Lopez Blogs

I'm having a Swedish pop day today. It can't fail to lift my mood :) I'm horribly horribly behind with some of the latest pop gloriosity from Swedish fellas - they really are currently setting a high high standard for blokey pop and while the rest of the world may not always pay attention, they are often playing catch up. Here are some of the current essentials...

• Eric Saade ~ Popular: I've written about this, done a complete breakdown of the video and still almost three months later it remains one of my very fave tunes of the moment. Of course Eurovision 2011 has a lot to do with that, thanks to a blinding performance (above) from the young fella, stomping dance moves, a tune that won't quit and a highly respectable third place overall. Kudos young Eric. The world IS now paying attention and the manboy is prepping his second solo effort for June. Absolutely magnifico :)
• Danny ft Freja ~ If Only You: Not only did young Danny look an absolute dreamboat reading the Swedish Eurovision jury results (in an Eric t-shirt! Bless times a million!!), but he is starting to take the UK music channels by storm with his very good indeed clubby meets brillo pop track, If Only You. Vocally he's teamed up with Freja to create an ambient yet thumping club sound that resonates with a modern pop audience. It's a worthy follow up to his incessant In The Club track and frankly one that's likely to do better. A full video breakdown of that smutty accompanying visual coming later this week. Oh my! *fans self*
• Ola ~ Riot: This track was a definite stand out for me on Ola's 2010 album and it still sounds funky and fun a good six-seven months later. It's now finally being released as an official single with an accompanying video. You could argue that it's a bit like Key-dollarsign-ha, but that's part of the appeal of the track - a guy doing a bonkers pop concoction that is just scintillating and salacious from start to finish. There's a rather bonza behind the scenes video too about the recording of the accompanying visual and as soon as the official version is out, i'll be giving it the breakdown treatment. Aces. 
• Jonas Oakland ~ Where I Belong (2011 Remix): I adore little Jonas Oakland. He's like the Swedish version of Simon Curtis - not so much musically, but independently making his own way in the business we call show. He's launching the next phase of his career with a remix of brillo pop tune Where I Belong and lucky old Scandipop has an exclusive clip for you to listen to before you can officially download it on Wednesday of this very week! Amazes. It sounds absolutely mega and I for one will be spaffing my 79p on this essential track as soon as it's available. Splendid!
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ well foxy Mans doesn't actually have any new music out at the moment, but with Eric's Popular doing so well on UK iTunes (no. 38!) it just makes me want to listen to Hope and Glory and remember how insanely excellent that tune was. And I'll leave you with that :) 

Efter sex veckors Melodifestivalsfokus ska vi äntligen utse en vinnare ikväll. Äntligen upprepar jag. Skönt att resan är över för denna gång och vi kan börja fokusera på Düsseldorf och Eurovision Song Contest. Det är trots allt den tävlingen som jag tycker är intressant.

Jag var på gårdagens generalrepetition och kan konstatera att jag fortfarande inte har hittat några  favoriter. Det är mycke retro över låtarna och vi befinner oss i årtionden som 50-, 60- och 80-talen.

Mellanaktsunderhållningen blir som vanlig bäst. Eller vad sägs om Nanne Grönwall, Lena Ph, Ola Salo från The Ark och Christer Sjögren som rockar loss tillsammans.

 
 1. Danny Saucedo: In The Club  
Composers: Fredrik Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo 
Låten har växt för min del och vinner den så får jag väl vara hyfsat nöjd. Snygg dans som tyvärr kräver så mycke koncentration att Danny blir något av en stone face.

2. Sara Varga: Spring för livet    
Composers: Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström
Låtar från andra chansen har en tendens att bli folkkära och det är vad som hänt med Saras låt. Absolut inget för Eurovision men Sara har fått sig genombrott bland Svensktoppspubliken.

3. The Moniker: Oh My God!
Composer: The Moniker
Andra chansen låt igen och Moniker får betraktas som tävlingens dark horse med sin 60-tals pastisch. Trallvänligt så det förslår och refrängen sitter som klister. 

4. Brolle: Days: "And 7 Nights"   
Composer: Brolle
Norrländsk rockabilly i 80-tals tappning tilltalar inte mig. Hur kan 3 minuter kännas så långa! Brolle förlorar också tatueringsfighten mot Nicke Borg.

5. Linda Bengtzing: "E det fel på mej"  
Composers: Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G:son, Jörgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman
Klämkäck schlagerdänga som gör att foten automatiskt börjar röra sig i takt. Det svenskaste vi kan skicka till Düsseldorf och hela Europa kommer att skaka på huvudet. Linda charm kommer att behövas big time ifall denna låt vinner - men det tror jag inte.

