The Certified One Hit Wonders of 2014. so far!

I know it is a strecth to made a list of One Hit Wonders of 2014 when: 1. 2014 is not over yet; and 2. Many of these people could potentially have a proper second hit somehow this year, or maybe next year.

Or maybe never. Who knows what will happen in the future? That is why, on a long tradition of listoids, here they are. The certified One Hit Wonders of 2014 so far. Let's hope I'm wrong and these personalities come up with something as brilliant and fun like these songs, but let's face it, maybe it is not meant to be:


1. Aloe Blacc - "The Man"



With many R&B balladeers claiming the top spot on the music charts, this bragging anthem comes as something definitely refreshing and new. There was certain charisma and talent in Aloe to keep people interested in his music,. After all, Avicii's "Wake Me Up" is his creation (in which he wasn't even mentioned, so sorry, it is not his hit per se).

But then? Nothing, I guess. Oh, there is this thing: He will help Adam Levine on the next season of "The Voice". So I guess he will eventually make a comeback. Or not. Just wait.


2. The Chainsmokers - "#Selfie"



By definition, all viral videos are potential One Hit Wonders, due to repetition and immediacy. But there was something else about this duo of DJ's and their song that was more than a video for You Tube hits. I don't know if this was unintentional or not, but the whole song reeks irony and sarcasm about our obsession on this new trend, taking Selfies, and it's both decadent and funny.

And then? Nothing. Remixes over here, over there and just that. I guess being existentialist while on the dance floor is not something you want to replicate often.


3. Clean Bandit - "Rather Be"



This song is so good, heart-warming and fun. And the video is great. So it is sad that they seem unable to replicate the success of this song despite having two excellent follow-ups ("Extraordinary" and "Come Over" and its trippy video). And oh boy this song was successful. Even in the US, where they seem to have a reluctance to embrace these kind of sounds.

Hopefully, I'm wrong and they have another ace under their sleeves, but this is seriously shitty, because we are talking a serious great group here.



4. DJ Snake ft. Lil' Jon - "Turn Down For What"



Song is OK, but what it really made famous this particular tune was the friggin' video, which is hilarious and frightening and way fucked up at the same time. A really amazing idea, well executed and it sets apart this song, which was only a "ready-for-the-club" cut to become something more ingrained in our subconscious.

But of course, him being a DJ and all, he is set to be DJ'ing and remixing this song ad-infinitum and that's pretty much it. But then again, many people would die for being able to do that, so it's not bad, really.



5. Kid Ink - "Show Me"



Basically, this poor man's , look-a-like, copy cat, lame version of  Chris Brown actually had a hit with this tune that was practically sung by Brown himself and then remade it in her "Loyal" song. This was no number one hit, for sure, but it was enough to made him a D-rate celebrity and I just can't believe they are trying to made him like a second version of Brown. Seriously? Do we need another bragger, wannabe-thug ghetto rapper superstar, woman beater in our lives? I don't think so.

Fortunately for all of us, I'm pretty sure this was the first AND the last time we heard something from him. Thank God for these little blessings.



6. Tove Lo - "Stay High (Habits Remix)"



Although this song officialy is from 2013 and it has been on rotation for a while, it is up until this year that it's finding some well deserved success. Sad thing, it is not even the originl the one it's making all the fuss. It is a good remix that cuts half off the lyrics and the saddest meaning of the song, which is fucking nuts, because the song in its entirety is brilliant, and moving, and touching.

And it hurts when tunes this good get the remix treatment and get cut in the process, and then people will forget about them and the artists that created them. Which is really infuriating. Hopefuuly Tove Lo doesn't get that fate, but so far, she is headed that way.

Would you please enjoy the real deal? Thanks.



(And for those interested, there is a first version of this video, that I watched last year, which is more decadent and artsy than this one. Look if you dare).



7, MKTO - "Classic"



Name-checking songs are done by the dozens, but this one was very tongue-in-cheek and actually kind of clever, and mostly fun. But the unecessary presence of a sub-par "rapper" made the whole ordeal a little bit over the top. Still, this song found a public and still in heavy rotation.

