Category — Leona Lewis

The thing is I don’t know when to shut my mouth. That’s the problem.

Sky Ferreira is an ‘it’ girl.

Immortalized by the industry’s top photographers (Rankin, for instance, took the snapshot above), suited and styled by the most desirable modern couturiers, and produced by arguably the biggest names in the music industry, the 18-year-old Los Angeles native has certainly made a name for herself far before ever…well, making a name for herself. Yet.

After sending out a MySpace message to Swedish power pop producers Bloodshy & Avant back in 2006 begging for a collaboration and armed with nothing but a few raw demos, the singer was stunned when she received an answer back inviting her to come record with the duo. Suddenly she was off to Stockholm, and so began her formal endeavor into the industry.

With her first single already making waves in the UK–the infectious, stuttering electro-pop smash, “One”–as well as an upcoming Ryan Tedder-produced single due out in the US later this summer (“Obsession”), Ferreira is now heading full steam toward her long-awaited debut record, currently slated for release in January. (Click here to hear a 30-second sample of the song now!)

I got the chance to speak to the rising starlet last week during her promotional spin around Londontown. Barring an impromptu (albeit hilarious) cameo by PopJustice and more than a few Britney related questions on my end, Ferreira had lots to say about her music, the industry, and the culture of leaks (of the musical variety). Oh yes, and I asked how she gets her hair so nice.

Click “Read More…” to read the full interview.

Read More…

So, this is something new and interesting.

The night before my interview with Sky Ferreira, I received a vaguely mysterious e-mail from MuuMuse reader Sam Lansky with an attachment entitled “Fame Fatale.” The e-mail suggested that the attached may assist me in preparing for my interview.

As soon as I began reading, I already knew: This had to be published immediately.

“Fame Fatale” is not only a remarkably in-depth analysis (and personal account) of Ferreira’s curious rise to fame, but a thoughtful contemplation of the manufacturing of the modern pop star and the very conventions of the music industry itself. It’s extremely well-researched, poses tough questions, and deserves your full attention.

With his permission, I’ve asked Sam to feature his article on MuuMuse. It’s an incredible piece, and I do highly recommend that all of my Muusers give it a thorough reading–even if it’s “tl;dr” territory.

I do, after all, hope to keep a literate company.

Click “Read More…” to read Sam Lansky’s “Fame Fatale: The Rise of Sky Ferreira.”

Read More…

Christina Aguilera is bringing Bionic on tour.

From Billboard:

Christina Aguilera will return to the stage this summer, when she kicks off a 20-date North American outing on July 15, tour producer Live Nation announced today (May 10).

Leona Lewis, the British pop singer, will also appear on the dates.

Aguilera’s latest album, “Bionic,” her first since 2006′ “Back to Basics,” is due in stores on June 8, and all fans who purchase tickets for the tour before June 4 will receive a download code for a digital copy the album on June 7, the day before its official release.

Tickets will be available beginning on May 21.

The dates so far are as follows, courtesy of Christina’s official website:

July 15 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
July 17 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 18 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
July 20 – Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
July 22 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
July 24 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 25 – Chicago, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 28 – Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
July 30 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
July 31 – Boston, MA – Comcast Center
August 03 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion
August 05 – Atlanta, GA – Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
August 07 – West Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre
August 08 – Tampa, FL – Ford Amphitheatre
August 10 – Dallas, TX – Superpages.com Center
August 12 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 14 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
August 15 – San Diego, CA – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
August 18 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
August 19 – Irvine, CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Christ on a Christmas cracker–the 2010 BRIT Award nominations are in!

I can’t believe it’s time already for the ceremony to begin once again. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in my bed watching in disbelief as Gaga robo-danced her way on stage with pieces of shattered china plates glued to her lady bits. Ahh, memories.

As per usual (see 2009), I’ve gone ahead and bolded my favorites for the crown and added a few insightful comments and/or snooty one-liners to the end of each category.

And awayyy we go! (Thanks to The Guardian for the full list of nominees.)

Click to read…

I love Agnes. She seems like such a kind soul with an angelic voice…sort of like the Swedish version of Leona Lewis.

This is just a little something–an acoustic version of her song, “Sometimes I Forget,” performed at MTV Studios in Germany this year.

