So first off nobody probably reads this anymore, since I basically dropped off the face of the earth.
But so much has been happening in the world of Pop that I think it’s important to help do what I can to keep the momentum going and speading the word. So let me begin by catching up on a bunch of tidbits.
1. The journey to Melodifestivalen 2010 has already begun with the first 27 songs being announced, the web joker tracks online and tickets already sold out!
What do I think so far? I’m a little worried about the state of the competition in 2010. Judging by the song writers and the rumours it seems that 2010 is very light on established pop artists. So far it seems like we can expect big names like Ola, Sibel and Jessica Andersson but after that things seem to get a little cold. Not only that but the big powerhouse song writers don’t seem to be represented as well as they have in previous years. Henrik Wikstrom didn’t even submit any songs for 2010, ‘Pling’ is nowhere to be seen and the amazing Fredrik Kempe has only one song this year.
This has me asking… “What does this mean for MFest 2010?” It seems like they may be moving away from Pop/Schlager after the relative failure of the Swedish songs at Eurovision over the past few years. That being said I still have faith that the songs will be amazing and just think of all the new fantastic artists we may be exposed to once the songs are released. We aslo still have 4 Wild Cards to be announced and with rumours swirling that Lena Philipsson will make a return in 2010 we still have a lot to look forward to.
If I went through each of your music libraries I’d be sure to find a few guilty pleasures that we all hate to love. A few years ago Europe went head over heels for one such song when everywhere you went all you heard was the chant of “Ma Ya Hi, Mi Ya Ha!’ when O-zone was at the top of the charts with ‘Dragonstea Din Tea.’
Well get ready for a new guilty pleasure with the introduction of Crazy Loop the alter ego of a man better known as Dan Balan who coindicently was a member of O-zone. Not only is the song infectious but the video is surprisingly good quality and a lot of fun. If you haven’t seen the video check the link above. The track was released in the Uk digitally last week and can be found on iTunes now.
3. Industry – One To Watch!
There are a lot of hopes riding on the band ‘Industry’ who hail from Ireland. The band have already had 2 number 1 singles in Ireland and are about to release their 3rd single which should have no trouble making it 3 for 3. Their success in Ireland is due to a tonne of promotion, a charismatic band with great vocals. After the release of their poptastic first single ‘My Babys Waiting’ maybe thought they’d bomb and end up being dropped before a second single would ever be released. But with all the success they’ve achieved at home they’re hoping that success can be duplicated in the Uk. The band are finishing their debut album and have been working with song writers responsible for hits from Girls Aloud, Justin Timberlake, Rhianna and Beyonce.
Their new single ‘In Your Arms’ was written by Lee Hutton of the band and will be released on November 13th. I’m excited to see what is in store for the band and what their album will sound like. This is a band that can sing anything from upbeat pop, a soulful r and b tune or a sweeping ballad. If there is one act to watch for in 2010 it’s Industry.
Stephen Gately – Saying Goodbye
By now everyone is aware of the tragic passing of Boyzone singer – Stephen Gately. I don’t have a lot to say about it because I don’t really know what to say. Boyzone were one of the very first Uk acts I had ever heard of. I remember when I first discovered pop music I would sit in my room and turn on a radio show that played here called ‘The World Chart Show.’ They used to play songs that weren’t released in North America but were big in Europe. One day they played a song called ‘Words’ by a band called ‘Boyzone.’ I remember recording it from the radio onto a tape and playing it all the time. The album – A Different Beat was one of the first cds I ever bought. From that moment on I was always a fan of Boyzone. Sure they were never a ground breaking artist but you could always rely on them to deliver a great ballad that you could sing along to. In 1998 the entire world knew who they were when ‘No Matter What’ became an anthem of sorts and even led to some appearances in the US.
As cheesy as it sounds he was a role model in a way. With the release of songs like ‘No Matter What,’ when he came out in 1999 to overwhelming support from the public and most recently with videos like ‘Better’ which show him with a male love interest. He helped teach people that you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, it’s ok to be yourself.
It’s been almost 2 years since Lady Gaga burst onto the scene with her debut single ‘Just Dance’ but with the release of her new album – Fame Monster we’re finally getting some new tracks and a brand new single. I’m a little dissapointed that they couldn’t be bothered to do a completely new album, instead opting to re-release her debut album with 8 new tracks. But with a new tour starting in December she needed to have enough new material to do a full show.
