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, Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film The Great Gatsby, the soundtrack produced by Jay-Z and featuring an all-star cast, is released. Also, She & Him, comprising Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, drop Volume 3 (Zooey hits "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Live With Kelly And Michael" on Tuesday; She & Him perform on Friday's "Late Show With David Letterman"). Meanwhile, 98 Degrees return after more than a decade with 2.0 (catch a double dose of them on "VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live with Carrie Keagan" on Tuesday AND Friday; they also hit Tuesday's "The View" and Friday's "Tonight Show With Jay Leno"). Additionally, Fitz And The Tantrums (they're on Wednesday's "Jimmy Kimmel Live") and Little Boots both release sophomore albums, and Yuna and X Ambassadors each drop an EP. On TV, "Rihanna 777," the documentary about Rihanna's whirlwind tour, airs on Fox tonight, and the week wraps with Vampire Weekend performing on "Saturday Night Live."
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
+ Various Artists, Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film The Great Gatsby: Produced by Jay-Z, the soundtrack for director Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" film features reworkings of modern tunes with a flapper twist as well as originals that tip both Jazz-era vintage and contemporary, mirroring Luhrmann's film treatments. Songs tie in with the literary classic's themes or characters, like Jay-Z's "100$ Bill." Check out Emeli Sandé's take on Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love," Beyoncé and Andre 3000's unusual cover of Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black," Bryan Ferry's reworking of Roxy Music's "Love Is The Drug," and Jack White's scorching U2 cover, "Love Is Blindness." Amid the roaring '20s party vibe (like on the Fergie, Q-Tip and Goonrock collab "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody"), gorgeous ballads by Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine, the xx, and Sia capture the essence of the novel's tragic love foundation.
+ She & Him, Volume 3: Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward's retro pop approach that they've honed since they formed She & Him in 2006 remains the main ingredient on their third album. The AM radio, breezy, and bittersweet vibe flavors both Zooey's originals and their covers, with some meticulous arranging and production from Ward. Zooey penned 11 of the 14 songs. The originals -- such as the swinging "I've Got Your Number, Son," the longing "I Could've Been Your Girl," and single "Never Wanted Your Love" -- brim with charm. Covers include Blondie's "Sunday Girl," Jeff Barry's "Baby," and Harry Noble's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me."
+ 98 Degrees, 2.0: Nick Lachey and company reunite with their first new studio album in 13 years with 2.0, and they haven't lost a step on their vocal harmony. To wit, listen to "Girls Night Out," where 98 Degrees sing about their appreciation of observing girlfriends having fun at the club. The guys slow things down for the breakup lament of "Lonely," where they have the #sadz so bad they "keep calling and hanging up" on their exes. Given that three of the four are married with kids (Nick and Vanessa Minnillo just had their first child), we'll guess the song is from past experiences. The set also includes acoustic versions of their hits "Because Of You" and "Invisible Man."
Check out more new album releases, upcoming TV appearances, and performances after the jump.
Read More...
Related Content Follow Buzzworthy on Twitter
Tags The Week In Pop, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Jack White, Sia, 98�, Little Boots, She and Him, Vampire Weekend, X Ambassadors, Zooey Deschanel, Andre 3000, Amy Winehouse, Florence + the Machine, M. Ward, Emeli Sand�, Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Fitz and The Tantrums, Yuna
