Album Review: "Sound of a Woman" by Kiesza

Sound of a Woman, by Canadian dancer, singer-songwriter Kiesza, pushes the debut star to become a signature electronic-dance act. The set is respectable, laden with hook-heavy tunes, as worldwide smash "Hideaway," though the twenty-five-year-old newcomer seems caught between commercial pop success and what she may deem as scholarly presentation.

There certainly is a 90's feel to Sound of a Woman. The production recalls deep house of the era, such as Haddaway's "What Is Love," which is actually covered on the album, but as a hauntingly beautiful ballad, with Kiesza's performance highlighting the intention of the lyrics through the backed-off production. When the album isn't holding to its house influence, it takes hold of Kiesza's jazz expertise to ride into the realm of 90's R&B, recalling Madonna's R&B flirt Bedtime Stories, though Madonna's effort holds more true to a dance-pop root than this release.

The entire album comes with good production, vocals, and songs. However, it's hard to hand out strengths to the set when its sound isn't unified. We begin with heavily dance-influenced "Hideaway" and "No Enemiez" but then veer into R&B land, only revisiting the deep house near the end of the set. Versatility is good on an album, but it sounds like we are listening to tracks that belong on two separate releases. Since the album's more danceable tracks have been released as singles for its promotion, it appears Kiesza is attempting to market as an electronic artist, in which case, the album would benefit from a full ride in that genre. Instead, its R&B, which is most of the album, backs too far from its dance tracks. That said, what is on the album is nothing to sneer at.

Kiesza's talent is definitely a highlight surrounding this album. She isn't shy to show off her range and clear vocals, and she certainly doesn't hold back her dance ability in her music videos. She is a trained professional and intends to use her talent to get where she wants to go. The biggest drawback to this, though, is that she is all skill. There is little here with actual personality, despite having written all the songs herself.

Standout tracks include worldwide dance hit "Hideaway," its sister follow-up "No Enemiez," and ballad cover "What Is Love."

Would I recommend it? If you're a fan of the defining sound of "Hideaway," you'll have to keep an open mind with this one. It's not exactly what you'd expect its parent album to sound like. Still, if you're a fan of female R&B, you might really take to the deeper selects of the release.

Kiesza definitely has potential within her. Hopefully, with future releases, she and her producers remember to allow each track its unique personality while not orbiting too far from a focused center.

I give Sound of a Woman 3 out of 5 stars.

Grammy Nomination Picks 2015

Ta-da! Here is my list for whom I think will be nominated for this year's Grammy Awards. The official nominee list will be released on the morning of December 5, with the Album of the Year nominees revealed that evening during the one-hour television special "A Very Grammy Christmas" at 9 - 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

In selecting, there were very few standouts, followed by a lot of above average choices, making narrowing them down fairly difficult. I put nominees in more categories than I have previously (34 categories this year).

NOTE: I am not a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and this list is in NO WAY official or reflective of their attitudes. Typically, there are five nominations in each category, but I've left some blank. Nomination eligibility period was October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014.

Record of the Year

"Dark Horse," Katy Perry, Juicy J; produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Cirkut

"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor; produced by Kevin Kadish

"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift; produced by Max Martin and Shellback

"Stay With Me," Sam Smith; produced by Jimmy Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice

"Happy," Pharrell Williams; produced by Pharrell Williams

"Reflektor," Arcade Fire; produced by James Murphy, Markus Dravs, and Arcade Fire


Album of the Year

Frozen Soundtrack, Various Artists

Beyonce, Beyonce

The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem

Reflektor, Arcade Fire

Platinum, Miranda Lambert


Song of the Year

"All About that Bass," Meghan Trainor; written by Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish

"Let It Go," Idina Menzel, Demi Lovato; written by Kristin Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

