I think it's time for a long overdue update on three of my favourite Australian Idol alumni. Jessica Mauboy, Ricki-Lee and Paulini have all been regulars on this blog over the years, were all members of Young Divas and all currently have new music out. Unfortunately, for Ricki-Lee and Paulini - that's where the similarities end. 2009 has been Jessica Mauboy's year. She's released a platinum album, scored five top 20 hit singles and somehow survived wearing the most unflattering outfit in ARIA history with her reputation still intact. I love Jess and think she has almost limitless potential but Sasha Fierce via Target is not the look! Anyway, Sony has squeezed out a 6th single from "Been Waiting" and it's one of the best so far. "Let Me Be Me" is a cute, mid-tempo urban pop tune written by long-time Kylie collaborator Karen Poole and new Sugababe Jade Ewen. I'm guessing it might have been intended for Jade at one point but it suits Jessica perfectly. The lyrics are sweet and the production (courtesy of The Deni's former righthand man 'Fingaz') is slick without being sterile. The video clip completely rips off Beyoncé's "Halo" but Jess has never looked lovelier. I wouldn't be surprised if this is yet another top 20 hit.
At the other end of the success spectrum is Paulini, who was dropped by her record label and reduced to appearing in tragic gay clubs across the nation. It's a shame because I honestly believe Paulini has the best voice to come out of Australian Idol. She just hasn't had a lot of luck selecting appropriate material or marketing herself as a pop star. Unfortunately, I don't think her latest release is much of an improvement on either front. "Scarless" is a beautifully performed ballad and showcases her glorious pipes but it doesn't exactly scream hit. I know it was released independently to raise money for victims of domestic violence but it would be great to hear Paulini belt out another upbeat pop tune ("Rough Day" or "Last Love") or an urban club banger like the fabulous "So Over You". The proceeds of "Scarless" go to charity, so download it from iTunes. The film clip is a surprisingly classy affair and deserves a look. Fingers crossed that this is the start of a full blown comeback next year.
Last but not least is Ricki-Lee. There was a time when I was completely obsessed with Ricki. I loved her second album and wrote about her every other week on Pop Trash Addicts. However, my interest has really waned this year. Returning to Australian Idol as a host was embarrassing, "Don't Miss You" left me cold and her turn as a Ralph cover girl reeked of desperation. It got so bad that I didn't even bother checking out her latest track until the physical single (above) arrived in the post. Imagine my surprise when I gave it a spin and realised that it was actually a stunning return to form. "Hear No, See No, Speak No" sounds like a cross between Ke$ha and Katy Perry. It's an effortlessly catchy serve of electro dance-pop with lashings of guitar to keep things interesting. The production is top notch and Ricki-Lee tears up the vocal. Disappointingly, the song is shaping up to be the biggest flop of the diva's career - stalling at a lowly #46 thus far. I blame the hilarious dominatrix video (below). Ricki needs to save the leather corset and riding crop for her home movies! "Hear No, See No, Speak No" is a future trash classic. I just wish there were remixes.
After last week's outrageous but thoroughly deserving winner, some semblance of class and dignity has been restored to the Pop Panel - much to my dismay! I don't mind the winner, I just think it's another overhyped blog sensation that will probably stall at #47 in the charts like Frankmusik, MPHO and all the next big things that came before it. The runner up and last place getter are much more to my liking but it's far from the worst winner in Panel history. That honour still belongs to the Norwegian cure for insomnia otherwise known as Annie! Before I introduce the judges I just want to do a little housekeeping and thank the La Toya Experience for inviting me to do a scene by scene review Toy's "Home" video along with the creator of my all time favourite website. What an honour! Ok, back to the business at hand. These regulars are back for more:
Nikki's fabulous blog is THE place to visit for quality K Pop appreciation and insightful reviews, while Poster Girl requires no introduction. I think we all know and love her. As usual, the results are ranked from lowest to highest.
