It’s been ages since there’s been any new developments in the Diamonds industry (see what I did there?), but today, the wait is officially ova.

“Mowgli’s Road” is the next single from Marina’s to-be-released-eventually 2010 debut album. Sure, the song’s been out on her MySpace for months and played live dozens of times, but only now will it finally receive the recognition it so rightfully deserves.

As for the accompanying video directed by Chris Sweeney? It’s sort of like a massive parody of Beyonce‘s “Single Ladies,” until I get creeped out watching it halfway through and ultimately decide the video doesn’t really fit the mood of the song.

Otherwise, she looks gorgeous. Props for that!

“Mowgli’s Road” will be released by 679 Recordings on November 16.

Purchase more from Marina and the Diamonds on iTunes UK | MySpace | Official Website

Okay, so it’s not really the video for “3,” but it probably should be.

Photo courtesy of MTV.com.

First of all: “Russian Roulette,” the lead single off of Rihanna‘s upcoming album, Rated R, is not a single.

I’m not sure what her record company was thinking in positioning this as the “comeback” track: It’s either her most brilliant, understated move as an artist or a terrible flop move by a singer known for her catchy, uptempo dancefloor anthems.

However, the song is a performance piece in the making. Moody and minimal, “Roulette” is deliciously murderous in its calculated simplicity as its lyrics suggest.

I’m eager to see the finished video for this production, and judging by the single cover, the official website, and the behind-the-scenes paparazzi shots from the video, it looks like we’re in for a rather fierce, noir affair.

You want to be the black Madonna, RiRi? Well, now’s your chance: Make your moment with this.

Photo courtesy of Ultimate-Rihanna.com.

Rihanna‘s new single, rumored to be titled either “The Wait is Ova” or “Russian Roulette,” will premiere on Ryan Seacrest‘s KISS 102.7 at 11:30 a.m. today.

While we wait, you can check out a promisingly dark teaser from her official website (wait for the widget to load). Insert obligatory “OMG, Grace Jones inspired!” comment here. Love it!

The pop princesses are certainly bringing ‘it’ this year, aren’t they?

Yes, I know she’s still doing stuff musically. I don’t care about that right now.

Does anyone else remember “Open Toes,” the ridiculously, out-of-place BRILLIANT track off of Katharine McPhee‘s 2007 debut album?

The song, which was produced by Danja (who would later go on to craft literally every great pop song thereafter, including much of Britney‘s Blackout), was not only a stuttering, get-all-your-girls-and-gays-together-in-a-circle dancey moment, but arguably one of the greatest odes to a shoe in recent pop history.

And that dance breakdown at 2:30? Oh my GAWDDDD. If this album flopped for no other reason, it was not releasing this song as THE debut single.

STILL CUTE IN MAH OPEN TOES!

Oh yes, I remember it. I remember it well.

Photo courtesy of Lady-Gaga.net.

Dear Lady Gaga,

Just listened to your new song “Bad Romance” while I was driving back to Boston.

“Bad Romance” made me want to do things. Crazy things, like speed down the freeway. Or pump my fists in the air and roar. Or dance on the hood of my car in a leotard. Or take off my computer chip-shaped sunglasses and cry at its sheer beauty.

It also gave me the same tingles as when I heard “Since U Been Gone,” “Gimme More,” and “Just Dance.”

I played it over and over, falling more and more in love with the song with each repetition of its crashing chorus and nonsensical, war-like rally calls. As you said in your press conference in Israel (assuming it’s the same song you’re referring to), it is perhaps the greatest song you’ve ever recorded, and certainly a front runner for song of the year.

I will hope that you disregard my previous letter, and allow me to explain myself for the very last time. (I promise!)

When you first debuted, I was in love: I declared myself “Gaga 4 Gaga,” blasted “Just Dance” and eagerly awaited The Fame, an album that quickly became one of my favorite albums of 2008.

Then you got quite popular, and people started acknowledging you. Radio began its love affair with your music. Your popularity grew exponentially, suddenly opening up opportunities to perform at television programs and award shows.

But as you shot to fame, you grew irritating and pretentious in your interviews. The shtick wore on my nerves quickly, and I found your permanent persona both rehearsed and tiring.

