Album Review: Above & Beyond - Anjunabeats Volume 8

Anjunabeats Volume 8 is the eighth compilation mixed by this trio. The compilation features some of the best dance tracks of its time including the famous works of the trio. 

The best thing about Above & Beyond is their ability to create a continuous, uplifting and progressive trance record. Even if the compilation is over 70 minutes you wouldn't feel the longevity of the record but instead appreciate the great mixture of synths, bass, electro and other trance elements that will whirl you in a true state of euphoria. 

The compilation has a relatively smoother more electro-ish progressive trance record compared to the earliest compilation. This again proves that A&B can explore other sub-genres of dance. I also like the fact they have include their best work for Oceanlab "On A Good Day" and some tracks from Mat Zo, Kyau & Albert, Cosmic Gate, etc.

This volume 8 is another treat for progressive house/trance fans and followers of A&B like myself.

Track list:

Enjoy and share your thoughts.

Official Video: The Scissor Sisters - Any Which Way

As a follow up single to Fire With Fire, the Scissor Sisters releases the music video for Any Which Way, the second single off Night Work. The video was released side by side with the single on 20 September 2010.

The MV features the band in a psychedelic playful theme featuring sexy babe Jake Shears and the hot chick Ana Matronic in some nude shots having some random objects covering their sensitive parts. 

I liked how they played with the colours and the objects they included in the video i.e. varied colours of megaphones. 

Here's the vid - see for yourself.

Share your thoughts --

Mariah says Merry Christmas II You

Great news for you lambs out there...

Mariah just announced on Twitter page that she will be coming up with a new Christmas album collection entitled Merry Christmas II You due out 2nd November 2010.

This decision may have been a result of her very successful 16-year old Merry Christmas album which every Christmas season re-enters the world charts peaking inside the top5/10.

As autumn leaves begin to fall, international superstar Mariah Carey puts the finishing touches on MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU, her second career album of holiday tunes, arriving November 2nd on the Island Def Jam Music Group. Highlighting the long-awaited new album is a brand new recording of Mariah's all-time standard, "All I Want For Christmas Is You."   

In addition to traditional yuletide fare - The First Noel,  Little Drummer Boy, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come All Ye Faithful and more - MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU also contains four original songs composed by Mariah, including the new single, Oh Santa, and many more surprises for the fans.  Producers on the new album include American Idol's Randy Jackson, multi-platinum hit-making producer Jermaine Dupri, James Poyser (acclaimed producer for Aretha Franklin, The Roots, Lauryn Hill and more), and five-time Oscar nominee and Grammy/Tony/Emmy award winning composer Marc Shaiman. 

Since it was first released, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, has become one of the essential musical hallmarks of the holiday season, and continues to set sales records each year.  The song hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Recurrents chart every year from 2005 to 2008.  After ringtones began to be charted in 2006, All I Want For Christmas Is You hit #1 for the next three consecutive holiday seasons.  It became the first seasonal Mastertone to be certified RIAA gold (2006) and RIAA platinum (2007), and is ranked as the top-selling seasonal ringtone of all-time."All I Want For Christmas is You" was the featured single from MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU is Mariah Carey's 13th studio album, and follows up her Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (released September 2009), her multi-platinum E=MC2 (2008), and worldwide 10 million selling The Emancipation Of Mimi (2005).  

source: MariahCarey.com



Isn't that something to look forward to this holiday season? What do you think?

Official Video: Chicane vs. Adam Young of Owl City - Middledistancerunner

Chicane employs the vocals of Owl City's Adam Young for his first single off his fourth artist album Giants. 


Middledistancerunner was released in 02 August 2010 together with its music video and album release. I found the video concept really superb with a witty twist!

This is also me and my friend's ideal work place -- by the beach

Check the video out:

Your thoughts please?

Album Review: The Scissor Sisters - Night Work

Finally, a third offering from The Scissor Sisters -- Night Work is the third studio album. Nearly four years after they last release the album Ta-Dah!. The band had teamed-up with acclaimed producer/mixer Stuart Price. Story has it that none of the then supposed tracks for Night Work had made the final cut. It's been told as well that the whole 18-month material was scrapped as the group was not confident enough to get behind this song - had that happened, it would deem that it's over for the band.  That is when they started re-scouting for resources and Jake Shears, the band's lead vocalist went to Berlin in Germany to find inspiration for new material for the first single and other tracks.Kylie Minogue had met Stuart Price at the time the band was in the middle of their Night Work sessions. It is known that Jake Shears is very good friends with Kylie and he mentioned that this was the path the group has taken in terms of production. Kylie was very much interested in the idea and had adopted this approach where all the finished cuts will go through Stuart for final processing. 

