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'Cake Like Lady Gaga (Extended Version)' by Lady Gaga

January 5, 2014, 8:56 am
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Remember back in September of 2012 when DJ White Shadow and Gaga posted that song 'Cake Like Lady Gaga' and it interrupted the drought we were in and made fans go crazy? And remember the Terry Richardson pic and eventual video of her cavorting around in a giant cake? Well just yesterday an extended version of the song leaked online and I've basically been getting my hood rat on with this crazy and nonsensical ode to Rih Rih's 'Birthday Cake'. The White Shadow crafted trap-rap beat is insane (actually, it's better than most of what made it onto ARTPOP) and Gaga's rapping is so much more effortless and genuine than the crappy 'Jewels & Drugs' which landed a spot on Gaga's fourth album. I mean, she says "You chew beef, I wear meat" and talks about her number of Twitter followers. It's obviously not meant to be taken seriously, and that's why I love it so much because it's not overproduced. It's fun.

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'La La La' by Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith

January 5, 2014, 2:17 pm
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The other day I featured the song 'Latch' from Disclosure and Sam Smith, and since then I've been totally addicted to Smith and his gorgeous voice. I just had to hear more from him so I used the power of Google and found that he's also been featured on another #1 hit U.K. single. Naughty Boy is a huge DJ and writer in the U.K. working closely with the likes of Emeli Sandé. He actually wrote songs for Britney's Britney Jeanalbum but they were all turned down which is a huge shame. I love Naughty Boy, and the second single from his debut album Hotel Cabana is fantastic. 'La La La' features Sam Smith and is an incredibly catchy tune. The song melds gorgeous vocals over a suave R&B beat that is accented with rattling synths as the song is complemented by a kid repetitively singing "la la la". The vocals are fantastic and quite relatable as it's the childish instinct in all of us that when we are confronted with a difficult situation we just want to cover our ears and drown it all out. I can see Naughty Boy gaining some momentum this year and rivaling the likes of Calvin Harris, and with Sam Smith's new single having just been released I want to see him make a name for himself.

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'Money On My Mind' by Sam Smith

January 6, 2014, 9:45 am
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Continuing with the Sam Smith domination on The Magic Critique, I present the debut single from my current musical obsession. If you go to his SoundCloud you can hear some incredible acoustic tracks as well as 'The Lonely Hour' which is one of the most heart-breaking songs you'll probably ever hear. It's clear this man has some insane talent, and I'm really hoping to go see him when he comes to NYC in March. 'Money On My Mind' is the singer's first solo offering and will be officially released in February. The song is a more upbeat tune, but the sad memory-laden vocals and lyrics offer an intriguing counterpoint. The production is fantastic with a bit of retro doowop/R&B throwback but still very Euro-pop. It's more subdued than Naughty Boy's 'La La La' but more lighthearted than Disclosure's 'Latch'. It's rare that a new artist has such a diverse repertoire this early in their career, and that can only signal that great things are to come. What I love about Sam Smith is that his voice is so dynamic and conveys many different emotions at once. You never know what you are going to get from him, and that's what makes his music so magical.

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'Goodness Gracious' Music Video by Ellie Goulding

January 7, 2014, 9:38 am
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Fore her latest offering off her most recent album Halcyon Days, Ellie Goulding has another smash hit on her hands. 'Goodness Gracious' is the latest infectious tune from the British pop world-dominatrix, following the mega-hit 'Burn'. Mark my words, in a few weeks this song will be blowing up radio. The music video for 'Goodness Gracious' was just released and it's got a little bit of Beyoncé's 'Blow' mixed with Miami Vice technicolor realness. Basically, Ellie and her posse are hanging out in sunny California just having fun as the palm trees pass them by and they cavort on the beautiful beaches. Ellie looks gorgeous as ever, and she delivers a fun visual for an equally fun track. Goodness gracious, ya'll aren't ready for this!

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'Lucifer' by XOV

January 7, 2014, 2:35 pm
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My hunt for up-and-coming male pop artists has been on the rise lately, and XOV is another gem to add to the collection. XOV is a Swedish pop star who has been working with none other than mega-producer Max Martin who is one of the men behind many a pop stars' careers, including Britney Spears. While working on his debut album, XOV is releasing his EP Boys Don't Cry, first in a "Naked Edition" and then the full-production version will come later this year. 'Lucifer' is the first single from the EP, and while we only have it in single synth and vocal version, it's obvious this guy has huge potential. His voice is gorgeous, and the song is hauntingly beautiful. Also, the track is semi-autobiographical as it details his difficult upbringing. XOV is ready to make a name for himself in 2014.

