Lopez Blogs

Apart from Justin Beiber and Bruno Mars (everyone was awaiting the new male Lady Gaga, who knew we just wanted Bruno instead?!), the girls have been running riot over quality boy pop acts of late. It's not that they are not out there, strutting their fella stuff, it's perhaps you just have to be more choosy and selective rather than buying the latest alternative version of the Beebs debut album. Here are a few offerings for your musing...

• Databoy ~ Cameron and Adam (aka Databoy) have got it going on. You actually have to say that last sentence with some of their pop star attitude otherwise it just won't work! They have charming good looks, a vital energy that just exudes from them in interviews and performances and (perhaps most importantly) the music to back it the exterior package. Their debut single, Stupid, cannot easily be dismissed as a novelty electro tune. While lyrically it details how to make drinks, musically it's an explosive package that gallops along at a million miles an hour. It's littered with resounding beats, swirling synths and a delirious middle 8 breakdown that draws on eastern influences and has wicked fast handclaps propelling it to the final bonkers chorus run through. Listen once, catch your breath and find yourself diving back for more. Similarly Misinformation is a sizzling gem with an amazing singalong chorus that really showcases the vocal prowess going on in this group - and is accompanied by a glittering video that sees more bling than a Liberace museum :P Astonishingly good - you'll want to get to know their tunes now, and be sure to see them perform with Simon Curtis in NYC on April Fools Day :)
• The Adamski Kid ~ I have supported many upcoming pop sensations during my blogging years. Some should not be mentioned again (uh, Billiam anyone), but several I still mourn now (Mohair, Upper Room, Digital, etc). Most recently, my very beloved indeed The Dirty Disco came to a shuddering halt and helping me ease the loss is lead singer Adam now making music under the stage moniker, The Adamski Kid. There are a couple of tunes already, including the scintillating declaration of independence that is I Dance Alone. Industrial beats and a fuzzy synth dominate, but it is The Adamski Kid's powerful and distinctive vocal that stand out on this track. That's no mean feat when you listen carefully to everything else that is going on behind the voice - each beat, layered backing vocal and sound effect is seamlessly merged to create a relentless, almost terrifying feel that is completely encompassing and draws you utterly into the world. Is it designed to mirror the fear of going solo? No matter, it's absolutely electric and I can't wait to see some of Adamski's innovative visuals to accompany what is already a promising solo career...

Nick Hagelin ~ ICU: Hurrah for Nick Hagelin I say. Sometimes I just need a blast of pure, unadulterated pop that has me bopping in my seat and tapping my feet. I first noticed Nick in my picks for 2011 and he's only gone and done a blooming video for his pop confection track ICU. Basically the track is an emminently catchy tune about a fella having a right good social time in busy places but only having eyes for his dream lady. Aw. While the video features one of my least favourite things (wearing sunglasses in a club - honestly, i've tried it and couldn't see a flipping thing!), it also features some of my most favourite things - namely blokes looking all dapper and doing a dance routine. Yay. The kid scrubs up well and has some moves in his arsenal that are almost mesmerising to watch. It then goes all panda-rific including a panda bootyhumping some lady, which gave me a genuine "lol". It sounds bonkers, it is bonkers but it totally works for some reasons. Great tune, fun video - now go tell all your friends :)


Kyle Brylin ~ Everything I'm Missing: I've been incredibly remiss (it's a good word isn't it - remiss. Just rolls off the tongue) in posting about Kyle Brylin's latest tune. It's been circulating for a while now (check out Bill's post on it) but blame it on the fact that i accidentally paused at exactly five seconds and have been unable to get it off my screen since :P The tune is written and produced by Kyle and starts off all "ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you - the high hat!" before a dark and dirty beat kicks in before Kyle draws you inextricably into his world with a sultry vocal that somehow makes the tune feel ever so dangerous, like you shouldn't be doing/feeling whatever you are doing/feeling... It's basically an aural orgasm of a tune as Kyle insists that he's ready to go all the way down. MAGNIFICENT. And just ever  so ever so titillating. Oh. My.

Ooo it really is the most wonderful time of the year. The walk to work this morning was jolly freezing, the fields were glistening with frost and I get to go home tonight and pack for two weeks of Florida! How magnifico. I have lots of posts to keep you going over the next couple of weeks and hope you will keep me entertained with plenty of comments as although I am having a self imposed internet exile (it's so cleansing!), comments will come straight to my phone. Hurrah! In the mean time (and in between time - guess that pop reference, 90s disney group fans!), here are 10 lovely new Christmas songs and one extremely brilliant non festive treat (for more excellent Christmas stuff visit John's writing on top40about.com)...

