STOP EVERYTHING IN YOUR FUCKING LIFE BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY FUCKING SONG THAT MATTERS TODAY.

David Guetta – “Titanium (feat. Sia)”

So it’s a fight you want? Well, as Jordin Sparks would likely say: YABETTAGOANDGETCHURAMMA.

Powerhouse Aussie-born soulstress Sia comes guns blazing in “Titanium,” the final track off of David Guetta‘s forthcoming record Nothing But The Beat, which is due out on August 30 in the US.

“Titanium” is a blend of many amazing elements–from the delicate guitar-strummed verses of Rogue Traders “In Love Again” to the explosive, crashing choruses of every song featured on Kelis‘ 2010 electro-masterpiece, Flesh Tone.

While our society has come to abuse this word, there’s really only one way to properly describe the song: Epic.

From the very first second, “Titanium” teems with an anxious anticipation of what’s to come. Yet even by the time the song’s chorus does rolls around, you still won’t be ready: “Shoot me down, but I won’t fall / I am titanium!” Sia triumphantly declares, and then it happens: The beat drops, giving way to a gasp-worthy, pearl-clutching orgy of stadium-sized synthesizers and filthy, grinding electronica.

Lyrically speaking, the song contains all the reinforcement of some of the major Top 40 self-empowerment anthems floating around as the ditties du jour in pop music today, as Sia stands strong (presumably against haters–still unconfirmed) directly within the line of fire: “I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose / Fire away, fire away / Ricochet, you take your aim / Fire away, fire away,” she boldly announces. For fans of Demi Lovato‘s similarly metal-minded “Skyscraper”, you’ll be pleased to know that Sia too is holding her ground as an impenetrable alloy–only further proving that the pop industry will soon be overrun by singing Japanese robots.

On the serious: “Titanium” is the best thing Guetta’s produced in ages (well, since Kelly Rowland‘s “Commander.”) While the frighteningly successful French DJ has become a dance floor staple for the latter half of the past decade, Guetta’s usually due to churn out something truly transcendent every year or so–”Titanium” is one of those moments.

Easily a favorite of the year.

“Titanium (feat. Sia)” will be released on August 8. (iTunes)

Here we go again: The end of another year in music!

2010 may well be remembered as the Year of the Future (if not the Year of All Hearts–hint hint!): A year of fembots, androids, bionic women and time-traveling adventures deep into the 22nd century.

Space-age love stories and robo-dramatics colored a large portion of the year’s biggest releases in pop, no doubt a response to the reign of the machine on the pop charts as synth-pop productions continued to dominate the digital airwaves in 2010.

Below is the list of MuuMuse’s Top Albums of 2010, which was based on a variety of factors–from individual song and single goodness, to the complete album experience, to overall artistic integrity, to an album’s ability to ‘stick’ as the year progressed. Basically I’m trying to say that it’s a bit of a hot mess, but I tried my very best.

There’s also a rather controversial dishonorable mention prior to the Top 40 list that will likely blow my chances for that much coveted position as editor of Rolling Stone. DAMN IT.

Now…LET’S DO THIS.

Without further ado…the list!

While Nicki The Ninja Lewinsky Harajuku Barbie Minaj may be getting all the glory as Young Money‘s reigning first lady, there’s another woman in the crew slowly preparing to have her turn at bat: Meet Shanell.

+ Shanell is a singer/songwriter under Young Money, and quite a good and versatile one at that.

+ She is the sister of former Danity Kane member D. Woods, high school friend of Bangladesh, and former back-up dancer for Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Kandi Burruss. There is so much amazing in that sentence that I don’t even know where to begin. (SOURCE)

+ Her upcoming single (which I assume to be her official debut) is called “Substitute Lover,” off of her debut mixtape, Shut Up & Listen. She recently shot a video for the song.

+ “Substitute Lover” is an INCREDIBLE ’80′s-tinged dance-rock jam filled with spacey synthesizers and electro-deliciousness. While the bridge is already fantastic (“I guess I was his part time, some time / Meantime, in between time”), the chorus is an A-MAZING moment of shout-y brilliance that basically makes you want to jump and flail dance ALL OVER THE GODDAMN PLACE. I actually cannot get enough of this cut. (LISTEN)

+ She has written songs for many a pop act cherished ’round these parts, including Danity Kane (“Key To My Heart”) and 3LW (“Throwback”). She is also responsible for the irresponsibly good “Aww Shit” off of Kelis‘ 2006 record, Kelis Was Here.

