Packing my bags. www.justifymysound.blogspot.com

I'm back at it (again), pursuing one of my ultimate passions: blogging.

2012 is nearing slowly but steady to an end and since there's a high chance that the world might go to hell (like that's gonna happen) - I thought to myself: "Dan, why not give it another try?" So here I am.

This last year has been a crazy ride for me, with lots of up and downs and seriously...I couldn't be any happier  - that it's ending -even if I tried.

I pretty much decided to abandon this first blog of mine "www.erokawai-pop.blogspot.com", because it is sort of a mess, inconsistent (back when I started I had no clue about blogging) and it has sort of a bad energy. Plus the name was kinda starting to piss me off. So I decided to pack my bags, lower the blinds, turn off the smokes machine, import my best postings and start fresh over at www.justifymysound.blogspot.com.

So the new blog is called  "Justify My Sound". Pretty much a hybrid between me, one of my favorite Madonna tracks, and music. Which means pretty much everything to me. You know I have sort of an addiction.

Well, the name sort of came out very spontaneously. I wanted something catchy, something that was easy to pronounce and with the power to represent the passion that I have for music. I think Madonna's "Justify My Love" pretty much does the job.

So for all of you who want to start following me on Facebook, here's the link:

www.facebook.com/JustifyMySound

Regarding Twitter: It's my personal twitter after all, so for now I'll leave it as it is:

www.twitter.com/erokawai1987

That's about it. Stick around and come on over. Yours Dan.

New Video: M.I.A. executes 100% swagger on "Bad Girls" video

Besides spending most of the time between Madgina's legs, M.I.A. actually found  time to release her new  Danja produced single called "Bad Girls".  She dropped this swag-tastic song before the Super Bowl and damn, did she cash in on that move.

I really went in with low expectations. I have to admit, I'm not the biggest M.I.A. fan here, but what she served up here left me bald. This song is friggin' addicting, starting with the amazing drums in the beginning, continuing with the oriental synths, and finally the beats dropping and the swaggerific rap that M.I.A. delivers, leading to that catchy line: "Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well."

The video is simply refreshing; filmed on location in Morocco with "Born Free" director Romain Gavras. They gave the whole Fast & Furious franchise a run for their money. It is fun to watch, and don't miss M.I.A. occasionally doing her nails while two-wheel drifting.

Lady Gaga unveils tackiest cover ever for the "BORN THIS WAY BALL"

Lady Gaga simply won't sit the fuck down, that's why she went and released the poster "Born This Way Ball" last night on twitter. She wrote:

"You know I work on so many art projects all the time when I see you guys online. I feel like we're all doing homework together."

Will puh-lease, some art teacher slap a hoe, and give her already an "F"?! This shit don't look guud. I gotta give her credit for consistency though, because the entire "Born This Way"-era was a hot mess including her ragged album cover, but that's about it. Seriously, it feels like someone gave her the newest Photoshop edition, she went on to pop some pills and started screwing with  some promo pictures and a random castle that she found on Google.

I neither get why she's wants to go ahead with 450 tour dates. I am so over this era, I simply want her to sit down, record a new album and wow me for once. Instead she's not willing to let go or keep it to a minimum, no she was born to annoy us with over saturating everything. This is in my opinion simply a random act, to prove to herself that she's able to go head to head with Madonna.

Check out the stage after the jump.

New Video: Madonna - Give Me All Your Luvin'

I L-U-V THIS!

It's here, the official video in its entire glory for Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin' (feat. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj)". I loved it, it reminded me of a lot of video's mixed all together. From Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl", to Kylie Minogue's "Come Into My World" and "All the Lovers".  Plus, we received some old school 1993 Madonna, I loved that style on her. But in general, Madge looked nice, was youthful and classy, and I loved M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj being on Madonna's side, showing the deserved respect to the queen and embracing their irrelevancy. 

HEY EVEN LADY GAGA MADE A CAMEO!

BUT LUCKILY SOMEBODY SAVED THE QUEEN.

As to the song, it's definitely a grower but not an instant smash as for example "Hung up" was, it reminds me a lot to early 2000-era Madonna. It's nice and everything, but we'll see how the rest of the album sounds like. I'm really looking forward to William Orbit's contributions. Martin Solveig left me kinda cold with this one, the breakdown was the most irrelevant piece of shit I've heard in a long time. The only thing that redeemed that mess, was Madonna's throw-back style and Nicki & M.I.A.'s rap. But who know, I might be over this song like a fly over a piece of shit. 

Listen to the iTunes preview of Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin' (Feat. M.I.A.and Nicki Minaj)

ARE Y-O-U READY TO L-U-V MADONNA'S NEW SINGLE?

Well, it's not out yet, but as you all might know Japan has already February 3, which means that they're able to buy it. So far I wasn't able to find a copy of the full song, but what I could find was the official iTunes preview for "Give Me All Your Luvin'".

I can't really tell a huge difference from the demo, aside form the fact that the whole recording sounds obviously cleaner and the chants (L-U-V Madonna!) seem to be stronger. Oh, and let's not forget Nicki's rap during the end of the snippet, where she's doing her usual roars as her alter ego "Roman".

