Now that I've sobered up after the craziest weekend in recent memory and finally got Pop Panel out of the way for another week, I can get down to the important stuff - like two new Kylie videos in two days! Christmas really has come early! Let's get "Better Than Today" out of the way first. It's no secret that I wouldn't have picked this as the third single from "Aphrodite" and pretty much expect it to kill the album but that doesn't mean I hate it. In fact, the song has grown on me. A lot. The remixes are fun and there is something irresistibly light hearted and fun about this perky jam. I just don't think it's a hit. And the video isn't going to help its cause. Directed by Kylie herself (with a bit of help from Willie Baker), "Better Than Today" is a cheap as chips re-hash of the live performances she has been using to promote the song in Europe. Think of this as a slightly less trashtastic "All I See". And you know what, that's ok by me. I found the "Get Outta My Way" video a horribly over-stylised and ultimately stillborn affair, so I'm kind of glad this is a bit more organic and exuberant. It's just clear that Parlophone has pretty much pulled the plug on "Aphrodite" if Kylie's video budget is any indication.
I have a sickness for Taio Cruz. His songs all sound the same and he's only slightly less derivative than Jason Derulo (another favourite of mine) but I haven't stopped playing his album all year. Speaking of "Rokstarr", one of the highlights of that stunning opus has just been recycled into a duet with Kylie. The new and improved version of "Higher" leaked late last week and any hesitations I had about this most unlikely of collaborations disappeared instantly. Unlike the vast majority of "Aphrodite", I can actually imagine this on Australian radio. Taio is so hot right now and hopefully some of that popularity will rub off on Kylie. Don't worry - this isn't a re-repeat of the Ludacris version of "Chocolate" (even though I secretly love that hot mess!) - "Higher" is a dance track and is a surprisingly good fit for the elderly Minogue's voice. I'm particularly glad she gets the best line in the song: "I got this high without taking a pill". Scandal! Only one question remains. What is this actually for? The latest re-release of "Rokstarr" or the planned re-release of "Aphrodite"? I just hope Parlo and/or Warner have to sense to release "Higher" as a single over the three and a half minute cure for insomnia otherwise known as "Better Than Today". On past performance, I won't be holding my breath.
Although I never actually got around to reviewing his album for the blog, I'm completely sick for Taio Cruz. That whole urban dance sound pushes my buttons and I really want to zoom around Ibiza in his speedboat! Given the surging popularity of the genre (See Usher's "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" and Flo Rida's surprisingly amazing "Club Can't Handle Me") it's no surprise that an Australian has finally put their hand up for a piece of the pie. Not that Mutu is a johnny come lately. In fact, I've been meaning to write about him since January when his taster single "Not Worth Your Love" did the rounds. I liked that song but his official debut is even better. Produced by Stylaz Fuego (Snoop Dogg and Kelis) and mixed by Brent Kolatalo (Kanye West), "Familiar" is a slick mid-tempo pop tune with just enough R'n'B flavour to keep the urban crowd happy. The video also turned out well (below). Extra points for the cool choreography and pretty lights. "Familiar" is released on the 4th of October. Fingers crossed it's a hit. There might be hope for Selwyn yet!
, released in May 2008. The song peaked at #18 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached #56 on the European Hot 100 charts.Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/search/label/Taio%20Cruz
. It was released on November 30, 2009. In the past, Cruz has written and produced songs for other artists including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Pussycat Dolls.Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/search/label/Taio%20Cruz
