[Review] Ellie Goulding "Anything Could Happen"

I've really enjoyed all the free music English belle Ellie Goulding has been releasing this year- such as her excellent cover of High For This. That's why I'm surprised that I don't actually like the first single, Anything Could Happen, lifted from her upcoming second album Halcyon.

News Spam: Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Sugababes And Christina Aguilera

Lady Gaga has revealed the name of her upcoming third album-which we will hear music from later this year- to the world! But not one to just release a press statement, Lady Gaga has gone and marked the occasion by getting the album name tattooed on her arm and posting a picture of it on Twitter.!

As you can all see below, the album will be titled "ARTPOP", and Gaga made it known that it must be spelt entirely in capitals, so don't say I didn't pass on that important message! I know I might be too quick off of the draw here, but I am choosing to ignore the "ART" part of that title and instead rejoicing at the mention of the word "POP".

Elton John Calls Madonna a "Fairground Stripper" And "Horrible" Over Her Treatment of Lady Gaga

Elton John doesn't seem to be mellowing with age. Always having been a vocal supporter of Lady Gaga- he was the one who claimed (wrongly) that single Born This Way was "the new I Will Survive" before it hit the radio- he has now offered his catty seasoned opinion on the ongoing debacle between young upstart, Lady Gaga and panto villain, Madonna.

Read below what Elton John had to say about the feud to his Australian interviewers;

[Discuss] Drake Uses Deceased Muse, Aaliyah, on New Song "Enough Said"

Rapper Drake has made no bones about his adulation for deceased singer, Aaliyah. He even recently had a second tattoo dedicated to her- his first being a picture of her face on his back (!)- down the side of his torso.

Being such a prominent source of inspiration on his own career, it's little wonder that he would eventually create a song that featured Aaliyah. I just imagined that when that day came it would involve sampling material that was already out there! Instead, Drake has managed to get his hands on some unheard, unreleased material and created the "duet" Enough Said using it.

[Review] Mariah Carey "Triumphant (Get Em)"

Now if there is any Diva out there that I would "Stan" for, it would be Mariah Carey. But let's get this straight, I don't Stan for anybody, because in the end it doesn't help anyone: not the star, not the fan and least of all someone who is trying to critique music as objectively as possible. You might wonder why I'm adding this rambling disclaimer-of-sorts to the start of the review, but I feel I need to, because what I'm about to write I can't even believe is true, but here goes: Mariah Carey's new single, Triumphant (get em), is a total disappointment.

Vocal Profile: Debelah Morgan

Debelah Morgan

Vocal Type:Coloratura Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves 5 notes and a semitone (C3-Bb6)
Whistle Register:Yes
Vocal Pluses: Brilliant technique that demonstrates complete vocal freedom, being able to execute various vocal acrobatics along the entire range. Her vocal dexterity and stamina means Debelah Morgan  is able to transition and jump throughout the range on a single breath and hold notes without any effort and with apparent ease.

The lower range is slightly smoky, dark, but breathy, and is connected well to the midrange. The midrange itself [top of third octave, start of fourth octave] is richer and well supported. It displays a maturer, fuller timbre than the upper part of the range, and is healthier and better controlled than the lower extremes of the voice. However, Debelah Morgan  does display versatility in the mid-range and is able to make it lighter and airer if she so chooses [Hear the thicker midrange on Yesterday and its airier counterpart on Its not over].

The belting range is contrasting depending on how it is accessed. When it is utilised without mixing it
is thicker, rounded and heavier, but when mixed it becomes lighter, thinner and noticeably sweeter. From here the voice passes effortlessly into the head voice, where she is able to carry it effortlessly throughout most of the 6th octave (up to Bb6)

Shows a nearly unrivalled skill within her bright and piercing whistle register. Debelah Morgan is able to articulate within this part of her range, as well as conducts trills, runs that traverse the range and hit staccato notes accurately [all can be heard done live in Dance With Me from 4.30].

Vocal Negatives: Sometimes child-like tone isn't to everyone's taste, along with the head-dominant singing throughout the voice. The voice overall lacks real weight.

[Recommended Listening] Oh Daughter "The Wild Youth"

[Note: This is an old post I forgot to publish, but as it's such a great little EP I thought it was still worth publishing.]

Ever wonder what it would sound like if Feist and The XX got together to create an album? Well wonder no more as I introduce you to my "currently listening to": Oh Daughter and The wild youth EP.

Electronically sparse backing, muted baselines and echoey XX-esque electric guitar form the backdrop of this 4 song EP. It provides a cool and measured backing for Elena Tonra's -the woman behind the album- soft and hushed voice to bring to life the beautiful and thoughtful lyrics.