Okay, so I kind of can’t believe this is actually happening right now but this is ACTUALLY HAPPENING right now.

MuuMuse favorites Angela McCluskey (of Télépopmusik fame), BT and Sultan & Ned Shepard have all come together to join forces with L.A.-based DJ Morgan Page for “In The Air,” the first single from his forthcoming studio album due out later this year. WHAT?!?!

The extended mix of the almighty collaborative club track–which was just released to Beatport on July 5 (yesterday)–is an (unsurprisingly) mind-blowing 7 minutes of luscious, pounding House rhythms, live instruments and signature hypnotic vocals from Ms. McCluskey. “I’m feeling a… / I’m feeling a change in the air,” the chanteuse croons on repeat.

Oh, and the lyrics were reportedly pieced together by clippings of magazine headlines. I MEAN…!!!

In The Air feat. Angela McCluskey (Extended Mix) by morganpage

Chills. Absolute chills. This is everything. I cannot wait to add this to my Summer Nights soundtrack of ’11!

“In The Air” was released to Beatport on July 5. It will be released to iTunes on August 2. (Beatport)

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of August 1, 2010

5. Siobhán Donaghy – Goldfish
On the train ride home from the city after having seen Robyn perform live, I needed a musical come-down in the worst of ways. Cue ex-Sugababes crooner Siobhán’s second studio effort, Ghosts–an insanely underrated offering of shimmering, ambient alt-pop. This one especially sticks out in my mind, what with all the teary-eyed, angelic crooning. Gorgeous.

4. Britney Spears – When I Say So
It was a very merry Britmas ’round these parts over the past week, but the leak of “When I Say So” was undoubtedly the greatest gift of all. Like a mix of every ingredient that made the Britney album so successful, BT grants Brit Brit a whole new level of sexy confidence on this power-pop cut. You’ll get some when Ms. Spears says so!

3. Ciara – Gimme That
I believe it is an implied truth that if any pop starlet demands something (“gimme”) in a track, it will undoubtedly be perfection. This is the hottest up-tempo cut I’ve heard from Cici since “Work” happened, but it may simply be one of her most infectious yet. GIMME THAT BASS!

2. Kristine Elezaj – Warpath
Ms. Elezaj may just getting started in the industry, but her upcoming single’s already generating some major heat. Be warned: You’ll need to appreciate ‘trash pop’ to get into this one. Oh, and anyone who throws shade at another chick by comparing her to Justin Bieber? Well, they’re more than alright in my book.

1. Natalia Kills – Mirrors
Well, someone had to do it: Kylie Minogue has finally been dethroned from her seemingly endless reign at Number One on MuuTunes. But if anyone should, it might as well be MuuMuse’s Most Anticipated Artist of 2010. Blindfolds, melted wax, and handcuffs–these are just the everyday playthings of Natalia Kills, as outlined in her killer, surging debut single. It’s dark, it’s delicious, and it craves to be played on repeat. Now shut up and turn the lights off.

Awful header, I know. NOT ENOUGH TIME TO BE CLEVER HERE.

I don’t know why, but I am on my hands and knees praising the Pop Gods right now: Two more Britney demos have surfaced since last night.

The first, “When I Say So,” was produced by BT during the Britney sessions.

A short song snippet originally leaked online a few months back, but the full version has finally come to see the light of day. It’s an incredibly strong number, featuring some confident talk about ‘getting some’ only when Britney says so (amazing), as well as some Michael Jackson-friendly cooing. It should have made the album.

(Link currently live here.)

The second, which only leaked minutes ago, is entitled “Mad Love.”

A far slinkier and smokier number, the demo (again from Riprock and Alex G) features Brit’s raspy baby vocals at their most vulnerable–not Autotuned, not (heavily) processed. The song brings to mind the Bollywood seduction of Madonna‘s “Candy Perfume Girl” and “Shanti/Ashtangi,” and it’s probably the closest we’ll come to getting some Ray Of Light soul searching from B Girl. It should have made the album.

(Link currently live here.)

TOO MUCH TO HANDLE.

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD.

Pause.

Breathe.

Muusers: This is an ACTUAL demo from Britney, reportedly found on a 2001 demo reel by Riprock ‘n’ Alex G which recently made its way onto eBay.

It is ALL shades of 2001 Britney-era B, alternating between the hard-hitting pop smack of album tracks like “Lonely” and the more sophisticated electronic vibes explored on cuts like the wildly-brilliant-but-overlooked “I Run Away.”

But there are elements that are entirely new: The middle eight around the 2:45 mark brings Pet Shop Boys-like ’80′s synth play; the spoken word intro a touch of Janet Jackson‘s “That’s The Way Love Goes.” In short, this is way more complex and musically interesting than what we were hearing come from Britney at the time.

Above all, the track seemingly provides a glimpse into the future: The lyrics that tempt the flames of religion and sexuality in one go (very “Like A Prayer,” I know) bring to mind the moodier cuts (“Mona Lisa”; “Guilty”; “Rebellion”) that came pouring out during–err, the beginning of the darker era.

“I confess if I’ve done wrong / But in your eyes, I see I’m guilty.”

I AM ABSOLUTELY FLIPPING THE FUCK OUT RIGHT NOW.

Nadia Ali is one of the greatest natural voices on the dance floor scene.

Formerly of Iio (“Rapture”, “Is It Love?), the singer has since embarked on her own successful career as a solo artist. After a series of songs recorded with artists including Rosko and Armin van Buuren, Ali finally unveiled her long-awaited debut album Embers in September of 2009.

A stunning collection of heavenly trance music and ambient sound, the album showcases both Ali’s unique vocal delivery and her knack for scribing deeply personal, sophisticated electronica, proving why she’s since become such an overwhelmingly admired, oft-requested collaborator for producers and artists alike.

Last Friday, I had the honor of speaking to Nadia as she prepared for a trip to Brazil. She was amazingly kind and as sweet as expected, and she provided a lot of thoughtful, in-depth responses to my questions. Instead of drafting up a short feature, I thought her fans would instead appreciate the full-on Q&A. Below is the entire transcript. I hope you all enjoy!

Read more »

And all of a sudden, it’s here.

“Suddenly” is the debut single off of Brian Transeau’s (better known as BT) first studio album in four years, These Hopeful Machines.

The new song is a hurried, explosive force; a hi-energy concoction of glittering electronica and filthy industrial noise, all tied together with a few guitar strings and a strap of studded leather. The more I listen, the more anthemic it becomes.

The album will be released on February 2. According to the press release, Machines will be “a double-disc opus that carries listeners through 2 hours of sweeping orchestral arrangements, pulsating electronic beats, heartfelt vocal melodies and even simple acoustic guitar.”

Thanks to BT, please enjoy the full stream of “Suddenly” below. What do you think?