I just wanted to briefly go over some of the songs that I downloaded from iTunes this past Tuesday. First up....new music from Natasha Bedingfield. Wow. This came as a pleasant surprise! We knew that she was working on new material but I didn't expect a release so soon! I also didn't expect something so...dance-pop. I think it's a great song. I love it! I'm still waiting to hear if this is her OFFICIAL first single or if it's a promotional release before the first single drops. Either way, I love this song and it has me realizing just how much I've missed Bedingfield on the radio. On a completely unrelated note...where is Daniel Bedingfield? I wouldn't mind hearing from him again either.
**UPDATE** According to a new blog from Bedingfield, "Touch" is NOT a single, but a "fabulous teaser" from the new album. The song was produced by Julian Bunetta.
New artist Travis Garland released his debut single, the Danja-produced "Believe" this week. Touted as the latest "Perez Hilton-protege," Hilton used his pull with American Idol-producer Simon Fuller to get Garland a performance spot on the second to last episode of American Idol this season. Wow. I got to hand it to Perez, who knew he had that much influence in the music industry? While I still (mostly) despise Hilton, especially after he basically drove one of my FAVORITE artists, Sia into retirement, (Sia, by the way has recently gone on record to clarify those 'retirement' statements) he clearly has the attention of the music big wigs over on Idol.
While Hilton's "better than Justin Timberlake" comment was a bit of an overstatement, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the young singer's overall performance and voice. While Hilton may have "re-discovered" the singer, I don't like how he's taking credit for finding the artist. Garland was part of a short-lived boy band called NLT (Not Like Them), the same group that gave Glee's Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) got his singing start. Chris Stokes of TUG Entertainment discovered the band and signed them to his label, which would have distributed their un-released debut album through Geffen/Interscope Records. Not sure what happened, but after releasing four singles and working with the likes of Timbaland and Ryan Tedder, the album's release was ultimately scrapped. At any rate, definitely check out Garland's performance on Idol when you can and download his debut single "Believe." His debut album is expected out via Interscope Records later this year.
Thank God for David Guetta! Well...thank God for Kelly Rowland really. Her new David Guetta-produced floor filler called "Commander" was digitally released this week. Marking Rowland's debut with Universal Motown Records, "Commander" is the first single off of her third, as-yet untitled album. It's also her first solo single to move in a decidedly NOT R&B direction. I guess she liked what she did with Guetta on "When Love Takes Over" and wanted to go in a dance floor direction. I, for one am all about it. The single entered the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart at #36, and I'm sure she'll climb to the top.
I'm not ENTIRELY sure why I purchased this single. I guess Miley Cyrus music is one of my guilty pleasures. In my defense, "Can't Be Tamed" is one of her most non-child-friendly pop songs to date. "Can't Be Tamed" is the title track and debut single off of Cyrus' new album, due out on June 22nd. I hope we get some remixes for this track. I'm all in favor of a raunchier version of Miley and let's be honest, anything is better than "The Climb."
**UPDATE** We can expect remixes from the Wideboys. Good start. Can't wait to hear these!