Well, I wasn't a huge fan of the demo when it leaked, but I really have to say that I'm starting to like the song. It simply sounds different, I just really hope that Madonna comes correct with the album.

WHO'S READY FOR SOME MDNA? Y-O-U, YOU WANNA?

YASSS!!!

Girls' Generation enter the charts in Spain (reported by channel "La Sexta")

Yesterday's performance of "The Boy" on Live with Kelly! and The Late Show with David Letterman  didn't remain unnoticed. In fact, a Spanish channel called La Sexta made a short report about the girls actually entering as the first Asian group in the Spanish charts. I'm half Spanish, I totally get it that they are breaking English speaking markets, but Spanish people listening to Korean music sounds somewhat surreal. Which, actually is a stupid thing, cause my buddy @sukowegalrevo lives in Spain, is Spanish and would sell his first born child to get to meet Koda Kumi and fellow Asian stars.

This girls are taking over the world by storm with the least amount of effort. I mean they are not even really promoting in the US. They're just doing it for fun, because they just felt like performing there and to make their fans a happy. 

Deep down I always wished that K-Pop and J-Pop would cross over eventually, but now that's starting to happen I'm quite overwhelmed with it. I mean if they take over Europe and they would, if the plans for a Europe debut are true, this means that people know them and my friends would eventually stop shaking there heads at me, because I listen to this sound. I would no longer be the unicorn in my area. That's fucked up.

Dead and buried. 

(Due to a mental instability, please ignore above paragraph and continue reading this blog without further ado)

Lana Del Rey covers VOGUE & storms the charts

Lana Del Rey will be featured on the March cover of the UK Vogue. Let me tell you she looks absolutely stunning, and her eyes are simply mesmerizing. The cover was photographed by Mario Testino, and the magazine will be available on Monday, February 6.
Make sure to get your copy.

Nobody has had so much haters and lovers a the same time as Lana, but it seems like all the bad press she had, is not really affecting her. In fact she's busy slaying the charts around the world. Being on number #1 on 11 different countries already, and entering next week the Billboard Hot 100 on the #2 spot, only held back by Adele's never ending reign.

The UK singer is set to earn her 19th consecutive week at #1 having reportedly pushed another 116'000 copies oh 21. Cuh-razay!

Non-the-less, Lana remains un-bothered, occupying the iTunes charts in the US, and only within an hour of it's release it was already #1. Haters, take a seat.

Rihanna to release full version "Birthday Cake" on her B'day!

WHO WANTS SOME CAKE?

I still remember the aftertaste that "Birthday Cake" left behind after it stopped all of a sudden. I really felt the need to take a baseball bat and go Breezy-style on Rihanna. How dare she cut that shit to 1 minute and 18 seconds. I was in complete disbelief, when I realized that this was it! One of the hottest tracks on that record - a filthy hip-hop cut, fusion-ed with a dirty bass synth and a combination of hand-claps and chants, that would transform any catholic nun, into a professional pussy-popper - simply cut short.

Take a listen:

Well the good news is, the sex anthem became such a fan favorite, that Riri has finally decided to give their starving Navy-sluts exactly what they want. She will allegedly release the full length version of "Birthday Cake" on her Birthday, February 20. In fact the producer of the song "The Internz", reconfirmed that statement.

This are some good news, now my next question is? Will there be a video? Who knows? The fact is, this are great news. 

#CAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKE!!!

Girls Generation continue the slayage with "The Boys" on Live with Kelly!

After basically shutting that shit down on the Late Show with David Letterman, the girls returned this morning with another performance of "The Boys"on the Live with Kelly! show. The whole performance was kept shorter, there was no remix, but non-the-less, these hoes went all in and came out with wigs. The audience; bald!

I was impressed at how secure they seemed. No more nerves in sight, definitely an improvement over the Letterman performance. The choreography was on point, the singing was also good, besides Sunny fucking up her part, but I'm gonna let it slide.

After performing the shit out of "The Boys", and leaving Kelly Ripa with the wish to join SNSD, they went on to speak about how they became Girls Generation and went on about the auditioning process. Soon after that, they started showing Kelly and Howie Mandel some moves. Very entertaining, indeed.

I'm really proud of this girls, to be the first act to perform on late night television. A huge step for K-Pop and in general the Asian music scene. Congratulations!!

P.S.: They so need to get a performance on Ellen.

New Album: Capsule - Stereo Worxxx & New Single: Step on the floor

Capsule are finally back with a new album and I simply can't believe it's been almost a year since they released World of Fantasy. Toshiko Koshijma and Yasutaka Nakata are back on that grind. I see that Toshiko went for the longer hair this year, probably because MEG's hair is getting shorter by the minute.

