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'F For You' by Disclosure featuring Mary J. Blige

January 23, 2014, 12:14 pm
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Disclosure had a big year in 2013 with their hit 'Latch' featuring rising star Sam Smith, and they are not showing any signs of slowing down in 2014. The group just released their brand new song 'F For You' and it features none other than the soul diva herself, Mary J. Blige. The song is their signature electro house sound, but Mary's vocals mix very well adding a great dynamic to the track as she croons “Boy, your love is so beautiful / And I’ll play the fool for you!" '90s house music is making a comeback, and with Mary J. Blige on this track Disclosure are only going to gain more worldwide recognition and exposure. This soulful tune will have you dancing for days.

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'Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte' by Shakira

January 24, 2014, 12:14 pm
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Shakira just released the new single featuring Rihanna off her upcoming English language studio album, but she's not stopping there. The Latin pop star is keeping things rolling by releasing the Spanish version of her hit single. She's done this in the past for songs like 'She Wolf', and it's always fun to hear the song sung in her native language. Usually they're not any better than the original, but with this one I think the Spanish is far superior. 'Can't Remember To Forget You' has a great reggae-ska feel to it, but that style blends better with the vocals in 'Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte'. The reworked track feels more natural and even more Laundry Service-esque Shakira than we've heard in many years. Her warbling vocals in Spanish amplify the track and actually make me wonder whether this song was originally written in Spanish and then translated. Honestly, I'm not missing Rihanna here. It'll be interesting to hear what Shakira's self-titled album has in store for us.

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'Find You' by Zedd featuring Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant

January 25, 2014, 1:07 pm
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Divergent is set to be the next big film franchise, following in The Hunger Games's step with its dystopian-future plot. The books are fantastic and I'm really excited to see what they will bring. Ellie Goulding just announced that she's working closely on the score of the film, weaving her vocals throughout the entirety of the compositions. But we now have the first song from the soundtrack, and it's done by none other than Zedd. 'Find You' is an interesting choice for the film because it's a huge EDM track featuring Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant. It's on par with the other tracks Zedd has in his repertoire, and Bryant's vocals are gorgeous, giving it a very Sia-esque vibe. It's a much better track than 'Stay the Night' thankfully, I'm just not sure how it fits with the film though. I'm intrigued to see what the rest of the soundtrack will comprise of, but no matter what, this song is sure to be a huge hit.

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'Mmm Yeah' by Austin Mahone featuring Pitbull

January 26, 2014, 9:23 am
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Austin Mahone is the latest teen heart throb trying to break into the music industry. His debut album Junior Year is set to drop later this year, but as he is now on to his third single it's clear that Austin isn't quite sure what direction he wants to pursue. The *NYSNC-inspired 'What About Love' was a major dance hit while, albeit fun, 'Banga Banga' was a hip-hop knockoff, and now we have the Latin-infused 'Mmm Yeah'. For this latest offering, Austin teams up with Mr. Worldwide for a traditional Pitbull club track. The song is definitely catchy, and in a twist, the song is about Austin being rejected by a girl and all he can do is say "Mmm yeah." The swirling beat and Austin's loveable voice make me think this one could impact radio, but it's still not going to be as big as 'What About Love'. I hope he sorts out what his sound is going to be soon because I need Junior Year in my life.

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'Once Upon a Dream' by Lana Del Rey

January 27, 2014, 5:36 am
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Lana Del Rey is quickly becoming the queen of soundtracks as she lends her talent to Disney's latest film Maleficent after having such widespread success with 'Young and Beautiful' from The Great Gatsby soundtrack. 'Once Upon a Dream' isn't an original track unfortunately, but with Lana's rendition of the title track from the original 1959 Sleeping Beauty film you would be none the wiser. In typical Lana fashion the song is dark and brooding as her dramatic and soulful voice brushes over the orchestral backing. The song never reaches a high point and it doesn't need to. It's hauntingly grand yet subtle, and with this Lana proves that no film score is complete without her vocals.