D'Luv: Swedish reggae is best left to Ace Of Base. 1.5/5 Mike: According to Rob "Rising Girl" is racist, so I guess that makes me the Australian Cheryl Cole because I'm slightly obsessed with this so utterly tragic it's brilliant reggae jam. Seriously, I don't know what's more hilarious - a blond haired, blue eyed boy singing about being from Kingston town or the fact that they're pretending to cruise around the Caribbean with a Swedish flag on their boat. I need an mp3! 5/5 Nikki: I like the guy's voice. Not a big fan of reggae either but this is kinda good. Nothing new, special or ground-breaking but it's competent - there's enough to make you want to listen through the whole song. I honestly think it's the vocals - I'd love to hear him sing Ola-like songs. 3.5/5 Paul: You have got to be fucking kidding me? No one asked for an Aswad tribute band fronted by a white boy with a faux reggae accent. Absolutely dreadful. I rescind my offer of a blowie to you for making me listen to this! 0/5 Poster Girl: I had high hopes for this project- Swedish two girl two boy pop group produced by Bassflow? I expected pure pop heaven, a late '90s throwback, so this slice of '70s reggae-pop has had me too confused to actually figure out what I think of it. The chorus hook is memorable, but that doesn't necessarily mean the song is good...nor does it being different from what I hoped for mean it's bad. I give up. Harmless but pointless, I guess. 2/5 Rob: Wrong. I think it might be a little bit racist too. 0/5 Tommie: This is just all kinds of wrong. Why are they singing about bushmen?! Nej tack. 0/5 Total: 12/35
Here's the comeback that no one asked for, or wanted. Except me.
D'Luv: Looks like kinder-hooker charged more leather on Daddy's platinum card and found her way into a studio again. Lucky us. 0/5 Mike: I love Lasgo. Their tacky Eurotrance sound combined with reed thin vocals courtesy of a cheap bleach blond stripper never gets old. Not their finest moment but I like it. 3/5 Nikki: Generic Eurocrap loop throughout - how many times have I heard that used? Vocals are good at most parts and the melody is verging on very good but seriously, whoever thought of using the most unoriginal loop under a great melody should be shot. 2/5 Paul: Oh great, something that will make all the chavs in Mykonos throw themselves drunkenly around the room with their arms in the air, burberry underwear on show. Dream come true. 1/5 Poster Girl: Short of Kate Ryan and Milk Inc.'s "Run," Belgian Eurodance rarely leaves much of an impression on me. "Lost" is no exception, though I'd welcome hearing its spiky synths with the voice of another singer. The cover for the single before this one was fantastic, though. 2/5 Rob: Where Sil fails Lasgo succeeds! This is how to do this sort of pop! Well done Lasgo. 3/5 Tommie: Before I listened to this I wanted to write "Lasgo - get Lost" as an easy way out to actually sitting down and actually listening to the track, but this is the type of Wigan Pier dance trash that I sadly love. 3/5 Total: 14/35
This delicate flower is hoping to kick Kate Ryan to the curb as Belgium's leading dance diva.
D'Luv: I haven't heard a 47-year-old stripper with a voice this thin since Madonna's first album. 1/5 Mike: I think Sil recorded this on her trusty Commodore 64 before shooting the video on her mobile phone and whipping up the cover in Microsoft Paint. Basically, she's a diva after my own heart and I can't wait to hear her next stunning anthem! 4/5 Nikki: Annoying and boring vocals about 80% of the time, to be frank. Representative Eurocrap but it's not horrid or anything - there's just nothing to make me jump out of my seat. 2/5 Paul: Why must you torture me with these cheap broads who make videos that look like a promo for Secret Diary Of A Call Girl and then warble at me with their whisper thin vocals? Still I'm a sucker for Eurotrash like this, and it is quite catchy. And actually I never underestimate love so I feel she's speaking directly at me. 3/5 Poster Girl: Forgettable, sad Eurodance. There are some moments with interesting potential, but Sil doesn't sell any of them and the producers don't really play any of them up. Could co-writers Jewels & Stone please reclaim the song, produce it themselves, and give it to another singer? Failing that, just listen to the Cicada version instead. 1.5/5 Rob: Wow. This is boring. I am trying to find a catchy chorus in here. But it's deplete of anything of the sort. Its lacking on so many levels. I was seriously hoping all the tension in the verses would build into an amazing trancetastic chorus. Much like Trinity X's glorious "Forever". Sadly this refuses to give me what I want. 0/5 Tommie: Finally, some trash goodness! Looks like an attractive version of that Cascada chick and has the beat to match. Easily a win! 5/5 Total: 16.5/35
Jessica Mauboy - Up/Down (Below)
The 5th single from Jessica's hugely successful debut album.
