Posted 4/27/12 6:00 am EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music, Videos
Sarah Jaffey's hair is the envy of everyone. Incredibly, her music is even better.
So, we have more than a little bit of a crush on Sarah Jaffe. The Texas-based singer-songwriter inhabits the kind of lushly delicate but still throbbing and glitchy folktronica that grabbed our attention when we first heard Ellie Goulding, plus just about the coolest Robyn-esque hairstyle we've ever seen. She-swag? Yep, pretty much.
Watch Sarah Jaffe's "Glorified High" video after the jump.
Posted 4/5/12 3:02 pm EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music
Hey Beliebers! It's a-me, Sam Lansky, and this is my column, "Pop Think," where for months I've been resisting succumbing to a major case of Bieber Fever. But alas, with the release of his new single, "Boyfriend," Justin Bieber may have truly won me over (not that I was resisting that hard), because it's about as good a pop morsel as any I can recall.
See, a new Justin Bieber single tends to be accompanied by a ton of hype, and this one definitely earned it: Hitting pretty much every mark on how fresh, sophisticated urban pop music should sound in 2012. But while it's totally modern, it's also appealingly nostalgic, harkening back to the days of Justin Timberlake, NSYNC and plenty of other iconic pop influences. In the absence of a new JT album, JB is evoking his predecessor in a way that feels distinctly Bieberific -- and the results have been dazzling.
This week, I'm taking a look at how and why "Boyfriend" is pretty much a perfect pop single -- and why we should all be pretty excited about his upcoming studio album, Believe. Do you belieb? (I know I do!)
Is it premature to say that "Boyfriend" is certifiably the best thing that Justin Bieber has ever done? The urban pop whiz-kid, who in the span of a few short years has become one of the biggest artists in the game, has a strong track record of killer pop singles, from the melodic powerhouse of "Baby" to the slick dance-pop of "Somebody To Love," but "Boyfriend" takes Justin's swag game in a whole new direction -- and I for one am all ears.
Icy-cool galactic pop with minimalist instrumentation, frosty bird call synths and whispered rap that gives way to a sweetly crooned chorus, "Boyfriend" picks up where the truly great pop of the early millennium left off, evoking NSYNC's "Gone" and "Girlfriend" as well as the best stuff in Justin Timberlake's catalog. This should be no surprise, since any male pop vocalist recording music in 2012 should be looking to a legendary innovator like JT for influence, so the extent to which Bieber is channeling the former Justin's influence is pretty remarkable. But that great artist's influence, which is unmissable on the track, would be meaningless without Bieber's own developing artistic vision, which sees "Boyfriend" moving in a thrillingly hip direction.
Read more about Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" after the jump.
Posted 3/29/12 4:58 pm EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music, Must See
Oh hey, fans of musical theater! (You don't like musical theater? Your loss!) I'm Sam Lansky, and this is my 
column, "Pop Think," dedicated to exploring the best and brightest luminaries in the pop culture scene. Up this week? Well, you'll have to excuse me if I seem delirious, because I've been sick lately: With a McPheever. A bad one. And while that's nothing new -- I've been a fan of Katharine McPhee since she first appeared on "American Idol" way back in 2006 -- her new direction, with a starring role on the new show "Smash," gives her a whole new opportunity to flex her acting and vocal chops.
But what I'm really excited about is the music that's coming out of "Smash," specifically, a little song called "Touch Me," which has been a cogent reminder of just how killer Katharine McPhee's vocals really are as well as her not-insignificant contribution to the realm of popular music. (Also, I kinda want to make up for the time when I saw her at a party and wanted to go say hi to tell her how much I love her, but I was too nervous to do so -- so if you're reading this, Katharine, hey gurl!)
My McPheever just keeps on rising, and I don't think there's any remedy in sight. Got a problem with that?
Is there any argument that Katharine McPhee was robbed on the fifth season of "American Idol"? Not to throw any shade at the illustrious Taylor Hicks. But seriously, Katharine always had incredible vocal talent and undeniable charisma. And she's been putting both to good use in the years since "Idol" with two excellent studio albums and now a whole new life starring in the NBC series "Smash," which, if you haven't been watching, is kinda like a grown-up "Glee," with even more attitude and some sensational pop songs.