The non-festive nugget ~ Dirty Disco return with Storyteller:

Sometimes, just sometimes at Christmas you need a bit of respite from the relentless cheer and good tidings that are almost rammed down your throat. Dirty Disco's excellent and thoughtprovoking new single is just the tune to do this. Following on from deliriously bonkers yet quality pop like Sista, Vulture and White Room, the innovative and artsy group have returned with an intense, brooding, gothic electro tune. It's tinged with eerie synth sounds and a stark strumming guitar and tackles aging, our obsession with youth and fitting into a restrictive society while remaining true to yourself. If you need a comparison, try Kidz or SOS on the new Take That album - yet it's different to those and has it's own Dirty Disco charm. Adam's distinctive voice consumes the lyrics to make them both angry and regretful at times without sounding aggressive (though there is a rather glorious "fuck" early on). The instrumental parts weave together and elevate an already good tune into a great one - little touches like the sounds of strings at the end or the guitar playing off the synth give little frissons of excitement throughout. Check the video above too as Adam and the boys in some haunting costumes seek down the Storyteller they wish to become. Tremendous stuff...

10 New Christmas Tunes:

• Hurts ~ All I Want For Christmas Is New Years Day: Yay! Hurts top off a year of quality music with an exquisite new festive offering that examines the bleaker side of this time of year. With a familiar sounding shuffling beat, sound effects that sound like walking over freshly crunching snow and chiming bells through a soaring chorus, the boys look at how the hope can make one feel even more lonely and hopeless as the persevere to get through the season. I like a bit of bleakness at Christmas and this is one beautifully crafted tune that once again proves they are stars in the ascendency. Check out vinny vero's review also...
• Owl City ~ Peppermint Winter: It's Fireflies the festive edition and the complete antithesis of the Hurts track. It's a love letter to all the cheesiness of this time of year and how it's even more magical if you just embrace it. Full of feel good bon mots like "i troll through the driveway with angelic grace/til i slip on the sidewalk and fall on my face" & "the snowflakes are falling and I start to float/til my mean older brother shoves snow down my coat", it's built around a sleigh ride of bells and the glorious refrain "what's december without Christmas eve". Heavenly optimistic and joyful. Love.
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home): I shall return to Mans' festive album a few more times before the big day. His big band readings of yuletide faves are brimming with elegance and a genuine warmth and love for the genre and songs he sings. This is a classy addition to any Christmas dinner party soundtrack and gets you fingerclicking along. Brilliant orchestration of the music too. I'm loving Mans formal Christmas look too - you can just imagine him coming home, loosening his tie and smooching the face off you under the mistletoe. Now, that's magic :)
• Wilson Phillips ~ Warm Loving Christmastime: It's not the first time the Wilsons have done Christmas (indeed this song featured on the second Wilson linked Christmas album - Carnie's solo) but it is the first time they have all felt the seasonal pull together. And hurrah, it's glorious, particularly for a long standing Wilson Phillips fan like myself :) It's a swinging and fun pop song with enough added jingle and bells to make it feel as Christmas morn as possible. And those choruses are saturated in their amazing harmonies. So so lovely. Well worth the import charges!!
• Jessica Simpson ~ My Only Wish: Jessica gets a lot of stick and I'm not sure why. I'm glad she's done a Christmas album anyway. This single from it is a decent pop tune and a nice ode to her new fella. Showcases her great pop voice (come back from country music!) and reminds me of how fun some of her music has been. Bits of it are reminiscent of Darlene Love's Alone on Christmas (which Britney liberally borrowed for her christmas tune) but it's a catchy little number with a lovely intricate piano middle 8. marvy.
• Indigo Girls ~ Mistletoe: Who would have thought that a blue(grass) Christmas would be so enchanting? The Indigo Girls did - their Happy Holly Days album alternates between rollicking joy and reflective pauses. This is one of the most beautiful on the album - a stripped back lyrical poem, resonant in a superb tenor vocal and supported by subtle harmonies and a gentle guitar. Makes me stop and luxuriate in it's beauty each time I hear it. Reminds me a little of Bette Midler's The Folks Who Live On The Hill. Never thought i'd make that comparison, but it's a complimentary one :) Delightful tune that you should really check out...
• Pink Martini ~ A Snowglobe Christmas: It's like being transported to a simpler time when the movies were black and white and people wrote to each other using pen and paper. This is a timeless, hawaian tinged classic that would sound beautiful whatever time period you are in when sung like this. it's from a whole album of magical wonder and one that should really investigate. As close to Doris Day as you are going to get this snowglobe Christmas. Like a festive hug and kiss. Melts me every time.
• Mariah Carey ~ Christmastime Is In The Air Again: I'm sure I'll return to Mariah's new Christmas album again lots more before the 25th December. There are lots of fun moments on that but this is one of the slower, sipping mulled wine by the fireplace moments. It's a string laden track with a restrained and impeccable vocal from Mariah that enables the song to transcend genres and time. The pull of the tune is undeniable and I soon find myself having little memory flashbacks to the ghosts of my own Christmas past. Dickensian!
• Lady Antebellum ~ Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: A lovely little reading of this classic tune from the country group du jour. The cd of Christmas faves is (I believe) only available at Target but it's worth tracking down as it's full of faithful renditions like this that just sparkle with sincerity. Plus the fellas look proper foxy on the cover :)
• Puppini Sisters ~ Step Into Christmas: SCREAM! The Puppinis are back! And they have stuck to their absolutely delightful Andrews Sisters for the new millenium mantra. This has led to an amazing album of jazz tinged, boogie woogie Christmas faves and their turn on this Elton John fave is a fizzy explosion of joi de vivre all wrapped up in their tightly knitted harmonies. So much fun yet put together so very cleverly, very carefully and very well. Check out their older christmas tunes too like Jingle Bells and Little Match Girl. Top drawer!

