Since I will be working this Friday, and since I was working this past Friday as well (oy!), I figured, let’s be unconventional and do a five song Wednesday today. Why not, right? Here are some great new songs for you to consider, songs that I have really been enjoying recently.
Feist – How Come You Never Go There
As a huge fan of Feist’s previous album, The Reminder, which came out waaaay back in 2007 (and was subsequently my #2 album of that year), I have been chomping at the bit to get some new music from this Canadian chanteuse. Well, it is an understatement to say that this, the first single from her forthcoming album Metals, is quite simply amazing. This track is beautiful, and really builds on where The Reminder left off. All of a sudden, I cannot wait for October to get here!
Gavin Degraw – Not Over You
I’m honestly shocked by this one; I have always considered this guy to be firmly in the column of ‘artists I cannot stand’ for whatever reason. Perhaps it was that damn obnoxious song of his, I Don’t Wanna Be, which was played on the radio every five fucking minutes back in the day and is a song I cannot stand. What can I say, first impressions are very strong, indeed. That being said, I heard this song thanks to Spotify playing a snippet during a commercial, and I didn’t even know it was Gavin Degraw; and when I found it was him, I was all, “hmpf! Who cares, it’s excellent!”. So there; what can I say, I am a sucker for a fantastic piano-driven ballad, and this is a very, very good one.
Jessie J – Domino
There is a lot of love for Jessie J on this blog, a lot, and rightfully so; she’s amazing! I love this girl, and it seems like when everything new I hear, I fall harder and harder for her. Her voice is powerful and incredible, and I hope that she becomes just as big (especially stateside) as (IMHO) less deserving acts like Katy Perry. This song is decidedly more pop than some of her previous singles, and it shows just how varied her style can be, while highlighting how she can keep it young and fresh as well. This is such an earworm, and it is perfectly ready to blaze the airwaves; this is one I would expect to hear on repeat on the radio. Jessie J ladies and gents; this is pop, and let’s enjoy it, shall we?!
Nicole Scherzinger – Wet
It appears that I might be a little obsessed with Nicole Scherzinger these days. I have a habit of promoting stuff that I feel like is deserving of attention, and this is a great reason I keep turning to Nicole; she should be way bigger of a star than simply as the “lead singer of the Pussycay Dolls”. Every time I turn around, I hear another amazing single from her, and I keep wondering, why in the hell hasn’t this girl been topping the Billboard charts with these hits?! Her album, Killer Love is still slated for a November release date here in the US (even though it was released in the UK back in March of this year!!!), and this is the latest UK single from the album. Might I say, Wet is another blazing hit (thanks to my buddy Steve for posting this on facebook a while back). Nicole is gorgeous in the video, and this song is a dance banger ready for the dancefloor. After seeing the video, it struck me that someone should show Britney this video to remind her that girls her age can still dance and show the level of enthusiasm she used to back in the Toxic days… Either way, another fantastic single and video for Nicole!! Fingers still crossed for you, lady!
David Guetta – Night Of Your Life feat. Jennifer Hudson
Oh my goodness. Finally. A KILLER club track featuring the vocals of one of my most favorite divas, Ms. Jennifer Hudson! This song is incredible, and a great testament of what it means to work with superstar DJ David Guetta; he will treat you right! Kelly Rowland has known that for a while, and with David’s most recently release, Nothing But The Beat, it looks like several fantastic artists are following suit to work with this guy. If anything, it pretty much guarantees you at least a very good chance of having a very radio-ready single. This song is definitely reminiscent of Rihanna’s Only Girl (In The World), but different enough to hold its own (and honestly, I loved that song too, so fuck, the more the merrier!!). I honestly loved it the first time I heard it; but then again, my lady Jennifer is tearing it UP on this track. My only wish, is that they would have released this back in June, because it could have been my song of the summer; so I guess it’ll just have to be my song of the autumn!! I expect to here this a lot at the upcoming Pride festival!
