I accidentally haven’t done this in almost a month. SO SUE ME.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of July 18, 2010

5. Nadia Ali and Chris Reece – The Notice
Nadia Ali’s pop-tinged kiss off track with Chris Reece is an unexpected surprise given her dancier roots, but it only proves that she’s got the chops to handle more than just one genre. Then again, it’s still pretty danceable. Whatever–show ‘em that sass, Nadia!

4. Danzel – Under Arrest
A vaguely embarrassing Euro-trash club track that I accidentally keep revisiting. Think Britney’s “Womanizer” meets Gaga’s “Monster,” but not as good as either song. Actually includes the line: “Everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of love.”

3. Girls Can’t Catch – Keep Your Head Up
A fairly solid pop track from the girl group that never really was. The song title proves a bit too real now, no? Ah, well…you gave it your all, ladies.

2. Madonna – Papa Don’t Preach (Re-Invention Tour Version)
I’ve seen and heard so much Madonna this weekend (What else would one expect when hanging out with Hard Candy Music?) As a result, I’m constantly re-reminded of so many essential cuts from the Queen. If you haven’t already heard it, make sure to check out Madge’s slick, electro-tinged rendition of one of her many classics mixed for the Re-Invention Tour. It’s synth-tastic!

1. Kylie Minogue – Heartstrings
You can kind of count on Kylie being in the Number One MuuTunes position for the duration of the summer. “Heartstrings” is the song du semaine–lush, lovely, and everything I need right now. A shimmering, summery Xenomania production that’s firmly stuck on repeat. Now, back to listening to Aphrodite for the five millionth time.

As she hinted at during her interview with MuuMuse earlier in February, Nadia Ali‘s been dipping her fingers in a lot of honey pots lately. Is that even an actual metaphor? I don’t know…SHE’S BEEN DOING A LOT, OKAY.

Case in point: “The Notice,” her brand new collaboration with Chris Reece.

While the lush, ’90′s synthesized beats and piano melodies of the new track suggest her usual dance sensibility, “The Notice” is in fact much more in the mainstream pop vein than Nadia Ali’s usual output. “When did you check out? When did you sign off? I didn’t get the notice,” Ali croons during the chorus with an almost R&B attitude. It’s a different sound for Ali–a good one, ready for both radio and the clubs alike.

Above, have yourselves a look at the video for the new single, which features Ali looking gorgeous and getting quite sassy because of her no good, triflin’ boo. There’s also a message in a bottle and a fisherman, which are two things you do not normally see in music videos these days.

Can’t quite handle Nadia going pop? Well, fear not: There’s still a boatload of remixes to keep “The Notice” firmly entranced, including the Khomha remix and the Sunn Jellie remix.

To preview and purchase “The Notice” and its various mixes on Beatport, click here.

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!

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