Acoustic…Katy Perry “Lost” (MTV Unplugged)

It’s no secret that I’ve developed a major crush on Katy Perry.  A girl who walks a fine line between sexy, camp, funny, serious, and majorly talented.  I’ve criticized her live performances in the past, but I’m about to eat my words.  The other morning I woke up unusually early and Mtv had an encore performance of her unplugged set from about a year ago.  First of all, I had no idea that she did an unplugged show and second, I really miss that show in general.  While I was watching she played a song she wrote called “Lost” (a song I was familiar with, but not a favorite).  It’s a combination of great pop songwriting, beautiful vocals, excellent arrangement, and a fragility that only she could give it.  What else can I say, I’m now a MAJOR fan of the song.  Check out the track below and clip from the Mtv show.  Enjoy.

Katy Perry – Lost (Unplugged)

Now Hear This… Nicole Scherzinger “Don’t Hold Your Breath”

Finally!  Someone gave Nicole Scherzinger a decent pop song!  All of the false starts to her solo career have been less than stellar, in fact, they have been deperate.  With the much anticipated release of her debut album, Killer Love, we get to hear what she’s been working on for the last few years.  It’s not very impressive, it’s not groundbreaking, but it is pretty decent pop album.  “Don’t Hold Your Breath” is definitely the stand out track.  It’s radio-ready and should be a hit for her.  Maybe not here in the US, but for sure in the UK.  Check out the track below.

Nicole Scherzinger – Don’t Hold Your Breath 

Now Hear This… Natalia Kills “Wonderland”

I have been patiently awaiting the release of Natalia Kills debut album The Perfectionist.  We still have to wait until April 22nd, but the new single “Wonderland” has come out to pacify me until then.  I borderline love her.  Her songs “Mirrors” and “Free” are indie pop perfection.  She’s the most exciting new pop artist I’ve heard since Lady Gaga.  “Wonderland” has our girl dismantling the idea that she lives in a fairytale romance.  “I’m not Snow White, but I’m lost inside this forest.  I’m not Red Riding Hood, but I think the wolves have got me.”  I need more Natalia Kills!  Bring on the album!

 Natalia Kills – Wonderland 

Now Hear This… Britney Spears “Inside Out”

When the snippets of Britney’s “Inside Out” came out I was not really super excited about it.  I’m changing my tune (a little).  Now that I’ve heard the whole track, I think it’s a fairly good song.  It seems a little sleepy for our girl Britney, but there is always one slightly questionable track on all of her albums.  I’ve kept the song on repeat for a while to try to get into it and it’s working.  I’m kinda feeling the slowed down, thrown down Britney.  Listen and judge for yourself.

Britney Spears – Inside Out

Now Hear This… Britney Spears “I Wanna Go”

Oh I have been waiting for this one!  Ever since I heard the snippet leak of Britney’s “I Wanna Go” I have been patiently waiting for it and it doesn’t disappoint.   It has a slight Ibiza flair to it and I can only imagine what the remixes will be like.  Not only does the track sound relevant in today’s music market, but it surpasses anything other contemporary artists are putting out there.  Britney knows her audience and doesn’t stray too far away from what they love (and we love her for it).

Britney Spears – I Wanna Go

Now Hear This… Britney Spears “(Drop Dead) Beautiful”

I posted about Britney’s new song “(Drop Dead) Beautiful” the other day and was happy with the track, however, it wasn’t the official full track.  Now comes the leak with the album cut.  Still loving it.  Still into it.  This version makes me even happier.  Favorite lyrics:  “You must be b-i-g because you got me hypnotized.  Whoever said that beauty’s on the inside is a lie.”

Britney Spears – (Drop Dead) Beautiful (album cut)

Remixed… Katy Perry “E.T.” (Tiesto Club Remix)

I’m not going to lie.  I have developed a girl crush on Katy Perry.  I didn’t want to.  It just happened.  She hooked me with her saturated unapologetic pop songs and then sealed the deal with 2 darker, deeper, songs (“E.T.” and “Circle the Drain”).  See I thought she was all fluff.  Turns out that she has a bit of a bite to her too.  Now that “E.T.” is officially her 4th single from her album (Teenage Dream) the remixes are out and have made me love the song just a little more.  I’ve got quite a few of the remixes of the track, but the Tiesto is club ready and makes no excuses for it!

Katy Perry – E.T. (Tiesto Remix)

Remixed… Britney Spears “Till The World Ends” (Liam Keegan Club Remix)

It seems to be Britney Spears month around here with all the leaks and Britney news going on.  Since the 2nd single “Till The World Ends” came out I’ve been desperately wanting to here the remixes for the track.  Liam Keegan is the go-to guy for straight forward club remixes.  I never think his remixes are mind-blowing, but I will say that he does do a good club remix.  I’m looking forward to hearing new remixes of this track, I’ve already acquired a few, but nothing that has blown me away.  Check out Liam’s remix below.

Britney Spears – Till The World Ends (Liam Keegan Club Mix)

Now Hear This… R.E.M. “Walk It Back”

So I just got the new R.E.M. album, Collapse Into Now, which comes out on March 8th.  After a quick first listen I was a little disappointed, but there are a few gems in there.  Overall, I am a big R.E.M. fan.  I think Automatic For the People was underrated and  one of their best albums ever.  Their last few albums haven’t really been as great, but they have always been R.E.M. to the core.  The single stand out track (after just one listening to) was “Walk it Back” which is a fragile, beautifully simple song that reminds me of their Automatic for the People heyday.  I’m going to give the album a few more listens to before I can fully form an opinion, but that’s how it always is with an R.E.M. album.

R.E.M. – Walk It Back

Now Hear This… Jennifer Lopez “Starting Over”

Jennifer Lopez can’t seem to catch a break in the music world.  Her “Louboutins” arrived flat on it’s ass.  “Fresh Out The Oven” was one of the worst pop songs I’ve heard an established artist produce.  Now comes news that her album (titled Love?) has been pushed back from March 29th to April 11th.  Surely because they don’t want it to be overshadowed by Britney Spears newest album.  “On the Floor” has been the most promising track she has put out in a long time.  This track, “Starting Over”, has been rumored to be one of the songs that made the cut.  It’s not bad, but I don’t think this is the final cut.

Jennifer Lopez – Starting Over