Selena Gomez - STARS DANCE REVIEW

RATING: 3.5/5

It's been entertaining to see SelGo grow up and mature, 2013 marks the year that has probably been the most interesting for the former Disney starlet: Kicking off the year with a tribute to her Disney roots in a Wizard's of Waverly Place TV special to the raunchy, party themed "Spring Breakers" indie movie. And now Stars Dance. Packed with uptempo club bangers, it's an album that doesn't quite go as arty and deep as, say, Lady GaGa, but it's not as fluffy as Carly Rae Jepsen or even close friend Demi Lovato. Here's our track by track take.

1. "Birthday" sees Gomez channeling that Spring Breakers party girl vibe. Think "Hollaback Girl" with a more industrial, sensual vibe. It's a definite stand out, as the rest of the album is much more electo pop and EDM influenced.

2. "Slow Down" also is influenced by her role in Spring Breakers, but this time by the the dubstep master, Skrillex (who contributed to the soundtrack). This song also flirts with edgier lyrics; as she states "I'm good with mouth to mouth resuscitation". It's a glorious dance track that we hope will be picked up by radio and clubs alike.

3. "Stars Dance" is the slowest song on the album, but in being so, it's her most unusual. Packed with a bit of wub, and ethereal synths, it wouldn't sound out of place on Ellie Goulding's "Halcyon". Its a seductive, dreamy track.

4. "Walk Like a Champion" is a bit of a weird wake up after the drowsy "Stars Dance", as you're greeted by a Jamaican reggae sample. Despite that, it blends well, and turns into a playful romp that recalls an early Rihanna.

5. "Come & Get it" also pulls from more worldly influence, this time from the ornamental tinged streets of Bollywood. Catchy and upbeat, it became her first single to break the Billboard top ten.

6. "Forget Forever" (or otherwise known as the leaked "Rule the World") is another standout; with the EDM influence clear. It's a beautiful, glossy, melancholy dance track.

7. "Save the Day" clearly draws from Latin dance pop, and wouldn't sound out of place in a Jennifer Lopez album. It's a well written dance track, with a solid hook, but it gets lost in between "Forget Forever" and the steamy "BEAT", both of which stand out more than this track.

8. "B.E.A.T" shows off her spunky, sassy side. Like in "Birthday", the song alternates between catchy verses and chanting choruses. But here we see Gomez almost imitate Dev's sultry sing/talking, before taking a trap influence. It's a song that will keep the party going, but a not a song that will immediately grab your attention.

9. "Write Your Name" another EDM influenced song, but lacks the same feeling that "Forget" and "Slow Down" have; it's a dark, edgy dance track, however it's a bit too low key to stand out, and becomes rather forgetable.

10. "Undercover" also feels like it has been done before, maybe it sounds like a B-Side to "Save the Day" with a smart beat, and a Latin dance hook.

11. "Love Will Remember" is written for her ex, Justin Bieber. It's a slowed down dance tune, and ends the standard edition of the album on a low note, but feels genuine enough to stand out.

12. "Nobody Does it Like You" feels like it could have been on her older albums, except for the sensual lyrics and dubstep swings. It's not enough to stand out, but it's solid and consistent with the beat and synths.

13. "Music Feels Better" is the party pop song that likens to Taylor Swift's "22". Another stand out, simply because it doesn't feel like it has been done before.

Fave tracks: "Birthday", "Come & Get It", "Forget Forever", "Music Feels Better".

Brave (Song Review)

Sara Bareilles is back, and primed for her 3rd album, Blessed Unrest. This time, she's interested in just how "Brave" you can be.

"Brave" kicks off with a snappy, kicking beat, before her signature vocals cut in warmly with "You can be amazing", backed by bouncing piano keys. It's a ready-for-summer inspirational anthem, with a bit of an old school twist. Think fun.'s "We Are Young"; it has that retro flavored pop that makes it very versatile. While we were a bit shocked at a more pop approach, Sara is at her best when she sings those jazzy numbers like "Many the Miles", or her tongue-in-cheek "King of Anything". But she proves that as a songwriter, you don't have to be a one-trick pony.

Stacked next to her previous debut singles (the key pounding "Love Song", or the witty, catchy lyrics of "King of Anything") the song seems a little too robotic, the programmed sounding drums and the melody rely on hook versus a strong chorus. However, Sara has continued strong lyrics, delivering one smart line after another. Our personal fave? "You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug". Too late.

We're glad to see Bareilles back in the music game, we're looking forward to see what she comes up with next.

Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5

JUNO Awards: How it All Went Down

For those who don't know, many of our favorite singers, songwriters, and bands are from... Canada! Well, last night, Canada had their "Grammys" in the form of the Juno Awards. Here's who were nominated/won.

