I really like glamorous music videos, arty music videos, alternative music videos, weird music videos, music videos with a concept, music videos with a story, and sometimes amateur music videos happen to be quite good too.

Peaches‘ music video for ‘Lose you’ (directed by herself!) combines all of these categories somehow, thus, it’s a really good music video.

More highly intelectual, eloquent and professional reviews of music videos coming soon.

PS. The song rocks too, like the whole I Feel Cream album on which she worked with Simian Mobile Disco, Gonzales and Soulwax – actually, that’s why it’s so good.

PS2. Here’s a music video for a new single from the album. Not as good as the previous one, but not a bad one. Song is super cool, though. Reminds me of Madonna’s ‘Get Together’.

There are artists that over the years lose distinction between shaping their original sound and being repetitive, like Röyksopp, and there are artists that copy their own ideas shamelessly all over again and get away with that, like Timbaland.

Timbo is gonna release Shock Value 2 in a month and the lead single was just released. ‘Morning After Dark’ features Timaland himself and some oh-so-boring new artist SoShy from Timbaland’s label.

Timbo says the song is

“very interesting. The song, I can’t describe it, it’s so different. It’s not different for me, but I can tell you this — it fits everything going on with the vampire theme.“

I say it sounds not different at all; it sounds exactly like everything else he has done over last few years. Come on, it’s ish! Really ishy ish I shall say.

The worst thing is that once the album comes out, Timbo is going to be everywhere again. People, wake up! He’s so four years ago! Just to make things clear: I really appreciate his old work with Aaliyah, Missy Elliott and more recently – Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. I just can’t stand how he’s stuck on repeat and people are still so excited about him. And maybe I’m wrong but I’ve got a feeling the whole album is gonna be just as I’ve-heard-it-all-before as this single.

Blah.

I’ve never been a fan of Shakira as her voice annoyed me most of the time. And so did her music, to be honest. However, I realised that things may be about to change when I heard ‘She Wolf’ single and found out that she teamed up with the legendary The Neptunes to make her new record. I was right.

So considering it’s a heavily mainstream electropop, here’s a review:

1. She Wolf – very good
2. Did It Again – very good
3. Long Time – very good
4. Why Wait - very good
5. Good Stuff - average
6. Men In This Town – quite good
7. Gypsy – poor
8. Spy – very good
9. Mon Amour - good
10. Lo Hecho Está Hecho (‘Did It Again’ Spanish version) – very good
11. Años Luz (‘Why Wait’ Spanish version) – very good
12. Loba (‘She Wolf” Spanish version) – very good

Go and get it. Really danceable.

Don’t you think that the remix of Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ made by Benny Benassi is far better than the original version? The original version is a reminiscent of her dance roots I guess, but ‘m glad that in the music video it’s gonna be the BB remix.  Have a listen and make up your mind. Then, you can let me know what’s your opinion and watch three new trailers of Madonna’s upcoming greatest hits compilation.

Madonna – Celebration (Benny Benassi Remix Edit):

Madonna – Celebration:

Watch the trailers – click here.

July is coming to an end, let’s have a look at good albums that this year has brought over last 7 months. I’ve found 15 interesting positions, so I will divide the post into three parts so you shouldn’t be overwhelmed.
I’m not rating them yet – all I’m gonna do is to present them in an alphabetic order, give you a hint what it’s all about and post a song, so you can easily decide what you should quickly get familiar with if you haven’t done it so far. Enjoy! /PART 1 of 3/

Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light

Three girls from Brooklyn returned with slightly monotonous album filled with gentle, keyboard-driven songs that flow to your head by one ear and flow out by the other one. In the meantime, you are under a spell of their cosy charm. Highly recommended for dreamers.

myspace.com/aurevoirsimone

Back Ted N-Ted - Hookie EP

If the rest of songs on his album that should be released this year (hopefully soon) is as good as the four songs on Hookie EP, it will end up in my top 10 albums of 2009 for sure. Irresistibly catchy electropop with airy melodies and vivid energy. Keep your eyes on this guy!

myspace.com/backtednted

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Natasha Khan went for some synths and electronics on this album, so it was easier for me find the way to appreciate her it. At least a half of it. I like her sense of drama and her concept of the album. And, of course, don’t forget about the terrific ‘Daniel’.

myspace.com/batforlashes

Ciara - Fantasy Ride

I was so surprised with this album! All I wanted from Ciara was to deliver me two or three nice hits. What I received was a CD all packed with hits. Mixture of pop, r’n'b, crunk and dance together with Ciara’s charisma is a perfect combination. It was far better than my highest expectations. If you’re looking for delicious, ultimately commercial big hits – you’ve just found them. And her music videos?! Amazing. Since you probably know ‘Love Sex Magic’ and ‘Work’, listen to ‘High Price’ below.

myspace.com/ciara

Ebony Bones! - Bone of My Bones

Many compare her to Santigold and that was my first thought at well. Ebony Bones! didn’t make as good album as Santi (no Diplo factor here), but she’s a one wild lady and quite a few of her songs explodes with crazy energy. The more I listen to the album, the more I like it. But isn’t it always the case?

myspace.com/ebonybones

Shakira's cheap new image

Well,  Shakira annoys me most of the time, but it didn’t stop me from checking out her single ‘She wolf’ from upcoming new album. Where the surprising part comes is the sound of the song – ’70s disco and funk inspired style. Can you imagine? No? Well, neither could I.

