RANDOM SIGHT + SOUNDS

Following the less than warm reception to her last album, "143", Katy Perry has wasted no time to return with some new music. First performed live during the Lyon, France leg of her Lifetimes Tour earlier this month, "Bandaids" is a pop-rock ballad about dealing with the end of a relationship. This seems to reflect Perry's current state of mind as she's currently experiencing this with her recent break-up with actor, Orlando Bloom. A new album also appears to be on the horizon but no additional information has been revealed to date. The clever music video for "Bandaids", co-directed by Perry and Christian Breslauer, seems inspired by the horror franchise, "Final Destination" with Perry appearing in numerous horrific accidents.



Here are a few new music highlights: the Swedish performer, Zara Larsson has dropped a fresh remix of her dance-pop track, "Midnight Sun" (which helped earn Larsson her first Grammy nomination) that features Muni Long; best known as an actress, Hilary Duff has had some success as a pop singer and after almost ten years returns to music with a new single, "Mature" and an album due out soon; country crooner, Orville Peck recently released an EP, "Appaloosa" that includes this ballad, "Drift Away"; Perfume Genius has the latest single, "Me & Angel" from his seventh album, "Glory" and "FMT" (which stands for "F*ck My Type") is a guitar-driven, r&b ballad by Summer Walker about prioritizing a partner who genuinely chooses her and not settling for unhealthy relationships.

It has been twenty years since the release of "Confessions on a Dance Floor", the tenth studio album by Madonna. And to celebrate this milestone, a Twenty Years Edition has been released. This anniversary collection features the entire original album (seamlessly strung together like a DJ set), B-sides and remixes. It has also been announced that Madonna is not only returning to her long-time label Warner Bros. Records but it has been teased that there is a sequel of sorts to "Confessions" on the way. Not a lot of details on that yet but we should have that to look forward to next year. In the meantime, here are a few tracks from this album.

And finally, Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist of the costumed rock band, Kiss, passed away on October 16th at the age of seventy-four. Born Paul Frehley on April 27, 1951 in The Bronx, he received a guitar as a Christmas present when he was twelve, teaching himself how to play the instrument. He had gotten involved in street gangs around this time, which is when he got the nickname "Ace" but began to lose interest when music became more of a priority. Frehley began playing in local bands during high school and later got a job as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. He drifted from several bands and worked many odds jobs to make a living before he saw an ad in The Village Voice looking for a guitarist. 

When he went in to audition, he met rhythm guitarist, Paul Stanley, bass guitar player, Gene Simmons and drummer, Peter Criss. He was hired and they became Kiss in 1973. The band decided to paint their faces and create stage personas for live performances with Frehley becoming "Space Ace". They released their self-titled debut the next year and while there was no hit single, the record went gold on the strength of promoting the album and touring. With a frenzied style of guitar playing, Frehley became one of the popular rock players during the 1970's.

In 1978, each member of Kiss released a self-titled solo album with Frehley having a hit single "New York Groove", a cover of a 1975 song by the British glam-rock band, Hello, reaching number thirteen on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. After Criss was voted out of the band in 1980, Frehley became frustrated by the musical direction of Kiss and was always outvoted as the replacement drummer had no vote. Two years later, Frehley would quit Kiss. Forming his own band, Frehley's Comet in 1984, he returned to his preferred heavy metal rock and enjoyed a brief time of success. In 1996, all four original members of Kiss reunited to tour and record an album, "Psycho Circus" before disbanding again by 2002. Frehley would go on to continue his solo career, with his latest album, "10,000 Volts" released last year, until his health had begun to decline recently.

NEW SOUNDS

FKA TWIGS

After some acting gigs ("Honey Boy", "The Crow") and a mixtape, "Caprisongs" two years ago following her signing with a new label, Atlantic Records, FKA Twigs is back with some fresh music. "Eusexua" is the first single and the title track of the genre-bending, alterative British artist's upcoming third album due out in January. Twigs (born Tahliah Barnett) states that Eusexua is "a state of being and the pinnacle of human experience". This unusually structured song begins with propulsive techno throbs before downshifting in the middle then picking the beat back up slightly to slow down again to the conclusion. The dance-driven music video for "Eusexua" features vivid imagery set in a corporate world where the workers strip away from conformity and liberating themselves of their clothing.