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'Reflections' by MisterWives

January 8, 2014, 9:16 am
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Other than Sam Smith, I don't think I've fallen in love with a musical group so quickly. MisterWives we're featured as the "Free Single of the Week" yesterday, and they're already being hailed as the next generation of pop by music blogs all around the world. And it's not hard to understand why. The trio only played their first gig less than a year ago, but they've already released their first EP and 'Reflections' might just be the most addictive tune of the year. The trio has hints of the fabulous St. Lucia with a Lumineers-type chanting style, and when coupled with the very groovy sound and insanely catchy chorus they've got me hook, line and sinker. I just want to have a huge dance party listening to this song. I don't impulsively buy music, but after having listened to this song once I bought their EP. 2014 is shaping up to be an incredibly amazing year for music.

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'Habits (The Chainsmokers vs. Tove Lo) [Extended Mix]' by Tove Lo

January 9, 2014, 10:03 am
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My favorite DJ duo are back to kick off 2014 in style. Their latest remix takes on Tove Lo's hit 'Habits' which has shockingly not been as mainstream a hit as 'Royals' despite it being very similar in tone and style. With this mix, The Chainsmokers set out to do something very different and give it a progressive indie house twist that other mixes have not bestowed upon it. I honestly don't know how they do it, but each of their mixes is better than their last, and in my opinion 'Habits' is their best yet. It's just this catastrophic beat that swells and builds and then blows your ears out, but not before it tantalizes you with a simple piano melody. Everything about this is perfect house music, and The Chainsmokers have set the bar very high for themselves this year.

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'Cannonball' Music Video by Lea Michele

January 10, 2014, 9:29 am
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Lea Michele released her debut single 'Cannonball' a few weeks ago which comes from her upcoming debut studio album Louder. The song, while not sucking me in right away, has really grown on me and is a solid track. Last night Lea finally treated us to the music video for the song. It's a beautiful video, and is quite haunting in the beginning. The video starts off with Lea looking uncomfortable singing in a decrepit home, much like Christina Aguilera's 'You Lost Me' video, but as she grows stronger and the song builds Lea escapes into an explosion of colored light, and suddenly she is transformed into this angelic beauty. While it's a strong video and all, I still don't see Lea as a pop star. She's a phenomenal actress and singer, but like Jennifer Hudson, she's not cut out for this business. Only time will tell how she fares, but let's hope Louder is not a complete disappointment.

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'Temptation' by Greyson Chance

January 11, 2014, 12:29 pm
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Remember Greyson Chance? He was the YouTube phenomenon that sang Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' at his school's 6th grade showcase and then he went viral, leading to Ellen Degeneres asking him onto her show. He later released his debut album in 2011. I always thought he was fantastic and had potential, but he just released this new song, and boy has puberty done him right. At only 16 years old, Greyson Chance has redefined his entire persona, and his song 'Temptation' is something you would expect to hear from a European indie pop artist like Sam Smith or XOV. His voice has gone through a huge change, becoming much deeper and incredibly soulful, and this song shows off how great of a writer he is. The song is simple yet breathtakingly beautiful. If he releases an album full of this, we could be looking at a massive career about to take off.

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'Can't Remember to Forget You' by Shakira featuring Rihanna

January 13, 2014, 8:13 am
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Shakira's last English-language single was 'Gypsy' (one of my personal favorites of hers) released back in March of 2010, but with her joining the Spring panel of The Voice judges last year it was only a matter of time before she made her triumphant return to the pop world. And what better way to make a grand return than with the queen of Caribbean-infused beats, Rihanna! 'Can't Remember to Forget You' is the first single off Shakira's upcoming studio album, and what a tune it is. The first thing I thought of when listening to the song was No Doubt. The song is heavily ska-reggae fueled, and I just kept waiting for Gwen Stefani to pop up and start crooning along. How amazing would that be for a remix?? Anyways, this song is distinctly different from anything on radio at the moment, and it brings me back to the glory days of Shakira. I think she has a winning formula on her hands, and I can't wait to see the first performance as well as the Joseph Kahn-directed video.