Not that the "sensational songs" thing is new for Katharine, since her self-titled 2007 debut is an excellent mainstream pop LP; it spawned the top 40 hit "Over It" and packed a number of major pop tracks, including the excellent single "Love Story" and, of course, the unforgettable ode to shoes, "Open Toes," which fits nicely among other shoe-devoting songs like Jennifer Lopez's "Louboutins" and Ashanti's "Switch." (I'm not saying I have a "Songs About Shoes" playlist, but I'm also not saying that I don't.) Her second album, 2010's Unbroken, was a mellower affair, with adult-contemporary tracks like "Terrified" and "Had It All," which showed a sweetness and lovely sophistication with more organic instrumentation and mature lyrics.
See why Katharine McPhee's role on "Smash" is her best role yet after the jump.
Posted 3/26/12 1:29 pm EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music
Can you guys believe it's been a full decade since Paulina Rubio unleashed her fiery Latin flavah all over our unsuspecting U.S. charts with her smash "Don't Say Goodbye"? Yeah, us either. And although we never really said goodbye to Paulina Rubio (who, it should be noted, many critics have been known to call "Paulegendina Rubicono," and by "many critics" we mean "actually just us"), the Mexican superstar has been absent from American radio for way too long, which means that she's way overdue on a big English-language comeback single. Right? Right.
Listen to Paulina Rubio's "Boys Will Be Boys" after the jump.
Willa Ford in 2012 (left) and 2009 (right)
Remember Willa Ford? Yeah, us too, in a totally distant way. Not in the kind of way where we still put "I Wanna Be Bad" on every single party playlist we make, then laugh about it in a performance of practiced nonchalance and say things like, "Oh my God, you guys! This song is such a guilty pleasure!" while earnestly enjoying it. And certainly not in the kind of way where we only know the holiday season has truly arrived when we put on her epic Yuletide classic, "Santa Baby (Gimme Gimme Gimme)" to booty-pop with some eggnog. Not like that at all.
Point is, Willa Ford is back! The pop chanteuse is enjoying a renaissance with the upcoming premiere of her new series for Starz, Magic City, and on the red carpet for the show's premiere in El Lay the other night she looks... Well, she doesn't look like Willa Ford anymore! At least, not the Willa Ford we remember. She looks all grown up, in an oh-so-classy Vivienne Westwood navy blue dress and YSL pumps, and luxe auburn tresses. (Ooh, you fancy, huh?) But most of all, she looks like she wants to be bad. And you know what? She's pulling it off! Props to you, Willa.
Does Willa Ford look anything like Willa Ford? No! No, she does not. Does she look good? Totally! Did ya understand THAT, haters? (Note: "Did Ya Understand That" was Willa's 2001 flawless/non-charting second single. If you missed that reference, shame on you.)
Photo credit: Getty Images
Posted 3/22/12 4:00 pm EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music
Howdy! I'm Sam Lansky, unlikely country music enthusiast, and this is "Pop Think," my weekly column where I talk about the music that makes me cry. (Other stuff, too, but mostly just that.) And the work of few artists make me as consistently misty as the flawless catalog of pop-country superstar Taylor Swift, who I've long considered the finest lyricist of her generation. And with more than a year separating us from Taylor's last release, 2010's bajillion-times-platinum-selling LP Speak Now, it's time to start thinking (i.e., speculating) seriously about what's up next for my girl T-Swizzle.
Here's the good news: We're not totally in the dark about what to expect from her next LP, given all that Taylor's revealed about her inspiration for the album and a few choice tracks that have emerged recently -- specifically, her two songs from the Hunger Games soundtrack, which are oh-so-brilliant. If they're any indication of where she's headed, this next album should be some of her most lyrically and sonically sophisticated work yet.
My eyes (and ears) are open -- now, let's take a look at the clues Taylor's dropped about her recent work in the studio. Why? Because it's probably the only reason I'll stay sane as I sit on my hands waiting for her next album to drop. Taylor, if you're reading this, seriously: If you have any time between playing 8,000-city tours and doing voice work in major motion pictures and contributing to soundtracks and being the top-earning artist in the music industry to drop a new album, I think we'd all be pretty stoked about it. And then I can keep crying teardrops onto my guitar! (Just kidding, y'all. I don't know how to play guitar.)
