weekend:

feature roundup (issue#7)

May 31st, 2009; 9:25 pm (GMT+8) 0


Our feature editor, Rickified has been vomitting out features almost everyday during weekdays. Other than that we have a spanish feature column - Columna Española. And also other nonsensical things that we call features.

p/s This issue i featured stuff that have been posted for the past 2 weeks

A recap of features posted this week:
dirrtyfeature:

Esmée Denters "Outta Here" Album Review

May 29th, 2009; 4:28 pm (GMT+8) 0




"Outta Here" is the debut studio album by Dutch R&B/Pop artist Esmée Denters. It is released on May 22nd 2009 in the Netherlands. The US release date is still unknown yet. Esmée is the first artist signed to Justin Timberlake's record label Tennman Records in association with Interscope Records and Universal Records.

First Impressions

rickified:
Ok, I know that I've overhyped this album a little. With "Outta Here" sounding so good as the lead single, expectations are definitely high. This album is a mix of Pop and R&B with both ballads, and uptempo tracks. Plus working with with well-known producers and writers, such as Danja, Polow Da Don, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Tedder and Stargate would allow us to think that this album will be filled with hits. It does, but it does have some bland moments too.

Standout Tracks

  • Admit It
    It sounds like what Ashley Tisdale would do for her Headstrong era kinda stuff. Not bad I guess.

  • Victim
    Esmée co-wrote it with Ryan Tedder and produced by Ryan, chorus is like a lite version of "Halo". A girl power anthem.

  • Outta Here
    Been ranting and raving about this song, what's not to like about it. Heavy beats, destined to be a banger. Co-produced by Polow Da Don and Justin Timberlake, a great lead single.

  • Love Dealer
    Co-produced by Stargate and Justin Timberlake, it's my fave song from the album. Uncredited vocal appearance by Justin. Hypnotic beats, THIS SHOULD BE RELEASE AS A SINGLE!!!! An instant catcher, I could memorise the song within a few listens. =)

  • Getting Over You
    A nice midtempo. Love the part when Esmée and Justin sings in harmony, even it's not on the verses. An interesting detail though.

  • Just Can't Have It
    Another great production by Stargate, this mid-tempo ballad doesn't sound like "Irreplaceable", which is good. =)

  • Bigger Than The World
    Produced by The Y's (Justin's Production team), it does have Justin's signature sound on the instrumental.

Final Verdict

rickified:
Nothing groundbreaking with this album, but it's definitely above average compared to some recent releases. Being a pop-lite album with R&B influences, it's hip enough and fits into the current Top 40 format just right. =)

Rating

rickified:        


Recommended Tracks



upcoming freshies:

by
May 27th, 2009; 6:24 pm (GMT+8) 3




Here's another music act to look out for. If you've been following our weekly UK chart updates, they have their 2nd single, "In For The Kill", peaked at number 2. Now on for some brief info about them.

La Roux are a British electropop synth duo band made up of singer and synth player Elly Jackson, and co-writer co-producer Ben Langmaid, Their music is largely influenced by 1980s synth pop including Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, The Human League and Prince.

As for the origin of the group name, Elly claims to have found a book of baby names in a bin and within the book was there's a name La Roux, French for "red-haired one" (although the actual French would be "La Rousse").

Signed with major record label, Polydor, they are set to release La Roux's debut album in June 2009. But their first single, Quicksand, was released by the Kitsuné Music record label in November 2008.

La Roux's second single "In for the Kill" was released on 16 March 2009. Debuted at number 11 in the UK Singles Chart on 22 March 2009, which would eventually peaked at number 2.

La Roux were the supporting act on Lily Allen's UK tour in March 2009 and obtained the fifth position on the BBC's Sound of 2009 poll, amongst critics and the like.

Their genre of music is Electropop and Sythpop, which I really adore loads. I didn't really get on the hype of "In for the Kill", but their 3rd single changed my mind. "Bulletproof" is the third single by pop duo La Roux from their upcoming debut self-titled album and the song is to be digitally and physically released on June 15 2009. Love the video too. It's very artsy. I'm sure Bulletproof would do well as the followup. It's electropop/sythpop madness!!! My kinda stuff. =)

Both the Foamo and Zinc remix are the bomb. The Tepr mix is not bad, sounds like a dub with only the use of the chorus. Enjoy!!!

Remixes

Track

Music Video

dirrtyfeature:

the dirrty mixtape (issue#02)

May 23rd, 2009; 11:20 am (GMT+8) 0


Remember the times during the early 90s where mixtapes are such a hot thing. It's corny and cheesey but ever so fun. I can still remember the days where i stick by the radio waiting for the DJ to play THAT track. When he does, i hit the REC button! HAHA! Those were the days. So yeap! I'm bringing back the cheese and corn that made mixtapes so coool with this new section called "the dirrty mixtape". It's not really a mixtape mixtape. It's more like a collection ofd track that fits a specific theme.

For this second issue, we will focus on those breakups/relationships that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth! Yea! Songs that make you wanna go "F*ck You" to the freaking guy/gal! haha! So, in this collection, both me, dirrtysean and rickified came up with a list of our own.

the dirrty mixtape: the bitter collection ( rickified's choice)
the dirrty mixtape: the bitter collection ( dirrtysean's choice)

I have zipped up all the tracks listed above in a zip.

Previous Issues

credit: graphic by pinkparis1233
rickified's rants:

Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

May 19th, 2009; 11:00 am (GMT+8) 0


"Battlefield" is the lead single from Jordin Sparks untitled second studio album, which is due July 14th 2009. She sang the single live on American Idol on May 13th 2009. The mid-tempo R&B track was written and produced by producer/songwriter and frontman of OneRepublic, Ryan Tedder. The song was released to US iTunes on May 12th 2009.

Hmm, this song is kinda overhyped I guess. Not as catchy as I thought it would be. Good, but not great. Hope Jason Nevins would do a remix on this song and make it sound better than the original. Enjoy!!!

Track


Idol Performance

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