"Chandelier," Sia; written by Sia Furler and Jesse Shatkin

"The Monster," Eminem Featuring Rihanna; written by Marshall Mathers, Bryan Fryzel, Bebe Rexha, Aaron Kleinstub, M. Athanasiou, Robyn Fenty, and Jon Bellion

"Pretty Hurts," Beyonce; written by Joshua Coleman, Sia Furler, and Beyonce Knowles

Best New Artist

Iggy Azalea

American Authors

Meghan Trainor

Sam Smith

Aloe Blacc


Best Pop Solo Performance

"Happy," Pharrell Williams

"Stay With Me," Sam Smith

"Chandelier," Sia

"Birthday," Katy Perry

"Pretty Hurts," Beyonce

"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor


Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

"Love Runs Out," OneRepublic

"Bang Bang," Jessie J Featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj

"Love Never Felt So Good," Michael Jackson Featuring Justin Timberlake

"Do What U Want," Lady Gaga Featuring R. Kelly

"A Sky Full of Stars," Coldplay


Best Pop Album

In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith

ARTPOP, Lady Gaga

PRISM, Katy Perry

Ultraviolence, Lana Del Rey

1000 Forms of Fear, Sia


Best Traditional Pop Album

Cheek To Cheek, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

Partners, Barbra Streisand


Best Dance Recording

"Wasted Love" by Steve Angello Featuring Dougy

"Hideaway," Kiesza

"Grab Her," Disclosure

"Break Free," Ariana Grande Featuring Zedd

"Lay Me Down," Avicii


Best Dance/Electronic Album

Do It Again, Royskopp & Robyn

while(1<2), deadmau5

Trouble in Paradise, La Roux

True, Avicii

Best Rock Performance

"Magic," Coldplay

"Warriors," Imagine Dragons

"Believer," American Authors

"Reflektor," Arcade Fire


Best Rock Song

"Reflektor," Arcade Fire; written by Arcade Fire


Best Rock Album

Ghost Stories, Coldplay

Reflektor, Arcade Fire

Turn Blue, The Black Keys

Lazaretto, Jack White

Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers


Best R&B Performance

"Partition," Beyonce


Best Traditional R&B Performance

"All of Me," John Legend

Best R&B Song

"All of Me," John Legend; written by John Stephens and Toby Gad


Best R&B Album

Love, Marriage & Divorce, Toni Braxton & Babyface


Best Contemporary Urban Album

Beyonce, Beyonce

Trigga, Trey Songz


Best Rap Performance

"Rap God," Eminem

"White Walls," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring ScHoolboy Q and Hollis


Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

"The Monster," Eminem Featuring Rihanna

"Fancy," Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX

"Drunk In Love," Beyonce Featuring Jay-Z

"Dark Horse," Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J

Best Rap Song

"The Monster," Eminem; written by Marshall Mathers, Bryan Fryzel, Bebe Rexha, Aaron Kleinstub, M. Athanasiou, Robyn Fenty, and Jon Bellion

"Rap God," Eminem; written by Marshall Mathers, Bigram Zayas, Matthew Delgiorno, Stephen Hacker, Douglas Davis, Richard Walters, Dania Birks, Juana Burns, Juanita Lee, Fatima Shaheed, and Kim Nazel

"Pills N Potions," Nicki Minaj; written by Onika Maraj, Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter, and Ester Dean


Best Rap Album

The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem

The New Classic, Iggy Azalea

Mastermind, Rick Ross


Best Country Solo Performance

"Automatic," Miranda Lambert

"Something in the Water," Carrie Underwood

"That Girl," Jennifer Nettles

"Invisible," Hunter Hayes

"Shotgun Rider," Tim McGraw



Best Country Duo/Group Performance

"Somethin' Bad," Miranda Lambert Featuring Carrie Underwood

"Rewind," Rascal Flatts

"Meanwhile Back at Mama's," Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill

"Sweet Annie," Zac Brown Band


Best Country Song

"Automatic," Miranda Lambert; written by Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, and Miranda Lambert

