[Hot Video Alert] Shakira - Addicted To You

While the world eagerly awaits Colombian hip-shaker Shakira's highly anticipated eighth studio album, we have one final single off her last album, Sale el Sol, to enjoy.  "Addicted To You" is the fifth and final single taken from Shakira's third bilingual album, released all the way back in October 2010.  Released as a single on March 13th, the song was written and produced by Shakira alongside Luis Fernando Ochoa, El Cata and John Hill.

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Nelly Furtado Dazzles on New Darkchild-Produced Single, Fifth Studio Album Out June 19th

WHOA Nelly Furtado! You've done it again.  Your new single, "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)" is hot.  Had I reviewed the single immediately after the first listen, I might be singing a different tune, but after having the song on repeat for the past hour, you've managed to swing my vote.  Serving as the first single off Furtado's upcoming fifth studio album, The Spirit Indestructible, the Darkchild-produced "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)" was co-written by Furtado.

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Lune

I get pitched a lot of garbage as editor of Music Is My King Size Bed, and while not EVERYTHING I get is garbage, not everything I get is a good fit for my blog.  That being said, when I hear new music or learn about a new artist and there's an instant connection with their music, I know that I have to do a post.  That's what happens with a lot of 'Ones to Watch' artists, and Lune is a prime example.

Lune (AKA Linnéa Martinsson) is a talented singer/songwriter that was discovered and signed by Swedish DJ/Producer (and 1/3 of Swedish House Mafia) Sebastian Ingrosso.  Prior to this discovery, Lune wasn't a traditional "house music" vocalist but the famed DJ heard something in her that he thought would translate well and transfer smoothly onto his dancefloor. According to Ingrosso;

"Lune is not a regular house act but when I heard it I immediately knew that it was a project that I wanted to get involved in. It’s a project that one shouldn’t try to influence too much – it really has it’s own unique qualities that shouldn’t be tampered with."

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Anastacia Set To Release New Version of 'What Can We Do (A Deeper Love)', Promises "2012 is Happening"

I can't believe that it's been over three years since the release of Anastacia's last album, 2008's Heavy Rotation. That's an insanely long time for the world to be without one of the greatest pop voices of all time.  Well, the wait is nearly over music lovers.  According to Anastacia via a January 17th video blog on her newly relaunched website, 2012 is going to be a big year for the 43 year old Platinum-selling singer/songwriter!

"2012 is happening.  It's motivating...it's Škoda, it's new album, it's new material...all-year-long!" 

Brilliant!  In case the words themselves aren't enough, there's video evidence that Anastacia is back in the studio! Doubly brilliant!  In case you were wondering, Škoda is a Czech auto manufacturer and Anastacia is doing a song for a new ad campaign.  The song, "What Can We Do (A Deeper Love)" was originally released December 27th by Dutch mega DJ and Producer Tiësto, but without crediting Anastacia as the vocalist. LAME. Hasn't she already paid her dues?

The good news is that Anastacia is working on a NEW version of the track with production team The Heavyweights (AKA Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones, and Jason Pennock, who are responsible for producing for Shontelle, The Pussycat Dolls, Guy Sebastian, Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child) and more.  The Heavyweights also were responsible for a few tracks on Heavy Rotation.  From the sounds of it, Anastacia will be morphing the track from house to Anastacia's signature SPROCK (soul, pop & rock) sound.  Per the singer herself via her blog:

"Just finished mastering a new version of the Škoda commercial song. Putting the Sprock-Stacia vibe to the track with producers, The Heavyweights. As I said on Twitter, the Škoda  Campaign will happen in Prague in February. We have the Photo shoot, Music Video, and much more in store.........So get ready!!

As for the photo shoot, you can check out the fruits of her labor by taking a peak at the singers newly redesigned website.  The photos were taken by Peter Svensson. Absolutely stunning.  While we're waiting for the new version of "What Can We Do (A Deeper Love)" to come out, check out the video for Tiësto's single...sans Anastacia unfortunately. You can also download a 3-track EP on U.S. iTunes HERE.

