MTV Buzzworthy Blog › Brad Stern

Britney Spears, Girls Aloud, t.A.T.u. + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 8/7/12 1:15 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

Guess what? We're on Mars, y'all! That's right: This week, NASA successfully landed their latest Mars rover, Curiosity, which is now merrily scooting its way across the surface of Mars taking photos of the planet and... uh, I don't know, putting them on Instagram, I think. To celebrate, here are flaw-free space jams in honor of our little robot friend who's far, far, far away from home!

1.) Britney Spears, "I'm So Curious"

Any proper Britney Spears devotee knows that our Holy Lady of Frappes had already been exploring extraterrestrial life well over 10 years ago, when she was whipping her hair in a red latex suit and being gifted diamonds by eager astronauts. Still, to honor our robot friend's smooth landing onto Mars, I've selected a song perfect for the occasion: "I'm So Curious"! "I'm so curious/ do you love me," the pop-princess-turned-Queen of Pop croons on the sugary-sweet "Sometimes" B-side. She wasn't even 18 years old at the time, yet the Holy Spear-it was already setting her sights on going galactic (and predicting this very space mission, because she is Nostradam-ney.) If only NASA were wise enough to pipe this track into space via Curiosity, any form of intelligent life would come bounding out from behind the rocks they're hiding and start lip-synching for their alien life. Oh well, maybe next time.

+ LISTEN TO BRITNEY SPEARS, "I'M SO CURIOUS"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy On Twitter

Tags , , , , ,

Example, Frank + Derol, Delta Goodrem + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 7/31/12 1:00 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

This week's roundup includes a rave o'clock arena anthem from the U.K., a gorgeous ballad from one of my favorite up-and-coming U.K. songstresses, a brokenhearted disco anthem from an Australian goddess--and yes, even a little ditty from a member of the Cyrus clan that isn't Miley, y'all.

1.) Example, "Say Nothing"

When Example isn't too busy writing global smash hits for The Wanted ("Chasing The Sun") or hopping on tracks with the prolific Calvin Harris ("We'll Be Coming Back"), the hitmaker is unleashing amazing new music from his forthcoming fourth studio album. "Say Nothing," the lead single from the record, sees the British singer-songwriter and rapper merging '80s new wave with arena-size EDM beats, resulting in something that plays like Tears for Fears meets The Wanted meets Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory" meets a whole lot of awesome. Throw in a howling, Coldplay-esque "oh-whoaaa" chant as the song nears its crashing ending, and you've got one of the biggest, most instantly anthemic EDM tracks of the year.

+ LISTEN TO EXAMPLE, "SAY NOTHING"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy On Twitter

Tags , , , , , ,

BoA, Mariah Carey, Tulisa + More: Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 7/24/12 12:45 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

This week includes a comeback from the Queen of K-Pop, a new offering from one of my favorite icy disco divas and a dirty Danish electro groove. Plus, a lil' show of celebration for a certain newly announced "American Idol" judge. Let's get festive!

1.) BoA, "Only One"

Even if K-Pop isn't really your thing, there's a strong chance you've already heard of BoA. Not only has the über-talented songstress dominated her homeland in South Korea for well over a decade, but she's tackled Japan and China -- she even released an English studio album in America three years ago. The artist often introduced as "The Korean Britney Spears" to Western listeners (if that's any testament to her iconic pop status) has finally returned with her first Korean single in more than two years, "Only One."

And rather than falling into the oh-so-au courant trend of glitchy, high-energy electro-pop, BoA's opted to leave the synths in the studio, instead crooning her melancholy midtempo tune atop a heartbreaking piano melody and a striding R&B beat. And if you think the song's special, the accompanying video is an absolute must, as she flaunts her superior dancing skills in a dazzlingly choreographed street routine -- once again securing BoA's place on the throne as the true Queen of K-Pop.

+ LISTEN TO BOA, "ONLY ONE"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy on Twitter

Tags , , , , , , ,

Azealia Banks, Ellie Goulding, The XX + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week

Posted 7/17/12 3:00 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

This week's roundup includes two bad (in the good way!) rapstresses hailing from the North and the South, a taste of what's to come from an indie-pop princess, a dream-pop troupe and a dance floor diva gone DIY.

1.) Azealia Banks, "Esta Noche"

After unleashing her sensational debut 1991 EP back in the end of May, the ever-smiley, Harlem-bred rapstress and MTV PUSH artist Azealia Banks returned just a few short weeks later with the "Fantasea" mixtape, a 19-track collection of ferocious new cuts, old favorites, silly skits and covers. One of my instant favorites of the bunch -- along with the ballroom-friendly "Fierce" -- is "Esta Noche," a delicious midtempo groove built around Munchi's "Esta Noche," which samples Montell Jordan's "Get It On Tonite." Now, I'm fairly certain a Montell Jordan sample alone makes the song's brilliance self-explanatory, but it only gets better as the track suddenly dips into an arms-up assault of squealing synthesizers and Azealia lays down the business. "Drink in my hand, hand on my chip/A vamp b**** do it like this," Banks declares. Who else can do it like this, seriously?