Top 21 songs of the week

21 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Defender (NE)
20 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag
19 ~ Ola, Riot
18 ~ McFly, Shine A Light
17 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
16 ~ Joe McElderry, Someone Wake Me Up (VID)
15 ~ Darin, Drowning
14 ~ Eric Saade, Break of Dawn
13 ~ Westlife, Safe
12 ~ Kylie, Better Than Today
11 ~ A1, In Love & I Hate It
10 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
09 ~ Deborah Gibson, I Love You
08 ~ EMD, What Is Love?
07 ~ JLS, Love You More
06 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together
05 ~ Andrea Lewis ft Simon Curtis, Talk To Me
04 ~ Take That, The Flood
03 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love
02 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
01 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone (1 week)

To quote the amazing Josie (BigBrother11), I have been a right moody cow bag all week. I don't know what is wrong with me. I have clearly fallen into an emotional black hole of moodiness and not been able to claw my way out. Bah to that I say. Bah. Plus having my computer hacked through some evil trojan (what is the point of anti-virus et al?) meaning all my internet banking, paypal, twitter, email accounts were all at risk wasn't the most delightful thing to happen either... Still Toy Story 3 has helped a bit (it's delightful and the last 20 minutes had me weeping uncontrollably) and the Dirty Disco video in particular (below) seems appropriately apt for me this week :)

Dirty Disco ~ White Room:

If White Room were a fella, he would be a hot, messed up piece of ass. Perhaps not conventionally attractive, but definitely so charismatic and beguiling that you are drawn irrevocably into his steamy clutches. The song is at once a theatrical, flambouyant, thought-provoking mini epic that creates it's own bonkers universe through vivid lyrical imagery and a frenetic, engaging, addictive pop funk vibe that starts in your fingers and has you convulsing from head to toe in a sweaty synthtastic 3 minutes of amazingness. And here's what you get in the video...

• It commences with a rather normal looking doctor, with this rather scary looking pokey pokey eye patch. I wouldn't want him inspecting my corneas. However, it is a theme of the perceived normal not being quite what it seems that runs through this clip (I so get symbolism)...
• Take your first glance at Adam, all trussed up in a strait jacket. Not only is it fabulously accessorised with an Elizabethan ruff, but his orderlies have their mouths taped shut with clear tape. This cannot be particularly comfortable, and shows once again all is not as initially seems.
• The flashing/shadowy lighting effect is straight out of a horror movie/x files rerun and creates the illusion of the unsettling environment our antihero Adam has been thrust into. His eye make up is wildly out of control too, creating a crazed look upon his face!
• There is a nurse monitoring his every move. She comes from the Lisa Scott Lee school of nursing (see Chain Reaction) as her uniform accentuates her long legs and buxom assets. This is far more important than her ability to administer medication :P
• Adam is having a right conipition fit trying to get out of his strait jacket and there are flashes of him topless with some very long black rubber gloves on...
• There is a terrifying looking nurse who is NOT from the Lisa Scott Lee school of nursing at 55s. She reminds me of the baby doll head on the mechanical spider creature who lives next door in the first Toy Story. That syringe has made me feel all sorts of queasy. I am not good with needles, although I do enjoy a quick poke ;)
• The taped orderlies are trying to strap Adam down to a bed with no mattress. This is actually quite representative of where the NHS is today. They are not having much luck because he is wigging out like a loon on loon tablets. Which he potentially is in this clip. Plus, trust me, it's always a bit more fun to struggle when being tied to a bed :P
• Adam has something jammed in his chops and is given electric shock treatment. This probably hurts like a mother. All quipping aside, some of the mental health practices in this country (and I work in this field) are bloody shocking
• We are now moving on - slutty nurse (loving the belt) has sedated Adam with a potent cocktail of drugs. These probably won't help him, but at least he will be nice and pliable for the staff.
• The other patients are all doing stereotypical things that the general public perceive as the norm in these institutions - crayons, rocking, sports, music. Adam tries to disrupt these routines, to get people to do something a bit better for themselves through creative expression. It works - the switching between patients playing instruments and the band performing the song is really effective, and damn they look really good if you pause at 2m17s. Even in this one still shot you can tell they have an amazing energy together...
• The video ends with a much calmer/sedated Adam being dragged away by the spooky orderlies - perhaps the best visual image since The Gentlemen in Buffy! An entertaining, creative tour de force...