Despite all of that, the formula "White crooner - Black Rapper" is not very much well executed, and I don't think this could last or be inventive enough in the long term. And seriosuly, someone give better verses to the rapper here, he's atrocious.



So far, these are the songs I got. Did you agree with me or I am way off on my predictions? Sound off on the comments!

With Gaga giving a tribute or ripping off some styles..... You decide.

How about a musical math? It is not boring, I assure you:

Chaka Khan's hair and sass

+

Amy Winehouse's expression and fashion

=

Lady Gaga's new image

In my heart I believe she is only paying tribute to these great legends by spoofing a very late 80's image in this one. Chaka Khan, who I'm not very familiar to begin with, is one of the greatest soul and R&B exponents of that era, and well, what can we say about Amy Winehouse, with her untimely death that still feels like something unbearable. But to be honest, Gaga has looked better before, so I'm not sure if this is a right image now that she has decided to throw a jazz album along Mr. Tony Bennett. Maybe it's all part of the plan.

What do you think of that?

How much European is TOO European?

I have to tell you something; I don't understand why American people can't cope with European music.

Why is that, you say? Right now there are tons of European acts on the Billboard charts; The Beatles were from the UK; Adele was the most sold artist a couple of years ago on US and she's also British; and so on. You get the point.

However, how come that they always receive different treatment on videos, singles and the like, when they come from Europe?

I have several examples on this, and I'm not going to bore you with useless data, so check out those videos and watch for yourself how different are things from Europe (UK, especifically) once they get the "American treatment":


ALL SAINTS - "NEVER EVER"

UK Version



US Version



I mean, what was the point? The UK version was in accord to the song, and the US version looks like a demonstration on special effects on Hollywood, and some random flowers and animals. And that was it.




ACE OF BASE

UK Version - "Life is a Flower"






US Version - "Whenever You're Near Me"





Basically, another song, another tempo, another everything. "Whenever..." wasn't even a proper single. I know "Life is a Flower" sounds so corny on paper, but it was a good song. Why they thought Americans wouldn't like it, we'll never know.




LEONA LEWIS - "BLEEDING LOVE"

UK Version






US Version





OK, in this case, American version is better and more in tune with the song. But why is the need to make different videos for a song about a heartbreak? We all understand the concept, which in the US version is loud and clear. UK version is more cryptic, I guess.




NATASHA BEDINGFIELD - "THESE WORDS"

UK Version






US Version





Maybe, and this is just a guess, they wouldn't want people to take Natasha as a Pink clone, as seen in the first video. Or maybe, the cheesy effect of multiple Natasha's threw them off. But clearly, UK version is less generic and got soul.




CHER LLOYD - "WANT U BACK"

UK Version






US Version




I know they were supposed to portray Cher as a sassy, salacious girl because they didn't know her from UK's "X Factor", but the American version is pure nonsense. UK's more fun, if you ask me. But thanks for getting rid of that awful rap, I guess.




JOHN NEWMAN - "LOVE ME AGAIN"

UK Version






US Version





In the obsession to tell a story, many sins are portrayed here. Meanwhile the first video is stylish, simple and classic, on the US version we have the old "Romeo and Julieta" treatment that is yawning, really. And the ending? Please don't make me. Just don't.



What can we infer here? It is obvious that things are different on both continets, but we all can agree that music and its message is the same. So I don't really see the need to make various videos for different approches, if the music is the same. Unless you really, really, are doing something inappropiate on the European version.

But really, how am I complaining? We have two videos for the same price, so it's a win-win, isn't it?

What a difference a year can make....

Looking back, this has been a pretty good year in music. But we're still expecting that song that blow us away and make us swoon all over. But in the meantime, let's take a look back at what some of our favorite artists (and some others) were doing on July 2013, and how they are doing today. This should be fun.


ROBIN THICKE

July 2013: He was enjoying the success of "Blurred Lines", of course, song of the summer 2013, and ready to drop his then new album, also titled "Blurred Lines". He was the flavor of the month, with a beautiful wife, and things seemed pretty well for him, after years of struggling making a mark on the world of music. Only good things seemed to come in his way.

