No, not the band, as let’s face it, that reunion isn’t exactly going to set the world on fire. I’m actually talking (if you haven’t already guessed) about me! If you look very carefully at the top of this post, you’ll see that my name isn’t Brad, it’s actually David. And for all the really struggling people out there, that means I’m a different person. I’ve been asked to guest write here from time to time, so you might be seeing a bit more of me around.

Now back to business! As some of you may have noticed (or maybe not judging by her chart position of 47), Róisín Murphy has released “You Know Me Better”, the third from her album: Overpowered. And knowing Róisín, this means two quality B-Sides (where does she get all this recording time from?). These two are “Keep It Loose” and “Pandora”, although the second was an album track in the first place. And a bloody brilliant one at that.

However, back to “Keep It Loose”. It’s got a heavy guitar crunch to it, and sounds a little similar to “Caroline’s A Victim” by Kate Nash. But you can make your mind up about this one:

In fact, I’ll make your mind up for you. It’s amazing.

DL: Róisín Murphy- Pandora

Róisín Murphy! Just the person I need to shake off a case of the Mondays. That, and my accidental viewing of Heidi Montag’s “Higher” video, directed by what’s-his-face. …Someone’s got to put a magnetic strip on top of her breasts. I swear I’ve seen the nipples beaming intelligence reports to satellites above. Just look at the way they’re pointed, people! This is not just a bad boob job. It’s terrorism in progress. DO. SOMETHING.

ANYWAY. Back to Róisín, who’s name is apparently pronounced “ro-sheen.” Hmm. I’ve always thought it was “roy-sin.” I wonder who’s heard me say it like that. Oh dear. Credibility diminishing by the millisecond…

Murphy’s new single, “You Know Me Better” is due to be released March 31st, and is in sore need of attention. The track delivers a solid smack of synth applied directly to the face which, if felt directly, should result in some severe foot tapping and general shimmy-na-na’ing. A sassy finger wave or two may even be in order. If the longing chorus doesn’t get to you, the echoey aftermath will. The single should perform quite well overseas, and I am excited to hear the upcoming B-Sides and remixes. Heidi Montag, stop while everyone still knows your name.

DL : Róisín Murphy – You Know Me Better

Credit to I Don’t Want Your Life and ArjanWrites for images.

Holy glam, Batman! It’s part two of the Kylie single release: the Euro-trashy “In My Arms,” which everyone at the Kylie camp knew to be just a bit too camp for England. And when it’s too camp for England, there’s only one location left to embrace the release: the rest of Europe.

Kylie’s latest video involves sticking Kylie in a box, sticking Kylie next to a fan, and sticking Kylie inside of a yellow measuring level with intergalactic dancers! It’s all shades of tacky, and is therefore brilliant. Additionally, watch for the differentiation between ’08 Kylie (see pink microphone-crooner Kylie) and ’94 Kylie (see level Kylie). It’s the “Confide In Me” video revitalized! See the video below.

The checkered outfit is sure getting its play lately. Somewhere, a flustered Róisín Murphy is wrenching her television out of a window.

And juust to spark the fire, I believe Dannii was the first Minogue to gyrate inside of a box, no? Just saying. Let the sibling rivalry and catty fan commentary commence.

Credit to vice-assistant executive field reporter Nora.

Finally listening to the debut album of Madita, I completely take back any and all comparisons to the work of Feist. This is nothing like Feist. Her new single may have shards of folkishness, but if it is anything like her debut, it’s merely a speck of musical diversity found in the greater scheme of things. Madita’s self titled debut is an incredibly rich and varied jazz-tronica album, with tinges of Latin-based beats, lounge music, and bouncy trip-hop. Each track is pulls toward a new direction; there are no common threads amongst the album’s tracks. Some feature Madita as a breathy lounge singer such as “Letter to You,” floating amongst liquid sound effect and ethereal landscapes. Then there’s “Monotony,” a track centered around hectic Latin-tinged trumpets and piano, never fully departing from jazz. Even more unexpected are Madita’s vocals in “Wannabe,” which very well could have been performed in the Noisettes’ set list, with its yelping, bitterly beautiful vocal stylings nearly identical Shingai Shoniwa. And then we have “Got,” which may have been recorded by Róisín Murphy during the Ruby Blue sessions. Her singing additionally bears resemblance to a less ambient Natalie Walker, and on the more trip-hop focused tracks, Angela McCluskey. Madita’s vocal ability is like a wonderful and unexpected mix of singers, meshed into one compilation. Her lyrical skills strangely work. I’m not sure if she fully grasps the English language (see phrases such as “steamy toilet”) but it nonetheless flows along with the song. The music itself is in the vein of Bitter:Sweet, but much less bouncy. This is the jazz record that Kylie always dreamed of recording. For those who don’t know, Kylie’s always dreamed about recording an album of jazz standards. This beat-heavy album is a perfect combination of pop with nu-jazz that would be utterly perfect for her to explore. It’s a musical style that I absolutely adore. Please give the selections a try!

DL: Madita – Got
DL: Madita – Wannabe
DL: Madita – Letter To You
DL: Madita – Ceylon

If you like what you hear, be sure to buy Madita online at Amazon.

Oh my GOD.

That’s the proper response to this masterpiece, unjustifiably left OFF the Overpowered album by Róisín Murphy. On paper, the track should have meant enough to keep on: Calvin Harris (“The Girls”) and Cathy Dennis (“Toxic,” anyone?). The back track could have been lifted from any video game from the eighties, but the crunch beat is pure futuristic. “Off and On,” like the rushing ABBA sample of Madonna’s “Hung Up,” floats above a rising and falling cascade of sound. It’s totally essential.

DL: Róisín Murphy – Off & On

And you, what do you think?

Type rest of the post here

What did I tell you?! Silly hats! They’re so in right now.

And you, what do you think?

The new Sugababes video for their single, “Denial,” has been released. It features whatever Sugababe members exist at press time, plus stop-motion photography. Additionally, you might see some flashy fashion (which I believe has been stolen from the wardrobe of Róisín Murphy), passing around of hearts, and some on-screen text every twenty seconds to help you sing along to every thirteenth word in the song. It’s America’s Next Top Model meets any old 90′s era Madonna video.

Ah yes, and you can buy their album, Change at Amazon.
And you, what do you think?

Róisín Murphy’s new single, You Know Me Better, is coming out soon, and what better to do than celebrate its release? OKAY, YOU CAUGHT ME. FINE. So I wasn’t a Róisín fan until just today. You there in the back, put down the pitchfork and allow me to explain myself.

I was really lukewarm about Ruby Blue, her debut in 2005, except for that “Night of the Dancing Flame” and “Ramalama (Bang Bang).” When I heard “Overpowered,” I felt like it was lightly disco-tinged Ruby Blue reject with a fading glimmer of promise. Then I heard “Let Me Know,” and I said “Well alright, she’s getting a little fancy here. Whatever. I fear change, and I’m too different to give in now.” Finally, I saw the photoshoot clip on PopJustice of her newest single, and I went, “…Oh, goddamn it. I give in.” How was I supposed to know she was going to get all “electro for the intellectuals” on me? In all seriousness, it’s really sublime what she’s done, so much better than I gave her credit for. I’m really excited to convert into a fan, mainly because she wears silly hats. Also, she has accented letters in her name like Björk, making me look very cultured. Now expect a full album review later on this week. Now watch a live performance of her upcoming single, “You Know Me Better.” It’s a shame, really. The costume designer simply gave her NO shoulders.

Michael, I apologize for not listening. Forgive me.
And you, what do you think?