Jared Braden » pop music

Single Review: Ida Corr – “I Found Her”

Jared Braden — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 06:39:23 +0000

I’ve always thought Ida Corr was one of the most underrated pop singers of our day. Sure, the Danish vocalist has had several brushes with mainstream American radio, including the massive 2007 dance hit “Let Me Think About It” with Fedde le Grand, but she has so much more to offer. Corr has a fantastic voice, and her music is always light years ahead of what you’ll hear on current radio. So when she returns with something new, it’s always something to truly be excited about.

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

Single Review: Geri Halliwell – “Half of Me”

Jared Braden — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 20:58:25 +0000

I’ve always had quite a fondness for Geri Halliwell. I have loved absolutely every album she has released over her solo career. So needless to say, when I heard she was returning to the world of pop, I was ecstatic. What I really like about Geri is that she never seems takes herself too seriously, something that has always come across in her music.

With her new single “Half of Me”, the former Spice Girl is still proving to be as playful as ever. Is “Half of Me” lightweight radio fluff? Yes, of course it is. Is it good at being lightweight radio fluff? Again, yes. This is Ginger Spice we’re talking about. The template is generic pop love song, but there’s a royal sounding horn floating in and out of there, making it even more fun to listen to. “Half of Me” is indeed a fun song, and it’s more than enough to make me very happy that Geri Halliwell is back doing what she does best. “Half of Me” is out tomorrow exclusively in OZ. The rest of us will have to resort to more desperate measures to locate this gem.

★★★★★

Single Review: Texas – “Dry Your Eyes”

Jared Braden — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:21:44 +0000

Scottish pop band Texas is back with a new single titled “Dry Your Eyes.” The song is the third single to be plucked from their latest studio album, The Conversation.

“Dry Your Eyes” is the sort of single you would expect from the latest Texas album: safe, middle of the road pop. It has everything that adult contemporary music programmers are looking for, which is part of the problem. Featuring inoffensive, boring production coupled with an unsurprising story line, “Dry Your Eyes” offers up nothing new, exciting or unexpected. Not even Sharleen Spiteri’s fantastic vocal can save this song. Unfortunately, it is too weighed down by predictable lyrics and bland production to set itself apart for anything else out there. For the record, I have been a fan of Texas since their first single, so I am hoping for something more interesting next time around.

★★½

Single Review: Solomon – “Swim No More”

Jared Braden — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 04:12:44 +0000

If there ever was a song where pop sensibility perfectly mixes with raw emotion, here it is. With his new single, “Swim No More”, Solomon presents us with another pop gem that is highlighted by emotional lyrics and vibrant production. It’s honestly like nothing out there. Like the soft bird sounds that emerge in the chorus, simple touches give the song a unique sense of despondency. There’s a deeper, forbidding quality to “Swim No More” that drifts quietly behind its metaphors and slick production. With each listen, you can experience the song at another level.

With an almost voyeuristic intimacy, Solomon pulls back the curtains and allows us to walk in the shoes of someone who is finally ready to move on after constantly returning to an unhealthy relationship. What makes the song even more special is the fact that most of us can easily relate to the topic. When Solomon disconsolately declares, at the opening of the song’s chorus, “You only love me when I’m gone, call me every time I sail on,” it’s nothing short of extraordinary. It’s easy to believe every single word he sings because you can feel the passion his pours into every word.

It is rare to find an openly gay musician releasing music of this caliber. Thankfully, you won’t find the gimmicky dance beats or cliché lyrics that audaciously litter some pop songs of today. Don’t let anyone tell you we’re running out of young artists who make quality records. “Swim No More,” out October 15th, is more than an excellent pop song, it’ also serves as a testament to the ability of young artists to deliver fresh, exciting music. We just have to sit down and listen.

★★★★★

Single Review: Paris Hilton – “Good Time” Featuring Lil Wayne

Jared Braden — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 05:40:45 +0000

Take the most generic ~~EDM~~ dance anthem you can think of, remove any sense of originality that might be lurking around in some dark corner, and add the least talented vocalist you can think of and you’ll have the new single from Paris Hilton. Paris is back with a new Afrojack produced single titled “Good Time,” featuring Lil Wayne.

“Good Time” is all about letting loose and having a good time. Unfortunately for Paris, this isn’t a good time at all. It’s actually more of a miserable time. The song is filled to the brim with clichés we’ve heard a million times before about partying and getting tipsy. I might have gotten a little kick out of this when I was in high school, but I’ve grown up since then. Perhaps Paris should do the same. This is pop music in a post will.i.am world, I suppose. But there has to come a time when we say enough is enough. So let me go ahead and say it, “Enough.”

★

Lisa Stansfield Reveals New Album Tracklisting on Facebook

Jared Braden — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 16:57:25 +0000

Lisa Stansfield has posted the tracklisting for the follow-up to her 2004 album The Moment on Facebook. The album, which will be her 7th studio release, is pertinently titled Seven. As I mentioned a few days ago, Stansfield once again worked with her long-time songwriting partner and husband, Ian Devaney, on the record. No word on when the album will receive a release in the United States, but I will keep an eye out for that information. You can listen to the lead single from the LP here.

Tracklisting:

01. “Can’t Dance”
02. “Why”
03. “So Be It”
04. “Stupid Heart”
05. “The Crown”
06. “Picket Fence”
07. “The Rain”
08. “Conversation”
09. “Carry On”
10. “Love Can”

Deluxe Edition

11. “You Can’t Deny It (24/7)”
12. “Set Your Loving Free (Live)”
13. “Time To Make You Mine (Live)”
14. “Someday (Live)”

Jared Braden Podcast Episode One: Classic/Current

Jared Braden — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 02:25:22 +0000

I finally got around to making my first podcast for the site! For the first episode, I decided to go for a classic/current playlist. You’ll hear new and old music from Berlin, Boy George, Thelma Houston and more. I made a few mistakes, like getting the title of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” wrong, but I still hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane. Check it out below.