It’s always the quiet ones that surprise you the most.

On June 5, Girls Aloud‘s Nicola Roberts steps out on her own with her debut solo single, “Beat Of My Drum.”

“Beat of My Drum” is, without question, the coolest post-Aloud effort to date: Produced by Diplo and French producer Dimitri Tikovoi, the song is a playful blend of some of indie-pop’s finest enfants terribles, fitting snugly between the militant dance beats of M.I.A. and the glitchy, monotone speak-song of Uffie.

“L! O! V! E! Dance to the beat of my drum!” Roberts playfully commands during the chorus, unleashing her inner cheerleader. Yet the song is completely erratic (in a brilliant way), bouncing glibly between its manic “Pon de Floor” (Major Lazer)-like beats and frenzied stutters: The chanted chorus is wildly different from the too-cool-for-school spoken verses, which have absolutely nothing to do with the cooed bridge. And don’t forget the almighty beat breakdown toward the end!

Whereas Beyoncé fell short with “Run The World (Girls)” by fault of uninspired imitation, Nicola’s offering only improves upon Diplo’s original blueprints, resulting in a weird, wonderfully left-of-center pop single: It’s fresh, fun and terribly exciting.

With just one single, Roberts has already rendered every other Aloud member’s solo endeavors utterly irrelevant. “Beat Of My Drum” is a definite contender for one of the year’s best singles, and an immensely promising first taste of Roberts’ forthcoming debut album, Cinderella’s Eyes.

Team Ginger, forever and always.

“Beat Of My Drum” will be released at June 5. (Pre-order on iTunes UK)

The revolution begins now: Beyoncé has just premiered the full trailer for her soon-to-be epic: “Run The World (Girls),” the first single from her newly announced fourth studio album, 4.

Soviet-style propaganda, army tanks, flying flags, soldiers and one fierce ass pair of stilettos saturate the trailer for the Francis Lawrence (“I’m A Slave 4 U,” “What You Waiting For?”) directed clip for “Run The World (Girls),” which–questionable song quality aside–already seems poised to be the year’s best video yet.

The song arrives in advance of 4, which Beyoncé says was originally inspired by Nigerian musician/founder of Afrobeat Fela Kuti. She also reveals that the album’s title was born from her fans. From Billboard:

“Everywhere I look, I see them calling it ’4,’ she explains. “I had a whole other name and concept, but I keep seeing that the fans love the name ’4,’ and I think it would be a really nice thing to let them name the record.”

The number four also holds personal significance for Beyoncé, and not just because her latest studio album will be her fourth as a solo artist. “We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me,” she says. It’s the day I was born. My mother’s birthday, and a lot of my friends’ birthdays, are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date.”

And even though the Major Lazer-sampling single is all but dead in the water on the Billboard charts, it seems as though the superstar’s promotional machine has finally begun turnings gears once again this week. Guess we’ll have to wait and see…

Ready? Forward…MARCH!

“Run The World (Girls)” was released on April 21. (iTunes)

Listening post!

After a rough demo leaked earlier this week, Team Beyoncé jumped into action, releasing the final version “Run The World (Girls)” to radio and iTunes today.

“Run The World (Girls)” was produced by Switch and features a prominent sample of Major Lazer‘s 2009 hit “Pon de Floor (feat. Vybz Kartel & Afrojack).” The track was penned by The-Dream….and Beyoncé, of course!

Click above to hear the full stream of the song, courtesy of Ryan Seacrest.

Review coming this weekend!

“Run The World (Girls)” was released on April 21. (iTunes)

Listening post!

It’s the first taste of Beyoncé‘s latest single, “Girls (Who Run The World).” Check out the full stream above, courtesy of Rap-Up!

According to multiple reports, this is a demo/unfinished version (which seems obvious enough from the DJ call outs, seemingly unfinished bridge and shortened introduction.) The official version will reportedly have a much longer intro.

Though its far too early to shape a concrete opinion on the Major Lazer-sampling single, I’m already digging it from what I’ve heard. A disjointed club banger…giving me some total “Lose My Breath” vibes!

Gather up your thoughts and put ‘em all the comments section below!

Photo courtesy of JustJared.

It’s only been a day since Beyoncé wrapped the video for her upcoming single “Girls,” but the song is already starting to make its way onto the web.

Earlier this morning, a 20-second snippet of the upcoming single made its way online, which you can now hear below.

As we already knew, “Girls” features a prominent sample from Major Lazer‘s 2009 club smash, “Pon De Floor.” In fact, there’s seemingly no difference in production compared to the original track within this new clip–only the addition of Beyoncé’s vocals.

