It’s been a while, but this one’s a rull good one.

Lollygagging ’round the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn last weekend after seeing Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart‘s Heart & Soul Tour (which was simultaneously fantastic and amazing, thank you for asking), my boyfriend and I happened across a series of vinyls against the wall of an apartment, lazily stacked next to a trashcan.

And while I’m not personally one for bed bugs, he had no problem diving in headfirst to see if there were any gems hidden in the mix. (I’ve trained him well.)

Cue the find: Freestyle pop artist Alisha‘s self-titled 1985 debut album off of Vanguard Records.

Immediately struck by the incredible cover art featuring an ’80′s-tastic Alisha chilling in bed, hanging on the telephone and rocking a double-length pearl necklace, I knew I had to have it. So I snatched and ran, knowing full well there was no way the owner could have possibly meant to toss away such a classic.

G-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s.

Alisha, as I soon learned, is a Freestyle pop artist from the ’80′s. She actually had an incredible run on the charts with her debut album, selling over 2 million copies and charting three singles in the Top 10 of the US Hot Dance Billboard Charts.

She would go on to release two more albums (1987′s Nightwalkin’ and 1990′s Bounce Back) and chart a few more singles, including 1999′s “You Wanna Be A Star (Superstar)” for the Molly Shannon classic, Superstar.

As for the tunes featured on Alisha, let’s be honest here: Every song basically sounds like a canned cut from Madonna. Sure, it’s a back-handed compliment…but a damn fine compliment nonetheless! The album is a mix of fierce, cutting freestyle beats worthy of a seriously sweaty workout session on the dance floor.

Click above to watch Alisha–looking something like the love child between Peaches and Barbra Streisand (okay, so maybe just the nose) that’s been slapped across the face by Christina Aguilera‘s “Moulin Rouge” make-up palette–as she struts it out to “Baby Talk,” her first and only #1 on the US Hot Dance Chart (and the best song Love & Kisses-era Dannii Minogue never recorded.)

Yet of all the gems on the album, from “All Night Passion” to “Stargazing,” my hands-down favorite of the bunch is none other than “Too Turned On.” (Too obvious from the title alone?)

The dance floor filler finds Alisha telling her man to stand back and take cover–’cause she’s just too damn turned on! Between infectious hand claps, saxophone synthesizer solos, and even a dazzling xylophone rhythm break in between the chorus and verses–it’s an utterly delicious jam that must be experienced to be believed.

“‘Cause I’m too turned on, can’t hold back / All heated up and can’t cool down,” Alisha cries out. Calling all modern pop artistes: Care to give this one a polishing off please? Dannii, baby?

Whether it’s her homegrown NYC appeal, inimitable stage presence, or the fact that she actually took time to thank “the guys at the Shell station” in her own album credits, Alisha is one MuuMuse Approved mamacita.

I’M TOO TURNED ON!

Genre: Dream-pop, synth-pop, electronica
Sounds like: Goldfrapp, Bat For Lashes, Empire Of The Sun

Meet UK songstress Eleanor Bodenham and Martin Craft, a London-based singer-songwriter who previously played guitar for years alongside Jarvis Cocker.

Together–along with the reliably gorgeous production skills of Aussie electro-pop troupe Empire Of The Sun‘s Nick Littlemore–the two make up Lover Lover, a sparkling, lush pop outfit.

“Freebirds” is the debut single by the duo, which is set to be released on April 25 by Cross Keys Records.

Kicking in with a bass line similar to the opening moments of Stevie Nicks‘ “Edge of Seventeen,” Lover Lover’s debut effort is a free-flowing breeze of cool summer air, as Bodenham’s rich vocals–carrying traces of Debbie Harry and Marianne Faithfull–coolly drift on top of the shimmering number.

“Freebirds fly away / they just don’t stay, they just don’t stay,” Bodenham croons on repeat as the beat strolls along; hazy ’80′s synthesizers occasionally piercing through the otherwise melancholy production.

Similar to the work on Goldfrapp‘s gorgeous 2008 release Seventh Tree, “Freebirds” a little bit country, a sprinkle of airy French pop, and just a dash of sad disco all rolled into one–a combination that is most definitely MuuMuse Approved.

“Freebirds” will be released as a limited edition 7” vinyl, as well as for download. For more information on the group, check out their official website.

BEHOLD: The debut video for Neon Hitch‘s “Get Over U.”

After Arjan Writes debuted the MuuMuse Approved track a few weeks ago, Idolator just snagged the premiere of Hitch’s Benny Blanco produced, Sia co-penned buzz track, “Get Over U.”

The gorgeous clip, shot by Jason Bergh, follows the fiery siren’s trek from the trailer park to the sea and back as she goes and gets all gypsy-like in response to a rather hostile situation back at home. Flowing robes, glass bottles, tarot cards, rose petals–you name it, she’s divining it!