July 2014: "Blurred Lines" proved to be a one-trick pony for him, although the album was full of good tunes, but none of them made the same impression on the general public. He twerked along Miley, got accused of misoginy by his lyrics, get separated from his wife, and made an embarrasingly new album ("Paula") as a plea for forgiveness, but really, no "Blurred Lines" here. Not even "Lost Without U". Only sad, pathetic and shameful tunes. Oh, and also, got eviscerated on Twitter, but again, who doesn't?






BEYONCÉ

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July 2013: She was in the middle of a world tour, and giving several teases of new music and a much awaited album, which fans (including me, of course) were waiting impatiently. In the meantime, she was having fun, and maybe (maybe) mocking all of us who were really growing desperate for our dosis of new Bey's music.

July 2014: Of course, it's her year. Dropping a full self-titled new album out of nowhere, with her corresponding music videos, and embarking on a new tour with her husband. Of course, nothing is perfect, and after all the hoopla about her now infamous elevator brawl between her sister, Solange, and her husband, and an implying accusation of cheating towards Jay Z, they have done nothing to harm her image and her reigning on pop. After all, she's Queen B, y'all.

IGGY AZALEA

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July 2013: She was still an unknown commodity on the US, but the UK was well aware of her antics. She was about to embark on an Australian tour (where she is from) as an opening act for Beyoncé, Her still untitled album was supposed to drop at the time, but the label decided to postpone it, much to her disdain. But things were about to get interesting for her, obviously.

July 2014: Well. First off, she managed to tie The Beatles as a new artist having a No. 1 and 2 with her official first single (the omnipresent "Fancy" featuring Charli XCX and Ariana Grande's "Problem" as a featured artist) on Billboard Charts. And then, being the first female rapper (yes, she IS a rapper, an australian white one) to be at the top of Billboard for 6 weeks in a row. And, obviously, being dissed by Nicki Minaj, but again, who doesn't? 

MARIAH CAREY

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July 2013: Mariah was on the verge of having her second big comeback, via releasing her expected album which she entitled "The Art of Letting Go", but she postponed it for some reason. The album was already well awaited after "#Beautiful", that song with Miguel which was just great. And after a much publicised gig on American Idol, along with "Frenemy" Nicki Minaj (both hated it), thing went all sour.

July 2014: Finally, she released her new album, with the astounding name "Me.I Am Mariah: The Elusive Chanteuse" (no kidding here). That title certainly didn't pick the interest of the general public, since it's the first Mariah release to not achieve 100,000 copies at the first week, making it a lowest in her career. The bad thing? The album is really good, much better than 2009's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" (Oh, Mariah, you and your titles). Maybe she should go back to name her albums on a single word. They have been the most succesful.

SAM SMITH

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July 2013: Sam already made a No.1 hit with "La La La", a Naughty Boy track, on the UK, and it was about time to start making music on his own. He was unknown at the time on the US, but it was very clear that great things were ahead of him.

July 2014: And ideed great things came for him. He released his album, "In The Lonely Hour", which went to No. 1 on the UK and No. 2 on the US. He's now friend with Taylor Swift, with granted, made him kind of famous on the US and of course it helped to create a lot of buzz around him. But clearly, this guy is talented, and deserving of the success he is having.

So yes, a year can be a difference between success and failure. And it definitely a lot of things can happen in such a tiny frame of time. So remember: you can still find love, become rich and have a great career in music one year from now. What are you waiting for? Go get it! But remember: hard work is always part of the ecuation. Simple as that. Cheers!

Looking over my shoulder
I was so much younger then
I can't believe what happened
A year ago today

Delta Goodrem, "A Year Ago Today".

Thing that are so alike (to me) until they're not...

Basically this is a lazy post, so forgive me for that. But I have this idea, about things in music that sound basically the same, but they are not related at all. Unless, of course, I'm actually out of my mind and they don't sound the same. But I think I'm right on some of them, so please, let me know what you think in the comments (don't be shy, you can curse me all you want!)

1. The intro of "Let It Go" (the right version, not Demi's)...



... and the intro of "All Of Me" by John Legend.



I know, I know, they are different, and it's only the piano, but sometimes, when I heard the first accords, I was having a hard time telling them apart. So sue me.


