LIVE FROM NEW YORK: Playing Ketchup

Mel & Mama Melismatic at CBS Broadcast Studios

A lot has happened in the two weeks since I've last updated. Part of my absence was thanks to a mini (and much overdue) vacation with my Mama Melismatic, which was capped off with seeing P!NK live at Madison Square Garden for the third official time. More on that in my next post. But here's what else I've been up to in the past two weeks. Click on the PHOTO links for corresponding pics from my Instagram (or just follow me on Instagram via @melismaticdiva).

+ In addition to seeing P!NK, Mama Melismatic and I attended two live television show tapings here in NYC. The first was at the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza (home of Saturday Night Live where these "Live From New York" posts got their name) to see Dr. Oz (PHOTO). In the span of an hour and a half, we saw three different shows be taped (it was not aired live so they taped different segments for different shows). I can't say much about the show because they make you sign a social media/blogging contract (not joking), but suffice to say it was not embarrassing or disgusting so take that for what you will. For those of you going to tapings just for the free stuff (I'll admit, I'm a hoarder -- when I saw The View, I received a $100 gift card to the Cheesecake Factory and it was awesome), you should note we walked away with exactly zip zero -- but Dr. Oz himself did walk over to us and personally shook mine and my Mama's hands. He's a lot smaller in person than I expected.

+ We also went uptown near Columbus Circle (PHOTO) to the CBS Broadcast Center to see one of the last tapings ever of Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show, Anderson Live. The show has been cancelled and has already officially ended its run. It's worth noting that the catchline "CBS Cares" is no joke. In direct comparison to NBC (where we saw Dr. Oz, and I've seen multiple tapings of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in the past), everyone at CBS was so unbelievably nice and polite. I mean, "May I look in your bag, please?" kind of polite. Everyone had a smile on their face, everyone was helpful. And the capstone was while waiting to file into the studio for the taping, Anderson himself walked out just like a normal dude going down to the commissary and was saying hello to everyone. He looked directly at my Mama when she said, "Good Morning," and he replied back, "Good Morning. Thanks for coming." Swoon. Those piercing blue eyes get me everytime. (PHOTO)

+ One week after St. Patrick's Day (Happy Una from The Saturdays Day, everyone!), my neighborhood had their own parade (latebus, much?). Still, it was cute. (PHOTO)

+ Just yesterday, I stopped by The Face Shop/Koryo Bookstore again and picked up some more cute things (PHOTO), including a face mask in a little bottle shaped like a yellow monkey (I can't even) and some Rose & Rice Water Cleansing Oil. I tried it last night and it is beyond superb. And I spied JYJ's Jaejoong via his solo album fully stocked in the Koryo Bookstore! Hurray! I also ducked in to Eunhyuk's Tous Les Jours, a Korean/French bakery place for some dessert dinner and bubble tea. It was so adorable inside and the prices were reasonable for what they were (PHOTO). I spied some macarons and had Donghae in The Panda & The Hedgehog feels but refrained from buying any. Maybe next time. I did also see something that totally disturbed me and almost put me off dinner entirely -- a "croissant" with melted cheese, spices some sauce and a very large, full hot dog in the middle. Yes, a hot dog. In a croissant. It made no sense. I'm sorry, Korea -- I love so much about how unique your culture is but hot dogs are not high culinary cuisine.

Despite being only off for a short while, it seems like all of my faves had to go ahead and do something noteworthy in my absence (glare). The highlights include....

+ Girls Aloud officially called it quits just as we were fearing. They left this statement on their Facebook page: "Your love and support will stay with us forever but we have now come to the end of our incredible time together ." Insert me bawling.

+ In an attempt to heal the hole I feel inside, my other favorite UK girl group, The Saturdays, finally gained what had been alluding them (or should I say, aloud-ing them? Not funny? OK, fine). Their latest single, "What About Us," officially went to #1 in the UK -- their first #1 ever in their six years as a band. Hooray for small miracles, right? Why it was for "What About Us" (titularly, it is kind of hilarious. What ABOUT US!) and not for far superior and underrated singles like "Up!" or "Ego" or "All Fired Up", will forever remain a British Mystery.