D'Luv: Sounds like a Sugababes Z-side. And this broad looks like a cheap hooker who got smacked a few times with a brick. Thank goodness for fake tits. 0/5 Mike: This should be another easy top 10 hit for Jess. There are better songs on "Been Waiting" ("To The Floor" and "Let Me Be Me" come to mind) but "Up/Down" is a club banger of the highest calibre. Jessica is really working this sound as well as anyone in pop at the moment and she looks beautiful in the video. 4/5 Nikki: I love the girl, I truly do and her recent single choices have been great ("Been Waiting" was like the most brilliant thing since ever) so although I think this song's not bad, the melody's somewhat catchy and the instrumental is really percussion-based, I don't think it's an appropriate single choice. There are stronger songs on the album. The formulaic and often times effective strategy is to choose one of the ballads but this isn't THAT bad, really. 4/5 Paul: What an innovative, out there, creative, original slice of brilliance. Oh wait, no it's just Jessica. Still there's something quite decent about it isn't there in a Disney channel princess pop star sort of way. 2.5/5 Poster Girl: I've remained so generally unmoved by Jessica's second album, which seems to be pretty popular in Internet pop world. "Up/Down" is contemporary up-tempo urban pop that should appeal to me, but I've forgotten it after each play. Fine but forgettable, and I can't figure out why. 2.5/5 Rob: I have this album & I love it but I think this a slight misfire. The styling and presentation of the video is all over the place and entrenched with things we've seen all before. Liberty X did this sort of stuff a few years ago. 0/5 Tommie: Let's see - an Australian that looks like Queen Kat DeLuna's bastard sister and has an embarrassing faux-American sound? Yes, please from me! 4/5 Total: 17/35 Basement Jaxx ft. Sam Sparro - Feelings Gone (Video)
Floptastic Australian gayer joins forces with legendary UK dance outfit for this collaboration.
D'Luv: Maybe it's the cheesy-poptasticness of the song, or maybe it's Sam's new blonde hair—but this reminds me of an old-school Erasure song. And that's never a bad thing. 3/5 Mike: A disjointed mess. There are moments when I think it's all going to fall into place but it never quite clicks. I guess that's the price Basement Jaxx has to pay for slumming it with Sam Sparro. 2/5 Nikki: It's uh, very.. how do I say this nicely? The arrangement sounds like it's straight out of the 80s. Not meaning to generalize or anything but I generally (personally) don't lean towards that period of music and it just so happens that the arrangement carries the whole song. The melody's not that bad though - stick it onto a funk/old school R&B arrangement and I'd somewhat adore it. 2/5 Paul: I know I should be judging the song, but I can't get past the fact that Sam is now blonde and actually looks very enticing. I had to go relieve some tension before I could review the song, which is actually quite good isn't it? I guess the 90s is the new 80s in terms of music sound pillaging. Works for me. 3.5/5 Poster Girl: I can't stir up the emotion to get actively upset about it, but the end result of this good-in-theory collaboration is just so...uneventful. 1.5/5 Rob: I love clunky electro pop music. Takes me back to 1990 and walking down the Gay Pride marches with my mum. For sure, this is complicated but I love it. Messy pop songs are wonderful even if they don't quite "fit" or are at all fashionable. This is brilliantly euphoric. 4/5 Tommie: I love Basement Jaxx and I might be Sam Sparro's only remaining fan, but this really isn't that good is it? Average at best and both need a real banger to kick them back into relevancy. 2.5/5 Total: 18.5/35
Backstreet Boys - Straight Through My Heart (Video)
90s has-beens return with a RedOne produced jam.
D'Luv: YES. The most exciting these guys have been since their 2000 single, "Shape Of My Heart." This is the kind of shit I'll play 50 times on my iPod in a row. And love how they've swapped out Max Martin for RedOne. Viva la Sweden. 5/5 Mike: You can almost smell the desperation on these middle-aged cunts. In all fairness, this is a semi-convincing attempt at regaining some relevance but it lacks an edge that the Backstreet Boys never had to begin with. I'm giving it an extra point for the glamorous vampire who mercifully diverts attention from the less than attractive band members in the video. 3/5 Nikki: Hands-down one of the best pop songs of 2009. I've said this before - it's like they took a late 90s/early 2000s melody and slapped it onto a 2009 arrangement + instrumental. GENIUS. Enough said, really. 5/5 Paul: What is not to love about the backstreet boys? Sure they go a bit mopey maudlin and Westlife at times, but like Westlife they a) keep coming back and b) still have one member you could quite easily go for a quick bounce all around bounce with. Love this song, think it's a great blend of what they used to do and what is more current. 4/5 Poster Girl: It's less exciting than I wanted the lead single from the album that is probably the boys' last chance at any small degree of crossover modern success to be, but even if "Straight Through My Heart" is the Euro synth-coated version of MOR, 9 times out of 10 I'm going to side with this style of production over the drudgy sound of much of their last two albums. Of course, by the end of the year I'll probably think it's fantastic. 3/5 Rob: Perhaps the most boring boyband after Westlife return. With this they've done something incredibly magical: they've made RedOne sound really tepid. Give the song to JLS I am sure they'd sparkle with this tune. The boys have absolutely no emotion singing this. Its like they're reading out the bus timetable. So, I don't blame the song or RedOne. Rather, the boys themselves. 2/5 Tommie: RedOne - please go home! I'll even pay for the cab ride. 2/5 Total: 24/35
A recent #1 UK club hit from one of Australia's most successful electro/dance groups.
