At first glance they look like another One Direction ripoff. To be fair, it’s kinda true. After all, they are a boy band from the United Kingdom. However, if I were to compare them to another boy band, I would say they’re a mix of Hanson and McFly.

“Being compared to One Direction is no bad thing but we are a completely different band.” – Brad Simpson

Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans, better known as The Vamps, have scored a couple of hits in their native country. With their latest, “Move My Way,” they’re primed to crossover to North America. It’s by far my favorite among the singles they’ve released. It’s thoroughly pop but with a folk sensibility, like most things these days. Give it a spin below, along with their previous music videos.

check out the catchy track after the jump

Sorry UK Lovers, Kylie Minogue is jumping ship. The diminutive singer announced she’s leaving The Voice and won’t return for Series 4. She cites the timing of her tour as the reason why. I wonder if the fact she placed last among her other mentors factored in her decision.

“#Lovers, due to timing of my tour I won’t be back next season for The Voice UK???? Thanks to all who supported! Hope to see you on my KMO tour!” - Kylie Minogue

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Will “Raging Fire” reach the heights of “Home?” Most probably not, but Phillip Phillips has a future hit on his hands. “Raging Fire” earned Billboard’s “Greatest Gainer” designation in terms of airplay on Adult Top 40 earlier this week. What better time to premiere the accompanying music video.

Phillips stays in his folk-rock lane for the lead cut off his sophomore album, Behind The Light. The Season 11 American Idol winner heads to the Windy City to film the clip. In between all the close-up shots of the 23-year-old playing on his guitar in front of numerous Chicago backdrops, he lays down on a huge sheet paper as people paint all over him. My only complaint is that he’s not shirtless. If you’re going to be a canvas, you might as well be a blank one, right? Check out the clip below.

watch the video after the jump

After a slight misstep with “Unconditionally” which was her lowest charting single since 2009, Katy Perry returned to the top of the charts with “Dark Horse.” The 29-year-old singer hopes to continue that streak with her official fourth single off Prism.

Perry just released the lyric video for “Birthday.” Fittingly enough, it features plenty of celebratory cakes and other baked goods. I don’t have a sweet tooth but after watching it, I find myself craving a cupcake. I wonder what they did with all those tasty treats. Papa want ;)

Check out the cute clip below which was produced by Mandy Sellick and directed by Aya Tanimura.

watch the clip after the jump

When Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, he left behind several unreleased recordings. This May eight of them are being “contemporized” and compiled for a new album titled XSCAPE, in stores this May. The project is being overseen by LA Reid and Timbaland. They’ll be joined by several other producers including Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome “Jroc” Harmon and John McClain.

The title track, produced by Jerkins, has surfaced online. Reportedly, it’s from MJ’s Invincible era. After giving it a spin, it certainly seems like he recorded it for that album. So much so, I’m not sure how much Jerkins “contemporized” it. It’s classic Michael with his signature grunts and moans. Give it a listen below.

listen to the track after the jump

It wouldn’t have been my first choice as the next single, but I don’t blame Kylie Minogue for picking “I Was Gonna Cancel.” The track, after all, was produced by Pharrell Williams. There’s no one arguably hotter than the “Happy” singer at the moment. He certainly has the Midas Touch when it comes to radio-friendly hits. Here’s what the 45-year-old Aussie told Rolling Stone about the track.

“It was interesting — I had a meltdown on day two in the studio, but that gave way to a fantastic song ["I Was Gonna Cancel"], which will be my second single.”

Second single you ask? I’m just as confused as you. I thought “Sexercize” was the official followup to “Into The Blue” given the steamy video where Kylie is shown doing squats in stilettos while writhing on giant rubber balls. I suppose if Minogue wants to crossover to mainstream radio, that song isn’t going to cut it. Probably a wiser choice to go with the Pharrell-produced track instead. Check out the neon-tinged lyric clip for the song below.

watch the clip after the jump

Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez teaming up has become a yearly tradition. Since 2011 the duo have released a collaboration. First came “On The Floor” in 2011 and then “Dance Again” and “Live It Up” the following years. Their 2014 offering finds them enlisting a third in Claudia Leitte.

The three get their Brazilian on for “We Are One (Ole Ola).” The track is the Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Song! It’s the lead cut off the World Cup’s album, One Love, One Rhythm. Mr. Worldwide along with J. Lo and Leitte will perform the song live during the opening ceremony of the World Cup on June 12 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“We Are One (Ole Ola)” is their weakest collab yet (IMHO) but an upgrade from Shakira‘s 2010 World Cup track, “Waka Waka.” Give them both a listen below and weigh in afterward.

listen after the jump

Holy Justin Timberlake clone. The English singer-songwriter channels Timberlake during his Justified era with his new offering. Perhaps the reason Ed Sheeran sounds so much like JT is due to Pharrell Williams. The “Happy” singer produced “Sing.”

It’s a far cry from his breakout hit “Lego House.” This catchy track with a throbbing bassline is definitely not like that. “Sing” is the lead cut off the Brit’s highly-anticipated sophomore LP. Give it a listen below.

listen to the sexy track after the jump