*winners in bold letters

FAN CHOICE AWARD:

Carly Rae Jepsen

Celine Dion

Hedley

Drake

Justin Bieber

Leonard Cohen

Marianas Trench

Metric

Michael Buble

Nickelback

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

"Viking Death March" by Billy Talent

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen

"Kiss You Inside Out" by Hedley

"Stompa" by Serena Ryder

"The Way it Is" by The Sheep Dogs

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Overexposed by Maroon 5

Babel by Mumford and Sons

Up All Night by One Direction

Merry Christmas, Baby by Rod Stewart

Red by Taylor Swift

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Kiss by Carly Rae Jepsen

Sans Attende by Celine Dion

Storms by Hedley

Believe by Justin Bieber

Ever After by Marianas Trench

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Carly Rae Jepsen

Deadmau5

Johnny Reid

Justin Bieber

Leonard Cohen

GROUP OF THE YEAR

Billy Talent

Marianas Trench

Metric

Rush

The Sheep Dogs

Carly Rae also took home the Juno for Pop Album of the Year, as well as performing her smash hit, "Call Me Maybe" and our current favorite, "Tonight I'm Getting Over You".

Fall Down (Song Review)

Thankfully, Will.i.am has not added a hashtag to the front of the song title. But will "Fall Down" be the hit that brings Miley Cyrus back to the top?

Our guess is, no. Probably not. It's not that it's a bad song, it's just not a great song. Will.i.am's rapping is getting a little tired, the constant strange comparisons ("... You can be my soda pop, Coca Cola, sip it up..."?), while Miley sounds a little flat and bored. It's catchy, but forgettable. It's no "Scream & Shout" or "#thatPower", in terms of pop/dance appeal.

The style trades in the banging club beats for more a more hip hop feel. Acoustic guitars will pique your interest, and the orchestral bridge is a nice touch. But after such club heavy previous singles, this comes over as a let down, album filler with Miley's name on it just to sell the record.

Our Rating: 2 out of 5

Get Lucky (Song Review)

Time to get your funk on. Daft Punk is back with this summery pop groove that will get you movin' til the sun goes down... and up again!

After, what, 8 years? since an official Daft Punk record (not including the TRON soundtrack), the robots are making moves for a comeback with their single, "Get Lucky". We have to say, it lives up to the hype, trading in icy synths and cold dance style for a sunnier, funky sound. Plus, it helps to have long time major producer Nile Rogers contributing to the record. As he helped put disco, funk, and soul in the scene, he knows a thing or two about making great, dancable music.

Pharrell Williams lends his vocals to the track. He has contributed to and produced songs for many artists, including Britney Spears, Swedish House Mafia, Shakira, Gorillaz, and countless others, as well as having been the vocalist of the group N.E.R.D. But he, Daft Punk, and Nile are a deadly combo, and they prove so, slaying it in this classy electro-groove.

The production is top-notch, the robots skillfully incorporate disco-era funk with modern flair. Plus, the intermittent robot voice constantly reminds you that it's a Daft Punk record, as well as giving love to the long time fans. We can't help but wish that more of the album was leaked!

So swing your hips, clap your hands; Daft Punk is back, and they're going to be a force to be reckoned with... everywhere!

Our Rating 4 out of 5

Daft Punk's album, Random Access Memories, comes out May 21.

Psy acts like the opposite of a "Gentleman" in new video

Well, Psy returns with a new video!

The man with the most viewed video on youtube has comeback with a music video for "Gentleman", his new single. Like "Gangnam", it has a dance (But with more hip action!), features random places, and is re-watchable. However, it shows the prankster that Psy is, pulling out chairs, pressing all of the elevator buttons... We'll let you watch.

So, will it become the new dance craze? We can't call that yet, but Psy has given it the best shot he probably could.

Bridgit Mendler heads for a night out to avoid a "Hurricane" in new video

"Hurricane" is the latest single off of Bridgit's album "Hello My Name is..." and it's just as catchy as "Ready or Not" with reggae/pop twinges and a gospel bridge, it's only fitting that it's the new single. We did a review here.

The video is well shot, with alternating scenes of Bridgit singing, as well as her escaping the confines of her apartment with a friend by taking a night out to an art museum and a club. She looks better than ever, and we can't help but think that big things will happen in her future.

Justin Bieber takes you "All Around the World" in his new music video

The Biebs has given us some pretty memorable videos, who could forget the hyped up "Boyfriend", or the pranked "Beauty and a Beat"? Well, unfortunately, this video is in the forgettable section of his videos, as he films the regular "this is my tour video". We've seen the Black Eyed Peas do it, as well as Voice judge Usher in "More". Maybe they didn't have time, or the budget for the video, but we are always left underwhelmed.

Basically, it shows the biebs performing "All Around the World" live on a couple different stages, while giving you flashes of screaming fans, different parts of the world, and... more screaming fans. Ludacris makes an appearance as well, rapping live, before the performance ends, and Justin whispers "believe" to the cam, and the video ends. It's nice to see the tour, but aren't we going to see that in BELIEVE 3D?

Gentleman (Song Review)

Psy. The creator of the dance craze that ruled the latter half of 2012 (with "Gangnam Style") is back with his new single "Gentleman".