D'Luv: Pleasant. Is that the black trannie from The Crying Game singing? 3/5 Mike: I prefer the more subtle album version but the single edit is still brilliant. Miss Connie's voice was made for this kind of bittersweet dance anthem and the juxtaposotition of acoustic guitar against the slick electro beats is beautiful. Another great track from a sorely underrated album. 5/5 Nikki: The instrumental is clearly Eurotrash (Eurocrap, as I call it) but I do like the song to a certain extent. The girl's voice isn't something you'd expect on a techno-ish song and the chorus is surprisingly not THAT techno - I like the contrast. Over-all, not that bad but not something I'd faint and/or walk through fire for. 4/5 Paul: Absolutely adore this. Wasn't expecting to, as the title sounds like a Salt n Pepa demo from 1993. This is a great indie-dance classic though with a really memorable hook and a brilliant vocal delivery. Amazing. 4.5/5 Poster Girl: Gorgeous - the best sort of acoustic-guitar-strums-meet-lush-electro production, and Miss Connie's voice is perfect for it. There could be an entire site dedicated to indie-and-pop-fan-approved brilliant Australian electro-pop, with this song as the centerpiece. 5/5 Rob: This isn't as good as it should bebut a lovely song. 3/5 Tommie: I'm still not head-over-heels with triple S, but this is nice enough. 3/5 Total: 27.5/35
Another of the 10,000 or so Swedish bands currently trying to crack the UK.
D'Luv: Absolutely perfect pop, from the melody to the chorus to the video. Sure, it sounds like MGMT meets early '90s Madchester rave, with Brett Anderson's early Suede haircut thrown on the lead singer to boot—but who cares, when it's this good? 5/5 Mike: Pretentious name? Check. Style over substance? Yep. Tainted by the curse of Flop Justice? Uh huh. I guess it's official - the poor man's Empire Of The Sun are the next big thing. Fortunately, I'm too busy listening to Sil to care. 3/5 Nikki: Not my type of voice but hey, the start of the song has potential. I hate the flute or whatever that is though - it's the wrong kind of contrast. The rest of the song is boring and the guy sounds like he's about to drop any second now - not even a hint of emotion. 1.5/5 Paul: How totally magnificent is this? Everything about this song works for me on every single level. It's dreamy, catchy, beautifully put together and remains floating in my conscious for hours after I have last heard it. So Mike, you will be absolutely thrilled to know I am giving it 5/5. Poster Girl: They're a few years too late to arrive in the midst of the Swedish male duo electro-pop explosion, but Sound of Arrows would have stuck out as something special even in the midst of that. "Into The Clouds" is joyous, cosmic, and über sweet but so brilliantly (and electronically) produced that it sidesteps twee. You know how Little Boots started out with unicorns in space imagery? "Into The Clouds" sounds like those pictures looked. 5/5 Rob: Awww, I love this. Everything about this is beautiful. How do you create a flawless track? Listen to this. Video is perfect which is just the icing on the vanilla pie. I prefer "M.a.g.i.c" but this will be tide me over until the album comes out. Kylie should be working with the Arrows on XI. Match made in heaven methinks! 5/5 Tommie: I really like this, even if they won't go anywhere in the charts like most male Swedish bands with an 80s sound (hello Bobby, Universal Poplab, Kamera, Similou... - need I go on?). 4/5 Total: 28.5/35
I've spent so much time walking down memory lane over the past couple of posts that I'm starting to get blisters. It's about time I focused on music recorded after 1997, so I've decided to do a bit of a round up of things pushing my buttons at the moment. One of the most exciting developments of 2009 has been the release of Fangoria's latest single "Más Es Más" ("More Is More"). The theatrical duo are the Spanish equivalent of the Pet Shop Boys. In fact, the similarities are striking. Both acts specialise in electronic beats, boast a vocalist who speaks more than sings and have a fanbase comprised predominantly of middle-aged homosexuals. Basically, Fangoria are seriously fabulous and their latest track is a high camp celebration of the finer things in life. Watch the unfortunately rather dull video here.
I can't mention Spanish pop without talking about the Queen of Extremadura, my beloved Soraya. Her campaign for Eurovision glory is in full swing, sailing through to the final round of qualifying with a truly electrifying performance of "La Noche Es Para Mi" in the semis. Soraya looked stunning and sounded amazing. I also love the dance moves and her glamorous outfit is pure sex. The bitch had better win or heads will roll! Check out her magnificent live performance (above).