It was sort of inevitable that the week would end on a glorious note no matter what you were doing. It seemed that everyone was holding their breath, tuned to Radio 1 for Kylie Minogue to premiere her new single All The Lovers. It seemed also that there was far more anticipation to this track than there had been to the X lead off single 2 Hearts... perhaps because it was easy to hear Kish Mauve's version prior to Kylie's not entirely different version, so people had a sense of what was coming. This was brand new and transported me back to the time when I was glued to the tranny (that's what my grandma called the radio at her house back in the old days i.e. 1989; i wasn't literally glued to a transvestite or anything) at me granny's house waiting for Wouldn't Change A Thing to premiere. There's something quite magical about hearing a song for the first time with the rest of the world rather than it dribbling onto the internet for download when ever anyone choses to discover it. Then of course... "Dance... it's all I wanna do, so won't you dance?" happened and there was no seeming about it - the world had changed irrevocably and an epic new Kylie anthem was being birthed right before my ears. It's beautifully seductive, it crescendos throughout until a brief pause in the middle 8 - which then explodes like a shower of glitter, it's delightfully romantic, it feels warm like a totally enveloping hug and it's timeless while being totally relevant for today's pop market. I can't think of how any other comeback tune would have pleased me more and of course for that reason, she storms to the top of my chart this week, doubling the plays of the no.2 song (which is still vair bon). I'm entirely and completely obsessed... However, if you need a break from playing there are a few other new songs worthy of your attention to...

Other songs that are ace new this weekend:

• Dirty Disco ~ White Room: I was heavily in love with Sista! and Vulture, so I was excited to hear the official single from the glam-electro pop posse but apprehensive in case it didn't live up to my expectations. I'm pleased to say that it's an absolutely amazemont song and a brilliant choice of single - it's actually quite a dark subject matter (set to a zippy beat) about people trying to fix you when you don't quite fit in, but it's you that has to accept you are ok with your place in the world. It's placed over a bonkers synth and guitar riff, has an instantly memorable chorus and the most genius middle 8 that the world will want to chant over and over again. Effortlessly engaging, this deserves to be very very huge indeed. Check out their blog with free remixes here...
• Infernal ~ Love Is All: There's more summer anthems this year than you can shake a stick at (whatever that means) and it's only bloody May! The ace Danish duo are back with a tune that, granted, isn't as immensicles as Punk Disco or the stunning Redefinition but it is pretty much their take on When Love Takes Over and is quite pleasing from start to finish. It's got that classic rave element to it and bodes well for the upcoming album. Paw still looks delicious of course :)
• Armand Deluxe ft Adam Tyler ~ Demented: Hurrah! More new Adam music and this is dirty little groove that is vaguely reminiscent of Britney's Slave 4 U and it's a darker more insistent vibe that I've heard from Adam in the past. That's not to say I don't love it because I do - it's very insiduous and each listen draws you deeper into the darkness of the song. Great lyrics, a tremendous vocal and that hypnotic beat makes this a total winner. I love a slice of ominous, obsessive love in a smart boy-pop song and this delivers in spades. More more more please. PS, Armand Deluxe has also done a remix of the former fizzypop number one Friction that is proper stomping!

Top 21 Songs of the Week:

21 ~ Darin, You're Out Of My Life
20 ~ Alcazar, Headlines
19 ~ Neo, Human Frontier
18 ~ Ola, Unstoppable
17 ~ Mariah Carey, 100%
16 ~ Simon Curtis, Super Psycho Love
15 ~ Donkeyboy, Sometimes
14 ~ Gravitonas, Kites
13 ~ Kimberley Locke, Strobelight
12 ~ Mika, Kick Ass
11 ~ JLS, The Club Is Alive
10 ~ DeeDee, Endure
09 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Bittersweet
08 ~ Adam Tyler, Friction
07 ~ Maria Mena, All This Time
06 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, On A Mission
05 ~ Josh Dubovie, That Sounds Good To Me
04 ~ Lovestoned, Thursdays
03 ~ Eric Saade, Manboy
02 ~ Scissor Sisters, Fire with Fire
01 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers (1 week/NE)

Lots of important things happened yesterday. There was some volcanic ash hovvering around the atmosphere. I neared the end of Dynasty Season Six (Alexis: "Oh Krystle, are you here as Blake's former stenographer to pick up a few little tidbits?" No one does put downs as witheringly as that woman). There was a debate on tv between the three potential future prime ministers. Tatiana got voted off RuPaul's Drag Race (Sashay. Away). Gary Barlow did something, though I'm not sure what yet. And more important than any of those cataclysmic events was my latest radio slot with lovely Larry Flick on The Morning Jolt (Sirius OutQ Radio). It was my fourth visit, I had a lovely time and a brilliant response from people who wanted to know more about the artists I talked about, so here is a round up of super acts just waiting your attention to make them mass-eeeeve...

The Bang Bang Club: I have written about the lovely boys in the Bang Bang Club twice before - once here (where I described their glorious single Chemistry as "drenched in synths, exciting beats and a blinding chorus that channels the best of 80s synth-pop influences into something modern and brilliant) and once here (where I said it had "great production, enticing vocals and yummy boys"). Since that time they have been honing their live performances, building up an impressive webpage (including their very own magazine) and galvanising the troops for the release of their debut single on May 24th 2010. There is a video coming shortly that will apparently include lots and lots of paint. Can't wait (EDIT: No need to wait, it has LITERALLY just dropped online! It's all I dreamed it would be and they look so dishy :P EDIT2: However, the version I got to see wasn't apparently for public viewing and has now gone! I feel all special and a bit naughty :P It's coming next week!!! ). EDIT3: The video is back. And it's above. And super in black and white. With splashes of amazingness in colour. How brilliant. I love them even more. Check out Nick's views here...
Hear: Their debut single Chemistry here...
Web: Their official magazine and blog site can be accessed here...
Twitter: Click here...

