MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of April 18, 2011

5. Lady Gaga – Judas
Oh, the betrayal! Gaga’s newest single mashes the song structure of “Bad Romance” with the merciless pounding of Nicole Scherzinger’s “Poison” to create a shriek-filled ode to subservience and codependency. Whether you love it, hate it or proclaim it to be the work of the Devil, one thing’s for sure: “Judas” is about to plague the airwaves for the rest of the year. (LISTEN) (iTunes)

4. Nicole Scherzinger – Right There
Sure, her album came out exactly one month ago, but I’m still twerking my hips to this “What’s My Name?”-esque groove. Produced by Jim Jonsin and co-penned by the reliably naughty Ester Dean, Scherzy Baby’s Caribbean-tinged love letter scribed for the man who knows how to “go down, down, duh-down” is right up my street. (LISTEN) (iTunes UK)

3. Tinashe – Chainsaw
While ex-Stunners sensation Tinashe is still gearing up for the release of her debut solo single, this leak from her studio sessions with “Like A G6″ hit-makers The Cataracs has the bass bumping so hard I’ve already misplaced my pants. (LISTEN)

2. Jennifer Lopez – Papi
Did J. Lo have you heading to the floor with her last hit? Good–now stay there! La Lopez is back with another Latin-infused RedOne club thumper–and arguably one of her best club anthems since “Waiting For Tonight.” Mm papi, love you! (LISTEN) (iTunes)

1. Wynter Gordon – Til Death
One of MuuMuse’s favorite pop vixens retuns with her long-awaited second Australian single, “Til Death”! Armed with a punchy chorus and some of the best lyrics in recent dance-pop history (“‘Til death do we party, with the music I die!”), Wynter’s latest is destined to make the rounds at every club across the galaxy. Watch for the MuuMuse Approved post later this week! (LISTEN) (iTunes Australia)

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of January 23, 2011

5. Koda Kumi – POP DIVA
J-Pop temptress Koda Kumi’s gone bolder than ever on her 49th single! “POP DIVA” is a brag-filled outburst of pounding beats and wild screeches that rides atop a stinging bass-line similar to the Far East Movement’s “Like A G6.” It’s noisy, it’s erratic–but ultimately, it’s utterly Kumi. (LISTEN)

4. Adam Tyler – I Won’t Let You Go
Up-and-coming L.A. musician Adam Tyler returns with his second single–a gorgeous, heartbreaking electro-pop scorcher that builds and builds with intensity as the song progresses. One to watch in 2011! (LISTEN)

3. Jennifer Lopez – On The Floor (feat. Pitbull)
Kicking off her latest stint as a judge on American Idol’s tenth season, J-Lo premiered the first single from her upcoming album, LOVE?, to radio this week. The spicy songstress enlisted Gaga hit-maker RedOne to produce this floor filler, which capitalizes on all the popular club sounds of late, including the European pulsations of Yolanda Be Cool’s “We No Speako Americano” and Edward Maya’s “Stereo Love.” It’s no “Waiting For Tonight,” but it’s still a proper call to arms. Take it on the floor! (LISTEN)

2. Mya – Fabulous Life
The time is now! Mya seizes the day in this glittery, gleeful electro-pop confection co-produced by J-Pop mastermind Jeff Miyahara and Swedish sensation, Fredro. While this pop treat may only be released in Japan, “Fabulous Life” packs more than enough sparkle and shines to provide universal appeal. (LISTEN)

1. Neon Hitch – Get Over U
You haven’t even debuted yet, and you’re already making me cry at the discotheque? Of all the bad girls, you’re badder than most, Neon Hitch. With sad, stomping synthesizers ourtesy of Benny Blanco and a sorrowful vocal melody contributed by co-writer Sia, “Get Over U” plays like a 2011 continuation of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” proving that the upcoming debut by this whimsical pop gypsy is definitely worth waiting for. (LISTEN)

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of January 16, 2011

5. Jennifer Lopez – Good Hit
“I got that good hit…don’t you wish I was your boo?” the industry’s reigning triple threat taunts us on her latest offering, an Auto-Tune overdose of bossiness and bragging that perfectly toes the line between brilliance and garbage. If the video preview that leaked this weekend is any indication, Jenny’s coming back with power power!

4. Keisha Buchanan – Under Control
Above a bouncy electro beat, the former Buchanan busts out a funky fresh, Robyn-like electro-pop cut recently leaked from the recording sessions for her upcoming solo album. Just in case you were fretting about the future of the unceremoniously dismissed Sugababes member, don’t worry–she’s got it under control.