On the local front, I'm very excited about the return of Mandy Kane. I was seriously obsessed with his debut "Tragic Daydreams" in the early part of this decade and I still listen to that album all the time. After a few years in the wilderness (ie. the UK), he's back with a sinister slice of goth-pop called "25 Seconds". The single was released last week and contains the brilliant Gary Numan/Ade Fenton remix. Take a listen on Mandy's Myspace and download the track from iTunes. Moving on to something slightly less cutting edge, Slinkee Minx are back with "Turn It Up", a dance track that's been doing the rounds for the past 6 months. I love the girls but this isn't their finest moment. However, it's still a fun, upbeat anthem that should get Oxford Street dancing. I really hope it's a success because I want another album! "Turn It Up" is released on the 7th of March. Give the song a listen here. Speaking of Central Station acts, I hear whispers that the holy goddess of Australian pop and former Slinkee Minx labelmate, Melissa Tkautz, is in the very early stages of putting together her next musical masterpiece. Fingers crossed this one doesn't get scrapped at the last minute!
While not quite in Mel's league, I'm still seriously loving Jessica Mauboy's album and I'm pleased the title track has been selected as the 3rd single. "Been Waiting" is another upbeat urban pop jam that should follow the first two singles into the top 10 with any luck. Check out Jessica performing the track live (above). Ignore the flagwaving losers in the crowd. Jessica really knows how to belt it out. Another act making a splash on the Australian charts are American comedians The Lonely Island who deserve some kind of award from bringing a song called "Jizz In My Pants" into the Australian top 30. Another fun chart surprise is the return of Rozalla with yet another remix of "Everybody's Free". I'm not a huge fan of the Global Deejay's update but it is good to see dirty, old Roz back in the top 10.
Moving on to the UK where Shontelle, a glamourpuss from Barbados, climbs up the charts this week to a new peak of #6 with "T-Shirt". D'Luv from Chart Rigger listed this as one of his 10 worst singles of 2008 but I have to disagree with my Pennsylvanian homegirl. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who names their album "Shontelligence" is clearly a diva worth appreciating. The song is actually rather sweet once you get past the mental image of Shontelle standing around with her gash exposed. Much less offensive is the release of Alan Connor's latest fabulous Hi-NRG anthem "Let Your Love Flow". It's a camp delight and even comes with a classy animated video!
If you're looking for slightly less cheesy dance music, give "Everybody" a listen. It's handiwork of super hot Russian DJ Rudenko and debuts in the UK top 30 this week. It's also starting to burn up dancefloors in Australia. However, my absolute favourite dance cut at the moment is Ferry Corsten's retrotastic "Made Of Love". This gem sounds like something from 1993, dragged kicking and screaming into 2009. The song is gearing up for a full release in the UK and I really hope it takes off. Check out the cheap but effective video (above). I love this song!
As far as America is concerned, I'm still loving the latest singles from Pink and Beyoncé (I'm pretending her shiteous Oscars performance never happened - anyway, I blame that disaster on national embarrassment Hugh Jackman) but I'm really coming around to Katy Perry's "Thinking Of You". At first I just wanted her to shut the fuck up and get back to singing about faux lesbians but this has grown on me something crazy. I think the stunning video has a lot to do with it. This is surely the year's best clip thus far. It's more like a mini-movie. Hell, it even has a war scene and a funeral! Apart from those divas, the only thing to really catch my ear is, strangely enough, a track by T-Pain's new R'n'B girlband Sophia Fresh. "Save Yourself" is so unexpected (given the rest of their uninspiring output). This gorgeous mid-tempo ballad sounds more like something from Robyn's second album ("My Truth") than anything in the American charts. Sadly it's not going to be a single, so check it out here. What a waste! I'm also getting a kick out of Beyoncé and Solange's new haircare advertisement for Feria. My Sol-Angel even provides the soundtrack! Check it out below:
It's time for a little blog housekeeping. Basically, this post is a dumping ground for thoughts and little tidbits of information that I've been meaning to share for the past couple of weeks. I guess I should get the (really) boring stuff out of the way first. I finally pulled my finger out and made a Pop Trash Addicts Myspace. Add me as a friend if you can be bothered. I also need to overhaul my links. If you write or simply want to recommend a quality pop blog, send me an e-mail. You can find the address in my profile. Warning: I reserve the right to place a voodoo curse on anyone who directs me to a Girls Aloud fansite! Moving on to more exciting things, my Asian tour edition of "X" (pictured above) finally arrived. It's beautiful and actually worth owning - unlike the Australian version. I love the "making of" videos and it's nice to have Kylie's BRITS performance of "Wow" on DVD... even if the poor old thing looks like a bored housewife on Valium.