+ Super Junior began their Super Show 5 tour in Korea and it included a late bus live performance of the "Harlem Shake" (not joking) and drag performances of Ga In's sex anthem "Bloom" amongst other female Korean hits. Boys...I just can't deal with you. Also, my #2 KPOP bias dyed his hair white hot blonde and despite every cell in my body telling me to wake up and hate it, I just can't. Cries. KPOP Gods are so mean to me.

+ f(x) remains cooler than your average underappreciated KPOP act and appeared in a "Funny Or Die" sketch with US actress Anna Kendrick. I know what you're thinking -- is this real life? Yes. Yes, it is. And it's chock full of self-referential hilariousness. Finally, SM gets it right in its attempt to be mainstream US cool. Bonus Points to Amber for being f*cking amazing and flawless as per usual. (Also, when Anna's manager says "You can't quit now! The fans probably won't let you out of the building!" I almost choked because if you know KPOP...that's pretty spot on.)

Anna Kendrick goes K-Pop with F(x) from Anna Kendrick

+ Newly reformed 98 Degrees have unleashed their comeback/reunion single in "Microphone" and to say it wasn't what I was expecting is an understatement. It all reads as a innuendo/dripping dancey midtemo and that's not quite what I want from my Princes of White R&B (Hey baby/Grab this microphone/You're all warmed up and ready to blow). Blank stare. Ugh, guys. Come on. I'd expect this from NKOTB but...Hoping for more beautiful ballads on the disc.

+ Speaking of unexpected pleasures, Justin Timberlake unleashed The 20/20 Experience and it almost sold 1 milli in a week (or perhaps you haven't heard?). I'll forever be the Debbie Downer pointing out that *NSYNC sold that much and then some in one day back in 2000, but that was a different time, wasn't it? A time when fangirls actually bought physical records (judging you teens today). The album itself isn't as instantly enjoyable as I wanted when compared to his prior two solo discs but its definitely a slow burner. The latter half of the disc is fantastic ("Mirrors" included) but my fave has to be "Let the Groove Get In". It's part latin dance, part 90's sunny funk and it reminds me of my family's vacation trips to Orlando when I was young. Not sure why -- just know that I adore it full stop.

LIVE FROM NEW YORK: Travis Garland, Lydia Caesar & Aaron Camper at BET Music Matters

Travis Garland at BET Music Matters

As you may recall from the early days of this blog, I was a pretty big fan of the boy band NLT -- particular of its lead vocalist, Mr. Travis Garland. This past Tuesday, a dream came true for your girl when I finally got to see Mr. Garland perform live (albeit solo) and in the process, I discovered two other new artists that are very worthy of everyone's attention.

You will find video footage of Travis' entire set, along with a few clips of R&B indie artist Lydia Caesar after this review. You're welcome in advance.

The show took place down in Soho at a bar called SOB's, a small bar (that I saw K'NAAN live in a few years ago) that has a small raised stage along its back wall. It fits maybe 200 people if we all squish in together like sardines (and we did, obviously). The event I attended is actually a monthly showcase put on by BET (yes, the network) called Music Matters and previous editions have featured the likes of pre-fame J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Miguel. This is the big leagues -- so no small wonder they snapped up Mr. Garland while they could. Six artists performed that night -- and all of them were interesting in their own way, but before I get to that...

I ducked out of work right on time and headed straight to this event, as they were supposedly letting people in at 7:30PM (they didn't until around 7:50PM -- it was cold, people). However, as my plus one and I were looking around for something to eat, who do we see but Travis himself at the corner of the block, surrounded by his posse. We were literally struck dumb and stared at him through the windows of the bank we were in like pathetic fangirls. So you're asking -- did Mel accomplish her dream and get a photo with Travis? Nope. I know -- I'm disappointed in myself, too. Not long after we spotted him, he zipped into a cab. Sigh.

After waiting for what felt like eons in the chilly March(!) New York air, we were let in to SOB's and headed for the side of the staging near the short staircase to physically get on stage. That's right -- everyone walked right by yours truly.

