Happy New Year, Muusers!

I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Years Eve celebration, and a most fabulous 2010.

As always, thank you to any and all of my readers who’ve been following my blog over the past few years, months, weeks, or even just days. It means the world to me to be able to write about the music I love and interact with tons of fellow pop enthusiasts. I’ve been having a blast so far…thank you for joining me!

Here’s to a new decade, new experiences, and lots and lots of new music to muuse about.

xoxo
b

If last year’s theme was the circus, this year’s is truly the freakshow.

Meet Natalia Kills, a new artist preparing for her debut under the hit-making machine better known as Cherry Tree Records (as well as a co-sign under Will.i.Am‘s label.)

Grabbing an intentionally Autotuned vocal cue from label mate Lady Gaga and an aesthetic note from classic noir (and subsequently, Rihanna‘s latest output), Natalia Kills’ “Zombie” is a killer visual and aural debut by any and all definition.

The track simply bleeds from the speakers with electric, spine-tingling potential. Just try and resist the militant, robotic beat and the icy chorus: “I’m in love with a zombie boy, but his heart is so cold.” Then again, it only took the first three seconds of that beat to have me hooked.

…And this isn’t even the first official single.

Along with her debut album set to be released sometime in 2010, Natalia also directs her own videos. According to a transcribed faux-conversation on her MySpace, her debut film will be released in time with her album–both of which dealing with the theme of perfectionism.

Earlier on in the conversation, Martin “Cherry Cherry Boom Boom” Kierszenbaum (head of Cherry Tree) refers to a song of hers as “Grace Jones meets Kate Bush at La Femme Nikita‘s apartment.” High praise doesn’t even begin to describe that statement.

Time will soon tell what becomes of Natalia Kills. To me, she is the artist to watch for 2010.

“Zombie” is now out on iTunes. I highly suggest you go and grab it now so that when she blows up in a few months, you can tell all your friends that you saw her coming way back in 2009–and all thanks to MuuMuse!

I’m in love with a zombie. Are you?

Purchase “Zombie” on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

WHAT THE WHAT.

RING THE тревога: t.A.T.u. is NOT breaking up, according to the latest video the duo posted on their YouTube account.

As Lena explains in the video (wait until after Yulia’s message in Russian), there were a lot of nasty rumors (“different talks, like, not truths”) like this official-seeming one about their musical endeavors. Now, it’s been confirmed straight from the girls themselves that they are in fact STILL TOGETHER…and planning to do new things in 2010!

The two then waved around sparklers in what appears to be the boiler room of a dark, shifty hospital wing and wished us all a very merry New Year. How Russian!

But what of Lena’s solo career? Hmmm…

One just wasn’t enough.

A little while after posting my initial “Most Anticipated” list for 2010 (read: approximately three seconds), I realized that I had left out far too many important upcoming releases that merit an equal amount of attention.

Let’s keep it going with another installment then!

Christina Aguilera, Bionic (Fourth studio album)

What it is: From WWII to the post-apocalypse, Christina’s upcoming reinvention in sight and sound is poised to raise the bar in pop next year.
Expected shelf date: March 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “You Lost Me,” “Monday Morning”
Production by: Goldfrapp, Ladytron, Sia, Le Tigre, M.I.A, Sam Endicott, Diplo & Switch, Linda Perry, Tricky Stewart
What we know: Loads. Every one of the producers and writers for the new album has been absolutely raving about their work with Christina. Tricky Stewart told Vibe that “She did things that she’s never necessarily heard on the radio.” Ladytron cannot seem to sing higher praises of Christina’s taste in music and talent in the studio. Sia’s called the songs they’ve wrote together “classical music beautiful” and “sad and awesome.” As far as what I personally know from my sources (such a cock tease!), it’s all sounding quite good.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: A shocking, next-level FutureSound set to knock Gaga down a peg or two.

Goldfrapp, Head First (Fifth studio album)

What it is: The new dawn of another era in Goldfrapp.
Expected shelf date: March 23, 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “Rocket”
Production by: Goldfrapp
What we know: From their official site, courtesy of Alison: “this album is very different from the last, but i hope you enjoy it just as much for different reasons. i’m really looking forward to playing the new songs live as a lot of them are so up and jubilant. even the revenge songs are kind of joyous! its gonna be a blast!”
MuuMuse hopes to hear: Whatever they’ve got to offer. Who dislikes any of the Goldfrapp albums, honestly?