Dean Lennon: I first wrote about Dean as part of boyband Digital back in 2006, then as a solo artist in 2008. He's been working hard on perfecting that electro-pop boy sound with not only some solid, addictive tunes, but some great matching visuals too. His signature tunes such as Hey You and See Through are heavy on synths, club-friendly beats and instantly memorable choruses - however, he has a range of influences and unreleased tracks like She's On Magazines show a funkier side of his nature coming through. Most pleasing it is too.
Hear: Four songs on his myspace here...
Twitter: He hasn't used it for a while, but maybe he can be persuaded to return...

BrightLight, Bright Light: I was introduced to the music of BLx2 by the delicious Steve XOLondon when he arranged a "bloggers night out" in London, attended by a whole host of people, one of whom was Rod Thomas aka BLBL. I've become increasingly reliant on his music since that time as a soothing influence in my life - his ability to create delightfully constructed pop music that is both thoughtful and smart, yet make it sound so very effortless is something to be applauded. Plus he is behind only the Scissors of Sister on the Popjustice Almighty so I must be onto something (check out his ace duet with Nerina Pallot above)...
Hear: A free download of A New Word To Say by registering for his website here...
Web: His website link is above; his myspace page is here...
Twitter: Click here...

Eric Saade: Blimey, Eric Saade used to be one fourth (or what is commonly known as a quarter) of my beloved Swedish boyband What's Up (whom I wrote about here, rather alarmingly in the same breath as Vigo! What was I thinking?!). He's now solo and doing such brilliant euro disco numbers as the amazingly titled ManBoy (can you imagine using that in conversation?!) and the equally as bonkers o clock Sleepless. He isn't going to change the world with his pop but I just find him utterly charming and magnificent. I shall be all over his debut album like a rash when it's released next month...
Hear: Sleepless on his myspace site; the video to an acoustic ManBoy here...
Web: His official website is here...
Twitter: Yes indeedy...

Dirty Disco: God bless the Tomorrow Never Knows blog for virtually transcribing how I described Dirty Disco on the radio yesterday - "they are just brilliant, I just love everything about them, great to look at, the music is just sensational, they have great eye make up, they're a little bit glamour, a little bit electro, a little bit punk, a little bit disco - I can't really say enough great things about them, they are really just excellent". Blimey, I was gushing wasn't I and quite rightly so. Just so very excellent in all they do. Plus when I was growing up, discos weren't dirty at all, they were Mormon and finished at 9pm with an Osmonds track, so this has been a right eye opener ;)
Hear: Sista!, Vulture (Dirty Disco remix) and a cover of Rabbit Heart on their myspace...
Download: Vulture (Dirty Disco remix) at arjanwrites...
Twitter: Who isn't?!

DeeDee: Oh god, Endure has totally changed my life this past few weeks since I first wrote about one of the most promising female vocalists (along with Elouise) for 2010. Everytime I have any minor sort of incident at work or home, I dramatically bust out the tune and start robot dancing along to it's epic chorus, wailing "I endure so much pain" as if my life depended on it! I've written muchly about the future smash hits Endure and Love Down here. I've also heard an equally pleasing song called Bum Around which not only repeats the word "bum" multiple times in a row (this is known as a very good thing to do) to a persistent and enticing funkalicious beat, but also has whip smart lyrics to the most laxidaisical subject in life of all. Bound to become a deserved anthem to those lazy Saturdays when you don't want to do a blooming thing (plus a brilliantly theatrical ending which is essentially "bum bum, bu bu bum, yeah". Astonishing). Watch Endure zip up my chart next week!
Hear: Love Down and the epic Endure on myspace...
Twitter: Finally, yes. Aces!

Adam Tyler: Delightful, exuberant, energetic, fun loving pop addicted Adam has certainly made my musical landscape so much more entertaining in 2010. He really just pours a cheerful energy into everything he undertakes. I've written about him and his music several times, and was lucky to be able to play an exclusive, never heard before track Committed on Larry's show. It's not even going to be on the album - is more of a pre-album taster to whet the appetite of the discerning pop picker masses. Committed is an instantly addictive, swirling, pulsating gem of a track that utterly deserves wider attention and it's place on top my most played tracks of the week. It's definitely representative of the modern pop sound he's going for on his Lullabies and Rattlesnakes album that is inching closer to a release date, and such a delightful chap that huge things MUST be just around the corner for him...
Hear: Future pop classics (plus remixes of) Friction and Schizophrenic at myspace...
Twitter: What self respecting future pop sensation isn't?!

It has been a brilliant few days for pop already. Elouise has released a limited edition of her debut EP (buy here; read interview here; read review here). Sir Simon of Curtis has broken twitter with the excitement surrounding his release of 8BitHeart (download here; read review here). And if that wasn't enough, loads of other bloody stonking great pop has come forth and multiplied (or something) and deserves a mammoth catch up post to reveal to you all the outstandingness of it all. Stand by to be stunned... (oh and pity me too please. I have a massive sore throat. I look like I have swallowed two tennis balls)!