Speaking of fabulous Australian divas, how fantastic is it to see Jessica Mauboy at #1 on the singles chart? Written and produced by the Danish team behind Kylie's "Like A Drug" and "All I See", "Burn" really is a sparkling slice of urban dance-pop. I wasn't crazy about the song to begin with but it just gets better with each listen. Jess is now one of only three Indigenous performers (that I can think of) to reach the summit of the charts - along with Casey Donovan and Jimmy Little. If Sony manages to pick a decent follow-up single, I don't see why she can't do it all over again. Don't be put off by the hideous cover, "Been Waiting" is a really great pop album. Another quality local release that I've been playing all summer is Sneaky Sound System's "2". Unfortunately, this fabulous opus is suffering from serious BSC or bad single choices. After flopping miserably with "When We Were Young", the group have settled on "16" for single number 3. Great move. Another depressing piece of filler that you couldn't pay radio to play. It's frustrating because "2" contains so many hot jams with great hit potential. "I Want Everything" and "Lost In The Future" are two very obvious choices.
I'm on a roll, so I might as well continue with the local acts. Pop Trash readers will be very familiar with Melinda Jackson. I wrote about her regularly in 2007 ("Fall In Love" is still one of my favourite songs) but she sadly dropped off the pop radar last year. Happily, Mel has returned with a hot new sound and even a new name! She is starting over as Mindi and I wish her all the best. Mindi's edgy new tracks are streaming on her Myspace. They are definitely worth checking out. Another diva to feature regularly on Pop Trash Addicts is Zoe Badwi. I was completely obsessed with Sirens and raved about her first solo single way back in October. "Release Me" ended up being a #1 club hit for 7 weeks and three months later, it's still hovering in the top 5. A video has finally been released - sort of. Zoe's live performance at Sensation (a big NYE party) will serve as the clip unless "Release Me" crosses over to the pop charts. Check it out below. I really hope the song takes off. Zoe is amazing and "Release Me" deserves to be huge.
Now for the international divas. I'm not sold on Kelly Clarkson's new song. Pink did it first and Katy Perry did it better. There's no denying Max Martin's ability to knock out a catchy pop/rock tune but the man is turning into a boring production line of mediocrity. Pink and Katy get away with it because they have enough attitude to make his songs their own. I can't imagine anyone but Pink singing "So What" and who else but Katy Perry would blurt out "you PMS like a bitch, I should know". Kelly, on the other hand, gets completely lost in the mix. She's harmless enough but the woman is a personality free zone. For an example of Max Martin trying something different, I recommend Pink's new single "Please Don't Leave Me". It's one of the best songs on "Funhouse" and I love hearing it every 5 minutes (literally) on Australian radio.
While on the topic of American pop, I have to mention Christina Milian's amazing new single. "Us Against The World" sounds like the bastard child of Alicia Keys' "No One" and Whitney Houston's "My Love Is Your Love". In my mind, that's a very good thing. The sing was released digitally way back in October without making much of a splash but it finally seems to be taking off thanks to the recently filmed video clip. It's pretty classy - Christina basically rolls around some sand dunes wearing a series of increasingly skimpy outfits. I'm looking forward to her new album, "So Amazin'" was a real guilty pleasure. I guess I should also mention Beyoncé's new singles. Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous. "Halo" is my favourite song from "Sasha Fierce" and I'm thrilled, if a little surprised, that it's going to be the next Australian single. Unfortunately, Beyoncé is going with "Diva" in America, which more than likely means we'll get it next. Words can't adequately describe how much I hate that song. A diva is NOT "a female version of a hustler". May drag queens smite you down, bitch! Annoyingly, the "Diva" video is totally fierce. I love the 80s shoulder pads and wicked dance moves. The "Halo" film clip, on the other hand, is the most insipid piece of shit Beyoncé has ever put her name to. At least the song is brilliant.
Just a few more things to get off my chest. Firstly, Spain is fucked. Soraya came second in the initial Eurovision vote - to this revolting rubbish. Even the shirtless men can't make that shit bearable. On the bright side, Soraya got enough votes to progress through to the next round, which will be a televised gala. I'm convinced Spain will fall under Soraya's beautiful spell when she belts out "La Noche Es Para Mi" in front of a live audience. If not, I'm moving to Portugal. That is when I find my Spanish husband. If nothing else, Eurovision has breathed new life into Soraya's amazing album - it's climbed from #99 to #57 over the past 3 weeks. That's true Dannii-esque $ucce$$! Soraya isn't the only fabulous Euro-diva desperately trying to revive their career at the moment. Germany's Sarah Connor has recorded a duet with Enrique Iglesias for the German version of his Greatest Hits. Amusingly, it's a re-make of "Takin' Back My Love" - the current American single that Enrique recorded with Ciara. Poor Sarah might get Ciara's sloppy seconds but at least it's a good song. Last but not least, spare a thought for poor La Toya. I can't believe Toy Toy was evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house. The United Kingdom clearly has no fucking taste!
