If you've been following me on Twitter, you'll know that I'm a hardcore Belieber. And more than a little excited about seeing the King of Pop in concert tomorrow night. I honestly think I'll start crying and shaking like a crazy person when he sings "Never Say Never" but I digress. Instead of sitting in front of the computer, listening to the gospel of Biebus, I thought I'd put my stanning to good use and write a post about the amazing impact of the world's second biggest star. After Bey. Justin has single handedly brought back the teen idol. The 70s and 80s were littered with them but the species became seriously endangered in the 90s and almost died out completely in the noughties until the emergence of this man. He manages to be cool and relevant - churning out edgy club bangers with Usher and Chris Brown - yet completely inoffensive and totally at ease singing with low brow trash like Jaden Smith and Miley Cyrus. His talent knows no bounds and his appeal is universal. As you will see from the following three clips that were brought to my attention by an avid reader of Europopped. 
Yesterday was Sheena Easton's 52nd birthday. Which is ridiculous because she still looks younger and fresher than Miley Cyrus. Anyway, I was planning a little tribute post to celebrate the occasion and decided to write about "Telefone" - my all time Sheena favourite. Released in 1983, this synth-pop gem became the Scottish diva's 4th US top 10 hit and nabbed her a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal. I love everything about it, from the sublime 80s production (courtesy of Greg Mathieson, who also delivered the goods on her previous album "A Private Heaven") to the supernaturally catchy chorus. That's not even mentioning Sheena's adorably indignant vocal. She's so pressed that her man hasn't called! Her pain is universal and a generation of gays loved her for it.
To be honest I'm completely mystified by Beyoncé's "Run The World (Girls)" campaign. I love it but any song without a chorus was always going to be a strange choice of lead single and her promotional schedule has thus far consisted of strolling around Paris looking fabulous. Even the person pretending to be Britney on Twitter occasionally tweets her fans! Meanwhile, Bey's account is as virginal as Michelle Williams' vagina. What is going on? Putting the finishing touches to her Obama sponsored crusade against childhood obesity it seems.
Let's it risk it all tonight,
I was never a huge fan of Dr Who but it was impossible to avoid when I was growing up. Repeats of the show were a staple of ABC programming in the late 80s and I found myself watching it almost by default. From memory it came on after Inspector Gadget and I was just too lazy to change the channel! Anyway, like most (gay) boys - I had a bit of a crush on Elisabeth Sladen, who played the glamorous Sarah Jane. Her recent death from cancer was a blow for fans and has even inspired one Australian band to record a tribute song. Parralox is one of my favourite homegrown pop acts. They have featured on the blog previously and churn out icy electro-pop anthems at an alarming rate. I know that frontman John von Ahlen is a huge sci-fi fan, so I'm not surprised he's pulled out an absolute gem for Elisabeth. "Companion", with its bleak synths and haunting chorus, is a fitting tribute to the TV icon. This is their best song since "I Am Human" and I really think they should release it as a single. Check out "Companion" below. 
It's been a while since Kylie has dropped anything new, so I was pretty excited when I heard she had recorded a charity song for Japan. I'm not sure if "We Are One" - a stunning ballad with Japanese rapper VERBAL - was exactly what I had in mind but it's so kooky and well-intentioned that I can't help but love it. Dannii's matronly sister is currently touring the devastated nation and unveiled the song at a press conference yesterday. It's a classy touch given her enduring popularity in the land of the rising sun. After all, this is the country that took "Turn It Into Love" all the way to #1! So is it any good? Well if you like syrupy ballads with twee lyrics interspersed with Japanese hip hop then the answer is a resounding YES. Personally, I think she should have dragged Ami Suzuki out of retirement for the song but this will do nicely. Fingers crossed there's a physical promo somewhere because my Kylie collection is crying out for a J-Pop addition! Check out the kind-hearted diva's charity anthem below. Make a donation to help Japan by clicking here.Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/2011/04/
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I thought I'd end today's Aus pop special with something suitably fabulous from my friend Peter Wilson. You might remember that he came out of retirement late last year to release a new single called "Intoxicated", which I hailed as being almost as amazing as his Hi-NRG classic "Into The Night". Well, Peter is back with another fantastic retro-dance anthem and it's even better. Produced by PWL associates Dave Ford and Ian Curnow, "Stereo" sounds like a cross between Rick Astley and Mel and Kim. Yes, it's that good! Peter's obsession with all things Stock Aitken Waterman has finally lead to a collaboration with their trusty engineers and their mutual respect for 80s music really shows in the finished product. The song is absolutely adorable and I worship Matt Pop's remix. This is camper than a Kylie concert and deserves some major blog love. If nothing else for the stunning cover. Peter tells me a video is in the works, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, dust off your leg warmers and slip on your cut-off gloves. It's time to party like it's 1988! 