NELLY FURTADO

The Canadian-Portuguese artist, Nelly Furtado has just released "7" which is her seventh studio album and her first in seven years. Over the last four years, Furtado, who had recently been diagnosed with ADHD, wrote over four hundred songs yet managed to whittle them down to the fourteen tracks on the album. "7" continues the now forty-five year old singer's foray into soulful dance music and features contributions from a collection of international artists that includes Swedish performer, Tove Lo; Colombian electro-band, Bomba Estéreo; South African rapper, Blxckie and fellow Canadian musician, Charlotte Day Wilson.





KATY PERRY

Katy Perry announced in February that she was leaving the judging panel of "American Idol" after seven seasons to be able to focus back on her own music career. Now her seventh album, "143" is out and the reception has been lukewarm at best. Much of the critical reactions has been that the record feels outdated and Perry is not moving forward creatively. And while I tend to agree with this assessment of much of the collection, there are still songs that I really like from the album. I actually enjoy the last two singles that were released to date: the dance track, "Lifetimes" and the hip-hop flavored, "I'm His, He's Mine" that features Doechii.

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

Moses Sumney is an exciting voice in pop music that many may not have heard of but definitely need to hear. The twenty-eight year old queer artist, who was Los Angeles-raised and currently living in Ashville, N.C., first came on the scene after self-recording an EP, "Mid-City Island" in 2014. Sumney's intimate, experimental sound lead to him releasing his full-length debut, "Aromanticism" three years later. The album went on to be enthusiastically praised and ended up on several Best Albums of 2017 lists including the New York Times. Now Sumney has dropped his follow-up, "Græ", a twenty-song collection that jams together sounds and musical genres to create what he describes as "a concept album about grayness" or taking something bland and injecting it with bold color. The record explores the idea of not being afraid of the complexities that shapes one's identity and embracing that. Here is the video for the single, "Cut Me" which was also directed by the musician:



Take a look at a few inventive music videos for some recent songs I really like:







And finally as a fun way to remember that just because the parades were cancelled doesn't mean we still cannot celebrate LGBTQ pride. Katy Perry has taken her lovely ballad, "Daisies", which she released in the middle of the pandemic, and given it a throbbing dance remix called "Can't Cancel Pride". And the very pregnant singer has made a music video for the song, filled with her trademark whacky sense of humor and the colors of the rainbow flag exploding all over the screen.

NEW SOUNDS

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Justin Timberlake provided his voice for a character in the 2016 animated feature, "Trolls" and contributed a smash hit single, "Can't Stop The Feeling!" for the soundtrack. Now for the forthcoming sequel, "Trolls World Tour" (due in U.S. theaters on April 10th), Timberlake is back in the movie and has dropped a new single for the soundtrack. "The Other Side" is a bold, funky pop track that has the singer teaming with SZA (who we are still anxiously awaiting her follow-up to her 2017 debut album). This is a fine return to form after venturing out in to a Southern Americana sound with his last album, "Man of The Woods".



DIXIE CHICKS

After fourteen long years, the country music trio, Dixie Chicks have finally come back together to release new music. With Jack Antonoff on board as producer and co-writer, Natalie Maines and sisters, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire have re-teamed to deliver "Gaslighter", the first single and title track of their upcoming eighth studio album. This catchy ditty seems to have been clearly inspired by Maines' recent ugly divorce from actor, Adrian Pasdar with implications of lying and emotional abuse. The album, which is due in May, is said to combine the band's early bluegrass music with the more countrified pop sound of their later records.



KATY PERRY

Katy Perry has delivered to us a new song, "Never Worn White". This lovely ballad (co-written with producer, Johan Carlsson) is about never before having the opportunity to wear wedding white but is ready to do so now with the man she truly loves. And if that man was Orlando Bloom, who would say no?  The music video for the song has Perry glowing and looking beautiful covered in flowers and in a long, flowing gown. And there is a message at the end of the clip which Perry reveals that she's has an upcoming joyful delivery.

59 BEST SUMMER SONGS

When we hear a song, it can transport us back to certain time or place in our lives. That is most certainly true with a tune that came out during the hot months of summer. Good Housekeeping has looked back to those key songs of summer from every year since 1960. And I have included a few of my favorites from this list for your listening pleasure:

Click below to read the article:

The 59 Best Songs of Summer

NEW SOUNDS

Last year, Zedd had a big hit when he teamed-up with rising country star, Maren Morris on "The Middle". This infectious dance track became a worldwide smash and earned three Grammy Award nominations.  Now the DJ and producer has dropped a new single and joined forces with pop superstar, Katy Perry with "365".  While I don't think this song is nearly as catchy as Zedd's previous hit but it does grow on you after a few listens. The music video for "365" is clever mini movie. This impressive clip, directed by Warren Fu, features Perry as a humanoid robot and Zedd as a test subject to see how compatible they could be living together. While the robot falls in love with the human, he doesn't return those affections which leads to a tragic end.

