It's no secret that I like Alexandra Burke alot, so when I protested last month that 'Start Without You' was being released before 'The Silence' I may have been a bit premature, as Alexandra returns with the video fresh off her number one success with 'Start Without You.' I have always wanted this song to be released and believe as ballads go, this is a corker. The video is easily her best yet, the image is right and the video makes Alexandra look like she is a singer in her own right, this is why she won the X-Factor in 08.
She has the vocal ability and the versatility to go all the way. She has done very well since winning the X-Factor and is clawing her way up to becoming one of the huge success stories from the show. I for one am glad she has decided to release this single, as she needed to do something different from the fast paced music that she is also a dab hand at. With the album, 'Overcome' Alexandra has nearly released more songs than Leona Lewis has in the 4 years since she won the X-Factor.. looks like Miss Lewis better get back out there!
You can view the video Here due to copyright I can't get the video on here yet.
Alexandra Burke has got to number one in the UK with Hallelujah, Bad Boys featuring Flo-Rida & Start Without You. As well as 2 other top ten hits with Broken Heels and All Night Long featuring Pitbull, and having worked with Red One on Broken Heels, Start Without you and The Silence she is fast becoming one of the UK's biggest female singers.
Pink has a greatest hits compilation coming out just in time for X-mas, and with it a new single 'Raise Your Glass' which is another Pink classic, instantly goes up there with all the other greats. So that is why a greatest hits is needed, Pink has had so many to choose from. My highlights of her career so far are 'Just Like A Pill, Don't Let Me Get Me, Who Knew, So What, Get The Party Started and U and UR Hand.' My favourite album is 100% 'Missunderztood'
Afrojack is a dutch record producer, his music is mostly dance orientated, and has worked with Wynter Gordon, David Guetta and now Eva Simons. Eva had a single out last year called 'Silly Boy' it did not fare too well in other countries but was actually brilliant and was top 10 in the Netherlands. She has since spent the past year recording and album which is due anytime now.
I like this song, I think it will be a huge club hit, not sure everyone will like it and have to admit it took me 2 or 3 listens to realise its brilliance. It is released in the UK 28/11/2010.
I have now changed my mind as to who I want to win the X-Factor 2010. Basically I always watch these shows looking for someone whose music I would buy. I am usually pretty good at spotting who will be big and who wont. I believe both Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle will have the ability to sell milions of records worldwide. So far Matt's two performances have wowed me beyond belief as has Rebecca. I therefore back these 2 to win. My only gripe about it this year is the fact that they introduced the wild card option and of the 4 acts only one was worthy a place in the finals - Tracy Cohen who is also amazing, a worthy third place I should think.
I think however, for Simon Cowell a female is a more worthy winner of the competition with Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke both winning and going on for big success, whereas past male winners have not done so well. People who come in as runners up usually go on to do well JLS, Diana Vickers & Olly Murs, but I do feel Cowell's music input is better suited to diva's |& not males. So it might be in Matt's best interest to come second and Rebecca to win. Considering we are at the third week I think the below performances are amazing.
It's been a fair few years since Duffy exploded onto the scene, and with it she brought one massive selling debut album in Rockferry, and number one smash Mercy and the weeper friendly Warwick Avenue and Stepping Stone. Now she is back with a retro pop fused record Well Well Well.. it has a real 60's/70's vibe to it much the same as previous offerings. I am not sure with Duffy, she was a big success and I think she may repeat with the next album after years making it, will it be worth it? Well I cannot say right now but I shall come back to you once the album is released.
I think it's a good thing Duffy has not tried to change too drastically, she does what she does and she does it well, well, well, so why change a winning format. You either love her, yet to decide or don't like her much..if at all. Either way you have an opinion on her. I am a fan and first saw her on an album chart show special in 2007 and knew I was going to like her.
Well Well Well is released November 21st Endlessly the new album is released November 29th
I think we first heard of Wynter Gordon on the Flo-Rida track Sugar hit, she has since gone on to record guest vocals for the likes of David Guetta, Freemasons and her own solo material. She released Dirty Talk in America and is yet to release it here but I think when she does, it will be big.
Believer is a great return to form for Freemasons who have had huge success both with remixing other peoples songs and on their own stuff. I think Wynters vocals work really well on this song and the video is as good as the song. Some of Freemasons work has been epic and I think this is in the same vane as the Kelly Rowland remix of Work which I think was way better than the original version. I am glad they are back as I always love their sound.
When I first blogged about Hurts hereI knew that they were going to be huge, they then went on for a top ten single with Wonderful Life, a number 4 selling album with Happiness and have been touring all over the place. So I am delighted that they made the perfect choice for the next single. Stay is by far my favourite on the album and I was just browsing through MTV channels as I do on most Sunday afternoons when I stumbled across the song's video and felt compelled to blog it straight away.