So we at Radio Review Blog don't know exactly what to expect from this song. After all, "Gangnam Style" was a viral hit, aided by the dance that pushed it on our radio and to the top of Billboard (number 2). So any song that Psy released would be a huge risk, as it will either bomb or become a hit. There is really no in between, as one way or another, people will pick it up, or just be tired of the hype behind the Korean rapper.

But all the questions aside, we have to review. And it's not too bad. Nor is amazing. With nothing to really compare it too, we can only listen and try not to think of "Gangnam". It's catchy, EDM influenced. The chorus is similar to what we've heard in "Gangnam"; a repetitive and simple "I'm the mother-father Gentleman" (nice censorship). Is it going to be a hit? We hope so for the rapper's sake, but it is really all up in the air for now.

"Gentleman" will be released digitally April 13

Our Rating: 3 out of 5

Here's To Never Growing (Song Review)

We've been fans of Avril since her "Sk8r Boi" days, so it's been fun to see how she has changed herself, from bad-girl rocker of Let Go and Under My Skin to the more in-your-face pop of Best Damn Thing. She's never been the good girl (Taylor Swift), the sexed up pop singer (Rihanna) or artsy (Lady GaGa). Rather, she's been in and out, always there, but never trying to be what she's not.

And that's what this song is about; "Here's to Never Growing Up". Catchy, and upbeat, the chorus is a slowed down tribute to being young, or living young, backed with big beats and handclaps, similar to 3OH!3's "Youngblood" or the new We The King's song.

It's not as attention grabbing as "Girlfriend" or "What the Hell", nor as emotional as "Complicated" or "I'm With You". Rather, it stays somewhere in the middle, not brilliant songwriting nor pop genius. So we aren't expecting it to be playing on the radio a lot, just our iPods. It's the song that is catchy enough to hold your attention, but not one that will keep you singing afterwards.

Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Just Keep Breathing (Song Review)

We the Kings have broken into the top ten on iTunes, with their new single "Just Keep Breathing". Here's our take.

We were a little surprised to see two new songs released yesterday (We the Kings and Selena Gomez), and even more surprised to see the band top the Disney pop star in digital sales. So we investigated, and there may be a good reason. The song's has a great message, and a catchy chorus. However, we aren't all to impressed with the style, it sounds like Imagine Dragons, with the chorus a slowed down version of the "Woah ohs" in fun.'s "Some Nights". It's clear that after failing to get enough sales with their last album., they're keen to switch things up and compete with the popular bands.

But we're left feeling like we did when we heard Maroon 5's "Daylight". A good concept, but mediocre effort.

Our Rating: 3 Out of 5

Come & Get It (Song Review)

The song starts off very (to quote Gomez's own description) tribal. There's a middle eastern vibe that introduces the new Gomez to the world. Then it breaks into big synths and the chorus, which is "if you're ready come and get it... na na na na". Sonically, we compare it to "Your Touch" by Blake Lewis, or Ellie Goulding's "Figure 8", a slow build up to an explosive chorus (without dubstep, thankfully). We give props to Selena, it's a mature sounding song that doesn't trade dance and pop elements for maturity. And it's still catchy as heck.

Of course, it's not a dance/club driven song, like "Hit the Lights" or "Naturally". Instead, it showcases Gomez's vocals, like "A Year Without Rain" and "Love You Like a Love Song". Her vocals are spot on, with a bit of auto-tweaking here and there, but not overly noticable. Plus we gotta love the sassy lyrics; her teasing. We can't wait for the new album!


Our Rating: 4 out of 5

New Music Buzz... Avril, Beyonce, and more!

Beyonce gives a six second teaser of #beyherenow, where something is supposed to happen on April 4th. HERE

Avril Lavigne announced the release date for her new single, "Here's to Never Growing Up", which is set for April 9th.

Martin Solvieg teases his Tomarrowland Festival performance with a costume HERE.

Get your club on, with Carly Rae Jepsen's "Tonight I'm Getting Over You" remixes HERE.

Demi announced the track listing for her DEMI album... and one track features Cher Lloyd! HERE

RRB's Top Ten: Overrated Artists

There's no denying that these ten artists are immensely talented... but we're just a little tired of the critics, the public, and our friends gushing over them like the Niagara Falls. So, we might as well get it off our chest!


10. Taylor Swift
Aw, Taylor. We don't blame you for writing such great songs. We blame everyone else who are fooled by your stunning looks and catchy hooks. "Red" was pretty good, but a 'country' artist, intentionally using dubstep, synths and drum machines to sell records?


9. Adele
We loved you back when you were 19. "Chasing Pavements" was our jam! But then Glee came along, and the rest is history. Everyone loved you. And we got tired of it.


8. Fun.
Ahhhh, Fun. You took the fun out of our lives after we had heard "We Are Young" and "Some Nights" playing... every five minutes on the radio. And TV. And online. Another artist who was helped by Glee. Hooray.