3. Aggro Santos – Like U Like (feat. Kimberley Walsh)
While Cheryl’s busy trying to hold water in her hands and Nadine’s busy trying to pull together the pieces of her flopped solo campaign (Damn you, Tesco!), Kimba’s busy dancing on her own in the club with the UK’s best Pitbull impersonator. It’s a meaningless bar mitzvah banger, but it’s still super fun. And hey–there’s counting…in Portuguese!

2. Nicole Scherzinger – Don’t Hold Your Breath
The former Pussycat Dolls lead finally ticks all the right boxes on her upcoming second solo single: Gorgeous, melodic and instantly memorable, this may just be Scherzy’s breakout moment as a solo artist in her own right. (For real this time!)

1. Britney Spears – Hold It Against Me
Um, duh. Check the review if you haven’t already.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of October 31, 2010

5. Rihanna – What’s My Name? (iTunes)
The second single from RiRi’s upcoming studio album, LOUD, continues to push all the right buttons with me (and shows no sign of stopping). Naughty taunts and a haunted Island rhythm to keep those hips twerking for days–oh, na na na na! I just can’t get enough.

4. Ed Drewett – Champagne Lemonade
Chock full of hazy synthesizers and dub-step infused beats, the über-promising pop star’s debut single (which sees release this week) finds the singer lamenting the loss of a lady to a man with the funds to provide all that glitters–like a modern upgrade of “I (Who Have Nothing).” Don’t worry, Ed: She’ll be sorry she ever took a sip of that champagne after hearing this one!

3. Ke$ha – Sleazy
The Queen of Trashlandia steals my glittering heart yet again with another gem from her upcoming Animal re-release (Cannibal), the Bangladesh-produced “Sleazy.” A sick, grinding beat and scuzzy lyrics about snatching bottles and beats (“beat’s so phat, gonna make me cum, um, um, um, um”). Contracting an STD has never sounded so good!

2. Cher Lloyd – Stay
Just too good to be ignored. Lloyd’s heartbreaking, vulnerable take on Shakespears Sister’s “Stay” nearly brings me to tears with each replay and proves just why she’s the shoe-in to win this year’s X Factor. Even if you don’t watch the show, you need to check this performance immediately. (VIDEO)

1. Nicki Minaj (feat. Eminem) – Roman’s Revenge (iTunes)
Just in time for Halloween, here comes Mizz Minaj (or rather her alter-ego, Roman) at most frightening moment on record yet. “I’m a bad bitch. I’m a cunt. And I’ll kick that ho…PUNT,” she spits on the Eminem-assisted (or rather his alter ego, Slim Shady) intimidation track off of her upcoming debut, Pink Friday. Both rappers let their freak flag fly high in this no holds barred exercise in anger mis-management, but it’s Em who scores the most major freak points with his “two peas in a tripod” moment. I won’t spoil any further–the song must be heard to be believed.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of October 17, 2010

5. Nicole Scherzinger – Poison
Scherzy is staunchly determined to secure those solo dreams, enlisting Gaga’s OG hit-maker RedOne for her latest attempt at climbing the charts. It’s annoying and loud, but I’ll be damned if that chorus wasn’t firmly implanted into my brain after a few plays. Got that poison on my mind!

4. Robyn – Indestructible
Robyn’s last hurrah in the flawlessness that is/was the Body Talk series. While the spacey single version isn’t as memorable as “Dancing On My Own” or “Hang With Me,” “Indestructible” is yet another shining example of Robyn’s ability to deliver a gut-punch of emotion on the dance floor like no other.

3. Mason – Boadicea (feat. Róisín Murphy)
A tale about the British folk hero who famously rebelled against the Roman Empire set to a throbbing disco beat? Um, duh.

2. Rihanna – What’s My Name
Pegged as the second single from Loud, “What’s My Name” seamlessly blends two ace selections from Rated R (“Rude Boy” and “Te Amo”) in a darker, island-tinged groove that help us all cool down from the throbbing beats of “Only Girl (In The World).” You think you can go downtown with a boy like me? Oh, na na na!

1. Ke$ha – We R Who We R
It’s big, it’s boisterous, and it sounds exactly like every other Ke$ha song you’ve ever heard in your life. In other words…AMAZING. Fair warning: I’ll be over the song by this time next week. But until then…I’M GOING HAR-HAR-HAR-HAR-HAR-HARD.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of September 12, 2010

5. Madonna – Animal
It’s been two weeks of pure Madonna leaks, and this Hard Candy reject shines above the rest of the icon’s uninspired ’08 effort. Teeth bared, whip in hand…why wasn’t this on the album again?!