The British songstress, Jessie Ware has been quiet for a while since the release of third album, "Glasshouse" back in 2017. But she dropped a single, "Overtime" late last year and Ms Ware has made 2019 much better with another new single. Released on Valentine's Day eve, "Adore You" is a sensual, groove-based love song which was co-written by Ware and Joe Mount of the English electro band, Metronomy who also produced the track. I'm loving this record and hoping this is going to finally lead to a new album. Here are both of Ms Ware's recent tracks for your enjoyment:





Bruno Mars invited hot new artist, Cardi B to spice up a remix of his single, "Finesse" and this collaboration produced one of the biggest singles of 2018. Now, this duo has wisely teamed-up again for a new song by Cardi B. "Please Me" is another old-school flavored jam that is drenched with sexual energy. Mars is along to provide the smooth hook where he begs for a taste of what Cardi has to offer. And the music video perfectly adds to the '90's bump-n-grind vibe.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM. . .

JOHN LEGEND

For his very first Christmas album, "A Legendary Christmas", John Legend has incorporated holiday classics with original songs he has co-written. With Raphael Saadiq handling production, Legend puts his spin on "Silver Bells", "Christmas Time Is Here" and "The Christmas Song" while hoping to create a new holiday classic with his songs, "No Place Like Home", "Wrap Me Up In Your Love" and "By Christmas Eve".  Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding drop by on a couple of tracks. If you would like to hear these songs live, be sure to catch Legend on the road to promote the album which he began in November and run through the end of this month. Enjoy the music video for his version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a live performance of his original tune, "Bring Me Love" from his television Christmas special which features his wife, Chrissy Teigen:





KATY PERRY

Katy Perry had previously released an original Christmas song about four years ago and she has just released another holiday single. "Cozy Little Christmas" is available exclusively through Amazon Music and Perry (who co-wrote and produced the track with Greg Wells and Ferras Alqaisi) delivers a fun and catchy pop song about not wanting expensive gifts and would be perfectly happy simply snuggling-up with a loved one during the holiday.

CALVIN HARRIS IS BRINGING THE "FUNK"

After teasing us throughout the year with several tasty jams featuring an eclectic roster of artists, Calvin Harris has just released his fifth studio album, "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1". This ten track collection has the thirty-three year old Scottish DJ/producer moving away from the dance floor and more towards a hip-hop/soul/ska vibe. And he has enlisted the help from some of the biggest names in music right now; Frank Ocean, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, John Legend and Snoop Dogg to name just a few. One of my favorite songs so far this year is "Slide" which features Ocean and Migos and the album is filled will plenty of other solid grooves that will perfectly add some additional heat to the summer.

"Feels" is the latest single which features Perry, Williams and Big Sean riding on a Caribbean-flavored beat. Enjoy the official video for that tune and here are two other tracks to check out: Nicki Minaj also grooves to a tropical beat on "Skrt On Me' while two rising artists, Kehalni and Lil Yachty deliver a mid-tempo jam with "Faking It".

NEW SOUNDS

CAMILA CABELLO

After leaving one of the hottest girl-groups out right now, Fifth Harmony last December, Camila Cabello has wasted no time getting her solo career in order. The twenty year-old singer has already hit the top-twenty this year by providing vocals on Shawn Mendes' "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and Machine Gun Kelly's "Bad Things". And now she has dropped her first single as a solo artist. "Crying In The Club", using an island-flavored beat and a sample of Christina Aguilara's "Genie In a Bottle", is about the power of music helping to make it through heartbreak. This mid-tempo ballad is hardly groundbreaking and if it makes you think of a Sia track, that's because the singer co-wrote the song with Cabello along with current hit-makers, Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat and Happy Perez. Let's see what else will come as Cabello's debut album, "The Hurting. The Healing. The Loving." is due out this fall.