You know, I’m really quite smitten with the Hitch. She’s like a breath of fresh–err, salty air.

Voice is top notch, the style feels authentic, and the background story is absolutely amazing for any pop starlet-to-be. (A little fire swinging, anyone?) Plus, this whole whimsical, bohemian pop styling reminds me a bit of a young Stevie Nicks.

I’m even getting a more fanciful Ke$ha vibe about her! You know, like…if you washed off the vomit and wrenched the Jack Daniel’s from K$’s glitter-drenched hand and replaced it with a bottle of freshly scooped seawater and sand. Am I entirely off the mark? I don’t know. Maybe it’s just the nose ring.

Regardless: This one’s just been doubly MuuMuse Approved. Absolutely L-O-V-E!

Neon Hitch’s debut album, Beg, Borrow and Steal, will be released later in 2011.

Today, Stevie Nicks returns.

Just a few hours ago, the iconic singer’s official website updated with a wealth of new information about her upcoming solo campaign.

It’s official: In Your Dreams–Nicks’ first solo studio album since 2001–will be released on May 3, 2011.

What’s more, the site includes a snippet of the album’s first single: “Secret Love,” which will be released on February 3. If you pre-order In Your Dreams right now however, you’ll receive a free download of the song immediately. (!!!)

From the snippet alone, “Secret Love” already feels like an instant classic–true to Nicks’ signature sound and as wonderfully mystical as ever.

Finally, her website confirms that Nicks will be embarking on a tour with Rod Stewart later in 2011–the Heart & Soul Tour. Enough news to handle for one day?

LEGENDARY.

The 2010 American Music Awards aired live tonight. I live-tweeted the event. Well, most of it. (The Walking Dead came on at 10–I do have my priorities, after all.)

So, rather doing a rather drawn-out summary of the affair, I figure I’d just regurgitate what I just said–except with pictures and video links. Lazy, right? Oh, and if you couldn’t tell yet, you should totally be following me on Twitter.

Like Diddy-Dirty Money says…LET’S GO!!111!!! (I luv Jesus.)

LET’S GO!!!

Brace yourselves: I’m about to praise Cheryl Cole for something related to her Messy Little Raindrops-era music career. I KNOW. I don’t know what’s going on either.

Tonight Chezza performed her record-breaking #1 single of questionable quality “Promise This” for the BBC’s annual British charity telethon, Children in Need. (WATCH)

And you know what? It was–wait for it: UH-mazing. (To be said Katy Perry “Peacock” style.)

Why? There are several reasons. For one thing, Chezza looked amazing. And while this has never not been the case, she looked particularly amazing tonight in a flowing, Stevie Nicks-esque red drapery thing.

Secondly, I’ve always maintained that “Promise This” would be good if it weren’t for that cheap, glitch-tastic spacey electro production. That guitar-led intro–coupled with the live vocals–only served to prove my point: “Promise This” is gorgeous once you scoop away the goop.

Of course, the song did eventually break into its original form–but just like her second X Factor stint, the dancing, confidence and energy were simply on the mark. It was a major pop performance!

There was plenty of dancing. And flashing lights. There were even ballerinas! Which, as Kanye could tell you, are so totally in right now.

Blame this on being in a very good, rejuvenated mood after having watched Britney‘s For The Record for the fifty billionth time, but you know what? Cheryl is wonderful.

Yes, her music remains objectively terrible. And yes, Girls Aloud should still reunite because this whole solo schtick simply isn’t good enough. But GAH–she’s just so genuine! And sweet! And charming! And she delivers killer live performances every single time! I can no longer resist her on the basis of shoddy production alone.

While I’ll never take back my critique of Messy Little Raindrops, I promise to loosen up the reigns on Cheryl as a solo pop star.

She’s doing her thing. Bless her heart. Her messy, messy little heart.

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…

So, this is something new and interesting.

The night before my interview with Sky Ferreira, I received a vaguely mysterious e-mail from MuuMuse reader Sam Lansky with an attachment entitled “Fame Fatale.” The e-mail suggested that the attached may assist me in preparing for my interview.

As soon as I began reading, I already knew: This had to be published immediately.

“Fame Fatale” is not only a remarkably in-depth analysis (and personal account) of Ferreira’s curious rise to fame, but a thoughtful contemplation of the manufacturing of the modern pop star and the very conventions of the music industry itself. It’s extremely well-researched, poses tough questions, and deserves your full attention.

With his permission, I’ve asked Sam to feature his article on MuuMuse. It’s an incredible piece, and I do highly recommend that all of my Muusers give it a thorough reading–even if it’s “tl;dr” territory.

I do, after all, hope to keep a literate company.

Click “Read More…” to read Sam Lansky’s “Fame Fatale: The Rise of Sky Ferreira.”

Read More…