6. Nicke Borg: "Leaving Home"
Composers: Jojo Borg Larsson, Nicke Borg, Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström
Rockballad får liv av Nickes nasala röst. Snygg enkel scendekoration. Tävlingens mest genomarbetade låt men troligen för bra för TV-publiken och definitivt inte en låt som den sms-röstande tonårsgeneration kommer att välja.

 7. Swingfly: "Me And My Drum"    
Composers:Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly
Jag lever på hoppet fram till kl 21.55 ikväll och hoppas att Swingfly sopar bana med de andra artisterna som helst lever i ett musikaliskt förflutet. Bland kvällens låtar är "Me and my drums" bästa alternativet för Düsseldorf.

8. Sanna Nielsen: "I’m In Love"
Composers: Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren
Underbara vackra och skönsjungande Sanna! Du blir mer och mer lik Ann-Louise Hansson. Åh vad jag önskar att Sanna hade fått den kvalitativa låt hon är värd. Nu känns 2 1/2 minuter som en transportsträcka till modulationen där hon äntliga får visa sina röstresurser.

9. The Playtones: "The King"
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, Peter Kvint
Dansbandskampens charmiga vinnare passar i folkparkerna. En hopplös 50-talslåt som kommer att hamna sista i sin semifinal ifall vi skickar dem till Tyskland.

10. Eric Saade: Popular 
Composer: Fredrik Kempe
'Folket' vill troligen att Eric Saade  ska vinna och det vill också min brorsdotter Marie som är sju år. Det säger en del om var han har sina fans. Jag hoppas på de 11 internationella jurygrupperna och att de  genomskådar supercharmiga Erics glaskrossar dagispop.

Thanks to Giannis Papoutsakis, oikotimes.com, for excellent photos!

Melodifestivalen finalists, press and other celebrities were mingeling among the gold mosaik in Stockholm City Hall last night. The Blue Hall was decorated by a fantastic lightning.


Melodifestivalens finalister, press och andra utvald minglade bland guldmosaiken i Stockholms stadshus i under torsdagskvällen. Blå Hallen var dekorerad av fantastisk ljussättning. 


The buffet was even more beautiful than last year. 

Buffédekorationen var om möjligt ännu vackrare än i fjol.

Among the guests we met Danny and Eric Saade. Despite what the media is writing they seem to be good friends.

Bland gästerna fanns Danny och Eric Saade. Oavsett vad pressen skriver så verkar killarna vara goda vänner.


The guys in The Playtones were happy and would not mind going to Düsseldorf in May.

Killarna i Playtones var på gott humör och skulle inte ha något emot att åka till Düsseldorf i maj.

Fredrik Kempe has written The Playtone’s entry ”The King”. During the last 5 years he has participated as a songwriter with 17 songs in Melodifestivalen or Eurovision. For time being he has no plans to participate as a singer.

Fredrik Kempe har skrivit Playtones låt ”The King”. Fredrik berättade att ha haft 17 låtar med i Melodifestivals- och Eurovisionssammanhang under de senaste 5 åren. Själv har han just nu inga planer på att medverka som sångare. 

 
Linda Bengtzing seems to be happy whenever you meet her. Here with Fotis från oikotimes.com

Linda Bengtzing verkar alltid på strålande humör när man träffar henne. Här med Fotis from oikotimes.com

 I think I have to learn to walk in high heels. All Melodifestivalen women seem to be longer that me. Also the host, Marie Serneholt. 
Jag tror jag måste lära mig att gå i högklackat. Alla Melodifestivals kvinnor verkar vara mycket längre än jag är. Även programledaren Marie Serneholt.

Sanna Nielsen is more good-looking than ever. 

Sanna Nielsen blir bara snyggare och snyggare för varje gång hon deltar i Melodifestivalen. 


Thanks to my colleagues Giannis, Fotis and Jürgen from Athens and Amsterdam, I could relax and enjoy the nice food and wine


Själv kunde jag roa mig mer än vanligt eftersom jag hade kolleger från Aten och Amsterdam på plats. Tack Giannis, Fotis och Jürgen!
 


Thanks to Giannis Papoutsakis for taking the nice photos!

Det är bara att konstatera att Melodifestivalens andra chans blev allt annat än det man önskat. Egentligen är jag inte förvånad att The Moniker och Sara Varga är i final. Åter igen har jag fått bevis för att Melodifestivalen inte handlar om att hitta 'rätt' låt till Eurovision Song Contest. Som vanligt handlar det om att rösta på en låt som kanske kommer att få framgång på Svensktoppen.


