Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Song Of The Day: "Step It Up" by Bianca


With the death of one career comes the beginning of a new and probably more amazing one. Such is the case with Bianca, mononymous singer of song that knows her way around a song or two. Ms. Bianca used to be a member of all right girl group Parade, who were responsible for one okay song, one crap song, and one amazing song before calling it quits. Hopefully Mutya Keisha Siobhan doesn't follow that plan. Along with that, Bianca provided the backup vocals on future Christmas classic "One More Sleep" by the Goddess that is Leona Lewis.

Now, Bianca appears ready to go solo, working with some legendary writers (Girls Aloud was mentioned!!!!!) and what a DEBUT she has! "Step It Up" brings to mind the best of fellow mononymous artist Madonna while mixing in elements of Italo disco. As anyone knows, Italo disco is the best music genre for various reasons, one of which are those quick violin strings and audible lasers throughout the song. Seeing as how Ronika (mononym) and Bianca are both from Nottingham, it makes sense I suppose. If she can make an album of about 12 of these, Bianca's already got a Best of 20… album in the making!


Sunday, December 7, 2014

Future Smash Alert: Paloma Faith Takes It To The Gospel Dancefloor on "Changing" with Sigma



Paloma Faith is really something, isn't she? After working hard on three spectacular albums, traveling the world, adopting more personas and musical styles than popstars twice her age, Paloma is finally getting the international fame and recognition she deserves. Her certifiably fantastic single "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" has been her most successful solo song since her beginning in 2009, even going to number 1 in Australia for weeks! Furthermore, her album A Perfect Contradiction is one of the best selling of the year in Britain and has just been released in the US!

In a classic Q4 move, Paloma decided to team up with an up and coming act that already has a number one under their belt to finally skyrocket to the top. Sigma are a drum and bass group from England that know their way around making high NRG pop/dance music. For all the Kanye West fans out there, Sigma took the best part of the only good song on that ridiculous Yeezus thing and reworked it into a proper banger. All that's missing is James Franco and Seth Rogen on a motorcycle.


In a recent interview, Paloma said that she's not big on the whole feature thing but heard Sigma's production on Ella Eyre-written single "Changing" before agreeing to allow her vocals to properly slay the track. It was nice to see Sigma going out of the normal feature zone (sorry Sam Smith and Emeli Sandé) and picking Faith instead of Eyre, but a duet version would still be welcome. Regardless, the song is a dramatic belter of a track that brings all the soul of gospel to the dance floor with Paloma driving it home during that euphoric chorus. Furthermore, the video sees Paloma out and about in one of her signature outfits (Lady Gaga could take notes) looking particularly radiant, a refreshing shift from her more emo aesthetic. It's already reached #1 the week before Q4 so it's highly possible Paloma Faith and Sigma could take over the US before the year is up. Good work all around!