So there we go, another five songs… what did you think? Any suggestions you’d like to see in a future five song Friday (or Wednesday… or whatever day I do one)? Let me know!
I was so excited when I saw a new single from one of my favorite divas waiting for me when I opened the iTunes store a couple of weeks ago. Incorrect grammar aside, this is another home-run for Jennifer, and has me very excited for her sophomore album I Remember Me, which will be out later this month on the 22nd. I for one, will be heading out to the store to pick up my copy, because if this is any indicator of what we can expect, it is going to be more amazing stuff from this amazing singer. Her debut made 
A big thanks is in order to a great blog I follow, 
A big thanks goes out to my buddy Deb for this one. She posted the video to her Facebook a couple of weeks ago, and I have been loving it ever since. It reminds me a bit of Sharleen Spiteri vocally, and the backing dance track just invokes a little taste of something Sophie Ellis Bextor would probably release. Overall, the song is almost tribal, and most certainly enchanting; I love it more and more with each listen. A great find for sure… thanks Deb! 
I saw the (quite violent) video for this one, and was struck by how much this song reminded me of the Ting Ting’s stylistically. It sounds a lot like Shut Up and Let Me Go; which is a personal favorite of mine (maybe that’s why I like this one so much?) and as such, I wanted to hear it more and more. That being said, while similar, it has its own flair, and I’m glad to have stumbled onto this track. Also, I can’t help but notice that the lead singer of the group is quite the hottie. Double bonus. 
I heard this one afternoon randomly on BBC Radio 1, and was blown away. This, ladies and gents (well, for those of you that don’t know what it is), is dubstep, the bass-centered electro straight out of South East London. Since discovering this track, I have been seeking out more and more dubstep, because I love the undulating lower bass range that is the hallmark of dubstep, which is essentially when the beat “drops”. Feel how deep that bass goes!! Overall, it is a great genre of music, and this is a great example of high energy dubstep; which has taken my attention by storm. Special request: any dubstep suggestions are more than welcome; I am craving it more and more!! 
This is one of the many songs that I hear when I am out at Mary’s, and I completely diva-out (finger wagging, lip syncing, and tossing my imaginary hair about). It is a FIERCE track, that is a complete middle finger brandishing kiss-off, with a great backing dance beat. I like the juxtaposition of throwback soul with the electronic pops and beats, and it is very well done on this track. This song is best when played loud, and with plenty of room to point your finger and wave it about fervently while you tell that man to enjoy his new bed. Hmpf! This is seriously one of my favorite songs, and I can definitely listen to it on repeat. Sing with me: good luck good luck! HA! I would also suggest checking out the video, because it is very Jackie Brown, and fierce in its own right.
I featured a Kate Miller-Heidke track some time ago, and late in 2009, I got kind of excited because she released a new album. However, I initially had a difficult time getting into that album, and it didn’t help that it came into my life about the time I was compiling my year end best of list. Well, as I mentioned above, I have been trying to give more stuff a real chance, and so I decided to give new album another go, and I was pleased to find this absolutely delightful song this time around. She has a very interesting voice, and she has this whisper-ish, baby-like way of singing that makes this an especially sweet brand of pop. The narrative style of her song writing is genuine and sweet, and goes really well with that singing style. Overall, I love the arrangements of this adorable little song, and I am very glad that I went back for a second listen.
Sometimes, I start to hear a song, and I am ready to move on, but something about it makes me want to see where it is going. This is extremely rare, because usually, a song only has about 30 seconds to impress me. However, that is exactly what happened with this song; I didn’t like the first 25 seconds that much, but around 38 seconds, it really picks up, and turns into a beautiful folk-pop track. The vocals are very reminiscent of one of my favorite folk artists, Feist, which only makes me like it more. When the guy joins in, it makes for a sweet collaboration, and it only continues to progress into a great track. I’m really glad that I waited long enough to let this song show me how good it really is; because now I have been hooked, and I have quickly come to love it. 
