I first wrote about Parade back in November in my ‘Girl Group Mania’ post. At the time, the girls were only just beginning to roll out their debut. Now, it’s time to begin!

Above is the music video for Parade’s breezy debut single, “Louder.” It’s a fun video. There are several reasons why it is a fun video:

+ A house party! There are people everywhere, and they’re all having fun! Shenanigans and debauchery! Did that guy just ride his bike down the stairs?! Hope he didn’t die!!! So, so much fun! And in turn, I’M HAVING FUN!!! THIS IS A FUN TIME, EVERYONE.

+ Giant silver balloons that spell “PARADE.” This is key for an introductory girl group video because it (A) reminds us that their name is indeed Parade and (b) THAT THEY ARE BUBBLY AND FUN!!!

+ Glitter, sequins, and feathers. Sometimes referred to as ‘the lifeblood of Kylie Minogue,’ these cherished pop objects are synonymous with all things fun and frivolity. Accordingly, they appear ALL OVER this video. Yay!

+ The styling. It’s a bit like they gave the girls five different outfits that Cher Lloyd slapped together during X Factor last year. In other words: “FUN.”

+ DANCE BREAK AT THE 2:15 MARK! Getting our pop ladies to let go and dance in unison seems to be an increasingly rare feat these days, so it’s always nice and fun to see some more of this. More of this, please!

In conclusion: As a debut, the “Louder” song/video combination serves its purpose for Parade by providing a tantalizing pop treat that’s just catchy and FUN enough to grab your attention, yet minimal enough to keep your interest piqued for the next tune they’ve got lined up.

All in all…quite promising!

So, um…wait–oh? Really? Okay! Mutya Buena has a new song for us, y’all!

The song is called “Give Me Love,” and it’s a collaboration between UK House DJ Paul Morrell and former Sugababes founding member, Mutya Buena. It sounds like this:

As you can plainly hear, “Give Me Love” is the kind of song that goes unts-unts-unts with some strings on top, sort of like Sophie Ellis-Bextor‘s “Bittersweet” or…well, every ’90′s House song ever. (Note: Not a criticism by any means!)

In fact, it’s probably the best thing we’ve heard from the former ‘Babe since the utterly genius 2007 Groove Armada collaboration, “Song 4 Mutya.”

“Why won’t you love me? Why won’t you touch me?” Buena pleads throughout. GOD YOU’RE SO NEEDY, MUTYA. CAN’T A GUY GO OUT ON THE TOWN ALONE FOR ONE NIGHT? Jesus Luz.

But forreal though, I’m totes feeling this jam.

Well, here’s a song that’s good.

Neon Hitch is the self-described gypsy type who’s been all the rage over the interwebz as of late as one of pop’s most intriguing up-and-coming chanteuses. (No, but really, she’s got quite the colorful background–she used to be in the circus as both a trapeze artist and a fire swinger for one thing.)

After inking a publishing gig with EMI and co-penning/singing back up for acts like Ke$ha (“Blah Blah Blah”) and 3OH!3 (“Follow Me Down”), Hitch was signed to Warner Bros. Records by fellow songwriter and former American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi in 2010.

Today, the singer just premiered her soon-to-be debut single on ArjanWrites. Spoiler Alert: It’s fantastic.

DL: Neon Hitch – Get Over U

Produced by Benny Blanco and co-penned by Sia, “Get Over U” is a twinkling, stomping sad disco melody filled with warm, lush synthesizers and dramatic strings. It’s incredibly hypnotic, romantic and hopelessly infectious–the type of stuff that we gag about over here at the MuuMuse. You know, like Kylie Minogue‘s “The One” or Namie Amuro‘s “Come.” In other words: I die.

Plus, the entire vocal melody absolutely screams Sia (in other words, “quality!”), especially during the chorus–so much so that it’s entirely possible she’s featured in the background vocals.

It’s essentially Robyn‘s “Dancing On My Own” for 2011, isn’t it?

According to a member of the PopJustice forums, this will be Neon Hitch’s debut single and a video has already been shot.

No clue on how the world will take to this one just yet, but I’m officially pumped.

It’s recently come to my attention that I love mash-ups.

Generally, bootlegs aren’t really my ‘thing.’ I like to keep my music official, neatly organized and meticulously labeled as a rule. Also, I fear change.

HOWEVER, there are always exceptions to the rules. I present two of them right now.

Princess RiRi is a bringer of dependably amazing pop music. She has been literally amazing for over seven years and counting. However, I’ve come to learn that there are some mash-ups of Rihanna songs that only serve to enhance the RiRi experience.

