Hey, over there…little question:

I heard Britney‘s all done shooting her new video.

I heard there’s a special Superbowl episode of Glee premiering directly after the big game on FOX on February 6.

I wonder what the spark is between them?

If I said I’m watching the Superbowl this year,
would you hold it against me?

As the premiere date draws closer, RiRi continues to tease us with sneak peeks from the upcoming music video for “S&M.”

Today, we got three new shots!

Two from Ryan Seacrest:

And one on Rihanna’s official Facebook page:

Newspaper headlines? Press agents and cameras? Looks like this video might offer a bit of social commentary!

And while I can’t quite make out the newspaper headline behind her in the first still (“Rihanna the goat” is it?!), the text of the story underneath reads as follows: “Rihanna was quoted as saying, ‘All humans are born with the ability to be attracted to both sexes. I could see myself in a relationship with a girl.’”

Hmm… Very intriguing, Ri. I’m ready to see it now!

I like it, like it…COME ON!

On January 24, Adele will release 21 in the UK, the highly anticipated follow-up to her Grammy Award winning debut, 19.

There’s been an outpouring of overwhelmingly positive critical praise surrounding this record from various media outlets over the past few weeks, so I’m going to caution you now: Believe the hype. It really is that good.

21 was produced and co-written by a varied cast of talented musicians, including 19 producers Jim Abbiss and UK hit-maker Eg White, as well as Rick Rubin (co-president of Columbia Records) and Paul Epworth, the British producer responsible for–amongst many achievements–Florence + The Machine‘s flawless 2009 debut, Lungs.

But despite the wealth of talented producers sitting behind the soundboard in the studio, it’s impossible to deny the true talent at the helm of this project: Adele.

Like a modern day reincarnation of Dusty Springfield, the young UK songstress is a throwback to the legendary voices of yesteryear. Her voice’s soulful quality, technique, depth and sheer power is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

But beyond being an adept vocalist, it’s Adele’s ability to emote that carries her a cut above most of today’s singers: When she’s angry, she burns. When she hurts, she bleeds. And we, as the listeners, feel it with every song. To think she was only 21 years old at the time of writing and recording this album? Well, it’s almost frightening.

“Sure, she’s got it all / But baby, is that really what you want?” Adele taunts on the wicked, sauntering Ryan Tedder-produced “Rumour Has It”–one of the many bluesy, country-tinged offerings on the new record–a sound first introduced to her by the tour bus driver during her American tour last year, which resulted in a wealth of new influences including “Wanda Jackson, Garth Brooks, early Johnny Cash, early Dolly Parton, the Carter Family…especially June Carter.”

Yet while the album is occasionally colored with flashes of bright, playful melodies as displayed on “Rumour Has It,” the bulk of the record is mired in sorrow and rage, as evidenced in the gigantic lead single, “Rolling In The Deep.” “The scars of your love, they leave me breathless / I can’t help feeling we could have had it all,” Adele achingly belts out during the song’s pounding chorus.

If “Rolling In The Deep” is 21‘s raging storm, it’s the album’s closing moment that finds the dark clouds slowly rolling away.

“Someone Like You,” is–as pop producer RedOne recently described Lady Gaga‘s upcoming single, “Born This Way”–almost too precious to talk about. “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you / I wish nothing but the best for you too,” Adele sadly assures herself above a simple, devastating piano melody. The song burns with a raw ache that we can both hear and feel. They just don’t write them like this anymore! Simply put: This song is everything.

However, it’s “Set Fire to the Rain”–apart from the two aforementioned numbers–that may well be the album’s crowning achievement.

Produced and co-penned by Fraser T Smith (Taio Cruz‘s “Break Your Heart”; James Morrison‘s “Broken Strings”), “Set Fire To The Rain” is a complete and utter triumph for the young chanteuse; an aching power ballad that packs enough of a punch to cause jaws to drop to the floor.

“I set fire to the rain, watched it pour as I touched your face,” she cries out during the song’s dramatic, chill-inducing chorus as pianos and string crash and burn beneath the surface. The song plays like an instant classic and, with any luck, may become a pop standard for years to come when released as the album’s second single.

Additional highlights include the white flag-waving surrender of “Take It All,” (“So is it over? Is this really it? / You’re giving up so easily, I thought you loved me more than this”) and the twangy “Don’t You Remember,” a simple, heartbreaking moment of mourning that finds Adele desperately searching for some sign of life from her former flame: “When was the last time you thought of me? Or have you completely erased me from your memories?” Adele woefully croons atop the song’s slow strumming guitar.

