I reviewed Olly Murs’ new track ‘Troublemaker.’
When Murs croons, “Why does it feel so good but hurt so bad?,” there is no answer. But it sure sounds good when he asks it. That’s a philosophical question in life that can never be answered when it comes to love, but we love when pop stars explore that notion in a song.
Read the rest of my review of the new Olly Murs’ track ‘Troublemaker’ over at PopCrush.
I reviewed the new Adele track, ‘Skyfall.’
It’s a smoky, mysterious song, rich with instrumentation, thanks to the 77-piece orchestra that backs the singer. Now, 77 instruments might seem like they could combine to overwhelm a vocalist, but this Adele were talking about. She owns the song; the lush layers fall in line behind her.
Read the rest of my review of the new Adele track, ‘Skyfall,’ over at PopCrush.
I reviewed the latest from Down, ‘Down IV, Part 1 – The Purple EP.’
The EP is like a high quality, low-calorie meal. It fills you up, sustains you, gives you energy and makes you feel good, but with none of these excess pounds or throwaway fillers.
Read the rest of my review over at LoudWire.
I reviewed the ‘Vultures’ from AxeWound.
‘Vultures’ is 10 tracks of thrashy, razor-sharp riffery, with vocals that are screamy where they need to be and growly when they need to be. The overall mood is nastier than a hungry Rottweiler. It doesn’t straddle any lines or flounder in the middle of the road.
Read the rest of my review over at LoudWire.
I review the new Lana Del Rey track, ‘Ride.’
On ‘Ride,’ LDR’s voice is deep, like that of an old woman who has smoked two packs a day for far too long, in the opening verses. It has a lived-in quality, one marred by experience, drama and trauma, so there is passion there.
Read the rest of my review of the new Lana Del Rey track, ‘Ride,’ over at PopCrush.
I reviewed Rihanna’s new single, ‘Diamonds.’
‘Diamonds”s is sorta safe for Rihanna. Lyrically and melodically, it sounds more like something Kelly Clarkson would sing. Ri’s not known for her uplifting proclamations; she’s too busy telling you how she wants you to take her to bed. But here, she sings about being “diamonds in the sky.” Ho-hum.
Read the rest of my review of Rihanna’s new single, ‘Diamonds,’ over at PopCrush.
I reviewed the new No Doubt, ‘Looking Hot’ song.
The tune is slick and polished, but it’s also drenched in ’80s new wave tones, especially in the chorus when Stefani asks, “Do you think I’m looking hot?” Did that question really need to be asked?
Read the rest of my review of the No Doubt, ‘Looking Hot’ song at PopCrush.
I reviewed Pink’s ‘The Truth About Love’ album.
Pink has never strayed from mining her personal life as source material — making light of her split with hubby Carey Hart in ‘So What,’ one of her biggest hits — and while she’s not as personal here, she still packs her songs and her delivery with levity and warmth.
Read the rest of my review of Pink’s ‘The Truth About Love’ album at PopCrush.
I reviewed the new Christina Aguilera single, ‘Your Body.’
Clearly, she doesn’t need Auto-tune. She isn’t forced to rely on studio trickery to beef up a thin voice. She’s got what most pop stars don’t and that’s a God-given belter’s voice. So to play it up is the smartest thing she could have done.
Read the rest of my review of the new Christina Aguilera single, ‘Your Body,’ over at PopCrush.
I reviewed the latest song from Carly Re Jepsen, ‘This Kiss.’
The light and fluffy nature of the song is what makes it so appealing! Jepsen sings about a kiss being something she can’t resist and the lips of her beloved, who is just her type, being undeniable. She captures a universal feeling and encases it in an addictive song.
Read the rest of my review of the Carly Re Jepsen single, ‘This Kiss,’ over at PopCrush.