And this is the latest trailer for Maleficent which debuted during the Grammy's last night. Check it out with all of Angelina Jolie's fierceness backed by Lana's sublime vocals.
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'What Is Love' by Lea Michele

January 27, 2014, 1:31 pm
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Lea Michele had me conflicted about if I would like her album after having released three songs. 'Cannonball' did not instantly connect but grew on me, 'Battlefield' was what I was expecting and then 'Louder' showed me that she can conquer the Top 40 scene. With this brand new track 'What Is Love' Lea has blown me away. I'd have to say this is the strongest track she has debuted thus far. The song starts off with a beautiful and moody piano melody. It then picks up and crescendos into this massive power ballad as Lea belts with restraint and shows off her vocal acrobatics. It almost sounds like a song you'd hear in a movie at the climax, adrenaline coursing through your body and the haywire visuals on screen. It's a gorgeous track, and Lea has restored my faith in her. Louder goes up for pre-order tomorrow.

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'Hellen Keller' Music Video by Cazwell and Manila Luzon featuring Richie Beretta and Roxy

January 28, 2014, 7:25 am
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Cazwell has taken the underground rap scene by storm and made a name for himself as one of the few out rappers. His music is always fun to jam with its outrageous lyrics, and it was only a matter of time before he crafted the collabo to end all collabs. The fierce and always visually stunning Manila Luzon of RuPaul's Drag Race fame released her new track 'Bring It!' a few weeks ago where her visual SpongeBabs persona made its debut, but with Cazwell's new track 'Hellen Keller' we find out Ms. Luzon's alter ego is also a spitfire wordsmith who proves a worthy adversary for Cazwell. The new track is about breaking up with someone and then seeing them out at a club but Hellen Kellering them by not acknowledging their presence. The track itself is quite fierce. The club beat is sick, one of my favorite things I've heard in a while with the pulsing beats providing an angsty backdrop for the clever word porn to come. Manila kicks the track off with a verse and I'm addicted to her raps. Who knew you could rhyme "bygones" with so many words? I bow down to thee. And she of course looks drop dead gorgeous, but why point out the obvious? Cazwell looks sexy as he spits some fantastic raps whilst bathing seductively in a bathtub. And then the legendary Roxy provides the catchy chorus that will have you singing "I don't see huh, see huh" all day long. Everything about 'Hellen Keller' is perfection and I can totally say it was worth the excruciatingly long wait.

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'Healed' by Paul Jolley

January 30, 2014, 1:09 pm
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Paul Jolley was a contestant on last year's American Idol, and despite being one of my favorites he was eliminated far too early. On the show the judges questioned who he was as an artist as he brought his powerhouse Broadway vocals and infused them into his traditional country styling. I never understood the confusion because he clearly possessed everything that made Carrie Underwood a star. With the beginning of Season 13 of Idol, Paul has released his debut single. 'Healed' is a gorgeous country tune that I don't think could be more representative of who he is an an artist. Everything about the song is unequivocally country, but Jolley brings his vocals and shows off his incredible range as the song progresses. The song also carries a great message with it, and it's clear that Jolley knows what kind of artist he is. While he may never get the recognition he deserves, I'm excited to follow his career trajectory and can't wait to hear more from him. And as a complete side note, it would be nice if he came out. There's no doubt in my mind that Paul is gay, and it would be nice to see him embrace that and usher in a new era of out country stars which Steve Grand has played a huge part in. Either way, he's a fantastic artist.

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

January 30, 2014, 5:57 pm
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It's awesome when two female pop divas team up for a song, and Shakira served up something majah when she collaborated with Rihanna for 'Can't Remember to Forget You'. I can't get the song out of my head, and just tonight the video was unveiled. Can you say sex? Damn this video is muy caliente. Not much happens in the video, but that's probably because Shakira and Rihanna are using all their energy to look sexy and are sharing some lesbian moments. The video takes place inside a massive mansion and the girls roll around on beds and walk through the halls in very little clothing. They share a moment dancing on opposite sides of wall which reminds me a bit too much of Britney's 'Me Against the Music' video with Madonna, but hey, it's iconic. They then share a few moments on a bed together where they share some skin on skin contact. Didn't think I'd ever see Shakira do that kind of thing! Overall it's a fun video for an equally fun track.

