Review: Britney "Hold it against me" (LISTEN TO )

Britney Spears' new song, Hold it against me, has just premièred online and I'm sad to say she has returned with a run-of-the-mill, David Guetta-ish, dime-a-dozen, club track.

Hold it against me is effectively a schizophrenic dance song that can't make its mind up what segment of the dance market it wants to appeal to, so decides to target them all.

Its verses are driven by a thumping baseline, that's clearly aimed at the gay scene. Then the sound is softened in the chorus, by a textbook removal of the bass-line, which makes the song appeal to the pop market. The middle 8, which is the best part of the song and ironically features pretty much no Britney vocals, gives the song an edge by exposing the world, excitingly, to the grimy Dubstep sound of South London. But not being content with the stop off in London the song carries on in to an Ibiza rave, thus hopefully appealing to the big European clubs, with some euphoric atmosphere generating synths. Before it finally ends up back at the gay scene where it all started.

Lady gaga: More style than Substance?

It's often said by Lady Gaga detractors that her over the top videos and dress sense is an attempt to distract the public from her lack of musical talent. To those who think this I introduce to you the acoustic version of Paparazzi. Ignore the funny ensemble and simply listen.

Rihanna's Rudeboy vs Usher's OMG

Another random find on Youtube. Three talented teens- credited as Joelle,Sophia and Kris- and a piano manage to seamlessly and cleverly merge Usher's OMG and Rihanna's Rudeboy. The result is something a little special.

Listen to Ellie Goulding cover Rihannah's "Only Girl (in the world)"

An organic makeover is given to Rihanna's Only girl (in the world) as folk-pop singer Ellie Goulding swaps the processed productions for a string quartet and piano.

As much as I love Ellie and acoustic versions of songs, I just don't think it works with Only girl as the original song gets so much of its clout from the music and not the vocal or lyrics. Therefore with the driving force behind the song removed the song falls apart.

Britney Spears "Hold it against me" cover

Cover for Hold it against me by Britney Spears

Hold it against me Review here

2011 is the year of the Diva, with Beyonce, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga all vying for our cash with new material. Lady gaga got the ball rolling earlier this week by revealing the cover of her new album Born this way and now Britney Spears follows by unveiling the cover art for her new single Hold it against me.

What's most exciting about this album are the reports that claim Britney Spears is dabbling in the UK underground genre of Dub-step. If this were to be true then this album could potentially rival that of her masterpiece, Blackout. Unfortunately the CD cover of Hold it against me doesn't reveal much about the angle or theme this as yet untitled album is taking.

Update 08 February 2011: Britney Spear's new
album cover for "Femme Fatale"

M.I.A "Vicki Leekx" free download

M.I.A has released a new mixtape containing unheard material and outtakes from her last album Maya for free- yes FREE- to us purveyors of fine music. The Mix tape features production  by M.I.A, Danja, Munchi, Diplo, Blaqstarr, Switch, Rusko, Sugu Arulpragasam and So Japan.

As usual with M.I.A this isn't for everyone, as her brand of electro music and rap is an acquired taste.While some see M.I.A as revolutionary and cutting edge others consider her music noise and overrated. Personally I am loving Vicki Leekx; the production is worth the download alone.

Vicki Leekx is free to Download so judge for yourself !

DOWNLOAD VICKI LEEKX HERE

Lady Gaga Mash up Mania

Lady Gaga Ke$ha and Linkin Park

Let me confess to the world my love for the music site Soundcloud. Hosted there is so much awesome music that has been created and uploaded by the general public for the world to listen to for free! On my searches there I found some brilliant Lady Gaga mash-ups (FYI a mash-up is when two or more songs are mixed together to form a new song). So sit back, listen and enjoy!