Det ska bli intressant att se, läsa och höra tongångarna i maj om Sverige floppar i Düsseldorf. Vem kommer att bära hundhuvudet? Förmodligen SVT och inte Svenska Folket. Men vem är det som röstar The Moniker och Sara Varga till finalen när man istället skulle kunna välja Love Generation och Linda Pritchard? Jo Svenska Folket.

Om syftet med Melodifestivalen är att Sverige ska vinna Eurovision Song Contest så kommer det att krävas expertisröster från början. När vi väl kommer till final är det för sent att införa internationella jurygrupper.

 I väntan på finalen så kan jag presentera startordningen i finalen. Att Danny startar som etta och Eric Saade som tia genererar på sin höjd en gäspning. Dessa två killar är nu SVT's sista hopp efter RedOne/Love Generation floppen. Jag är dock tveksam till båda killarna.Just nu känns det som att det enda rätta är att vi håller oss till Sara Vargas "Spring för livet". Jag kräver i så fall att hon slutar klä sig som en huvudrollsfigur i ett grekiskt antikt drama och istället tar på sig en T-shirt och ett par jeans.

1."In the Club"
Composers: Figge Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo 
Artist: Danny Saucedo

2. "Spring för livet"    
Composers: Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström
Artist: Sara Varga          

3. "Oh My God!"
Composers: Daniel Karlsson
Artist: The Moniker   

4. "7 Days And 7 Nights"
Composers: Brolle
Artist: Brolle

5. "E det fel på mej"
Composers: Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G:son, Jörgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman
Artist: Linda Bengtzing

6. "Leaving Home"
Composers: Jojo Borg Larsson, Nicke Borg, Fredrik Thomander och Anders Wikström
Artist: Nicke Borg

7. Me And My Drum
Composers: Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly
Artist: Swingfly

8. "I'm In Love"
Composers: Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren
Artist: Sanna Nielsen

9. "The King"
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, Peter Kvint
Artist: The Playtones

10. "Popular"
Composers: Fredrik Kempe
Artist: Eric Saade

Source: SVT

Ah it's that time of year again - melodifestivalen. The creme de la creme of the chess world (oops wrong music themed event) gather together to present their finest wares in the hope of having the honour of representing Sweden in the Eurovision song contest. And that's where Britain gets it oh so wrong. In Sweden it's an honour, a national event, something that the nation's top popstars actively seek and hope to be involved in. If that was the same in England we'd have The Wanted, JLS, Girls Aloud, Take That, Alexandra and most likely The Saturdays (they'll do anything) jostling to be involved. Still we have Blue this year (!) and Jedward's song for Ireland is insanely ridiculously brilliant. Jaysus, etc. Anyway, there are many fine blogs who will cover this event far more ably than me (see scandipop, swedish stereo and alienhits) so I'm just going to pick my fave two songs from each week (and even though she's not featured here, DILBA WAS ROBBED!)...

• Le Kid ~ Oh My God: Stunning. What is not to love about Le Kid? They take elements of Alphabeat, Girls Aloud and Steps-Same Difference, throw it into their own musical blender and come up with something charming every single time. And what's not to love about a performance that starts off with whore-red lips mouthing Oh. My. God. And it does feel like the song title should have full stops between each word to emphasise how delicious and deliriously bonkers it is. Brilliant "oh my god" dance routine, infernally catchy refrain and the whole thing just makes you feel giddy with excitement - as most Le Kid songs do to me to be honest. The girls looked stunning last night, nipply looking cup cakes blasting glitter everywhere was a camp dream and Anton in a bow tie... well, my heart melted a little bit. Bound to be absolutely huge very soon. Je t'adore!
• Danny ~ In The Club: I'm a bit biased at having picked Danny this week. He's one of my perennials - someone who I rely on to provide me with hugely enjoyable music regardless whether it's poppers o'clock tracks like Set Your Body Free (as a solo artist) or fab interpretations of rap songs like Gangsta's Paradise (as part of boyband supergroup EMD). His performance last night was a delight. I could have done without the studded leather jacket stolen from Sergey Lazarev's Alarm video shoot, but everything else was proper bonza. I mean even if the first few seconds of the tune he has dance-mimed texting his ace gang and putting on a record (though i bet it was an mp3)! Amazing. And what a tune it is... It's a simple but effective pop-dance stomper that starts out as a gentle piano intro before building up the beat with a rave-esque chorus that will have your hands in the air as you down your 5th Smirnoff Ice at 4 minutes past midnight on a boozy Saturday night. Plus I love slightly crap but addictive rap breakdowns in the middle - and at least Danny has done his own rather than employ some hugely expensive rapper (take note The Saturdays and JLS). In fact, think Club Is Alive by JLS if they had actually got it right. All sorts of international smash immense.

