[Discussion] Who Is The Voice Of THIS Generation?

Christina Aguilera has been called the "Voice of a generation" by various media outlets and award ceremonies--but do we know why? It's all well and good giving a title to someone, but I've always felt it to be kind of redundant when no accompanying explanation was ever offered as to why they chose the singer they did.

With that in mind, I've been wanting, for the longest time (seriously, it's been so long in the making that my original title was going to be "Which Diva under 30 is the voice of our generation?"- and that was when Beyonce and Christina fell within that catchment age), to create a post that delved a little deeper into what exactly makes a singer worthy of such a title; all while offering up some other singers as potential contenders for the crown.

[Listen] Beyonce "I Been On" Remix

I'm just going to leave this remix of Beyonce's I Been On, here- just in case any of you want to discuss it....

[New Music] Sophie Ellis-Bextor "Young Blood"

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has had a long career foraging in the genre of electro-pop for her stack of hits, but the demo of new song Young Blood suggests the former model is ready to move on and turns a corner towards the AC market with album number five. Clearly aware of how different the sound is, the singer took to her website to comment on this change, saying:

I can’t wait to share the new music with you. I’m really excited about it. It’s not a dance record, or a pop record, but something a bit different. I still love dance and pop music and I will be doing more of that further down the line but sometimes you’ve got to challenge yourself a bit by trying something new. Let’s go on an adventure together!

Source:sophieellisbextor.net/

As much as I love electro-pop Sophie, listening to Young Blood has got me all excited about this new project.With a clearer focus being placed on the lyrical content, as well as Sophie's voice, this could be the era where her abilities as a songwriter and a singer is finally realised. 

Take a listen to Young Blood below, and if you enjoy it feel free to download it by following the instructions in the box below the video! Whoop!

[Cover] Lana Del Rey Attempts A Leonard Cohen Song! *GASP*

I did not wake up today thinking I'd be hearing new music from Lana Del Rey, but that's just what's happened!! Sharing with us a little bit of her own musical tastes, Lana has just released a cover of Leonard Cohen's Chelsea Hotel No. 2. For what purpose (New album? For fun? Because she was bored?), Lana hasn't revealed yet; but new music is new music and I'm receiving it with open arms and fawning gratitude!

There's none of the sweeping production that has become almost synonomous with Lana's music, rather the backing mimics the original in it's simplicity, with just a guitar to accompany the vocal. It takes a brave individual to cover a Leonard Cohen song so faithfully- as the comparisons (and thus criticisms) are so much easier to draw- but I think Lana Del Rey might actually surprise a few people with this sensitive and expressive rendition.

[Review] Ariana Grande "The Way"

It's finally appeared, people! Ariana Grande’s rumoured material has surfaced and has fans both squealing with excitement and frowning in concern.

The Way is a piano-led pop Rnb record that carries some inspiration from the 90’s- something helped, in a big way, by the use of its sample, Not a Player by Big Pun. The Lyrics are more catchy than well written but what more can be expected of a children’s sitcom star?

Ariana’s vocals are both very light and airy but also full and resonant, with some instances of whistle register at the songs climax. However, the vocals are also what some may label "bothersome" because although the singer has shown us, in live performances, a glimpse of the character her own voice possesses, this record doesn't build on that, instead being extremely “Mariah Carey-esque” in its delivery.

This could be seen as both good and bad for the young singer. Ultimately it shows Ariana is a very capable vocalist, I mean you'd have to be to emulate Mariah. But, there's also a danger of being branded a "cheap knock-off" if she fails to establish her own sound and keeps trying to mimic other singers.

Even so, The Way is a great first attempt and should do its job of building recognition for the budding popstar as it's undeniably a catchy song! It just needs more Ariana in it and less "Song Bird Supreme" (AKA Mariah).

Rating: C+

Thanks to Brian [better known as "Flylikeabrian" on this site] for penning the review!

Watch Ke$ha *Ahem* "Rock" The 2013 Kids' Choice Awards

I never got the chance to say how much I ended up actually liking Ke$ha's new album Warrior, after totally hating on its first single, Die Young. But there you go, it's now out there for all to read, and I ain't ashamed of it!! Now that that's out the way, watch the Glitter Queen performing a medley of We R Who We R and, her last single, C’mon, at the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards.

Unsurprising to most, the performance wasn't great on the vocal front. But she did pretend to play a few chords on an electric guitar, so we should probably let her off for the slightly wonky delivery, right? Yes? Glad you agree! Swiftly moving on, at least Ke$ha managed to work into the arrangement some of the grungier, rock influences that she initially promised would be present (but weren't really) on Warrior. The Kids' Choice Awards didn't seem like the right venue for it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

Check out Ke$ha's performance below!

[Watch] Christina Aguilera And PitBull Perform "Feel This Moment" @ 2013 Kids' Choice Awards

It seems Christina Aguilera's collaboration with Pitbull might actually see the singer getting her first big hit since...anyone? That being so, I'm willing to get over how crappy Feel This Moment is-even getting behind it- if there's a chance that it blowing-up big might resuscitate the Diva's career.