Anyway so far I really like the cover, but I'm not feeling the hair. I preferred the wig she was sporting on World of Fantasy, but as long as the album slays my life I'm cool with it. The album is set to be released on March 7, a good month from now. The first single "Step On The Floor" was released today at midnight on the Japanese iTunes-store. They just have released the new track list:

Standard Edition

1. Feelin' Alright
2. Never Let Me Go
3. In The Rain
4. Dee J
5. Step On The Floor
6. Tapping Beats
7. All The Way
8. Motor Force
9. Transparent

Limited Bonus Disc

1. Feelin' Alright ( Extended-Mix )
2. Never Let Me Go ( Extended-Mix )
3. In The Rain ( Extended-Mix )
4. Dee J ( Extended-Mix )
5. All The Way ( Extended-Mix )
6. Motor Force ( Extended-Mix )

The tracklist's length is pretty much what we get every year from Capsule, not to long and not to short. I guess they rather have less songs than having a filler in there that ruins the whole thing. As to the single "Step On The Floor", is quite nice I won't go all in on a review, because I only listened to it once. What I could make out, is that there's a lot of vocals and the production stinks of Perfume's latest album JPN. Yes, I get it Nakata had his fingers on both projects, but I would have wished that he went with something well...how to put this, more "original". Don't get me wrong I like the song, but it didn't slay my life as much as the single "World of Fantasy" did or the album track "PRIME TIME". Yes, I am a fan since last year, and I know that they're sound used to sound different and less mainstream, but still before you roast a bitch let me tell you that I also enjoy they're older work.

Give "Step On The Floor" a listen here.

I guess, at this point I'll just shut up and give the new single another listen, don't be shocked if I comeback an edit my opinion on this one.

Ciara enlists Bangladesh & LMFAO producers for 5th album

It seems like C-Error is trying everything to make that hit record happen, that's why she's back in the studio working on her 5th studio album, like the rent was due yesterday. It has been confirmed that she's been working with popular producer Bangladesh and the producers behind LMFAO's success "Party Rock Anthem" (Goon Rock, Josh Stephens and Dre Koon).

Koon mentioned that the song they produced for CiCi, would be a song that would reach mainstream radios. Will this grant Cici, that global smash hit? That is still to be seen. On the other hand Bangladesh would provide her definitely the urban songs, since his latest work to date is "Cockiness". The aggressive , sexual hard hitting anthem that he served up for Rihanna's newest album Talk that Talk.

Ciara really needs to come hard with this album, and I really hope that the label change plus a more mainstream appeal will get her at least some shine. Her last two albums have been complete flops, I already thought it would be curtains after Basic Instinct, but she's still on that grind trying to get again on top of those charts. She's already had her second chance and she failed. She needs that hit, her 17 fans that are left, will definitely not get her on top again of the charts.

Watch Girls Generation slay America with "The Boys" on Letterman!

First, Wondergirls, then BoA and later on Utada Hikaru. Now it's Girls Generation's turn to debut on US television. The nine girls, made The Late Show with David Letterman  their first stop on their short US-promotion for The Boys.

I really have to say, they did an amazing job with this performance. There were of course some nerves in the beginning, but after the first verses they were able to shake them off. I was kind of disappointed with the camera work, those guys had no idea how to frame this girls. I guess they were completely overwhelmed by the amount of girls that where dancing, grinding and two-stepping. But they sure as hell, must have liked Sooyoung, she was all the time in the picture.

To the vocals, well it was 60% miming and the rest well Taeyeon. What also did piss me off: couldn't they have cleared the stage completely? Poor Sunny, almost crashed against the keyboard. But over all, they really  managed to deliver a good performance, leaving David Letterman in awe and the audience with a WTF face: "Whut? There's a choreography and they're not dressed like prostitutes or trannies?" YES, that's right.

Sorry, I had to throw some shade at Rihanna, Britney and Lady Gaga.

And might I add: #DEAD at the fanboys singing "GG". That just made my day. 

Girls Generation represent. Good job ladies, now all you need to do is slay Live with Kelly and book a performance on the Ellen Degeneres Show. To bad they're album The Boys sucks so much, they would have slayed with an English version of their Japanese debut album.

ANYWAY THEY SLAYED!

Lady Gaga ends promotion for "Born this way"

Well I guess it's curtains for the Born this way-era. Honestly, I couldn't be happier because it was such a big hot mess and it dragged and dragged and it tried way to hard and failed.

What was the line Gaga said during the start of 2011: "The best album of the decade". Ohm, right..!

An Interscope executive has confirmed to Billboard this week that they're not aware of any current plans for another single to be released from Lady Gaga's album Born this way. Gaga is already working on a new album and they hope to release it this year. *shrugs at the thought of it*

Now, I'm not the biggest Gaga fan but I know from a true source (yes my boyfriend is a little monster), that he's everything but happy about the outcome and the choice of singles in this era. In fact, and I agree on this one, gems such as "Government Hooker", "Scheisse", "Bloody Marry" and "Heavy Metal Lover" have completely been sidelined by Gaga. Those were the songs, and I think I can speak for most of the fans, we were rooting for.

Instead she gave precedence to those songs that in her belief were: the true spirit of the album (The edge of glory), this sort of "it gets better songs" (Born this way) & I'm trying to be everything else but a superficial, fame whore songs (You and I)". She tried so desperately this era, to out-do herself, to be indie, to be the spiritual leader with songs that seemed to have been recorded in a church and dragged along a glitter-infested dance floor. It was simply annoying at some point and it was clear, people started to grow tired of her.