• Deborah Gibson ~ Guy Like You: Can you believe it's actually been 22 years since Foolish Beat hit the number one slot in America? I feel so old. Deb is still working on a new album, but in the mean time has been putting together a musical called The Flunky, which now has a website online (she worked on it with Jimmy Van Patten - above). From that site, you can get a taste of a demo she has written and performed called A Guy Like You (track 2 on the musical player). Now remember, this is not a pop song but part of a larger musical soundtrack - inevitably, I have fallen totally in love with it. Gorgeous piano ballad, heartfelt vocal, lovely melody in the chorus - all reasons why I have followed her for 22 years. Quite exquisite. Oh, and with all the excitement around The Bird and The Bee doing Hall & Oates, it's time to revisit Deb's own version of Rich Girl - it's grown on me over the years and I'm quite enamoured of it now...
• Carsten Andersson ~ Fun: There is a lot of discussion around who will be the new male Lady Gaga (fact: Simon Curtis and Darin were the male Lady Gaga before Lady Gaga existed. And honestly, isn't Lady Gaga the male Lady Gaga?!) - Carsten is another name thrown into the hat. Based on his debut single, Fun, he's entirely worthy contender for some boy-pop attention. It's all throbbing beats and catchy chorus designed to enflame the senses and leave you wanting more more more - and it's all done in a decidedly brilliant eurodisco way. Check out his website for a clip of the tune and some rather,uh, titillating photos of young mr Andersson :P
• Dirty Disco ~ Vulture: The amount of times I am writing about Dirty Disco is now getting ridiculous. They will be taking out a restraining order shortly. But my blog love of them (tongues and everything) continues with this marvelous new ditty. Available as a free legal download over at ArjanWrites, it's a worthy successor to the still excellent Sista! Their own remix of the track is an intense whirling world of synths, disco, house and a chorus so supersonic it's worthy of it's very own club night. Astonishingly catchy, I'm practically salivating for a full album (and some Birmingham club dates)...
• My Robot Friend - Waiting: How have I not listened to this song before today (thankyou Gay Times)?! It features Alison Moyet and is on the act's 2009 album but is such a heavenly slice of vintage retro pop that it could have easily been tacked onto a Yazoo album from 1982. Not only is the track entirely engaging from start to finish, but it has this almost tribal beat breakdown in the middle eight that makes me giddy. Couple this with the 2010 version of Situation i heard on Larry Flick this week and i've Alison fever all over again!!
• Veronica Falls ~ Found Love In A Graveyard: It's like the spiritual successor to Kylie & Nick's Where The Wild Roses Grow via Annie Lennox's immense Love Song For A Vampire (which should totally be rereleased). It's a haunting piece of music which builds into a jangling piece of indie pop that sounds totally like the band are playing the song wherever you happen to be listening to it. Clever lyrics, dreamy vocals and lots of ooos in the backing vocals make this quirky, unusual little tune a total winner for me. More please...

Also don't forget to check out a stunning Steve Anderson pop piece courtesy of Spanish vixen Edurne (via Dontstopthepop), the new Ke$ha (already?!) (via poptrashaddicts), the wonderful new Sophie Ellis Bextor video (via Chartrigger) and a brillo and bonkers new Pipettes video (via DanProject76). And if that wasn't enough, there's Dannii Minogue looking blooming radiant in the new M&S advert, and a new Glee promo (LIKE A PRAYER!?!?!?) to spaff your wad over :)

Back tomorrow with reviews of Candle Thieves, Barenaked Ladies and Half Priced Hearts. Back Friday with Goldfrapp and Gabriella Cilmi reviews!

Oh what a (night) weekend it's been! I've packed Darren off on holiday for a week; I have the next week off from work; I'm still addicted to Russell T Davies' The Writer's Tale and now have my own version of "the great correspondence"; I watched all of series 1 of the Inbetweeners today in one sitting and laughed my arse off; I'm now watching the new season of The Tudors and fear that it does not bode well for silly nymphette Katherine Howard; and I met up for blogest ("tweetmeet") 2010 with lovely XO, Jessica, Jams, Dan, Phil, two Rods and Richard which was quite the enchanting evening! Anyway, here is the remainder of the fizzypop chronicles and the weekly chart (poor Robbie. I just barely listened to Morning Sun this week!)