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ McFly, That's The Truth (NE)
20 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone
19 ~ Matt Cardle, When We Collide
18 ~ One Direction, Forever Young
17 ~ Jessie J, Do It Like A Dude
16 ~ James Blunt, Too Far Gone
15 ~ Brandon Flowers, Broken Hearts & Jilted Lovers
14 ~ JLS, Eyes Wide Shut
13 ~ Westlife, Beautiful Tonight
12 ~ Maroon 5, Never Gonna Leave This Bed
11 ~ Scissor Sisters, Whole New Way
10 ~ Avril Lavigne, What The Hell
09 ~ Tove Styrke, White Light Moment
08 ~ Shayne Ward, Obsession
07 ~ Britney, Hold It Against Me
06 ~ Neo, Underground
05 ~ Rochella Danishei, Michelle
04 ~ Take That, Kidz
03 ~ Same Difference, Karma Karma
02 ~ Deborah Gibson, Snake Charmer
01 ~ Andreas Johnson, One Man Army (2 weeks)

Melodfestivalens uppstartskräll blev den rappande Swingflys finalplats. En överraskning i flera bemärkelser. Dels var den otippad som direktfinalist, dels att jag personligen gillar den trots att Jenny Silvers ”Something in your eyes” är mer min typ av låt.
The big bang in the first semifinal was that the rapping Swingfly qualified to the final. It was not a pre-favorite at all. For me personally I’m surprised because I like the song (!) even if Jenny Silver’s ”Something in your eyes” is more my cup of tea.

Att Danny Saucedos "In the Club" kom till final känns som en axelryckning. Framförande hade blivit upphaussat till max innan tävlingen och för mig blev det platt fall. Det fantastiskt moderna dansnumret lyckades inte göra något intryck på mig via TV-rutan. Jag blev mest fundersam över hans konstiga kläder.
It felt like a shrug that Danny Saucedo’s "In the Club" qualified and got the most votes. Media have boosted the entry before the show and to me it felt just flat. The much talked-about modern, fantastic dance-show-number didn’t go through the TV-screen well enough to impress on me.  I was disturbed by his strange clothes.


Jenny Silver är säkert inte helt nöjd med sin andra chans placering. Hon spåddes ju en finalplats. Det var nästan så att jag skämdes å Benny Anderssons vägnar över ABBA-plagiatet och det kanske var fler som tyckte det var för magstarkt. Scenshow, mikrofon och kläder var däremot plagierade av Charlotte Perrellis Hero-framförande.
Jenny Silver is most probably not satisfied with her second chance ticket. She was predicted as one of the finalists. I almost felt ashamed, on behalf of Benny Andersson, over the ABBA-plagiary and maybe other viewers felt the same.  Stage show, microphone and clothes were a plagiarism of Charlotte Perrelli’s Hero.

Pernilla Andersson var kvällens värdigaste andra-chansen-vinnare. Hon hade snyggast kläder och ärligaste låten även om den inte är en vinnarlåt.
Pernilla Andersson was the worthiest second-chance-winner. She had the hottest clothes and the most honest song even if it’s not a winning Eurovision song.

Le Kid måste vara mest besvikna av alla och SVT bidrog ytterligare genom att felaktigt annonsera dem som finalister eller andra chansare. Ett fyrverkeri som gick upp i rök. För egen del så klarar vi gott en final utan dem. Detta är en låttävling och det räcker inte att vara färgsprakande. Bandet behöver mogna och jag ser fram emot en återkomst om något år.
Le Kid must be most disappointed of all artists and SVT contributed when they wrongly announced Le Kid as a possible winning candidate. A firework that came to nothing. Personally I will not miss them. This is a song competition and it is not enough to be colorful. The group needs to mature and I look forward to their return in a couple of years time.

Stackars Dilba som var tvungen att öppna tävlingen. Hon verkade kall och blasé efterson hon säkert förstod att hennes chanser var minimala. Hennes tantkläder bidrog till floppen.
Poor Dilba who was the opening act. She seemed to be very cold and blasé as she most probably realized she had no chance. Her strange auntie-clothes did not increase her chances.



Rasmus Viberg och webb-jokern Jonas Matsson hade båda helt dugliga låtar men det var utfyllnadsmaterial. 
Both Rasmus Viberg and web wild card Jonas Matsson had decent songs but they felt like pale complements in the show.