"Something in the Water," Carrie Underwood; written by Chris DeStefano, Brett James, and Carrie Underwood

"Invisible," Hunter Hayes; written by Hunter Hayes, Bonnie Baker, and Katrina Elam

"Meanwhile Back at Mama's," Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill; written by Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, and Jeffrey Steele

"I Hold On," Dierks Bentley; written by Brett James and Dierks Bentley


Best Country Album

Platinum, Miranda Lambert

Out Among the Stars, Johnny Cash

Everlasting, Martina McBride

Storyline, Hunter Hayes

Sundown Heaven Town, Tim McGraw



Best Gospel Album

Anomaly, Lecrae


Best Comedy Album

Mandatory Fun, "Weird Al" Yankovic

Obsessed, Jim Gaffigan

Best Musical Theater Album

If/Then

Aladdin

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

The Bridges of Madison County

Beautiful: The Carol King Musical


Best Song Written for Visual Media

"Let It Go," from Frozen; written by Kristin Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

"Ordinary Love," from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom; lyrics by Bono; music by U2 and Danger Mouse


Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Visual Media

Frozen (Deluxe Edition), Various Artists


Best Recording Package

Turn Blue, The Black Keys

Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Beyonce, Beyonce

Best Remixed Recording

"Waves" (Robin Schulz Radio Edit)," Mr Probz

"Baby, Baby (Dave Aude Radio Edit)," Amy Grant


Best Music Video

"The Writing's On The Wall," OK Go

"Pretty Hurts," Beyonce

24 Hours of "Happy", Pharrell Williams

"Chandelier," Sia

Lately Listening: Deadmau5 x Alexis x Kylie

Nearly a year ago, I discovered Alexis Jordan's debut single "Happiness" from 2010 and was swept away by its techno (and sweet lyrics). The music video for the America's Got Talent contestant's track has been compared to the vid of "Can't Get You Outta My Head" by my personal favorite Kylie Minogue.

Interestingly, I recently found the unreleased track "Change Your Mind" from the bubbly Aussie pop princess's (2010) Aphrodite sessions that uses the same backing techno as Alexis's "Happiness." And with research, I found that backing track to be none other than Deadmau5's "Brazil (2nd Edit)" from Random Album Title (2008).

I know pop artist's do this a lot -- sampling, borrowing, and nodding to one another -- but it reminded me of the following year when Avicii's delightful "Penguin" was used as the basis for Leona Lewis's "Collide" and Avicii's own "Fade Into Darkness" (featuring Andreas Moe on vocals).

Anyway, Deadmau5's composition is gorgeous and dreamy and is only augmented by the beautiful vocal melodies and lyrics the two pop stars graced across it. They are a beautiful listen. Check them out! If hearing one of their songs isn't enough, there are always mashups of all three artists together: Deadmau5 meets Alexis meets Kylie.

3/20 Chart Highlights: Soko's viral hit debuts in Top 10; Frozen soundtrack reaches 1 million sales in 2014

Soko

French actress and singer Soko garnered high attention from her viral video "First Kiss," in which strangers are asked to kiss and features her track "We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow," leading the song to debut at #9 on the Hot 100. Soko's hit also ranks in at #1 on Streaming Songs, attributing to her earning the first top 10 debut of the year. The first 6 Hot 100 spots remain stale with no movement, while OneRepublic's "Counting Stars" and Beyoncé's "Drunk in Love" switch positions. Aloe Blacc's "The Man" also enters the top 10.