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'Air Balloon' by Lily Allen

January 13, 2014, 11:31 am
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Lily Allen released her brand new single after a quick-lived "retirement" a while back, and 'Hard Out Here' brought some fresh air into the music landscape with much needed social commentary. Ahead of the release of her long-awaited album, Lily has treated us to yet another fresh breath of air with her second single 'Air Balloon'. Just like with all of her music, Lily's light and airy vocals cascade beautifully over a fabulous light and slightly quirky beat. It makes me bounce in my seat, and what could be better? And nobody crafts catchy hooks like she does. You'll be singing "in my hot air balloon na na na na na naw" for the rest of the day. It's a bubbly piece of pop candy that goes urban during the breakdown with Lily getting down before she heads back up to the clouds. In all of its sing song glory, Lily has me hook, line and sinker.

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'Louder' by Lea Michele

January 13, 2014, 2:43 pm
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Now this is what I'm talking about! Remember when Lea released the 'Cannonball' video and I questioned whether she could be a pop star? Well the title track off her upcoming debut album Louder assuages some of my fears. 'Louder' is an airy radio-blasting tune that compliments Lea's voice very well and doesn't make her look to try-hard. Crooning and belting above lush synths, this is the kind of song you blast with your windows down as you're cruising down the highway. It's clear from 'Cannonball', 'Battlefield' and now this one that Lea has to be given just the right song in order for it to sound natural. I'm expecting Louder to be a chaotic mess, but we shall see.

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'Money On My Mind' Music Video by Sam Smith

January 14, 2014, 9:17 am
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'Latch' vocalist Sam Smith is coming off a high from winning the spot as the #1 artist on the BBC’s Sound of 2014 list, and he's continuing that high by giving us the video to his first single. The video for 'Money On My Mind' fittingly takes place in Las Vegas, and it explores the exact greed and sins of the flesh that Smith is declaring aren't his priority. Smith struts down the streets of Vegas looking dapper giving the camera face. He's off to a good start, and I only hope that the U.S. will embrace his soulful voice.

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'Weight' by Latrice Royale featuring Epiphany Mattel

January 15, 2014, 9:43 am
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One of the most popular contestants to ever be on RuPaul's Drag Race is Latrice Royale, and if you don't love her I feel sorry for you. From Jesus sopping you up with a biscuit to her 5G's mantra, she has had a lasting effect on the show and her collab with Manila Luzon on 'The Chop' is a smash hit. Latrice is finally getting into the music scene by releasing her debut single this morning. 'Weight', like most drag queen's music, is a catchy club track that will be stuck in your head. Latrice is a big proponent of loving your body and showing that big girls can do it as well as the skinny bitches, and this song encompasses all of that. She speaks for the people when she says, "I ain't going to the gym, bitch. I ain't lifting no weights." And I think we can all relate to "Hold up that's delicious. I don't care if it's nutritious." I'm so proud of Latrice because she's a genuine person and an insanely talented artist, and we should all listen to her when she says "I'm a little extra curvy but there's no need to hate."

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'Nasty' Music Video by Pixie Lott

January 15, 2014, 12:33 pm
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Pixie Lott was one of my favorite artists back in 2009 when she burst onto the scene with her infectious singles 'Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)' and 'Boys & Girls' while I was living in England. She had a string of hits and then returned with an underwhelming second album. Pixie's making her big comeback this year with her upcoming self-titled third studio album which is being supported by the lead single 'Nasty'. On par with 'Mama Do', 'Nasty' recaptures that sultry jazzy voice Pixie has and ups it with an incredibly catchy hook. If the tune sounds familiar, that's because it was recorded by Christina Aguilera for Burlesque but didn't make the cut. Putting Xtina aside, Pixie Lott has turned this song into a mega-hit. The video is equally good as we see Pixie playing the sexy vixen as she goes to a club and has all the men grinding up against her while in control. I hope she releases the song in the U.S. because I need her to be a worldwide hit once again.