I have done my best to keep an eye on the local pop scene despite my travels and I've been bursting to comment on a number of recently released tracks. First on the agenda is the debut solo single of Australian Idol runner-up and ex-Young Diva, Jessica Mauboy. "Running Back" is a breathtaking slice of urban pop complete with a guest appearance from Flo Rida! I love the haunting chorus and the synths that bookend the song are a nice touch. The production (courtesy of Audius - who has come a long way since fobbing off rubbish like "We Can Try" to Paulini) owes a large debt to Timbaland & Co without sounding like a cheap imitation and most importantly, showcases Jessica's beautiful voice superbly. The song is already #13 on downloads and looks set to climb into the national top 10 when the physical single is released on Saturday. If I'm not mistaken that would make Jess only the second Indigenous Australian to score a top 10 hit since Jimmy Little - way back in the 1960s! Check out the cheap and cheerful video clip here.
I first wrote about RAEN way back in May 2007 where I referred to them as Australia's forgotten girlband - a title the girls have well and truly outgrown. While the band's higher profile contemporaries have fallen by the wayside, RAEN have reinvented themselves with a fabulous new sound (think Booty Luv with a dash of The Saturdays thrown in for good measure) and moved to the UK to try their luck. "Drama Fanatic" is a catchy dance tune with fun lyrics and a seriously camp video. I notice the girls are doing a lot of shows around the UK and I'm hoping to catch them later this month. Check out their Myspace for more details.
It's taken Jade Macrae exactly one year to release the follow up to "In The Basement" (my 8th favourite song from 2007!) but it's been worth the wait. "I Wanna be In Love" is a sparkling mid-tempo jam that effortlessly jumps upon the Rihanna/Chris Brown urban pop bandwagon. The mix of synths and guitars is inspired, the lyrics are sweet and Jade looks like pure sex in the cheap arse video. I highly recommend the poptastic BP Remix, strangely labelled "Whole Lotta Love" on iTunes. If you like "I Wanna Be In Love" then definitely check out Jade's recently released "Get Me Home" album.
If I had to choose a favourite song from this bunch it would probably be this. Empire Of The Sun is a side project for Luke Steele (The Sleepy Jackson) and Nick Littlemore (Pnau) but if "Walking On A Dream" is any indication they really should give up their day jobs. The Australian electro scene is positively on fire at the moment but no other act has displayed this duo's knack for sweet melodies and catchy pop hooks. "Walking On A Dream" is probably best described as a beautifully crafted electro lullaby with its delicate beats and lilting chorus. Watch the crazy video clip and hunt down Empire Of The Sun's fantastic album.
I love Ness Ness but I wasn't a huge fan of her comeback album apart from the appropriately titled "Perfect". However, I think it's time to reevaluate my stance. There's something strangely comforting about Vanessa Amorosi's voice and "The Simple Things (Something Emotional)" is a good example of what she can do better than anyone else in the Australian music industry with perhaps the exception of Tina Arena - belt out a syruppy ballad and make it feel truly heartfelt. "The Simple Things" boasts some fabulously awful lyrics ("Saw an old friend yesterday who's a big success. Got a Bentley and a Rolex, a Gucci dress") but the pared back production is lovely and Vanessa's voice has always been a thing of beauty. Ness Ness is looking pretty hot herself in the video!
Just when you thought the Australian electro scene couldn't get any hotter along comes Jackson Jackson - a side project of The Cat Empire's Harry Angus. "All Alone" is one of the most original songs I've heard in a long time. In fact, it's like five different songs rolled into one. The song begins with rocky guitars before giving way to electro beats, trippy Eastern wailing and a genuine pop chorus. Every time I hear "All Alone" I find something new to enjoy about it, which is surely the hallmark of a quality record. Watch the suitably funky video here.
I know this has been around for ages but I'm still smitten with Pnau's "Embrace". A killer electro anthem featuring the sultry vocals of New Zealand's Ladyhawke, this gem should have been a massive smash hit and probably would have been with a little promotion and a video clip. Interestingly, "Embrace" represents something of a reunion for all involved - Ladyhawke and Nick Littlemore (Pnau) were both in the band Teenager, probably best known for the beautiful "Alone Again". It's good to see that their chemistry is still as strong as ever. As much as I love Ladyhawke's album (expect a review shortly), it could have done with something as commercial and catchy as this. Listen to the track here.