7. Mumford & Sons
We get that your music is "meaningful" and whatnot... but you guys gotta switch it up. The banjos and acoustic guitars start to grind in our ears. Especially after Phillip Phillips' "Home".


6. Rihanna
You became the victim of Chris Brown's abuse, back in... 2007? We don't really remember, but now females will continue to rally around you like you're some sort of survivor of a war. And it gets tiring. Plus, when was the last time you actually wrote a song?


5. Paramore
The rock band everyone likes. But seriously, their biggest hit was a country song.


4. Drake
Thank you "Drizzy". You managed to get a bunch of 12 year-olds to say the N word, as well as the most overused word of 2012. No, we're not going to say it.


3. The Lumineers
Constantly shouting "Ho" and "Hey" should not get you a top 5 hit.


2. Ed Sheeran
Ladies love you because you make "abstract" acoustic ballads. And that's all you do. Acoustic ballads. Plus, you made one of the worst One Direction songs in history.


1. Frank Ocean
Would not have gotten a single shred of notice if it weren't for his letter about his sexuality.

Of course, this is all for fun, we couldn't help but pick apart some of our favorite artists! Which artists do you think are overrated?

Pom Poms (Song Review)

"Put your pom poms down for me"

The JoBros are back and pumped up after a four year hiatus with a new song called "Pom Poms". How does it stack up to their other songs, and does it live to the hype? And, most importantly, will it be a success? After they failed to make a hit with their previous album (Lines, Vines, and Trying Times), we certainly hope so.

"Pom Poms" is certainly a catchy parade of marching band beats, brass, and a rallying chorus. Like Gwen Stephanie's "Hollaback Girl" or Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin'", the song recalls High School/ College bands and cheerleaders. However, we have to say that "Pom Poms" beats them; the production? Top notch. Plus you got the girls versus guys in the bridge, which just adds to the party vibe the Bros got going. Add full marching band, and a gospel choir? Nothing but a sign of a good time. Put this one on repeat and turn the volume up, this song is at its best when its at maximum volume.

Lyrics are fun and clever, with Joe saying that he wants a girl like a kid wants a milkshake. And that there's a lot more to love if you put your pom poms down. While it's not too far off of what we've heard before, you find yourself not really listening to the lyrics, but the beat and band. It's enough to get you out of the bleachers and storm the field.

The style out does their previous pop/punk work, favoring big moments and elements over simpler guitar riffs. Does it live to the hype? Absolutely. And only time will tell whether this song will be a hit. But if it's like the last note that Joe sings at the end, we can expect the song to go higher and higher... up the charts.

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Fine China (Song Review)

Is it just us, or is every artist trying to sound retro?

Take for example this new tune from Chris Brown. His latest single, "Fine China" takes on discoesque strings, a classy beat, and 90's R&B sounds mixed with a laid back style that sounds like it was from a jazzier time... or from Justin Timberlake's "20/20 Experience".

While the comparisons are there, we have to give Brown's "Fine China" an edge over Timberlake's "Suit & Tie". It's more memorable, and uses the vintage sounds to its full advantage, where as "Suit..." sounds the same all the way through, and is about a minute too long. The only question we have for Breezy, is what his new album, X, is going to sound like? Is it going to be polished, slick retro-flavored R&B, or is he going to continue the futuristic sounds like in his last album, with songs like "Don't Wake me Up"?

Whatever he chooses, we give props to him on his latest song. Lyrically, it's about love, and how his girl is like "Fine China"... he will treat her delicately. We certainly hope so. It sounds like a change for the better from the "Forever" hit maker.

Our Rating 4 out of 5

Hey Now (Song Review)

When it comes to memorable, summer dance tracks, you don't get any better than Martin Solvieg. In his latest single, he teams up with the Cataracts (Like a G6) and an indie rapper named 'Kyle' who sounds suspiciously like Drake.

It's clear that Solvieg has learnt a thing or two about making good collaborations and catchy music. While "Hello" was his only mainstream hit, we still were jamming along to "Ready 2 Go", "Big in Japan", and "Can't Stop" (which was used in a Fanta commercial), plus he got to work with pop queen Madonna on the catchy "Give Me all your Luvin'" as well as others on her 2012 album, MDNA. So coming back to the charts with a new song, he cleverly adds the Cataracts to his growing list of collaboratees. While their signature banging club beats aren't in this song, they help make this song into a summer radio staple. And Kyle lays down a few slick lines about partying.