This led to her singles failing to chart in the top ten, one after the other or arriving there and getting bitch-slapped by Adele's "Rolling in the deep". Yes, she sold 5.5 million records, and maybe you can blame it on today's economic climate that it's not as good as the Fame-era, still it is definitely not a flop. But with all the promotion she got, she should have shifted as much units as Adele or even more. Which leads me to my next point...

Well it seems like "Marry the night"'s bombing on the chart triggered this era's soon ending, and most probably Gaga's over-exposure, her so tired shocking-techniques and of course her, over-hyping the whole project like her rent depended on it led to it. The era "Born this way" was simply handled wrongly to begin with, and they made it seem as if it was the best thing since sliced bread with Nutella. And it clearly isn't. It was just another pop record.

At this point I just want to say one thing: Gaga stay away from the lime-light, as long as possible. Make your homework and try to bring something fresh and new. You're way to talented to end up as the next Cindy Lauper and if you keep up like this, you will be. In the beginning the biggest thing and some years later sent to oblivion.

Cassie to release "King of Hearts" on Valentines Day. FINALLY!

After years trying to avoid Valentine's Day at all costs, I have now two things to look forward to this year:

#1 - My boyfriend and I will be exactly 9 months together on February 14. I love him to death. <3
#2 - Ms. Ventura will release her outrageously much anticipated new single "King of Hearts".

She dropped the news via her official twitter:

I was hoping for another "King of Hearts" snippet, but instead the link leads to a new photo of Cassie, shot by NYC photography duo Gomillion & Leopold.

Here's the photo:

My personal opinion: I think it would have looked better with some really fierce stilettos. But at this point, who gives a damn. Here we have again the teaser for "King of Hearts". I can't fuckin' wait to get my long overdue Cassie-dose.

New Single: Namie Amuro - Go Round

Namie Amuro must have gotten wind that Koda Kumi shamed her on the video for "Escalate" by snatching her concept for "Love Game" and taking it to the next level. So as the good veteran that she is, she's not gonna sit there and let this thing go. In fact she's back with the first single for 2012 called Go Round.

The single will be released March 21, and will come in two editions: CD & CD+DVD. So nothing new there. There's going to be a B-side called "YEAH OH" included on that single. According to her Facebook page the PV is already scheduled to be shot. Let's see what Mrs. Amuro cooks up for this release. "Go Round" sounds like an upbeat song and it best be top notch. I'm talking "WILD" and "What a feeling levels". "YEAH OH" doesn't really scream ballad, which is a good thing. I'm fed up of Namie's ballads. They've all sounded so generic and never managed to reach the high level of "The meaning of us".

I don't know about you guys but I smell a new album with a summer release. I'm not to excited yet, because Namie's single have been well...not really her best. Besides "Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!" that was in my opinion absolute fire and her best in 2011. I just really hope she redeems "Naked/Tempest/Fight together", because I really didn't feel that single. Naked was way to over the place, that song was trying way to hard and it failed to deliver and the other two were generic as f*ck.

The Queen of Hip-Pop is coming for wigs.

New Britney Spears music in 2012 after all?

It seems like Brit Brit, is not ready to go on vacation in 2012 without giving her fans a nice treat. According to an interview with Capital FM, Black Eyed Peas front man Will.I.Ain't confirmed that Britney would appear on his forthcoming album #willpower.

Capital FM interview:

"Speaking about the albums collaborations, Will.I.Am said: "I have a song with Alicia Keys - me, Alicia and Swedish Housemafia. I have a song with the Beats, which is pretty grand. Me and Shakira have been trying to finish the stuff we started, and me and Britney is really crazy."

As you all know, I'd really enjoy to take a can of coke, some popcorn and watch Will.I.Ain't get hit by a truck, but aside from that, I really have to say that I can't wait for new Britney music. Hate on a bitch as much as you want, that she can't sing, can't perform for shit yada, yada, yada, but her songs are airtight.

The beat just dropped and the room got sexy.

Crystal Kay sets the date for new single & live house tour

It's official, CKay will be releasing her new single on March 14 and it's going to be a double A-side single featuring two new songs. Both tracks will be produced by BACHLOGIC, who were also in charge for "Superman".

The first songs is called "Delicious na Kinyoubi" , it is described to be an up-beat song and a happy number that pretty much reminds us to have fun and spend time with your friends and family. Might this actually be "Kirakuni" part two? God, please let it be. On the other hand we have "Haru Arashi" that was written by Crystal Kay and is said to be a fitting song for the season of departure. I assume this is a ballad, but who knows.

"Delicious na Kinyoubi" will be available previously to it's physical release on Chaku-Uta on February 24.

There's no stopping Crystal Kay this season; she also announced that she will go on a tour titled "Crystal Cafe 2012", in March and will also host a charity event called "Live Unbreakable Spirit" on April 15 at the Yokohama BLITZ.

I'm very pumped for this release. So glad CKay is back on that grind. WERK it gurl!

Album art: Madonna - MDNA

QUEEN OF EVERYTHING!