+ Shanell is currently preparing her second mixtape in the studio, entitled Nobody’s Bitch. She’s also working on a debut album and is in final negotiations for a Spring 2011 tour with “a marquee pop artist.” Hmm.

+ The singer also goes by the nickname of “SnL,” which I imagine will prove entirely confusing if/when she ever does perform on the stage of Saturday Night Live (SNL). Not sure how I feel about it.

+ Aside from singing songs, Shanell also enjoys attaching metal things betwixt her nose and her ear in her spare time. This hasn’t been confirmed in a press release or anything–I’m merely making an assessment based on photographs and videos alone.

+ Here is a full song from her for your streaming/downloading enjoyment, entitled “Other Side.” The song features Lil’ Wayne and Ne-Yo, and is produced by one of the top pop producers of 2010, David Guetta.

As you can hear, “Other Side” is a throbbing, melodic dance floor haunt. I approve.

In conclusion: Shanell is chock full of potential, and I’m very excited to hear something from her in the upcoming year. In the meantime, I’ll be loving up her first mixtape. (LISTEN)

For more on Shanell (SNL), check out her official website or send her a tweet or two.

For every Dr. Luke production, there is an equal and opposite Dr. Luke reproduction.

With Cannibal, Ke$ha takes her debut (Animal) and gives it the Lady Gaga repackaging formula that worked so well in 2009: As The Fame Monster is to The Fame, Cannibal is a one-upping the original Animal package with a thematically darker, harder hitting series of eight tracks produced by the top pop titans of the 21st century, including Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Bangladesh and Benny Blanco.

Read More…

Sigh.

This is the Rankin-directed video for “Brave,” the greatest song off of Kelis‘ impeccable Flesh Tone, which is a leading contender for album of the year. (WATCH)

This song meant the world to me this year on a very personal level–to the point that I practically begged her to release it when we met at the album launch.

Sure, she looks pretty here, but I had so badly hoped that the video for this song would match the song’s sheer magnitude. This is…such an overly simple treatment. Too simple for my liking, Rankin or otherwise.

I’m disappointed. And a little bit sad.

Flesh Tone was released on July 6. (iTunes)

It’s very Sin City, for sure. You know there’s that gang of hit girls–kind of like hookers? It’s kind of what inspired my live show.

Back in May of this year, I interviewed one of Cherrytree Records’ newest acts, Natalia Kills. The up-and-coming artist was just in the midst of unveiling her brand new web series, “Love Kills, XX,” as well as preparing the release of her debut single, “Mirrors.”

Since then, Kills has found herself in the middle of a whirlwind touring schedule–first opening for Kelis in October on her European tour, and then stateside in November to tour with fellow Cherrytree Records label mate, Robyn (which I just caught last Wednesday)!

While in town for her performance at the PopJustice/High Rise showcase in Brooklyn during CMJ a few weeks ago, Miss Kills was kind enough to hop on the phone with me once again to discuss all her murderous plans to date.

Click “Read More…” to see what Natalia Kills really thinks about her recent music leaks, her live performances, and touring with Robyn. She even corrects me when I mispronounce “debauchery”!

Ever the Perfectionist, that one.

Read More…

Photo taken by Markofthehorse.

On Wednesday night, Natalia Kills, Maluca and Robyn took to the stage at Terminal 5 in New York City.

This is what transpired.

Read More…

That Mandler‘s gone and done it again: The director and longtime collaborator for Rihanna (“Unfaithful”; “Disturbia”; “Russian Roulette”) has added yet another solid production to the ever-expanding RiRepetoire.

Although the song’s pumping Euro-beats might have suggested we’d be getting something with a bit more of a crunch, it’s so nice to watch the pop princess get all cutesy with herself. After all, she’s such a fuckin’ lady.

Instead, the video for “Only Girl (In The World)” shines in its simplicity. Thanks to the warm, muted color palette that’s come to define Mandler’s work, RiRi blossoms amongst the flowers and leaves, bringing to mind the nature-inspired album art for Goldfrapp‘s Seventh Tree campaign.

Aside from the video’s stunning photo-finish complete with fireworks and lanterns (a bit of a Kelis nod, yes?), the best moment comes ’round the 2:15 mark, where the singer lets loose on top of a mountain ledge and howls the song’s almighty chorus into the wind. Simple, gorgeous, effective…

Perfection.