First up is the “Tender Umbrella”: A mash-up of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and General Public‘s “Tenderness” created by Party Ben, a radio DJ and producer from San Francisco (official site), and “one of the more notable figures in the mash-up/bastard pop scene” according to Last.FM. Nice.

The song came to my attention after being featured in the trailer for the upcoming Adam Sandler rom com, Just Go With It. I still don’t actually know what that movie’s about, as all I do is start clapping my hands giddily and shouting “IT’S RIRI, Y’ALL!” every time it appears onscreen.

“Tender Umbrella” gives Ri’s 2007 smash single a refreshingly peppy face-lift, bouncing atop the grooving, ’80′s synth-pop beat of the General Public original. Peppered with hand claps, horns and electric guitar riffs, the “Tender Umbrella” mash-up is a really fun, breezy re-rub, giving Rihanna’s already Perfect Pop Song (and myself) new life with each replay.

Thanks to @Anthelonious for tracking down the name from FourFour!

And now, the “Rockstar 101 vs. Fear of the Dark (DJs from Mars Remix)” Rihanna/Iron Maiden mash-up.

While the beat isn’t anything too amazing (AT FIRST, anyway), the mash-up’s genius begins to make itself clear by the 1 minute mark, as RiRi’s repeated yelps of “I’m a rock star!” are sudenly backed by those delicious, chill-inducing stadium chants from Iron Maiden. But then…it keeps getting better. Like, INSANELY better. Like, the “It Gets Better” campaign should use this as its official THEME SONG better.

You see, the chorus of the song starts chugging along full force as RiRi repeats “Hey baby, I’m a rock star,” building and building with intensity until…

PSYCHO ELECTRONIC BEAT DROP.

It is life changing. It is defining. I get heat flashes. I get so emotional. IT IS A MUST LISTEN.

You can thank my boyfriend for that last find. I’ll relay the message in the form of either sexual favors or interpretive dance. I’m thinking I’ll go with the latter.

EDIT: Okay, thanks to Muuser @Jamie119, there’s now a third mash-up in the mix!

This is the insanely delicious “Rude Baptism,” a mix of Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” and Crystal Castles‘ “Baptism” created by e-mix ‘n’ mashers, The Hood Internet.

Taking the minimal, icy electro glitches of the Crystal Castles jam, Ri’s rudest anthem gets a slightly demonic gloss-over on this superb mash. It’s a little bit sexy and a little bit scary–just how I like to keep it!

And there you have it: Three mashes ready to rock your world. Oh, na na na!

Rihanna’s latest studio album, LOUD, was released on November 16. (iTunes)

Mya‘s back!

Much like every other act this side of the ’10′s, Mya’s gone and shed her R&B roots in favor of a good ol’ synth machine to assist in her dance-inspired return to the music scene–perhaps inspired by her recent stint on the ninth season of Dancing With The Stars. Well…that, or she’s gone and listened to Pop radio for, like, fifteen minutes to see what the kids are listening to these days.

To my giddy delight, the singer will attempt to break two major territories at the same time: America and…Japan! Eee! DID SOMEONE SAY J-POP? ^.^ (Oh God. I’m sorry for that.)

After the release of her first Japanese album in 2008 (Sugar & Spice), Mya is now continuing to pursue a Japanese recording career with “Fabulous Life,” released on January 19 on iTunes Japan.

As The Prophet Blog reported, the song was co-produced by Jeff Miyahara, producer of such gems as AI‘s “Fake (feat. Namie Amuro)” and Crystal Kay‘s “One.” It was also co-produced by Fredro, the Swedish producer responsible for one of my favorite tracks from Jessica Mauboy‘s latest album.

“Fabulous Life” is genuinely adorable–a clearly J-Pop inspired, glittery little electro-pop ditty. It’s like Britney‘s “Anticipating”! Except more Japanese and stuff. I LOVE to bits and pieces!

If it were warmer ’round these parts, you know I’d be blasting this jam with the windows down while I was driving around town. For now, I guess I’ll just listen to it while I’m shoveling.

The second single in question–the Cedric Gervais-produced “Love Is The Answer”–is Mya’s offering for the North American territories.

A bit RuPaul, a dash of Donna Summer circa 2008 (Crayons, y’all!), Mya’s other offering blares into the speakers with an onslaught of ravey, hi-octane synthesizers a la Madonna‘s “Celebration.” “Love is the answer to all your problems,” the singer sweetly croons atop the hectic chorus. It’s no “My Love Is Like…Wo,” and certainly no “Case of the Ex,” but it’ll do for now.