Sia, We Are Born (Fifth studio album)

What it is: The spunky follow-up to 2008′s Some People Have Real Problems, helmed by the producer behind Lily Allen‘s fabulous It’s Not Me, It’s You.
Expected shelf date: April 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “You’ve Changed,” “Clap Your Hands”
Production by: Greg Kurstin
What we know: The album is basically complete, and a new single will be released in the first quarter of 2010. It’s also full of happy, upbeat sounds a la “You’ve Changed,” which you can download at MuuMuse and “Clap Your Hands,” which has been performed live during her Australian tour.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: A brighter, poppier Sia with more hooks and melodies than ever before.

Nicki Minaj, TBA (Debut album)

What it is: After creating a handful of mixtapes and lending verses on literally everyone’s songs, Minaj will finally roll out her debut as one of the most promising female rappers since Lil’ Kim.
Expected shelf date: 1Q 2010.
Confirmed tracks: None.
Production by: Unknown.
What we know: It will be bossy, braggy, and full of Harajuku Barbie style. As the only female rapper on Young Money Entertainment, it will undoubtedly feature everyone from Drake to Lil’ Wayne.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: “Itty Bitty Piggy,” as well as more references to signing boobs and ‘poppin’ that pussy on his Suzuki so crazy kooky in them Daisy Dukies.

Janet Jackson, TBA (Eleventh studio album)

What it is: Returning to her original label A&M Records, Janet’s follow-up to 2008′s Discipline is a top priority release to send Jackson back to the top of the charts.
Expected shelf date: 2Q 2010.
Confirmed tracks: None yet, aside from the possible inclusion of “Make Me.”
Production by: According to the NY Daily News, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
What we know: During her interview with Robin Roberts for ABC, Janet spoke a bit about her new material: “So far I’ve kept it light, but I’m sure it’s going to have its moments of getting a little heavy, a little deeper, lyrically speaking. I need a little bit of escapism right now…something that’s fun to listen to.”
MuuMuse hopes to hear: The classic Janet formula–two or three solid club bangers and a bunch of slinkier grooves a la “When We Oooo” and “That’s The Way Love Goes.” I’m also expecting some darker work and hopeful balladry, given the hardships she’s had to face over the past few months.

Looking for a track to help count down to the New Year?

Problem solved! Meet the T-Minus 321 unofficial remix of Britney‘s “3.”

It’s basically as if “3″ met the synthesizers from the Eurythemics‘ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These),” and then some futuristic, electro sounds a la Frankmusik at a gay bar. There’s some stuttering, some stopping, and a whole lot of yelping.

Let’s just do it, you and me…all the way to 2010!

DL: Britney Spears – 3 (T-Minus 321 Remix)

Photo courtesy of Britney-Fever.com.

Britney‘s a brunette again, and you know what that means…

She’s recording again. And crazy.

I love Agnes. She seems like such a kind soul with an angelic voice…sort of like the Swedish version of Leona Lewis.

This is just a little something–an acoustic version of her song, “Sometimes I Forget,” performed at MTV Studios in Germany this year.

Photo courtesy of Suck.com.

Year-end wrap up lists are nice and all, but it’s the “Most Anticipated” lists that are way more fun for me to read. The rumors! The possibilities! The inability to foresee a terrible album in the making! Who can resist the sweet, succulent taste of possibility?

Of course, there are dozens of albums being released, and I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface as far as what to expect. Nonetheless, I wanted to run down a few of my own personally anticipated releases for the new year.

So, without further ado, let’s roll out some of the biggest releases hitting shelves sometime in the next year. This will be the year of some ‘Sweet 7′s, it appears!

Sade, Soldier of Love (Sixth studio album)

What it is: The band’s first release in about a decade.
Expected shelf date: February 8, 2010.
Produced by: Mike Pela, Sade.
What we know: The album’s title track is a stunning achievement. Could the album possibly be anything less?
MuuMuse hopes to hear: Smooth, icy vocals and warm jazz sounds.

Ellie Goulding, TBA (Debut Album)

What it is: An exciting, possibly incredible (though potentially dead-in-the-water) debut by 2009′s leading indie electro-pop up-and-comer.
Expected shelf date: According to Play.com, March 3, 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “Starry Eyed,” “Under the Sheets,” “Wish I Stayed”
Production by: Starsmith, Frankmusik
What we know: It’s been in the works for a while. She’s quirky, her music is interesting and fresh, and we haven’t heard a dud from her yet. Let’s just hope this is released before the hype catches up with her first.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: “Starry Eyed” and “Under the Sheets” repeated a dozen times over.