+ LISTEN TO AZEALIA BANKS, "ESTA NOCHE" (NSFW lyrics)

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy on Twitter

Tags , , , , , ,

Marina And The Diamonds, Amelia Lily, 2NE1 + More: Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 7/10/12 2:00 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

This week's round-up includes the latest soon-to-be smash from one of my favorite Brit-pop chanteuses, an unbelievably promising debut by an "X Factor UK" alum, and the brand new singles from not one, but two of K-Pop's hottest girl groups on the planet.

1.) Marina And The Diamonds, "How To Be A Heartbreaker"

This week, Marina And The Diamonds finally brings her crazy brilliant sophomore record Electra Heart stateside. And along with the already certifiably amazing "Primadonna" and "Power & Control," the album includes one new track set to be her third single from the campaign: "How To Be A Heartbreaker." Produced by Diplo, Cirkut, and Benny Blanco, the storming, guitar-led power-pop anthem sees the album's trouble-making home-wrecker (Miss Electra Heart) counting down the rules for the perfect crime: "Rule number 3/ Wear your heart on your cheek/ But never on your sleeve/ Unless you want to taste defeat," she sneers above the surging beat. And so, before you get too involved, just remember: Marina will never emotionally fulfill you. Know that.

+ LISTEN TO MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS, "HOW TO BE A HEARTBREAKER"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy on Twitter

Tags , , , , , ,

Pink, Cady Groves, Aiden Grimshaw + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 7/3/12 12:00 pm EST by in Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

Happy Almost Fourth of July, everybody! This week's roundup includes a killer comeback from one of pop's most reliable rebels, a rising pop-rock princess with a massive soon-to-be summer smash, and some chilly seduction from a former child of Destiny. Enjoy the tunes, and may your holiday be as colorful, nostalgic and as flaw-free as a Lana Del Rey video.

1.) Pink, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)"

After tackling bullies and bleach blonde bimbos, pop's loud-haired rebel rocker (and new mommy!) Pink has returned to the musical forefront for another round of growling pop-rock with the Greg Kurstin-produced "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" -- and this time, it's her man who's under fire.

Gliding on top of a cool, marching guitar strum à la Modest Mouse's "Float On," Pink blows one last kiss (and a whole lot of hot air) on her explosively defiant, crashing pop-rock anthem that serves all sorts of Kelly Clarkson realness. "Just when it can't get worse, I've had a s*** day!/ You've had a s*** day! We've had a s*** day," Pink yelps. With its acid-tongued lyricism and just a teensy bit of name-calling, "Blow Me" is one of Pink's most scowling offerings in years. Welcome back, Pink! Please don't leave me.

+ LISTEN TO PINK, "BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)."

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy On Twitter

Tags , , , , ,

Wynter Gordon, Spice Girls, Cassadee Pope + More: Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 6/26/12 3:45 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

I know that my pop roundups are usually all about girl power, but this week, we've ACTUALLY got girl power--the Almighty Spice are back with a new musical! Plus, killer cuts from a dance floor diva taking a dive into new territory, a Swedish producer carving out essential sad disco and a major solo attempt from an emo-rock frontwoman on hiatus. Zig-a-zig-HA!

1.) Wynter Gordon, "Stimela"

Wynter Gordon might be best known for her colossal club cuts like "Dirty Talk" and "Til Death," but beginning on July 9, the immensely talented NYC-based songstress is about to take a breather from the dance floor and dive into some deeper tunes and unexpected genres with four brand-new EPs, beginning with Doleo (That's Latin for "pain.") And if "Stimela," the first song from Doleo is any indication, she's about to, as we in the industry like to say, snatch all wigs.

Floating above spooky, ambient electronica, the chanteuse evokes shades of Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight," The Weeknd and Florence + The Machine's witchy whimsy. "Save me with your powers/ shower me with your wisdom and truth," Gordon begs on the track. Featuring a chorus sung entirely in Zulu and some almighty tribal drums, "Stimela" is one massive out-of-body experience, and one of the best, most jaw-droppingly amazing songs I've heard this year. Consider me thoroughly slayed.

+ LISTEN TO WYNTER GORDON, "STIMELA"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy On Twitter

Tags , , , , ,

Cheryl, Eva Simons, Dawn Richard + More: Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 6/19/12 12:30 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

It's yet another girl-power hour: This week's roundup includes a dance floor diva determined to break out of the box, a Danish indie-popper making breaking up easy to do, a Danity Kane alum standing up for herself, a former mtvU VJ making waves as a R&B songstress and a Girls Aloud goddess getting sexier den a mutha. (Her words, not mine.) Let's go!

1.) Cheryl, "Sexy Den A Mutha"

I know, I know: Ignore the title. If there's any song to hear from A Million Lights, the third studio album by Queen Cheryl (née Cole), let it be the dubiously titled "Sexy Den A Mutha," produced by Jim Beanz. With chilly beats that evoke Katharine McPhee's "Touch Me" and a bananas o'clock rallying cry a la Brit Brit's "Till The World Ends," "Sexy" is a massive club smash-to-be: "We came here to have fun, tell 'em we don't care/ Hold me like a shotgun, hit me everywhere," Cheryl croons before launching into the song's gigantic chorus: "You got me feelin' sexy den a mutha, mutha!" Despite the fact that the lyrics sound like they were penned by the "Cool Mom" from "Mean Girls," "Sexy" isn't just one of the biggest club bangas of the album--it's one of the best songs of Cheryl's solo career.