Lyrics are as silly as they can be, but in my opinion the song is a decent pop hit. Actually, it’s really good! I guess it’s the strong candidate for the mid-summer anthem. Shakira’s voice is far more smooth than usually, that’s why I’m not annoyed. But her new look? Vulgar in a cheap way – I wonder how will her true fans comment on it…

You can listen to the song below and see the preview of the music video for ‘She wolf’. If you want to listen to the Spanish version of the song – ‘Loba’ is the title in this case – just click here. I would say it sounds better, but on the other hand her voice is more annoying, so I’d rather stick to the English one.

I had no idea this feeling will be so intense… After two years of Imogen’s vBlogs and tweets I have finally listened to ‘First Train Home’ – the first single from upcoming album Ellipse - and I literally cried! I feel so happy, it’s a pure bliss! It’s not only because of the beauty of the song – I feel like if I’ve been involved in the whole process of making the album, it’s already a piece of me.
Thank you Imogen, you are the music I live for…

Listen to the single here!

Sugababes

It’s so damn hard to find decent pop songs these days, isn’t it? Yesterday, when I heard Sugababes‘ new single ‘Get sexy’ I couldn’t stop thinking it’s a joke. It’s not that I expect great lyrics from the Babes, but the ones in this single are BAD and I mean it.

When I listened to the song today I had an idea that maybe it’s so overwhelmingly cliché-ridden in purpose. I hope it is.

Musically it fits into latest trends (‘Boom boom pow’ comes to mind instantly, doesn’t it?), so I guess Sugababes will come back to tops of charts with ‘Get sexy’ but the price is high. I miss good old Sugababes providing rather innovative pop tunes that you’d like with no hesitation since the first time you heard it.

I’m afraid that this song may stay in my head somehow. It’s crap, but the chorus is quite catchy whether we like it or not. I wonder what the new album will be like…

Or maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s a blinkin’ great song (obviously, you need to raise above the lyrics, no doubt here)?! I’m confused.

Ciara in 'Work' music video

Ciara together with a director Melina Matsoukas made a great video. There are great trucks, great tyres, great spaces, great sand slagheaps. Well, there are some a bit ridiculous moments (just as there were in Beyonce’s ‘Diva’ also directed by Melina; the ridiculous moments are the one that remind of Benny Benassi’s ‘Satisfaction’) and I expected much better choreography from Ciara, but it’s a really strong video. It stays in your mind.

Some scenes are awesome, like the one with Ciara in a futuristic outfit on a yellow construction (as shown in the picture above) doing some crazy things with her ponytail. Or the shot with Ciara in the bright orange dress on a bulldozer. Melina’s use of colours in this video is well-handled, just look at these blues, oranges and yellows.

The song itself is one of my personal favourites from Fantasy Ride, it’s a kind of hit song that makes you wanna dance like crazy instantly (it would be better without Missy’s annoying appearance, though). The CD single will be out in a month.

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Damn, I absolutely love the video! I’ve seen it like million times since yesterday and I can’t get enough! Ciara is one of the sexiest creatures in the world, full stop.

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Oh, I’ve just found another version of the video edited in a slightly different way:

Little Boots

Little Boots‘ album was quite a disappointment for me. I didn’t found any good tunes except of these I’d already known (‘New In Town’, ‘Meddle’ and ‘Stuck On Repeat’ – and I can’t understand why she put an edited version of this song on the album…).

And except of ‘Remedy’ (the next single).

I’ve been struggling with this song for over a week now. In the beginning there is a cool electro vibe that continues throughout the verses. Then, it turns into a catchy electropop in the first part of the chorus – we’ve got a really great song so far.
BUT here comes the second part of the chorus! Doesn’t it sound cheesy? And the bridge? Come on…
That’s why I couldn’t make up my mind about that song. Partially a pop masterpiece, partially a misunderstanding. It hasn’t stop me from listening to the song again and again, though.

Eventually, I came to decision that the song… rocks! Cheesy or not, it makes me sing along with Victoria, it’s a completely irresistible feeling. Actually, I think that including the cheesy parts was intended. The only thing that worries me a bit is that the song was produced by RedOne who produces ‘Poker Face’ and ‘Just Dance’ for Lady GaGa who I truly despise. On the other hand, Little Boots is charismatic and classy, opposite to sleazy and ridiculous Lady Gaga, so the performer really matters in this case.

Check it for yourself and make your own judgment: