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.
Time for one of my major “Most Anticipated” acts of 2011!
I first wrote about Ed Drewett in September.
He’s the UK singer-songwriter responsible for co-penning The Wanted‘s wonderful debut single “All Time Low,” as well as his equally wonderful debut single “Champagne Lemonade” along with post-Xenomania pop scribe, Tim Powell.
Sadly, the single didn’t chart as wonderfully–peaking at a deeply unsettling #84 on the UK Singles Chart.
But know this now: Ed Drewett is an incredibly talented songwriter, and “Champagne Lemonade” is just the beginning.
Around a week ago, the 5-track sampler for Drewett’s upcoming studio album (due out in early 2011) leaked onto the interwebz. Though I’m not one for encouraging the downloading of leaks (Who am I kidding…don’t we all?! It’s 2010), it must be said: This is required listening.
As a whole, the sampler is unbelievably listenable–from “Vital Signs,” a glittering, synth-y groove that finds Drewett continuing the beef with his lady lover on “Champagne Lemonade” (“You can be so heartless, check your vital signs / You say that’s a pulse that I can’t find / Girl, I’ve tried”) to “Keep Me In Mind,” a surging serenade in which Drewett flexing his songwriting muscles by playing the pauper and offering up some sweetly sung promises (“I would buy the shoes you like / In every single color, you deserve them every time / So keep me in mind”).
It’s “Parallels,” however (which I originally wrote about in the Introduucing piece), that continues to be the shining highlight for me.
Like Madonna‘s “Get Together” mixed with the piano riff of Sia‘s “Breathe Me” mixed with Sting (sounds potentially terrible, isn’t), the song is a massive, pulsating 21st century ode to seizing the day and living in the moment.
While I’m not usually one to warm to inspirational anthems in my pop, “Parallels” truly makes me a believer.
See you at the top in 2011, Ed!
“Champagne Lemonade” was released on October 29. (iTunes UK)
And now for something completely depressing.
It’s the video premiere of Sia‘s “I’m In Here,” the gorgeous, haunting ballad off of her sensational summer release, We Are Born. (WATCH)
Taking a break from the puppets, fuzzy felts and colours for a moment, Sia now finds herself soaring miles away on a bleak, cloudy airplane ride to nowhere.
The video is set to the acoustic version of the song (which is worthy of being deemed the sequel to Sia’s grand opus, “Breathe Me”), featuring vocals by The Bird And The Bee‘s Inara George.
Will this make you want to die? Yes, basically. But that’s kind of the point.
We Are Born was released on June 4. (iTunes)
Working with Kylie is like working with every artist I have ever wanted to and continues to be as exciting and fresh every time we do something new.
As promised, here comes part two of my interview with the sensational producer, remixer, songwriter and musical director (amongst other titles!), Mr. Steve Anderson.
Go ahead and read on to learn about Anderson’s unreleased electro-ballad with Britney (“Grow”) and much, much more Kylie gossip (Unreleased tracks! Scrapped setlist ideas!), as well as Anderson’s thoughts on remixing, the music industry today (including a killer list of artists to watch), and his latest project: Launching his latest chanteuse Elouise into the seemingly impenetrable territory that is North America.
Click “Read More…” to read the full second half of the interview.
Missed part one? Or just want to brush up on last week’s installment? Click here to see the first half!
Calling all Sia mega fans!
Are you loving all over her brand new album, We Are Born? So are we! (In case you haven’t already, check out the MuuMuse album review now.)
To celebrate the release, MuuMuse is proud to be giving away ONE SIGNED COPY of Sia’s new album, We Are Born.
To enter to win, send me an e-mail with the subject line “SIA” telling me why you deserve to win.
Has her music affected your life in a special way? Are you one of the nut-jobs who comes to her concerts with loads of gifts to give her? Tell me everything. I want to hear about it!
Be creative. I accept pictures, videos, audio–anything! Just have fun with it. You know…like Sia would.
One very special winner will be selected and notified on July 1.
Good luck!
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