The night was kicked off by DJ Lyve, who played a pretty good mixture of new and old school R&B jams ("That girl is poiiii-sonnnnnn"). The show started up about 15 minutes late, and rapper Saint Nick took the stage. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts -- the crowd seemed a bit listless. It became obvious rather quickly that a large majority of the folks there were there for Travis or R&B vocalist Rotimi and -- surprise, surprise -- they both were scheduled for the end of the night. All acts save for Travis (the headliner) performed three songs, while Garland performed five.

The first main highlight of the night came with the third act -- an R&B vocalist named Lydia Caesar. She just released her debut album independently, called Caesar, and it's available for purchase on iTunes and perusal on Spotify. Lydia, dressed in slick wet-look leggings, a striped tube top and jacket, and with a signature bow in her hair, immediately won the crowd over with her single "St. Louis" (music video here). Her vocals are front row in center and she's not to be missed. She followed it up with a cover of Rihanna's hit "Stay", heavy with emotion and melisma and putting the original to shame. She closed her set with the euphoric uptempo "Lottery".

Following Lydia was Aaron Camper, an accomplished musician who's toured and sung backup for the likes of Jill Scott and Stevie Wonder. This entire week he has been part of Justin Timberlake's backing band whilst performing live on the "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" program. The highlight of his set was his single, "Madness", which is available on iTuness/Spotify. Many of his songs he vibed and mixed with other hits, including Adele's "Rolling In the Deep" and Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know". Aaron is stellar -- a true rising star, and one to watch. And, it should be noted, is a real gentleman both on and off stage.

Finally, after nearly two and a half hours of waiting -- I breathlessly watched Travis Garland stand literally a foot from my face waiting to take the stage. Dressed in a black shirt, jeans, a flannel button-up wrapped around his waist and a dark fedora, he took the stage with a full backing band. He was playing mostly in support of Fashionably Late V. II, the second part to his stellar Fashionably Late mixtape that was released a few weeks ago -- it's every bit as solid as its predecessor.

His set opened with a dreamy fusion of two v. II midtempos, single "Where To Land" and "Blue Electric Roses". During his second song, his mic started to fade and finally drop out on him, but he handled it like a pro, simply picking up another mic and continuing on to a large applause. I'm sideyeing the sound mixer for that -- there were no other audio glitches save for that (haters be hatin'). After this, he offered up an unexpected (to me, at least) cover of D'Angelo's "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" and yes, women lost their mind. And I don't mean just me, either ("That white boy can singggggg!"). He closed the night out with another v. II jam, the cheeky "Homewrecker" and my overall fave mixtape!Travis song "Abby Lee". We were brought to church, ya'll - and I dare say I've seen the light.

If you are in the New York area and are interested, the BET Music Matters showcases are free to the public (so long as you are 21+) and are held monthly at the SOB's bar in Soho. For more information, check out their Facebook page.

For more information on Travis, Lydia or Aaron, I suggest you follow them on the Twitters: via @TravisGarland, @LydiaCaesar and @AaronCamper respectively. You can download both Fashionably Late and Fashionably Late v. II, Travis Garland's two most recent mixtapes, for free at his website. Check out my videos of Lydia & Travis below or via my YouTube channel.

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HEAR THIS: Demi Has A "Heart Attack"

Putting my defenses up
'Cuz I don't wanna fall in love
If I ever did that
I think I'd have a heart attack
-Demi Lovato, "Heart Attack"

No matter your thoughts on the Disney Money Machine, you cannot fault them (most of the time) in their choice pick of popstars. Demi Lovato truly broke through with the one-two punch that was "Skyscraper" and "Give Your Heart A Break" and she continues her quest to unseat Ms. Kelly Clarkson from the emotional Power Pop Throne with her latest single, the lead from her yet to be titled upcoming fourth album, "Heart Attack".

Everyone and their mother seems to be labeling this as a grandiose "electro" single -- however, I'm not quite sure they have ears. Apart from an occasion swizzle and fade, this is basically one big vocal melisma on a sparkly backdrop. Think a (more) pop Carrie Underwood or indeed Kelly Clarkson. 

While I initially found "Heart Attack" to be more of in the Grower territory, it definitely has a chorus that is a force to be reckoned with coupled with Lovato's big pipes. This girl can really wail and with each respective single, she displays her talents in a major way. I give her credit for going with her gut rather than attempting to go the dance-pop route -- that's not Demi and it never will be. Her appeal draws from her relatability and her meaningful delivery draws on her more dark, emotional past -- much of which she didn't really hide even from the start. After publicly battling her demons, I much prefer the vulnerable nature of "Heart Attack" to any of the so-called girl-next-door tunes offered up by the like of say, Taylor Swift.