Kylie Minogue, TBA (Eleventh studio album)

What it is: Divine intervention. (That should totally be the album title!)
Expected shelf date: Unknown, probably 3Q or 4Q 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “Better Than Today”
Production by: Nerina Pallot
What we know: Hardly anything, aside from the fact that Kylie was looking to Barbarella for inspiration while recording in New York a few weeks ago.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: The slick, coquettish electronica of Body Language (“Slow”) mixed the with sophisticated, edgy dancefloor flow of X (“Speakerphone”). And a little less emphasis on the camp factor, s’il vous plait.

Girls Aloud, TBA (Sixth studio album)

What it is: A much-needed comeback album from the greatest girl group since the Spice Girls.
Production by: I mean…it has to be Xenomania, right?
Expected shelf date: Way, way later in 2010.
What we know: Nothing, aside from the fact that their official website confirmed an album slated for 2010.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: A shying away from the drum-and-bass sound and a prolonged stay in the territory of “Untouchable” and “Memory of You.”

Jennifer Lopez, Love? (Seventh Studio Album)

What it is: Jennifer ‘Lola J-Lo Jenny Rudebooty’ Lopez takes it to the streets once again to prove she still has ‘flava.’
Expected shelf date: April 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “Louboutins,” “Fresh Out The Oven,” Everybody’s Girl,” “What Is Love,” Starting Over,” “Beautiful,” “This Cannot Be Love,” “One Love,” “Keeper”
Production by: Mike Caren, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, D’Mile, Danja, Darkchild, The Neptunes
What we know: Rap-Up’s write-up of the album preview includes terms like “electro-pop beat,” “slick uptempo production” and “guitar driven ballad.”
MuuMuse hopes to hear: A return to the dancefloor a la “Waiting for Tonight” with some guilty pleasure stompers like “Louboutins.” Minimal ballads, please.

Sugababes, Sweet 7 (Seventh Studio Album)

What it is: The grand unveiling of a new Sugababes era. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jade, Amelle, and Heidi.
Expected shelf date: February 28, 2010
Confirmed tracks: “Get Sexy,” “About A Girl,” “Thank You For The Heartbreak,” “Miss Everything,” “Wear My Kiss”
Production by: RedOne, Sean Kingston, Ne-Yo, The Smeezingtons, Fernando Garibay
What we know: How half of the album sounds. The Sweet 7 album sampler featuring Keisha leaked onto the net a few months ago. However, there’s been talk of recording new tracks.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: What we’ve been hearing. Slick, modern production and a fierce new confidence never before honed by the original three line-ups: It’s time to let Sweet 7 go Vanity 6.

Röyksopp, Senior (Fourth studio album)

What it is: The ambient, down-tempo companion piece to one of 2009′s greatest albums, Junior.
Expected shelf date: Early 2010.
Confirmed tracks: “The Alcoholic,” “The Fear,” “Coming Home”
Production by: Royksopp
What we know: From TLOBF: “Senior is more withdrawn and introspective and create an atmosphere and an ambience, to sit down and if you don’t need constant loud information all the time that’s what Senior is all about.”
MuuMuse hopes to hear: A more sophisticated, contemplative extension of Melody AM.

Uffie, Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans (Debut album)

What it is: The incredibly overdue debut of an underground trash-pop queen in the making.
Confirmed tracks: “Pop the Glock,” “Hot Chick,” “MC’s Can Kiss”
Expected shelf date: February 14, 2010, according to The Guardian.
Production by: Mr. Oizo, Mirwais, Pharrell
What we know: “MC’s Can Kiss,” the upcoming single off of the album, is an old-school-hip-hop-meets-modern-beats orgy.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: Sick beatz from some extremely talented producers…and a whole lot of trash talkin’.

Britney Spears, TBA (7th Studio Album)

What it is: Don’t even get me started…don’t even get me started.
Production by: Track submissions are pouring in from the likes of Darkchild, Max Martin, Sean Garrett, Danja, Fernando Garibay, David Guetta, and many more.
Expected shelf date: Though Digital Spy reports that Jive is looking for a May 2010 release, I can’t help but assume that we’ll see this around the same time we’ve always seen Britney releases for the past three albums–the very end of the year.
What we know: Nothing really.
MuuMuse hopes to hear: Icy R&B-infused electronica. Anything by Bloodshy & Avant. Anything in the direction of “And Then We Kiss.” Less Circus, more Blackout, but with soul. By the way, can we finally call this one Original Doll, Team Spears?

Honestly, It doesn’t even matter what it sounds like in the end. Why? Because it’s Britney, bitch. That’s why.