The return of Beyonce

She came. She saw. And in mere moments shes conquering all over again. Beyonce released her fifth album , simply titled Beyonce on an unsuspecting world today. And within hours the surprise release was topping Itunes tallies globally. It has already reportedly sold 80,000 copies in the US alone within a matter of hours.
No hype. No promo. No endless Vevo teasers. No self glorification. Not a word.

Just 14 tracks , featuring collaborations with hubby Jay Z , Frank Ocean and Drake. If that wasn't enough , the album comes with 17 spectacular accompanying music videos for each track.

" I didnt want to release music the way I've done it. I am bored with that.I feel I can speak directly to my fans. "

Of course , Itunes and the internet went into a joyous meltdown as on Friday the 13th December , Beyonce finally released the much anticpated album. And in doing so , has in a sense changed the game and asserted herself at the top of the pile. We all expected a Beyonce album to come out in time for her SuperBowl slot but instead all we got up to this point was Grown Woman , Standing In The Sun and God Made You Beautiful.

It seemed as if the ship had sailed on new Beyonce material in 2013. In fact , it was somewhat of  a running joke. On Popjustice , the fifth album was jokingly referred to as 'Beyonce's mythical album'.

But with only three more weeks of the year left , Beyonce has trolled us all in superb , refreshing style. And whilst some may worry that its a risk , the appetite for new Beyonce music is such that this album is a guaranteed success. Beyonce has been around nearly 20 years shockingly enough , with this year marking the 10th anniversary of Crazy In Love.
She's one of the most decorated and revered women in music , Beyonce could afford to take the risk. She certainly didn't have to , but she has. And hopefully it marks a sea change in how albums are released and campaigns are orchestrated. We live in an instant gratification age. Albums are announced , hyped and as we've seen so much this year , leaked.

It's not a groundbreaking move by any means to just release an album out of nowhere. David Bowie and My Bloody Valentine stunned with surprise albums this year. Lily Allen , even , released Hard Out Here in the same week as it's video premiere.
However , without any disrespect to artists like Bowie , he's in the twilight of a long established careers. Beyonce at 32 is still very much at the peak of her artistic and commercial powers. This new album will only serve to spark a surge in ticket sales for next years second instalment of the acclaimed Mrs Carter Show World Tour when it kicks off in Edinburgh , Scotland.

The album is now set to top the Billboard Top 200 Charts in the US just in time for Christmas. Who would have foreseen that a month ago.
The album will get a physical release on December 21st , compete with a DVD of all 17 videos which are stunning. An unexpected but welcome stocking filler for most music fans this Yuletide.

But what of the album itself. Well on very early impressions , its a slowburner but a rewarding one. I'll need a few more listens to digest what is at times a lengthy , at times arduous listen. It's not Sasha Fierce , but on first impressions a somewhat grittier , more swaggering alternative R&B realness of previous album 4.

Drunk On Love , Pretty Hurts , Blow , XO and Heaven are all early faves. Ignoring the unorthodox release of Beyonce , this album should do huge business.

The tracklisting for Beyonce is 

1. Pretty Hurts
2. Haunted
3. Drunk In Love ( feat. Jay Z )
4. Blow
5, No Angel
6. Partition
7. Jealous
8. Rocket
9. Mine (feat Drake )
10. XO
11. Flawless (feat. Chimanda Ngozi Adiche )
12. Superpower (feat Frank Ocean )
13. Heaven
14. Blue (feat. Blue Ivy )

Watch a preview of video Pretty Hurts below

Sleeve Of Hearts unveils new song

London singer/songwriter Sleeve Of Hearts has unveiled brand new track off his forthcoming debut EP. The 23 year old troubadour has premiered Haunting You , which will serve as the second track on the as yet untitled EP , which I am eagerly awaiting.
Penned by the man himself Benjamin Lee and produced by Aidan K Lee, its another trademark lilting , vulnerable , slow burning anthem. Like its title suggests , Haunting You , is a tale of wounded hearts and flooding memories that haunt like ghosts.

Lee has been busy of late gigging in London , most notably at The Horn in St Albans , and is set to shoot a new music video soon.
I covered Sleeve Of Hearts at te start of the year , marking him out as a talent to watch and months later feel exactly the same way. With the forthcoming EP , it'll signal the start of his dreams and music reaching a wider audience fully coming to fruition.