Click here to listen to an extended preview of “Love Is The Answer,” courtesy of E! Online.

According to the E! article, Mya is currently working on both her seventh and eighth studio albums. We here at MuuMuse can’t wait to hear ‘em–especially that J-Pop record. Sock it to me!

“Fabulous Life” was released on January 19. (iTunes Japan)

Hungry, monsters? Time to eat.

Yesterday, Lady Gaga unveiled a remix of an upcoming track (EDIT: Apparently confirmed to be titled “Scheiße”) from her second studio album, Born This Way, at Thierry Mugler‘s Fall/Winter showing at Paris Fashion Week yesterday.

As promised, the full track was uploaded in full at noon today.

“I don’t speak German, but I can if you’d like,” the singer announces before launching into a series of chants spoken in–wait for it–German. According to a YouTube commenter, the translation is something along the lines of: “I am absolutely clear / As long as I’m a Monster / I wish we all could be blind / You’re amazing out there.” Seems to fit the bill for the general theme of the album, no?

“I’ll take you out tonight, say whatever you like,” she snarls above a blistering ’90′s house beat not unlike the musical interludes played during the Monster Ball Tour.

There still aren’t too many vocals to work with here so far (ever the cock tease, Mademoiselle Gaga!), but between that pumping gay beat and the lyrics we’ve got so far: Is it promising? Yes. Yes, indeed.

Okay–new post idea!

This is Muusical Chairs, or essentially the “6 Degrees of Separation/Kevin Bacon” game. The idea is to take one pop star, connect the musical dots to another, and maybe share some previously unknown pop tidbits in the process!

This one’s an easy start, but I’m sure I can dream up more complex connections in the future. Let me know what you think!

Volume 1: Siobhan Donaghy to BoA

Siobhan Donaghy is a talented UK indie-pop songstress responsible for releasing two albums: 2004′s Revolution In Me and 2007′s Ghosts, a gorgeous, electro-tinged smart pop record that spawned two singles (“Don’t Give It Up” and “So You Say”) and remains an absolutely essential addition to any pop lover’s collection. Donaghy first rose to fame…

As one of the three founding members of the Sugababes, the massively successful UK girl group famous for both their soulful smashes–including “Freak Like Me,” “Round Round” and “Hole In The Head”–and their ever-changing line-up.

In 2007, the groups third incarnation (Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah) recorded a cover of Aerosmith‘s “Walk This Way” as a charity single for Comic Relief with another another UK girl group…

Girls Aloud, the power pop fivesome originally formed through the reality series, Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. The girl group ruled the UK charts for over 7 years until late 2009, when they chose to go on hiatus to pursue personal projects, including solo albums by Nadine Coyle and the group’s breakaway star and current X Factor UK judge, Cheryl Cole.

During the group’s majorly successful Out Of Control Tour in 2009, Girls Aloud performed a cover of “Womanizer” by…

Britney Spears, the legendary icon who requires no formal introduction. (Plus, if you’ve hung around this site long enough, you’d already know every minor detail about her life.) The superstar’s fifth studio album, 2007′s critically acclaimed Blackout–featured production by several high profile acts including Danja, Bloodshy & Avant and…

Sean Garrett, who worked on Britney’s “Toy Soldier.” Along with writing the follow-up to his 2008 debut, Turbo 919, the rapidly rising producer has busied himself with several major productions including Beyoncé‘s “Diva” and “Video Phone” as a writing duo with producer Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj‘s “Massive Attack,” and…

BoA‘s “I Did It For Love,” the second single off of the international superstar’s 2009 English self-titled debut album (which allows for some truly sick choreography–check that Joseph Kahn-directed video, stat!) The single went on to peak at #19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play in May of 2009.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT: Siobhan, meet BoA!

SQUEEEEEEE!

Princess RiRi just tweeted this little teaser shot of the video for “S&M,” her third single off of her smash hit studio album, LOUD.

The video was shot over the weekend by Melina Matsoukas (“Hard,” “Rockstar 101,” “Rude Boy”), who tweeted on Monday: “Recovering from a colourful wknd of S&M with a hot red headed chick and i get to call that work… i love this job.”

So far it looks like sugar and spice and everything nice (I want me a lick of summa dat ice cream!), but where are all the whips and chains?! I need leather! Spikes! Metal! Something tells me we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Gotta love the hair, though. Va-va-voom! LOUD and proud…and she doesn’t give a fuck what you think about it! Haters to the left, please and thank you.

“S&M” will be released to radio on January 25. (iTunes)