Lopez Blogs

God, 2011 is working my last nerve already. I started the new year imbued with hope and optimism (to an extent - I do like to believe that Abba are right and that one day there will be a world where every neighbour is a friend. Not my neighbours though. They are ghastly) and it's just been one big raincloud of doom :( Booo 2011, boooo. It doesn't help that mom has been admitted to hospital again with some unknown infection. Grife. Luckily to help with the down days are 5 lovely songs - one for each working day of the week. How fortuitous.

• Daniel Volpe ~ I Am Japan, You Are Godzilla: This may very well be the most amazing song title since Marit Larsen's exquisitely titled If A Song Could Get Me You. Just for the song title alone, this song enters all sorts of levels of epic legendary brilliance. Add to this the fact that I silently adore Daniel and it's bound to be a bit of a win of a song isn't it? It's a wonderfully pulsating dance tune, full of percolating dance beats, sexy synths and that genius refrain of I Am Japan, You Are Godzilla (you're on the floor/dancing me to the ground). It's not the most conventional compliment you can pay the object of your affections but it's certain to get their attention. Much like this glittering, sparkling track. Play often. Play loud.
• Britney Spears ~ Hold It Against Me: Yes, the twitterverse and interweb spontaneously combusted today when little Bertney previewed her brand new single. It's certainly a juicy slice of down and dirty club-esque pop to brighten up the cold January nights and it's certainly worthy of chart domination. It's a bit interchangeable though isn't it? (See also Avril Lavigne single below)... it could easily be almost any singer. September, Infernal, Gathania and many others with a decent slice of Madonna meets Gaga beats in there. I like it. I just wasn't really aware it was Britney first time I heard it. Still, i'm interested enough to see how good her next album is and I'm aching for a fantastic dance routine video to go with it. Not as good as Toxic, better than 3.
• Avril Lavigne ~ What The Hell: The handclaps are back! THE HANDCLAPS ARE BACK! This is essentially all you need to know about the new Avril Lavigne single. Add to this the fact that it is a bit of a Max Martin instantly catchy classic with a driving beat and a peppy Hellcats chorus and I'm instantly smitten. It's certainly as enjoyable as Girlfriend, but with a more sassy lyrical bite to the proceedings. Much like Britney, other than Avril's contribution to the lyrics, close your eyes and this could have been a Pink, Kelly Clarkson or Marion Raven song. Delicious as raspberry swirl cheesecake though...
• Roxette ~ She's Got Nothing On (But The Radio): Hallelujah and rejoice. The premiere power pop duo of Sweden have returned. With a power pop ditty that sounds like they have never been away. Literally. While that may seem like a bit of a criticism, the song absolutely oozes charm by embracing the fact that it wants to be a generic sounding tune. Heck, even the title sounds like an undiscovered Aerosmith b-side. It shouldn't work but it absolutely does. I'd have liked a tad more Marie, but Per ably guides this instantly familiar little rocker through choppy waters. Sometimes familiarity is just what you need :)
• Nils Landgren & Viktoria Tolstoy ~ When All Is Said & Done: There are very few instances when an Abba song sung by anyone else but Abba actually works. Usually a straightforward cover just makes you want to hear the original and something too different is too startling compared to the much revered originals. However, Nils Landgren and Viktoria Tolstoy have done a very hushed and reverent version of one of the swedish foursomes most beautiful tunes. It's really on a par with the beauty that Daniel Boys bought to his version of To Make You Feel my Love or Ellie Goulding did via Your Song. It's delicate yet luscious piano and an evocative, gentle vocal. Quite simply mesmerising and utterly beautiful.(Thanks Bobbypop for the heads up)