/Earlier this year , Sleeve of Hearts released the single Bitter Pill. The track has found its way onto The Playlist end of year Top 101 Greatest Songs of 2013 , clocking in at a respectable 60, noticeably higher than offerings from Kings of Leon , James Blake and Vampire Weekend.

You can lsiten to the gorgeous Haunting You at https://soundcloud.com/sleeveofhearts/sleeve-of-hearts-haunting-you

Check it out now and watch the video below of his single Bitter Pill below

THE DEFINITIVE TRACKS OF 2013

THE

1O1

GREATEST SONGS

OF 

2013

As 2013 draws slowly to a close , it's of course that perfect time to reflect on the musical highs of the year with The Playlist's definitive 101 Greatest Songs of 2013.
It's been a vintage year with spectacular comebacks from Daft Punk , Mutya Keisha Siobhan , Justin Timberlake and Eminem.
Newcomers like Lorde, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis , Kodaline and The 1975 , took their moment and an with it.

So , get comfy , as I present The Playlist's 2013's 101 Greatest Songs!!!!

101. Retrograde -James Blake
100. Lost Generation -Rizzle Kicks
99. Live For -The Weeknd
98. Trouble -Neon Jungle
97. Broken - Jake Bugg
96. Fuckin Problems -ASAP Rocky
95. Sonnentantz ( Sun Dont Shine ) - KlangKarusell feat. Will Heard
94. Cinderella -Diana Vickers
93. Right Here -Rudimental feat. Foxes
92.  When I Was Your Man -Bruno Mars
91.  On My Way -Charlie Brown
90. Ashtrays and Heartbreaks -Snoop Lion feat. Miley Cyrus
89. Work Bitch -Britney Spears
88.  Berzerk -Eminem
87. Young And Beautiful -Lana del Rey
86. I Knew You Were Trouble -Taylor Swift
85. Diane Young -Vampire Weekend
84. Bounce -Iggy Azalea
83. Wait For Me -Kings Of Leon
82. Look Right Through ( MK Remix ) -Storm Queen
81. Under Control -Calvin Harris & Alesso feat. Hurts

80. Somewhere Only We Know -Lily Allen
79.  Reflektor -Arcade Fire
78. Crooked Smile - J.Cole feat. TLC
77. Kids - Mikky Ekko
76.  This Is What It Feels Like -Armin van Buuren feat. Trevor Guthrie
75.  Heart Attack -Demi Lovato
74. What About Us -The Saturdays feat. Sean Paul
73.  What Love Is Made Of - Katy B
72. Lay Me Down -Sam Smith
71. What I Might Do -Ben Pearce
70. Radioactive -Imagine Dragons
69.  You And Me -Disclosure feat. Eliza Doolittle
68. Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High -Arctic Monkeys
67. Animals -Martin Garrix
66. Back Together -Annie
65.  Safe And Sound -Capital Cities
64.  Imagine It Was Us -Jessie Ware
63.  Do What U Want -Lady Gaga feat. R Kelly
62.  Are You Getting Enough ? -Professor Green feat. Miles Kane
61. Of The Night -Bastille

60. Bitter Pill -Sleeve Of Hearts
59. Blind -Hurts
58.  Still Into You - Paramore
57. Move -Little Mix
56. Let Her Go -Passenger
55. Timber -Pitbull feat. Ke$ha
54. Holy Grail -Jay Z feat Justin Timberlake
53. Ready Or Not -Bridgit Mendler
52.  So Good To Me -Chris Malinchak
51. Black Skinhead -Kanye West
50. Counting Stars -OneRepublic
49.  The Wire - HAIM
48.  Happy - Pharrell Williams
47. Rock n Roll -Avril Lavigne
46.  I Need Your Love -Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding
45.  The Monster -Eminem feat. Rihanna
44.  Hard Out Here -Lily Allen
43.  Applause -Lady Gaga
42.  PrimeTime - Janelle Monae feat. Miguel
41.  Wrecking Ball -Miley Cyrus