HOT 100 top 10
1. Pharrell Williams                                     "Happy"
2. Katy Perry featuring Juicy J               "Dark Horse"
3. John Legend                                               "All of Me"
4. Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz        "Talk Dirty"
5. Bastille                                                          "Pompeii"
6. Lorde                                                             "Team"
7. OneRepublic                                               "Counting Stars"
8. Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z                        "Drunk in Love"
9. Soko                                                                "We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow"
10. Aloe Blacc                                                  "The Man"

The soundtrack to Disney's Frozen claimed the top spot on album sales for a sixth nonconsecutive week, as it becomes the first album to shift more than a million units in 2014. Half of the other top 10 albums were debuts: Luke Bryan's Spring Break 6 ...Like We Ain't Ever EP (#2), Aloe Blacc's Lift Your Spirits (#4), 311's Stereolithic (#6), Young Money's Rise of an Empire (#7), and Sara Evans' Slow Me Down (#9).

BILLBOARD 200 top 10
1. Soundtrack                          Frozen
2. Luke Bryan                          Spring Break 6 ...Like We Ain't                                                                  Ever EP
3. Rick Ross                              Mastermind
4. Aloe Blacc                            Lift Your Spirits
5. Pharrell Williams              G I R L
6. 311                                          Stereolithic
7. Young Money                    Rise of an Empire
8. Lorde                                     Pure Heroine
9. Sara Evans                           Slow Me Down
10. Eric Church                      The Outsiders

Kylie's vid goes "Into the Blue" but safely

Kylie Minogue released her music video for lead single "Into the Blue" a month and a half ago, and now, we are merely a day away from Kiss Me Once dropping. So, if you haven't seen this video or heard this uplifting song, rev up by giving it a shot.

Generally, the vid plays it safe and comes off as a generic video, especially for a empowering song that seems to have enough meaning behind it that images of people breaking through the ordinary or stifling come to mind at first listen. However, what we are given are beautiful segments of Kylie rolling in bed and flirting with a man who later chases her down to apparently make up with her: generic.

Costuming is pretty good throughout, but a gold dress Kylie wears in a party scene is given a rich texture that nearly ages the ever-girlish pop star. Otherwise, it actually is a killer outfit. The rich gold is also touched on other set pieces.

My only other notable observation about the music video is that the man who plays her onscreen romance makes small acting choices and seems to always take Kylie's lead in their scenes together (perhaps, he is intimidated and star-struck to be featured with the enduring Ms. Minogue). The song appears to be telling more his story than hers, as he goes 'into the blue' by finally taking the risk of initiative to chase Kylie to win her back. Perhaps, it is for his subtlety that he was chosen for this part -- to make his move to chase her more significant.

In all, though, the video is sexy, and the 45-year-old Kylie is still gorgeous in the accompaniment to the anthemic song. Plenty of beautiful pictures are made to appreciate a view.

Album Review: Sharon Corr goes classy 60's for "The Same Sun"

Andrea isn't the only Corr sister to revisit past favorites for a second solo release (see her 2011 covers album Lifelines). Sharon Corr takes on a classy 60's vibe for her latest album The Same Sun, which is gradually being released in different territories since its initial premiere in September of last year. The sophomore effort was only recently made available in the U.S. The nostalgic sound of the album is a welcome and fitting move for the former The Voice of Ireland coach, known for her classy and romantic persona.

From the very first seconds, the throwback direction is unmistakably spot on and continues as a strength to the album. Sharon's airy vocals play as a perfect token to that theme, as do the poetic lyrics, as they express images of romance, beaches, new realizations, time, and life changes. Indeed, the lyrics are a highlight of the album (Sharon takes complete songwriting credit on this outing, with only Mitchell Froom lending co-writing on "Take a Minute.") As a whole, the album actually seems reminiscent of a romantic film soundtrack.

However, the album suffers with a few of the slow songs near the end of the record when the production is stripped down and moves away from the lush 60's sound, which is a real pity when the majority of the album is thoroughly delightful and re-playable. This is not to say the songs aren't good, nor could they not match the rest of the album's concept. It would just take some work back at the drawing board to get them par with the rest of the album. As they are now, it is like we are hearing an unfinished product. Even, their current production works but not for this LP's concept. If it weren't for this shortcoming, the entire set would be a complete knockout, especially since we are not hearing new music revisit this sound.

