Hasn’t been one of these in a while…

Updates are slow on the Britney front as she prepares to embark on the European leg of The Circus: Starring Britney Spears tour. In fact, she’s vacationing at the moment.

According to Brit’s manager, it sounds like Europe’s in for some surprises when the tour starts up again:

@AdamLeber: Tour remixes are coming in and they sound incredible…..

I am entirely jealous and furious.

Additionally, Jive is continuing the trend of releasing remix EPs for each single. According to Britney.com, “If U Seek Amy” will be receiving the full treatment June 2 on iTunes! The mixes offered will be as follows:

1. Crookers Remix
2. Rizzo’s Remix
3. Weird Tapes Remix
4. Junior Vasquez Big Boom Remix
5. U-Turn Remix
6. Grayson Remix

Not going to revive the single’s chart record, but a welcomed addition to the collection nonetheless. Now, if only the remixes from this era were any good…though I’m sure “Radar” will deliver this summer.

Miike Snow is the collaborative project formed by Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and American producer Andrew Wyatt–the former two perhaps better known as Swedish production team, Bloodshy & Avant.

Having sculpted some of the most career defining tracks for Queen B (“Toxic”, “Unusual You”, “Piece Of Me”) as well as countless tracks for more MuuMuse favorites (Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Sugababes, BoA), it’s almost too obvious that this ambitious solo project should follow in step with the excellence we’ve come to expect from the producers.

And yet, it does and doesn’t. If you’re looking to find a compilation of some of the most sizzling electro-pop stompers you’ve never heard, you’re sadly mistaken–they’re not here. Is that a bad thing? No. Because this is still a release from some of the finest musicians in the game, and as a result, this is still a quality piece of work.

Complex drum rhythms, lilted piano melodies, and an afterthought of sprightly synthesizers fill out the contrasting sounds of “Animal” and “Burial,” the lead tracks off of Miike Snow’s eponymous debut. The lyrics here alternate between humility and reprimand, eventually leading to the stinging, contemptuous chorus of “Burial”: “No I, I don’t want to get thrown in your ocean. Don’t try, you know that already we know it…it’s over. At your own burial, don’t forget to cry.” Ouch.

As skilled producers, the members of Miike Snow demonstrate the ability to explore less traveled paths in their music while still manging to reel themselves back to familiar territory within seconds. “Black & Blue” jitters and slides between Prince-like crooning and Darren Hayes‘-like electro-crunchiness, while “A Horse Is Not A Home” dances the line between glam rock (Adam Lambert, take note), alt-electronica, and balladry without ever settling. As with much of the album, it’s simply a sound undefinable.

“Plastic Jungle” is perhaps the poppiest part of the album, playing like a kind of lo-fi parody of Kylie’s mindless mega-smash “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.” Further on, Miike Snow prove that the most exciting producers in Pop can do a much more than a simple verse-chorus-verse-chorus progression: “Sans Soleil” offers cool drips of electronica atop the rooftops of a French chateau, mixing solitary piano riffs with choral coos and glittering bells, while “Silvia” gorgeously unravels to the tune of scattering synthesizers of all shapes and sizes and a vocal performance soaring beyond human proportions.

I didn’t (and still don’t) know quite what to make of Miike Snow. They’re a curious creature, a force as shrouded in mystery as their borrowed mascot–the elusive jackalope. With a release as peculiarly scattered and layered, you’re bound to catch something new with every listen. Different moods and times invite different emotions, and no track seems to sound as it did the time before. At least one thing’s certain about this release–I can’t stop listening.

Miike Snow is currently streaming their entire album at their MySpace.

Click below to preview & purchase Miike Snow’s self-titled debut NOW!

Who’s ready for another round of reinvention?

Nouvelle Vague, the creative cover project backed by producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, is known for stewing up some of the finest bossa-nova tinged reinterpretations of punk hits and New Wave classics. After three years, it’s time for Round 3.

This time however, the rhythm has slightly changed: For one thing, the songs are no longer bossa nova-infused, but rather inspired by the sounds of country and bluegrass.

Additionally, the covers are getting a bit more authentic, as the original artists are sharing the crooning credits with the long list of breathy French chanteuses on each track of the record.