2. New PSY featuring Snoop Dogg (!), "Hangover" (especially the chorus)...



...and Lil' Wayne's "A Milli" (which I ADORE).



A no-brainer. The fact that practically Snoops raps the entire song should be an indication of that. An aside: I guess Snoop Lion didn't stick, and now he's doing duets with PSY. Well, it happens.


3. The videos "Ride" and "Born To Die" by Lana del Rey...





...and Taylor Swift "I Know You Were Trouble".



I mean, duh. I guess Taylor thought this was a good idea, but Lana pulled it off effortless, and Taylor looked really out of field. But I like those songs, so I guess it's a win-win for all (not for Lana, though, she were never credited for those gorgeous mini-movies).


4. "Bedtime Story" by Madonna, circa 1995 (Live on the Brits!)...



... and Lady Gaga's "ARTPOP" (Live on The Tonight Show) circa 2014.



Yeah, I'm putting this out there to see what kind of reaction it gets. Seriously, the first time I watched Gaga's performance I reminisced of that unique performance by Madonna (unique in the sense that Madonna didn't proper toured or promoted "Bedtime Stories" on other venues). And I like both songs. And they looked so similar. For me, anyway.


5. The "Heart Attack" epidemy on pop... not literally, thank God.











What's so romantic about a heart attack? No, just no. Heartache will be fine, but a heart attack sound more like going on a rush to ER than anything else. Funny thing: these are all from the last two years, so I think they're out of ideas here.

And so am I. Until next post, where I can really talk about important stuff, I guess. Or at least more exciting, I promise.

Gaga, Kelly and Richardson: too sexual? Get out of here!

This week, footage of the not-released video of "Do What U Want" song by Lady Gaga was leaked...

Basically, a sexy medical appointment (!) with R. Kelly, a supposed gynechologist (!) and scenes from her seminaked, dancing around some tabloids and covered only with newspapers. Nothing particularly shocking, by Gaga standards.


But then, the Internet exploded, accusing Gaga of promoting rape. New York Post commented: "Gaga had a video by an alleged sexual predator, starring another sexual predator. With the theme 'I'm going to do whatever I want with your body'? It was literally an ad for rape."


And you know what? I wholeheartedly agree with that.


Let's look at the facts, shall we?


1. "Do What U Want" was one of the few songs from "Artpop" album that gained notoriety despite the risquee lyrics. The phrase "Do what you want with my body" is not exactly a subtle invitation. but Gaga was very clear that this was intended for all the "haters" that made comments about her body.


2. Then, in an act of revenge (?), she decided to make this cover for the single:

as a big "Fuck You" to all her detractors. Coincidentally, this photo was taken by Terry Richardson, the director of "Do What U Want" no-video (more on him later).


3. The song is a mixture of synth pop and R&B, with a ver 80's vibe. So accordingly, she decided to recruit R. Kelly, who has made that particular sound a trademark of his own. Many outlets were not happy with the duet partner, given the background of Kelly, which includes 'allegedly' having sex with underage girls and peeing on women, not mentioning the fact that he was accused of marrying Aaliyah (RIP) when she was 15. The nerve.


4. The song was not meant to be released, although being a fan-favorite, and with the cold reception towards the already-announced second single, "Venus", Gaga and her team decided to give it a shot. By this time, "Artpop" had failed to reach the heights of their predecessor album, "Born This Way", so a plan to save the album through this song was put on motion.


5. Gaga heavily promoted DWUW through all over the media. Here, the two most controversial presentations, both with R. Kelly. To me, these two are, at best, overrated, since Gaga has been doing real performances with all so much gimmick and better results.







6. Gaga recruited famed Richardson to shoot the video for DWUW. Richardson had recently made his way through the video media with positive outcome. Among others, he directed Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" (no strange to controversy itself) and Beyoncé's "XO" (which seems odd since 'Yonce is very much aware who she associates with). Richardson had a very high profile in Hollywood, with his risquee and at times rauchy portfolio, which for me is also way overrated.

...again, no subtlety here (can you start to see the pattern?) Besides, Richardson has been deemed a "creepy guy" and recently some models alleged that he has conducted inappropiate sexual behavior towards them. He maintains his innocence, because you see, he only photographs sexual imagery, he doesn't perform it. Alrighty, then.