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'Same Girl' Music Video by Jennifer Lopez

January 31, 2014, 12:53 pm
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Jenny from the Block isn't letting us forget who she is, with her buzz track 'Girls' and now the new 'Same Girl' video which she has teased us with for a while. I'm actually in love with this track. I thought 'Girls' was very blah and it was more like Jennifer was searching for something that had long gone, but 'Same Girl' is signature J-Lo from the old days. It's cool, it's urban, and it fits her voice like a glove. I feel myself rocking out with her as she's speak-singing the lyrics, and the orchestral backing is especially beautiful during the catchy chorus. In the video Jennifer heads from her Manhattan apartment to the infamous 6 train and ends up in her home turf of the Bronx where she interacts with fans and shows us that Jenny from the Block never left. I'm feelin' this, and hopefully J-Lo can recapture her signature sound for her new album, not mock it.

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'Midnight Memories' Music Video by One Direction

February 1, 2014, 9:32 am
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One Direction are a force to be reckoned with in music, and their reign shows no signs of slowing down. They've just released the video for the third single off their Midnight Memories album, and although it doesn't compare to 'Kiss You' or 'Best Song Ever' it's as fun and cheeky as ever. The boys are hanging out in London at a boring party where they decide to commandeer it by playing their new single 'Midnight Memories' and from there they take over London. They head to the local kebab shop (which is the best thing you can eat in England btw), before stealing a Police boat and driving across the Thames. And they cap off the night by climbing to the top of Tower Bridge where they sing their hearts out. Nothing different from their previous videos, but that's why it's so entertaining. It's unequivocally a One Direction video.

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'Into the Blue' Music Video by Kylie Minogue

February 3, 2014, 6:42 am
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Kylie Minogue premiered the video for the first single off her upcoming album Kiss Me Once this morning, and it's quite different from her more recent releases. The video itself for 'Into the Blue' is very low key and low budget. There are no human pyramids to be found here like in 'All the Lovers'. In this one it's a much more raw and personal video as Kylie struggles with her relationship with her man. Throughout most of the video she appears to be drunk and looks a hot mess as she stumbles through the streets of London and grinds up on guys at a club. It's different seeing her like this, but there's also a certain charm about the video. I'm excited to see what else the Australian queen has in store for us with Kiss Me Once.

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'RuPaul Presents The CoverGurlz' by The RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 Cast Album Review

February 4, 2014, 7:36 am
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RuPaul knows how to do good business, and once she's got you hooked she won't let you be free from her perfectly manicured claws. With the plethora of established singing queens on the show this season, Ru went ahead and had all 14 queens record their own versions of her own hit songs for the very first ever RuPaul's Drag Race album. With the huge success past contestants like Willam, Detox, Manila and Pandora have had releasing original songs, it was only a matter of time before Ru got the girls in the game earlier than expected. Overall it's a solid album filled with some great jams that make for a good cardio playlist. I now present to you TheCoverGurlz of Season 6...

1. Let's Turn the Night - The Pit Crew

One of the most gorgeous RuRaul songs is 'Let's Turn the Night' and what better way to kick-off the album? Before we get to the Season 6 contestants though, the infamous eye candy that is the Pit Crew takes on the first track. Shawn Morales and Jason Carter are assisted by Ru's vocals for a lot of the track, but Jason who is actually prepping the release of his own music takes the lead while Shawn provides more backing vocals. Either way, it's a highlight of the album for me.

2. Ladyboy - Gia Gunn

What can I say about Gia other than that she's annoying. She's already my least favorite queen going into this competition, but with this track she's only confirmed my thoughts. Her voice is so bad it's auto -tuned so much you can barely recognize her, and her "singing" voice is just as annoying as her speaking voice. I skip it each time.

3. Tranny Chaser - Joslyn Fox

Joslyn picks things up a bit, although I'm still not too big a fan of her or this song. The remix of this track is probably the best part as it becomes a huge club jam with a banging beat. Joslyn's sexy vocals fit the song well.