And yes, you’re correct–”Master and Servant” is a Depeche Mode cover, and Martin Gore IS on the record!

I won’t lie, hearing that the new record would be given a country twang upsets me greatly. But after hearing the preview of the first track on their MySpace (with Martin Gore!), I’m certainly keeping the faith.

I suggest you do the same.

1. Master And Servant (Depeche Mode)
2. Blister in The Sun
3. Road To Nowhere (Talking Heads)
4. All My Colours (Echo And The Bunnymen)
5. The American
6. Heaven (Psychedelic Furs)
7. Parade (Magazine)
8. Metal (Gary Numan)
9. Ca Plane Pour Moi (Plastic Bertrand)
10.Our Lips Are Sealed (Go-Go’s)
11.God Save The Queen (Sex Pistols)
12.Say Hello Wave Goodbye (Soft Cell)

Click here for further details from Altsounds.com.

Nouvelle Vague’s 3 is due for release in France on June 15, June 29 in the UK, and July 3 in Germany & Austria.

From Mr. Vincent Frank‘s MySpace blog:

Mind blown.

Earth shattered.

THEIR VIDEO LOVE WILL RESUSCITATE THIS ECONOMY. I AM SURE OF IT.

“Confusion Girl” video is coming soon, while the actual single drops on July 6.

And then Holly Rachel Vukadinović‘s gloriously electro glitch Frankmusik-produced comeback album is due…when, exactly?

This is Make The Girl Dance, one of the newer DIY-electro acts out of France that promise sweet, sweet music in the very near future. “Baby Baby Baby” is a winding, gritty electro throbber–but that’s just about the last detail you’ll retain from this.

Whether it’s the video’s cheeky foray into nudism on the streets of Paris or the nonsensically naughty lyrics (“I want chocolate and vanilla flavoured ice cream / I want your balls to be blueberry flavored”), “Baby Baby Baby” is bound to get you hooked…or thrown out of work.

DL: Make The Girl Dance – Baby Baby Baby

Click here to order “Baby Baby Baby,” along with various remixes and the B-side, “My Name’s Breezy.”

Am I missing something? I think I am.

Earlier today, the blogosphere and twitterverse temporarily went ape-shit regarding the Black Eyed Peas‘ possible next single, “Imma Be” off of their upcoming album, THE E.N.D.. The usually reliable-though-ncreasingly-sensational PopJustice tweeted “Have just heard a literally brilliant Black Eyed Peas song (!!!)” (According to DanneeeBoy, this is not the song that PJ previewed., but rather “I Got A Feeling.” Thank goodness!) while the New York Post wrote that the track “sounds as amazing as these guys can quite possibly get.”

I couldn’t even get to the end of the song!

What the shit is this?! It’s like a forgettable knock-off of Beyoncé‘s “Diva” mixed with the already annoying quality of, well, the Black Eyed Peas! It does meld into a more acceptable, loungey synth affair towards the end, but still…

I get “Boom Boom Pow.” I do. But THIS?!

Bitch pleeeeeeease.

DL: Black Eyed Peas- Imma Be

Two weeks from today, June 1, will see the UK release of Kleerup‘s self-titled debut. Originally released in Sweden back in May ’08, the much cherished, mostly under-appreciated album features many a hit, including Robyn‘s “With Every Heartbeat,” as well as one of the finest aural displays of sad disco in recent time, “Longing For Lullabies” featuring Titiyo (originally reviewed at MuuMuse a year ago!)

Well, it’s back–and with a mournful vengeance. “Longing For Lullabies” was officially released TODAY, May 18, in the United Kingdom with a whole slew of fancy throbbin’ remixes. So hey, if you’re still willing to cry out on the dancefloor, why not grab another Kleenex with Kleerup?

Enjoy the Joakim mix of the track, featuring a slightly uplifting splattering of synths. Still sad, but instead of braving the rainstorm, it’s most like the ray of sunlight working its way through the wet streets. Got that?

DL: Kleerup – Longing For Lullabies ft. Titiyo (Joakim Remix)

Click here to stream the “Longing For Lullabies” remixes.

Click below to preview & purchase the “Longing For Lullabies” remixes!