4. Ciara – Speechless
CiCi’s album campaign may be a messy, triflin’ mess, but the singer’s latest horn-heavy ballad is a surefire, hip swaying grower. Grind that rhythm deep!

3. Selena Gomez – A Year Without Rain
A dazzling, somewhat understated helping of delicate dance-pop from the only Disney chick in the building that seems to truly have the grace and charm to become a star outside the Mickey Mouse enterprise.

2. Nadine Coyle – Insatiable
From the sound of her big, brassy belter, Miss Cole (née Tweedy) is about to get a run for money in the solo business. As it turns out, Nuhdeen’s got a few tricks up her own sleeve–err, suggestive mini-dress. Blimey!

1. Rihanna – Only Girl (In The World) / Willow Smith – Whip My Hair
There’s no way this week wasn’t ending in a tie. From the tranced-out club commanding of “Only Girl” to the instant, unparalleled ‘tude of “Whip My Hair,” Riri and her future protegee are turning heads and snatching wigs quicker than you can possibly say “I whip my hair back and forth.” Legendary. And prone to neck injury.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of August 22, 2010

5. Jade Ewen – My Man
Even if she’s currently operating as one third of one of the UK’s greatest girl groups of all time, Ewen’s short-lived solo effort still finds its way onto my playlists constantly. A sassy, shouty chorus and grinding synthesizers make this electro-sizzler an instant (and deeply underrated) smash. Now that the Sugababes have taken a serious nosedive, I can’t help but wonder if the vocalist shouldn’t slap together a “My Man” re-release and give it another go as a solo contender in her own right.

4. Heidi Montag – Body Language
Blame it on the recent sex tape rumor swirlings, but I’ve launched straight back into Heidiwood this past week. Montag’s brand of so-bad-it’s-good robot pop shines brightly in her 2009 flop single, a track that might have actually found some chart justice if recorded by a more seasoned chanteuse.

3. Sky Ferreira – Obsession
Pop’s most intriguing ingenue of the moment goes Gary Glitter for her debut US release. She doesn’t just want you to love her.

2. Katy Perry – Peacock
It’s a song about cocks. ‘Nuff said.

1. Armin van Buuren – Not Giving Up On Love (feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor)
The Bex monster unleashes her strongest single since–well, since the last one. Lush vocals; chilled disco delivery. Who needs anything else? Perfection, as per usual. Check for the utterly haunting Dash Berlin 4AM Mix for a guaranteed late-night sob session that’s arguably even better than the original.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of August 1, 2010

5. Siobhán Donaghy – Goldfish
On the train ride home from the city after having seen Robyn perform live, I needed a musical come-down in the worst of ways. Cue ex-Sugababes crooner Siobhán’s second studio effort, Ghosts–an insanely underrated offering of shimmering, ambient alt-pop. This one especially sticks out in my mind, what with all the teary-eyed, angelic crooning. Gorgeous.

4. Britney Spears – When I Say So
It was a very merry Britmas ’round these parts over the past week, but the leak of “When I Say So” was undoubtedly the greatest gift of all. Like a mix of every ingredient that made the Britney album so successful, BT grants Brit Brit a whole new level of sexy confidence on this power-pop cut. You’ll get some when Ms. Spears says so!

3. Ciara – Gimme That
I believe it is an implied truth that if any pop starlet demands something (“gimme”) in a track, it will undoubtedly be perfection. This is the hottest up-tempo cut I’ve heard from Cici since “Work” happened, but it may simply be one of her most infectious yet. GIMME THAT BASS!

2. Kristine Elezaj – Warpath
Ms. Elezaj may just getting started in the industry, but her upcoming single’s already generating some major heat. Be warned: You’ll need to appreciate ‘trash pop’ to get into this one. Oh, and anyone who throws shade at another chick by comparing her to Justin Bieber? Well, they’re more than alright in my book.

1. Natalia Kills – Mirrors
Well, someone had to do it: Kylie Minogue has finally been dethroned from her seemingly endless reign at Number One on MuuTunes. But if anyone should, it might as well be MuuMuse’s Most Anticipated Artist of 2010. Blindfolds, melted wax, and handcuffs–these are just the everyday playthings of Natalia Kills, as outlined in her killer, surging debut single. It’s dark, it’s delicious, and it craves to be played on repeat. Now shut up and turn the lights off.