KATY PERRY

Katy Perry has just released a third song from her upcoming fifth studio album, "Witness". But what makes this tune, "Swish Swish" most notable is that it may be a swipe at fellow pop princess, Taylor Swift who apparently penned a thinly-veiled attack on Perry with her 2015 song, "Bad Blood". Just like Swift, Perry does not confirm nor deny this claim but will say it's about anti-bullying with a '90's inspired dance beat. She was the musical guest on the season finale of "Saturday Night Live" and here is a live performance of the song:



IGGY AZALEA

The Aussie rapper, Iggy Azalea is back trying reignite her music career with a new track. Her latest single, "Switch", that features Brazilian pop star, Anitta delivering the hook, is certainly catchy but I don't know if it's enough to get her back on the pop chart. Time will tell but have a listen to judge for yourself:

"Switch" - Iggy Azalea featuring Anitta (2017) mp3

SELENA GOMEZ

Finally, we have my favorite out of this batch of new songs. Selena Gomez has returned with "Bad Liar", a slinky, beat-driven ballad from the team of Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter who brought us the singer's hits, "Good For You" and "Hands To Myself".  Using the bassline from Talking Heads' 1977 song, "Psycho Killer" as inspiration, the song has Gomez singing about unconvincingly denying her feelings for a new love interest.

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

Miley Cyrus has certainly caused a little whiplash with her drastic image shifts. She was introduced as the cute "Hannah Montana" character then becoming a more natural, sweet country-rock princess before shocking everyone as a raunchy, pot-smoking provocateur. Now the twenty-four year old singer has evolved once again. With a semi fresh-scrubbed, drug-free persona and leaving hip-hop far behind, Cyrus has returned to her pop-rock roots with a new song, "Malibu". Inspired by a reconnection with her former fiance, actor Liam Hemsworth, the guitar-driven song is about her falling in love again. I really like this and find "Malibu" a refreshing sound for pop radio.



Here are some recent music videos of follow-up songs from artists with new albums on the horizon:

I had mentioned earlier of TLC releasing new music but there is another female r&b group from the '90's also making a comeback. En Vogue, who brought us such hits like "Hold On", "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Don't Let Go (Love)". are back with a new single, "I'm Good". Now down to a trio which includes original members, Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron along with Rhona Bennett,  the song may not be as memorable as when they were riding high on the charts but it features a classic soul vibe and their perfect harmonies. En Vogue's seventh studio album, "Electric Cafe", which feature production assistance from Raphael Saadiq and the group's original founders and producers, Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, is due out later this year.

"I'm Good" - En Vogue (2017) mp3

Finally, let's go back in time with a few of my favorite songs from the 1990's:



"Can We Talk" - Tevin Campbell (1993) mp3



"Get On Up" - Jodeci (1996) mp3

"All Night Long" - Faith Evans featuring P. Diddy (1999) mp3

CHAINED TO THE RHYTHM

Katy Perry has just dropped some new music. After a promotion to find disco balls hidden across the globe and share their findings, the dance-flavored track, "Chained To The Rhythm" was released on February 10th.

The thirty-two year old singer (currently revealing her natural blonde hair) co-wrote the song with Sia and producer, Max Martin and features Bob Marley's grandson, Skip who provides vocals. While the tune is catchy and features lyrics questioning our complacency while there is trouble brewing in society over a dancehall beat, it still feels a bit lightweight and predictable. Perry had indicated last year she was ready to explore new, challenging musical horizons with her upcoming album but so far her output to date, including the 2016 Olympic anthem, "Rise", has been pretty safe.

Perry will be making an appearance on tonight's Grammy Awards and will perform "Chained To The Rhythm" live on the show.

The lyric music video is a bit odd but clever. It involves a hamster and food being prepared with miniature furnishings. See if you can make the connection:

HOT TRACKS

First up, we have Britney Spears who has just dropped a new song, "Make Me" which is the first release from her upcoming ninth studio album. With an obligatory guest appearance by a rapper (here we have G-Easy), this beat-heavy, sexy ballad has Spears cooing seductively about having her man make her do whatever he'd like. I think this just might be the hit that will bring her back to the top of the charts.

With the 2016 Rio Olympics just a few weeks away, it's time to hear an inspirational anthem to help get everyone pumped up for the event. Katy Perry has been assigned that job and "Rise" is the song. This Max Martin produced ballad is intended to lift up and inspire and does so with Perry's robust vocals and lyrics with an encouraging positive message. The music video drives it all home with powerful images from past Olympics.