Lyrically, it's not too different than the other party themed music that is currently so popular. Think of it as the day version of his classy, "The Night Out". While it's not as strong as "Hello" or "Ready 2 Go" in catchy-ness, it still is a bright song among so many about night parties. It's the song you want to play as you're headed for a summer "vay-cay". And Martin capitalizes on that theme well. Just look at the album art. It reminds us of Owl City's previous summer smash, "Good Time". So hop in the car, roll down the windows, and turn up the radio! This song will be your summer soundtrack.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

The Way (Song Review)

If you hadn't noticed, or if you don't have a twitter, #thewaytonumberone was trending for quite some time. Of course, we had to look into it, and we found that it's a song by Nickelodeon tween singer Ariana Grande. And by successfully using fans and social media, her song, "The Way" found itself number one on iTunes. Does it deserve to be there? Or is just a hit and run song? Here's our take:

"The Way" is clearly a reference to the early 2000's R&B/pop of the likes of Beyonce, Mariah Carey, etc. It's got a rather generic beady beat that plays throughout the song, while maintaining instruments that continue the R&B/pop trend; a couple of synths to add pop flavor, and brass and piano keys. Think of it like "Suit & Tie", but a female version. And of course no song today is complete without rap, so Mac Miller steps up to the mic and delivers a rap that is the only thing that stands out about this song.

It's not that it's a terrible song, it just fails to stick around in your head like a good pop song does. It's clear that her label wants to steer clear of dance pop (as did Brigit Mendler), but if this is the best song she can offer, it's not impressive at the least. I guess it's just plain ol' forgettable. But those looking for a song that sound 'retro' will eat it up, those who want a true pop song can just move on. Which is what we did.

Our rating: 2 out of 5

RRB's Top Ten: Swedish House Mafia Songs

"See, heaven's got a plan for you..."

With Swedish House Mafia (SHM) ending their tour, and their career, we had to compile a list of our absolute favorite SHM songs.

10. "Miami to Ibiza (featuring Tini Tempah)"
Tini Tempah lent his vocals to this party starter track. The song was a big hit all over the world, especially on the dance charts. It's the perfect for kicking off a dance with it's heavy handclaps and catchy syths.

9. "Here We Go"
While not an official single, nor by SHM together, this song makes an appearance on their last album, Until Now. Despite that, Hard Rock Sofa and Swanky Tunes put together an amazing dance track, perfect for keepin' even the most tired ravers on the floor.

8. "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall (Swedish House Mafia Remix)"
Out of all the remixes SHM has done, this is one of our favorites, as their soaring synths and progressive style matches perfectly with Coldplay's unique and uplifting song. We can't help but enjoy this version more than the original.

7. "Leave the World Behind"
Clattering piano notes and a steady beat make this song a must - hear for any fans of the now defunct group. Plus it was mixed by Laidback Luke, with the quiet but enchanting vocals by Deborah Cox.

6. "Lights"
Steve Angello contributed to the album, Until Now with this gem of a song, entitled "Lights" (not to be confused with the Ellie Goulding song). It's a high quality dance track, with Angello assisted by DJ Third Party.

5. "Save the World"
While their collab with Tini Tempah may have introduced a more mainstream audience, "Save the World" was far more productive in introducing SHM to bigger audiences. How could it not? This gorgeous tune was blaring through our speakers, and of course it was one of their catchiest radio singles to date, with John Martin singing "Who's gonna save the world tonight...". Plus, the music video was one of the best we'd ever seen.

4. "Antidote"
Swedish House Mafia teamed up with dubstep ravers Knife Party on this ridiculously awesome track. Big, booming synths and huge bass drops will certainly send the party over the edge.

3. "Greyhound"
A song that was used for the Absolut Vodka campaign, we have to give props to SHM for creating a song that was both dance floor ready as well as expressive and fitting of their commercial/music video.

2. "One (Your Name)"
The song that introduced the trio to the world, "One (Your Name)" is now a dance/rave staple that should play on for years to come. After all, it's as catchy as hell, and you can't help but chant along, "I wanna know your name, name, name, name..."

1. "Don't You Worry Child"
John Martin yet again lends his voice to this glorious track that SHM ended their career on. What better way to exit the game than when on top? After all the song hit inside the top 5 on Billboard, as well as topping charts around the world. It's a melancholy song that's an ode to their time spent in Australia, as well as a farewell song to fans, reassuring them that everything's gonna be fine in the end.

New Music Buzz: Selena, The Jo Bros, and more!

- Selena Gomez teases her new single... while promoting Spring Breakers.

- The Jonas Brothers have also teased their new single "Pom Poms", which is set for an April 9th release.

- Vanessa Hudgen's new track "$$$ex" (which was inspired by Spring Breakers) is leaked.

- Justin Timberlake's album is expected to sell a whopping 1 Million copies in it's first week.

- Eminem and Dr. Dre have announced that a new album is on its way

- Paramore releases a lyric video for their new track "Still into You"

Hey Porsche (Song Review)

Looking for a good ol'fashioned song about summer lovin' and a car? Well, your first thoughts may be to look for a country song, and Nelly probably is no where on the list.

But look out, because Nelly's racin' up the charts with his latest single, "Hey Porsche". 

Always one to provide hip hop with pop, Nelly's "Hey Porsche" is a sweet summery song where he croons to his lover about havin' fun and making love. While the tune isn't all that original; the acoustic strumming and beat clearly takes from Flo Rida's "Whistle", we have to enjoy this song more that Flo's, particularly because it isn't about... well...

But it's a great song that we wanna hear blaring out our car stereo! Perfect for Spring Break!

