chrystopher. Alternate versions of the song leaked featuring guest raps from B.o.B. and 1/2 of Outkast - Big Boi, yet still the song failed to chart in the States. Over in Germany, "Alligator Sky" barely missed the top 10 while in Canada the song came THIS close to missing the top 100, peaking at #97.  Whatever sort of rut Young is in chartwise, I hope he gets out of it. I'd hate to see his label, Universal Republic, drop him out of their roster.  Perhaps album number three needs to be a bit more experimental than Young's past two releases.

Check out the dreamy Steve Hoover (the video director responsible for both "Fireflies" and "Vanilla Twilight") directed clip for "Deer In The Headlights."  The trippy video features Young driving around in a DeLorean (straight outta Back To The Future), passing through a sea of jelly fish, dinosaurs before nearly crashing into his future self, decked out in the astronaut suit from the "Alligator Sky" video. Look for a cameo by Canadian singer/songwriter Lights, who appears as a convenience store clerk/illusion.  Download "Deer In The Headlights" on U.S. iTunes HERE.  You can also download Owl City's newest single, "Lonely Lullaby" which came out last month.

      Check out Owl City on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Owl City - Alligator Sky

Some things never change. I still have an emo crush on Owl City (AKA Adam Young). In the recently released video for new single, "Alligator Sky," Young and guest rapper Shawn Chrystopher, are walking around a post apocalyptic earth, saying goodbye to the planet they once called home. Both are wearing retro-space suits and rockets are taking off all around them, supposedly carrying away the population to some distant galaxy. Just as with other videos, the latest Owl City (dir. Steve Hoover) video has such a sense of whimsy. You'd think leaving earth would be a sad occasion, but no. They're celebrating earth. it's not a dark and morose video, it's bright and cheerful, much like the synthpop style that we have come to expect from Owl City.

"Alligator Sky" is the first single lifted off of Owl City's sophomore album, All Things Bright and Beautiful. The single is available with or without Shawn Chrystopher's rap. In addition there are two other versions, one with with B.o.B. and one with OutKast's Big Boi. There's also a remix floating around out there by UK electro act Long Lost Sun (who also remixed "Umbrella Beach"), which I can't wait to get my hands on.

While the single has yet to chart here in America, it did chart on the Danish chart, Tracklisten, peaking so far at #11.  All Things Bright And Beautiful is due out June 14th via Universal Republic.  Download first single, "Alligator Sky" on iTunes HERE and pick up second single "Galaxies" on iTunes HERE.  Rumored third single, "The Yacht Club" features Canadian new wave singer Lights.  Here's hoping that Owl City has another hit with this album.  I'd hate to see him become a flash-in-the-pan one hit wonder because of "Fireflies." Time will tell, I suppose.

Check out Owl City on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Owl City - To The Sky

Photo by Pamela Littky

Owl City's Adam Young is one of my rockstar crushes right now. BIG TIME. He's got total hipster sex appeal that makes me *MELT* I just can't help it. This is the video for his new single "To The Sky," which is off the soundtrack to some movie about owls called Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, based on a series of books.  The video features Young as well as some feathery friends from the film.  While nowhere near as catchy as "Fireflies" (nothing likely ever will be) the song is lovely.  It sounds like another cut off of Owl City's Billboard 200 Top Ten debut album, Ocean Eyes.  After the recent release of Young's alter ego, Sky Sailing's first single it's nice to hear the familiar electronic blips and bleeps of Owl City once again.  The video was directed by Danny Yourd and you can watch it below. Oh and make sure you get the single on iTunes now.

Check out Owl City on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Sky Sailing - Brielle

If you think Sky Sailing sounds similar to Owl City...there's a reason for that.  There's a common denominator called Adam Young. Sky Sailing is Adam Young, just like Owl City is Adam Young.

An Airplane Carried Me To Bed is the 'debut' album from Sky Sailing and was actually written and recorded long before Owl City every came to fruition.  Released by Young's label Universal as an afterthought, likely in an effort to bank on the success of Owl City, Sky Sailing is the acousti-pop version of Owl City.  If Owl City was stripped down, you'd have Sky Sailing.  This is actually a smart idea if you think about it.  Given the runaway success of "Fireflies," I don't blame the label for trying to milk Young for all he's worth.  As feel goody and saccharine as his songwriting style might be, he's got a certain amount of charm.  Young's vocal style just draws you in.   Sky Sailing is the perfect adult contemporary compromise.  For the crowd that thought Owl City was TOO dancey for their liking, Sky Sailing satisfies.  An Airplane Carried Me To Bed is out now.

Check out Sky Sailing on the web:

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

So behind...

