Yesterday night, Pop Princess, Mighty Aphrodite and Ultimate Disco Diva Kylie Minogue was formally inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame (that’s the Aussie equivalent for the Grammy’s for those unaware) for her contribution to the music industry over the past 25 years.

After a brief spell as a brunette earlier this month, the newly blonde and beaming pop princess accepted the award from music critic Molly Meldrum and Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard before delivering a loving, heartfelt speech thanking her family (Dannii‘s in the audience!), her management team and her tall drink of water of a boyfriend, Andres Velencoso and her fans for supporting her on her journey as an international pop superstar.

Please watch the full video below to see the entire acceptance speech. Absolutely gorgeous (as always)!

So, so proud of you Kylie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNII MINOGUE!

Thanks to my best buddies at Hard Candy Music for reminding me: Today is Dannii Minogue‘s 40th birthday. Incredible!

I’ve begun to wonder: What’s wrong with me? How on Earth could I nearly forget the birthday of my beloved “You Won’t Forget About Me” chanteuse?! Well, now I’m back in on the loop–and I don’t want to lose this feeling!

If you’re somehow not already familiar (I’m shaking my head so hard at you right now, seriously), Dannii Minogue is the flawless sister of flawless pop goddess, Kylie Minogue. But lest you think there’s any sort of sibling rivalry going on, fear not–they get along really well…

Dannii has brought us countless legendary tracks–from “Love & Kisses,” to “This Is It,” to “All I Wanna Do,” to modern smashes including “Put The Needle On It,” “Who Do You Love Now?” and “So Under Pressure.”

In March of 2003, Queen Dannii unleashed Neon Nights, an impeccable work of disco-pop genius from start to finish, and an album that remains one of my favorite records of all time. Neon Nights was also a key influence in founding MuuMuse, and remains one of my key go-to albums for working out and getting down. It’s an absolute must!

Though Mizz D has since gone on to become an incredibly successful TV talent and a powerful force in the fashion industry, I’ll always hold out hope for new music and remain a faithful fan of her most impeccable back catalog. Simply put: Dannii is the ultimate dance floor diva.

To celebrate the occasion, let’s go out with a vintage bang: “Success,” performed live in front of THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND at the Royal Variety Show in 1991. Could your faves ever be so funky fresh?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNII! WE LOVE YOU!

Huzzah: Darren Hayes is back!

One of pop’s most innovative male artists is about to make his long awaited return to the music landscape…and not a moment too soon!

On June 24, Hayes will release “Talk Talk Talk,” the lead single from his forthcoming studio album. From an announcement posted on Facebook yesterday:

The first single from Darren’s new album is called ‘Talk Talk Talk’ and will be released on iTunes and all major digital download retailers online on June 24 the same day it is delivered to radio and the music video is released online and debuts on T.V.

Darren wrote and recorded the song in Sweden with producer Carl Falk – it was mixed by Robert Orton and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

On iTunes there’ll also be a b-side – Darren’s cover version of Madonna’s ‘Angel’.

For those unfamiliar, Carl Falk is the Swedish powerhouse producer behind some truly major smashes, including Nicole Scherzinger‘s impossibly good UK #1 “Don’t Hold Your Breath,” The Wanted‘s 2010 single “Lose My Mind,” and Dannii Minogue‘s criminally underrated “Love Fight.” Quite promising, indeed!

And as for the Madonna B-side…MY GOD! Right up my street, as always. “Angel” is not the first time Darren’s drummed up a Madonna cover, following both his live version of “Ray Of Light” and a sublime, glittering take on “Dress You Up.” If you haven’t yet, listen now: It’s an absolute must.

But wait–there’s more!

As well as at iTunes, Darren has also produced a limited edition of 1000 hand numbered 7 inch singles on transparent purple vinyl in a laser-cut sleeve designed by the album art designer John Gilsensan at iwantdesign.

The b-side to the 7 inch is an acoustic version of ‘Talk Talk Talk’ recorded live in the studio.

Already know I’ll be snagging a record! Cannot even wait.

Break out the poppers–we’re going down under!

As we all well know, Aussieland is prime pickin’s for disco divas: The Minogues, Holly Valance, Olegendia Newton-Jesus…the list goes on and on.

This week’s club bumper is Zoe Badwi‘s “Freefallin’,” which was first released in Australia back in July of last year.

Penned by English singer/songwriter Amy Pearson and produced by Aussie club duo Denzal Park, the song has spent over 18 weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart (where it continues to chart!), peaking at #9 in the last week of October.