Photos: Lilian, SVT (logo)

The results from the first semifinal in Melodifestivalen gave Danny and Swingfly a ticket to the final. The ladies Jenny Silver and Pernilla Andersson get a second chance. The overall quality of the show was very good. The big surprise was that the pre-hyped Le Kid didn't qualify. Swingfly was also a surprice. Swedish people voted for rap instead of Jenny Silver's classic ABBA-pastich. More feedback and review will follow tomorrow.

To the final:
Swingfly - "Me and My Drum"
Composers: Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly (Richard Silva II)

Danny Saucedo - "In the Club"
Composers: Figge Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo

To the Second Chance:
Jenny Silver - "Something In Your Eyes"
Composers: Erik Bernholm, Thomas G:son, Henrik Sethsson

Pernilla Andersson - "Desperados"
Composer: Pernilla Andersson

Congratulations to the winners!

Ikväll går startskottet för sex veckor av Melodifestival då halva Sveriges befolkning sitter framför TV-apparaterna. Tävlingen följs också av ett stort antal tittare i våra Nordiska grannländer. Plus alla Eurovision-fans runt om i världen som sitter som klistrade framför datorerna där de följer SVT’s webbsändningar. För de verkliga hardcore fansen är det sex veckor av julafton. Melodifestivalen status är oantastlig bland denna skara och torde rankas högst efter Eurovision Song Contest.

I morgon kommer tidningarna att vara fyllda av analyser och rubriker som troligen innehåller ord som ’skandal, nakenchock, skräll, tårar, gräl, uselt’. Troligen är det mesta mediaankor utan substans. Programledarna Marie Serneholt och Rickard Olsson lär får utstå omdömen som kanske inte är så positiva. Men det brukar rätta till sig och när de sex veckorna närmar sig slutet har alla glömt vad som sades i början och Marie och Rickard kommer troligen att få godkänt betyg på examensdagen 12 mars.

Det skulle inte förvåna mig om Nanna Grönwall anses vara bäst efter kvällens deltävling. Hon deltar som mellanaktsnummer. Utrikesminister Carl Bildt lär också dyka upp. Han sägs ha tröttna på Sveriges floppar i Eurovision och på något sätt så tror han sig kunna påverka resultatet i kommande tävling i Düsseldorf.    

Sex av kvällen tävlande är debutanter i MF- sammanhanget. Jenny Silver och Danny Saucedo får anses som rutinerade eftersom de har en tävling i ryggen. Jenny Silver deltog i fjol men tog sig inte till final. I kväll spekuleras det att hon klarar sig bättre med sin ABBA-kopierade låt. Danny blev trea i finalen 2009 gruppen EMD. Han påstås också vara självskriven finalist. Läs min intervju med Danny HÄR.

Pernilla Andersson sjunger kvällen enda låt på svenska. Läs min intervju med Pernilla HÄR. 

Kvällens tävlande i Luleå:
1. Dilba - "Try Again" 

2. Swingfly - "Me and My Drum"
3. Jenny Silver - "Something In Your Eyes"
4. Jonas Matsson - "On my own" (web wild card)
5. Le Kid - "Oh My God"
6. Rasmus Viberg - "Social Butterfly"
7. Pernilla Andersson - "Desperados"
8. Danny Saucedo - "In the Club" 


Två låtar går direkt till final och två går vidare till andra chansen.
Förhandslyssna på låtar: HÄR

Photos: Lilian

Danny has temporary left his friends in E.M.D to go solo in Melodifestivalen 2011. In 2006 he participated in Swedish Idol and was appointed the “7th sexiest man in Sweden”. 2007 he did success together with his Idol-friends in the group E.M.D with a cover of ”All for Love”. 2008 he represented Sweden in Eurovision Dance Contest and the same year he ended four in Swedish “Let’s Dance”. He has been number one on the top charts in Russia, Japan and Poland with the song ”If Only You". In 2009 E.M.D became third in Melodifestivalen with ”Baby Goodbye”. This is the short biography version of Daniel Gabriel Alessandro Saucedo Grzechowski. It’s indeed an impressive record for a guy who is only 24 years.


Danny, you participate in the first semi final. How does it feel?
- It feels great. I’m excited. Many new faces and some old ones. I just want to get started now.

How come that you decided to participate in Melodifestivalen again?
- I always wanted to do it by myself. Last time was two years ago with my group E.M.D and we ended up third in the final. E.M.D works fine nowadays and we are a well known group in Sweden. I want to know if I can do Melodifestivalen on my own and if it works as good as with E.M.D.

So E.M.D still alive?
- More alive than ever. We are releasing a new album on the 3rd of December. We are also doing the official movie theme song for ”Narnia”, which has its premiere during Christmas. And after Melodifestivalen we will be touring so it’s a busy schedule.