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'Make It to Me' by Sam Smith

January 16, 2014, 12:13 pm
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To build buzz for his debut album In the Lonely Hour (not that he needs it), Sam Smith is giving us another peak at what to expect. Smith released this new track 'Make It to Me' and it's a slow ballad that shows off his impressive voice and the beautiful lyrics. It doesn't instantly stand out like 'Latch' or 'Money On My Mind', but it's more of a sublime offering that shows we'll probably be getting more of an Adele 21-esque album from Sam Smith which I am more than fine with. The song towards the end has a beautiful guitar riff that almost reminds me of '90s easy rock. It's a nice blend of styles, and it's sure to round out In the Lonely Hour quite nicely.

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'Bye Baby' by Danity Kane

January 17, 2014, 9:25 am
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Aubrey O’Day, Dawn Richard, Shannon Bex, and Aundrea Fimbres reunited at the MTV Video Music Awards this past year finally bringing back the flawless girl group Danity Kane. The girls disbanded a few years ago after rifts with Diddy, and they went on and did solo projects. Aubrey O'Day's EP Between Two Evils was outstanding and one of my favorite releases last year. But nothing can measure up to the signature sound that Danity Kane brings, and last night they dropped their first new track since the release of their sophomore album Welcome to the Dollhouse. 'Bye Baby' is a funky disco club track that is signature R&B DK in all the right ways. Aubrey and Dawn Richard's vocals are on point as they slink over the sexy beat that is much more in the vein of Pharrell's most recent projects (both solo and with Daft Punk). It's a classic female empowerment anthem sung by four fierce divas. 2014 is going to see the return of Danity Kane whose absence has been noted these past few years.

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'Into the Blue' by Kylie Minogue

January 19, 2014, 9:52 am
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Kylie Minogue is a pop goddess, the Australian Madonna if you will, and she never ceases to amaze with her music. Following the major success she had with 2010's Aphrodite, Kylie is currently working on her twelfth studio album. A while back she released a buzz single 'Skirt' as well as an Italian duet 'Limpido'. Having been chosen to be one of the new judges on The Voice UK pushed back her music plans, but Kylie is now ready to kick off her new era. This morning the debut single from the yet-to-be-titled album leaked online. 'Into the Blue' is a pop masterpiece. In a time when EDM and pop music has become saturated with basic beats and poor production, Kylie shows how dance music can be current yet sound completely classic as well as stand out from its neighbors. 'Into the Blue' has that avant garde feel of 'Slow' mixed with Kylie's classic soft pop feel, but it merges with 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' for that modern groove to give just the right balance to make the song unmistakeable. The chorus is catchy and Kylie's unique vocals soar over the beat with a perfect melody. The Australian Queen of Pop undeniably has yet another huge hit on her hands.

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'Walking On Air' by Anise K. featuring Lance Bass, Bella Blue and Snoop Dogg

January 20, 2014, 9:33 am
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Other than Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass has been the most successful member of '90s boy band *NYSNC, and after 12 years Bass is finally releasing his debut single. I've been waiting for this moment for years because Bass has always been one of my favorites, and to see him finally pursue his own music career is awesome. 'Walking On Air' is written by Anise K. and features vocals from Bella Blue and a rap from Snoop Dogg. While it's heavily-laden with other vocalists, Lance rises above the others and doesn't let us forget that this is his song. He commands the dance floor with this Bollywood-esque dance track as sitar accompanies throbbing pulses and synths. Bella Blue's Rihanna-timbre beautifully accents Bass' voice, and it swells into euphoria. 'Walking On Air' is destined to be massive. Could Lance Bass be a new pop superstar? I sure hope so.

You can listen to the new version exclusively HERE.
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'Girls' by Jennifer Lopez

January 23, 2014, 9:18 am
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Jennifer Lopez is capitalizing on her return to the judges panel on the current season of American Idol by prepping the release of her new studio album. While we wait for 'Same Girl' to drop, J-Lo has released this new buzz single with DJ Mustard. It's clear from 'Girls' that J-Lo is aiming for a return to her roots with the more urban/R&B sound that made her famous, moving away from the EDM/dance music that she has been making recently. While the song is definitely a club track and female empowerment anthem as Jennifer sings “At the end of the night, girls just wanna have fun / ‘Cause we don’t really care,” it feels very stale. With a sexier, slinkier voice this track could be major, but J-Lo doesn't seem into it which is disappointing. It's nice that Jenny from the Block is trying to claw her way back into the spotlight, but maybe she needs to rethink how she plans to accomplish it.

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