There’s also the breathtakingly romantic bossa nova swing of “Lovesong,” Adele’s acoustic take on The Cure‘s oft-covered 1989 hit single. In the end though, it’s hard to spotlight particular standouts on a record complete with so many quality offerings.

21 is a gorgeous collection of honest lyricism and winning songcraft. It’s an incredibly personal experience, complete with a genuine depth and sincerity that trumps its predecessor and proves Adele to be even more of a force to be reckoned with than most had probably imagined.

The album will undoubtedly go on to become one of the major contenders for many “Best Of ’11″ lists compiled later this year, and is nearly guaranteed as much–if not more–critical praise and recognition as her 19 received when award season comes rolling around once again.

And let’s not forget, as it’s worth repeating: She’s still only 21 years old.

21 was released on January 24 in the UK. (iTunes) (iTunes UK)

OH MY GODNEY–THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Britney just TwitPic’ed this photo from the set of the video for “Hold It Against Me,” which is being directed by Jonas Akerlund.

Day 2 is a wrap! #HIAM video coming soon…. – Britney

The microphones! The luscious hair! Oh my God, those ‘COME AT ME’ eyes! It’s all so stunning. Futuristic pop goddess. DYING.

MICROPHONE WREATHNEY.

We are not worthy.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of January 23, 2011

5. Koda Kumi – POP DIVA
J-Pop temptress Koda Kumi’s gone bolder than ever on her 49th single! “POP DIVA” is a brag-filled outburst of pounding beats and wild screeches that rides atop a stinging bass-line similar to the Far East Movement’s “Like A G6.” It’s noisy, it’s erratic–but ultimately, it’s utterly Kumi. (LISTEN)

4. Adam Tyler – I Won’t Let You Go
Up-and-coming L.A. musician Adam Tyler returns with his second single–a gorgeous, heartbreaking electro-pop scorcher that builds and builds with intensity as the song progresses. One to watch in 2011! (LISTEN)

3. Jennifer Lopez – On The Floor (feat. Pitbull)
Kicking off her latest stint as a judge on American Idol’s tenth season, J-Lo premiered the first single from her upcoming album, LOVE?, to radio this week. The spicy songstress enlisted Gaga hit-maker RedOne to produce this floor filler, which capitalizes on all the popular club sounds of late, including the European pulsations of Yolanda Be Cool’s “We No Speako Americano” and Edward Maya’s “Stereo Love.” It’s no “Waiting For Tonight,” but it’s still a proper call to arms. Take it on the floor! (LISTEN)

2. Mya – Fabulous Life
The time is now! Mya seizes the day in this glittery, gleeful electro-pop confection co-produced by J-Pop mastermind Jeff Miyahara and Swedish sensation, Fredro. While this pop treat may only be released in Japan, “Fabulous Life” packs more than enough sparkle and shines to provide universal appeal. (LISTEN)

1. Neon Hitch – Get Over U
You haven’t even debuted yet, and you’re already making me cry at the discotheque? Of all the bad girls, you’re badder than most, Neon Hitch. With sad, stomping synthesizers ourtesy of Benny Blanco and a sorrowful vocal melody contributed by co-writer Sia, “Get Over U” plays like a 2011 continuation of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” proving that the upcoming debut by this whimsical pop gypsy is definitely worth waiting for. (LISTEN)

It’s time to Introduuce one of those names that’s been floating around some of my favorite pop blogs over the past few months (years, even!) While I’d heard bits and pieces along the way, I never really took the time to truly check in…until now, of course.

Adam Tyler is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter from a land called Los Angeles (no, I’ve never heard of it either). As an independent artist, Tyler is very much a part of the recent upsurge in DIY pop stars in the making (Simon Curtis comes to mind) who’ve managed to grab hold of a microphone and a few good synthesizers with the intent on paving their own way.

Back in September of 2010, Tyler released his first official single, “Friction”–a synth-tastic, electro-pop ear-worm. Now, he’s back with his next single: “I Won’t Let You Go.” And I have to say: It’s his best work yet.

Starting off with a simple piano melody, the singer sadly croons: “Every song I heard today / In my head, I could swear I was hearing your voice.” But by the one minute mark, the song begins to break: “Oh, oh / I won’t let you go, no!” Tyler announces as synthesizers slowly begin to build around his layered vocals. With each return to the chorus the song dives deeper and deeper into swells of electronica, resulting in a pulsating synth-pop treat by the end.