Tell us something about your song?
- It’s called “In the Club” and by the name people may guess that it’s a club-song. It’s a R’n’B dance-pop song. I want people to dance to it. It’s like a club-anthem.

Is it a typical song for you?
- It will be. It’s a bit of a new style. I have added some urban beats and vibes. My soul stuff have always been a kind of a European dance style and now I’m taking on some urban stuff. I have always been listening to R’n’B and hip-hop and now I have started to collaborate with hip-hop producers to create a new picture which is a combination of my style and theirs.


If you present yourself to our readers – what do you want to tell them?
- I’m a Swedish blonde dude. My mother is from Bolivia and my father from Poland but as you see I look very Swedish. I sing and dance. I love to dance – that’s the best thing to do on this planet! If I didn’t have a voice I would probably be a dancer. I love when people get together, dance and have fun and I believe that this feeling can be heard in my music as well.

What is your relationship to Melodifestivalen and Eurovision Song Contest?
- I have done Melodifestivalen once before in 2009 and every year I’m watching the show and enjoying the music. I like to get a glimpse of the participating countries and their songs. It very good the watch Eurovision because you get an idea of what is happening on the music scene in the European countries.

Thanks a lot Danny and good luck in Melodifestivalen and your coming E.M.D projects.



P.S:
E.M.D is equal to Erik Segerstedt, Mattias Andréasson and Danny Saucedo.
Their new album is called “Rewind”.

New video for the last Top-10 Lazee's single "Do It" is out.
Lazee has not long yet but quite succesful career in Sweden. He debuted 2 years ago with single "Rock Away" becoming big hit during Spring 2008 and later released another also noticed by audience single "Hold On" featuring popular rock-band Neverstore and the album "Setting Standards" same year. Together with Danny they also released single "Just Like That" in Poland. After a short pause Lazee came back this year with another hit "Calling Out" with rock-vocals in a style of "Hold On" but this time featuring Apollo Drive, that one and new song "Do It" both also became Top-10 hits and right now another successfuly promoted single "Can I Be The One" with his participation is released by Norlie & KKV.
About Mohombi - first highlight of his career was qualifying to Melodifestivalen-2005 as part of Group Avalon with the song "Big up" and after that he was working with many songwriting teams - Bloodshy & Avant, Twin, Jonas Jeberg, RedOne and others.
"Do It" is very nice catchy summer hit working well with proper music video rolling around parties, pools, cars and girls in bikini so relax and have some summer fun with Lazee and Mohambi.

Swedish House Diva Therese Grankvist is back! Therese has become famous for Swedish audience back in 90s when she was brought by Dr. Alban to a dance project Drömhus. Drömhus had a lot of entries in charts (like "Du och Jag", "Håll Dig Nära", etc.) but the biggest one was hit #1 "Vill ha dig". In 1999 Drömhus with the song "Stjärna på himmelen" has managed to reach 2nd place on Melodifestivalen right after Charlotte Nilsson-Perrelli who later brought Sweden its last victory on Eurovision. Project's life wasn't too long and Therese has gone solo being faithfull to dance-music though. Her single "Monkey" was noticed by audience in 2002 and "Time" has entered Top-20, in 2003 Therese released her first solo album "Acapulco". Further highlights of Therese' career were different successful collaborations with other projects like Stonebridge ("Put 'em High", "Take me away"), The Attic ("The Arrival"), Danny ("If Only You") and now it's time to come back as solo-artist so Therese's releasing new single "Drop It Like It's Hot" and should I say mention that Therese still stays faithful to her club roots? You can also find nice b-side "Say It (In The Morning)" on this single and you can hear it in Kia Venga commercial as well.

Due to information from tv4.se popular boy band E.M.D. consisting of 3 ex-Idol participants - Erik Segerstedt, Mattias Andréasson and Danny Saucedo soon releases second album that's gonna be a tribute to hits of 90s. I should mention that band's life lasts not much more than 2 years but guys has already managed to make 4 #1 singles (+ one #3 and one #22) and #1 album (+ another Christmas album). Was it good idea to make covers-album? You can already judge yourself. First single from album is real classics of Swedish pop - Eagle-Eye Cherry's debut single "Save Tonight" from 1997, world-wide hit that reached #6 in UK chart and #5 of US chart. Cover turned to be incredibly nice and pleasant ballad with very beautiful instrumental part. You can listen to it right now.