I am literally obsessed with this band and see big things for them, something interesting about them is that they worked with Fame Academy and one hit wonder David Sneddon on the album and he has contributed to some really good songs on the album so fair play to him. I am looking forward to seeing Hurts live one day, as soon as I can I will be there. Cannot wait to see what is next.
My Highlights on this album are Stay, Wonderful Life, Better Than Love, Devotion featuring Kylie Minogue, Blood Tears & Gold and Silver Lining. It really is a great album well worth purchasing.
Happiness is out now and Stay is released 15th November.
WOW.... This is more like it Nicole, this is exactly what I wanted you to do!! Now you are a contender as a solo artist to go all the way. This will be huge no worries about that. This RedOne produced track proves he is really the one to work with, he can take anyone and turn them into a number one recording artist. Thank god for this song Nicole coz this is better than anything else you have done to date.
Cannot wait for the video now but for the time being, here it is. WOW.
I actually love them, they are just what music needs right now a 4 piece girl group full of attitude, style and great music. I instantly purchased 'Can't Nobody' a stomping cracker of a song, that just grows the more times you hear it. The girls originate from South Korea, and although bands from Asia very rarely make it over here in the UK, however, I think these 4 girls can do it. Mostly I find them cute, but can see they are fierce. In fact they have been noticed by superstar Will.I.Am and he wants to work with them in the future, so if anyone is going to make them huge he will.
In their native country they are a massive success. The end of 'Can't Nobody' is my favourite bit and makes me want to get up and dance! They have had 4 number one hits in South Korea. They have two albums out (2NE1 & To Anyone) and can be purchased on I-Tunes, I have many of their songs currently making their way up my playlist.
Once again, I am hoping they will launch over here, they have English versions of their songs and I think there is a huge gap in the market for them..
Taken from the new album 'Progress' comes Take That' new single and first with ex band mate and solo superstar Robbie Williams, 'The Flood' is a sign that they are back, with a bang! The song is as good as 'Patience, Greatest Day, Shine & Rule The World' and with this new track they are guaranteed number one success once more. They are up against the might of JLS and I predict a really big chart battle, but there is room for the both of them. I do think Take That is still the nations favourite manband based on longevity, they will go down in history as the biggest selling bands of all time.
The video sees the lads rowing down the Thames racing, and I think a sign of the past years the battle for success against solo careers, fights, media turmoil and finally the rejoining of the five piece.
Progress is released 22nd November with lead single The Flood released 14th November.
I would never of put these two together at all, but it sort of works, once again Shakira is back with another wacky tune, this time with the help of brit Dizzee Rascal who would seem to of had the Midas touch for hits the past 18 months. So does Loca work? I think so.. on the fence at the moment, I think it will grow on me like so many other hits of Shakira, having only listened to this a handful of times I am still unsure, but Dizzee adds his usual charm to the song making it extra special. The video lives up to the the title of the song, Loca sees Shakira skating around Barcelona and gyrating in a gold bikini! What is not to like, well you decide..
I have to say, the music Tinie Tempah has come out with so far has been extraordinary. I love the number one Pass Out, followed by Frisky and then the 2nd & most recent number one single Written in the stars feat Eric Turner. The album does not disappoint, full of eclectic sounding songs, each one could be a single! Tinie has worked with Ellie Goulding, Kelly Rowland, Labrinth, Eric Turner and Emeli Sande. He is also in high demand with many other artists to work with him, the future certainly is looking good.
Stand out tracks are Miami to Ibiza, Pass Out, Wonderman, Just A Little and Written in the stars. The lyrics are a mix of truth and comedy and Tinie's vocals are imaginative and clever, Ia m officially one of the many many fans, and predict Tinie Tempah's name will be around for a while yet. The UK has many artists who are known as the Brrrap pack and I think Tinie is the leader of this growing phenomenon in music and stands out way more than most other UK male solo artists.
Overall I would give this album 10 out of 10, for it's originality, diversity and all round genius!
This is my favourite on the album though Miami to Ibiza with Swedish House Mafia.
Gabriella Cilmi' last album should of been massive, epic even. It all seemed like it should of gone the right way, Xenomania behind the majority of the album, after all their success with Girls Aloud, a great starter track with 'On A Mission' a video to pay tribute to Barbarella.. it should of been better. Instead Gabriella seemed to vanish after the first 3 songs, with little promotion and 2 not so great follow up videos with 'Hearts Don't Lie' & 'Defender.'
Gabriella is a sexy Australian singer, she has all the credentials to be a huge hit here. It just seems after 'Sweet About Me' she has not captured the buying public with a worthwhile single. I am a huge fan, I loved the album 'Ten' which had a great load of pop songs on, including my favourite 'What If You Knew.' I think that the best singles were not released from the album and it subsequently ended rather quickly from a huge build up of excitement and buzz. 'On A Mission,' I felt, should of gone to number one here! As I type I am listening to the album and it is such a good record, and much better than first album 'Lessons To Be Learned' and is well worth a listen or 10.