Between Ta-dah! and Night Work, I'm still torn which one is the better album. But one thing's for sure though - that Night Work is a real treat! 

The band had been performing live with Kylie on stage. The one that marked in the history of music entertainment is Kylie's debut at the Glastonbury Festival performing with the band the song Any Which Way which would be now the second single off the album.

Noteworthy tracks: Night Work, Fire With Fire, Any Which Way, Skin Tight, Sex and Violence, Nightlife, Invisible Light.

Track list:

01. Night Work

02. Whole New Way

03. Fire With Fire

04. Any Which Way

05. Harder You Get

06. Running Out

07. Something Like This

08. Skin This Cat

09. Skin Tight

10. Sex and Violence

11. Nightlife

12. Invisible Light

What do you think?

Official Video: The Scissor Sisters - Fire With Fire

Off the Scissor Sisters' third studio album - Night Work, is the first single Fire With Fire. The video was directed by Philip Andelman and was shot in New York City.

The video features the band on a stage mounted on a moving truck. The set is complete with band instruments, sound paraphernalia, lights. The band was roving around the streets of New York with the passersby, policemen  and anyone who could see them were their audience.

Love, love this song! 

Here's the video:

Your thoughts?

Official Video: Armin van Buuren vs. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Not Giving Up On Love

With the release of Armin's fourth artist album and the continuous anticipation for Sophie's fourth studio album, comes a fantastic pop-trance track.

Not Giving Up On Love is a result of a great collab between these two brilliant artists from a different genre. Armin, being voted as the number #1 DJ in the world according to a top DJ magazine accredited by the dance scene and Sophie Ellis-Bextor who's been bopping some 80's synthpop disco inspired euro tracks since 2000. I have anticipated for this single for quite some time and when I finally heard it first over on Armin's weekly podcast A State Of Trance I can truly say that this collab was meant to happen and the song is just a fantastic treat for all vocal poptrance lovers.

Here's the video: The video was shot in Ibiza. Sophie's scenes were mostly on a yacht and poolside donning some very posh summer ensemble and hot, hot stilettos whilst shots of Armin's live Tuesdays@Amnesia were also included. It's quite the few videos of Armin where he didn't shoot together with the guest vocalist on the music video itself. Some shots of SEB were also included when she performed the song live in one of Armin's gigs in Amnesia, Ibiza.

Do share your thoughts please --

Movie Review: Despicable Me

I got dragged into watching this movie one Friday night when my best friend Jason Tomas though of treating is a movie night (then there was hoping for free dindin as well - but didn't happen)

The whole evening I've been thinking what this movie Despicable Me is all about. I thought it was a horror or thriller type. As my tinkering went on, I remember seeing some positive tweets about it but didn't really paid much attention. During dinner we talked about our goals, where we are in achieving it, milestones in life now that we're on the latter years of our 20s and I couldn't help but segued a couple of questions about the movie. So finally our other friend Martin mentioned a few deets on the movie just to get me shush'd long enough 'til screening time.

After entering the cinema, I realised we're doing a 3D movie. On the movie onset, it only dawned on me that it's an animated movie. So I just sat back and enjoyed this free movie. 

The cast looked interesting... Steve Carrell, Russel Brand to name a few. The yellow things who are the minions of the lead are just the cutest and funniest. One highlight of the movie is the kid Agnes and her fascination about unicorns. For a while, her lines in the movie remained in my thoughts "it's sooo fluffffyyyy I could die" 

This is a story of a villain trying to prove that he is still the best villain in the world. Suffering from the lack of attention/appreciation from his mother when he was a child, he developed this sense of compulsory feeling of needing to be validated. Unintentionally using the innocent orphans for his plans against his rival. Towards the end, he realised he loves the children more than the will to execute his plan. 

Moral of the lesson is that even the most ruthless, evil person can be tamed and changed by love.

What do you think?

Album Review: Armin van Buuren - Mirage

It's the album the entire dance scene has been waiting for. After months of hard work and creativity, the number one DJ in the world delivers his fourth artist album. Armin van Buuren is proud to present to you Mirage.

Armin: Mirage has been the biggest project I've ever worked on. There's so many hours in this. Work started two years ago when I actually built a completely new studio for this project. Many new techniques were used and most of all I had so much fun creating this with the many people that are involved. It was a journey, an epic one! (from arminonly.net)

'76','Shivers' and 'Imagine' are still etched in memory of millions of dance music lovers. Fresh memories will be made as soon as the album hits stores on 10 September 2010 (10-10-10). Mirage reveals a side of Armin his fans haven't heard yet and takes in its listeners with new and surprising collaborations. Within the 2 years of endless jamming and producing, Armin invited artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ferry Corsten, BT, Nadia

Ali, Guy Chambers, Christian Burns and Adam Young of Owl City into his studio.

