Welcome to Buzzworthy's "The Week In Pop," where we round up new album releases, talk show musical guests, and TV performances by your favorite pop stars and more (so you don't have to).
This week, LL Cool J drops Authentic, his first rap album in five years. Catch him on Tuesday's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Also, "American Idol" alum Jessica Sanchez releases her debut album, Me, You & The Music. Meanwhile, legendary punk outfit Iggy & The Stooges release their original lineup's first studio album since 1973's Raw Power; see them rock "The Colbert Report" tonight. Additionally, the Iron Man 3: Heroes Fall compilation drops with a host of indie and alternative artists, including AWOLNATION, who are also on Thursday's "Tonight Show With Jay Leno," and The Airborne Toxic Event (appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" this Thursday) release their third effort. For more good eye/ear candy, livestream Atlas Genius' live "Artist To Watch" performance on Tuesday from New York's Webster Hall on MTV.com, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Finally, the week caps off with Of Monsters And Men, who will grace the stage on "Saturday Night Live."
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
+ LL Cool J, Authentic: It's been five years since LL Cool J last dropped a rap album (he's been busy filming "NCIS: Los Angeles"), but he told MTV News it was time to "come back to my roots." We first got a taste of Authentic during this year's Grammys with a performance of "Whaddap," where he and collaborators Chuck D, Travis Barker, Tom Morello, and Z-Trip closed out the night. Other album guests include Snoop Dogg ("We Came To Party," "Bartender Please"), Eddie Van Halen ("Not Leaving You Tonight" with Fitz And The Tantrums, "We're The Greatest"), and LL shows off his sensitive side for "Give Me Love" with Seal and "Closer" with Monica. His SMH-inducing "Accidental Racist" collaborator Brad Paisley guests on "Live For You."
+ Jessica Sanchez, Me, You & The Music: While "American Idol" Season 11's runner-up concentrated mostly on ballads during the competition, she showcases a range of styles for her debut album. "I'm opening up to the world and showing everybody and my fans who I really am. I'm not just some timid girl. I love to have fun, and I want to show everyone I can do that through my music," she told MTV News. To wit, there's the club-ready "You've Got The Love" and the Ne-Yo collab "Tonight," the R&B groove of "Drive By." The set includes both a Spanish and English-sung "No One Compares." For fans of her balladry, she slows things down on "Don't Come Around," "Crazy Glue," "In Your Hands," and "Plastic Roses."
+ Iggy & The Stooges, Ready To Die: If you've ever seen these punk legends live, you know they embody the tenets of rock 'n' roll: It's an intense, messy, adrenaline-fueled, sweat-soaked affair, and singer Iggy Pop also injects a good dose of humor into the mix. Ready To Die captures the spirit of Iggy's live set and marks the return of guitarist James Williamson as a Stooge on record since 1973's seminal Raw Power (he rejoined their live shows in '09 upon guitarist Ron Asheton's passing). "Burn" kicks things off with a snarling guitar, while "Job," "Gun," and the title track are also fist-pumpers. Iggy plants his tongue firmly in cheek for the sleazy "DD's," an ode to big bosoms. What's poignant here, though, are ballads "Unfriendly World" and homage to the late Asheton, "The Departed," both of which showcase a surprisingly vulnerable Iggy.
Check out more new album releases, upcoming TV appearances, and performances after the jump.
