Music

The Return of Funk(Ankh)

Yes, the Queen of Soul ‘n Funk is back. Ms. Badu’s latest offering – ‘New Amerykah Part Two: Return of The Ankh’ (Island) is being unveiled today! A few tracks leaked throughout last few months and such great downtempo tunes indeed. ‘Window Seat’ and ‘Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long’ basically detered the direction of this album. You can light up a Strawberry ‘Incense’ stick and have a glass of wine while letting Erykah Badu take control of the night. It is a mature Ms. Badu you are listening to. All her emotions pouring…Read More

Video of the week: Rihanna’s “Rude Boy”

This video is Rihanna’s best yet. The video is directed by Melina Matsoukas (who did videos for Kylie, Beyonce, Lady GaGa and even Robin Thicke) delivers a colourful, sexy and playful video and we dare say most fashionable video that Rihanna has ever done. Its a smorgasbord of Jamaica dancehall images intertwined with 80’s pop art (Warhol and Haring). Rihanna continues her trend of wearing bizarrely edgy fashion and most notable one is her Keith Haring-inspired white body catsuit which she pairs it with some unique-looking earrings. Another notable piece is her gold-coloured catsuit…Read More

Goldfrapp’s Rocket

This is the type of song that you never knew that you wanted and it comes with a nice surprise to have it when you least expected. Goldfrapp released their new single, Rocket and I would say this is one of their happiest first single from the upcoming album ‘Head First’ due out today! The song Rocket opens with a synth beat and Alison’s clear distinctive voice and pretty quickly leads up to the catchy chorus. The synth beat develops further into a melodic 80’s inspired tune in Goldfrapp’s own style which is quirky fun. Even the video exudes these qualities and if any of you thinks that this is what Gaga…Read More

We Heart Sade

After 10 whole years of waiting, the ever smooth operator – Sade is finally feeding our appetites with her ‘Soldier of Love’ album. It’s like she has never left as you can hear her songs on adult contemporary or soul jazz radio station. There’s  always continuity in her album as she’s been using the same band from the start of her career, i.e. Stuart Matthewman（Saxophone），Andrew Hale(Keyboard) and Paul Spencer Denman(Bass). It’s all about faith and slow life that Sade is showcasing in her album. Who else is daring to release an album when he/she feels like it? To listening to Sade’s album is like wine tasting, the more you…Read More

Must Listen: Leighton Meester “Your Love’s A Drug”

Fresh from her catchy debut single, comes her second single “Your Love’s A Drug” which is another finely crafted pop tune. This time the Gossips Girl got somebody to love her and is saying his love is infectious and addictive. Chuck Bass perhaps? With light synth sounds and catchy chorus, this song will not leave your head the minute you hear it. It’s a feel-good pick me up and since actual drugs are expensive nowadays, this song is a cheaper and safer alternative. Leighton is slowly making her presence felt in the…Read More

Must Listen: Roisin Murphy “Momma’s Place”

This talented quirky Irish singer-songwriter is back with this wonderful little ditty from her upcoming yet untitled third album. “Momma’s Place” is full-on groovy dance with elements of 90’s dance music, which we predict will be the trend for the year 2010. Listening to the lyrics, it is quite an obvious bitchy comment to Lady GaGa (though she may claim otherwise!) ,whose fashion and music has bits of Roisin Murphy in it, by claiming…Read More

Singles of the week 16.12.09

Timbaland is back with a new album naming it Shock Value 2, a little lazy in the creative end in coming up with new name for the album. Nevertheless, Timbaland delivers attractive tunes as with his latest single ‘Morning After Dark’ featuring Soshy and Nelly Furtado yet again. Wicked beats, crazy synthesizer with the Timbo flavour, somehow or rather you’ll be moving your…Read More

Sex Therapy : The Session

Robin Thicke was a sophisticated gentleman before he released his fourth album – ‘Sex Therapy’.  The title track had kept his fan wonder what he was up to for his just released album. Yes, he’s more than a crooner this time. He’s a playboy, a kinky lover or even a love doctor, switching role  in different. It’s been a long while since anyone sing about having fun in bed after Madonna’s ‘Bedtime Story’. Sexual explicit lyrics, woman’s whispering and teasers are all over the album. Be prepared to be stimulated by songs like ‘Sex Therapy’, ‘Make You Love Me’, ‘I Got You’ and ‘Jus Right’. You can still have some doses of Thicked’s style ballad. ‘2 Luv Birds’  is exactly the sequel of…Read More

Singles of the week 10.12.09

Ms. Keys is back right before the year 2009 wraps up offering us another one of her beautiful tune. The single is a slow to mid tempo with melody that just takes you into another dimension that is very soothing. Keys actually sounded different this time around, where her vocals are softer yet strong and youthful. As with her other numbers, this song is filled with raw emotions and lyrically strong. This is Keys’ first single for 2009 and… Read More

Video of the week: Janet Jackson “Make Me”

Miss Jackson is back and she is back with a vengence. This time with a posh new video directed by Robert Hales, who did the excellent Gnarls Barkley “Crazy” video. Premise of the video is simple, shot entirely in black and white, shows Janet and her dancers doing their slick moves. In between, shots of Janet in various designer costumes (Canadian designer Todd Lynn Spring 2010 collection in full swing here) posing  and writhing around on a designer lounge chair and with some special effects… Read More