+ LISTEN TO CHERYL'S "SEXY DEN A MUTHA"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs of The Week after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Follow Buzzworthy on Twitter

Tags , , , , , ,

Sky Ferreira, Charli XCX, Wynter Gordon + More: Top 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 6/12/12 1:30 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

This week's roundup features a knockout debut single by a brand-new "X Factor" alum, as well as some crunchy tunes by two of my favorite alt-pop princesses. And now that summer's in full swing, we've got a few anthems made for frolicking under the sun all day. Or your cubicle.

1.) Sky Ferreira, "Red Lips"

Alt-indie-pop goddess, fashion "It girl" and all-around musical savior Sky Ferreira is finally returning to music properly to relieve of us this Ferreira-less drought with her first new release in months, "Red Lips." Teaming up with Shirley Manson (!!!) and pop producer Greg Kurstin, Ferreira's crafted an incredible, snarling new anthem that would fit snugly somewhere within Garbage's discography -- her very own "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go)." "Such a big girl, such big talk, such big news," Ferreira sarcastically croons on the crashing, menacing chorus.

Though the crashing drums and guitars are a slightly new sound for the previously electro-pop minded princess (à la "One"), it's a nice reminder that Sky's got way more than one genre up her sleeves. Pucker up!

+ LISTEN TO SKY FERREIRA'S "RED LIPS"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week after the jump!

Read More...

Tags , , , , ,

Little Boots, Bright Lights Bright Light, Scissor Sisters + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week

Posted 6/7/12 5:30 pm EST by in Celebrity, Music

It's Wednesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

It's the week of the Diamond Jubilee! Not familiar? The jubilee is the U.K.'s gigantic celebration in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne! To celebrate the occasion (and surely not at all because I only listen to Brit-pop and it's convenient!), I've selected tracks from some of my favorite British acts of the moment. Well, and a Danish songstress. And the Scissor Sisters don't really count, either. But otherwise...so British! Long live the Queen!

1.) Bright Light Bright Light, "Cry At Films"

U.K. electro-pop prince Bright Light Bright Light (or Rod Thomas, for short) has spent well over two years now slowly unveiling the makings of his sparkling debut record, Make Me Believe in Hope. At long last, it's finally arrived across the pond on June 4 (and later this month in the U.S.).

Colored by pulsing '80s electronica beats, early '90s club rhythms and 21st century electronica, the entire record shines with sublime pop hooks, glittering synth-pop production and crushing lyricism. "Cry At Films," one of my instant favorites from the collection (which features Del Marquis of the Scissor Sisters on backing vocals and guitar), finds the singer weaving a heartbreaking tale atop spaced-out disco beats, like a classic Robyn stomper. "So I cry at films, that show me a good life/That show where I want to be," Thomas cries out on the gorgeous track -- just one of the many brilliant moments on Mr. Bright Light's (x2) debut. (See what I did there?!)

+ LIGHT TO BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, "CRY AT FILMS"

2.) Little Boots, "Headphones"

After unleashing her six-minute opus, "Shake" in November as well as the delicious early '90s throwback "Every Night I Say A Prayer" in April, U.K. electro-pop star turned disco diva Little Boots returns this month with her third single, "Headphones," from her as yet untitled sophomore record.

Produced by the reliably amazing NYC-based production duo The Knocks, Miss Boots' latest banga fings her stepping into the discotheque for another joyous round of disco-pop bliss. And as it turns out, the party is entirely in her head: "I wear my headphones at the disco, so nobody has to know," she happily croons throughout the bouncy track. With its catchy la-la-la post-chorus and bouncy disco rhythms, "Headphones" is like Miss Boots' own funky, indie-pop rendition of Kylie Minogue's iconic earworm, "Can't Get You Out Of My Head."

+ LISTEN TO LITTLE BOOTS, "HEADPHONES"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week after the jump!

Read More...

Related Content Kylie Minogue + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week, Follow Buzzworthy On Twitter

Tags , , , , ,

3456789101112

About Us

Consummate MTV music fans obsessively covering pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from MTV headquarters in New York. Plus, trends, LOLs and stuff we love.

Read more about MTV Buzzworthy.

Email us:
buzzworthy@mtv.com

Follow us on Twitter:
@MTVBuzzworthy

Managing Editor
Tamar Anitai

Associate Editor
Rachel Brodsky

Contributors
Michael Depland
Byron Flitsch
David Greenwald
Amber Katz
Althea Legaspi
T. Kyle MacMahon
Charlie Norwood
Luke O'Neil
Jenna Hally Rubenstein
Annie Schoening
Brad Stern

SPONSORS
AD:
©2013 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.