Album Review: Katy Perry - Teenage Dream

I got the leaked album today thanks to my best friend Jason Tomas. I couldn't resist to download and hear the rest of the tracks on the record a few days from its official release date. Once released, I will purchase the original merchandise as part of my normal routine.

With her current global #1 hit California Gurls and the slowly chart-climbing Teenage Dream, Katy is releasing her sophomore album in a few days from now. Aside from my personal favourite Teenage Dream, I got to hear more future favourites from this record. The mid-tempo Fireworks, the playful and witty Peacock (I wanna see you peacock-cock-cock, your peacock-cock!), Who Am I Living For and Hummingbird Heartbeat are a few of my fave tracks as of now.

The album sounds like a mix of alternative music with a bit drum & bass - very 90s feel with a modern twist. Upon hearing the tracks on the Teenage Dream record, I now understand what may have inspired Katy on this - reminiscing her teeange years. Being born in the 80s, the 90s is basically a great year for us. The last decade before the new millennium. It would be great to relive this phase of our lives. 

Katy matures a little bit on the record sound and lyrics but she still retains those witty teases and that trademark of playfulness she does on her songs. To me, she's a mid-20s adult reminiscing the glory days of her teenage life.

Noteworthy tracks: Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F), California Gurls, Peacock, The One That Got Away, Hummingbird Heartbeat

Track list:

01. Teenage Dream
02. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
03. California Gurls
04. Firework
05. Peacock
06. Circle The Drain
07. The One That Got Away
08. E.T.
09. Who Am I Living For
10. Pearl
11. Hummingbird Heartbeat
12. Not Like The Movies

Your thoughts?

Official Video: Katy Perry - Teenage Dream

One of my most anticipated songs and music video this season - Katy Perry's Teenage Dream. 

Indeed, Katy was living a teenage dream on the MV where the shots were reminiscent of the 90s decade - the warehouse parties, the top down cars, the outfits, the unruly dancing of teens filled with that raging hormones of puberty. 

But what caught my eyes is this gorgeous guy, Katy's leading man on the vid. He is just my type.

There is also a hot make out scene between this guy and Katy in a motel showing off this guy's sexy assets and Katy's curvy body. 

I love this song. I never get tired of listening to it especially when driving in a traffic jam-free road and while working my butt off on a cardio machine. 

Go back in time and Dream like a Teenager again

Your thoughts guys --

Movie Review: Salt

Originally casted for Tom Cruise as Edwin Salt but he had to turn it down as it was very close to Mission Impossible. The production then turned to Angelina Jolie and now it became Evelyn Salt. Cruise's loss is Jolie's gain. 

The movie's plot revolves around the life of a double agent, which side that agent is loyal to, how they live their lives and perhaps how it ends. 

Jolie's performance on the movie is yet another top notch. She gave justice to the role and the character of Salt as spy, as wife, as a comrade, friend and a woman. 

I thought the movie was quite short. Though it is a 90-minute run type of movie, I can't help but feel hanging. I could the ending was very effective because you have a lot more room to think about what can happen next. And probably this serves as a teaser for a sequel. 

I recommend this movie. It might be your typical Hollywoodish action movie but believe me, it's worth seeing this movie. The twists, the turns, the action-packed, estrogen-filled ass-kicking woman that Salt is -- worth your hard-earned moola.

What do you think?

Official Video: Kelis - 4th of July (Fireworks)

Kelis' second single 4th of July (Fireworks) video deserves fireworks for its beauty and fierceness. In the video, Kelis muses for each of the 4 elements (Earth, Water, Win and Fire)

I am so loving the styling, the make-up, the wardrobe! Her ensemble all have one common theme - Flesh Tone. The fierce outfits are the ones she was wearing at the desert (earth) and in the a pool (water). I also like the red laser lights background and her Beats headphones! 

Let me know your thoughts.

Album Review: Toni Braxton - Pulse

Pulse is Toni Braxton's sixth studio album and has peaked within the Top 10 of Billboard 200 and to date has generated 3 moderately successful singles like Yesterday, Hands Tied and Make My Heart. 

Toni is one of my favourite female singers of all time especially her first two albums Toni Braxton and Secrets have really captured my ears. But after her manager dilemma and series of problems, Toni has not been able to have a grand comeback pertaining to the likes of Mariah (Emancipation), Kylie (Light Years), Madonna (Confessions) after her #1 hit He Wasn't Man Enough, she never had hits again. She only had a few good but forgettable R&B offerings. However, the first single off Pulse - Yesterday (with Trey Songz) is a great attempt for a comeback. I really dig the song and the music video gives a little taste of Toni's back catalogue that features her You Mean The World, You Making Me High and He Wasn't Man Enough For Me looks. 

The album is average-ish. As a Toni Braxton fan, I won't dare miss having this one on my collection. 

Tracklist:

01. Pulse
02. Stay
03. Yesterday
04. Hands Tied
05. Clockwork
06. I Hate Love
07. It's You
08. Wardrobe
09. Looking At Me
10. Don't Call, Just Text
11. My Ring
12. Make My Heart
13. Melt
14. Yesterday (remix - featuring Trey Songz)

What do you think?

Official Video: Christina Aguilera - You Lost Me

Christina shows up looking like her Genie In A Bottle days - blonde hair, red lipstick, fresh make-up look.

This is the music video for her official second single You Lost Me. News has it that this is acclaimed by critics for the performance that Christina showed on the MV. You Lost Me was the preferred second single off Bionic to save the album's sales due to its bad publicity and negative campaigns. 

I think the video (and the song) is a rehashed version of her 2006 Back To Basics hit Hurt. 