My Australian pop marathon wouldn't be complete without a little indigenous flavour. 41-year-old Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is the nation's unlikeliest superstar. Blind since birth, he sings in the Yolngu language and speaks little English. But that didn't stop his first album reaching the top 5 and selling double platinum. It also charted around Europe and was championed by the likes of Björk and Elton John. Not bad for a self-funded independent release. For his sophomore set, Gurrumul has roped in the services of JJJ favourite Blue King Brown to overhaul "Gathu Mawula" and the result is astounding. I can't listen to it without getting chills. This man's voice is an extraordinary instrument. I have no idea what he's singing about but "Gathu Mawula" is such a beautiful experience. So peaceful and comforting. Like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Blue King Brown's verse also works a treat and the band's involvement should bring Gurrumul's music to a whole new market. Fingers crossed they call up J Malley for an urban remix! This is pure quality and deserves to be massive.
My friends have been raving about Gypsy & The Cat for ages but I wasn't really blown away by their first single ("Time To Wander") and kind of forgot about them until I saw their album on special in JB Hi-Fi a couple of weeks ago thought I'd give them another try. It turned out to be the best $10 I've spent all year. "Gilgamesh" is one of those rare debuts that actually lives up to the hype. Hailing from Melbourne, the boys sound like a cross between mid-70s Fleetwood Mac circa and fellow antipodean electro-pop duo Empire Of The Sun. Their dreamy brand of retro-electronica is perfect for a sleepy Sunday afternoon but also has immense crossover appeal.
Next up on my mini Aus-Pop marathon is Marvin Priest. Ok, he's not really Australian but the guy lives here and the song was written and produced locally - so I'm claiming him! The son of reggae icon Maxi Priest (of "Wild World" and "Close To You" fame), Marvin apparently fell in love with the country while touring with his dad and decided to stick around. He signed a deal with Island Records and hooked up with DNA, the amazing producers behind Chris Sorbello's "So Lonely" and "Dangerzone". Apart from those modern classics, David and Anthony have worked with Jessica Mauboy, Amy Pearson and Zoë Badwi - so you know they have exquisite taste! And the song they cooked up for Marvin is another winner. "Own This Club" wouldn't sound out of place on a Taio Cruz or Jason DeRulo album. It's the best piece of locally produced urban dance music I've heard in 2011 and has performed surprising well on the charts, hanging around the top 50 for the past couple of months. The film clip is slightly less impressive - what is it about Australian music videos and train stations? - but it does the trick. I really like this genre of music and can't wait to hear what Marvin serves up next. Is a duet with Amy too much to hope for? 
Looking over the blog this morning, I realised I've been neglecting the local music scene. Which is sad because Pop Trash began life specialising in Australian content. So today I thought I'd focus on the Aus-pop gems currently burning up my iPod. The first track you really need to own is "From The Music" by The Potbelleez. I love this band and have a bit of a history with them. A couple of years ago I went out drinking with the legendary CC Martini - time for a comeback! - and she dragged along Blu. I didn't even realise she was in The Potbelleez and made a bit of a spectacle of myself asking why she never gets to sing any of their hits. Shame. Then last year I rocked up to the band's showcase and had a bit of a run in with Cassie Davis. 
