[Listen] Get Tropical With Beyonce's "Standing On The Sun"

Was Beyonce's Standing On The Sun ever released? Though I remember parts of the song, I personally don't remember the track- which was recorded for Bey's H&M campaign- ever getting a full airing. (Just because I blog about music, doesn't mean I should know EVERYTHING, right?)

Anyway, the track is out on Soundcloud, so for those who haven't heard it (like moi), take a listen. First impressions are that I like it. The summery vibe is particularly lovely, as is Beyonce's delivery. But what I really love is the dark undertone the chorus brings to the song and the heavy chords that play throughout it.

So what ya waiting for? Whip up a piña colada and get into this slice of summer! (Me accenting "piña colada" and not "Beyonce" is not me being shady, FYI. I directly cut and pasted the spelling of the cocktail from Google- fancy letter and all!)

Ariana Grande Sings "Problem" @ The Radio Disney Music Awards

Ariana Grande needs to grow a beard or something because watching the baby faced singer dancing the way she did at Radio Disney Music Awards was bordering on the uncomfortable for me.

I suppose it's not her fault she looks so fresh faced, but knowing her real age (20) didn't make it any easier to watch her dance suggestively while performing new song Problem. It really wasn't helped by the deer in the headlights expression she had on her face throughout- if you're gonna go down the "fierce" route, at least commit to it fully with the requisite facial expressions- or childish Mickey Mouse ears she had teamed with the adult leather corset thing she was wearing. I suppose the attitude is something she can work on as she gets used to this new, totally believable(!) image. However, I'm not sure I'll be along for the ride if she continues in this direction. It's just too creepy.

Kudos to the Diva for trying to work on her stagecraft, and for singing live whilst dancing, though. Sure, she still sounded like she was mumbling, but it didn't seem like she was struggling doing the two things together. The song itself, I'm not convinced on yet.

Katy Perry Dresses Up Again And Again For "Birthday" Visuals...*Eye Roll*

Wasn't katy Perry supposed to be growing up with her new album Prism?! So what the saveloy is going on with the over-the-top video for new single Birthday?

Could it be that her marketing people know who are buying her music and are thus making the videos bright and wacky accordingly- despite the pervy lyrics? Whatever the case, this song is doing little for me and I'll stay waiting on the video for '90s house-infused Walking On Air.

I'll leave this one for you guys to get into.

Beyonce Releases "Pretty Hurts" Video, The Lost Are Saved!

My least favorite song from Beyonce's self-titled fifth album has had it's video released in full onto YouTube.

My issue with the song? Well, lyrically, I find Pretty Hurts to jar with the aggressive, upfront and empowering attitude of the rest of the album. It also comes off slightly disingenuous for Beyonce to be singing a song about the pressures of perfection when she perpetuates that ideal with her own career. Some may argue that being part of the industry makes the Diva well placed to speak on the subject, since she's experienced it first hand, but I don't agree with that logic- particularly when she's looking stunning and telling fans she "woke up like this...flawless". 

Ignoring this, the Sia co-written track is beautifully sung and comes with a positive message that will hopefully help many a person. I just think it would have been better suited to the Four era.

Oh well, it's here and I shall deal. Enjoy!

JoJo and B.o.B Deliver An Accoustic Rendition of "John Doe"

I just fumbled upon this acoustic performance by JoJo and B.o.B for a song called John Doe. Going through B.o.B's videos to sniff out the studio version, I discovered the album version featured a singer called Priscilla and was actually released way back in January- so you guys have probably already heard the song.

Still, since we're waiting on the newly emancipated  JoJo to release an album, I thought I'd post this tale of substance abuse. Just don't expect any bells and whistles from JoJo's vocals, as she keeps the embellishments in check and refrains from any range-y flights of fancy here.

Yeah, it's not the greatest of songs- and I actually prefer the original's vocal- but it does show those who think JoJo can't help but overdo the singing that she can tone it down when she wants.