4. I Bring the Beat - Vivacious

Prior to listening to this I hadn't quite made up my mind about Vivacious. She's just not my style, but she had that air of mystery which made her intriguing. However, this rendition of 'I Bring the Beat' I think is actually better than Ru's. The song is completely transformed to compliment Viviacious' voice, and the popping space-y beat is awesome. This club kid has my attention.

5. Superstar - Adore Delano

Adore is the first of the queens who is an actual singer as she competed on American Idol as Danny Noriega. Thankfully, she doesn't disappoint. I know that Danny is a great singer, but I love how Adore keeps it simple and restrained on this track. 'Superstar' is one of Ru's best tracks and I feel Adore did her justice. Her smoky vocals fit perfectly and I can easily jam to this one.

6. Click Clack - Bianca del Rio

Bianca is a fabulous and shelarious NYC queen who I'm rooting for, but sadly I'm too big a fan on this song which I don't think had anything to do with her. I just hate the arrangement of the song. It's so slow and boring. The original was smoking hot, but this is a huge disappointment. Bianca does the best she can with it though.

7. Destiny Is Mine - Milk

Quite easily the breakout star of Season 6 even though the show hasn't even aired yet is Milk. She's so strange but has everyone lingering on her every move and wanting to know more about her. I'm really hoping she's the dark horse of this competition because I am head-over-heels in love with her. She has quite a good voice, having already collaborated with her boyfriend JbDubs, and it shows here as well. The production isn't too much different from the original but Milk makes it her own.

8. Devil Made Me Do It - Ben de la Creme

Ben has been one of my favorites since the rumors for Season 6 started, and I'm so excited to see what she brings to the show. It's obvious listening to this song that she doesn't have a singing voice at all because her vocals are so distorted that you'd never guess this is her singing, but at the same time it's still a great tune that I can jam to.
9. Lick It Lollipop - Darienne Lake

I have to say, Darienne blew me away. I was not expecting to love this song, but I think it may almost be my favorite on the whole album. I love the whole coy thing Darienne does with her voice on this track. It's fun and infectious, and how could you not giggle every time she says "lick it?" I may be stanning for her hardcore this season, and the rumor that she makes it to Top 4 is even more exciting. Plus, with Pandora as her drag daughter you know she must be fabulous!

10. Glamazon - Magnolia Crawford

I'm still not sure what to think of Magnolia. She's a wild card for me at this point. It's obvious from this song though that she knows how to market herself as her name is her calling card that you won't soon forget after listening. I think she could have done more with what is probably Ru's second most iconic song, but I'm not complaining.

11. Main Event - Kelly Mantle

Kelly is a favorite of mine because I love her sense of humor, and the rumor that she goes home on the first episode because she injures herself is killing me. However, she's also a singer and it's clear here. 'Main Event' is one of my favorite Ru tracks, and I think she does it justice. The club beat takes away from the power of the original but Kelly does a good job with it.

12. Champion - Courtney Act

If there's one queen to look out for this season it's Courtney. She does it all, she's the total package, and it's going to be interesting to see how the other queens compare to her. On paper she's already won the season, but we'll see how the competition plays out. Courtney is of course a phenomenal singer as she competed on Australian Idol, and her version of 'Champion' is great. I love it and I love her voice. Could her singing 'Champion' be foreshadowing the outcome? We shall see...

13. Jealous of My Boogie - Laganja Estranja

And we now come to the queen who is my #1 this season. Being from the House of Edwards you already know she's got the whole package from the sickening death drops to outrageous fashion. Fortunately, she can also sing, and 'Jealous of My Boogie' is easily my favorite track on the album. The reason why I love it so much is because her artistry comes out from her changing lyrics, the beat fits her nicely, and then she raps. Her rap is literal perfection and shows off who she is as a competitor and a queen. She is one to be reckoned with this season, and I'm going to champion her until she takes home the crown.

14. Cover Girl - Trinity K. Bonet

Trinity has a very deep voice, and it's quite interesting hearing her sing 'Cover Girl'. But I think it actually works well and makes for an enjoyable track. This song is totally up her alley. Her voice gives the song an added dimension that makes for an overall nice sounding track.