This is so exciting! Legendary disco diva Amanda Lear has just released a new single in France and it's one of the best things she's done in decades. Produced by Steve Campioni and Alain Mendiburu, "Chinese Walk" is a demented electro-pop anthem about the growing influence of Chinese culture - complete with marching sound effects and trippy synths not heard since 1983! It should be a hot mess of epic proportions but through some strange twist of fate, it works beautifully. I particularly love Amanda's kooky lyrics and the way the pretty beats showcase, rather than hide, her breathy vocals. Dali's muse really is in fine form at the moment. Her previous single "I'm Coming Up" would have been a top 10 hit for anyone under 65 and its parent album "Brand New Love Affair" was a late-career highlight. I'm so glad the pop icon is still riding that wave of momentum. She is one of music's last great originals and "Chinese Walk" is a sublime reminder of that. Happily, the video is just as amazing as the song. Amanda transforms from a Caucasian sex symbol of a certain age into a young Chinese girl in front of your eyes! It's very clever and surprisingly classy. The song is available to download from iTunes now. What are you waiting for?
There's nothing I love more than an underground pop diva and Welsh born, American raised Jenefer Siân definitely fits the bill. She has been releasing singles independently for the last year or so - "Take A Number" is my jam - and she's gearing up to unveil her latest smash "Call You Out". The song is a bit of a change from the upbeat dance-pop of her previous offerings but if you like your music with a bit of attitude then this ode to two-faced bitches could be just what you're looking for! Jenefer sounds great as usual and the lyrics are pretty universal. I'm not really feeling the rock-infused electro production but points for trying something different. In the lead up to her first round of showcases, the sultry stunner will be releasing a new single every three weeks. "Call You Out" is coming to iTunes very soon but for a limited time you can actually download it for free from Jenefer's website. Make sure you check out the video, which finds the singer confronting her duplicitous best friend. I would have done more than throw her in the pool!
Korean pop music is on fire in 2011 with amazing acts like LPG and INY delivering some of the classiest anthems of the year. Well, you can add another name to that list of international superstars. Kan Mi Youn's "Paparazzi" is an absolute gem. This 80s flavoured floorfiller takes catchy to a whole new level with its insane chorus and cute vocal hooks. So who is this stunning diva? Well, she first came to fame in 1997 as part of Baby V.O.X - one of Korea's first all girl groups. The glamorous 29-year-old stuck around for 7 albums but went solo in 2006. In true pop trash style her ballad heavy debut was a massive flop, so for her second bite of the cherry, Kan Mi Youn embraced dance music and scored a top 10 hit called "Crazy". She's enjoying even more success with "Paparazzi" and it's easy to see why. This is ten kinds of fabulous and boasts equally an adorable video in which the diva stalks a soap star. As with most Korean film clips, the choreography is flawless and the proceedings are infused with bright colours and good humour. Why are no Australian pop tarts churning out stuff like this? Drop the guitars, girls. No one cares. Now put on a dress and hop to it!
Beyoncé is running Australian iTunes with "Run The World (Girls)" jumping all the way to #24. $ucce$$! Meanwhile in America, the song is sitting at #9. Naturally the deluded haters - headed by the spiteful whore over at Chart Rigger - are calling this a flop. Back the fuck up! Solange would set her weave on fire for those numbers and we all know if this doesn't work Bey will go into damage control, dedicate a power ballad to Oprah and own your faves. Again. Personally, I'm loving "Run The World (Girls)" more with every listen. It really does sound like 5 songs rolled into one but I love how crazy it is. And it has the most quotable lyrics ever. I melt when she declares "you'll do anything for me!" So true, Beyoncé. Apart from downloading your single that is. Stay tuned for another chart update soon!Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/2011/04/
Truth Be Told 2011 Hollywood Movie Watch Online
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Truth Be Told 2011 Hollywood Movie Watch Online
Lock away your demos, ladies. Lady Gaga's sticky fingers will stop at nothing to steal your next hit! After raping and pillaging "Express Yourself" for "Born This Way", Mother Monster turned her attention to poor Loli Lux. But unlike Madonna, the emerging electro-pop diva isn't taking it lying down. The outraged DJ/singer issued a press release, putting the shameless thief on blast for ripping off her 2009 Ukrainian smash "WannaBE". Loli says she contacted RedOne through a mutual friend and forwarded him the track. That's the last she heard from him until "Judas" debuted using a very similar hook.
