Britney Spears - Femme Fatale

And now for the question that is in everyone's minds: is Femme Fatale actually any better than Blackout?
Britney's 2007 album is still unique in every sense of the word. Recorded during a very specific period of her life, when she was having a public meltdown in front of the whole world to see, you could sense that turbulence everywhere on that record: her voice engulfed in all the radical sonics, creating a tension and a claustrophobic atmosphere that, in the end, showed she was then a much-solitary soul.
After Circus put her back on track, at least with her own self, Femme Fatale is where everything really falls into the right place, creating what will probably become one of her most iconic moments in her career. This is where the cheeky and naughty Brit that we all love is at full force again, opening up to the world and inviting everyone to her party... while, at the same time, all the producers and writers involved in this project seem to have been blessed with a divine moment of manic inspiration, considering what they've come up with for Femme Fatale. Really now: Cyborg sex-vixen Britney? Yes please!
In the end, saying that this album is without any flaw and that there's not a single filler in here, is an understatement. What is true is that listening to it - and Lord knows I haven't been able to do anything else in the past few weeks - gives a new meaning to the concept of experiencing multiple sequenced eargasms.
And back to that introductory question: is Femme Fatale actually any better than Blackout? Only time will tell, but for now one thing is for sure: Britney's back, bitch! (9/10)

Britney Spears - Inside Out (mp3)



www.britneyspears.com

Feeling this is more insane

Revealed to the world as guest vocalist in the Magnetic Man project, Katy B has since released a few quite-good songs on her own, all indebting a lot to dubstep and the UK bass culture. Her new single changes this perception a bit and thus may, very well, become her first international breakthrough hit. Mostly because Broken Record broadens its influences and literally opens up to the world. Just hear that drum'n'bass chorus and you'll understand why.



www.katyonamission.com

Can't you see I am down on my knees now?

Another Erik Hassle song, another moment of emo-pop perfection. This time our favourite Swede has even upped the bar a bit more, incorporating an amazing electro beat that brings his songwriting and singing to new unsuspected heights. I've already read in more than a few places that "Are You Leaving" could be seen as the male version to Robyn's "Dancing On My Own", and I can see where that comes from: both deal with heartbreak lyrics, pumping disco synths and an atmosphere of nordic nostalgia - all things for which I'm a total sucker.
Considering that this is just one of the songs from a forthcoming mini-album called Mariefried Sessions, I can't help but becoming über-excited for what's next. In the meantime, here's the fresh-oven video, directed by the (multi-talented) man himself.



www.erikhassle.com

Jamie Foxx - Best Night Of My Life

Let's be honest here: Jamie Foxx must be used to having nights that are much more interesting than what you, me, or 99,9% of the world will ever have. So the prospect of being able to take part in the best night of his life... that surely sounds like quite an experience, to say the least, doesn't it? Well, following the title by the letter, this album raises the curtain in what a superstar's fun night is like. And what do you know? It's actually not that different from the common mortal's.
Best Night Of My Life starts with mid-tempo jams that are just perfect to soundtrack private parties in luxury mansions, surrounded by some sexy people. But by the second half, the tempo tones down, while the temperature actually gets higher. So that means it's that time of the evening when you leave the party behind and surreptitiously go upstairs, ending up on a stranger's bed with the hottest guy/girl in the room.
Which is to say that you can actually identify with what you're hearing and use this album as a soundtrack to a home-made party of yours. Because, even if with less luxury involved, the script may turn out to be quite similar. And the fact that it all ends with "Sex On The Beach" is literally an added bonus to what was already a very special night. (8/10)

Jamie Foxx feat. Rick Ross - Living Better Now (mp3 via Passion of the Weiss)



Jamie Foxx feat. Drake - Fall For Your Type (video)



www.jamiefoxx.com

Let me blow your mind tonight

Dancing with Britney till the world ends? That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all!

Britney Spears - Till The World Ends (mp3)

The type of chick that likes to rock the beat

If you thought that Whip My Hair was just a one-off, then you might have to think again, because Willow Smith's second single is another banger of a song. And yes, the chorus does sound A LOT like Ke$ha, but it's still fun as hell, so who's complaining? However, the really treat in here is the video... and don't even get me started about all those epic raise-a-city-out-of-nowhere scenes.



www.willowsmith.com

Cut Copy - Zonoscope

When you are responsible for an album - 2008's In Ghost Colours - that has become an indie-classic, with many of its songs seen now as celebratory anthems, how do you follow it up? If you are Cut Copy, then this is what you do: reduce the anthemic properties of your new tracks, take out almost all guitars and immerse the tunes in a myriad of 80's synthesizers. And Zonoscope is exactly all about that: building ethereal dance atmospheres instead of physical numbers, while exploring different synthetic textures.
But the final goal is still the same and almost as successfuly achieved as before: to create ecstactic music and aim higher into the sky. Or, in other words, to reach for the stars while dancing on the way. (7,5/10)

Cut Copy - Need You Now (video)



www.cutcopy.net

Government Hooker

Just a couple of hours ago, Lady Gaga made her debut as a runway model, walking for Thierry Mugler during Paris fashion week, where she also directed the show music, previewing a brand new track called Government Hooker:

"I can be cool, I can be anything, I'll be your everything, just touch me baby.
Im gonna drink my tears tonight, im gonna drink my tears and cry, cuz I know you love me baby, I know you love me baby.
Put your hands on me, John F Kennedy, i'll make you scream baby."

Flawless!



www.ladygaga.com
www.thierrymugler.com