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.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here!

Head over to Sky Ferreira‘s MySpace NOW to hear her debut American single, the Ryan Tedder-produced “Obsession.”

As promised in her interview with MuuMuse, the song leads with a bold, stomping beat a la Gary Glitter‘s “Rock & Roll,” and roars on relentlessly thereafter. With “Obsession,” Ferreira takes a break from her weirder, disjointed warbling (“17,” “Almost Lover”) and gives into a radio friendly electro-pop crunch.

Although the track could fit snugly into the tracklistings of her cele-buddy’s latest offerings (Katy Perry‘s Teenage Dream; Ke$ha‘s Animal), “Obsession” has a bit more grit and a dash more personality than your standard electro-pop affair storming the charts at the moment. It also happens to be instantly, insanely catchy.

With any luck, this’ll be climbing up there along with the best of ‘em.

She’s got a confession: She wants to be your obsession. So give it a taste, won’t you?

The thing is I don’t know when to shut my mouth. That’ 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…

As you may well know by now, Sky Ferreira is what we in the industry like to call a ‘burgeoning talent.’ I don’t know what it means exactly, BUT THAT IS WHAT SHE IS.

The young and gorgeous singer’s got a debut single coming out at the end of August called “One,” and it’s one (One!) of the finest singles of the year thus far. As far as songs about feeling like a robot are concerned, it’s probably top five ever.

If you haven’t already seen the video for it, you should do so now.

ANYWAY, this song is now getting the pop mix treatment, and MuuMuse was fortunate enough to be granted the honor of excluusively premiering of one of the mixes!

Please click below to hear an excluusive stream of the Bassmakerz remix of Sky’s new single. It’s full of grinding synthesizers and whirling electro noises that do nothing to aid in abating Ms. Ferreira’s robo-fears. It’s also pretty good.

While you’re at it, you’ll want to head over to Popjustice to hear the fairly amazing Wawa remix, which also premiered today.

“One” will be released on August 22. For more, check out Sky’s official website.

Just in time for the Fourth comes “One,” Sky Ferreira‘s debut single following the release of her initial buzz track, “17.” That enough numbers for you yet? Good.

The video is a complete and utter visual treat, directed by acclaimed photographer Rankin (who’s been quite busy lately given his recent work on Kelis’ album artwork and videos as well.)

Essentially, it’s all a very high fashion, viva glamour affair. Ferreira works marvelously as a brooding, gorgeous electro temptress-to-be in what looks more like a Burberry advertisement than the debut video of a 17-year-old songstress. On a similar note, is anyone else seeing a young Brooke Shields here?

Most pleasingly of all, the video is chock full of repeat-heavy video editing to match Ferreira’s stuttering robo-vocals. My hopes for the video have therefore been fully realized–and exceeded!

“One” will be released on August 22.

First we had “17″–now there’s simply “One.”

“One” is Sky Ferreira‘s debut single on Parlophone Records.

The song sounds a bit like if Marina & The Diamonds‘ “I Am Not A Robot” went out for a few drinks with Little Boots‘ “Stuck On Repeat,” except the date took place in an underwater bar and Bloodshy & Avant (the producers of this piece) were busy conducting a small symphony in their scuba gear nearby while Diana Vickers‘ “Once” was busy making sexy eyes at them from the corner of the bar.

Structurally “One” is quite different than your average pop track, complete with plenty of repeat-heavy, dreamy vocals and squeaky disco sounds that neither form entire verses or choruses (though it still vaguely follows the familiar verse-chorus construction). This is a good thing because it keeps pop music interesting and less predictable than usual.

Speaking of good things, I like the fact that Ferreira is kind of like a more mature, more musically interesting response to Ke$ha (even though she’s only seventeen), but without all of the distracting faux-drunk revelry.

I still can’t quite come up with a proper description of her persona or her sound…but I suppose that can only be a good thing. I think.

For more on Sky Ferreira, click here.

Having previously worked with Ellie Goulding, Marina & The Diamonds, Sky Ferreira, the White Tie Affair, and their latest protegees, Samuel and Alex Winston, NYC production duo The Knocks have just debuted their first single: “Blackout,” a hands-in-the-air party track.

Sung by one half of the duo (Mr. Jpatt), the song is nothing short of a rave happy celebration, combining shouty vocals with an indie-dance groove a la Passion Pit and The Black Kids.

DL: The Knocks – Blackout

Seriously, is there anything named “Blackout” that isn’t a smashing success?

The single will be released on iTunes on May 4, featuring remixes by Chiddy Bang, Samuel, Fear Of Tigers, Yes Giantess, and more. You can expect one of those remixes to premiere excluusively on MuuMuse in the coming weeks.

MuuMuse Approved Tracks for the Week of April 11, 2010

5. Tila Tequila – I Fucked The DJ
She may drag the term “fame whore” down to frightening new low, but this song is just too much filthy fun.
4. Alex Gardner – I’m Not Mad
Further evidence of Xenomania’s pop perfection. Unstoppably good.
3. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Bittersweet
Yes, still. It’s my ringtone now, you know.
2. Sky Ferreira – Stand Back (Stevie Nicks Cover)
While everyone’s chirping about the buzz single “17,” I simply cannot get enough of her electro-touched cover of a Nicks classic. Sort of reminds me of Kelly Osbourne’s brilliantly overlooked album, Sleeping in the Nothing.
1. Natalia Kills – Activate My Heart
My anticipation hasn’t died at all to hear what Cherrytree’s latest artist has in store for us. Robot love and stuttering vocals…what else can I say? She kills it.