Round IV officially begins tonight as "Run The World (Girls)" is rushed to iTunes. I can hardly breathe. Hurricane Bey is coming and the air is thick with snatched wigs and shattered dreams. Lock down your faves and pray for mercy! Today also delivered some new details about the legendary diva's new smash. Most of us were under the impression that Diplo produced the track given the previous confirmation that he worked on the album and the fact that the song samples Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor". Diplo is one half of Major Lazer. As it turns out, the other half of Major Lazer - Switch - produced the track with Beyoncé herself.
A couple of years ago I saw Grace Jones perform live for the first time. It was a revelation and remains one of the best concerts I have ever seen. Check out my review for a full round up. Since then, the legendary 62-year-old pop culture icon has pretty much stayed on the road. Her latest Australian tour is basically the same one she presented in 2009 - only with new costumes from famed Japanese designer Eiko Ishioka. Few artists could get away with rehashing the same show so soon after their last visit but this is Grace fucking Jones. And I would pay to watch her stuff envelopes. She is a living, breathing piece of modern history and still one of the most influential singers on the planet. No wonder Grace described Lady Gaga as a bore. She went there, did that and bought the t-shirt. In 1982. As such, I'm giving the legend a pass for last night's hugely enjoyable trainwreck of a concert.
It turned out to be a costume change and the bondage-tastic ensemble she returned to the stage in was stunning. She also seemed a lot more coherent and settled. She really nailed "William's Blood" and there was something eerily beautiful about "Devil In My Life". During the next extended costume change Grace told us about her legal woes in India where she was apparently held up on the suspicion of possessing cocaine. No comment. Her anecdotes ("I told them to keep the fucking luggage - but can I have my jewellery and music back?") were hilarious and she seemed genuinely happy to be in Sydney saying she'd like to live here. I think the legend's next career move should be reality TV or a talk show. I could listen to her gossip all night! The next segment was my favourite part of the concert. Grace emerged dressed as a giant rose and sang "Love You To Life" before breaking into "La Vie En Rose". She looked amazing shimmying across the stage in the breathtaking outfit and won back the audience when she turned around, revealing her exposed buttocks. Not bad for a 62-year-old!
Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/2011/04/
I promised a full review of Beyoncé's stunning new single today but to be honest, I almost couldn't be bothered. And not because I don't like it. As usual, the 16 time Grammy award winner has gone where lesser divas fear to tread and delivered something fresh and original. Which most pop fans were clearly not ready for. They are too used to formulaic lead singles from the Max Martin/Dr Luke conveyor belt of radio ready hits. But that's not how Queen B rolls. Instead, she called on Diplo - whose biggest claim to fame is producing one of Robyn's many flops - and delivered a multi-layered electro-house/hip hop hybrid that takes more than one listen to fully appreciate. Homosexuals around the globe simply fainted with exertion and put "Femme Fatale" back on when they regained consciousness. You know, something familiar and completely undemanding.
Today marks the fourth coming of Beyjesus.
Don't fuck with Kate Ryan! I learned that lesson the hard way when I referenced Belgium's gift to pop music in my Adya post and was consequently flooded with irate emails telling me to sit down and shut the hell up. Are you bitches really gonna do me like that? Who else in the Southern Hemisphere devoted an entire ten minutes to reviewing the diva's iconic collection of French covers and then spent a small fortune importing it from Europe? My hard earned cash helped pay for Kate's new 'soccer mum' hairstyle! To prove, once and for all, that I have the Belgian Madonna's back, I thought I'd write a post about her new smash. Despite the damage the cover is doing to my eyesight. 