It's everything, it's colorful, it's fierce, it's modern, it's futuristic, it's f*cked up, it's so vogue, it's L-U-V Madonna, Y-O-U you wanna? YES!!!!!!

Madonna just released the album cover for her soon to be released album MDNA on her official Facebook page. It's simply flaw-free and outrageously hot in a twisted kind of way. At this point I'd like to thank Madonna, from the bottom of my heart. Gurl, you kept your legs closed this time. U okay? *kudos*

Now bitches, better dress warm because Madonna is comparable to the shock wave of cold wind that is coming from Siberia. It will leave bitches bald, shaking & cring in a corner. It has no mercy and is ready to annihilate whatever comes in it's way. 

I can't, I simply cannot. We are not worthy! 

MDNA will be released on March 26. (iTunes)

Single art: Madonna - Give me all your luvin' & M.D.N.A. press release

Who wants some MDNA? 

I know...it's Monday, but hey the beat goes on and so does Madonna. As you can see, here we have the official single art for Madge's first single "Give Me All Your Luvin". Let me tell you, I L-U-V this single art, it's so fresh, so juvenile and yes, Madonna went and slapped Mariah Carey in the face with the concept of this one. *rolls eyes and looks over to Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel*

The difference in both covers? This one won't flop.

The single cover, comes from the official press release for MDNA, which pretty much reveals some hot new information about Madonna's upcoming project:

♪ Give me all your luvin' will be released on Friday, February 3.
♪ MDNA will be released on March 26 on Interscope Records.
♪ The video will be directed by Megaforce and will be chearleader and football-themed.
♪ The video will premier on American Idol on Thursday, February 2.
♪ MDNA features production by William Orbit, Martin Solveig, The Demolition Crew, Marco "Benny" Benassi and Alessandro "Alle" Benassi, Hardy "Indigo" Muanza, Michael Mahli and last but not least Madonna.
♪ Madonna will appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Lenno on Monday, January 30.
♪ Also, iTunes will be offering a global pre-order of the 18-track deluxe edition of MDNA, along with an exclusive remix in between February 3 and Feburary 6 for $9.99.

Overdosed and dead.

And here comes the cherry on top of the whipped cream. A short preview was premiered of the "Give Me All Your Luvin" video. Check it out: 

They look very good all in all, and the whole thing so gives me Gwen Stefanie "Hollaback girl" vibes. I so need to see this.

MDNA will be released on March 26. (iTunes)

Credits go to: MuuMuse

Music Video: Koda Kumi - Lay Down

Koda Kumi went and snatched Nicki Minaj and Ayumi's wigs with this visuals for "Lay Down". Her wig game never looked better, I was really feeling that purple short dress she was wearing with the straight-ironed hair and the tights. The effects in the dark with her lips and make-up glow looked simply incredible and she did a better job than Nicki did with "Superbass". Plus the song fits perfectly.

You could really see, that a bitch enjoyed herself, while being carried around through the crowd. I wish she would have spun that ponytail like a propellor. I bet Bey wouldn't have wasted a second to spin that shit. Bet hey, Kumi grabbed her titties, touched a guys crotch (Juicy-style) and crowd surfed like a pro.
All in all, very good video clip from Kumi-san. Now go and buy the album, it's worth every Yen.

New Album: Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

STOP YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! 

Today it's January 27th, this means a certain lady has dropped probably one of the most anticipated albums of 2012. Ms. Lana Del Rey is here to stay and all the haters, stay pressed. So all the people who actually enjoy good music, please follow this link to buy Lana's new album. It's simply flawless.

I've been listening to it for the last couple of days since it leaked online and now I can listen to it with a good feeling behind it because I have my pre-ordered copy, the deluxe version, might I add.

A review of this masterpiece will follow shorty, so stay tuned for it. I can already say that's really really good, and she does not disappoint on a single song. If this doesn't get to #1 at one point I don't understand people, because this is real music. Songs like "Radio", "Dark Paradise", "Lolita", "Off to the races" and "Summertime Sadness" are on par with her smash hits "Video Games" and "Born to Die".

Choose your last words.

 This is the last time...cause you and I we were born to die!

Lana Del Rey covers "Complex Magazine". Remains flaw-free!

Lana del Rey might have gotten a backlash for her SNL-performance three weeks ago. But it's definitely not slowing her down. In fact it might be bad publicity, but at the end of the day better bad publicity than none.

Lana doesn't give a shit about others, so that's why this cover shoot is so fitting. The 25-year-old stood in front of the lenses for Complex Magazine; the outcome: A classy Lana Del Rey with a short and sexy khaki-colored trench coat, holding a big black umbrella and shielding herself from the storm. She gives Rihanna a run for her money. Never did a woman look sexier with an umbrella.

The pictures is definitely a symbolism of all the downpour of criticism that Lana had to deal with lately. Put she never looked better and her eyes let her seem cool and unimpressed. Simply flawless.

She shared some thoughts on her way of performing: "My real fans know I'm not a showstopper on stage. I don't have f*ckin' circus lights. I just don't care. My fans are there because they want to hear the record live." Del Rey, also shared the fact that she's not driven to make the world listen to her pop songs. She told Complex: "I wasn't sing or die. I was also passionate about my community. I felt like I could have gone in several directions."