BONUS: 

Other great songs named "Heart Attack" that don't get enough attention:

-Lloyd "Heart Attack" (LISTEN HERE)
Can somebody call a doctor/Shawty's tryna give me a heart attack
The last track from Lloyd's underappreciated third effort, 2008's Lessons In Love, this song never became the single it should have been. It was produced by Adonis Shropshire, who gave us the best Day26 ballad ever in "Since You Been Gone" (not the Kelly Clarkson song) and Danity Kane's "Ride For You", as well as Dream's "This Is Me (Remix)" and co-wrote Kristinia DeBarge's "Goodbye". Lloyd's smooth voice really sells this jam of a love song and is arguably my favorite from his catalogue save for the hotness that is/was/will always be "Get It Shawty".

-Darren Hayes "Heart Attack" (LISTEN HERE)

Heart Attack/Your heart is black...Heart Attack/You stabbed me in the back
A darker pop tune from the Australian Prince of Pop and one half of Savage Garden, Darren Hayes, from his debut solo album, Spin, back in 2002. The inclusion of the word "whack" in the chorus notwithstanding, it sounds just as good today as it did then.

-NLT "Heart Attack" (LISTEN HERE)
Doctah, won'tcha/Please prescribe me something/Strong enough to take the pain away

Not to be confused with their other song "Heartburn" (which was embarrassingly featured on the soundtrack to that Bratz film), the never released "Heart Attack" was produced by Timbaland and was no doubt from their "She Said, I Said" sessions. Prime example of what a wasted opportunity Interscope Records had with those four boys. The song still has more swag now six years on than all five members of One Direction have put together.

NOW KPOPPING: SHINee Pines for "Dream Girl"

And those were the "better" outfits. Left to Right: Minho, Onew (leader), Jonghyun, Taemin & Key.

Ya'll, my SHINee BB's are all grown up (almost).

Almost a year after "Sherlock (Clue + Note)" slayed the charts, SM Entertainment's other vocal harmony group have returned to us with not just one full record -- oh no -- but another full set (supposedly) set to be dropping in just a few more weeks. The two piece venture is titled Dream Girl. The first of the two discs, a "dance" set dubbed Chaper 1. Dream Girl - The Misconceptions of You (naturally) hit shelves mid-Februrary (I've been slacking), and the allegedly more ballad-heavy Chapter 2. Dream Girl - The Misconceptions of Me (I see what you did there) is due in April.

The first promotional track off the Dream Girl opus is based around the lead single, "Dream Girl", originally revealed by SM to be an "acid electro funk" song. If that description scares you, forget about it entirely -- it's classic SHINee at its best ("acid", really? I think they just meant the music video, but we'll get to that in a sec), continuing that homage to late 80's/early 90's New Jack Swing feel pioneered in their early days with "Love Is Like Oxygen" and perfected with "Sherlock" (if it ain't broke). This style really suits SHINee, mostly because the group always tried to err on the side of slightly out of center in a genre that is heavily overproduced (and I say that as an ardent fan of electroswizzle). With the exception of "Ring Ding Dong", the majority of SHINee's lead single material has been more akin to the 90's boy band pop I grew up with, and that suits me just fine. 

"Dream Girl" is exactly that -- a tight harmony song with an airy backdrop. While some are pigeonholding my boys for playing it a bit too safe (coming after the more ballsy "Lucifer" and "Sherlock", I can see their point), I do need to say that "Dream Girl" is an evolution for them, not necessarily sonically but as vocalists and entertainers themselves. "Sherlock" saw the surprising (at least to me) rise of baby Taemin to being the group's hidden vocal ace and with "Dream Girl", his role in the SHINeeverse is cemented. Rather than give that big note to vocal powerhouse Jonghyun (swoon!), Taemin took the reins. Rather than hide Minho and just give him the rap, they gave him legitimate lines to sing. There are audible harmonies in the pre-chorus, chorus and bridge. Guys -- SM wanted us to believe these guys were the next TVXQ! and now it's starting to become glaringly obvious why.