Despite its occasional sound strip, The Same Sun really takes off and is alive through its 60's throwback. The album's rich sound is a solid return for the always classy Sharon Corr.

Standout Tracks include catching lead single "Take a Minute," truthful "We Could Be Lovers," call to full-conscious living "Full Circle," and sensually playful and lightly breezy "The Runaround."

Would I recommend it? Obviously, any Corrs fan would enjoy this set to tide them over in the absence of all The Corrs. There is plenty of original Corrs vibe here. Also, fans of easy-listening may take to the album, especially if they have 60's leanings.

I give The Same Sun 3 ½ out of 5 stars.

3/13 Chart Highlights: Oscars hop "Let It Go" into Top 10; Rick Ross, Pharrell, Lea Michelle debut big

Pharrell Williams and Idina Menzel benefit from raved performances at the Oscars on March 2, as the first full week of tallies following the Oscars feeds into this week's Hot 100 rating. Pharrell holds his top spot on the chart for a third consecutive week with "Happy," while Idina sails 17-9 with Oscar-winning song "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen, knocking "Say Something" by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera out of the top 10. The position marks the Broadway star's first top 10 hit on the chart. All other top 10 songs stand still with John Legend's "All of Me" and Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" swapping spots.

HOT 100 top 10
1. Pharrell Williams                                "Happy"
2. Katy Perry featuring Juicy J          "Dark Horse"
3. John Legend                                         "All of Me"
4. Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz       "Talk Dirty"
5. Bastille                                                          "Pompeii"
6. Lorde                                                            "Team"
7. Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z                       "Drunk in Love"
8. OneRepublic                                              "Counting Stars"
9. Idina Menzel                                              "Let It Go"
10. Pitbull featuring Ke$ha                      "Timber"

Five albums debuted last week in the top 10, including Rick Ross's Mastermind, the rapper's fifth album to debut atop the Billboard 200. Coming in at #2 is Pharrell Williams' second album G I R L, which was released Monday, March 3, the day after the singer-rapper's Oscar performance, prompting all other major releases to follow suit by going on sale Monday rather than the trending Tuesday release. Glee-star Lea Michelle debuted her first solo album Louder at #4, while Eli Young Band debuted their fifth album 10,000 Towns at #5, a record-high chart and sales week for the country group. Lorde finds her way back into the top 10, ascending 11-7, while Ashanti rounds out at #10 with her new album Braveheart, which also features #1 position-taker Rick Ross.

BILLBOARD 200 top 10
1. Rick Ross                                  Mastermind
2. Pharrell Williams                  G I R L
3. Soundtrack                              Frozen
4. Lea Michelle                            Louder
5. Eli Young Band                       10,000 Towns
6. Beck                                            Morning Phase
7. Lorde                                         Pure Heroine
8. ScHoolboy Q                           Oxymoron
9. Eric Church                              The Outsiders
10. Ashanti                                   Braveheart

Album Review: Pharrell William's "G I R L"

Pharrell Williams' recent string of hits continues with the release of his first album in eight years, G I R L. The full-length effort has already debuted at #1 in the U.K. and is expected to chart well stateside. The studio release comes at a hot time in Pharrell's career, following an incredibly successful year of collaborations with Robin Thicke and Daft Punk and his work on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack. An album seems a logical thing to do in this productive flow of creativity -- and it is sure to be a profitable choice.

The name GIRL comes from many meanings. He loves his women (or woman, I should say). How do you know? He tells you -- plenty of times in this record. The entire album is a praise of the female but not in the objectifying way of most male artists with a hip hop background. He respects women. He's sensitive, and in a way, that brings the girl out of him to even consult, "Dear diary," as in track "Marilyn Monroe," and to "go inward to experience the outer space," like in "Lost Queen" hidden track "Freq."