7. So, after all this, Gaga deemed appropiate to shoot a video featuring R. Kelly and directed by Richardson, because why not? The joke tells itself. But then, on an unexpected move, she decided to drop completely the project, at that time blaming "others" that wanted to damage her integrity and artistry and so on. Gaga, queen of controversy, decided to pull off something that reads "controversial" since this inception.


But now, it seems very clear that even for Gaga this was more than what she bargain form, and we can't blame her. According to the images, Gaga is somewhat sedated and then they decided to have a party with her while unconscious. R. Kelly as a bad doctor is somewhat discomforting, and we cannot really fathom what was Gaga thinking at the time she made this video.


Then again, we will wait impatiently for it to come out, so we can judge accordingly.

In the end, DWUW is really a great song, and thus I decided to stick (pardon the expression) with the Gaga/Christina version, another controversial decision, more on the line of  "I never in life thought these two would sing together, I thought they hate each other" category than in the "OMG! This is so raunchy even for my standards" category. And for me, this works better. Cannot embed the video, so please follow the link if you haven't been blessed by that performance. Heaven, indeed.


So sound off: is it truly "shocking" this no-video for Gaga? Have you seen it coming? (Again, sorry for the pun).

App of The Week (end): Groove

As an avid iPhone user, I feel it is my duty to lead you towards this App I discovered recently, which will improve at the nth your experience on your Music playlists. Its name is Groove.

Groove gives to your Music library an entirely new look, and a slick one while at that. The native Music Player on the iPhone is kinda boring, so Groove is a real improvement if you happen to have great taste and like your music as a whole experience, both audibly and visually.

Powered with last.fm, Groove creates Playslists based on your library, as diverse as the music you have on your iPhone. It also gives them quality portraits, and like I said before, it's easy on the eyes, so basically this is all you ask for a music player (besides sound quality, of course).

The maximum of songs of each playlist is 25 songs, but that's OK. After it finishes, the playlist restarts and you have new 25 songs (that depends obviously on how many songs you have). You can save playlists by pinching the star down below and voilá! Also, you can sync it with your Facebook profile, and publish your playlists or what you are listening at any given moment.

(BTW, I don't think 50 Cent or Matt Pokora are The Worst Thing that Happen to Music. I mean, after all, "Macarena " exists and it is still played, so there's that).

So if you have an iPhone and a US App account, you should definitely download this gem. It's for free, so what are you waiting for?

I'm hot & cold towards "Dark Horse" video...

So finally, after months of waiting, the "Dark Horse" video went online and boy, this was an experience...



I mean, we know Katy has a thing for goofiness (e.g. "California Gurls" video) but this is taking it to a whole new level.

First off: do I like the video? Well, duh! This is one of my favorite songs from her, so yes, I do like it. It's so deliciously camp, kitsch, ridiculous, and therefore, amazing.

But then, "Dark Horse" has been an odd thing for Katy since its premiere back in September last year. The unexpected rise on the charts, without proper promotion, propelled the song to single status once "Unconditionally" failed to meet the expectations - and high chart numbers. Then, DH became number 1 on the US charts, assuring Katy hern 9th number one overall, and we were delighted for that.

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But there was no video, uncommon for a number one song on Billboard at that status. Katy was teasing us with a great and much talked about performance at the Grammy's, and many of us thought this was indeed the theme of the video. Boy, we were so wrong.

 

 



So Katy took almost another month (!) to complete the video, and finally, we met her latest incarnation: "Katy-Patra", queen of Memphis, Egypt, which happens to share name with the city in which Juicy J was born. And also, very reminiscent to Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time", which seems fitting since they're the only ones with 5 number one singles from one album.

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Sorry to say, but this has nothing to do with the song or the lyrics. And I'm not talking about that stupidity of "There's no horses on this video!" (seriously, people are so literal and one minded at times). Also all the controversy surrounding the pendant with the name of "Allah" in Arabic (on this note: people should consider to get a job or a life, or both. Seriously). Or the Illuminati shit, who is tedious, redundant and in serious need of a boycott on the Internet.