The new single ‘Bad Romance’ is really good! Look at the success she’s had up to now with her debut album it’s been out for over a year and her singles are still in the upper ends of charts across the world. How do you follow up success like that? Was her debut album a fluke? Is there anything else she can do to shock us? Well ‘Bad Romance’ proves that she knows how to write a great track and that she is definitely not a one-album wonder.
Talk about a departure from their last album! Their first album was very in your face pop music but with their first two singles Infernal have really come into their own. I find their new songs to be a new brand of sophisticated dancey/pop music. I’m really excited for the album now which will be released next week!
This years American Idol runner up finally delivers his debut single – Crush. I think the guy has a great voice… and sure the song is easy to listen to, the chorus is catchy… but its soooo TIRED! I’ve heard this song a billion times! It’s been done over and over and over. It’s a safe and boring single choice… not that I expected anything else from him. I just find it all a little boring.
First off… apologies for my lack of updates lately and thank you for continuing to follow my adventures in pop. I’m going to try to update more regularly… otherwise I’d have to shut down and I don’t want to do that. I’ve considered sharing posting duties if someone wanted to join the YouDontKnowPop team.
But enough of that let’s get back to the music! BWO have released a 3rd single in the Uk with – Lay Your Love On Me and although they’ve managed to garner some radio support this time, they single entered the chart this week at #69. But that isn’t necessarily bad news since the physical single still hasn’t been released!
I read an interview with Alexander where he was asked why Uk radio has suddenly jumped on board and started promoting the new single and this was his answer which I LOVE:
“I think what they like is that we’re not manufactured. We’ve had too many Idol winners and too many boybands and too many girl bands. I hate manufactured music, I like music that’s organic and real. With BWO it’s obvious we’re real because a major record company would never put together a group featuring a 47-year-old man, a 43-year-old woman and a 26-year-old guy who looks like he’s brought mum and dad on stage with him.”
So to the Uk record buying public… please go out and purchase your copy of – Lay Your Love On Me this week and get BWO into the top 20 where they belong!
To celebrate I’m posting a song i just recently discovered from the band! One of my favorites since the first album I have to say!
This summer cities across the globe will celebrate Pride with rallys, parades, parties, music and celebrations. I find it so strange that people can hate, discriminate, hurt and kill other human beings just because or who they love. Every race, every sexuality, every gender… everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equaly.
Below are some of my favorite songs that stand for all of these things. Have a great summer! Turn up your stereo! And Don’t Stop The Pop!
I’m not big on R & B tracks… I find them pretty cookie cutter usually but this new track is really different from a lot of other tracks on the radio at the minute. It’s a really “full/big” sounding song. i doubt they could ever re-create the greatness of this track live… but it’s a great duet. I’m really impressed!
Just when you thought there was no one other boy bands from the 90’s that would try to make a comeback… here from French boyband – Worlds Apart with a comeback single. It’s a pretty song… but not really ‘comeback’ material. Does anyone else find the whole ‘Riverdance’ part a bit random? It doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the song.
In less than 2 months BWO will release their new single from Melodifestivalen. Until then they leave us with their last single from their 3rd album. To be honest I’ve been a little dissapointed with BWO’s singles for quite sometime. I don’t feel like they’ve ever been able to live up to their first album. They’ve had some great rays of sunshine with Chariots of Fire and Destiny Of Love… and Give Me The Night isn’t bad… although it’s no ‘Temple Of Love.’ It’s a catchy ditty and a good lead up to the greatness that is destined to be their next single! I CANT WAIT!
No it’s not a cover of the ‘Lolly’ classic (Bonus points if you got that reference). The guys are Swedish and the song was written by Thomas G:Son and is currently competing in the Polish National Song Contest to select the entry for Eurovision 2008. The song is catchy enough… but Man Meadow? I think they could use a new name.
The artists I’m about to post have given me some of my all time favorite songs… J’ai Pas 20 Ans from Alizee and 2 albums worth of tracks from BWO… but I’m a little dissapointed by these new tracks from them. They’re good! But I had higher expectations?
This retro inspired track is a little different from anything she’s done before but I don’t know if it’s got as much hit potential as her previous singles. I also think this is the first album she’s done without Mylene Farmer?
I’m a little behind with this track… but i’ve only JUST downloaded it. I have to admit I was really looking forward to their new material… but feel a little let down by this one. It’s really nice and fluffy. I guess I wanted something a little more hard hitting. From what I understand they also released a dance track as a double a side with this track. So maybe I’ll like that one better. I do seem to like this one the more I listen to it though… it’s just not as good as ‘Conquering America’ or ‘Sunshine In The Rain’ for example.
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