Finally, we have Tinashe with "Superlove", an '90's inspired, throw-back jam. The track is a part of "Joyride", her highly anticipated follow-up to her 2014 studio debut, "Aquarius" that featured the million-selling smash, "2 On". This hypnotic song, produced by The Dream and Tricky Stewart, may feature a familiar vibe that will certainly remind you of the great Aaliyah yet Tinashe manages to make "Superlove" stand out as a modern classic.

"Superlove" - Tinashe (2016) mp3

MY FAVORITE MOMENTS IN MUSIC OF 2013

I know this is very late and 2013 is just a distant memory for most people but I have to point out my favorite tunes from last year. I had already displayed some of my favs throughout, so here is the rest of my best:

"Safe and Sound" - Capital Cities

"This Life" - Josef Salvat

"The Way" - Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller



"Love More" - Chris Brown featuring Nicki Minaj

"Hold On We're Going Home" - Drake



"Latch" - Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

"Happy" - Pharrell Williams

"Summertime Saddness (Cedric Gervais Remix)" - Lana Del Rey

"Unbelievers" - Vampire Weekend

"Walking On Air" - Katy Perry

NEW SOUNDS

I grow more and more skeptical of new music by anticipated artists somehow mysteriously being leaked online before the official release date and how outraged these musicians claim to be about the issue. That happens to be the case for pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry who both have their latest singles make it out to the world before they said so. I'm sure it's some kind of a game but whatever. They are now actually released, so here are the songs in question:

LADY GAGA

"Applause" is the title of the first song from Gaga's upcoming album, "ARTPOP" that is due this November. The singer's vocal styling here makes me think of 80's new wave songstress, Lene Lovich (and yes, you need to be of a certain age to know who the hell she is) which she actually has a lot in common with.. This electro-beat heavy song is what you would expect and certainly seems accurate as she sings about how she "lives for the applause" as we know the Lady gives her entire body and soul to make sure her little monsters happy and satisfied.

"Applause" - Lady Gaga (2013)

For those who don't know, here is Lene Lovich on the UK show, "Top of The Pops" performing her song, "New Toy":



KATY PERRY

This is no longer the bubble-gum soft Katy Perry of "Teenage Dream" as she has grown-up, toughen-up and ready to "Roar".  That is the name of the first release from her forthcoming third album, "Prism" scheduled to come out in October. This is another catchy, self-empowering tune that she is well-known for and while it offers no surprises it also doesn't disappoint.

"Roar" - Katy Perry (2013)

JAY Z

Inspired by performance artist, Marina Abramović, Jay Z has created a short film for his new single, "Picasso Baby" . With director Mark Romanek on board, Jay has documented the creation of this fascinating art piece as well as shown highlights of the six-hour experience. Although they are given a credit at the end, see how many famous faces you recognize in this clip from the art and film worlds:

HOT AND FRESH OUT THE KITCHEN

"WRECKING BALL" - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

"The Boss" is back with his seventeenth album, "Wrecking Ball", a collection of music that was partially inspired by the "Occupy Wall Street" movement. His songs continue to reflect on the struggles of the average man and rallying against the injustice and greed that is prevalent in our current society. The sound is pure rock and roll with elements of folk and gospel and on the track, "Rocky Ground", Springsteen has even written a brief rap in the song that is performed by guest vocalist, Michelle Moore.

Here is the rousing first single from the album:

"We Take Care Of Our Own" - Bruce Springsteen

"MDNA" - MADONNA

Madonna has returned to the scene with her twelfth CD, "MDNA". She has assembled together some of the top producers working today in dance/electronic music to work on this project such as Martin Solveig, Benny Benassi, The Wrecking Crew and her long-time collaborator, William Orbit. Although the music combines her classic pop sounds with big, crunchy beats but the end results still don't feel inspired or fully developed. It's disappointing because Madonna has made her career by moving pop music forward but instead she seems to be just blending in with what is currently happening.

The first single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'" not only became her thirty-eighth top-ten pop single on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the artist with the most in chart history but the song also became her forty-first number one song on the Dance Chart with her being the performer was the most on that chart.

This is a song that I like off the new album:

"Some Girls" - Madonna

"ALL OF ME" - ESTELLE

British r&b singer, Estelle, who seems to have a soft spot for American boys, is back with her third album, "All Of Me". The record is another solid release filled with fun pop-soul tunes with guest performers, Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Chris Brown and Janelle Monae on board to lend a hand.

