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.