15. Sexy Drag Queen - April Carrión

Rounding out the album is our Puerto Rican queen, April. She takes on one of Ru's more recent releases 'Sexy Drag Queen' of which I'm a big fan. April brings her Latin flair to the track and it turns out to be a decent tune. Not one of my favorites, but it's still enjoyable to listen to.

You can head over to the World of Wonder YouTube page to watch music videos for all the songs, as well as listen to clips of all the tracks below.

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'Show Me What You Got' by G.R.L.

February 5, 2014, 6:24 am
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G.R.L. captured my heart last summer when they released their debut single 'Vacation' which was featured on The Smurfs 2 soundtrack alongside Britney Spears' 'Ooh La La'. As they're prepping the release of their debut album, the girl group have just released a brand new buzz single which is featured as a bonus track on the new That's What I Call Music - Vol. 49. The song is written by Max Martin and Dr. Luke so you know it's going to be instantly recognizable and addictive. It's an upbeat bop of a track backed by a thumping beat that fits their brand and style well. I'm not too big a fan of the chorus as it's a bit annoying, but I love when the song takes an urban turn during the verses as well as the guitar towards the end. It's another solid offering from G.R.L. and I think it'll tide me over until we get a proper release from the girls.

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'Broods' by Broods EP Review

February 5, 2014, 8:00 am
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Brother and sister duo Broods were the best thing to happen in music in 2013 in my opinion when they dropped their debut single 'Bridges' which I still play on a regular basis. Their mix of moody synth-heavy indie pop has struck a chord with me and they simply cannot get out of my head. With vocals of a goddess and mature emotionally stimulating lyrics, Broods had a lot to live up to with their debut EP which is only a sampling of their debut LP due out later this year. Their eponymous debut is nothing short of breathtaking. I don't think I've been this excited since Betty Who's The Movement EP. Lorde ain't got nothing on these two! Keep reading and find out why I think this is the most brilliant release of the year.

1. Never Gonna Change - 9/10

Beginning the EP is the duo's second single 'Never Gonna Change' which is an even moodier follow-up to their debut single if you can believe it. I think it's a great way to introduce their story because it embodies their mature lyrics and their unique dark synth-heavy sound and layered vocals while also being a bit more upbeat than 'Bridges' with an even catchier hook. You can read my original thoughts HERE.

2. Pretty Thing - 9/10

For the second track, the duo speeds things up a bit and give us something to dance to. 'Pretty Thing' is a beautiful layered-vocal piece of electronica, and I quite like the marching drums in the background. This uptempo track doesn't focus as heavily on the lyrics but it's really Georgia's gorgeous vocals that entrance me and make me want to hit repeat.

3. Bridges - 10/10

Next up is their debut single. What else really needs to be said about this song? The fact that I still listen to this song on a daily basis and can't get it out of my head is a pretty clear indication that it's a smash. People are still obsessed with this one and it's no wonder why. Read my original reaction HERE.

4. Sleep Baby Sleep - 8/10

'Sleep Baby Sleep' is a really interesting track. It has a lullaby quality to it with Georgia's vocal stylings. And if the beat sounds familiar that's because the producer is the same one that worked with Lorde, and his influence is all over this track which isn't a bad thing. It's a creepy lullaby in a sense and I'm totally addicted to that perversion.

5. Taking You There - 8/10

'Taking You There' is probably my least favorite track, but in comparison to what else is out there it's still much better than everything on the Top 40 combined. The song has a country vibe to it but also maintains their signature space-y feel. Georgia's vocals are ethereal here, and I absolutely am in love with Caleb's husky backing vocals on this one. They provide a gorgeous contrast and serve to heighten the tension.

6. Coattails - 10/10

Closing the EP is my personal favorite, 'Coattails'. The mid-tempo has a thumping beat that is reminiscent of Lorde's debut, and a powerhouse chorus that will have you instantly hooked. The song has that perfect groove that takes over your whole body while transporting you into the depths of space. It's unreal how good of a song this is, and if this doesn't become a single one day I will cry.
Tracks to Check Out: The whole damn EP.