As the first single of the album, Armin chose Full Focus, an instrumental track set to fill arenas, clubs and scorch across the festival terrains set up for the summer of 2010.

Armin: The first track of the album has been a sure shot in my sets for quite a while now. I decided to come back with an instrumental trancer right before summer and all the big festivals. Half of my new album will be instrumental trance, but with the sound of 2010 (from arminonly.net)

Right after summer, it's time for the full 'Mirage' album to take over. Inspired and influenced by many different types of music, Mirage is more diverse than any other Armin album before. His collaboration with

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love is a perfect example of

that, combining the best of both worlds.

Armin: The Nervo Sisters, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and me met up to write the vocals for Not Giving Up On Love. I was thrilled to work with them on this. We gave it a more analog feel with some real drums, to give it a pop-rock feel. We also put a piano top line on the track and then the vocals of Sophie, which I think is a win. It's a lush summer tune with an epic vocal that gets stuck in your head and cheers you up! (from arminonly.net)

Mirage is filled with musical fusions and surprising interpretations, from the orchestral masterpiece of title track Mirage, deep trance track I Don't Own You and housey Feels So Good to the eerie Take A Moment and feel-good Drowning and my personal favourites Not Giving Up On Love (with Sophie Ellis-Bextor), Minack (collab with Ferry Corsten) and Youtopia (with Adam Young of Owl City) 16 tracks that highlight how Armin has matured as an artist (plus 6 more from iTunes)

Noteworthy tracks are Desiderium 207, Mirage, Not Giving Up On Love, I Don't Own You, Drowning, These Silent Hearts, Coming Home, Minack, Youtopia


Track list:

01. Desiderium 207
02. Mirage
03. This Light Between Us
04. Not Giving Up On Love
05. I Don't Own You
06. Full Focus
07. Take A Moment
08. Feel So Good
09. Virtual Friend
10. Drowning
11. Down To Love
12. Coming Home
13. These Silent Hearts
14. Orbion
15. Minack
16. Youtopia
iTunes Bonus
17. Breathe In Deep
18. Take Me Where I Wanna Go
19. I Surrender
20. Love Too Hard
21. Virtual Friend (acoustic version)
22. Mirage (other version)

Your thoughts guys--

Album Review: Robyn - Body Talk Pt. 2

After the release of the dance version of Hang With Me, Body Talk pt.2 is set to be released on 06 September 2010. I got the leaked album a full month ahead of its released but decided to do my write-up later a few days prior its official release. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

After watching Hang With Me video and while loving the part 1, I immediately imagined how the part 2 would sound like. Well, it wasn't exactly how I imagined it - it was a bit of a letdown at first. Part 1 established a really high benchmark which admittedly and realistically challenging to top. However, part 2 gives its predecessor justice and still worthy of being a successor. 

The part 2 is more of a fun, clubby record. If part one sounded like a melo-dramatic juvenile trying to get heard and expressing oneself, the successor is more of a let-loose, I-don't-fucking-care-I'm-having-fun kinda record! But if you listen carefully to the lyrics and message of the songs, they express unpolished emotions like anxiety (In My Eyes) and heartbreak (Love Kills) covered in luscious and slick club beats. Filled with electro beats, most of the tracks are for targeted listeners only. The sound is very niched. Good thing I am a part of that niche! This record is an acquired taste. I advice one to listen to it repeatedly and put some intervals (days, hours) in listening to it and include in your set a different genre. I have personally done such and in doing so, I got to appreciate the sound more. Listening to it on a high-definition speaker or headphones helps a lot.

The highlight of this album includes U Should Know Better, a duet with a renowned hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg and of course the dance version of Hang With Me (part 1 contains the acoustic) plus a whole lot of electro-synths rich tracks like Include Me Out, to very noteworthy tracks We Dance To The Beat and  Criminal Intent and Indestructible (acoustic) which is a great slow Robyn song. 

I have slowly gone to love the 8 tracks on this record. They grow on me every time I listen to them. My faves are In My Eyes, Hang With Me, Criminal Intent, Indestructible.

Would be a shame if you didn't grab a copy of this fuckin-tastic record. Still worth the moola!

Track list:

01. In My Eyes

02. Include Me Out

03. Hang With Me

04. Love Kills

05. We Dance To The Beat

06. Criminal Intent

07. U Should Know Better (with Snoop Dogg)

08. Indestructible (acoustic)

iTunes Bonus

09. Bad

Let me know your thoughts --

Bigfish presents Godskitchen Tour 2010 featuring Sean Tyas

A couple of months after the Innovation Black event (Ferry Corsten's Once Upon A Night in Manila), Big Fish brought another eventful night in the dance scene -- Godskitchen Worldwide Tour 2010 and featured the trance dj and producer Sean Tyas. I have listened to his podcasts a couple of times - tyTANIUM sessions. I'm not a fan of his but when I got myself a copy of his best & remixes compilation, I found a new high (literal) respect for this fella.