Darin - Flashback: Album number four from lovely little Darin sees him move on from his pop-club roots to a more polished pop-meets-r'n'b-meets-sleek-funk sound. No more B What U Wanna type playground chats for this dude (But I still live in hope that Gareth Gates will cover that song and return blazing to the top of the pop charts here in the UK. Instead he will probably release Any Dream Will Do)... Instead, the album is a mixture of in your face club-hop tracks like the divine first single Breathing Your Love and more "quiet storm" type ballads like the epic Road Trip. I suppose for me, this is the Darin album that most wants to crack the American market, and it's lucky that he carries off the musical direction he has chosen with such passion, style and panache, because it could have easily been a disaster. In that respect, the nearest acts I can compare him to are Chris Brown, Simon Curtis and Lady Gaga. Let me explain that somewhat. For me Chris Brown and the forthcoming Simon Curtis "Alter Boy" album are prime examples of how to straddle different genres of music with effortless grace. They switch between driven club beats & r'n'b influences, while never forgetting the importance of a soaring pop chorus. And if, as the BBC quite rightly points out, Lady Gaga encapsulates the sound of 2009 without actually being that sound, then Darin may well be the more likeable male equivalent. The uptempo numbers shine with energy, such as Dance,which appropriately is very Just Dance-esque (as is the excellent Girl Next Door). The title track is a great tune, even if it isn't the flawless Simon Curtis number, and Karma shares the same sparse drum driven electro vibe. Really, it must be said that Darin has hit on a formula he is clearly happy with and the album could be very hit laden because of it. Not my favourite Darin album ever, but an incredibly cohesive effort.
Potential singles: Breathing Your Love; Roadtrip; Dance; See You At The Club; Season's Fly

Danny - Set Your Body Free: Let me state for the record that if Darin is the cool credible sound of Sweden moving towards world domination, then Danny is the guy who throws caution to the wind to continue with his disco pop excellence. He already charmed me with his quite adorable tunes like Tokyo, Play It For The Girls (*raises eyebrows* Really Danny? :P) and the ace ballad Only You. Now he's back with a new album that doesn't really deviate from this formula and that's ok because I don't want a deviant Danny! Strike that - I'd be quite happy for an evening with a deviant Danny. The lead single Radio is already quite well known, and sets the tone for the rest of the album - huge pop choruses decorated with club beats. Take Kiss You All Over (yes please) for example - it has a back beat similar to Call The Shots and has Danny imploring that he feels like making love. Very sensitive I'm sure, but it works for him. Emely (do not like the spelling, but each to their own) could become this album's rerecorded as a duet and is quite pleasant. All On You is to be the second single, and is indeed a fine choice as it could quite easily spawn a video with some goofy Danny dancing and maybe some glo-sticks. Yes, I'm quite pleased with that highly unoriginal video pitch :) There is a real danger (and it's one that happens with Darin's album, and I suppose it will depend on how much you like the acts) that it all gets a bit samey, but by the excellent and popjustice approved ex-Avenue tune Set Your Body Free you'll either be hooked and having a rollicking good time, or you will have given up ages ago. Give it a chance though because, though ground breaking it ain't, it IS quite a jolly good romp...
Potential singles: Radio; All On You; Emely; Set Your Body Free; Schizophrenia

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: I don't really show how much I like Franz Ferdinand. I think they are quite unassuming in their brilliance, and I like that in people. A little humility can often go a long way. Their new album - arising from the aborted xenomania sessions shows that while it's not the male Girls Aloud album some people might have been hoping for, that indeed it's a proper indie record with heavy pop leanings. Ulysess is punchy and compact, with some fuzzy guitar work and eclectic mix of disco beats as Alex prepares for his night out with his chant "I've Found A New Way". And the album has a thematic pull to it as it details a night out with the boys. Turn It On and No You Girls reak of xenomania influences and are up there with great fist pumping songs like Take Me Out and This Ffire. No You Girls has the fantastic opening line "Lick your cigarette and kiss me" which sounds strangely gross, dirty and enticing all in one pulsating intoxicating rhythm. Twilight Omens also belongs to this camp of quite ace left right left rhythmic future classics. Elsewhere there are shades of Roxy Music on Send Him Away and Bite Hard which prove whatever the song is, FF are quite able to find an indie-disco beat and make it work til the sweat drips onto their skinny ties. The latter half of the album continues the move towards electronica fused disco on songs like Live Alone which takes us to an all too real world where love is ruined by bickering and argument. Strangely sad despite the grab-the-one-you-love-and-shimmy beat going on in the background (more sadness on Can't Stop Feeling - "you leave me here on my own, you leave me here on the floor, you can't feel any more"). The album starts to wind up the night out towards the end, and by the time the lazy ballad Katherine Kiss Me rolls around, it's a welcome breather from the frenetic exhilarating pace that has bought the listener to this point. Quite a return to form for a band that I was never really that disappointed with anyway...
Potential singles: Ulysess; No You Girls; Twilight Omens; Lucid Dreams (edited or album version)

