Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge fan of Lana Del Rey. I swooned over her first album, melted for the second and lost my shit for her contribution to the soundtrack for The Great Gatsby. Having said that, one can only take so much breathy, somber, melancholic songs about Hollywood before you either turn it off, or jump out the window which is why I’m SO excited that she has taken this song in a fresh new direction.

“Queen of Disaster” is pure upbeat 60s pop. It makes me feel like I’m at a sock hop or hitting the local diner for a burger and a milkshake. While it’s not a huge stretch from the 60s style the singer usually embodies, its mood is lighter and fun which is a welcome change of pace.

Even though Del Rey has said that her next album will be stripped down but still sound dark and cinematic, I’m really enjoying the brighter sound of this track. If this is a sign of what’s in store from the divisive chanteuse, I can’t wait to hear what’s coming next.

Check out “Queen of Disaster” below and let me know what you think.

listen to the track after the jump

UGH, I really hate Jennifer Lopez. I wasn’t feeling “On The Floor” part three, but the “Live It Up” music video made me change my tune. Both the song and the visual aren’t groundbreaking by any means, but it’s just so damn fun, I wish I was there in Fort Lauderdale during filming. I realize there are plenty of Pitbull haters here on the site, but don’t you think he’d be a lot of fun to hang with. I do.

Directed by Jessy Terrero, the clip showcases Lopez strutting her stuff in feather couture on the catwalk. ANTM fans might recognize Cycle 3 winner Eva Pigford among the models in the show. It then segues to a beach party with free-flowing sponsored vodka. What would liquor companies do without product placement? Naturally, they hit the club afterwards. Once again, La Lopez enlists her boy toy Casper Smart to choreograph the routines. At least this time, we’re not forced to watch them have foreplay on screen. PHEW.

Side note: I wonder what Jenny’s secret is to eternal youth. Papa wants some. She looks exactly the same as she did during her “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” era and that was before she had kids and over ten years ago. Check out the brand new clip below.

watch the music video after the jump

I previously wrote about Mary Lambert when she did the fantastic collaboration with Ryan Lewis and Macklemore on the “Same Love” video. Macklemore really stepped into the spotlight in my eyes with the bold message he sent out with that song, and, well, now he’s a ridiculous success. Stand up for what you believe in people!

Well Mary is still going strong and pounding out some beautiful melodies, now out with a new video for the song “Forget Me”. The video is also incredibly well shot, and really reads like a short film, and with some great harmonies that remind me of why I fell in love with music like Imogen Heap. She’s really done a great job.

Based out of Seattle, Mary’s bio reads slightly humorous, saying, “Mary Lambert is good at two things; crying and singing”, and after YouTubing some of her videos, and some of her great spoken word stuff, I can see this songstress has a lot going on for her besides her humour, with some serious soul and a guitar. Did I mention she’s a proud lesbian? We love that!

I would love to see Mary Live, and after looking at her tour dates, and I can see she’s so close to being here in TO, performing in NYC this Tuesday the 21st for only $12 at Subculture, and then back to the dear West Coast in Seattle on the 23rd at The Crocodile. AND if anyone is going to Sasquatch, she’ll be on stage with Macklemore!

Go to marylambertsings.com to check her out.

watch the music video after the jump

Back in January, Britney Spears teased that she was heading to the studio to record a song for her boys. We finally get to hear the fruits of that labor. “Ooh La La” is lifted off the Smurfs 2 soundtrack. Clearly, the track isn’t intended as a club banger or even a radio-friendly single. This one is for the kids ya’ll. With that being said, I’m sure die hard Brit fans are going to eat this up and proclaim it as the second coming. Take a listen below and give your thoughts in the comments section.

listen to the new track after the jump

This Old School Flashback Battle was inspired by a Facebook thread between a few friends of mine including Dave- a recent guest host on our Homorazzi show. What started as a conversation about Selena Gomez concert tickets (don’t get me started) quickly evolved to the age old debate… Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera? While I find both ladies talented in their own right *cough* Christina is better *cough*, it always fascinates me how passionate people are about either artist. Brit lip syncs, Christina is fat, Spears is crazy, Aguilera is a bitch, the list goes on. That may be all true, but one thing they have in common is both made splashy debuts with their first albums.