Wow! This song is amazing. Levi is like a gay Harry Connick Jr., and by all accounts, should be just as famous. After doing a little internet research about him, I have found out that he was raised in the south, and struggled with coming out in much the same way I did (even though he went through A LOT more than I did… he went to one of those de-gaying camps. Yikes!). Knowing that makes it even more impressive that he has come so far, and despite all of his set backs (getting kicked out of college because he was outed, and being dropped by a Christian music label, presumably because he’s gay), he is still using his amazing gift to make beautiful and inspiring music. I love the slight country twinge to his voice, and the tenderness with which he sings. His piano arrangement for this song is truly beautiful, and really reminds me of amazing pop songs like fellow out artist, Ferras’ Hollywood’s Not America. There is a tenderness in this track that brings a flair of down home gospel into the mix, and makes it a true anthem that comes straight from the heart. 
Damn. This song is 1000000% diva. After Jennifer’s CD came out last year, I pretty much knew it would make my year end list, and low and behold, it did. There is something about her voice that I cannot get enough of; it is an instrument, and she harnesses it beautifully. This is probably my favorite song from the album, and lately, I have been listening to it more and more. In doing that, I have really seen how amazing this song really is; the arrangement is stellar, and the subtle ways she weaves the emotion into the track with her undulating voice is simply outstanding. I am glad that JHud is getting the attention that she deserves, and I have to say that it is pretty amazing to be here to witness the birth of a true diva’s career. 
I will openly admit that I have been a HUGE fan of Jennifer’s from the moment I saw her on American Idol, and that definitely has had an impact on my love for this record. I have heard a lot of criticism about the record from others, but for me, there is something about her voice that truly impresses me, and it is showcased beautifully on this album. She is a diva in every sense of the word, and I am more than pleased with her debut album. 
, this fall, and I have to say, that I was really, really impressed. One of the problems with people that can sing like her, is having the songs to showcase her massive voice and the talent that is in it. Sometimes, stars get those songs, and I think on this album, Jennifer has turned out a fair share of amazing performances by being given solid songs to sing; so much so, that it strongly overshadows the weaker points of the album (goddammit, I wish T-Pain would choke to death on the fucking vocoder and do this world a favor). The inclusion of the show stopper, And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going from Dreamgirls was sheer genius. It is one of the most massive songs out there, and she nailed it in Dreamgirls; so putting it on her debut just makes sense.
Okay, I am going to make a pretty grand statement here, so get ready… This is probably the most powerful, well written, and amazing pop ballad of 2008. Will Young has released his fourth record, and he has proven (again) that he is way more than a flash in the pop pan; he plans on sticking around, and making some fabulous music while he’s here. As I mentioned last week, his record is a fantastic blend of jazz, pop, soul, and just overall musical greatness. It is definitely one of the albums of the year, in my opinion, and one that was well worth waiting for. Congratulations are in order for Will, who has succeeded in making another amazing album. And this song… well, I just cannot get enough of it. It is one of those songs that you hear, and think to yourself, “wow, that was pretty amazing, let’s hear that one again”, and then you listen to it again, and you realize not only that you were right, but that it was even better the second time around. It just keeps getting better with each listen for me, and it really makes me wonder why acts like Will Young aren’t popular here in the States. Oh well… at least I know about him, and can educate at least some of you about the pop brilliance that is Will Young.
So here’s the thing, apparently, he was the lead singer of a famous Britpop band called Suede… who I’ve never heard of. Okay, that may be a bad thing, considering how much I love pop music, but it is what it is. Now, I heard this song somewhere (I think it was iTunes), and I have to say, that it is literally, quite amazing. I have almost posted it several weeks before now, but it always got bumped for one reason or another; but this week, it is on the list! I love the feel of his vocals (they’re almost haunting me!), and the gentle piano that accompanies him on this track. This song is from his recently released solo album, which is his second one. Perhaps I need to spend some time exploring his past, and see how he got to this point, because this song is just amazingly beautiful, and I have been enjoying it for several weeks now. 