Don't worry, you're not hallucinating. This shit is actually happening. And you know what? You love it as much I do! It's not every day that I stumble across pop trash this exquisite, so forgive me for ranting. I just want to jump on a plane right now and bow down at this angel's feet. With a minimum of fuss, Adya has singlehandedly saved pop music with her stunning Mozart cover. Yes, readers - the Belgian beauty has set "Cherubino's Aria" (from the great composer's 1786 opera "The Marriage Of Figaro") to dance beats and the result will blow your mind. Not in the least because the track is genuinely catchy and disturbingly hypnotic but it's the video that really slays me. Adya's demented grin and dance moves that she learned from her mother in 1982 are the stuff of pop trash gold. I want to know what drugs this hot bitch is taking. The scene where she's howling like a banshee against the worst green screen ring of fire in history is so defining I can barely speak. Surely, it's only a matter of time before Adya's smash spreads across Europe and worms its way to Australia. Lady Gaga is bawling in a hotel room somewhere screaming "it coulda been me!" I wonder if this has actually been successful in Belgium... chart nerds please report. The rest of you brace yourself for the ultimate viewing experience of 2011. 
The second single from Mother Monster's highly anticipated new album leaked yesterday and it's already sitting at number one on US iTunes with predicted sales of upwards of 400,000 copies. That should be enough to snag the world's most ragged looking 25 year old another chart-topper and elevate her a further rung above Katy Perry and Rihanna on the pop ladder but is it any good? Here are some random thoughts: 
The biggest star on the planet left your low rent faves shaking in their Payless stilettos yesterday when a 15 second snippet of her next era defining anthem hit the net. "Girls (That Run The World)" - as it is rumoured to be called - shows that Beyoncé is on a wig snatching mission. While manufactured pop robots like Britney and Rihanna launched recent albums with generic dance trash from mainstream producers like Max Martin and Stargate, Queen B refuses to play it safe. She continues to push the boundaries of popular music by dropping an electro-house/urban infusion that samples Major Lazer's underground club classic "Pon De Floor". To me it sounds a bit like "Ring The Alarm" on crack, which could signal a return to the hood beats of "B'Day". At first, I thought that was a bad move but as usual Bey is ten steps ahead. With everyone doing dance-pop at the moment, the urban market is hers for the taking. I'm sure she'll still do some ballads and pop songs but I'm glad Beyjesus is keeping it real. So back to "Girls (That Run The World)". It's a startling concoction that takes a couple of listens to fully appreciate but it's so addictive. All the song needs is a gigantic chorus and Round IV is off to the perfect start. 
Bruno Mars is a weapon. He is arguably the most successful songwriter on the planet and well on his way to becoming the world's biggest male pop star. Which is surprising because there's something quite old fashioned about him. He's not setting the clubs on fire like Taio Cruz or hiding behind a sheen of urban credibility like Chris Brown. Instead he's churning out pared back songs that capture simple feelings and emotions. "Just The Way You Are" is cornier than a Dorito chip but it will be played at weddings and funerals for the next 50 years because the sentiment is genuine. The same goes for "Grenade". Anyone who has ever been fucked over can identify with that bitter anthem. Scarily, that's just the tip of the dick. "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" is bursting with hit singles and future standards. A lot of it isn't really my thing - or, at least, I didn't think so until Thursday night - but I was excited to see him live. Particularly at Luna Park's inappropriately titled Big Top, an intimate venue that recently housed flops like Goldfrapp and Scissor Sisters. 
Seeing Bruno up close and personal was amazing. I knew he could hold a tune but he is the complete package, playing a variety of instruments (guitar, drum and ukulele) and dancing like a young Michael Jackson. In fact, by the end of the show, I had the feeling that Hawaii's best export since Lost could be the heir to La Toya's brother's empty throne if he keeps his shit together - such is his raw talent. He sounded incredible and won over the audience with his easy charm and cheeky humour. There's not much point going through the setlist because Bruno basically played the entire album along with his smash hit features "Billionaire" and "Nothin' On You". Highlights were "Count On Me" (my favourite from "Doo-Wops"), current single "The Lazy Song" (see the cute video below) and a smokin' hot rendition of "Our First Time" that left me pitching a tent. He also delivered awesome covers of "Billie Jean" and "Seven Nation Army" before closing with "Grenade" and "Just The Way You Are". The man with the Midas touch then came back to sing "Runaway Baby" - complete with James Brown inspired choreography. It was a brilliant way to close one of the most impressive displays I've seen in a very long time. 
