Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj Release Bang Bang

When a single with three supposed pop titans is released, you expect to be nothing less of extremely impressed. Not the case when big booty rapper Nicki Minaj, whiney short-haired powerhouse Jessie J and a-little-bit-too-cute Ariana Grande joined to throw together what they liked to call a song. 

Heavily reliant on a generic beat, the track sounded as if the songstresses were unaware of their cue, generating off kilter pieces that had clearly been cut together. The song really did wreak of the industry's appalling commercialism- the churning out of songs they constantly push to call music. As individuals, all three women are extremely talented and although a matter of opinion, all three have several different qualities they could have given to a track- unfortunately this was not it. 

Bang Bang was released yesterday and is set to be the lead single of British singer Jessie J's third upcoming album and will also feature on Grande's deluxe album which is set to drop at the end of August. It speak volumes that these artists need the track to inject life into their current music, as oppose to Minaj whose own songs have her trending on Twitter within seconds. 

Will it be a success? probably. Will I continue to complain about the wasted talent? definitely.

LISTEN HERE: 

Justin Bieber Announces His Retirement on National Radio

I'm just not sure anyone cared anyway Biebs.. 

Teeny bopper Justin Bieber took to Power 106 radio station in LA yesterday to reveal on air that "after the new album, I'm actually retiring man. I'm retiring".

Can you hear that? that is the sound of teenage hearts breaking. The Heartbreaker singer insisted that his music will be taking a back seat after the release of his new album 'Journals' next week. 

The singer certainly got the reaction he wanted when gasps could be heard in the studio, as host Kurt Alexander exclaimed "what?". 

Trying to justify himself he said "I want to grow as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to mature". 

Yawn. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that Bieber was making these statements in an act to receive yet more attention- this year was one of under-age drinking, drug taking and spitting for the 19 year-old, but in this most recent interview he was prepared to defend himself, saying 

"People think I'm arrogant, I'm not, I've always been a caring and giving person.. I'm 19 I'm gonna make mistakes it's inevitable"

Judging from the way he started this year, maybe taking a step back is what you need Biebs. 

7 Feminist Elements of Lily Allen's 'Hard Out Here'

Never one to hold back, the fabulously  flamboyant and foul mouthed Lily Allen is back, and it's clear she is here to send a message.  Her comeback single, which she is hailing as a taster for what is to come next year, was released this week and it certainly sparked a lot of debate. For me I think it represents how perfectly ridiculous the music industry is nowadays- sexist to the point of stupidity, women are portrayed as submissive objects who flash their flesh at the click of slimy fingers such as Robin Thicke's. With his gratuitously iconic video Blurred Lines in mind, I have compiled 7 elements of 'Hard Out Here' which are not only feminist, but capable of inspiring females everywhere.

From i4.mirror.co.uk

1.   The Plastic Surgery scene

As Allen lays on a table while a group of men poke and prod at her, an older man tells the singer"Letterman says no". She pokes fun at the industry by highlighting the fact that she as a woman is being rejected by talk show hosts such as the latter and Kimmel, both of which are older men. For me it also emphasised the fact that the interviewing world is very much male dominated, and in general in presenting there are no older women at the forefront. The suited man standing up then describes her body as "terrifying". 

From primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk

2. She points out the unequal perceptions of sexual promiscuity 

Nowadays, most insulting words are female orientated, as Allen rightly says in the lines: " If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut. When boys be talking about their bitches, no one's making a fuss. "

      

3. "There's a glass ceiling to break"

Allen sings about the glass ceiling, and the fact that progress in equality is moving too slowly, and that she can't cope with the pace. Totally behind you on that one Lily! 

4. Owning the word "bitch"

At first listen, you might question why Allen decided to use a derogatory term multiple times in her song, but I think it is powerful AND feminist for two reasons:
1. It's a controversial thing to do, and definitely grabs the listener's attention.
2.  The emphasis on the word is a two fingers to the men who think they have the right to use the word against women. 

5. She sends up the female stereotypes

With the wonderful comparison of Blurred Lines, you will see in visual how Allen  sends up thepathetic Robin Thicke single. She emphasises that it's not about domestication, good looks or sex, it's about intelligence. 

6.  She represents a strong female archetype 

My favourite part of the song is the bridge when she says "Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say, I'll go ahead and say them anyway". She urges women to speak up and speak out, it's truly inspiring. 

7. "Inequality promises that it's here to stay"

Allen highlights a completely true statement, but points out that even though injustice is here to stay, we shouldn't put up with it. 

Lily I've missed you! Welcome back! 

And just in case you really didn't get the video and it's intentions... 