Choreography within the vocal challenges was always SHINee's forte and "Dream Girl" is no different, this time with mic stands (again, swoon!). Rather than be in your face about how fly they are ("Sherlock"), the swag is subtle. And in flowered skinny jeggings, no less.

The video is a whole other beast, however -- and I will get to that in my patented "For The Fangirls" section.

As for the Chapter 1 album itself, I've had time to digest it fully and I stand by my statement that it's SHINee's most cohesive to date. For an album that's labeled as dance, I was a bit disappointed by the number of midtempos, but I suppose it's forgiveable. 

The set opens with the initial strings car crash sounds of "Sherlock (Clue + Note)" in an attempt to bridge the gap from last year's mini album before hitting the breaks and launching into "Spoiler," an album intro of sorts that cleverly uses the English word of "Spoiler" akin to movie spoilers, namedropping various song titles on the set that still stands on its own merits. It was written by the group's spotlight member Jonghyun. It's my fave cut away from "Dream Girl".

Production group Hitchhiker, who had previously worked with SHINee via "Electric Heart" from their Lucifer sessions, provide two of the stellar, true "dance" songs of the set: "Hitchhiking" (appropriate) and "Dynamite". SM mainstay Kenzie wrote and produced the piano-driven midtempo "Aside". Teddy Riley co-produced "Beautiful", although it needs a bit of time to warm up and be memorable with its big chorus. From what I can ascertain, legendary Herbie Crichlow (Backstreet Boys, Robyn, Five, and more recently TVXQ!) co-produced "Punch Drunk Love", a more rollicking number that feels very Sunny 90's Pop (although I'm side-eying the fact that it has a similar transition synth to "Sherlock"). All in all, the album is all very listenable, and "Dream Girl" continues SHINee's ace uptempo single legacy.

That being said, if Chapter 2 really is all about the ballads, I think it's offish time for our SHINee BB's to have their sexytime "Before U Go" moment. Who's with me?

Now...For the Fangirls (and Fanboys):

I won't defend this look and neither should you. Left to Right: Key, Minho, Jonghyun, Taemin & Onew.

-Take three seconds and imagine One Direction in those outfits you see above. If you're not laughing, you're doing it wrong.

- Dear SM Entertainment, thank you for hearing our pleas against you trying to cookie-cutter SHINee into those choreography-driven boxes. At least you tried to do something different with this art deco meets flower power-themed ode to mental disturbance. Or at least that's what I seemed to get from the video. A for Effort. Really. So please don't be too offended when I also ask for a Dance Version with JUST the black box? Yes, I know. I'm asking for what I so desperately didn't want before. But to be quite honest, seeing my SHINee BB's all confused and trippy doesn't sit well with me, no matter how quirky they naturally are. Sigh. Love, Mel

- In terms of the new looks, I was waiting for me to ardently hate one or more of their hairstyles but I think this might be the first time in MY HISTORY AS A SHAWOL that I'm digging all five of them.

- Especially Jonghyun's Bruno Mars 50's coif. Rawrrrr, Baby Dinosaur. Rawrrr.

- Onew, you are adorable and don't you ever forget it. You were totes stealing all the glamour shots -- something I walked into this assuming would be all about Ms. Diva Key. Bravo.

- A round of applause for baby Taemin's big high note, everyone.

- I think Jaewon was responsible for this choreography (correct me if I'm wrong) and swoon. Mic Stands + Artful Swiveling + doowop-esque whooo ooh oooh ooh's + cute boy band = Goner.

- Coordi Noonas, you were doing so well with that Black Set. Those pseudo-suits would have looked atrocious on literally any other boy group, but with SHINee, it was working. Hardcore. Then you had to do those cutaways to the random art gallery bits showing them in rejected f(x) costumes and I got a little perturbed. I should have known it would be too good to be true.