As Sean intro'd a few good songs like Waiting -- the crowd did wait for a while until we finally saw Sean on the decks. 

First we started a bit early and as the night progressed, when Tyas took over the decks, the crowd went insane. He spinned some of his famous remixes and drove the crowd to utopia. Most of his cuts were not very much known to me but the way he mixed it up and came up with the set he used that night was enough to lose myself on the dance floor. 

Was in the company of my best friend and was also great seeing and bumping in to some really great friends!

I can say that I had more fun in this event compared to the Innovation Black and Red with Ferry and Markus respectively. The night was perfectly fun, aside from one significant incident that transpired. 

See you all on the next event - Innovation White. Above & Beyond will be driving this night so I confirm attendance this early!

Album Review: Dash Berlin - The New Daylight: The Remixes

Dash Berlin started to set things alight in early 2007, when mega-hit 'Till The Sky Falls Down' shattered into the many club-nights, to be followed by several successful remixes. Supported by the big DJ's out there, Dash continued his journey in the ever-evolving dance music culture. Backed up by his legendary production team; Molijn & Kalberg, Dash Berlin is designing an ambitious and unprecedented new division in Trance, critically acclaimed as the 'Dash Berlin Sound'. Futuristic, scintillating, but above all, moving and emotive music that relates to the universal dance floor experience, shared by innumerable music fans from multifarious cultures around the globe.

After the initial success things progressed naturally into the next big step for Dash, which was setting up his personal foundation for future music in the form of his own, freshly inaugurated imprint. Aropa Records, launched in March 2008 as an official part of the Armada Music group, kicked off with a massive collaboration with Cerf, Mitiska and Jaren on the international Trance anthem 'Man On The Run'. The creation of a full Dash Berlin album was the next logical step for the energetic Dutch DJ.

So here it is, 'The New Daylight'. The album is an ode to all the people worldwide who have been supporting him and the scene in general. According to Dash, it's not about the DJ, it's about the people that live and breathe the music. “There is no Dash Berlin without them”, he says humbly.

It's that universal, hopeful feeling, a feeling of togetherness and unity that is the main inspiration for the album. "I'm optimistic about the world and the future", Dash says, "people are sharing so much knowledge and information nowadays, we are getting wiser with every new daylight".

Stay tuned for more; hence Dash Berlin is the future.

This is the remixed compilation of this tranceful collection

Tracks:

01 Till The Sky Falls Down (Artic Moon Remix)

02 Man On The Run (Nic Chagall Remix)

03 Wired (Dash Berlin 4AM Remix)

04 Waiting (First State Remix)

05 Never Cry Again (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix)

06 To Be The One (Cressida Remix)

07 End Of Silence (Josh Gabriel Remix)

08 The Night Time (Timo Juuti Remix)

09 Renegade (Sied van Riel Remix)

10 Janeiro (Signum Remix)

11 Feel U Here (Paul Trainer Remix)

12 The New Daylight (P.A.F.F. presents Casper Sky Remix)

Your thoughts please--

Official Video: Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way

Just stop. Stop and watch this brilliant, beautiful video.

This is the video for Kylie Minogue‘s upcoming single, Get Outta My Way, due to be released on September 27.

This is the kind of video that I need with me at all times. The kind that I want to pull out of my pocket and view on my BlackBerry during an uncomfortable waiting time while stuck in a traffic jam or after an awful day of work to remind me that there is still some good in the world. 

Visually speaking, GOMW isn’t something we haven’t already seen from Kylie, albeit a sampling of her best moments: From the masterful floor choreography of “Slow,” to the lights and glam of “Wow,” to the damn near identical writhing and posing found with “In Your Eyes,” the formula isn’t exactly new.

Yet this video is as arresting as any of her others, if not much more so. Words fail to describe the beauty and elegance of it all–the fact that Kylie manages to flaunt her beauty in the most effortless of ways. There’s drama, but no pretense. The result is sophisticated camp, like a high fashion photographer’s first foray into pop.

I mean, the clothing! That magnificent chained corset? The shoes? THAT GOLDEN CLAW THING ON HER HAND?! I die, Rachel Zoe style.

What beats this? Honestly? Does anything, really? I don’t think so, for now. This is one of the finest videos Kylie Minogue has ever created, and certainly one of the best of the year.

Simply put, this is divinity captured in video. Enjoy your gay coma.

What do you think?

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?