I was quick to criticize and judge whenever you missed a note, looked a mess, or acted strange because I saw parts of you that channeled everything that I loved from past idols and icons, including Grace Jones, David Bowie and, most of all, Madonna. Your skyrocket to success mirrored everything about hers, all but casting a shadow on the success of her own debut. Headlines like “The New Madonna!” and “The New Queen of Pop!” were decried from blogs to radio shows to magazine stands worldwide, and with it, you were awarded a new generation of pop listeners.

I must admit, I got upset. I denied it, debated it at long length with anyone who would listen (and often those who couldn’t care less.)

But you know what? They’re probably right.

Every artist begins somewhere, but you are one of the few to have clawed your way to the top of the pop charts with such persistence as Madonna did in the early ’80′s. You want this as bad as she does. Your personality is as equally polarizing; your music as unifying.

Though Madonna’s impact on pop music (or better yet, pop culture) will be forever inimitable, the originality, color and texture you bring to the pop terrain is unrivaled.

You are a true artist with a sense of style, an ear for melody, and an icon in the making. You embrace everything that I love about pop culture, fashion, and pop music (not to mention human rights), so I’m not going to be afraid to embrace you anymore, Lady Gaga.

I’m ready to be entertained.

Your new, solely “on-again” fan,

Brad

This evening, Cheryl Cole performed her debut single, “Fight For This Love,” for the VERY first time on live television.

Though she’s already been on tour with Girls Aloud for over seven years, performing live for hundreds of TV shows and arena concerts, there was just something about the fact that it was only Cheryl that made the moments leading up to her entrance as nerve-inducing as her very first performance on Popstars.

As we should have known, Cole handled it like the pro that she already is. Stepping off the stage as a judge and into the spotlight as a performer, the singer unleashed a stellar performance of “Fight For This Love,” suited in a slightly modified version of the military jacket from her video, a mesh top, and a pair of double-slitted black slacks.

Though her voice may have threatened to crack at times (whether it be result of the dance moves or that whole national audience viewing thing) she held on throughout, moving her way across the stage with a flank of soldier-dancers in tow.

However, it wasn’t until the song began to fade (and Simon began to stand) that the real “WOW!” moment began: As the music broke into a militant strut a la Rhythm Nation, Cole strutted it out for a brilliant, all-too-brief dance breakdown. The legs! The shimmying! That licky-hand-slap dance move! It was all she needed to do and then some; almost certain to secure her place at #1 this week.

Big love to the fact that Nicola, Kimberley, and Sarah were in the audience. I’m assuming Nuh-deen’s busy recording her own debut single right now out in L.A. or something. (Note: This is more of a dream than an assumption.)

And as for the main attraction, Miss Whitney Houston, who performed immediately after? Err, well…I’d rather not get into it out of respect.

Photo courtesy of Lady-Gaga.net.

Dear Lady Gaga,

HAY GURL! Just heard your new track, “Alejandro.” Nice one! Yeah!

The thing is, you really have to stop the RedOne madness.

We all know that you’re super talented, but let’s not get too proud: Putting out the same song now for the fourth or fifth time in a row? “Just Dance” is to “Poker Face” is to “Money Honey” is to “Bad Romance,” and now of course, is to “Alejandro.”

The public is eventually going to catch on to the fact that you’ve been churning out the same song for over a year! Actually, I can’t be entirely sure of that (Lord knows, Cascada is still going strong in this market), but come on: The repeat-heavy chorus, the “muh-muh-muh” variants, the overused electro-sting noise…you’re making your own music sound dated before it’s even been released.

Oh, and for the record, this sounds just like Ace of Base‘s sublime pop track, “Don’t Turn Around.” I liked it better the first time it came out.

Anyway, I have to go get ready to go out now. Can’t wait to hear the non-RedOne prouced songs off of The Fame Monster, especially “Telephone”!

Please give Rainer Marie Rilke and David LaChapelle my love, and let me know when you’re laying down your new single off of The Fame Monster 2.0, “Just Dance on My Bad Poker Face, Honey.”

Your on-again, off-again fan,
xoxo
b