Still, Pharrell likes his sex, admitting, "Half of me is good, the other half nasty," ("Lost Queen") and, boy -- er, girl -- does he get nasty in "Come Get It Bae" and especially in "Gush," which beginning recalled parts of Dannii Minogue's "Push" for me in the oozing of the word. And through it all, he tries to maintain respect and treat her well, citing, "I could be the guy to treat you/ to a nice movie, feed you/ But I don't wanna mislead you/ Tonight I think I wanna be dirty, girl/ ...My momma didn't raise me that way."

Pharrell wrote and produced all tracks on this record, save "Marilyn Monroe," which credits Ann-Marie Calhoun as a co-writer. However, much of the funk sound appears similar to works by Justin Timberlake, but why shouldn't it when Pharrell co-wrote and -produced several tracks on Justin's first album? Justin even is featured in "Brand New." Alicia Keys comes in on "Know Who You Are," while Kelly Osbourne, Timbaland, Miley Cyrus, Daft Punk, and JoJo are also featured in backgrounds through the album. Pharrell completely takes a break from rapping on this effort and even sings high enough to casually use his falsetto through much of the album, recalling another reference to the album's title.

As a whole, every song stays positive and pro-female. I wonder if he wrote some of these songs for female artists but changed them slightly to match himself. The album is united in its charming expression of Pharrell, but the catching, standout cuts are few.

Standout Tracks include opening, romance-confessional "Marilyn Monroe," breezy Timberlake-duet "Brand New," and feel-good song of the year "Happy."

Would I recommend it? What I really like about this album is that every song is expressed positively. There are no drowned-world, self-pity, or break-up cuts. At the same time, it feels substance-less. The pop moments are the highlights of this album, but if you get off on neo soul and funk in your R&B, you probably will really take to this album as a complete set.

I give G I R L 3 out of 5 stars.

Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" in Crunk Egypt

Released halfway through the single's run at #1 last month, the video for Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" has been met with controversy and praise -- more deserved praise than controversy, in my opinion, though controversy hardly hurts pop success.

The video sees Katy taking on the Cleopatra-inspired alter-ego Katy Pätra in ancient Memphis, Egypt, with modern influence from Memphis, Tennessee, a hail to featured rapper Juicy J's hometown. Katy welcomes suitors into her court but takes their gifts after disintegrating all of them.

The design of the video is ingenious, as well as accurate and well-researched in Egyptian and Cleopatra themes, according to scholars. The controversy rested on one suitor (who turns to dust at 1:15 in the vid) wearing a pendant with the Arabic word for "Allah." Some marked the fact that Katy destroys him as a sign of the pop star's opposition to God. A petition circled to have the video removed, leading to the pendant being digitally removed from the video.

Personally, I felt like the pendant was a brilliant move in the video's theme. It is common for gangsters to wear religious symbols around their neck, such as a cross, and to take it to an Egyptian theme, it makes sense for them to take on an Arabic symbol of Muslim deity. However, because art is interpretive (and some choose to interpret negatively; or perhaps, they miss the big picture), I feel the creators of the video handled the backlash well.

In any regard, the design is worth a look! It is sure to be an interest come music awards season -- or, at least, deserves to be.

       

'Tales of Us' by Goldfrapp review

Goldfrapp is known for their eclectic mix of genres, and though their most recent release Tales of Us takes on a more ambient feel similar to previous albums Felt Mountain and Seventh Tree, the record continues the never-ending mutation of the duo. In fact, it is their most gorgeous outing yet!

Tales of Us proves its name as every track illustrates a tale between the singer and the one-word name given as the song's title. Each song is lyrically poetic in their descriptions of the setting and emotions in the moment of each tale. While the lyrics steer from pop conformity, they are still grabbing with each verse being so vivid with detail you are nearly taken there, immersed in the moments of the scene.  The only piece without a common name is the track "Stranger," which expresses encountering a captivating stranger you may never see again.