40. #Beautiful -Mariah Carey feat Miguel
39.   Wake Me Up -Avicii
38.  Clarity -Zedd feat. Foxes
37.  Thrift Shop -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz
36. The Mother We Share -Chvrches
35.  Summertime Sadness -Lana del Rey vs Cedric Gervais
34.  Perfect Form -Cyril Hahn
33. Eat, Sleep , Rave , Repeat -Fatboy Slim
32.  Sex -The 1975
31.  Wings -Birdy
30.   Burn -Ellie Goulding
29.  Hold On , Were Going Home -Drake
28.  Roar -Katy Perry
27.  C.O.O.L -Le Youth
26.  We Cant Stop -Miley Cyrus
25.  Pompeii -Bastille
24.  Need U (100%) - Duke Dumont feat. A.M.E
23.   Blurred Lines -Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I
22.  Just Give Me A Reason -Pink feat. Nate Ruess
21.   Mirrors -Justin Timberlake


20.  American Girl -Bonnie McKee

19. High Hopes - Kodaline

18.  Dance Apocalyptic -Janelle Monae

17.  Royals - Lorde

16. Youth -Foxes

15. Closer -Tegan And Sara

14. Flatline -Mutya Keisha Siobhan

13. I Love It -Icona Pop

12. Love Me Again -John Newman

11. Emmylou -First Aid Kit

10. La La La -Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith

9. White Noise -Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge

8. Waiting All Night -Rudimental feat. Ella Eyre

7. Afterglow -Wilkinson

6. Chocolate -The 1975

5. Do I Wanna Know -Arctic Monkeys

4. Count On Me -Chase & Status

3. Wasting My Young Years -London Grammar

2.  Same Love -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert

1. Get Lucky -Daft Punk feat. Pharrell & Niles Rodgers

ALBUM REVIEW -Lady Gaga ARTPOP

" Sexxx dreams , jewels , drugs , fashion , sex , swines , gysies and dope. Cue the applause , ARTPOP deserves every last clap "

So after the endless hype , snippets and promo singles , the most anticipated pop album of the year inevitably leaked onto the internet on Saturday , following its Japanese release.
The Twitter buzz amongst Monsters and pop fans in general was hard to ignore. And so , with excitement and trepidation , I had a listen.
ARTPOP is thrilling , sexy , camp , joyous , euphoric , exhilarating pop of a standard that is inspiring and delivers on the many narcissistic platitudes frequently meted out by Gaga. It's influences are many , but there's a freshness throughout the record that just solidifies Gaga as the greatest pop icon of her generation.

When Gaga premiered the much maligned Applause in August to mixed and polarizing views , there was some sceptisism  and expectations of an imminent artistic flop to come on ARTPOP. Personally , I loved Applause , championed it, played it on repeat , but acknowledged the underwhelming air of it all. Applause may very well be pop's greatest 'red herring ' , when listening to ARTPOP as a whole. In fact , the song which closes the album could very well be one of the weakest tracks on the album. But it works as an album closer in the context of the album as a whole.

Aura opens the set with its Eastern flavour and chanting refrain. It's a pulsating opener. " do you wanna see me naked lover / do you wanna peak underneath the covers " , one of many sexy lyrics throughout the record. Its a frenetic start and followed up in camp style by the fantastic Venus. 
The song that should have been the second single is vintage Gaga. Shades of Bowie in modern pop are rare and to be celebrated. It's gloriously camp nonsense, that takes a  few listens to become the earwig it is. Gaga sings about her 'goddess of love ". The chorus is divine " when you touch me I die ".Its high energy , almost tribal in its space age pleading of "could this be love ". It's fun and campy.

G.U.Y follows and is one of the sexiest songs of Gaga's career. In fact , the song is pure sex in audible form. Gaga wanting to be the 'girl under you '. It harks back to The Fame era. But the song is not regressive but more mature and sexy sonically. The sexual anthemics continue on the stomping Sexx Dreams which debuted at Septembers SwineFest in London.
Initially , there was disappointment at first listen as Gaga has tweaked the album version from her Itunes Festival performance. However it is one of the standouts of the album as was expected. " when I lay in bed , I touch myself and think of you " Gaga purrs before that 80's chorus hits you like a juggernaut. It's Gaga playing the tease . A musical masturbation that will pack dancefloors on every gay nightclub worldwide. It's rousing and playful in its delivery and potentially a huge hit for Gaga.

RnB influences are sprinkled lightly throughout the record , and Jewels and Drugs is one such track, Gaga assisted by Twista and T.I and Too Short talk about their excesses. It may not be one of the more memorable tracks on the album , but it's swaggering beats make it highly listenable. It does''t feel out of place within the album.