“I Won’t Let You Go” was crafted by L.A.-based producer Sky Felix and co-penned by Bri Gonzales,
“The song didn’t really take that long to write either,” Tyler explained to me of the new single. “Sky started playing the piano loop, and I instantly came up with the melody for the song…and within 10 minutes, the song was already halfway done!”

As a MuuMuse Excluusive, you can now hear “I Won’t Let You Go” streaming in full below.

Adam Tyler will be performing his first live show tonight at my good friend Raj of EQ’s EQ Live in London tonight, with plans to shoot the music video for “I Won’t Let You Go” next week.

He will also be releasing 3 EPs over the next six months while continuing to perform across Europe and the US. Work that hustle, boy!

“I Won’t Let You Go” was released today, January 23. (iTunes)

Genre: Dream-pop, shoegaze, indie electronica
For Fans Of: Sally Shapiro, Late Night Alumni, M83, Imogen Heap

I first discovered Caroline Lufkin back in freshman year of college. I’d heard nothing about her, except that she was the sister of J-Pop star Olivia Lukin (who I absolutely adore). Knowing only this and nothing else, I took a dive and checked out her debut album, Murmurs.

As it turns out, the two couldn’t be more different: Olivia has a full bodied voice, while Caroline all but whispers with her high-pitched coos. Olivia’s music is much darker and rock-tinged, while Caroline delivers lush, angelic dream pop. And whereas Olivia is usually depicted in heavy black make-up and gothic fashions, Caroline is pictured looking natural, frolicking amongst flowers and smiling contently. Jessica and Ashlee Simpson? Sort of, anyway.

After hearing the gentle, hazy beauty of songs like “Bicycle” and “Pink & Black,” I was immediately enamored, and Murmurs was put on constant replay–especially as I was drifting off to sleep.

Time’s since passed, and it appears Caroline is finally preparing to release the follow-up to her fantastic 2006 debut.

“Gone” is the first single from Verdugo Hills, due out on January 25.

Keeping true to the sound of her debut, “Gone” is yet another gorgeous dream-pop production. Atop twinkling piano and a simple strumming beat, “Gone” plays like a gorgeous lullaby–even if the underlying message proves much more sorrowful than its warm, sleepy sound implies. “It hurts me now, when you’re so far away / Now that you are gone,” Lufkin sadly croons throughout. (LISTEN/DOWNLOAD)

“Swimmer,” another song from Verdugo Hills which can be downloaded for free at Caroline’s record label website (and is available to stream below), is another treat. Tripping electronica beats join together with warm synthesizers and light strings to envelop Caroline’s lush, layered hums, resulting in one truly mesmerizing love letter.

If “Gone” and “Swimmer” are any indication, it sounds like Verdugo Hills–like Murmurs–will have listeners hopping on a cloud and drifting far, far away.

Verdugo Hills will be released on January 25. (iTunes)

Are y’all aware of Inna?

Perhaps you’ve seen the name before. She’s the Romanian dance-pop sensation responsible for some major international club smashes, including “Hot” and “Amazing.”

After sweeping in multiple categories at the 2010 MTV Romania Music Awards (including the much coveted “Best Website Award”–snatch it, Inna!), the singer unleashed her latest single, “10 Minutes” in the US in November and France in December, with plans to release the song under 3 Beat Records in the UK later this month.

Yesterday, AATW Records released the UK Video Edit of “10 Minutes” which–as you might be able to tell–features a lot of sexy low-cut tops and not a whole lot else.

“10 Minutes” isn’t entirely different from every Cascada production ever (and the “oh, oh!” moments remind of Sirens‘ “Stilletos”), but it’s still a fun little club sizzler in its own right. “I’m gonna break even da law of da gravity to see you in da morning,” Inna adorably croons, her Romanian accent still heavily intact.

A few days ago, 3 Beat uploaded the entire remix EP onto SoundCloud featuring eleven different remixes of “10 Minutes,” including mixes by Hi Def, Liam Keegan and the song’s producers, Play & Win.

I’m feeling the Play & Win Club Mix at the moment, which features some “We No Speako Americano” horn sections. Check ‘em all out above!

“10 Minutes” was released on November 2 in the US. (iTunes)