 

 

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The thing is, this is a great song, a very different side of Katy, which shows her versatility and it was the perfect opportunity to make a statement regarding her musci and status on pop. Instead, she went safe, giving exactly what we expected from her. Well done and executed, but safe, nonetheless. This song, being a risky departure from her previous number ones (Excluding "E.T.", a song that can very well be the genesis of DH), deserved that treatment.

 

But this video is definitely a blast, likable and it sure will be a hit among kids and KatyCats (myself included). There are some GIFs to prove it:

 

 

When the bass drops.... The beat goes hard! Even in ancient Egypt.

 

 

 

 

Katy Patra and her grillz... (Seriously, this is overly camp. Also, amazeballs.)

 

 

 

This was the source of so much pain and hatred towards Katy, but to be honest, it holds nothing and it only proves some people need to develop a thicker skin (I'm not entering into religion here, thank you very much.)

 

 

 

I think I got the craves for some Hot Flamin' Cheetos.... Katy-Patra would approve.

 

 

 

Katy-Patra likes the finest thing in life (this causes another stir within the Illuminati crowd...So much fuss.)

 

 

 

Using her powers to destroy her enemies (and their careers)

 

 

 

Most of the budget sure went to make-up... She looks gorgeous.

 

 

 

Pimp my Ride Egyptian Style...

 

 

 

This little fella sure is getting away from all this madness...

 

 

 

 

Who would have known that there was a stripper soul underneath Katy? And I mean this in the most honest way possible... That split is maddening...

 

 

 

My favorite scene of the video. It should have lasted longer... This is really something.

 

 

So this is another positive note on Katy's career, but I need her to be more risquee and willing to take chances... She already won our hearts, she can do it.

 

 

And lastly, the most WTF moment of a video full of them....

 

 



 

 

The power of Katy-Patra, y'all!

 

How do you feel about this video? Let me know in the comments!





New year, New Layout, New Twitter....

Hi! I know it's been a while since my last update, and I want to apologize, because life has taken over me and I haven't been able to post as much as I would want to. But! Now it's 2014, ending January (that was fast!), and I want to fully commit to this blog. So, in order to do that, I changed the layout, so hopefully you like it. I'm not so good at designing things, but I like the color, and the way it is now arranged gives plenty of space for reading and comprehension (so I believe). As usual, any feedback will be fully appreciated! And secondly, you know, starting to feed this thing, so please be aware; a lot of things are coming your way!

Also, I want you to take a few minutes to follow me on my new Twitter, specially designed to talk all things music. You can find me in the Twitterverse as @TonyMusicORama, so I hope you can start follow me and my shenanigans.

Happy 2014, there's plenty of music to discuss!!

Album Review: Katy Perry, "PRISM"

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One of the most anticipated albums of this fall must have been this one. Katy Perry has been omnipresent on pop since "One of The Boys", circa 2007, and we have never looked back. This is the case of the church-girl-going-to-superstar we have witnessed several times (Whitney, Beyoncé, et al), but in this case, she decided to strip away of that persona (sometimes, on a literal way), and embrace her pop roots and become the brand that we all now love.

And then, "Teenage Dream" came, and boy we never saw that one coming. Five number one songs, more than 5 million copies sold worldwide, and a great great world tour (which I've attended, luckily), the stakes were so high that she needed to deliver. Did she do it?

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Well, first off: this is no "Teenage Dream" 2.0. While that album was goofy, unpretentious and straight-to-the-head pop, this album actually conveys a lot of styles and genres, all well crafted and bottled into tiny pieces, especially designed to stuck in the mind of the listeners and oblige them to stuck on repeat, until the lyrics acquire some meaning and you're able to sing along on your house, your car or whatever place you are listening to them.

But then, was that Katy's intention? She said about this album that she wanted to go to a "darker place", definitely inspired by the failed marriage she had with Rusell Brand. But then, love struck again in the form of Mr. John Mayer, and clearly influence part of this record.

Songs like "Legendary Lovers", with its bhangra style, or "Double Rainbow", a Sia-assisted collaboration, approaches the subject of her new found happiness, while adding some elements of new age and introspection into its lyrics. Meanwhile, "Ghost" recalls the infamous breakup with Rusell, turning this song into some cathartic experience for her, in a mid-tempo ballad that sounds both haunting and reassuring.