MANicure follows in raucous , rocky fashion. One of Gaga's best vocals on the record. The handclaps and rock riffs are irresistible , it is spectacular pop that should be huge. The vocals are huge , the track is huge. Gaga's raspiness on the opening lines are abrasive and brashy. To these ears , it wouldn't sound out of place on a Blondie album.
Do What U Want , featuring R&B legend R Kelly , the second single from the album is sslinky , sexy . R&B. Gaga and R Kelly on paper sounds like an odd pairing but this is very much a stellar collaboration. Gaga is in fine voice throughout. The opening beat is seductive and slinky and the chorus is addictive.

We then come to the title track which chills things down a beat after the pulsating and exhilarating tracks that come before. The intro has more than a shade of Madonna's 1995 hit Bedtime Story.  It sounds like it could become a fan favourite and is a brilliantly constructed track.

The angry , ravey Swine follows. " You're just a pig inside a human body ". Its a batshit , bonkers , thumping rave that is one of the standouts of ARTPOP.  Brilliantly bitchy in it's sentiment without sounding conceited.
Donatella meanwhile is a bitchy celebration of the fashion industry , with tongue in cheek lyrics especially the opening lines and Gaga again espousing about lifestyle excesses and being . Again it's campy , cheeky and like the older , snarkier sister of Money Honey in tone.
The celebration of all things sartorial continues on the divine Fashion. A gorgeous track , especially the opening piano. Gaga is "looking good and feeling fine " as she suitably struts her way through this 80's flecked triumph that blends , Bowie , Blondie and the Pet Shop Boys. It's spectacular.

Mary Jane Holland keeps the euphoric pace of the record going. It's a hit or miss spot on the album for me. Again , I get the feeling this could be favourite amongst diehard fans. Its Gaga at her grandiose best , and fits the album perfectly.
Dope is the only "ballad " on the record. the song which started life as I Wanna Be With You. It's definitely the yearning , vulnerable comedown of the record after the thrilling 12 tracks that preceded it. Gaga's almost slurred vocals are heartbreaking. You can just picture her , on the piano , in the small hours , panda eyed and broken. There is something quite stunning about the track. " I need you more than dope "

Gypsy is the albums penultimate track and boy is it a corker. A definite worldwide smash in waiting. Edge Of Glory-esque vocals. Gaga celebrates her gypsy , nomadic life on the road. The heartbreaking " I dont wanna be  alone forever , but I can be tonight " . It's euphoric , power pop of the sort that Gaga excels in. Stunning , beautiful track that showcases Gaga's often underrated vocal chops. Superb.

Applause brings the curtain down on a pop odyssey that leaves you gasping for an encore. Gaga may be pop's biggest narcissist along with perhaps Kanye. But this time around there is reason to believe the hype. Gaga's labour of love is a spectacularly , consistently brilliant pop album , that leaves her stratospheres ahead of her pop contemporaries. ARTPOP is an experience as much as it is a record. Embrace it.
Where Born This Way , was at times overblown and lacked a certain quality control , ARTPOP feels more cohesive and less serious. Gaga sounds like she's having a ball.
Lyrically , she's found wanting in places. But her songwriting can only get better.

Sexx dreams , jewels , drugs , fashion , sex , dance , art , pop , swines , gypsy life and dope. Cue the applause. ARTPOP deserves every last clap
                                                                                   8.5/10
                                                                                                               
                                                                                                          Wayne Power , The Playlist

POTENTIAL SINGLES -Sexx Dreams, MANicure , Swine , Gypsy

Watch Lady Gaga's X Factor medley of Venus and Do What U Want below

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2013 -Timberlake sweeps board , Miley strips and Gaga wows , NSync reunite

The MTV Video Music Awards 2013 rocked Brooklyn's Barclay Centre in New York last night. A ceremony steeped in pop history and famed for its controversy and outrageous antics , once again provided many a talking point.
Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke shocked. Gaga paid tribute to past looks. N Sync reunited. Katy Perry performed in a boxing ring. One Direction was roundly booed. Taylor Swift showed her claws. Daft Punk turned up.

And amidst all that chaos , the iconic monument statues were handed out.