Now, this is a real treat. I absolutely worshipped Sirens. They were possibly Australia's trashiest girlband of all time and I devoted severalposts to them but I never really expected to see one of the girls sitting at the top of the ARIA club chart - a feat that Zoe Badwi accomplishes this week with "Release Me"! The track is a killer dance anthem with buckets of crossover pop appeal and a killer remix courtesy of TV Rock. Check out the track on Zoe's Myspace. Long live Sirens!
Lenka has come a long way since leaving Sydney for the bright lights of Los Angeles. "The Show" has become a genuine Myspace phenomenon and Courtney Cox even masturbated to one of her songs on her flop TV show "Dirt"! Classy. I'm usually wary of this kind of hype but "The Show" is hard to resist. The combination of the wry lyrics, Lenka's floaty voice and the intricate production is all but irresistible. I suspect a whole album of this kind of material might be hard to swallow but "The Show" artfully treads the line between sweet and saccharine. Be sure to watch the amazing video clip.
Last but not least is my beloved Ricki-Lee. To be completely honest, I was quite disappointed when I first heard "Wiggle It" - particularly when I learnt that it was a reject cut from "Brand New Day". Perhaps I was simply expecting too much in the wake of gems like "Can't Touch It" and "Love Is All Around" but this just seemed like a rushed attempt to cash in on Ricki-Lee's higher profile thanks to her hosting duties on Australian Idol. I'm still not completely won over but "Wiggle It" is a catchy floorfiller with a fun sample of a 90s classic. The video is also pretty amusing and Ricki-Lee looks amazing. Disturbingly, it appears that "Wiggle It" is the first single from an upcoming Greatest Hits compilation. Girl, you've only had two albums!
All songs listed are available to download from iTunes
I think it's time for a long overdue update on three of my favourite Australian Idol alumni. Jessica Mauboy, Ricki-Lee and Paulini have all been regulars on this blog over the years, were all members of Young Divas and all currently have new music out. Unfortunately, for Ricki-Lee and Paulini - that's where the similarities end. 2009 has been Jessica Mauboy's year. She's released a platinum album, scored five top 20 hit singles and somehow survived wearing the most unflattering outfit in ARIA history with her reputation still intact. I love Jess and think she has almost limitless potential but Sasha Fierce via Target is not the look! Anyway, Sony has squeezed out a 6th single from "Been Waiting" and it's one of the best so far. "Let Me Be Me" is a cute, mid-tempo urban pop tune written by long-time Kylie collaborator Karen Poole and new Sugababe Jade Ewen. I'm guessing it might have been intended for Jade at one point but it suits Jessica perfectly. The lyrics are sweet and the production (courtesy of The Deni's former righthand man 'Fingaz') is slick without being sterile. The video clip completely rips off Beyoncé's "Halo" but Jess has never looked lovelier. I wouldn't be surprised if this is yet another top 20 hit.
At the other end of the success spectrum is Paulini, who was dropped by her record label and reduced to appearing in tragic gay clubs across the nation. It's a shame because I honestly believe Paulini has the best voice to come out of Australian Idol. She just hasn't had a lot of luck selecting appropriate material or marketing herself as a pop star. Unfortunately, I don't think her latest release is much of an improvement on either front. "Scarless" is a beautifully performed ballad and showcases her glorious pipes but it doesn't exactly scream hit. I know it was released independently to raise money for victims of domestic violence but it would be great to hear Paulini belt out another upbeat pop tune ("Rough Day" or "Last Love") or an urban club banger like the fabulous "So Over You". The proceeds of "Scarless" go to charity, so download it from iTunes. The film clip is a surprisingly classy affair and deserves a look. Fingers crossed that this is the start of a full blown comeback next year.
Last but not least is Ricki-Lee. There was a time when I was completely obsessed with Ricki. I loved her second album and wrote about her every other week on Pop Trash Addicts. However, my interest has really waned this year. Returning to Australian Idol as a host was embarrassing, "Don't Miss You" left me cold and her turn as a Ralph cover girl reeked of desperation. It got so bad that I didn't even bother checking out her latest track until the physical single (above) arrived in the post. Imagine my surprise when I gave it a spin and realised that it was actually a stunning return to form. "Hear No, See No, Speak No" sounds like a cross between Ke$ha and Katy Perry. It's an effortlessly catchy serve of electro dance-pop with lashings of guitar to keep things interesting. The production is top notch and Ricki-Lee tears up the vocal. Disappointingly, the song is shaping up to be the biggest flop of the diva's career - stalling at a lowly #46 thus far. I blame the hilarious dominatrix video (below). Ricki needs to save the leather corset and riding crop for her home movies! "Hear No, See No, Speak No" is a future trash classic. I just wish there were remixes.
