Oh Love
Green Day
The first single from Green Day’s latest album, “¡Uno!,” is true to Green Day style, yet refreshing in its own way. It begins with a pleading Billy Joe Armstrong accompanied by a lone guitar. As the song continues, it builds momentum and creates a relaxed, slow, chugging sound. Everything builds up to a melodic chorus that no one can resist chanting along to. The anaphoric verses and catchy chorus make “Oh Love” a potential hit among both radio listeners and loyal fans. “Oh Love” demonstrates Green Day’s unique ability to successfully fuse punk and pop music, and could possibly aid in rock radio revival. Being the first of three albums, “¡Uno!” will be released in September.
Listen: http://soundcloud.com/greenday/sets/green-day/
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWwMqa-_210
Buy: http://itunes.apple.com/album/oh-love/id541781292?i=541781293&ign-mpt=uo%3D5
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LX79QG/?tag=you09f-20
Pound the Alarm
Nicki Minaj
Over the past few years, Nicki Minaj has created a signature sound with her hip-hop beats and unusual vocals. “Pound the Alarm” is no exception to this style. Throughout the song, Nicki sports her “I own you” confidence all while encouraging everyone to dance and to just have fun. However, it does seem that Young Money is merely marketing what works for them. “Pound the Alarm” is nearly identical to the summer smash hit “Starships”. Both songs use similar techniques, like the intros. Both feature Nicki’s vocals against a simple beat, a dubstep build-up to a bubbly chorus, and then a “let’s party” subject matter. “Pound the Alarm” certainly has potential to be a hit and club anthem, but it also seriously lacks originality.
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdrqA93sW-8
Buy: http://itunes.apple.com/album/pound-the-alarm/id512360310?i=512360327&ign-mpt=uo%3D5
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NCSU5U/?tag=you09f-20
Settle Down
No Doubt
After a long break, No Doubt is finally returning to radio. Gwen Stefani proves that she still has it with her whiny, yet smooth, island vocal style. In addition to the vocals, the message sticks to the usual No Doubt theme of being a girl trying to figure out life while being told what to do. Stefani wails, “Don’t get me started; I’m trying to get a hold on this”. No Doubt has, well, no doubt made a good move in their comeback with “Settle Down”. It truly embodies the pop-infused island ska sound that listeners have come to love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb_zZ3xItPI
Buy: http://smarturl.it/NoDoubtSmartTab
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LR6EUY/?tag=you09f-20
Madness
Muse
Muse has long been known to incorporate electronic sounds into their music, but “Madness” takes it to another level. After being inspired by a Skrillex show, Muse set out to write a song that breaks barriers. “We created something that was dubsteppy, but we wanted to see if we could do it with real instruments,” lead singer Matt Bellamy says. “Madness” could be considered something like simplified dubstep. There is a single downbeat that continues throughout the song with different synths and guitars added in. Bellamy’s haunting vocals are very reminiscent of “Starlight” and have clear influence from Prince and Queen. “Madness” describes the insanity of being in a relationship with quite a unique sound. The song itself is good, but I am a little wary of how long-time Muse fans will receive this new direction.
Watch: http://youtu.be/Mq9zhpBweDk
Buy:http://smarturl.it/muse.madness.itunes
http://www.amazon.com/Madness/dp/B0090AV3Z2/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345573096&sr=301-1
http://muse.mu/store
We Are Never Getting Back Together
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is at it again with her tales of romance and heartbreak. This time, she does it with a little attitude. She, naturally, keeps her “easy to relate to” style with the message of “We Are Never Getting Back Together”. Swift’s vocals are swooping and sticky sweet, making for teen anthem girls will no doubt be singing to themselves in their bedroom. The song also features snippets of conversations that Swift might be having with a friend, including “I just… I mean this is exhausting, you know, like, We are never getting back together. Like, ever”, making the song seem even more real. Add this song to Taylor Swift’s long list of heartbreak hits.
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcMn_Eu-XTE
Buy: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-are-never-ever-getting/id552633504
http://www.amazon.com/Never-Ever-Getting-Back-Together/dp/B008XBRTZM/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345572231&sr=301-1