Our Rating: 3.5/5

Cactus in the Valley (feat. Owl City) Song Review

"Come and find me in the valley..."

Always one to give great introspective songs, LIGHTS teams up with electonica king Owl City on her song "Cactus in the Valley". It's the first single from LIGHTS's upcoming album, Siberia Acoustic, and we couldn't have chosen a better single.

The song is fairly simple, with piano notes and soft strings playing in the background while LIGHTS sings gently; "If my yesterday is a disgrace... tell me you'll still remember my name". The first verse and chorus is all hers, her rough but light vocals echoing on the slow ballad. Then Adam Young (Owl City) chimes in his dreamy vocals to deliver an equally great performance. Then the two blend their vocals in the bridge, and we can't help but think that their voices were meant for each other. We haven't been this moved on such a quiet track since Rihanna's "Stay" which was also a duet (with Mickkey Echo). 

We can't wait for the Canadian electro pop artist to strip things down a bit on her songs in Siberia Acoustic, which comes out on April 30th. 

If you're still craving some LIGHTS and Owl City goodness, listen to "The Yacht Club" from Owl City's album All Things Bright and Beautiful (2011) which features LIGHTS, or check out Owl City's remix of LIGHTS's song "Saviour".

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5

RRB's Top Ten: Justin Timberlake Songs

Justin Timberlake

With the first installment of the comeback Justin Timberlake album, The 20/20 Experience (the second half comes out in November), coming out tomorrow, we can't help but satisfy our excitement for this new album by counting down some of the greatest JT songs out there!

10. "Summer Love"

The fourth single from Future Sex/Love Sounds is an attention grabber from the get go. Heavy slamming beats and a big booming chorus, it really burned a hole in our Summer of '06 playlist. It is the perfect song to blaring out your car speakers on a hot summer day.

9. "Suit & Tie (featuring Jay-Z)"

Timberlake's return single sent him back to the charts with this retro inspired hip hop groove. Brassy horns, a steady beat, and quick strings create a mood that is both classy and dancy. Plus Jay-Z lays down a smooth rap that compliments Timberlake's high falsetto. The result? A sweet, slick, sexy song that will be remembered as the song that took JT back to the charts.

8. "Senorita" 

This smooth song hit number 5 on Billboard back when Justified was going strong. Influenced by Stevie Wonder, with the right combo of Latin infused beats, it's probably one of Timberlake's sexiest offerings to date.

7. "4 Minutes (featuring Justin Timberlake)"

Back in 08, Madonna released her album, Hard Candy. Never one to try to keep up with what was current, she and Justin Timberlake teamed up on the track, and "4 Minutes" became a smash. Big horns and a bouncing march beat made this song a hit on the dancefloor.

6. "My Love (featuring T.I.)

The second single from the massive Future Sex/Love Sounds, "My Love" earned itself a place at number one atop Billboard. And we can't imagine why not, the boasts a great beat, a catchy chorus, and of course a slick rap by T.I.

5. "Carry Out (featuring Justin Timberlake)"

Timbaland and Justin have quite the history. Together they came together for many successful songs, including "Sexy Back" and "4 Minutes". This slick dance groove is no exception, plus it helped keep Justin in the charts and on the radio despite his hiatus from music. . 

4. "What Goes Around... Comes Around"

One of our personal favorites, "What Goes Around... Comes Around" is a more laid back song from "Future Sex...". With a slick chorus, and a smooth beat, this one will forever be a hit.

3. "Rock Your Body"

Who else could forget this classic? Written for Michael Jackson himself, the king of pop passed it up, and Timberlake got the hit. And boy did it become a hit. Groovy, with R&B styles mixed in with some beatboxing, this has become unanimous with Justin Timberlake's name.

2. "Sexy Back"

We still hear this on the radio. It's a classic that reminds us that Justin Timberlake is the king of the sexy, and (despite the fact that it was never really gone) he brought it back. This smash hit continues to be another signature song of his. With the infused beats, big synths, and catchy... well everything, it will be a dancefloor classic for years to come. So, "take it to the chorus!"

1. "Cry Me a River"

The song from Justified that became his most tender moment to date. It's a break up anthem that has been covered by artists from Taylor Swift to Justin Bieber. This slick song was about JT's relationship with Britney Spears, and was produced by Timbaland. It's a true to blue classic.

#thatPower (Song Review)

"I can fly"

On the latest offering from will.i.am's up and coming album #Willpower comes the new single "#thatPower". It's a track that's heavy on the beats, with an uplifting chorus of the Biebs singing "I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive..."  However, it's not as catchy as "Scream and Shout", and reminds us a bit of the tune "The City" by French DJ Madeon (who is rumored to have helped production on Lady GaGa's new album). The chorus strikes similar notes, but the rap and sparse beat is all Will's. It's still a big dance track that we expect to hear in the clubs, but we can't help but wish that there was more the the chorus than just a couple of synths and Justin's voice. Where are the big booming sounds that we heard in Will's previous songs?

