After igniting a relationship with INXS frontman Michael Hutchence in 1989, Kylie ditched her squeaky-clean girl next door image for a more mature, sexy look, which really wasn’t that big of surprise considering Michael’s first fist words to Kylie: “I don’t know what we should do first, have lunch or have sex.”

Hutchence committed suicide at the age of 37. He was found dead in Room 524 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Double Bay, Sydney on November 22, 1997. INXS is best known for the hit singles “New Sensation”, “Never Tear Us Apart”, “Devil Inside”, “Suicide Blonde”, and the No. 1 “Need You Tonight”. Never Tear US Apart: the untold story of INXS will be televised in early 2014 on the Seven Network in Australia. I doubt it will air in America, but luckily we have the internet around. Watch the trailer below.

I honestly think that “Venus” is the product of an artist losing touch with the public at large. But it could be an indication of something much worse: an artist that has become so self-involved and consumed with fame that they lack the ability to see what is going on in the outside world. I fear that Lady Gaga has, in fact, become a fame monster. Sure, her little monsters will eat this up, but I don’t think this will have an abiding impact on the rest of us. Gaga has shown glimmers of what it takes have a lasting impact on pop music (“Bad Romance,” “Just Dance”), but I am afraid her more recent work will only tarnish what she has already achieved.

Any way you look at it, “Venus” is another insubstantial miss. All-in-all, it’s a novelty song without much novelty. Hopefully, “Venus” will be the worst thing Artpop has to offer, but I fear it isn’t. “Venus” is yet another weak introduction to Artpop.

★★

Saturated in shimmering synths, “Full Moon” is the kind of song musical dreams are made of. Harmonious sounds bend, shimmer, swirl and echo off one another giving the song a delightful hazy feeling. The Mansions on the Moon and Sunny Norway produced song features a slow hypnotic beat and a fantastic vocal performance from lead-singer Ted Wendler that sounds almost like a whispering confessional. Over the course of four glorious minutes, the track quietly builds and transforms into a cresting wave of sonic euphoria. I can’t think of a single reason why anyone wouldn’t want this gem in their music library. It’s just so, so good. You can download the Full Moon EP over on Bandcamp.

★★★★★

Two years after inking a record deal with Epic Records, Campbell, who was at the time was taking home around $10,000 a day for strutting down the catwalk, decided it was time to get to work on that pop album she had been thinking about. In the spring of  1994, Campbell began recording her first and only album, Babywoman (stylized as babywoman). For the album, named after designer Rifat Ozbek’s nickname for her, the wannabe pop-star roped in a who’s who of hit-makers, including Bruce Roberts (Cher, Donna Summer), British electronic music producer Tim Simenon (Depeche Mode, Massive Attack), American hip-hop act P.M. Dawn, Irish singer-songwriter Gavin Friday and Killing Joke bassist Martin Glover, better known as Youth.

Unfortunately, Naomi had little interest in putting forth the effort it takes to make a solid pop album. “I love Naomi, and she really can sing,” producer Bruce Roberts revealed in an interview. “It’s always difficult with a first record. What a person has to learn is how involved they need to be in each aspect of the recording process.”

When Babywoman was released in the UK in 1994, it was met with extremely poor reviews, and the general public had little interest in giving it a chance. The album did find a more receptive audience in Japan, and went on to sell around one millions copies. The poor response didn’t really bother Naomi, “I achieved a goal I set out for myself. Of course the first album is a risk,” she explained at the time. The lead single from the LP, “Love & Tears”, is actually a nice enough song. Babywoman isn’t available on iTunes, but you can find it over on The Isle of Deserted Pop Stars.

Set over gritty, dirty beat, “I Found Her,” Ida’s brand new single, is another shining example of her deep understanding of pop music and what it takes to make a unique, memorable song. Sonically, the track is propelled by  a consistent rhythmic melody and an unforgettable hook. Don’t let “I Found Her” fool you though, there’s a positive message just below the slick production. It’s a song about finding yourself and accepting all sides of who you are. It’s something we all hope to fully grasp one day: true happiness comes from within. “Taking my doubts to the graveyard, hoping that nobody will find them. I found her hiding in my heartache,” she sings. “I’m so glad I found her.” Both atmospheric and poetic, “I Found Her” is a journey well worth taking.

“I Found Her” is taken from Ida Corr’s forthcoming album, Corr Values, which drops worldwide on October 28th by Lifted House. “I Found Her” is out now on iTunes.

★★★★½

Hutchcraft also says that they are keeping their options open in terms of the musical direction they are heading. “We’ve started writing songs, but there’s a variety of paths that we can go down. We always try to make an album that covers all points of interest and I think that we’re developing.”

Adding: “Doing these two records and pushing it to the extreme in a pop sense with a song like ‘Stay’ and then turning around and doing the opposite, we now know the boundaries in which we exist. It’s definitely not going to be a long a wait this time, we want to keep working.”

It also appears we won’t be waiting another 2+ years for their next record. “The gap between albums last time was two and a half years, which was because we got swept up in it and had no time, but now we’re constantly making music and new things for the next record.”

I adore their 2010 debut album, Happiness, but I was more than a little disappointed with the follow-up, Exile. I am holding out hope that they will return to the synthpop sound that fits them so well.

I haven’t sat down to write you guys in SUCH a long time. Long overdue! We’re all so used to getting our thoughts out in 140 characters, but sometimes its nice to take time to sit down and write something a little longer and more personal. I am putting the finishing touches on my new album, “Britney Jean” over the next few days and I am so excited for you to hear it. I poured my heart and soul into this album and it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve learned a lot about myself, and as I am finishing, I am reminded of the incredible foundation that has supported me for the last 15 years. Thank you all for continuing to follow me on this journey and for allowing me to do what I love to do. I can’t believe this is my eighth studio album and I know I keep telling you that it is my most personal record yet, but its true and I’m really proud of that.

I have been through a lot in the past few years and it has really inspired me to dig deeper and write songs that I think everyone can relate to. Working with people like Sia, William Orbit, and of course Will.i.am has been an amazing experience. They have listened to all of my ideas and helped me bring them to life. There are a lot of really fun, upbeat dance songs, but it was important to me that I show my strength, and my attitude, and my vulnerability. Of course, I also have some surprises for you guys

I want to show you the different sides of Britney Spears. I am a performer. I am a Mom. I am funny. I am your friend! I am Britney Jean.

Hope you love my labor of love!

Love Always,

Britney

As I mentioned a few days ago, Britney Jean, which finds Brit Brit co-writing every track, features contributions from Sia, will.i.am, William Orbit, Naughty Boy and Danja.

“NYC” is an electro kissed pop tune that has quickly become one of my favorite Dido tracks. “NYC” sounds almost revolutionary with its retro dance feel. It’s a dark and moody revolution, but one I would gladly join. In a world where everyone is trying to create the next big sound, it’s refreshing to hear a song that looks back at days gone by for inspiration. This is Dido at her best. At this point though, pop radio has clearly demonstrated no interest in Dido’s more recent music, which is too bad for pop radio and its listeners. Dido clearly still has a lot to offer.

★★★★½