• Bright Light Bright Light ~ A New Word To Say: A popjustice song of the day on Monday (and deservedly so), BrightLightX2 is one of the Rods I met on Saturday night. Not only is he an intensely charming and well spoken chappie, he has worked my beloved Nerina Pallot but he produces eminently smart and well written pop music that delight the soul and tingles the senses. A New Word To Say (available as a free legal download on his website here) is a warm, lush, electro tinged track that is built around the constructs of some of his folk music and soars with the addition of some synths, a luxurious beat and a dreamy skybound chorus. Featured artist (from Neon Neon) Boom Bip works seamlessly with Rod and together they have conjured up one of the most engaging lovely songs of the spring. More to come soon on the debut album, Make Me Believe In Hope.
• Sound of Arrows ~ Into The Clouds: Much like my resurrected interest in Le Kid, I'm refreshing my love affair with the lovely synth-pop duo Sound of Arrows in anticipation of a new album fairly shortly. This track was out last year and while isn't quite as delicious and amazing as the always wondrous M.A.G.I.C, it is still a top notch tune - and the Fear of Tigers remix whips it into a disco frenzy that Giorgio Morodo would be jealous of. And although it's no crime to remind yourself of these tracks, I am hoping the new album won't be too far away now...
• Dirty Disco ~ Sista: I've written about Dirty Disco a couple of times, so it should be no surprise that their punchy, feisty single ends up on the monthly playlist. It's an energetic romp that is strong on dance beats, infectious melody and a heavy dollop of leaning towards theatrics - all things that make up an incredibly brilliant, smashing pop single. And one that deserves mighty success because it's a song that loves itself. That might sound a bit odd, but it's a tune that knows it is deliriously fun and plays on that, rather than tries to tame the fact. Play multiple times daily to cures the blues...
• Ryan Ferrada ~ Chemical Connection: Keeping the memory alive, I continue to mine Ryan's lovely album (Room 501) for singles and find the pickings rich in choice. Chemical Connection is a dark electro-dance tune that matches fuzzy synths and effects with Ryan's vocal style. It's definitely one of the most "pop" moments on the dance oriented album and a lovely - if now saddened - glimpse into the star Ryan could have become...
• Adam Lambert ~ Whadaya Want From Me: The sign of a good song is that it works quite well in a number of formats. So there is the dramatic, gothic-meets-glam original album mix that is quite nice (though not as brilliant as some of the BWO singles in the same ilk). There is the acoustic version which reins it in a little bit and is very pleasant (though not as brilliant as Darin, Danny or Mans turning their uptempo epics into acoustic ballads) and there is a fine dance mix floating around that works quite well. And it all works well and it's quite good, but I can't help but feel that it could be just that bit better...
• Hugh Sheridan ~ All About Me: Ah Hugh. I sometimes wonder whether I like his songs because he is actually incredibly pretty to look at at and yet looks quite gruff & rough in a denim shirt and tie. Heavy long sigh. But actually, I do quite like this song - it's an uptempo jangly number that is reminiscent of early Robbie Williams and is all about what a selfish tosser he has been in the past. Also it has some nice piano and sumptuous strings and a nice singalong chorus. Plus he also looks quite brilliant in a tux looking all tired after a night out. Oh I'm so shallow...
• Stan Walker ~ Think of Me: Australian Idol Stan looks like Bug from Life UneXpected. And then he has to suffer the indignity of having an album released that is mainly covers (although The Climb puts Joe's to shame). There are a couple of new songs that sparkle - Black Box is a corker (on the Jan Fizzypop Chronicles) and this one is nearly as good and well worth a few minutes of your time. It's a summery slice of soul that is smooth as silk and tasty as a galaxy caramel.
• Music Go Music ~ Just Me: Oh how I continually adore the music of, er, Music Go Music. Light of Love was the most abba-esque song since Benny Andersson Band. They have this exquisite knack of bridging the gap between the lovely 70s melodies so favoured by Abba and their ilk, and a more critical analytical blogging world of the new millenium. It's an ace chirpy, hook laden, marvelous four minutes and something that should be making lives sparkle across the world :)
• Todd Alsup ~ Let's Have A Party: I'm in full adoration mode of Todd Alsup. Mainly because he creates these genuinely inviting pop ditties that are full of uplifting melodies, great piano riffs and big singalong choruses. Let's Have A Party is a brilliant example of that type of tune and feels like it should be played loud on a Friday night as you grab a six pack of beer (= wine coolers/zima) and head on over to your friend. And how lovely that the song can help you create some lasting memories with your pals as it did me this week :)
• The Candle Thieves ~ We;re All Gonna Die: Oh, it's getting silly now. I can't really keep saying nice things about Candle Thieves, yet they keep providing me with such joyful music that I'm compelled. Their album review is coming later in the week and is going to be more of a love fest. Prepare for that with this heavenly track that is all chirpy melody and quirky instruments, with an excellent and memorable chorus. The title makes it seem bleak, but trust me - three plus minutes with this song and you'll feel better than you have in ages. Oh and check out this free remix - it turns it into a bloody brilliant synthtastic epic...
• The Sparkling Arrest ~ Skyman: I first fell (and fell hard) for Sparkling Arrest when I heard their ever so good song Skyman. It's an instant epic that mixes crashing piano chords with some brilliant guitar work, all the while driving the song forward with a vocal melody that weaves in and out of the instrumental drama going on. The performance below that they performed in their own home shows that it works in an intimate environment as well as it's most deserved place - a massive outdoor stage with people singing it back.