- The video was a contrast between the darker, sleeker but still very SHINee motif and the flower-patterned motif. Yes, I'm well aware that SHINee is known for their loud wardrobe (I still don't really know why) but to say the disconnect of tweed and plaid suits with flowered skinny jeggings (that are from the teen girls' department, I guarantee it) wasn't a little jarring -- let's face it. You'd be lying. Perhaps it's my fandom for SHINee that by the end I started to think a few of them looked alright...somehow. But Taemin's Yellow with the Stripes...just no. Stop it now. You're just trying to see what you can get away with. You're scarring the poor child.

- Someday, a grown Taemin will look back on this video and think, "I have no idea why so many grown ass women were so utterly, overwhelmingly attracted to me."

PLAYLIST: When New & Old Collide

My My, it really has been awhile, right? Here's what's been blaring on the ol' iPod/Spotify these past few weeks... 

TEGAN & SARA - "Love They Say"

To be quite honest, "Love They Say" could be replaced with any of the ten tracks featured on Tegan & Sara's Heartthrob album. If you haven't heard it, get on the stick. There's a reason why everyone and their mother are adoring this record; there is no small doubt it will already be one of the best records of 2013. If you've never heard this twin duo before (or if you have), give Heartthrob a spin. It's their most mainstream friendly album, was produced by Greg Kurstin (Kelly Clarkson, P!NK) and is a cohesive, dreamy blend of pure pop.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - "Mirrors"

I'm warming up to "Suit & Tie" (although this whole Justin/Jay-Z tour thing...not so much), but from the minute I heard second single "Mirrors", my nervous energy for The 20/20 Experience, due for release later this month, started to dissipate. It's "What Goes Around..." Justin at his finest (complete with Timbaland's mouth helicopter noises.

GIRLS ALOUD - "On The Metro"

I never took the time to squee about this when Ten was released back in November, but this album cut has been on utter repeat recently thanks to the big "TEN TOUR", which will most likely be the group's last (give me a second while I cry in the corner over not being British). Why it wasn't released as the girls' final bow at a chart run over the pretty snoozy (but still pretty, I suppose) "Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me", the world may never understand. Let's be real  -- is anyone stanning The Almighty Aloud for their ballads? Uh, not here for them, thanks. "On The Metro" is a dizzying piece of electrosizzle ("I left my heart at the disco/Now I'm crying on the metro") that has missed opportunity written all over it. Produced by The Invisible Men (who also did "The Show", one of my Top 3 Fave Aloud Bangers ever), this one cannot be missed.

ALUNAGEORGE - "Attracting Flies"

The Brit duo AlunaGeorge continue to just get better and better with each respective single release -- case in point their brand new single "Attracting Flies", complete with an eerie synth motive. Their full debut is set for release (in the UK only most likely) this June.

DISCLOSURE - "White Noise (feat. AlunaGeorge)"

Another Brit duo that gained a lot of noise for their remixes of Jessie Ware have gained Top 40 interest across the pond for this sexy dance cut which, again, features AlunaGeorge. It is utter 90's Dance and is so fantastic.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - "Remix (I Like The)"
NKOTB has been back in the studio and will be releasing the follow up to 2008's The Block via their latest offering, Ten. The set will be released in April in support of their upcoming "The Package Tour" (how suggestive), a billing that also includes Boys II Men and the freshly reunited 98 Degrees. First single "Remix (I Like The)," although the title is completely cheesetastic, harkens back to 60's doowop group pop of yore with more focus on harmonies.

JANET LEON - "Heartstrings"

Swedish girl group Play enlisted the help of the then teenage Janet Leon in 2003 when Faye left the group (the first time). Ten years later, homegirl is 22 and busting out her own solo brand of dance Swede pop that ABBA would certainly be proud of via the Melodifestivalen single "Heartstrings". While Janet has already been ousted from the competition (robbed!), she is hard at work on her second solo offering (a follow up to 2009's Janet), which will no doubt include "Heartstrings".

JESSIE WARE - "What You Won't Do For Love"

Yet another plumb example of how the UK is doing it right and in turn, America gets shafted (you give us One Direction, but hold back on the Jessie Ware? Um...). However, it seems as if that is starting to change. Jessie's truncated EP, If You're Never Gonna Move, was released last year and features this stunner of a midtempo. She's performed a handful of dates here in the US and has Katy Perry's stamp of approval. Devotion can land on the US shores anytime now, thanks.