She went on to say that her life growing up was everything but perfect: " I know how to go, from being a non-functioning member of society to a functioning one," she told. "I was crazy!".

She wouldn't go further into details, which leaves me with a starving interest: " I won't go into it. It's not helpful to know. I was just reckless. But that was a long time ago. Being human is difficult. Some people make it more difficult than others. I was one of those people." PREACH IT GURL! I know exactly how she feels.

Well, I think anyone who still thinks that she's fake and not real about herself is just not listening here. Well, she has an answer for that, too: "I write my own songs. I made my own videos. I pick my producers. Nothing goes out without my permission. It's all authentic."

Haters gon' hate. There's nothing we can do about it. I know just one thing. Her music gives me life and she's bringing back real music in this glitter-infested after hour filled with dirty and generic beats.

Thank you Lana.

Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die" available on iTunes now! Buy it.

New Music: Kris Allen - Vision of Love (Maison & Dragen Remix)

I don't really follow American Idol and its winners, well maybe Kelly Clarkson on a good day but that's about it. So while raiding my fave blog's, in this case JonAli's Blog, I somehow stumbled on Kris Allen and was reminded that he also exists. He was pretty much  eye...overshadowed by Adam Lambert, but for people who don't know, he's the actual winner of American Idol. Adam simply has the advantage of make-up and the better cock-sucking skills. But back to Kris Allen, I always found him very charming, handsome, adorable and incredibly cute.

So this guy's been busy lately, working on his sophomore album and the first single will allegedly be titled "Vision of Love". The single-edit is not out yet, but somehow a leaked remix hit the web. The remix was made by Finnish duo Maison & Dragen and I have to say it's awesome.



Kris sounds really good, singing in his higher register over heavy house beats, 90's keys and lacing his vocal ability perfectly with the different synths that enrich this song. It's so refreshing to hear a guy who can actually high-light his voice on a club banger, since most of this songs get sung by the ladies like Rihanna, Britney or Adam Lambert.

I really hope the original-edit can live up this one, because I'm really loving it so far. I'll definitely keep an eye on Mr. Kris Allan. Sexy muthaf*cker!

Kylie Minogue celebrates K25 & Releases Orchestral Version of "Finer Feelings"

It's almost incredible that Kylie Minogue is already 25 years in the game. I've been loving ever since she release "Can't get you out of my head". She's a stunning, humble, flawless goddess of pop and I'll always be a Kylie die-hard fan.  

So in commemoration of her 25th Anniversary, the 43-year-old icon will be releasing new orchestrated recordings of her classic songs. The tracks have been recorded at the Abbey Road Studios, but there's still no information on which ones she's actually re-recorded. In fact it's a secret until Kylie herself will go and release them. The first song that has been released is "Finer Feelings", one of the songs that was featured on Kylie's fourth album Let's get to It. The song is simply stunning, and it's incredible what an orchestration can do to a song. While I was listening to it, it was sending me chills all over my body. Incredible. I can't wait for what's more to come from this goddess.

Do you like it? Check out her official website, it's been updated.

New Video: Kelly Rowland - Keep It Between Us

Kelly Rowland is back with her new video for "Keep it between us", which serves as the third official single form her third studio album Here I Am. The video is basically, Kelly and her boyfriend finding love in Paris. The video is nothing special, but it has some nice views of Paris, Kelly looks good as usual and the lighting is very well placed in the shots.

In my book this song is definitely no single material, but I guess at this point of the album-cycle it's not gonna make a big difference. Let's face it, you can not call this a successful album, and most songs on it leave a lot to be desired. I think I never managed to listen to the whole thing once, without having to skip most songs, because they were so generic and boring. So yes, I'd be very surprised if she could resurrect that album with this single-choice. Kelly, if you wanna hear my opinion, it's curtains, dust yourself up and simply try again and do it better next time.

Thoughts? 

Crystal Kay announces, new single and new tour. WERK it!

Crystal Kay is a busy woman these days, and first thing she did was apologizing for sucking at vloging. It's all guud Kuri, we're not mad at you gurl. If I would have spent a couple of weeks in NYC, I wouldn't be blogging as well. So you're excused from my side and happy new year to you too. Praise the Lord and all the heavens, I'm genuinely impressed and happy for Crystal at how much Delicous deli, be caring for this woman. It's been what (?) not even a month since "Superman" was available on iTunes and we're already gettin' a new single. As if it wasn't enough, we get a new tour and a fan-club. They want that money printin, I know they want it. Oh and Crystal Kay, in case you be readin' this shit, you got ma money for "Superman" on release day.

There.

Things are moving very fast in comparison to Sony's snooze-fest of a management. Seems like C-Kay is doing just fine. She looks healthy, happy...and damn she's way to humble for her looks. Crystal, you be giving "Beyoncé" and "Janet" a run for their money. You look flawless, never forget that. You're not trying to look good, you simply look good. PERIOD!! Now if you're not following me on twitter after all these compliments, we'll have to have a talk. 