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ The Candle Thieves, We're All Gonna Die (NE/VID)
20 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo
19 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Hollywood
18 ~ Diana Vickers, Once
17 ~ Boyzone, Gave It All Away
16 ~ Sergey Lazarev, Alarm
15 ~ Alex gardner, I'm Not Mad
14 ~ Mika, Rain
13 ~ Ola, Unstoppable
12 ~ Magnus Carlsson, A Little Respect
11 ~ Music Go Music, Light of Love
10 ~ Donkeyboy, Ambitions
09 ~ Darin, You're Out Of My Life
08 ~ Alcazar, Headlines
07 ~ Elouise, Fireman of My Dreams
06 ~ The Pipettes, Stop The Music
05 ~ Neo, Human Frontier
04 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Yes Man
03 ~ Simon Curtis, Super Psycho Love
02 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, On A Mission
01 ~ Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bittersweet (NE/1 Week)

Coming this week: Elouise interview; Simon Curtis mammoth feature; album reviews for Candle Thieves, Sparkling Arrest, The Pipettes and more!

Madonna was wrong. Time does not go by. So Slowly. In fact it whizzed by at a million miles per hour this week, which of course is way too fast and you probably experienced some motion sickness. So once again, blog posts got thrown out the window and I sometimes wonder why people stick around for such sporadicus! But you do and hurrah for that, etc. So here are lots of things I meant to do longer blogs on this week, but didn't get the time. It's your fizzypop weekend supplement!!

There is very much a need in the world for sparkling, uplifting, sunshine drenched pop music that makes you feel quite marvelous from your head to your toes. The Candle Thieves provide such music, delivering a realistic world view yet one saturated in optimism, dancing keyboard melodies and sing a long choruses. They had an EP out last year called The Sunshine EP which has four great songs on, but standouts in the summery The Sunshine Song (with a great hook "you can't stay young forever but we can stay young for the rest of our days") and the brilliantly titled Love Will Clap Its Hand For You. The latter is a cross between the genius of Sound of Arrows and immediacy of Owl City (but without the twee factor and always remaining effortlessly cool and lovely). Amazing. And double hurrah, they have a new single coming out soon called We're All Gonna Die. It's as upbeat and joyous as anything they've done before (whatever the title might lead you to believe) and if there is any justice this will be the first massive hit of the burgeoning spring weather, with thousands of people simultaneously crying "everybody just clap your hands". Heaven.

I'm rubbish with getting press releases and promotional e-mails. I always seem to forget to check them out/write about them, but still they keep a -coming :) And this is ok too because every so often one will stand out. This week it was the unique approach of The Dirty Disco who fair made me smile with a genuine mistake. But it also made me take notice so kudos to them :P Their debut single, Sista! (above) is a stand out slice of fuzzy synth driven pop that is full of theatrics, glam influences, energy and a massive dose of in your face personality. Vaguely reminiscent of the amazing Fuzzbox, the song grabs you by the short and curlies, swings you around the room and leaves you a bit breathless before you've even got to the brain-infecting chorus. Play it loud and let your freak flag fly. Oh and because they are lovely, there is a free remix version of the song to download here and a cover of Florence + The Machine's epic Rabbit Heart here. Brillo on toast.

Quick bits:

• Hurrah - it's time for melodifestivalen again! I'm not as dedicated a follower as some and usually live vicariously through Nick, PPG and ScandiPop. However, once again some of my fave artists are competing this year which means brillo new music from them. I'm particularly watching out for Alcazar, Darin, Ola, Erin Lanto, Salem Al Fakir and of course Neo. Ola and Salem have already previewed their clips here and I currently stand at satisfied with what I hear...
• Remember Steve Appleton? There was a bit of noise about his Uk-surfer boy brand of pop last year but then it all went a bit quiet despite a couple of quite good songs. He's making waves again at the moment, currently with a free download of his acoustic version of Fireflies, which is a pleasant way to pass a few minutes if you so have the desire. Check out his previous singles too, they weren't half bad...
• I've written about Waterloo a few times, and they are busy polishing their pop sound for the world at large. A plethora of remastered clips and new tracks are available to listen to on their myspace page. Four Letter Word is still a top notch tune, while Live Your Life sounds like it is quite the singalong disco-reggae pop song in the making (a bimbo jones remix of this could be entirely titillating). Excited to hear more from this band. Go check out their music and let me know what you think of the latest...
• Finally click here to see a promo for new Nickelodeon show Victorious. The stars of Spectacular are certainly making a name for themselves this year and while this could be the usual tween fare, Victoria Justice seems so charming and witty in it, plus sings rather good pop star songs as well so it's zipping up my boots and going back to my youth for this one. Hurry up March... :P

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Hugh Sheridan, All About Me (NE)
20 ~ Donkeyboy, Ambitions (NE/VID)
19 ~ Alexandra Burke, Broken Heels
18 ~ Dangerous Muse, I Want It All
17 ~ Alphabeat, Hole In My Heart
16 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
15 ~ Leona Lewis, I Got You
14 ~ Mika, Rain
13 ~ JLS, One Shot
12 ~ Hurts, Blood Tears and Gold (NE)
11 ~ Jason Mraz, Kickin With You
10 ~ Matt Morris, Money
09 ~ Owl City, Fireflies
08 ~ Natalie Imbruglia, Scars
07 ~ Nerina Pallot, When Did I Become Such A Bitch?
06 ~ Ryan Ferrada, Room 501
05 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Hollywood
04 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo
03 ~ Barenaked Ladies, You Run Away
02 ~ Boyzone, Gave It All Away
01 ~ Elouise, Fireman of my Dreams (1 week)