Structurally, “Freefallin’” isn’t all that different from any other synth-tastic, surging chorus floor-filler: Like September‘s “Cry For You”? How ’bout Kelly Rowland‘s “When Love Takes Over”? Then jump on board–you’ll probably appreciate this little gem.

It also comes with a pretty killer video, in which Ms. Badwi finds herself raving har-har-hard after accidentally falling asleep on a train. Funny…whenever I fall asleep on the train, I find myself pantless with a burning sensation in my no-no region.

Now, the song is getting a brand new remix treatment as it begins to be serviced stateside. Check out the Moto Blanco Club Mix above now, which gives the song a slightly more glitzy feel thanks to some peppy piano chords and some big, sparkling synthesizers!

DANCE. DANCE. DANCE.

“Freefallin’”was released on November 30. (iTunes)

After the success of my Bardeux post, I think it’s time for another round of bargain bin adventures!

Last Saturday, I found myself rummaging at a Goodwill in Somerville, MA after an amazing brunch with amazing friends at a tiny restaurant in the area that I will not tell you about for fear that many people may discover it and then it will grow popular and then I won’t be able to find a table for brunch ever again and then EVERYTHING WILL BE RUINED.

Buried amongst Jewish Hymns and Color Me Barbra (two not entirely dissimilar titles…and why is it that Barbra Streisand‘s entire discography appears in pristine quality within every Goodwill I’ve ever browsed through?), I stumbled upon a dust-ridden vinyl with all the winning traits: Single name status, stylized font, female pop star, bad ass pose.

And while the album cover already sealed the deal, I found a small blurb underneath the tracklisting on the back of the record which was dedicated to “the spirit” of Marilyn Monroe, who’s silent torment we never knew. Um…SCORE!

The find in question? Corina‘s “Give Me Back My Heart.”

Corina was (is?) a Latin freestyle dance-pop singer from New York, best known for her one Top 10 hit (“hit”?), “Temptation,” which charted at #6 in 1991, a song that makes Dannii Minogue‘s “Success” sound like the “Bad Romance” of its time.

Corina is also responsible for the irresponsibly good “Whispers,” which not only features the dance floor diva busting moves as Marie Antoinette in a Versailles-like palace, but also strongly underscores the fact that Corina bears a striking resemblance to John Leguizamo in a wig.

“Give Me Back My Heart,” however, was Queen C’s first single, which went on to permanently dent the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart at #26 back in 1989.

Much in line with the other reigning dance legends of the time including Shannon and Stacey Q, “Give Me Back My Heart” is a pulsating Freestyle jam. “What do you mean I don’t understand you?” Corlegenda demands before the song kicks into its jamming percussion and jagged synthesizers. As a composition, it’s virtually indistinguishable from any other late ’80′s Freestyle dance floor filler…but that doesn’t mean it’s not SLAMMIN’.

Shockingly, the cut was not included on the singer’s critically unclaimed self-titled 1991 debut album, which was awarded 2 out of 5 stars by AllMusic.

In the end, I didn’t end up spending my hard-earned 49 cents on the vinyl. I mean, I was not about to trudge around in the snow with that shit tucked in between my arm! Now…had it been Stacey Q? That’s a different story altogether.

Bonus fun fact: Corina played Frida Kahlo in 1999′s Cradle Will Rock which was, according to my estimation, an arguably more influential moment than her entire music career.

I just wanted to wish everyone the most joyous, jubilant, and FESTIVE of celebrations tomorrow, whether you’re celebrating Christmas or just going to see Black Swan after a hefty Chinese food brunch. (O HAY, MY PEOPLE!)

And now…take it away, Kylie!

I’m kind of hoping this was taped just yesterday in Australia, with Dannii holding the camera and Baby Ethan watching mesmerized from off-camera while gnawing on a sequined Project D gown.

Merry Christmas, Muusers!

We’re almost there! It’s the semi-finals of X Factor. Five acts remain–four will go on to the grand finale!

And now, we’re down to all four of MuuMuse’s favorites from the very beginning: Cher Lloyd, Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle, and Mary Byrnes. Oh, and One Direction’s still going strong. THANKS A LOT, TEENS.

Tonight’s show has two themes: CLUB CLASSICS (perfect for MuuMuse!) and GET ME TO THE FINALS (desperation!).

And awayyyyy we go!

Read More…

OH. MY GOD.

Here we have X Factor‘s Matt Cardle singing a hilarious little ditty called “Ballad of Maiden,” dedicated to his befallen buddy from Team Minogue, Aiden Grimshaw. (WATCH)

“That Ace Ventura quiff, you were always so intense / It weirded Cheryl out because you didn’t rap,” Cardle tenderly croons.

And now, commence the “AWWW!”-ing, giggling and/or splurging from every gay and girl across the land.