Well, it certainly seems like a star-studded album of Will's, with the Black Eyed Pea joining forces with Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and now the one and only Justin Bieber. We can't wait for the album! 

Our Rating: 3/5

P.S. is it just us or does the album art look like a Bishop or Pope hat?

RRB's Top Ten: Spring Break 2012

Whether Spring Break is approaching, or it's already here, one thing's for sure: You gotta stock up on your party jams! Here are some that will get you in the mood.

10. "Hurricane" by Bridgit Mendler
Sunny, breezy, and playful, "Hurricane" is the perfect soundtrack for when you're lounging by the pool, or driving to the beach. Not to mention it's ultra catchy, so you won't be the only one singing along.

9. "22" by Taylor Swift
For those late night parties, "22" is the song to jamming to. It doesn't matter if you're 22 or not, this song will get you in the mood for some dressing up like hipsters or falling in love... all the while you're pumping your fist to this catchy pop offering.

8. "Life of the Party" by Boys Like Girls
Although not an offcial single, "Life of the Party" is a good bet on what you're gonna be. So why not celebrate your undoubtedly crazy side. This song boasts catchy "na na na's" and big stomp-clap beats. "Tell me who are we if we ain't with our friends?"

7. "Tonight I'm Getting Over You" by Carly Rae Jepsen
For those wanting to escape a broken heart, this is your jam. Don't be fooled by the quiet intro, The chorus boasts an amazing David Guetta-like dance hook that will be blasting in your car stereo.

6. "All Around the World" by Justin Beiber
"You're beautiful, beautiful, you should know it" the biebs croons on this EDM influenced track. Never one to shy from the ladies, JB ends up telling his love interest that "All around the world, people want to be loved... and that they're no different than us." It really didn't matter what he said; we would have enjoyed this massive dance track anyway, plus Ludacris lays down a rap that's just the icing on the cake.

5. "Kiss You" by One Direction
Yes, this song has been out for a while, but it's just so summery and sweet, it just had to make our list. I mean, who can resist the catchy "yeah, yeah, yeah"?

4. "C'mon" by Ke$ha
Always the one to make the best party anthems, Ke$ha's latest single will be blasting out your car windows as you roll on by. Heavy on the beats, synths, and fun, we guarantee you'll be "feeling like a saber toothed ti-grrrrr".

3. "Feel This Moment" by Pitbull
Probably Mr. 305's best pop offering since "Give Me Everything" back in '11, we were enthralled by this slick tune that features a combination fits perfectly together: Christina Aguilera and A-Ha's hook from the tune "Take on Me".

2. "Hey Porsche" by Nelly
Think Flo Rida's "Whistle" but not so much about partying, but about being in love. This pop jam will get your moter running for the hot spot this spring break.

1. "Gold" by Britt Nicole
Feeling left out because you weren't invited to that party, or you're not cool enough to hang on the beach? Well, if any song can cheer you up, it's this song. Practically shining with summery beats, you can rock to this song whether you're headed to a party, or to grandma's house.

Hurricane (Song Review)

"He's got the way of the hurricane"

"Hurricane" is the second single by current Disney star Bridgit Mendler. We have to say, we've been impressed with the direction Mendler has taken. Maybe it's because her producers wanted to show that Disney pop isn't just your run of the mill bubblegum standard. Or maybe it's the fact that Bridgit wanted her style instead of what the directors wanted. Either way, we're pleased with what has come out of the album so far.

The song starts out like the calm before the storm, a breezy guitar plucking, before Bridgit plunges into her sing/talking style that's oh-so reminiscent of Cher Lloyd, or Karmin's Amy Heidemann. Both playful and sassy, Bridgit sings about how her lover is like the a storm in a way that would make Lily Allen or Feist proud, although some might find the lyrics a little too quirky.. Then the chorus hits, breaking the light mood with some heavy beats, strumming and catchy waves of lyrics. The result is a reggae/hip hop jam that could be a spring break/pre-summer smash. 

The song is breezy, perfect for summer with a hook that could get on the mind of the most reluctant and jaded music fan.  But that's just our opinion. What are your thoughts?

Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Your Touch (Song Review)

"I'm lost in your sweet surrender"

Few American Idol artists have retained their originality in the way that Blake Lewis has in their careers. Best known for his beat-boxing version of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name", Blake wound up second to singing bombshell Jordan Sparks. He released an album (Audio Day Dream) which pursued hip hop, electronica, and pop stylings and was produced by One Republic frontman, Ryan Tedder. The album failed to chart, and Blake found himself on the ever growing roster of American Idol alumni who had lost their labels after a failed first album.

But as time went on, Lewis found his niche in dance music, and wound up with a number one dance hit, "Heartbreak on Vinyl", and found himself with several guest vocal spots on songs with DJs such as Darude, Daniel Wanroony, and (more recently) Robbie Rivera.

