Rihanna ft. Drake, "What's My Name"

Another track has leaked from Rihanna's upcoming studio album, LOUD. This track is called "What's My Name" and features Drake with a verse at the lead-in of the song.

 It is slated to be the second single off of the album, following "Only Girl" and apparently Rihanna has already shot a video for this song. It was produced by Stargate, who also produced "Rude Boy," so it has that Caribbean sound to it. I am personally a big fan of the track! Drake and Rihanna make an electrifying combination. I love Rihanna's signature style of repeating phenomes that aren't actual words. It doesn't make sense, but all I know is that it feels good! Oh na na!

Download "What's My Name" Here

Ke$ha, "We R Who We R"

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week or so! I was sick and then had a killer biochem midterm! But some awesome music came out in that week and I can't wait to share it all with you!!

First up is the new single from Ke$ha!

Ke$ha was first heard on the chorus of Flo Rida's number 1 single "Right Round." She chose to not be formally credited for the part because she wanted to pave her own way as a musician and I had no idea how well she would do that! Her first single "Tik Tok" stayed at number 1 for weeks and even kept Lady GaGa's "Bad Romance" from hitting #1! I'm kind of salty about this last fact, but I'll let it slide. Her subsequent singles from her debut album Animal included hits like "Blah Blah Blah," "Your Love is My Drug," and "Take It Off."

I have been waiting for news of her second studio album for some time now and the time has finally come (sort of). Ke$ha will release an EP (extended play) titled Cannibal which will be available alone as well as in a deluxe package with Animal. The first single is titled "We R Who We R" and is fabulously dancy, trashy, and catchy-- everything I want from Ke$ha. I am very satisfied!!

Listen HERE                                       Download HERE!

Artist Spotlight: Beirut

Sorry I haven't blogged in the past couple of days. I've been trying to get over a nasty cold that has left me with no energy. But being a college student, I don't have time to stop and recuperate so something had to wait. Because I've been sick lately, I've been favoring slow music as of late, namely Beirut.

Beirut is an indie band whose music contains beautiful melodies demonstrated by accordions, ukuleles, and various horns. They haven't put out new material in a few years, but the material they have put out sounds nothing like my pop divas. Beirut's music is timeless.

If you're searching for a new indie, chill band, I highly suggest Beirut.

Here is my one of my favorite tracks by Beirut. I love the home movie music video that incorporates modern shots of the singer with old home movies of seemingly Italian Americans. It reminds me of some old home movies I've seen of my Italian grandparents when they were younger. The warm colors of the video reflect a warm feeling on the inside, which is just what I need to lift my spirits when I have a cold.

The video for Beirut: "Postcards from Italy"

 File uploaded by me (Alex), safe to download!

Download "Postcards from Italy" Here

Katy Perry song, "Peacock"

Time for a change of pace from my foursome of girls. Let's talk about Katy Perry, who is very hot right now.

I was never really a huge Katy Perry fan. I mean I liked, "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot 'N Cold" but with her new album, I've really started to like her. Though I don't think "California Gurls" or "Teenage Dream" are exactly timeless classics, they are catchy and easily listenable. Both of these latter two singles have hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and I was hoping that Perry would pick another song I heard titled "Peacock" as her third single. Apparently she has already shot a video for a single titled "Firework" but I'm still listening to "Peacock." Maybe it'll be the fourth single...

I love this song for its cheerleader-esque beat, reminiscent of that 80's song "Mickey"or Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" as well as its clever lyrics. The song can get repetitive if listened to on repeat and my boyfriend has deemed it one of his most disliked songs (behind anything by Nicki Minaj). But a few times a week, I can definitely walk to class listening to this gem. And I obviously love the line of the breakdown where Katy claims that her partner's penis is so incredible that it caused her to shed a tear.

"I wanna see your peacock-cock-cock."

"Oh my god, no exaggeration...

Boy all this time was worth the waiting...

I just shed a tear... I am so unprepared...

You've got the finest architecture...

End of a rainbow-looking treasure...

Such a sight to see... and its all for me..."

Listen Here                 Download "Peacock" Here

Rihanna's 5th Studio Album, LOUD

Rihanna's new studio album Loud is due out November 12, 2010 and it's another album that I am personally anticipating eagerly!

Her last album, Rated R, was released less than a year ago but its no surprise that Rihanna has already cranked out another album. Rated R was less of a commercial hit than her previous album, Good Girl Gone Bad, which gave rise to the worldwide #1 hit "Umbrella."(SN: "Umbrella" is my #1 Most Played Song on my personal iTunes, with 359 plays.) Rated R definitely had a darker feel, and while I loved "Rude Boy," the album was a disappointment as a whole for me. But now it seems Rihanna has put her dark past with Chris Brown behind her and is back to making uptempo dance music. Thank God!

The first single off the album, "Only Girl (in the World)," is a great track with stunning vocals, but it does lack a little instrumental sparkle. There's a download link and listen link in my post from Tuesday. The second single off the album was originally rumored to be a track titled, "Cheers," which is described as a club banger centered around a line from Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You." Those who have reviewed the song have claimed it is catchy and will most likely be a later single off the album. The new second single is confirmed to be "What's My Name," for which she has already shot a music video. I can't wait to hear this new track. Personal videos of her shooting the video have surfaced, but it's hard to make a judgement based on background music, so the verdict is still out there.

LOUD album cover

I LOVE this album cover! I think RiRi is absolutely gorgeous and I'm one of the few who seems to like her long crimson hair! The simplistic, impressive, colorful album cover is hopefully how the album will sound-- filled with fun, colorful beats!

So until the "Only Girl" video surfaces or the album itself is released, my own personal Rihanna appetite has been satisfied by another new track from Rihanna titled "Who's That Chick." A video for the song has surfaced, but Rihanna tweeted that the song was not affiliated with LOUD, and will simply be used in a Doritos commercial. This is unfortunate to me because this track, produced by the hot producer of today, David Guetta, has an incredible beat with catchy lyrics highlighted by Rihanna's unique voice, which I LOVE!

Here's hoping LOUD is as good as "Only Girl" and "Who's That Chick" RiRi! Time to put you back on top, alongside GaGa, Bey, and Brit of course!

-Alex
(Rihanna: Who's That Chick)

Watch the colorful, flirty fun video for "Who's That Chick" below. I love listening to this song on the way to class!

Download "Who's That Chick" Here