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