NEW SOUNDS

BETH DITTO

Beth Ditto, the fiery, big voice behind the alt-punk band, Gossip, has officially become a solo artist after the group mutually decided to come to an end last year. The Arkansas native had dabbled with EDM on her 2011 self-titled EP but has returned to her musical roots with her just released debut, "Fake Sugar". This collection of country-lite rockers and electrifying dance tunes features lyrics that touches on her Southern upbringing, life as a queer feminist artist and her almost four-year marriage to Kristin Ogata. Enjoy the video for the first single, "Fire":



PERFUME GENIUS

One way to describe the visionary music of Perfume Genius is that he is the star-child of Kate Bush and David Bowie. Born Mike Hadreas in the suburbs of Seattle, WA, he was victimized as a young child due to being openly gay and even received death threats. Hadreas found solace in music and learned to play the piano. After dropping out of high school, he moved to New York in an attempt to experience a more open-minded, creative environment. Hadreas soon returned to Seattle where he decided to pursue a life in music on his terms. Reborn as "Perfume Genius", he created songs inspired by his sexuality and the dangers that confront gay men in contemporary society. For his fourth album, "No Shape", Perfume Genius has created another bold art-rock expression on his views of love and relationships. Here are the music videos for two singles from the album, "Slip Away" and  "Die 4 You" which perfectly display this artist's inventive gift for performance art.





Finally we have some new music from the glam-disco outfit, Scissor Sisters. it's been almost five years since we last heard anything from the group, which still consists of Babydaddy, Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, and Del Marquis, and they have come together with producer, MNDR for a good cause. The song, "Swerlk" was created to pay tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting one year ago with a sassy dance-floor remembrance. It is being released in conjunction with GLAAD with proceeds from the sales benefiting the Contigo Fund, a non-profit organization for LGBTQ individuals.

BRITNEY OR BETH: THE MUSIC VIDEOS

I had done a post a little while ago comparing the latest songs by Britney Spears and Beth Ditto of Gossip and now both have released the music videos for each of their tunes.

Both videos owe a large debt to the visual imagery of the Material Girl back in her glory days. For the video of her first single as a solo artist, "I Wrote The Book" , Ditto is seen carrying a suitcase, shot in black and white photography, walking down a long hotel hallway. Sound familiar? A couple of male dancers voguing in skintight bodysuits are thrown in to complete the look and you now have a 2011 revisiting of Madonna's "Justify My Love". It's all harmless and fun with Ditto looking sexy and being sassy.

With the video for Spears's hit, "Hold it Against Me" on the other hand, it's much more subtle in it's homage as it reminds me, in fleeting moments, of Madonna's "Bedtime Story". But this video comes across as an overly busy and unfocused mess. Photographed on a set of electronic garbage, Britney lip-syncs her single, surrounded by a standard troupe of male dancers. We are bombarded by fast cuts involving stiff dancing, flying paint, "Rocky Horror" red lips and a battle between two versions of Britney.  By the end of the video, I felt like I was suffering from whiplash. There's just way too much going on in this four minute clip.

Check out the videos and judge for yourself:





And just to make the comparison, here is the videos of Madonna's "Justify My Love" and "Bedtime Story":

BRITNEY OR BETH

I'm sure you have heard by now (if not the actual song, then at least the news) the new single from pop princess, Britney Spears's upcoming album. "Hold It Against Me" was released on Tuesday, January 11 and it has reached the top of the itunes digital singles charts.

While the song is fun, catchy and has got a great crunchy beat, "Hold It Against Me" is more about the production, done by current pop kings, Max Martin and Dr.Luke than by the actual vocals by Ms Spears, who ably provides her trademark breathy chirp but this song could have been done by pretty much anyone who can carry a tune (and with today's technology, it really could truly be anybody, since being able to actually sing is no longer a requirement).

On  the other hand, the lead singer of the band, Gossip, Beth Ditto has just released her first solo project. For this four song EP, she has teamed up with electronica band, Simian Mobile Disco, moving from punk rocker to disco chanteuse. She also offers some heavy dance tunes plus she can truly sing with that soulful, powerful wail but it's highly unlikely that she will attract anywhere near the same amount of attention as Ms Spears, which is a shame.

So who should it be, Britney or Beth?

No need to make any real decsion since both ladies have some interesting and different music to offer and besides, there is plenty of room for both artists in this wide musical landscape.

Britney Spears - "Hold It Against Me"

Beth Ditto - "I Wrote The Book"