I'm really looking forward to this single, and to the tour. So Crystal, get things ready, set and go. I want an album by the end of the year, tops. And this single, be better some good shit, and puh-lease get a new director. Thanks, Bye.

New Video: Koda Kumi - Love Technique

Wow, it's really dificult to keep up with all the new videos for the Japonesque-era. But enough of excuses, with no further ado, here's the new video for Love Technique. A fun, colorful and playful video from Koda Kumi san. I'm usually not really fond on Kumi's cutesy video, but this one simply makes me giggle and feel like a 15 year old girls from Shibuya. It's so much fun to watch her.

The plot is very simple; basically it's Kumi with her daily relationship troubles, such as: Her boyfriend not helping her wash the dishes, or simpy not giving her enough affection, etc. But do not worry child, there's the Kumi love expert, who basically gives good advice and pretty much influences the couple to make things work and guarantee a healthy relationship.

I really love it, how fun Kumi can be and how versatile she is while incorporating so many personas.
The song is simply addicting, very sugary and upbeat and if this doesn't get you out of a depression then you really need to consider joining a facility.

Take a look:

Sowelu announces new album "29 Tonight"

I really like Sowelu, I really do. But somehow I'm not really sold on her slut-tastic image change. She should leave that shit to Kumi, at least she can pull it off. Plus she's not really consistent and her last album was really not a success, her moaning and acting a hoe didn't really help to push the sales.

This is the reason why she's back and ready to release her next album under Avex called 29 Tonight. Since Sowelu is already 29, this album is probably gonna be a mid-life-crisis mess, about a bitch complaining that she's getting old and as Koda Kumi would like to put it: "She's afraid that her amniotic fluid is rotting".

The album will contain a total of 15 tracks, that will be produced by similar writers and producers that already worked with her in the past. Let's just hope they make this time around a better job, to give her a new sound, that she can call her own. Because the single she released back in September 2011, really left a lot of things to be desired. In fact, "Let me..." didn't do much for me. Those songs simply didn't go anywhere.

She should really focus more on her R&B side and work with Verbal & Taku. Songs like "Never feat. VERBAL" and "Make it Last Forver feat. MIHIRO" were hot, but everything else could have been executed in a better way or smelled to much like vagina's of other Avex hoes. Also, Avex could have gotten a better director and stop the shit with those mini-drama's they always produce. They are not nice, and the acting is beyond akward. It's not of big use, if you have an x-rated mini-porn-flick that can't be shown on day-time television.

NEWS: m-flo to make a comeback after 5 years

It has been confirmed that m-flo are set to make their comeback and release their first original album in 5 years. Now, here I thought that this year couldn't get better, so far we have Koda Kumi's JAPONESQUE (flawless), we know that Madonna and Christina are releasing new music soon and now m-flo. Now all I need is to know that Namie, Crystal and Hikki are all dropping albums this year and I'm a happy stan.

The album will be titled "SQUARE ONE" (very m-flo-esque might I add), and it's scheduled for a March 14th release. The album will contain 15 tracks and will be a mixture of both Taku's and Verbal's styles that they have been experimenting over the last couple of years.

After collaborating with 41 artist for their "LOVES"-series, Verbal has been busy as a member of "Teriyaki Boyz" and launching his solo carrier last March with his first album "VISIONAIR". For my taste, it was a complete let down, except for two tracks that where actually hot "BLACK OUT feat. Namie Amuro & Lil' Wayne" and "Fall Out feat. SHUNYA". Which also led to the biggest disaster to happen in J-Pop: The video for "BLACKOUT" was never released, something that I simply don't get. As if the Tohoku earthquake wasn't enough already. I still hope somebody would leak that damn video already.

Meanwhile, ☆Take Takahashi has remixed Calvin Harris "I'm not alone" and opened up the music service "Block FM", which concentrates on offering dance music.

There's no info yet on if they collaborated with anyone, but this is m-flo we're talking about they simply have to. I simply have some humble fan requests and they can have my money, collaboration with: Crystal Kay, Namie Amuro (she always gets the hottest songs with Taku and Verbal), Koda Kumi before she pops, also BoA, some Emi Hinouchi, Emily and Yoshika, oh and while we're at it some Bennie K, Monkey Majik and CHEMISTRY. I know it's nothing, so humble. Let's face it, me wants the "LOVES"-series back. Stop playing around, you know what's good for you, Taku bring the goods and Verbal get the swagga. Thank you, Bye. 

New Video: Koda Kumi - Boom Boom Boys

Wow, wow, wow!  I'm simply out of words, Kumi left me simply bald with this video.this video was so much fun to watch. Kumi did everything right, from the settings, to her clothes, over to the plot of the video.

Gosh, it's a complete fun song, about a woman who simply doesn't give a shit and wants to have fun. It's similiar to Rihanna's video for "We found love" but the more fun version. Drugs are a topic in this one, from drinking, to smoking and instead of taking pills she gave that whole thing an upgrade and went for the USB-stick. This is how Kumi rules.

She can deliver a message without even having to display actual drugs, but the effect is the same.
Dead, at the view of Kumi kicking that guy out of her bed after a party night. She killed me with that vomiting scene. It was uh-mazing!