Lady Gaga returned to her hometown to open the show in suitably theatrical style with the much maligned Applause.
Gaga brushed off the widespread criticism and Twitter feuds with a fantastic performance. Throughout the frenetic performance, Gaga paid tribute to her past looks and didn't miss a beat.

Justin Timberlake was the big winner of the night picking up the big award of the night for Video of The Year and the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Timberlake delivered the performance of the night with a medley of his solo hits before he was joined on stage by his old band N'Sync

To a rapturous response , the reunited boyband launched into classic hits Girlfriend and Bye Bye Bye. Timberlake rounded off the near 15 minute performance with Suit And Tie and Mirrors.

Miley Cyrus provided the most talked about performance of the night. Performing with her smash hit We Can't Stop , the 20 year old was soon joined by Robin Thicke for a scandalous rendition of Blurred Lines. Cyrus stripped down to a flesh colored two piece and donned a white foam finger. She then preceded to twerk and gyrate against Thicke.
It was a cringeworthy , almost laughable performance that sets Twitter abuzz. Much of the reaction towards Cyrus was mostly negative. Kelly Clarkson waded in tweeting " just saw a couple of performances from the #VMAS...2 words #pitchystrippers "

Taylor Swift , who won another moonman last night for Best Female Video , was spotted allegedly mouthing "shut the fuck up " when One Direction were on stage.
One Direction who won a made up award , were roundly booed upon picking up the award and were stopped backstage by Lady Gaga who told them they deserved their success.

Katy Perry closed out the show under Brooklyn Bridge , dressed as a boxer to sing Roar. It was a sing-along moment to bring the curtain down on a spectacular show.
The other winners on the night included  Bruno Mars , Macklemore and Ryan Lewis , Pink , Selena Gomez . 30 Seconds To Mars and Austin Mahone.

Meanwhile Drake , Kanye West also performed whilst Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were joined by Jennifer Hudson for a spine tingling performance of the anthemic Same Love

The list of winners from the MTV Video Music Awards are shown below

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2013

video of the year -Justin Timberlake "Mirrors "

best male video -Bruno Mars " Locked Out Of Heaven "

best female video -Taylor Swift "I Knew You Were Trouble "

best hip hop video -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis -2Cant Hold Us

best video with a social message -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis -"Same Love "

best rock video -30 Seconds To Mars " Up In The air "

best pop video -Selena Gomez " Come And Get It

best collaboration -Pink feat Nate Ruess " Just Give Me A Reason "

Madonna's 55 Greatest Hits

Fifty five years ago today. In Bay City , Michigan ,  a child was borne unto the world. That child would grow up to be the undisputed Queen Of Pop. That child was Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. The one and only Madonna.
Today , she turns 55 , in the same week her young pretenders Lady Gaga and Katy Perry battle it out.

Thirty years on from her eponymous debut album and the countless accolades , iconic hits , controversies and groundbreaking videos. Madonna is still unrivalled and the ultimate female pop icon.

To mark her glorious 55 years , below I list Madonna's 55 greatest hits. Not an easy task by any means. But have a browse , debate , discuss , and relive the Madonna memories.

• MADONNA'S TOP 55

1. LIKE A PRAYER

2. Into The Groove

3. Vogue

4. Holiday

5. Papa Don't Preach

6. True Blue

7. Express Yourself

8. Live To Tell

9.Ray Of Light

10. Like A Virgin

11. Material Girl

12. Crazy for You

13. Borderline

14.Open Your Heart

15. La Isla Bonita

16. Music

17. Dress You Up

18. Cherish

19. Secret

20. Frozen

21.Take A Bow

22. You'll See

23. The Power Of Goodbye

24. Lucky Star

25. Erotica

26. Burning Up

27. Who's That Girl

28. This Used To Be My Playground

29. Deeper And Deeper

30. Oh Father

31. Human Nature

32. Dont Tell Me

33.Rain

34. Drowned World/Substitute For Love

35. Hung Up

36. You Must Love Me

37. I'll Remember

38. Bad Girl

39. Hollywood

40. Die Another Day

41. Justify My Love

42. 4 Minutes

43. Dear Jessie

44. Dont Cry For Me Argentina

45. Causing A Commotion

46. Sorry

47. Get Together

48. Give It 2 Me

49. Bedtime Stories

50. What It Feels Like For A Girl

51. One More Chance

52.Nothing Really Matters

53. Girl Gone Wild

54. Angel

55. American Life