Alarming personal anecdote from today: While I typed this post up in a Starbucks in Lincolnshire whilst awaiting for a meeting, a woman who was literally on the same table as me started breast feeding her child! With her boob! Less than a metre away from me! And it was massive (the boob) so it kept falling out of the child's mouth and all my please-god-don't-let-me-look eyes were drawn to was her roving nipple which looked like a pissed off cauliflower. Then when she stuffed it back into her bra (the boob) it all leaked through onto her blouse. It was a charming moment. The end.

Thanks to my lovely friend, Simon, I am fully aware that delicious drinks served in red cups will be available from my beloved bucks of the Star. Which means I shall once again be obsessed and Christmas can officially start (i swear it starts earlier every single year!) - which is okie dokie with me. I am already starting my 30 days til Christmas countdown which will kick in from Nov 25th, but for now let's see what goodies the letter D has to bring in the pre-pop Christmas cracker...

D IS FOR:

Darin Zanyar - Breathing Your Love: I have already reviewed Darin's ace new single from his sadly not a cover of the Simon Curtis song Flashback album here, but PPG's effusive coverage of him continues to have me in a tizzy over the lovely popstar. I was also going to write a lengthy epistle about "embedding disabled by request" on videos (which Darin doesn't do) but there is a rather excellent report on it here. So it's all about the video then! And any video that starts with Darin in bed is ok with me (even if i did get a bit distracted when i thought his knee was a bit of a "tentpole" if you know what i mean :P) although he isn't quite as brilliant on a motorbike as Girls Aloud were... I could have done with less frenetic editing in the second chorus, and more of Darin looking lovely in shirt and tie with a slick dance routine, but it certainly doesn't detract from the brilliance of this tune. Really if you haven't heard it by now you are doing yourself a HUGE disservice. Go. Get. Job done.

Danny Saucedo ~ Radio: I feel I have neglected Danny "gayest album cover ever" Saucedo (which i probably incorrectly pronounce saw-see-doh). I was a tinsy bit late to his debut album but that doesn't mean I didn't love tracks like Tokyo, Play It For The Girls and Hey (I've Been Feeling Kinda Lonely). I couldn't even be bothered with side project boyband EMD, but I'm totally back on board for his ace new single. It's not really a million miles away from the type of tunes he has put out before - throbbing dance beats, repetitive catchy chorus, subdued piano-esque middle 8 and hands in the air, spazz out dancing final run through chorus. It's either your cup of tea or it isn't. I happen to be quite partial.

Darude ft Blake Lewis - I Ran (So Far Away): So Blake Lewis (who has an infuriatingly poor internet presence - photos on myspace set to private? WTF?!) who graced the world with an eclectic and solid debut album has completed his morph into fully fledged dance dude. (Hey, this is the letter D today!). Don't get me wrong, I like this modern day reinvention of this tune into ibiza-esque rave classic and it suits Blake's vocal rather well. And perhaps it will launch him to a wider European audience (listen to it in succession to the previous two tracks and tell me it doesn't fit in perfectly). However, it seems that he has lost a little of the quirkiness and originality that made songs like Gots To Get Her and End Of The World so lovely and endearing. Still, I remain a loyal Blaker Boy :) Check out what Yuri has to say on the matter...

"Da" Killers ~ Spaceman: Ok Ok it's an enormous stretch to include the Killers under D (blame yuri who came up with how to do it on google chat today!!) but I really wanted to write about this supposed second single from their new album Day and Night! Oh! Day starts with D! Yay! Anyway, I'm positively fizzilating at the maneye (or dudeslit if that pleases John) over the release of the third "proper" Killers album - Human is absolutely one of the most beautiful songs of the year and The Spaceman doesn't let me down at all. It's more guitar driven than Human, and is perhaps more of a link to the first two albums than Human was. There is definitely a hint of Bowie about the track, and this is one of those tracks that (like When We Were Young and All These Things I've Done before it) is going to sound immense chanted by thousands of fans live. It's all massive crescendos and singalong choruses - and therein lies the brilliance of The Killers. No matter what genre they are aping today, they have always been a band that gives back to their fans through enormous sing along ditties like this. Will it be a huge hit for them? Time will tell. Does it deserve to be? Absolutely.

Coming tomorrow: Pop bought to you by the letter "M"
Coming sometime in the near future: Britannia High latest review, Wicked Watch and a look back at 10 years of Steps (Blame d'luvverlee...)