Check Out Anastacia on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Belanova feat. Lena Katina - Tic-Toc

I first heard the music of Belanova, the Mexican synthpop trio from Guadalajara (AKA Denisse Guerrero on lead vocals, Edgar Huerta on keyboards & programming, and Ricardo "Richie" Arreola on bass), my last day in Mexico while eating breakfast at the Cancún International Airport.  I don't know what music channel was playing in the background, but I liked what I heard and saw. First I was pleasantly surprised to see a new video by French speaking Italian dance diva In-Grid, followed by a catchy track by Belanova (I don't for the life of me remember which song...maybe "Mariposas?" I don't know, it seemed to have live concert footage - can anyone help?). There was something about the band that jived with me, despite my not being able to pick out more than a few words with my bad Spanish.  Perhaps music really does transcend cultures and languages...

"Tic-Toc" was a promotional single released from the band's fifth studio album, Sueño Electro II, featuring additional vocals from Russian singer Lena Katina of t.A.T.u. fame.  The song was released on August 12th as a free download on the band's official site and got the music video treatment in LA, releasing a complementary clip directed by Daniel Robles (see below). The video features some behind the scenes footage with the band and Lena Katina as well as footage from the studio sessions.  While it contains nothing substantive, the video still serves as a nice corresponding visual for the up-tempo electropop track.

"Tic-Toc" actually appeared on the band's fourth album, the equally cleverly titled Sueño Electro I, albeit without Katina and the English lyrics that appear in the new version.  The song is very catchy, reminding me a bit of Tegan and Sara's collaboration with DJ Tiësto, "Feel It In My Bones."  Sueño Electro II debuted at #8 on the Billboard Latin Pop Chart, #15 on the Billboard Latin Albums Chart and at #12 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums Chart after it's release September 6th in Mexico, the US and Latin America.

I'm definitely down for more Belanova in my life. I guess I owe the Cancún International Airport as well as my love for t.A.T.u. and Lena Katina a thank you for forcing me to delve a bit deeper into the world of Spanish electropop.  Check out the video featuring the stunning Lena Katina below and download the song on U.S. iTunes HERE.

Check out Belanova on the web:

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

Check out Lena Katina on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Allure feat. Christian Burns - On The Wire

As much as I say I don't dig trance music, after listening to Allure's latest single "On The Wire" I may be on the fence with the this sub entity of the dance music genre.  Then again, it may just be my major crush on English singer/songwriter Christian Burns, who is the featured vocalist on this track.  Christian Burns might not be a household name here in the States but back in 2000, Burns' band BBMak made a splash with their sole hit U.S. single "Back Here," which peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  Since the band broke up in 2003, Burns has been keeping busy, moving altogether away from pop/rock into the drastically different dance/trance arena.  In recent years Burns has collaborated with big names in the industry, including Benny Benassi, BT, Richard Durand, Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, Matt Darey, Sebastian Ingrosso, Dirty South and Tiësto (listen to "In The Dark").  In addition to his collaborative work, Burns is also front lining his own electro-rock band called The Bleach Works, with an album due out sometime next year.

"On The Wire" is a new single taken from Allure's (AKA one of Tiësto's pseudonyms) new album Kiss From The Past and it's a hot one.  Boasting hot remixes from David Amo & Julio Navas, Jonas Stenberg, Matthew Nagle, Chris de Seed & Ivan Dulava and Dennis Sheperd, this is a dance package that you've got to get your hands on ASAP.  Check out the stunning Christopher Andrew-directed clip below and download it on U.S. iTunes HERE and Beatport HERE.  Leave it to a sexy Brit to get me hooked on trance.

 Check out  Black Hole Recordings on the web: 

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

Check out Christian Burns on the web:
Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter

Hot Music Video Alert: Tiesto feat. CC Sheffield - Escape Me