THE SATURDAYS - "Somebody Else's Life (Acoustic)"

Have you been watching the E! series Chasing The Saturdays (because you know I have)? New track "Somebody Else's Life", which will appear on the group's upcoming (and first American) album release, The Chase, serves as the theme song for the song and an acoustic version was the B-Side to the UK version of the "What About Us" single. Arguably the group's strongest lyrics to date, it works well as a big ballad, although I could have done with more harmonies from the ever capable fivesome.

THE CAB - "Endlessly"

What a beautiful pop ballad -- it reminds me a bit of Savage Garden of yore. Lyrically stunning. Piano assisted. What I wouldn't give to hear a cute boy sing this to me.

FALL OUT BOY - "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark"

Question: are we sure this is 2013 and not 2006? Fall Out Boy have made an ace return with new single "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark" -- it's very much classic FoB pop punk with a chorus that is as hooky as all get out.

LITTLE BOOTS - "Motorway"

Woman, it's about time. Little Boots long awaited sophomore album, Nocturnes, has finally been announced with a due date in May (her debut, Hands,  came to us back in 2009). "Motorway" is the first single -- a slow-burning dance midtempo where piano and synth collide. Gorgeous.

FALLULAH - "Out Of It"
Danish popstress Fallulah is not to be slept on. "Out Of It" is an older single (from 2010) and is handclappy and full of ah-ah-ahahahah's. Her latest album, Escapism, was released earlier this month in Denmark.

CARLY RAE JEPSEN - "Tonight I'm Getting Over You"

The failure of "This Kiss" as a bit sparkly pop single is really a shame, isn't it. "Tonight" is Carly Rae's third single offering from her fab Kiss album. I would have preferred "Tiny Little Bows" (but that's just me), but still -- this pop gem has all the ingredients for a hit in 2013. Smooth vocal: check. Dubsteppy Synth Chorus: check. Written by Max Martin: check. Produced by Dr. Luke: check.

BRITT NICOLE - "Gold"

Pure pop jam "Gold" is Britt's third official single from her third album offering of the same name (and was co-written by 27 year old Britt). The album recently got a re-release for the Top 40 spectrum after going to #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. I wish all mainstream pop was this sunny.

HAIM - "Don't Save Me"

The only way I can fathom you not hearing about the trio HAIM is if you've been living under a rock as they seem to be the most hyped artist of the moment. Sometimes, the hype equals being too good to be true, but this is not the case here. Alt-Pop "Don't Save Me" is my favorite so far, but current single "Falling" comes in a close second. A release date for the full set hasn't been announced yet, but they are officially now handled by Roc Nation so that bodes pretty well, doesn't it?

LITTLE MIX - "Madhouse"

I couldn't be more ecstatic by the news that Little Mix has have signed an American deal with Columbia. "Wings" has already been served to US Top 40 stations. While I will always be partial to the group's first two singles, I can't really fathom why Syco would roll with "Change Your Life" over more jaunty uptempos for a third single like the incredible and bright "Stereo Soldier" (produced by the same folks who did "Wings", and it sounds like it). While "Stereo" has gotten an obscene amount of plays by me recently, I've also become very partial to the darker "Madhouse". Perhaps it will be an American single?

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And some throw backs...

INNOSENSE - "Rain Rain"
I'm not sure why but I'm going through a bit of a Mickey Mouse Club nostalgia phase. Innosense was a five-girl group with the spotlight on Nikki DeLoach (former Mouseketeeer, an ex of *NSYNC's JC Chasez) that, like *NSYNC, was at one point managed by the evil Lou Pearlman. At one point, Britney Spears was a part of their lineup, before deciding to go solo (well played). So Together is early 00's pop at it's most obvious -- there are a lot of cheesy clunkers on there. However, "Rain Rain," a soft ballad that was often performed as an acoustic/acapella piece, was a real sparkler. Fingers crossed some fab new girl group will cover this one and bring it into 2013.

RICKY MARTIN - "Maria"

In addition to my MMC leaning, I'm also going through a bit of a latin bend. (Word on the street is Christina Aguilera will soon be releasing another Spanish album! WOOP!) It's hard not to dance to this jam.

SELENA - "Como La Flor"

Sigh. Selena -- you continue to be missed.