After keeping nightclubs in business for the past decade with a seemingly endless string of features, Luciana is set to release her first solo track in 17 years! Has it really been that long since "One More River" set the standard for modern balladry? Fuck me. It's rather appropriate then that the dance diva's latest floorfiller is called "I'm Still Hot". Produced by Dave Audé, the song is vintage Luci with her trademark electro-shouting, raunchy lyrics and killer beats. I absolutely adore it and think the Supermal remix is the hottest thing I've heard since... the Adam F remix of "I Like That". 
Mrs Clow's fabulous anthem hits iTunes on April 17 and has been picked up by Ministry of Sound in Australia. As a special treat, I've got some exclusive stills from the "I'm Still Hot" video shoot (above and below). I'm told the clip follows the narrative of the song, with Luciana remaining smokin' hot regardless of what life throws at her! It's being filmed by the lovely Burgoyne brothers (Stephen & David), who are not only incredibly hot in their own right but the talented duo behind the diva's "I Like That" video. The pics look absolutely amazing and I'm sure the finished product will be a triumph. That just leaves one question, when is Luci flying over here to promote it? 
Make sure you check out this fan-made "I'm Still Hot" video and pre-order the track from iTunes today. I can't wait for this to rule the clubs! 
By the end of May the name Elen Levon will be on everyone's lips. The 16-year-old Sydneysider has her sights set on Jessica Mauboy's urban-pop crown and if her debut single is any indication, J Malley had better watch her back. "Naughty" is the best demo I've heard in a very long time. Produced by local hip-hop king Israel Cruz and his US based production team, Elen's future smash rips Rihanna's wig clean off with its smokin' hot beats and fun lyrics about embracing your inner bad girl. The song has been picked up by a new Ministry of Sound sub-label and they are rushing to film a video over the next couple of weeks. No wonder they're keen to get her out there. Elen is the real deal - as anyone in the audience at Supafest on Saturday can testify. With dance moves that make Ciara look like Sophie Ellis-Bextor and a fearsome set of pipes to rival anyone in the game, this girl could be Australia's next big thing. Stay tuned. 
I still remember the first time I heard La Toya's "Just Wanna Dance". It was late 2003. Kylie's "Slow" was number one and I was pretty much just listening to that track on repeat. Out of the blue I received an email saying Toy Toy was embarking on her 217th comeback and I spent the next few days hunting it down. When I finally found an mp3, I was almost too scared to play it. After the final nail in her career coffin otherwise known as "Stop In The Name Of Love", I was prepared for just about anything BUT the best pop song of the year. "Just Wanna Dance" - with its iconic gender-bending lyrics and catchy vocal hooks - became an internet sensation and when the song climbed all the way to number 13 (on the US club chart), it looked like La Toya was on the brink of scoring her very first hit. A mere 24 years after releasing her debut single! 
Legendary Spanish beauty Soraya Arnelas is back with an amazing new single. I know it's hard to read through those tears of joy but try to compose yourself! "Stick Shift" is another collaboration with French DJ Antoine Clamaran, the mastermind behind her international dance smash "Live Your Dreams". I love the song but does this mean no more singles are being released from "Dreamer"? My heart just broke into a million pieces. Oh well, maybe this is only a side project to further cement Soraya's reputation as Europe's leading dance diva. The song is already a top 20 smash on the French club chart - so mission accomplished! 
With speculation about Beyoncé's all conquering comeback spreading across the internet like hot butter on burnt toast, it's getting hard to separate rumour from fact. We know she's currently filming the video clip because stills have surfaced but there is still no confirmation as to whether the track is actually called "Girl" - let alone accurate information about who produced it or even an indication of the genre. So until I have some facts, I thought I'd write a brief post on the thoughtful diva's plan to shape up America's youth by making them dance to a new version of "Get Me Bodied" called "Move Your Body". This is the biggest development in the battle of the bulge since stomach stapling. Do you have any idea how many calories it takes to pop your pussy that rhythmically? She truly is an angel! 