“Who run the world? Girls!” Bey yells on repeat above the militant dance floor sample, listing off various female accomplishments, including making millions and bettering children. (And then getting back to bid-ness!)

And while she’s certainly no stranger to self-empowerment themes, it sounds as though Bey’s newest offering should fit snugly into the latest pop fad of feel good anthems, including “Born This Way,” “Firework” and “We R Who We R.”

At this rate, I’d expect the track to leak in full by the end of next week.

On Thursday, Sister 2 Sister Magazine reported that Beyoncé flew over 200 African dancers over to Los Angeles to shoot the video for her forthcoming single, “Girl.”

Now, more details have surfaced from a a Beyonce World Forum member: The video is to be directed by Francis Lawrence (“I’m A Slave 4 U,” “Bad Romance”), will feature choreography contributions from at least 8 different choreographers, and that the song is “a definite club banger” that samples “a popular club song” and contains a “fucking disgustingly sick” breakdown.

To add to the steadily stewing rumors now swirling the web, I’ve had it on very good authority for weeks that the “sample of a popular club song” is none other than Major Lazer‘s “Pon De Floor.”

From ATRL Forums:

My friend got there and there were like 200 or more people in the room. A lot of Bey’s old dancers and probably every major dancer and choreographer you could think of. The song is called “Girl”. The video is being directed by Francis Lawrence. He was also there. 8 or 9 choreographers contributed to the routine. Danielle Polanco and Luam were 2 of those choreographers. Beyonce was there of course going over the routine and they were figuring out which pieces of the choreography they would be showcasing in the music video. The theme of “Girl” is like a female empowerment/girl power type of song that is a definite club banger with Top 40/Worldly appeal. The beat is driven by a sample of a popular club song that a lot of you will probably recognize. There’s a breakdown in the song that is described as absolutely fucking disgustingly sick! Definitely an anthem in the style of her singing. My friend couldn’t remember exact lyrics, but “Girl…girl….girl” is repeated a lot through out the song.

Ladies? Fasten your wigs accordingly.

It’s the start of a brand new week, Muusers…why not start off with a bang?

TOPMAN CTRL is the musical offshoot of my favorite menswear store, TOPSHOP. Each month, one UK act is invited to take full control of CTRL’s website and organize a live show, complete with all the musical acts the artist of the month is currently digging.

This month’s artist is the multi-talented (and rather cute) producer and DJ, Diplo, responsible for many tracks for M.I.A., Santigold and Amanda Blank, as well as 1/2 of the members of current hipster sensation, Major Lazer.

As for the show, Diplo has chosen four acts to headline his TOPMAN CTRL event at Fabric in London on December 16: Micachu & The Shapes, Benga, Primary 1 and Mumdance. Tickets are still available for purchase here–and they’re cheap!

To celebrate this month’s takeover, TOPMAN CTRL is giving away ONE T-SHIRT, designed by Diplo himself, for MuuMuse readers. The tee is a limited edition (only 50 have been made!), so it’s really quite a collector’s item. (And you know how I feel about rarities…slap on a “Limited Edition” sticker and I’m all but foaming at the mouth.)

To enter to win the tee, send a blank e-mail to muumuse@gmail.com with the subject line “DIPLO!!!” to win. A winner will be selected and contacted at random on Friday, December 18.

Good luck! In the meantime, enjoy this exclusive new track off of the upcoming Mad Decent mix-tape. It’s nice and laid-back…quality mix!

DL: Gucci Mane – Dangers Not A Stranger (Diplo Remix)

Put on your boots, Muusers. Nope, this ain’t time for a shitty U2 comeback single–it’s time to rummage through the mix heap! Take what you want, leave what you don’t…just make sure you’re having a good time regardless. Enjoy!

DL: Dragonette – Fixin To Thrill (MR. VEGA Remix)
DL: Passion Pit – Little Secrets (Lalory Remix)
DL: Asher Roth – I Love College (NEAR DARK’s ‘Alpha Beta Bleed’ Remix) ft. Jane Bang
DL: The Presets – Kicking And Screaming (Drlkt Freddie Werewolves In The Woods Remix)
DL: La Roux – In For The Kill (Clash The Disco Kids Ming Lo-Fi 1 AM Remix)
DL: Major Lazer – Hold The Line (LehtMoJoe Remix)

And finally, I’d like to wish all the mommas out there a wonderful Mother’s Day. I love you, Mom!