Do you agree? Your thoughts?

Album Review: Kelis - Flesh Tone

It didn't come as a surprise to me that Kelis is now on the bandwagon of R&B artists crossing-over to the Electro-Dance genre along with Kelly Rowland, Flo-rida, etc. Thanks to the influence of world's renowned Dance/Electro-pop DJs David Guetta and Benny Bennassi. 

Flesh Tone is Kelis' 5th studio album and the 1st having an synthpop electro dance genre. This 9-track album is pure electro goodness mastered by Guetta, Bennassi and John Baptiste.

Each track is a clear representation of the producer. You can easily recognise a Guetta track from a Bennassi track. Kelis' voice fits this genre so perfectly that it compliments the bashing electro-synths with her deep, cool voice. 

This album has produced 1 Billboard and UK Dance Chart #1 - Acapella - which is the song dedicated by Kelis to her new-born son. The first single also garnered multiple critical acclamations. The second single 4th of July (Fireworks) is also slowly climbing up the global dance charts in both US and EU markets. 

Personally, my favorite tracks in the album are 4th of July (Fireworks) and Brave. Both tracks are rich in electro-synths intertwined in Kelis' cold, soothing voice.

Noteworthy tracks: 4th of July (Fireworks), Acapella, Home, Brave

Track list:

01. Intro
02. 22nd Century
03. 4th of July (Fireworks)
04. Home
05. Acapella
06. Scream
07. Emancipate
08. Brave
09. Song For The Baby

What do you think?

Album Review: Robyn - Body Talk Pt. 1

Shortly after the release of the first single Dancing on my Own, comes the release of the first Body Talk series CD.

The first time I heard of the first single off this part 1 series -- Dancing On My Own, I thought it was a Sugababes song. When I found out it was Robyn, I was wowed by it and couldn't stop anticipating for this release. The last song I really loved from Robyn was her 90s hits. 12 years later, she came up with Handle Me and With Every Heartbeat off her 2005 Robyn album (re-release: Konichiwa Bitches) and then 5 years later comes this fantastic album.

The part 1 is sounds like a riot backed by juvenile, melo-dramatic lyrics which I'm sure people of my age can relate to. She has also done collabs with previous and new artists/producers i.e. Diplo for Dance Hall Queen; Röyksopp for None Of Dem (previously with The Girl and The Robot); Klas Åhlund for most of the tracks.

I listen to all the songs in this 8-track CD. My favourites are: Fembot, Dancing On My Own, Cry When You Get Older, Dance Hall Queen, None of Dem

This is worth your hard-earned money! Go grab the original stuff and support the artist!

Track list:

01. Don't Fuckin' Tell Me What To Do
02. Fembot
03. Dancing On My Own
04. Cry When You Get Older
05. Dance Hall Queen
06. None of Dem
07. Hang With Me (Acoustic)
08. Jag Vet En Dejlig Rosa

Share your thoughts guys. 

Robyn and the Body Talk series

It has been almost 5 years since Robyn last came out with a studio album (entitled: Robyn; internationally re-released as Konichiwa Bitches with 2 bonus tracks)

Now, Robyn comes up with a series of release: The Body Talk series released in 3 parts -- part 1 released in July 2010 whilst part 2 and 3 will be released in September and December 2010 respectively. This approach came up as an idea as suggested by Robyn's manager. Since Robyn didn't want long gaps in between releases, her manager suggested that she can already release finished materials, do a tour and keep on releasing every time she finishes a new batch of materials.

In an interview with Popjustice, Robyn mentioned that she thought she won't be able to write songs anymore for the rest of her life. She also explained this approach she took on the release of the Body Talk series and talk about each of the tracks on the part 1.

The "Body" Talks

Anyone excited?

Katy in a Teenage Dream

Katy Perry's sophomore album is due out next month. With the preceding single California Gurls topping the global charts for 7 consecutive weeks already, giving Miss Perry her biggest hit yet, her Teenage Dream album is highly anticipated. The title track had already been leaked on the web and I've also gotten a taste of it. Many would say California Gurls is a true hit. It took a while for it to grow on me. And when it did, I do agree with the sentiments of the masses. But having heard of Teenage Dream, I know it's a larger hit than California Gurls. The song is really conducive for driving and doing cardio.

I am very eager to wait for the release of the album so I can listen to all of the tracks.

Are you excited too?

Official Video: Madonna - Celebration

With the release of Madonna's new single off her latest 'collection of hits' album, comes a new video for Celebration. Already in the middle of her Sticky & Sweet Tour in Europe, team Madge decided to film an MV for the single. 

The video highlights: The thigh-high Christian Loboutin boots; Lourdes looking like her mum and his yumminess Jesus Luz (he is way hotter in this video as the club DJ from the last time I saw him) An alternate version of the video featured fans from Spain.

Madonna's skin on the vid looks great. Great for someone who is 51. Great job goes to whoever/whatever is keeping her skin to be like such. I also noticed Madonna never removed her sunglasses. It can be assumed she just had some eye bags surgery that make up and lighting cannot cover or she's just high with the Benassi Mix of Celebration -- you decide.

Your thoughts folks?

Official Video: Robyn - Hang With Me

Saw this video tweeted by Popjustice, Robyn and even Kylie Minogue! It's quite refreshing to see real shots from Robyn's tour - kinda like 'a day in the tour life of Robyn' ish.

It's great they came up with a dance version, I think this version is better than the acoustic one that was included on the 1st Body Talk album series. This one was released preceding Body Talk pt. 2

Enjoy the video:



Robyn - Hang With Me official video from Robyn on Vimeo.


Your thoughts?