Up to Now by Snow Patrol

I have always intrigued by Gary Lightbody’s voice, gentle yet at his emotion’s height. This so called much loved songs compilation is released in conjunction of greatest hits albums flooding in the X’mas gift market. If two CDs of Snow Patrol’s signature love songs are not enough to get your girlfriend’s heart melt, grab the Deluxe package of this album which is including a DVD of  ‘The Lightning Strike’ animated film and previously unseen live footage. Read More…

Singles of the week (20.11.09)

From Air’s latest album ‘Love 2′, singsangsung is the first single off the album. It’s a very light, breezy tune that you can sing along to on a sunny day. The sound is a mixture of acoustic with electronics with a vintage beat that reminds me of the 50’s and 60’s. Somehow the Brady Bunch comes to mind. This sound is actually quite new to the French duo. Perfect for a lazy afternoon. Read More…

Video of the week: Lady GaGa “Bad Romance”

The latest video from Lady GaGa’s brilliant single “Bad Romance” is pure excess in every single most possible way that you JUST have to see the video again and again in case you miss something in the first viewing. It has so many things going on that it is just simply a visual orgy for the eyes. The video is directed by uber pop music director Francis Lawrence (who did videos for Britney Spears and Janet Jackson and who recently directed Will Smith’s flop movie “I Am Legend”). Read More…

Martin Solveig + Dragonette “Boys and girls (Bart B More Siren’s Call Remix)”

Remixes are either a hit or miss and normally most of them do not do justice to the original song. Some would argue what is the point of remixes if it is just  some mindless beats and a repeat of vocals. But up and coming Dutch dj Bart B More has proven to us that you can remix a song to make it way much better than the original. Infact he made the song turn into a completely different song altogether.Originally a cute little ditty from French dj/producer Martin Solveig featuring the female vocals from fellow Canadian Martina from the group Dragonette (talk about United Nation!), this song was picked by Jean Paul Gaultier to promote his latest…Read More

Leighton Meester “Somebody To Love”

Who would have thought a Gossip Girl can sing? Leighton Meester or better known as “Blair Waldorf” from the hit show “Gossip Girl” (a show that is pure guilty pleasure if there ever is one) shows us that she is not a one-trick pony by releasing this wonderful little ditty. “Somebody to love” is pure electropop that is reminsce of early Blondie and 80’s synth pop. All the formula for a killer pop song is there, Leighton purrs over the lyrics with a slight pop rap, throws in a french word or two in the middle of the song and with a killer chorus that just sticks in your head after a few listen. Read more…

Basement Jaxx’s Scars

The latest from the fun Brit duo does not disappoint. Up till today they keep their music relevant and having the Basement Jaxx’s fun factor into all their tracks. The slight deviation from the duo’s previous work is that this album is lighter with more mellow tracks and definitely more radio friendly. Nevertheless the Jaxx magic is still presence no doubt. It seems like the Jaxxs is planning for a big bang success with this offering as it features a tight ensemble of vocals including Kelis, Santigold, Sam Sparro and Yoko Ono to name a few. Read more…

A breeze of fresh air

When i heard Speech Debelle beat Florence + The Machine and Bat For Lashes in winning this year Mercury Award, i had to check her out right away. How do i put it? She brought back a memory i have had back in my teenage years when i was learning to rap along Betty Boo. Only that, ’Speech Therapy’ is for the 80’s born kid from this 24 years old South London lass. Read more…

Ready for the weekend

Calvin Harris’ second offer ‘Ready For The Weekend’ has all the 80’s disco elements and this is how a pop album should sound like. Three No. 1 hits – ‘Dance Wiv Me’, ‘I’m Not Alone’ and ‘Ready For The Weekend’ had been dominating airwaves throughout U.K. and Europe for the first half of year 2009. Read more…

I look to Whitney

After a long anticipation and wait, Whitney finally released her latest studio album named “I Look To You” which is also the title of the first single of the album. Fans of Whitney will definitely have high expectations from her powerful vocal and hitting all the big and high notes like she used to. This album is nothing like that. This is the more subtle Whitney, which she took her time to sing to you some of her stories. It took me three listens to grasps and understood the album and its direction. Read more…

Khalil Fong “Timeless”

Khalil Fong made himself a music lover’s must listen Hong Kong singer/songwriter last year with his ‘Orange Moon’ album. Soulful and gentle male voice is hard to fine in Chinese pop music scene. His influence includes all the Soul music maestros –Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson etc. Thus, he pays his tribute to them in his latest release ‘Timeless’. A mix of Mandarin and Cantonese cover versions, but mostly English love songs. Read more…

Florence + Her Lungs

When I first heard of Florence Welch’s voice over an internet radio, Chrissie Hynde popped up in my mind. This South London lass could really belted out a rock song with her soulful voice like The Pretender’s bandleader. Thanks to the heavy rotation on BBC Radio 1 playlist and performances at sold-out summer music festivals, Florence and the Machine found their upstart debut album ‘Lungs’ peaking at number 2 in UK album chart now and had reached Silver status in UK album sales. Read more…

Blacksummers’night is here

One of the most anticipated album of the year as well as from the artist himself – Maxwell, has been released. It has been a long wait for Maxwell’s new tune since ‘Now’ in 2001 and he does indeed give us new tunes in this 4th studio album. Read more…