Oi Oi Oi! I'm so behind. Well isn't this the UNDERSTATEMENT of the year (so far). I've been running around like crazy. Who knew I was such the social butterfly? While some of my unintentional blogging hiatus can be explained by my social schedule, a lot of it can be explained by pure laziness. I've been in a bit of a funk lately and understandably so. When I'm not surrounding myself with friends, I'm lazing about the apartment, catching up on the TIVO and yes...listening to music. YES! I said it. I've been listening to music. Writing about music...that's another story.

My goal for this upcoming weekend is to give my blog some LONG-OVERDUE TLC. I have a crap-ton of stuff to talk about (some of which is probably irrelevant by now), including this Sunday's Grammy Awards - which I will definitely be watching, although probably not live. At any rate - the stack of CDs above are all waiting for me to review. Many of them I purchased myself, some of them were sent to me. All of them I enjoy immensely. I'll give you a rundown some of my early favs from the stack (in no particular order). *NOTE* Keep in mind that many of these are already "old news." I'm well aware but I think they are still worth a listen.

Owl City - Ocean Eyes
Not sure if it's the infectious synth beats or the cute/emo lyrics but I LOVE Adam Young/AKA Owl City. - Fav Tracks - "Hello Seattle," "Dental Care," "Umbrella Beach," "Fireflies"

Dragonette - Fixin' To Thrill
Is it too late to jump on the bandwagon as a Dragonette fan? Vocalist Martina Sorbara is AMAZING. - Fav Tracks - "Fixin' To Thrill," "Pick Up The Phone," "Okay Dolore"

Dan Black - ((Un))
I've been raving about this guy FOREVER it seems. His album is finally being released in the states. First U.S. single "Symphonies" is available now digitally. - Fav Tracks - "Symphonies," "U + Me =," "Alone," "Wonder"

Frankmusik - Complete Me
Not only is Frankmusic DREAMY & British, but he's got a sweet, soulful voice that sounds like PERFECTION over driving electro-pop beats. I also need to get the acoustic version of his debut album, Complete Me. - Fav Tracks - "Better Off As 2," "Confusion Girl," "When You're Around," "3 Little Words"

David Homyk - True Story
David Homyk is an up and coming singer/songwriter/producer. His STUNNING debut album True Story is beautiful. This guy has skills. He has the talent to become huge. - Fav Tracks - "Hard To Make A Friend," "Fool In The Middle"

Paloma Faith - Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?
Another artist I've been raving about for months - Paloma Faith is a former burlesque performer, turned singer/songwriter. She's got the look and the pipes to match. - Fav Tracks - "Stone Cold Sober," "Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?" "Upside Down," "New York," "Smoke & Mirrors,"

Rihanna - Rated R
Upon my first listen, this album depressed me. Now, it seems more relate-able. Perhaps that's the sadness in my heart speaking - but hey - you gotta listen to your heart. Ri-Ri's new album has really grown on me. - Fav Tracks - "Cold Case Love," "Hard," "Rockstar 101," "Russian Roulette," "Fire Bomb," "Photographs"

Katharine McPhee - Unbroken
I've loved Katharine McPhee since Idol. In fact, I voted my ass off for her that season. While I liked a couple songs off of her debut, THIS was the album she was born to make. The more mature style and sound really suits her well. - Fav Tracks - "Had It All," "Say Goodbye," "Faultline," "Lifetime," "Brand New Key"

Dionne Bromfield - Introducing Dionne Bromfield
When I heard that Amy Winehouse had started her own record label and signed her God Daughter as it's first artist, of COURSE I was skeptical. Then I heard the young Dionne Bromfield sing and all traces of skepticism were gone. This girl has a voice WAY beyond her years. - Fav Tracks - "Beachwood 45789," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "My Boy Lollipop," "Mama Said"

Ke$ha - Animal
This album is the perfect summer album my sad, grey winter needed. Enough said. - Fav Tracks - "Tik Tok," "Blah Blah Blah," "Boots & Boys," "Take It Off," "You're Love Is My Drug," "D.I.N.O.$.A.U.R.," "Back$tabber," "Stephen"

Oh...before signing off - go check out Masterbeat. They are giving away a free 6 remix sampler from Island/Def Jam. The offer expires on February 1st so hurry up! Masterbeat is one of my top resources for CD quality official dance remixes. Included on the sampler are remixes from Mariah Carey, Rihanna, The Bravery, Utada, the Noisettes and Taio Cruz. Go Go Go and I'll do some more updates this weekend.

P.S. - make sure you're following me on Twitter. Lots of music tweets (and Re-Tweets).