In one of the most iconic pop happenings of 2013 , supposed rivals Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera performed together for the very first time.
In matching gold outfits the unlikely pairing came together for a fantastic rendition of Gaga's current hit Do What U Want.
Aguilera , who is a mentor on The Voice , sang R Kelly's lines , emerging from behind a sequinned clam like only she could.
There seemed a warm , natural chemistry between the two as their powerhouse vocals gelled and blended perfectly for a rousing performance.
The performance ended with both divas smashing champagne flutes simultaneously onto the stage floor in typically diva-esque fashion
Both superstars were full of praise for each other taking to Twitter following the performance.
Gaga tweeted - "thank you for performing with me, your heart is as big as your voice. Such a fan for so long , cant believe we shared the stage "
Aguilera responded tweeting -"Feeling is mutual , you're a beautful person inside and out. Love u gorgeous xx "
Rumours of a feud smashed to pieces like the shards of glass from their champagne flutes. And what price a future collaboration. Sexxx Dreams remix anyone ?
It was a fantastic moment , which i would love to see repeated.
Watch Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera perform together on The Voice finale
"One day I'll be waiting there /No empty bench in Soho Square"
This day 13 years go , Britain and music lost one of its finest songwriters when Kirsty MacColl was prematurely taken from us. During a period when her voice was heard from every radio and shopping centre courtesy of perennial Christmas classic Fairytale Of New York , Kirsty was struck by a boat in Cozumel , Mexico.
She had been diving with her sons Louis and Jamie in a restricted diving area , when she was killed instantly.
It was a heartwrenching denouement for the Croydon singer who had been enjoying a career purple patch with what was to be her final album Tropical Brainstorm , released in March of the same year.
MacColl released the still gorgeous They Dont Know in 1979 , later famously covered by comedienne Tracy Ullman. It was as sweet and charming a love song as you could get. Desperate Character followed in 1983 , her debit album. There A Guy works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis would give Kirsty her first UK Top 20 hit. It remains one of her most beloved tracks.
However it was her 1985 cover of friend Billy Bragg's A New England , which gave her the biggest solo hit of her career peaking at Number 7. This came after she had been dropped from Polydor Records. Before this Kirsty had recorded the glorious He's On The Beach , one of my all time favourite songs by her.
It was in 1987 though , that Kirsty MacColl would become immortal and engrained forever in the canon of all time Christmas classics. That year , having spent much of 1986 doing session work with luminaries such as The Smiths and Alison Moyet , that Kirsty would sing one of the greatest songs of all time.
That song was Fairytale of New York with The Pogues. By sheer twist fof ate The Pogues led by the inimitable Shane McGowan had been working with MacColl's then husband , legendary producer Steve Lilywhite.
When Cait O'Riordan had left The Pogues , before the song was complete , Kirsty provided vocals for the demo. MacGowan liked it so much , MacColl was asked to sing on the actual recording. The rest is pop history.
Kirsty and Shane's contrast of vocal deliveries over bittersweet lyrics is as rousing as it is utterly heartbreaking. Not just a Christmas classic, but an all time classic. " you scumbag you maggot ,you cheap lousy faggot , Happy Christmas your arse , I pray God its our last " sings Kirsty in spectacular fashion. It is just beautiful.
Despite being beaten to the Christmas top spot by the Pet Shop Boys atrocious Elvis cover , the song has left an enduring legacy. Fairytale Of New York , has become as much a part of Christmas as mince pies and Bing Crosby.
Through this song , Kirsty will live on forever.
In 1989 , Kite would give MacColl one of her most acclaimed albums with Free World , Dont Come The Cowboy With Me and her stunning version of The Kinks Days , hitting Number 12.
The 90s saw Kirsty release Electric Landlady and Titanic Days. Walking On Madison and the divine Caroline , two of the stand outs from that period.
In These Shoes , from final album , Tropical Brainstorm , would sadly and quite fittingly become her sassy swansong and last musical hurrah before her untimely departure later that year.
Since December 18th 2000 , Kirsty is commemorated on the Sunday nearest to each birthday every October at her bench in Soho Square. Here , fans gather to pay tribute to her. No doubt that bench feels emptier on this day every year.
Kirsty MacColl's legacy is one of a witty , clever songwriter and singer who during her 41 years gave an enchanting , beautiful and wonderfully witty and raucous musical body of work to enjoy for years to come.
Terry , Theres A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swear He's Elvis , They Dont Know , Walking Down Madison , Caroline , In These Shoes.
From Croydon to Cuba , Kirsty MacColl will live on forever. And that's the real fairytale.
2014 is gearing up to be a huge year for 21 year old British singer/songwriter Sam Smith. Having already featured on Naughty Boy's massive La La La and Disclosure's Latch , Smith is set to take 2014 by storm.
This week Smith followed in the footsteps of Adele , Ellie Goulding , Florence and the Machine , Emeli Sande and Jessie J by being named Critics Choice at the Brit Awards 2014.
Smith beat out other hotly tipped up and comers Ella Eyre and Chloe Howl and will receive the awarda t February's ceremony.
The singer received rave reviews for his Nirvana EP earlier this year. And he will surely receive the same when debut album In The Lonely Hour is released on may 26th.
The album is preceded by single Money On My Mind in February. Expect Sam Smith to enjoy similar success next year to fellow Brit soul crooner John Newman. Another artist who featured on a chart topping hit by a UK urban act before enjoying huge solo success.
Following the surprise release of her fifth studio album last Friday , Beyonce's new self titled album has become the fastest selling album in iTunes history. BEYONCE is well on its way to shofting over a million copies this week. Thus far , the critically acclaimed new opus has shifted 828 ,773 copies.
It reached Number 5 on the UK album charts after only 24 hours on Sundays chart and will top Billboards Top 200 albums in the USA this week.
The album has topped the iTunes chart in a staggering 104 countries. Add to that , shes achieved the highest first week sales of a female solo artist this year.
The album has been met by a hugely positive repsonse from fans and critics alike praising the albums bold , modern sexy sound.
It's also been revealed that Blow and Drunk On Love look set to be the first singles from the collection.
Right now its Beyonces world and we just live in it.
Eminem and Rihanna have premiered the video for their chart topping collaboration The Monster. Directed by Rich Lee , the promo sees Rihanna play Eminems therapist as he revisits his past.
The video is cleverly interwoven with footage of some of Eminem's classic videos including The Way I Am , Lose Yourself , My Name Is as well as famous 2001 Grammy Awards performance with Elton John.
The song is currently sitting atop the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA after previously hitting the summit in the UK last month. Of course , it is the second time Eminem and Rihanna have topped the charts together. In 2010 , Love The Way You Lie off the album Recovery was the biggest selling track of that year.
Watch the video for Eminem and Rihanna's The Monster below
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 )
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.
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
" 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
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