SO HERE’S A THING YOU SHOULD GET TODAY.

It’s Frankmusik‘s first single as a Cherrytree Records artist, “The Fear Inside”!

Here’s why you should get it:
+ It is good.
+ There is a sexy lady and a sexy man on the cover.
+ Synthesizers are used.

But really, here’s why you should get it:
+ It is not not good.
+ If you don’t buy this single, no one will like you as a person.

In conclusion, “The Fear Inside” is a good song.

Don’t believe me? just watch this black-and-white video…WHICH HAPPENS TO BE SET TO THE SONG.

“The Fear Inside” was released today, December 14. (iTunes)

AMAZING COVER ALERT.

Here we have the seasonally inspired album art for R&B chart-topping sensation Teairra ‘Tee Tee’ Mari‘s upcoming mixtape, The Night Before X-Mas, courtesy of RapUp.

Incredible.

The Night Before X-Mas will be released–well, the night before X-Mas, of course.

I’ve neglected writing about Katy B for a painfully long time. Not out of disinterest, but rather laziness: Whenever a new pop ingenue comes rolling around, I’ve either got to take the initiative and tackle the formal introductions head-on or–as it more often tends to be the case, I’ll end up riding the wave bubbling under until it becomes absolutely necessary.

It’s become absolutely necessary.

Katy B is part of a phenomenon in British female pop steadily increasing in popularity at the moment, characterized by sweetly sung R&B melodies, hip-hop rhymes, and rough, grinding garage/grime beats–let’s call it “swagga pop.”

Though she looks all of 12 years old, the rising South London-born pop chanteuse commands a sick flow and a pleasantly soulful croon, like a cross between Cher Lloyd and Jessie J or JoJo and Joss Stone.

Groomed by the good people of underground radio/record label Rinse.FM and recently signed to Columbia Records, Katy B has come a long way in a short period of time–and it’s clear that the British public’s already taken notice.

Her first single, “Katy On A Mission,” was released in late August. The track is a somewhat bipolar, grinding dubstep banger that–despite its somewhat less accessible radio sound–managed to climb to the impressive position of #5 the UK Singles Chart and #1 on the UK Dance Chart only two weeks after its release.

In fact, the song was such a success that its trance-y B-side, the glittering “Louder,” (which I imagine Lily Allen sounds like when played at a rave), peaked at #176 on the charts based on downloads alone.

“Lights On” is the second single to be released from Katy B’s upcoming debut album (due out next week), which also features Ms. Dynamite. (OH HAI–long time no see, lady!)

On her new track, the young singer ditches the dubstep sound of her debut in favor of UK garage/classic house revivalism a la Hercules & Love Affair. “I keep on moving with the lights on,” the young star sings above the song’s dull, throbbing beat whilst inexplicably parading around the “Rock Your Body”-esque video in–what else? A pair of pajamas.

If the late ’80′s/early ’90′s sound of “Lights On” rubbed you the right way, I highly recommend checking out Katy B’s take on the 1988 Inner City smash, “Good Life,” re-rubbed by Rinse.FM artist Geeneus. It’s, well…genius!

As with all noteworthy pop artists (especially of the ‘swagga pop’ variety), Katy B’s music constantly toes the line between brilliance and shit–a quality that will undoubtedly divide listeners and provide for some interesting pop discourse.

But whether you’re loving or hating the jams, there’s little doubt that Katy B is set to explode in 2011.

“Lights On” will be released on December 20. (iTunes)

Directed by acclaimed fashion photographer, Nick Knight, SHOWstudio’s To Lee, With Love, Nick is a tribute to the late design mastermind, Lee Alexander McQueen. (WATCH)

The video showcases some of the designer’s most striking designs, all styled by UK fashion director Edward Enninful and set to the sound of a hellish, haunting new piece by Björk.

It’s a powerful presentation–and certainly one of Björk’s most brooding offerings yet.

KATIE WAISSEL.

What? Oh. Just kidding. It’s Matt Cardle.

As I said in my wrap-up of the final performance night, I blame Christina Aguilera for Rebecca Ferguson‘s loss.

I like Matt, but you’d have to be a damn fool to believe he’s going to push more albums than anyone else this season.

For now I shall eagerly await Rebecca’s Natalie Merchant-meets-Sade record full of icy boner jams, and what will surely be an era-defining, swagga-riffic, smash hit debut by the soon-to-be legendary Cher Lloyd.

TEAM CHER 4 EVA.

See you for next year’s flop-fest–the very first US X Factor!

Sounds like: The Presets, Cut Copy, Empire of the Sun
Genre: Synth-pop, dance-pop, electronica

After my post about Jodie Aysha, I was reminded of another act that my buddy JJS of It’s The Money Shot! breathlessly told me about months ago. I’ve waited for far too long to do this Introduucing piece, but the time has finally come!

Garçon Garçon (adorable name!) are Nathan Mahon and Nick Tsirimokos, a synth-pop male duo (gorgeous men!) hailing from Sydney, the land where all good synth-pop acts are born (please see Cut Copy, Sneaky Sound System, Empire Of The Sun, et al.)

While there’s not too much information about these sexy specimens quite yet aside from this extremely likable video introduction, Garçon Garçon have released two demos available for download on their Facebook page thus far: “Take Me Out” and “Maybe Tonight.”

Both songs are smartly crafted electro-pop concoctions, teeming with ’80′s-inspired synthesizers and romantic, forlorn vocals. Very New Wave, very accessible, and very, very catchy.

I’m especially obsessed with “Maybe Tonight”: “Maybe he’ll be out there tonight, maybe he’ll be somewhere tonight / But if I had a love, he’d never go away from me,” Nathan sings sweetly above a cool stream of dreamy synthesizers and 8-bit electronica. Oh, how my heart melts!

I suggest you snatch both of these up immediately.

DL: Gar̤on Gar̤on РTake Me Out

DL: Gar̤on Gar̤on РMaybe Tonight

While we wait to hear more, Manhunt Daily posted an in-depth interview with Garçon Garçon recently, outlining their musical interests and influences (Nick listens to LCD Soundsystem and M.I.A.! Nathan listens to The Knife and Sigur Ros!), their thoughts on being out in the music industry, and what we can expect to hear from their upcoming EP.

It’s a must read!

Garçon Garçon’s debut EP, entitled EP, will be released Summer 2011.

THIS IS IT, as one of the X Factor judges famously sang 17 years ago (oh my God, 17 years?!): The STAR-STUDDED X Factor final show is finally upon us!

And thank God, because I’m totally over it.

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First off, let me tell you something right now: This post was originally drafted on January 29, 2010–nearly one year ago.

Jodie Aysha‘s “I’m A Pozer (Zer Zer Zer)” was originally uploaded to YouTube months and months ago, only to be cruelly and unjustly removed after only one or two days for unknown reasons (though I suspect it had to do with the fact that Aysha is no longer associated with All Around The World Records.)

In that time, I simply knew I had to snag an interview with this woman. And so I did. I now present to you: Jodie Aysha’s legendary “I’m A Pozer (Zer Zer Zer),” plus a brief Q&A. Enjoy!

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