Overall Rating: 9/10

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'Fancy' by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

February 6, 2014, 1:06 pm
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Iggy Azalea has been preparing her world domination for months now, and even though 'Change Your Life' didn't explode like I wanted it to, I have high hopes for this next offering. Iggy's The New Classic finally has a release date of April 14th and with that comes the brand new single 'Fancy' which features production and the chorus by Charli XCX, the mastermind behind Icona Pop's 'I Love It'. 'Fancy' is an epic collaboration with fierce heavy beats and some hard verses delivered by Iggy. It's a swagged out hip-hop track that when paired with a solid chorus featuring Charli's signature vocal style it makes for a song destined to be a huge hit. Iggy's got too much potential to be ignored for much longer. Whether she sees success with this or not, The New Classic will not disappoint.

For the time being you can listen to the song HERE.
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'Catch' by Allie X

February 7, 2014, 5:36 am
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Allie X is causing people to talk in the blogosphere, and it's not hard to understand why. Allie X is originally from Toronto but works in LA, and her debut single 'Catch' may be one of the best things I've heard in a while. I'm almost addicted to it as much as I am to 'Bridges' which is saying something. Allie has basically perfected the indie pop sound at the moment with her single as her voice has that same pleasing quality as CHVRCHES with the versatility and beautiful synth work that artists like Lorde, Broods and Betty Who have all refined. It's very atmospheric and has a dark pounding vibe to it which is something that grasps me from the get go. And not to mention the catchiness of the chorus has me sold. Allie's going to be an interesting one to watch, and hopefully she'll blow up by the end of 2014.

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'L8 CMMR' by Lily Allen

February 10, 2014, 12:20 pm
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Lily Allen is going HAM this year as she preps the release of her long anticipated third studio album. Late last year she released the social commentary track 'Hard Out Here' and just recently released her second single 'Air Balloon'. This new track comes from the to be released soundtrack for the popular HBO series Girls. 'L8 CMMR' is a 180 from her popular hit 'Not Fair' when we found out the guy definitely wasn't a l8 cmmr. The new song is a fun hip-hop tune similar to 'Hard Out Here' as Lily playfully uses auto-tune and flauntingly sings about her man over a beautiful synth-pop beat. It's all the cheeky fun you've come to expect from one of pop's best lyricists. I've had the song on repeat these last few days, and I think it's safe to say Lily's new album is going to be a masterpiece.

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'Heartbreak Dream' by Betty Who

February 11, 2014, 7:09 am
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Betty Who took the world by storm last year when she dropped her The Movement EP which includes the viral hit 'Somebody Loves You'. That EP gets played on my phone at least a couple times a week still because it's pop perfection. Betty Who has mastered the pop song formula unlike her contemporaries, and as she preps the release of her second EP Slow Dancing, she's giving us a taste of her new music with a brand new single. 'Heartbreak Dream' premiered just in time for Valentine's Day. The track isn't quite a break-up song; it's more about damaged relationships that just aren't working. There are problems but each person just can't seem to say goodbye. The song is a massive yet lush synth pop creation that's already stuck in my head. In my mind Betty Who can do no wrong.

For now you can listen to the song HERE.
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'Adore You (Cedric Gervais Remix)' by Miley Cyrus

February 11, 2014, 2:36 pm
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Miley Cyrus surprised me when she released 'Adore You' as the third single off Bangerz since it's a ballad, although it is one of the best songs on the album. The pornographic video and Miley's antics are always entertaining, but listening to the simplicity of the song is refreshing because you can hear how good of a vocalist she is. It may not be a huge radio hit in its existing format, but Cedric Gervais is about to change that. We all remember this summer when his remix of Lana Del Rey's 'Summertime Sadness' blew up and became one of the songs of the summer. He's back at it with 'Adore You' and I may actually love this more than the original. It's signature Gervais as the song starts off slow but then it comes to this cataclysmic explosion where the song goes insane and keeps up the BPM throughout the remainder of the song. 'Adore You' is now a massive banger, and I think this could be huge for Miley.

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