Maybe the third album campaign will be different, maybe they will bring her out with a new sound and cool look. - I just hope she does not give up. The charts are dominated by USA and UK artists that it leaves little room for many other countries and with Kylie being the main Australian export for some time, maybe, just maybe its time for someone else to enter the race.
I am dead against people re-releasing albums normally because I find it really unfair that music buying people are faced with either having to buy an album with 2 extra songs on or go out and buy singles when they already own a perfectly good album minus a song that was not on it before. So when I heard Diana Vickers is re-releasing Songs from the tainted cherry tree, I was outraged. Not for the usual reasons though. Mainly because this album already has 2 or 3 really really amazing songs on that should of been released before an attempt at a repackaged album. Anyway, My Wicked Heart is a good track, catchy and very Diana. I love Diana, but I am gutted she has done it this way, particularly as I really wanted 'Put It Back Together' to be the third single as I love it way more than 'The Boy Who Murdered Love.' The video to this new song is different and shows Diana is a potentially long standing pop starlet. Her looks always change and she is versatile.
2008's X-factor saw Diana fall short at 4th place, but she has proved you do not have to win it to be a good artist, so that is why I have rage regarding repackaged albums, at least try other tracks and release a new single later.. you have to put the video's out, do the promo and see how the land lies.
Below are the new video for single 'My Wicked Heart' out 7th November and 'Put It Back Together' - what do you think?
All I can say is WHAT HAPPENED? I was just randomly shuffling my I-Pod and what would come on - Jamelia - Beware of the Dog. WHAT A TUNE. It is a thumping record that had number one scored all over it and yet NO it failed to make it. Jamelia did not get the right promotion on her last album 'Walk With Me' which is a shame because as a whole, this album is better than the previous two Jamelia put out. This song should have been her first, with a better video I guess, but hey ho. However, I am pleased to hear she is working on the next chapter and coming back with a big record. Fingers crossed she can get back to her Thank You & Superstar fame she had once as she really is quite good actually. Rumours are rife she is working with big producers including Mr Pharrell Williams, so I am confident she can do it this time round! Rant over.
Melanie Fiona is a singer songwriter from Canada. Her first single to get airplay here in the UK was 'Give It To Me Right' which fast became an obsession of mine. As usual she did not quite make it this side of the world charting at number 40. I do think she deserved better than this. Her album 'The Bridge' was a fun mixed medley of pop, motown & RNB. I instantly bought the album and really enjoy listening to it, over and over again, I guess that is a good thing sometimes when they do not quite make it here, you can enjoy the music without all the promotion on radio's and MTV etc. I do however, want to hear more and more of her and see what else she will offer from second studio album, hopefully Melanie will embark on a full promotional campaign and really plug it, because, as long as it's as good as first album, Melanie could be huge!
Highlights on the album are: Bang Bang Give It To Me Right Monday Morning Please Don't Go (Cry Baby) You Stop My Heart
It's a new single from the X-Factor 2008 runners up JLS. I can't help but like them, so I bring you the new video.. what do you think? It is not my favourite but I am sure it will hit number one no problem. It's slower compared to everything else they have done and really reminds me of something else, but showcases their vocals we all remember from the X-Factor without the auto-tune we saw on 'Club Is Alive.' Their next album is titled 'Outta This World' which I reckon will be as big as predecessor 'JLS' Their new album goes head to head with Take That apparently, with JLS'recent stint of good luck and numbers ones, I am sure it will be a big chart battle. But who will win?
OK, so I do not understand a word of it, it's in french - but I love it, probably because it is produced by super producer Red One, who you may be familiar with by now, but incase you have lived in a cave the past couple of years, Lady GaGa BAD ROMANCE, Pokerface.. plus many other singers grabbing hold of him.
So to the star in question, Mylene Farmer! She has been around a few years now but this has been bought to my attention for all the right reasons, and I love love it. Its really catchy and I find myself humming away to it without realising it, so it really does not matter that I don't understand the words, the music speaks for itself. Will it be released in the UK? I doubt it, but it should be given the chance with the right video. All Red One produced tracks seem to storm to top 10 at least! I can't wait to see the video.
She has the vocal ability and the versatility to go all the way. She has done very well since winning the X-Factor and is clawing her way up to becoming one of the huge success stories from the show. I for one am glad she has decided to release this single, as she needed to do something different from the fast paced music that she is also a dab hand at. With the album, 'Overcome' Alexandra has nearly released more songs than Leona Lewis has in the 4 years since she won the X-Factor.. looks like Miss Lewis better get back out there!