The album relies heavily on soft guitar and piano and full orchestral sets with no need for apology. It is the perfect backing for Alison's breathy, near-haunting vocals and melodies that can only be described as beautiful. My only complaint in Alison's performance is that her fluid enunciation makes it sometimes difficult to understand what she is singing.

As a whole, Tales of Us is an undeniably gorgeous album with beautiful, calming melodies and immersing stories that will remain timeless in the Goldfrapp library.

Standout Tracks include lead single, sensory descriptive "Drew" with its breathtakingly beautiful guitar riff, pulsating "Thea," enlivening heartbreak "Clay," and "Annabel," in its expression of the fluid gender identity of a child.

Would I recommend it? I honestly have a hard time comparing it to anything. I don't know that I've heard much like it. It has folk leanings but is too rich and full to be compared to other folk outings. I would say that it throws together elements of orchestra, new age, electronica, alternative, indie, traditional, and lyrical. If you have had any inklings toward those feels, I would say that it is worth a listen.

I give Tales of Us 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

         

WARNING: This video contains male and female nudity (no frontal). However, I must say, the first time

I saw it I could not understand what she was saying, but I completely understood the point of the story

BECAUSE of the nudity. If you don't want to see the vid, at least listen to the song. It is all Gorgeous!

Pharrell's 24 Hours of "Happy" Video

Pharrell William's "Happy" is spending its second week at #1, but have you seen its 24 hour music video? The online project claims to be the first long-form music video of its kind and consists of 4-minute uncut video segments of people dancing and jamming to the song. What time of day you log on determines what segment you'll get, though it allows you to select the time of day you wish to see or to jump to the next or previous portions. The website was added with the release of the single on November 21, 2013.

Several of those featured are obviously dancers, but a wide selection of people were chosen, including children and the minions from Despicable Me 2, which soundtrack featured the song. We follow these individuals through different parts of Los Angeles, such as sidewalks, a school bus, a church, a grocery store, Union Station, etc. Segments are divided by hidden cuts and are candid, with honest reactions from bystanders who sometimes decide to join in the fun.

A few celebrities are sighted in the video, including Whit Hertford (1:04 a.m.), Kelly Osbourne (1:28 a.m.), Magic Johnson (5:36 a.m.), Urijah Faber (8:36 a.m.), Sérgio Mendes (10:32 a.m.), Jimmy Kimmel (11:48 a.m.), Odd Future (1:48 p.m.), Steve Carell (5:08 p.m.), Jamie Foxx (5:28 p.m.), Ana Ortiz (5:32 p.m.), Miranda Cosgrove (5:40 p.m.), and Tyler, The Creator, and JoJo (6:16 p.m.). Pharrell appears every hour, on the hour.

The decision to make a 24 hour video for this song, in particular, is genius! It is my opinion that a good music video (or remix) adds to or reinterprets the meaning of the song, and this vid does just that. I thought the idea of a 24 hour video was cool, but it wasn't until I saw the segments of grocery shopping -- people doing what people need to do -- that I understood the intention behind it that no matter what time of day it is, no matter what you have to do in life, you can be happy -- you can choose to be happy and make life happy. Don't let things bring you down. Isn't happiness the point of life and everything we do? If not, then why are we striving for anything? Living mundane, or below par, will not save us. "Happiness is the truth," and we shouldn't let barriers get in our way of obtaining that. In all, the joyful video succeeds to bring out the "Happy."

The lengthy vid was edited down to create the official video, of course. The Oscar-nominated "Happy" acts as lead single to Pharrell's new album G I R L, released Monday, March 3.

See what's going on at your time of day and get some "Happy" at 24hoursofhappy.com.

3/6 Chart Highlights: Pharrell remains "Happy" on Hot 100; ScHoolboy Q debuts album on top

Pharrell Williams' "Happy" remains atop the Hot 100 this week and moves into the #1 slot on Radio Songs. "Happy" took over the Hot 100 top spot last week from Katy Perry's "Dark Horse," which had ascended to #1 for four weeks following the release of its music video. Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" and John Legend's "All of Me" also hold their places in the top 4, respectively. The piano ballad "All of Me" marks Legend's first notch in the top 10. The other top 10 songs shuffle their positions, allowing no new entries.

