LANA DEL REY - THREE UNRELEASED SONGS

These three new unreleased tracks by Lana Del Rey are really lovely.  "Puppy Love" and "Paris" especially are pleasant surprises.  Not because "Children of the Bad Revolution" is any worse of a song, but just because the sound of the other two is actually literally surprising.  They represent a softer side of Lana than what we're used to.  And while her image (and sometimes lyrical content) is retro glam, "Paris" actually goes for more of a 60s sound than anything on Born to Die.  If they were recorded during the Born to Die sessions, it's easy to see why they were left off, but they are quite nice.

It's weird.  Her album just came out this year, but I already feel like it's time for her to release another one.  I guess because we'd already spent so much time talking about her before it came out.  Anyway, enjoy!

FLORRIE - LATE EP

It's finally here!  Florrie fans have been waiting quite a while for her third EP to arrive.  I think the original estimated release date was November of last year.  But with her recent announcement that she will be signing to a major label soon, the delays are understandable as it's obvious that the young woman has been a bit busy.  But it's here now and we can put all those Florrieless nights of torment behind us.

So, was it worth the wait?



Yes.

Honestly, even if the entire EP had just consisted of the first track, "Shot You Down", I would not have been disappointed at all.  It's the first time Florrie has sounded a bit menacing and it is a very, very good sound for her.  It immediately stands out as one of her best songs yet, right up there with "I Took a Little Something" (her best song, don't argue with me) from her previous EP, Experiments.  In fact, it's a highlight of the year so far.  Also, it's obviously a song about how our sweet, innocent Florrie has actually murdered someone.  (I don't believe in metaphors.)

The other three songs on the EP aren't quite as good, but only because the first one is so great.  It's above average pop all around.  Of the remaining three, I especially like "To the End".

But even while this EP is incredibly enjoyable, you can't help but wonder what she's holding back.  If all goes according to plan, this will be her last independent release and over the past several months, she has mentioned recording a lot of material.  I know at some point she said she had 18 new songs and I'm sure she's recorded more since then.  Obviously she intends for a lot of those songs to go on her debut full length.  In her announcement about signing to a label, she even mentioned that she has two songs in particular with which she will be launching her big ol' popstar career.  So, while none of this is meant as an insult to the songs on the EP, it just seems like maybe we are on the cusp of something even bigger and better from our dear Florrie.  This isn't a complaint.  There is nothing bad about getting a great EP now and then hopefully an even more amazing full length album sometime further down the road.

Also, in her transition from "our popstar" to everyone's popstar, I'm sure she'll be collaborating with lots of producers she hasn't worked with previously.  And I am completely fine with that (I don't expect Florrie to start making any LOLpop anytime soon), but I really hope Xenomania and Fred Falke stay involved in her future.  I don't even know to what extent they were involved on this one, but those are incredibly good friends to have around.  And speaking of Fred, when can we expect the inevitable fantastic remix of at least one of these songs?

Late is out now on iTunes and probably several other digital retailers.  And you can also stream the whole thing on her website here.

THE SOUND OF ARROWS - CONQUEST

I think it's pretty obvious from the things I've posted on this blog so far that I generally prefer female vocalists in pop music.  I don't know whether I'm just really picky when it comes to male vocalists or if the ladies are actually just generally more interesting.  But I love The Sound of Arrows.  And not just in a "they're pretty good for guys" sort of way (Does anyone actually say things like that?).  They are genuinely up their with my favorites.  Their album, Voyage, would have to be somewhere in my top ten favorite albums of last year.  I never actually took the time to make a list last year, but when I say they're in the top ten, it certainly doesn't feel wrong.

Anyway, here's their video for new single, "Conquest".  The song is amazing.  The video is gorgeous.  But there are some naked (painted) lady breasts on display.  So, don't watch around the breast-sensitive.



Was this article a bit  sexist?  I literally do not know.

KYLIE - TIMEBOMB (VIDEO)

Oh, my pop god.  I don't really understand the "plot" of this video, but I DON'T CARE.  It starts off with Kylie being very rude to a couple of people and then she walks into a club and then I think the rest of the video is about her being the most amazing person on the planet.  She also reveals that under her clothes she is wearing a ridiculous not really a dress dress.

So, to sum it all up... PERFECT PERSON.

KYLIE - TIMEBOMB

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!


KYLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*Deep breath*

Okay.  The new Kylie single is online!  It's pretty great!  On the first five listens, it's not one the greatest Kylie songs ever.  But that's nothing to be disappointed about.  When your discography includes songs like "I Believe in You" and "Love at First Sight", you can't be expected to reach those heights every time.  But what it is is an incredibly fun, summery electro jam courtesy of the princess of pop.  And that is a truly amazing thing to be listening to in the summer of 2012.  The only bad thing about the song is that I want more.  I don't want this to just be a K25 single.  I want a proper new Kylie album.  It's hard not to be greedy when you love someone so much.



I'll post the video tomorrow morning and probably freak out all over again.

FAYE - WATER AGAINST THE ROCKS

Good lord, I love Sweden.  And I have a few theories about why they churn out so much amazing pop music year after year.

1.  A team of Swedish scientists spent many years studying pop and finally developed and put popbots into production.  Now there is a secret popbot factory hidden somewhere in Sweden and incredible popstars like Faye come out on an assembly line.

2.  Swedes grow up being trained to become brilliant popstars.  As babies, their parents put them in their cribs and then place headphones on their ears and they listen to Swedish heroes, ABBA, as they slumber.  As they grow a bit older, they are sent off to pop boarding school where they take several intense courses on how to be amazing.  And if they are caught listening to anything terrible, they are quickly and severely punished.  Harsh, but it gets results.

3.  The final and most likely theory is that they are the direct descendants of the Pop Gods themselves so it is literally in their blood.

Faye is a former member of the girlband, Play.  I vaguely remember them from when I was in high school, but I can't speak for their quality (I will be doing some youtube searching later).  But one thing is for sure and that is that this song, one of two songs launching her solo career, is remarkable.  It is a delicious slice of electronic pop pie.  And I don't even like pie that much.  But I will make an exception for this. It was produced by Stockholm duo Montauk who are doing more (all?) of the production work on Faye's upcoming album. The digital single is coming to iTunes on June 25th and there is a 7" with these two songs coming out in July.



And here is the previous single, or promotional piece, or whatever.  And predictably, it is also incredible.  And the video is quite nice, too.


And here are Faye's online presences:
Twitter
Facebook

KELLY CLARKSON - DARK SIDE

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD SONG.

That's really all I have to say about it. 

But speaking of Kelly Clarkson, I'm going to be watching Duets tonight.  Pretty much just for her.  And I have a confession to make.  I have never watched an episode of one of these singing competition shows all the way through.  I don't really know why.  But I am trying to turn over a new leaf.  And I am starting with Duets.  I'm really not convinced it'll be the best one to start with, but it does have Kelly in it so it won't be all bad.  And of course, I'm excited about Britney being on X Factor USA this year and if I lived in the UK, I would be properly excited about seeing Geri Halliwell on that one.  Shmanyway, maybe I will report how I feel about the show and MAYBE I WON'T.  Can you handle the suspense?  Do you care? (No, you don't)

Oh, and back to the reason I started this post in the first place, the video for "Dark Side".  It is appropriately one of those inspirational sort of deals, which is nice if you like that sort of thing.  Enjoy. (I command you.)