I really started to love the song too. While on a first listen, I was not convinced yet...now I'm clearly sold.
The visuals and several plays made me love this song.

So, excuse me while I go and listen to "Japonesque". It leaked in its full glory. At this point I also would like to apologize in case there's no more updates from my side. She might have killed me with to much fierceness.

Koda Kumi -  Boom Boom Boys - [JAPONESQUE] von GSTMIX

My body is simply not ready for this album, it's simply flawless.

I cannot, I simply CANNOT! DEAD!

New Video: Nicki Minaj - Stupid Hoe

It's official we have the first song of 2012 to classify as "the biggest piece of shit to have ever left a recording studio". I really don't get how people can like this shit? Are some people really that basic?

The title is so fitting, it's beyond incredible: "Yes, Nicki you is a stupid hoe!" 

I kept on watching, and I really thought...hm, it might get better as the song goes on...FAIL!

It didn't! The song got only worse, even more so when she started singing like a little girl. That was the most annoying shit to ever gross my internet connection. I'm so not watching this again and if there's a god somewhere please let it crash down the Billboard charts and go down in flames. This simply can't be a hit.

I'm just really happy that the youtube crowd, seems to agree. The "Like" section shows clearly what people think of this piece of shit. 

And as to the visuals? Why you had to go and recycle Lady Gaga's "big eyes" that she sported 3 years ago in bad romance? I was expecting so much better from you Nicki. Girl, bye!

New Video: Far East Movement - Jello feat. Rye Rye

Far East Movement are coming back soon with their forthcoming album Dirty Bass. Their first single is "Jello feat. Rye Rye".  I noisy club-banger with a heavy bass. So nothing new there, actually I'm not feeling this song. It's not as good as "Like a G6" and neither as good as "Girls on the Dance floor". 

Actually, the best part of the song is Rye Rye's rap. The video has some impersonators and Far East Movement crashing a party, so the usual theme. It's nothing special for them. Oh and by the way, don't confuse "Jello" for the delicious gelatin deserts. Jello equals to ass. Yeah, I know deep!

I wished they would have scratched this song, and went for "Make it bump feat. Koda Kumi". That would have made a nice video for sure. Instead we get, well...this.

Thoughts?

Meisa Kuroki reveals 2nd wave UNLOCKED snippets

Meisa just unveiled the second part of the song-snippets for her new album "Unlocked". I really have to say, I gave this girl another chance and she's actually improving. I don't know what happened but somehow her voice is not as cringe-worthy as it used to be and the general production of the tracks is good!

The second part of the snippets, contains: Breeze Out, LAST CODE, Happy to be me, PARADE, S.O.S., UPGRADE U! and Amaide Zeitakuna.

Take a listen here: Meisa Kuroki Official Facebook Page

Thoughts?

Music Video: Koda Kumi - So Nice (Full PV)

F*ck, I'm stuck at work, and I'm not friggin' able to watch Kumi's new video for "So Nice" that just leaked some minutes ago. But thanks to "Kumi-flash" who posted the Download link from "c-k-jpopmusic.tctf.fr" you people can go ahead and watch it.

I normally don't post Download links, but hey it's Kumi...it's fuckin' worth it.

Stay tuned, for my review once I've been able to watch it. Will somebody please upload this ish to Youtube already???

As Britney once said:

...I need "So nice" right now!!!

Here's the download link!

Edit: 5:05pm - and for the people who don't want to download here's a stream.

Edit 9:39 - Well, since it's almost impossible to find a good streaming video of "So nice" that you can actually an embed video, I'll just make it short this time.

Review: Overall I really have to say that I'm very impressed with the visuals for "So nice". Kumi looks stunning, beautiful, like the most beautiful Geisha to have graced the face of Japan. If I'd have to get me a hooker, please tell me where I can sign to get me Kumi. She was really making me question my sexuality. The kimonos were flawless, the hair was amazing and those fierce high-heels combined with the kimono, that's fashion-perfection. 

The song is as I already mentioned a mixture between "Under", "Amai Wana" and most notably "Candy". In fact Mr. Blistah is featuring, which makes sense because it's the exact same music direction as "Candy" was: an oriental, R&B banger with a heavy delicious bass to die for. 

Here I'm left...my body is simply not ready for so much fierceness. Roll over January 25th I think I can speak for everybody: 

We need Japonesque naaaaooohhhh!

Koda Kumi releases second wave of PV previews for JAPONESQUE

Koda Kumi is really not playing this time around, she means serious business and is coming for wigs. She just released the second portion of PV previews for her newest upcoming album "Japonesque".

Let me tell you they're so yummy!!!

She just went, and shamed all them K-Pop and J-Pop bitches, with a 30 seconds preview for "Lay Down". I can't remember the last time, I saw such high production values on a video clip, even more so coming from Koda Kumi. This era is shitting all over her previous work. I can see Ayumi holding on to her wig. I love me some Namie, but she left that woman bald. She just snatched C.L.'s and Minzy's wigs, so much swagger in such a short amount of time.

Lessers? Check your wigs at the counter. 

Kumi just blew the roof off.

Here's my second short review for all the released previews. More after the jump.