"Back To Love" - Estelle

"TEENAGE DREAM: THE COMPLETE CONFECTION" - KATY PERRY

Everyone is very familiar with Katy Perry and her hugely successful 2010 album, "Teenage Dream".  It has sold over five million albums worldwide with the first five singles each topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart, tying a record set by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson with his album, "Bad". Now, the album has been repackaged and entitled, "Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection".

I have never understood the point of re-releasing an album so soon and simply adding a few new songs. It just seems shady to me and the artist should just wait until they enough material to release a brand new record. Having said that, the new tracks are actually good with the first single, "Part of Me" debuting at number one. Other tracks include an acoustic version of "The One That Got Away", the remixed single of "E.T." featuring Kanye West and Tommie Sunshine's mega-mash-up of six of her hit songs.

This is one of the new tracks from the album:

"Wide Awake" - Katy Perry

"HAPPY TO YOU" - MIIKE SNOW

This pop collaboration consists of New York musician/vocalist Andrew Wyatt and the Swedish production team of Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg or as they are better known, Bloodshy & Avant.

After Miike Snow received plenty of buzz and minor success with the single, "Animal" off of their self-titled debut, the group is back with their follow-up, "Happy To You". The album features more of their moody and esoteric electropop sounds with two singles, "Paddling Out" and "The Wave" already released and a track features fellow Swede, Lykke Li.

"The Wave" - Miike Snow

"RADIO MUSIC SOCIETY" - ESPERANZA SPALDING

Esperanza Spalding seemed to come from nowhere to create the biggest upset of the 2011 Grammys by winning the award for Best New Artist (also becoming the first jazz performer to ever win this honor) but she was hardly a novice. She has been playing bass and performing since she was fifteen and had released two previous recordings before her win.

With "Radio Music Society", the twenty-seven year old jazz artist is back with new music that features almost all original compositions. The album incorporates touches of soul and hip-hop to her jazz sound and includes a cover of the Michael Jackson classic, "I Can't Help It".

Sample a track from the album:

 "Cinnamon Tree" - Esperanza Spalding

Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes is about to release his first solo album, "Blunderbuss" in April. This is the music video for his great first single, "Love Interruption":



This is a fun video from a young, new hip-hop artist, Rye Rye for her latest single, "Boom Boom" in which the set-up is like a vintage video game:

HOT & FRESH OUT THE KITCHEN

FANTASIA - "BACK TO ME"

I'm not going to get in to any of Fantasia's personal drama (there are plenty of other places you can go to get all of that info) but I am going to tell you about the American Idol winner's third album, "Back To Me [+digital booklet]". 

The title of this new record is appropriate because she has come back strong with a collection of solid and smooth r&b songs and brings her own special spin to each one.

This is a great song off of the album and she's gotten some assist from Cee-Lo Green:

The Thrill Is Gone - Fantasia

KATY PERRY - "TEENAGE DREAM"

Katy Perry is off to a great start with her summer smash hit song, "California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)" which was a nice kick off for her third album, "Teenage Dream [Explicit]".

She began her career as Katy Hudson singing Christian-rock before taking on her mother's maiden name and becoming Katy Perry (to avoid any apparent confusion with actress, Kate Hudson) to belt out secular music.

This follow-up to her 2008 hit album, "One Of The Boys" has her returning to the sound that worked so well for her previously. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it does make this album seem really not much more that a collection of a few potential singles surrounded by a lot of filler. Despite that, I'm sure this CD will keep Ms Perry at the top of the charts for quite a while.

The title track appears to be her next hit single:

Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

And here is the trippy music video for her first hit off of the album:



MATTHEW DEAR - "BLACK CITY"

Matthew Dear is better known as a electronic producer and a remix artist but he is taking center stage on his new album, "Black City".  His sound is a combination of house beats mashed up with his distorted vocals and grooving techno pop music.

Although he was born in Texas, he grew up in Michigan where as a teenager, he was inspired by the electronic music scene there.

He has also created music under the names, Audion, False and Jabberjaw.

Here is a sample of his music off of his latest:

Honey - Matthew Dear

USHER - "VERSUS"

"Versus [+digital booklet]"  is Usher's follow-up EP to this year's release, "Raymond V Raymond [+digital booklet]". I'm not sure why this was necessary because his other CD just came out only five months ago but this collection would, according to the artist," explore the subjects of being newly single and being a father".

There are seven new songs plus two remixes which includes the Justin Bieber single,"Somebody To Love Remix".

I like this song off of his new record in which he teams up with Jay-Z:

Hot Tottie - Usher Featuring Jay-Z