Now Blake has a huge chance to make a hit out of "Your Touch", a song that was used in Internet Explorer's TV ad for IE 10. With a new label taking interest in him (Republic), Lewis can't go wrong. It makes sense: Lewis was in fact the mastermind behind the placing of Alex Care's "Too Close" in the IE ad last year, so if the same success can happen to Blake, he could be golden.

The song, "Your Touch" is a sexy, but moody song that starts off slow. The bass, the sparse synths and finger snaps set the mood. But it's the chorus that really gets the show started. It blares with dubstep elements, heavy synths, and catchy lyrics. It's one of Lewis's glossiest productions to date. It wraps you up in raw emotion. It draws you in and before you know it, you're being tossed around in a huge chorus backed by some wub. Clearly, it's about the overwhelming emotion when being in love.

Blake's new album Portrait of a Chameleon comes out in spring.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Back to Life (Song Review)

"If the party is dead, we can bring it back to life"

3OH!3. It's been a while since we've heard from the Colorado duo that made it big with their hit "Don't Trust Me" back in 2009. And while "My First Kiss" received some airplay, it was mainly due to the association with Ke$ha, who was becoming big at the time.

But "Back to Life" could be the song that could have 3OH!3 coming 'back to life'. They were unsuccessful with their previous singles "You're Gonna Love This" and "Youngblood" for the upcoming album Omens, but with the new song, something just... clicks. It's a brilliant party ballad with huge beats and a soaring chorus. Think of it as a much better produced "Good Life" by One Republic. While it's clear that the 'white rap' that the two had going for them has taken the backseat for a while, we can't wait for OMENS

Our rating: 3.5 out of 5

Gold (Song Review)

"It's your time to shine"

As far as inspirational anthems go, look no further than newcomer Britt Nicole for some positive vibes. Summery, poppy, and easy to sing along to, we have to chose Britt Nicole's "Gold" as the song to play during Spring Break.

At first listen, it's not that much different that your standard Katy Perry or Carly Rae Jepsen song. In fact, it nods a little to Dr. Luke, who produced "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" and "Domino". You can hear a resemblance in the disco-esque guitar chords and heavy synthesizers. But it's the second listen where you hear the words that really just... get to you. There hasn't been a song this inspiring since Katy Perry's "Firework" hit the charts in 2010, and even that high quality number one just seems cheesy in comparison to Nicole's clever lyrics. Try them out for comparison:

"Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?" - from "Firework"

"You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low... what they said wasn't true, you're beautiful" - from "Gold"

Nicole wins. Maybe it's because of her Christian roots; she had been a rather successful Christian pop singer before the crossover. But that doesn't matter, because this song is ... well, 'Gold'. Punchy drums, soaring synths, a bit of some rapping (which highlights Nicole's Southern accent), and an inspiring chorus? Sounds like a great song to party it up during your spring break!

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Shine Your Way (Song Review)

"All of your tears will dry faster in the sun"

If there's one thing we know about Owl City, its that he knows how to make a great song for soundtracks. He's written the charming "To the Sky" for The Guardians of Ga'hoole and of course, the thumping, dancey "When Can I See You Again" for Disney's Wreck-it Ralph. But this time, his offering is for the Dreamworks animated film, The Croods.

He teams up with the enchantingly talented singstress Yuna, (who hails from Malaysia) on this cute, rather simple track "Shine Your Way". It starts off with some string chords before the beat chimes in, and you're taken to a bright, sunny dance anthem. While it's not his best song (it's a little lacking in production) he and Yuna work together perfectly, her light vocals mixing well with his dreamy tones.

The American Idol top 10 finalists will be performing "Shine Your Way" tonight, while Owl City and Yuna will be performing it on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Our Rating: 3 out of 5

Heart Attack (Song Review)

"I'm putting my defenses up..."

When Demi Lovato's teaser for "Heart Attack" was released, we were excited. It was dramatic, edgy, and a whole new look for Miss Lovato. But, sadly the hype didn't lead to what we imagined as icy synths, robotic beats, and sexy style. We thought that Lovato was going to go in a more Lady GaGa or Kylie Minogue route, and we couldn't wait.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be a rather mediocre song with heavy beats, some synths, and guitar strumming. It's a song that you hear young female artists perform to try to make serious music without their label lose the bubblegum pop that drew the fans to in the first place. It doesn't do much, the style is recycled, and it just gets lost in the ever growing pool of dance pop. I mean, if you're going to make a dance song in this time, do it in a way where it stands out. And we guess it does... but if it weren't a just another ballad that millions of fans will be drawn to because it's "inspiring". It's just not that different from Taylor Swift or Britt Nicole

Now, don't think that we don't like her vocals; Demi's on the top of her game. But the lyrics? "I can play him like a ken doll" (which we thought was "kindle" at first listen), and "makes me want to act like a girl" - she already acts like a girl, and will always wear lipstick no matter what the occasion. It's just another song that females will like for its lyrics, and others will enjoy the sing-ability and catchy beats.

Let's just hope that the album pans out bigger, better songs.

Our rating: 2.5 out of 5