Watch the video here: 

ARTPOP Review: Latest Album Proves Lady Gaga is Queen

         From cdn.popdust.com

I can't deny the fact that I have been itching to hear ARTPOP ever since Lady Gaga opened the iTunes Festival in London back in September and after the leak of her latest album, I jumped at a chance to give her new music a listen. Despite Applause being slaughtered by the media, Gaga herself having a few Twitter meltdowns and her X Factor performance receiving more than a hundred complaints, ARTPOP sticks up a middle finger to those who ever doubted Miss Germanotta. The collection of songs has everything Little Monsters want from Gaga- addictive pop beats, soulfully slow tunes and sexually charged lyrics. 

Tracklisting: 

01 “Aura”
02 “Venus”
03 “G.U.Y.”
04 “Sexxx Dreams”
05 “Jewels N’ Drugs”
06 “MANiCURE”
07 “Do What U Want” (feat. R. Kelly)
08 “ARTPOP”
09 “Swine”
10 “Donatella”
11 “Fashion!”
12 “Mary Jane Holland”
13 “Dope”
14 “Gypsy”
15 “Applause”

The Best Bits

                        From i2.cdnds.net

 

Venus

The second track to be released, the star performed this on X Factor UK on 27th October. Filled with galactic metaphors and an addictive synth beat, Gaga repeats the words "take me to your planet". 

Sexxx Dreams

After hearing this one at the iTunes Festival I was incredibly excited to hear the album version. Despite the x rated lyrics which are by now expected from the star, the dance beat is ensnaring and one of the strongest songs on the album. 

MANiCURE

This track is FULL of attitude, fun and solidly confirms that pitched against the likes of Britney and Perry, this lady has the strongest voice with the most range. 

Swine

Without a doubt, this song is my all-time favourite, and is definitely reminiscent of her earlier tracks like Teeth and Dancing In The Dark. Sick yet humourous, it is the perfect recipe for a club banger. 

From 2.bp.blogspot.com 

Donatella 

Two words that sum up this song: fun and dumb. Bubblegum pop meets dance meets synth with this track, my favourite verse being "Walk down the runway but don’t puke (it’s okay)
You just had a salad today, Boulangerie,Just ask your gay friend's their advice, before you
Get a spray tan on holiday, in Taipe"

The Misses

As with most albums, there are always a couple of songs you are disappointed with, and for me, I was extremely underwhelmed by 'Dope'. It's weaknesses did not lie vocally, but lyrically- I could not get past the fact that the chorus consisted of 'I need you more than dope'.  I wanted a deeper emotion from Gaga! 

                   From i1.cdnds.net

Jewels and Drugs

One thing Gaga- you will never be gangster, so stick to pop and make sure Twista stays far away from your future tracks. This song shouldn't have made it to the album, but I applaud her experimentation. 

To me her music packs a punch and as an all-round performer, she can engage with an audience, she clearly has a passion for her music and for her fans and her pure kookiness only adds to her charm and blows others such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry out of the water. 

Listen to the whole album here

Follow this Tumblr account for the latest tracks

What did you think of Artpop? 

 I give it              ★★★★★

Shocker! Raw Footage from Britney Spears' 'Work Bitch' Leaked. Was She Airbrushed?

As all of us know, fame comes with an indescribable amount of pressure to look presentable and when it comes to pop princess Britney Spears, her whirlwind life in the public eye has meant she is especially prone to criticism. 

Making her comeback amongst the likes of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, the 31 year-old released highly anticipated 'Work Bitch' this month, accompanied by a steamy video which showed her adapting to her new surroundings- the hot Nevada desert was a backdrop as she announced her two year residency in Las Vegas. 

The mother of two showed off her impressively slim figure for the release as she is seen in a bikini top and tiny metallic shorts, but was that body down to slogging it out in the gym, or a little computer trickery? 

New images were released today by HOAX films (the studio that dealt with all the visual effects on the video) seeming to show Britney with much thicker thighs and a more natural hip and stomach shape. 

 While you cannot take it away from Britney that she has worked extremely hard to lose weight of late, it was reported that the visual effects company were hired to 'clean-up' the video. This is not the first time the star has been seen airbrushed either.

(above: Piece of Me video)

Back in 2007, Britney was heavily edited in her Piece of Me footage, amidst her troubled hair shaving and weight gain. Again in 2010 the star was airbrushed for a Candies campaign shoot.

It is fair to say that throughout her career, Spears has never been overweight, and the unedited shots in all cases look remarkably natural and set more of an inspiring example to younger women. 

When will the airbrushing stop? 

Welcome!

Hello celebrity lovers and music fiends!

 I am creating this cheeky music blog in an attempt to provide you info on the latest releases!  Follow me for news, opinions and interviews. 

Muchos love, 

Maria