While Spears’ …Baby One More Time sold more albums than Aguilera’s self-titled album (14 million compared to 9 million domestically), X-Tina notched more chart toppers than Brit (three compared to one). Christina’s album ranked No. 23 on Billboards 2000s decade chart, ahead of Britney’s ranking of No. 81. To be fair, Spears released hers in the 90s and ranked No. 29 on the 1990-99 decade chart as well.

When it comes to critical acclaim, Christina holds a slight edge. Her powerful pipes helped upset Britney by surprising everyone at the Grammys by winning the Best New Artist Award. In the end, all that doesn’t matter. It’s all about the fans. Regardless of how you feel about each singer today, revisit the singles from each debut album and try to be impartial in determining which ex-Mouseketter had the better first effort.

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check out the videos and vote after the jump

The second Angie Miller performed her original song during Hollywood Week, she became an instant frontrunner. Even though she never matched the magnetism and magic of that performance throughout her American Idol run, I still maintain she deserved a spot in the Final 2 over Kree Harrison. Miller has more potential of becoming a crossover artist, matching the likes of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, more than Harrison or Glover for that matter.

Miller was supposed to perform “You Set Me Free” on the finale tonight, but was nixed. Instead, she’ll be performing a duet with Adam Lambert. Even though the 19-year-old won’t get to perform it live tonight, she’s releasing the single immediately after the finale on iTunes, ergo the newly-released artwork. It’ll be interesting to see if she outsells either of the Final 2′s coronation songs. If you missed Angie’s breakout Hollywood performance, check it out below.

relive her Idol performance after the jump

Is it me or is losing the UK version of The X Factor better than winning the whole enchilada? With exception to Leona Lewis, I can’t think of any other winner. On the other hand, I can list off a bunch of also-rans popular on both sides of the pond such as One Direction, Cher Lloyd and Little Mix.

Included in that bunch is Olly Murs who was the runner-up in 2009. I’ve been a fan of the 29-year-old since “Heart Skips a Beat.” He continued to earn my love with his collaboration with Flo Rida, “Troublemaker,” which gave him his first US Top 40. Hoping to keep the streak alive, the Brit just debuted the music video for “Dear Darlin“- his third single lifted from Right Place Right Time. The midtempo track sees him transition from pop playboy to soulful balladeer by showing off a more vulnerable and sensitive side. Watch his new visual below.

“Writing with Ed [Drewett] and him being my friend helped, as we sat there for hours before writing, going over old relationships and recalling their scenarios. It’s about writing to someone to tell them how I feel about losing someone. It’s not the kind of song you’d expect me and Ed to write, as we’re bubbly characters, but we were able to open up to each other.” – Olly Murs

watch the music video after the jump

Wow! Kelly Rowland wasn’t kidding when she promised she was revealing all in her upcoming studio album, Talk A Good Game. If “Dirty Laundry” is a taste of things to come, I can’t wait for what other secrets she’s going to share on the rest of the album.

As expected, the 32-year-old talks about her past relationship on The Dream-produced track. “Meanwhile this nigga puttin’ his hands on me… I was battered / He hit the window like it was me, until it shattered,” she shares. Rowland also admits that this man turned her against Beyonce and her family, “Don’t nobody love you but me / Not your mama / Not your daddy / and especially not Bey.”

“It was very emotional. It took me days to record,” Rowland tells Billboard. “I had to get past being so upset and actually sing the song, not sob through it. I always hope that my music can inspire someone, the same way other artists inspire me. Dream said, ‘I want to write you a record so that people will know exactly who you are, underneath it all.’”

In addition to discussing her past abusive relationship, Kelly references her dynamic SLASH sometimes resentful relationship with her Destiny’s Child colleague’s success. “When my sister was on stage / killing it like a mother fucker / I was in a rage / feeling it like a motherfucker,” she sings, later adding, “Post-’Survivor,’ she on fire / Who wanna hear my bullshit?” It’s definitely her most forthcoming and frank single to date. Check out the entire track in its entirety below.

listen to the track after the jump