New Taylor Swift music, plz.
Time and time again, Taylor Swift has proven herself to be one of the most versatile artists in the game--which is probably a big part of why a country-wary pop enthusiast like me has become so enraptured with her music. On her last album, Speak Now, influences ranged from the bluegrass-folk crunch of "Mean" to the '80s arena rock of "Haunted" to the twangy pop-country of "Mine" to the expansive guitar rock of "Dear John" -- all serving to complement her lovely, emotive vocals and some of the sharpest, most compelling lyrics this critic has ever heard. Even when her style ranges, drawing in the sounds from a half-dozen different genres, her songcraft is invariably masterful, and the themes are consistent: disillusionment, a loss of innocence, the breathless exhilaration of romance and the ensuing heartache.
Read more about Taylor Swift's new music after the jump.
Posted 3/22/12 1:33 pm EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music
You may not know Eva Simons' name, but you probably know her voice: The Dutch vocalist's 2009 single "Silly Boy" was mistakenly attributed to Lady Gaga and Rihanna after Kanye West championed it as such on his blog. (Pro: Yeezy loves your song. Con: Nobody knows it's your song. Oh well.) Then, Eva scored a huge dance hit with Afrojack on the epic house banger "Take Over Control," which inspired legions of sweat-soaked clubgoers to, y'know, "plug it in and turn me on." Now, the mohawked songbird is stepping out on her own to make sure you know the name Eva Simons with her new single via Interscope Records, "I Don't Like You."
Listen to Eva Simons "I Don't Like You" after the jump.
We love Sabi's new 'Wild Heart' video. You should, too.
Given that she's still pretty new on the scene, pop chanteuse Sabi has already racked up a pretty impressive résumé: Her breakout spot was rapping alongside Britney Spears on the Holy Spearit's 2011 track "Drop Dead Beautiful," then she earned a Top 10 smash with Cobra Starship delivering the utterly infectious hook on "You Make Me Feel," and finally headed out on tour with Britney and Nicki Minaj. (Imagine if your résumé looked like that by age 23? Color us jealous.) Last summer saw Sabi drop her debut solo single, "Wild Heart," a swirly dubstep-inflected midtempo, and now she's rewarded our patience with the video for "Wild Heart."
Watch Sabi's "Wild Heart" video after the jump.
Posted 3/20/12 6:13 pm EST by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, News
Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson are teaming up on a song collabo. Um, duh.
Sometimes things happen that defy reason, and yet at the same time, feel more natural than anything else has ever felt. Such is the way with recently released news that shock rocker Marilyn Manson and genius thespian Johnny Depp have recorded a song together, which simultaneously produces the following reactions: "Wait, what?" but also, "Right, of course!"
See, these two crazy kids have been H-wood buds for a minute -- Marilyn Manson was Johnny Depp's date to the premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," as a matter of fact, and Marilyn had a song on the soundtrack of Johnny's 2001 flick "From Hell." But now they're taking their friendship to the next level by cutting a cover of Carly Simon's OG diss track "You're So Vain," which will be featured on Marilyn's next album, Born Villain. Oddly enough, this all totally makes sense, since both dudes are obviously pretty smart and a little left-of-center in their sensibilities, with a penchant for androgynous styling, heavy makeup (see us not using the word "guyliner"? It was really tempting, though) and attention-grabbing wardrobes.
As for the inevitable video? Marilyn tells MTV UK that it will probably be "us looking at each other like a mirror." Um, move over, "Thriller." There's a new sheriff in town.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Posted 3/20/12 10:49 am EST by Sam Lansky in Music, Videos
Australian DJ Dirty South certainly knows how to burn up a dance floor with a monster house track. He's collaborated with little names like, oh, David Guetta and the dudes of Swedish House Mafia (NBD), and put together bonkers remixes for acts including Skylar Grey and Miike Snow. Now joined by DJ Thomas Gold, he may have outdone himself -- their video for latest single "Eyes Wide Open" is a lush dance-pop track set against the lovely and evocative backdrop of a heartbroken girl recalling the blissful days and nights of a bygone romance.
Watch Dirty South and Thomas Gold's "Eyes Wide Open" video, featuring Kate Elsworth, after the jump.