Lana Del Rey Grunges Up Music With "West Coast"

Lana Del Rey has successfully allayed any fears that she can only deliver a certain style of music. Not that I'd personally complain if she continued giving us more of the same; it should be clear by now how much I love her particular style of sweeping strings and big beats.

The first single from Ultraviolence is a sexy little number that brings the Diva closer to the sound of previous persona, Lizzie Grant. Entitled West Coast, the Dan Auerbach produced cut immediately makes an impact with a killer chorus that plays with tempo and genre, giving us a drop in speed and inflections of psychedelia. It certainly sounds fresh to my ears.

I have a feeling Ultraviolence will be taking Lana down a grungier route, offering us a direct contrast to the highly polished and opulent sound of her debut. It could potentially turn off some fans, but the thought of Lana's voice over this new sonic landscape is giving me all sorts of goosebumps. Bring.It.On.

Take a listen!

[Open Thread] The Monthly Competition

Let's move along the mini singing competition thing we were talking about it in last week's Free For All Friday. In this post I need your help ironing out the logistics of the operation.

For instance, how are we going to pick the song(s) for it? It seems like you guys don't want to do the same as one another, but, in my opinion, that makes it harder to judge a winner. Talking about judging, how are we going to pick a winner? Use a poll of some sort? Also, how long do we leave the entry period open for? As for a prize, I'm thinking the winner gets to pick the theme/song/Diva/whatever-we-eventually-decide-the-criteria-for-picking-the-song(s)-is for the next round.

SO MANY QUESTIONS!!

HAALP!

Amber Riley Performs "Colorblind" @ The Queen Latifah Show

Amber Riley is pushing the music career- a smart move considering the trajectory of Glee- enlisting Emeli Sande and Claude Kelly to pen her a hit that will hopefully see her climb the charts and punch Billboard squarely in the throat.

Fan Trumps Mariah Carey And Rodney Jerkins With "You're Mine (Eternal)" Rework

Wow oh wow! Whilst incredibly bored, I found myself perusing fan-made versions of Mariah Carey's You're Mine, taking particular masochistic pleasure listening to people attempt the climax without fumbling the key or damaging the organic drums in my ears.  A tough ask it seemed, but I'm glad I persevered with it.

Whereas most of the renditions saw the individuals sing over an oddly tempo-ed instrumental that seems to be doing the rounds, YouTuber alcoholharmony totally reworked the ballad, transforming it into a more authentic representation of the genre at its source.

[Watch] Lady Antebellum & Stevie Nicks Sing Medley @ 2014 ACM

Does Stevie Nicks not like performing alone? That's the only reason I can think of as to why she was sharing the stage with Lady Antebellum at this years Academy of Country Music Awards. I know she's a big fan of the trio, but surely this is a legend who should be rocking a stage all on her lonesome!

Oh well, let's make do with what we've been offered. Watch and fall under the spell of the Fleetwood Mac member as she sings in this collaborative medley.

[Watch] Shakira and Blake Shelton Duet On "Medicine" @ ACM 2014

Is duetting with a co-judge a clause in the contract of talent show The Voice? I'm starting to think so!

The latest judges to do the musical dirty with one another is Colombian Pop Princess Shakira and Country music legend* Blake Shelton, who hit the studio to record a new song for her latest album. It was the offspring of this magical encounter, Medicine, that the duo proudly presented at yesterday's 2014 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Kelly Price Uplifts With "It's My Time"

You ever get the feeling that things aren't going your way? Or that everyone else is moving on up, while you're still outside, in the cold, with tissue boxes for shoes? Well take a watch of Kelly Prices' new video, It's My Time, and have hope your time is a coming! (Also, try not to get too distracted by thoughts of why 'N Sync's Lance Bass is in the video- I'm sure there is a logical explanation.)

I'm aware the song consists of cliches and platitudes, but just suspend that cynicism for five minutes and try to resonate with the positivity that the song brings. You might feel better for it! And who knows, the universe could reward you for doing so. Or things might get worse. Who knows! But as a wise person once said: "Shut up! Some of us prefer illusions to despair"....(!)

* Runs out the door to buy a lottery ticket...*