I have to say, "Roar" as a first single, as much derided that has been because the similarity with Sara Bareilles' "Brave", and its really, really goofy video, disappointed me at first. But then, as formulaic as it seems, it grown on me until it became my personal anthem for empowerment and self-assurance. Which I believe it was the smartest plan, because Katy seems to be aware, more than anyone, what kind of artist she is and her limitations, but most of all, her strenghts.



This album could be viewed as a double feature: for the first part, a string of sure-to-be hits, including two promotional singles that have my heart (and my replay button) stuck on repeat: the 90's Ce-Ce Peniston-like throwback "Walking on Air" (please, view the iTunes Festival presentation for maximum effect) and the trappy, strip-club-ready "Dark Horse" that is indeed the dark horse of the album, and I think it would be a potential hit, a-la "E.T." of "Teenage...", despite the atrocious rap of Juicy J. Minus that, this song is  a pop tiny masterpiece.

The second part is more ballad-oriented, with the themes of breaking up and empowerment hinted in the first part, going full in this second one. Katy is not very proficient delivering heartfelt ballads, but "Love Me" and "This Moment" feel more on her wheel, and definitely made a case for her, being this stablishing her as a more mature artist.

There are hints of the bubbly persona of "Teenage..." era, like "Birthday" with its anthemic vibe, and "International Smile", which it could very well have fit into "Teenage..." tracklist. And then, you got "This is How We Do", another 90's revival that flirts with lite hip-hop and have the goofiest and most certainly truest line of all: "Mariah Karaoke-y". Because, you know, Mariah and karaoke are certainly a match made in heaven. And props to "International Smile", an ode to all traveling people and the one that mentions Mexico, of all places. (Thanks for that, Katy). And of course, the Daft-Punk-y bridge that it certainly made me smile.

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While "PRISM" IS a great pop album, it certainly falls short to live up to Katy standards. Now she is a pop tour-de-forcé, and we certainly expected more from her. But then again, she has always been very humble and clear of what to expect of her. She is very aware of her pop persona, and she has never intended to find the Holy Grail of pop, whatever that is. And we appreciate that: that despite all of her flaws and misconceptions, Katy is very down to earth and relatable. And that's why we are very happy for her success.

My rate: 8 out of 10. What's yours?

Is Britney still relevant...?

Judging from the success of her new song, I should dare to say: YES.

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There was a time in history that Brit Brit was undoubtedly a tour-de force in pop music, when it first came out with "...Baby, One More Time". She established as a pop star that gradually and eventually took over the world, without seemingly too much effort.

 

And then it came all of her struggles, because that's what happens with every other Disney princesses every now and then. But she, like a phoenix, returned to her former glory and eventually gained back her throne, which has been disputed for several times and apparently no one can take it from her.

 

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Which brings us to the subject on hand. After 15 years of more hits tan misses, do we still care about what Britney does in life? After she has been accused several times of lip-synching, not dancing as well as before, and basically being a shadow of the great Britney she once was?

 

Let's do the music do the talking this time, please:

So fine, "Work Bitch" is not even remotely the best song from Britney. In fact, it is quite underwhelming, compared to other first-singles from previous albums ("Oops"? "Womanizer"?). But it quite enjoyable and in tune with what is "cool" and "fashionable" in this day and age.

Which frankly, is one of her best assets. Being one tiny step forward of all her peers, always offering something that feels new and fresh, amid all the disposable music that plagues the airwaves (or bandwidth, to be more precisely).

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For the first time in years, Britney looks alive and more like a human being, instead of that robotic image she has been sporting lately. And even we all know she can't dance as well as she used to do it circa 2001, at least she is doing her own moves, which mostly consists in jazz hands and being standing still or laying on the floor.

 

But we cannot deny that Britney has something appealing on her. And we enjoyed every little thing she does. That's why, after all these years, we are still attracted to her allure, despite her many, many flaws, and I think that in itself is quite an achievement.

 

 

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So, for me, it is a yes. A definite yes. It's up to her to improve her legacy, now with the residency she's about to head up on Vegas. And a new album on December. So yes, we still have Briney for a  while, bitch.