HOT 100 top 10
1. Pharrell Williams                                           "Happy"
2. Katy Perry featuring Juicy J                     "Dark Horse"
3. Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz              "Talk Dirty"
4. John Legend                                                     "All of Me"
5. Bastille                                                                 "Pompeii"
6. Lorde                                                                   "Team"
7. Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z                              "Drunk on Love"
8. OneRepublic                                                      "Counting Stars"
9. A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera  "Say Something"
10. Pitbull featuring Ke$ha                               "Timber"

ScHoolboy Q debuts his first major-label release Oxymoron at #1 on the Billboard 200, knocking the Frozen soundtrack out of the top spot. Frozen is now a double-Oscar winner, taking home the awards for Best Animated Feature and Original Song for "Let It Go" on Sunday. This is the soundtrack's ninth straight week in the top 2 positions. Slots 3 through 6 and 8 are held by debuts, including Kid Cudi's Satellite Flight, which was only available as a full-album release until March 3. Long-runners to fall out of the top 10 include Lorde's Pure Heroine, Katy Perry's PRISM, and Bruno Mars' Unorthodox Jukebox.

BILLBOARD 200 top 10
1. ScHoolboy Q             Oxymoron
2. Soundtrack               Frozen
3. Beck                             Morning Phase
4. Kid Cudi                     Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother                                                 Moon
5. Romeo Santos         Formula Vol. 2
6. Dierks Bentley        Riser
7. Eric Church             The Outsiders
8. The Fray                   Helios
9. Various Artists      Now 49
10. Beyoncé                 Beyoncé

Kylie Minogue releases "Kiss Me Once" samples

The Kylie wait is nearing its end, as a week and a half ago Ms. Minogue uploaded a single Youtube video containing track samples from her upcoming album Kiss Me Once. The samples release comes a month before her album hits shelves. Kiss Me Once is Kylie's first studio release since Aphrodite in July 2010, though she still maintained a busy schedule touring and promoting K25 in 2012 to mark her twenty-five years in the music industry, which saw the release of compilation albums The Best of Kylie Minogue and The Abbey Road Sessions and single "Timebomb."

The sample has even caught the attention of other pop musicians, such as former Savage Garden frontman and fellow Aussie Darren Hayes, who tweeted his two cents:

On first listen - pop perfection. RT @kylieminogue: Today you can hear clips of every song from #KissMeOnce! http://t.co/B564rsDFgD
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes), February 17, 2014

And you can't say Darren is far off! The album opens with upbeat, inspirational lead single "Into the Blue" and takes off from there into what Kylie is famous for -- pop euphoria. The Pharrell-penned and -produced third track "I was Gonna Cancel" is striking with its very Pharrell signature sound, recalling Madonna's Hard Candy-era. Another famous songwriter who leaves her mark is another Aussie Sia, made famous in the U.S. with her David Guetta track "Titanium." Sia co-wrote the album's title song and "Sexercise."

King of Dance Enrique Iglesias also adds to the mix with co-writing his Kylie duet "Beautiful," the most down-tempo song on the album. "Beautiful" is slated to appear on deluxe and international versions of Enrique's album Sex + Love, which is set to release worldwide March 18, same day as Kiss Me Once in the U.S. Kylie lends her writing to the co-written final track "Fine." Personally, Kylie-penned tracks tend to be my favorite lyrics from her albums -- I connect with them the most -- and from what can be heard from "Fine," it may be no different for this album.

The album samples sound catchy, as well as sexy with titles as "Les Sex," "Sexercise," and "Sexy Love." It feels like almost torture for hardcore fans to have to wait a whole month to experience it in whole, but with album credits this promising, it will definitely be worth the wait.