Today has just been full of disappointments: The videos for “Bad Romance” and “Video Phone” seem to be delayed indefinitely, the Leona Lewis album is, for the most part, a massive snooze-fest, and worst of all, the strawberries that I worked so hard to plant have withered on FarmVille.

But enough mourning for this morning, it’s time to talk about the good stuff: “Dance in the Dark,” Mademoiselle Gaga‘s new single (maybe?) off of The Fame Monster, her re-release of The Fame (maybe?).

An In-Depth Analysis of “Dance in the Dark.”

1. The opening.
Stuttering male vocals! Gaga shrieking in the distance! Haunted synthesizers! Doom, destruction, and everything in between! Brilliant.

2. “Silicone, saline, poison, inject me…baby, I’m a free bitch.”
The greatest opening line of 2009.

3. She sends a shout-out to Sylvia Plath.
So the breakdown layout is lifted straight from Madonna‘s “Vogue.” Who cares? Everyone knows that if someone’s reciting the names of famous people in a monotone voice, it’s time to dance.

In the case off “Dance in the Dark,” Gaga limits her subjects according to theme, choosing only those who’ve suffered a tragic end by way of (or indirectly because of), you guessed it: The fame. “Marilyn, Judy, Sylvia…tell ‘em how you feel, girls.” Shivers!

4. It is dark disco.
“Dance in the Dark” is a hands-in-the-air dance song about a woman being harassed by her boyfriend. “She looks good, but her boyfriend says she’s a tramp, she’s a vamp, but she still does her dance,” mourns the Gaga. And let’s not forget about the chorus: “Baby does her dance in the dark, ’cause when he’s looking, she falls apart.” Who knew emotional abuse could inspire such happy feet?

5. It is not quite as good as “Bad Romance,” but it’s in the same league.
Which, according to my calculations, means that The Fame Monster is almost destined to be one of the greatest pop releases of the year.

First the bad news: You cannot convince me that “Happy” isn’t more than just the third incarnation of “Halo”/”Already Gone.” Congratulations, Ryan Tedder–you’re still a one-trick schmuck.

And now for the mostly good: The song is very good–like, very, very good, seven plays in a row and counting good–and will (and should) undoubtedly garner the same international fanfare as “Bleeding Love”–it’s just been done two or three times before. Generally, I’m loving it.

Similarly, the cover art is completely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G (see above). Gorgeous! One of the best single covers of the year, hands down.

The facts: A new song, presumably off of Leona Lewis‘ follow-up album, has hit the interwebs–a Ryan Tedder-produced track called “Strangers.”

The verdict: Ryan Tedder has done it again–in that he’s produced a song that still sounds like “Halo” and “Already Gone,” just with the BPM kicked up a little bit for a ‘dancier’ vibe. It’s entirely listenable and entirely pre-existing–perfect for a safe return to radio. Factor in the repeat-heavy chorus composition, and you’ve got yourself a probable mini-hit.

According to most fans, “Halo” is the probable candidate for the second single from Beyoncé‘s I Am… double album. It’s a fairly instant, by-the-numbers slow stomper similar to that of Rihanna‘s “Umbrella,” though far less brilliant. The umbrella, as I’m sure we can well agree, is much more aurally pleasing than the halo…Especially when in it’s four syllable format.

I rather enjoy Beyoncé’s lower register as exhibited within the verses of “Halo.” I wish she wouldn’t have to resort to shouting so often! PopJustice says the track was meant for the likes of Leona Lewis, who would have probably delivered a better rouse of emotion and a better control. Shame!

Yeah, I said it.

DL: Beyoncé – Halo

I’m confused. I’m hearing Leona Lewis, and I’m also hearing a beat thats ever so slightly faster than mid-tempo. It’s a new song that leaked from the American release of her album, Spirit, called “Forgive Me”. Sounds a bit like Gwen Stefani‘s “The Sweet Escape”, which would make sense, as Akon had a hand in producing both. I like it, generally, though you can still feel the copious amounts of boring seeping through the dance beat. I’ll allow for it. Congratulations on your American #1, darling.

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DL: Leona Lewis – Forgive Me