Thursday, July 23, 2009

Madonna GH Details

Warner Bros. just released an official statement confirming Madonna's third greatest hits compilation, Celebration. The label writes, via their website,
"Warner Bros. Records officially confirmed the September 28th release of “CELEBRATION” – the ultimate compilation of Madonna songs. The songs on “Celebration” have all been remastered and selected by Madonna and her fans. They cover the expanse of the Material Girl’s extraordinary career of hits including “Everybody,” “Express Yourself,” “Vogue” and “4 Minutes.” “Celebration” will be available in a two-CD set as well as a single CD. There will also be a “Celebration” DVD released simultaneously which includes the video visionary’s best videos including several that have never before been available on DVD."
The CD will feature two new tracks Madonna recently recorded in New York with DJ Paul Oakenfold. The first single, also titled "Celebration," will hit radio stations August 3rd. A video for the song has already been shot in Milan but there is no word of when it will be ready for release. The video was directed by Jonas Akerlund who has previously directed videos such as Christina's "Beautiful," Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" and Madonna's own "Ray of Light," "Music," and "American Life."

The album's cover was done by street pop artist Mr. Brainwash, who is best known for “throwing modern cultural icons into a blender and turning it up to eleven."


Monday, July 20, 2009

Music Update

It's been a while since I lasted posted and a lot has happened. Here's what you may have missed:

  • Brit is rumored to be working on a second greatest hits album tentatively titled, The Singles Collection, which will include hits from Blackout and Circus, as well as her earlier albums, as well as five or six new songs. Brit tweeted earlier this week "In Stockholm in the studio with [uber producer] Max Martin" which makes this all the more believeable. Rumors suggest a September/October release but I might say November in order to capitalize on Christmas sales.
  • Britney isn't alone in the greatest hits department, Madonna has been hard at work on creating her third compilation. A snippet of the first single, "Celebrate" can be heard here. Oh. My. God. Cannot wait to hear the full song. It's just what I need from Madonna after that whole Hard Candy mishap. Madge enlisted DJ extraordinaire Paul Oakenfold to produce the new tracks. He says, "It's cutting-edge sounds combined with classic Madonna" Sound familiar? That's almost exactly what Timbaland said about Hard Candy. But my have faith in Oakenfold has been solidified after hearing the preview. Expect a late-September release date.
  • Kelly Clarkson has selected "Already Gone," a Ryan Tedder production, as her third single. The music video has been shot already and will soon be ready to view, according to her official website. The midtempo song is a nice selection, one of the better tracks on the album.
  • In more Britney news, you can vote for her hypothetical next single here. I cast my vote for "Unusual You" I really would love to hear a slightly tweaked radio edit. It is currently in the lead, followed by "Kill the Lights".
  • Shakira premiered her new single, "She Wolf", from the album of the same name, earlier this week. The track unveils a new musical style for the Latin superstar, a fusion of disco and electronica, complete with howling and heavy panting. Many are calling this her strongest work yet, but I have to disagree. Yes, it's different but it's missing an element that is preventing it from being a smash. Maybe it will grow on me.
  • Michelle Branch has a new song out, "Sooner or Later" which you can listen to via CMT.com

Thursday, June 11, 2009

This Sounds Ah-mazing

While Britney ventures to the land down under and has a second go in the US for her Circus tour, a newly announced fall concert has caught my attention: Kanye West will be touring with none other than Lady GaGa! What's more? Well, instead of having GaGa be an opener or co-headliner, instead the two artists will synthesize their two acts into one to create one set which they will perform together. Huge!


Unfortunately for me the money well has dried up and I already have tickets to see Kylie Minogue when she comes to NYC in October. Which, don't get me wrong, I'm psyched about but this sounds like one of the most amazing combinations. No dates or ticket info have been released.

source

Monday, April 20, 2009

GASP!

New Pussycat Dolls news via Nicole's twitter: there will be a third PCD album but she writes"the third album will be the last PCD album with the current members. However we haven't started it yet, so don't worry!" Nicole speculates a 2011 release. She also mentions that mah fave doll, Jessica Sutta, will be getting more vocal parts on the third album.

Nicole also confirms that Hush Hush will be the final single from Doll Domination and the Dolls are currently discussing plans for the video. Also, we can expect a PCD workout video very soon. Woohoo.

So is Nicole planning a second attempt at a solo career? Is Melody?

Sunday, April 19, 2009

I Know I'm Late ...

But I am loving Lady GaGa! I finally bought her debut album, The Fame and it is so refreshing. I've beaten Kylie's X to a pulp and I've been in need of some delicious electropop (BritBrit's Circus was a nice appetizer). Anyways, GaGa's album has a very strong start and just keeps going. I was familiar with a handful of the songs but the first to really catch my attention was Paparazzi—I absolutely love it! It will serve as the UK's third single from GaGa while she releases another great track, LoveGame, in the US. Here are some shots from the set of the Paparazzi video...

I think what I love most about Lady GaGa is that she is bringing pop back into the mainstream. We've been so overloaded—and still are—with hip hop and rap that radiowaves are in need of some change. Now that we have GaGa and BritBrit getting airplay it seems about time that Girls Aloud get in on the action! No? Well, I can dream.

Friday, April 17, 2009

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Of course I'm talking about Heidi Montag. After leaking four potential album tracks, Montag shared her new song Black Out with the populous. In my opinion it's one of her few respectable tracks— perhaps because it comes from her recent writing sessions with Cathy Dennis, pop songwriter extraordinaire. Dennis has helped pen everything from the Spice Girls' Wannabe to Kylie's Can't Get You Out of My Head to Britney's Toxic. It's still unknown as to when Montag's album will be released. So far only four tracks have been confirmed for her debut, Look How I'm Doing, Your Love Found Me, Turn Ya Head (also written by Dennis), and now Black Out.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

[Even More] New Music from Heidi

Heidi Montag hit us with two new tracks in one day! Both could appear on her album which is rumored to have a summer release. Look How I'm Doin' is the perfect Montag club thumping track similar to her previous songs Body Language and One More Drink. Unfortunately a version hasn't leaked that doesn't have the On-Air with Ryan Seacrest tags but this shall suffice. The second track, You Found Me, is a different style for Montag ... one I don't like. It's really late-90s sugar pop with a showtune twist. It just doesn't work for me.

UPDATE: Two more new tracks from Heidi were released yesterday as well as the untagged version of Look How I'm Doin' which I haven't been able to get out of my head all day. I absolutely love it! The new songs, Turn Ya Head and More is More are decent dance tracks . She's a little too shouty on More is More and I think Turn Ya Head will be a grower. Check them out below.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Oh LaLohan

What has happened to Lindsay Lohan's career? Her latest film, Labor Pains has just received the straight-to-DVD treatment after premiering on ABC (wait for it) Family. That's right, not even ABC but ABC Family. That's ... pretty sad. Here's the trailer:



While I'm always one to find the good in situations concerning my favorite starlets, this film is sending a horrible message to teen girls. Believe me, I'm no advocate but there's been a notable increase in teen pregnancies within the past few years and a movie in which the star says "I'm better pregnant. For once my life doesn't suck." Is that really what you want young, impressionable girls to think? My life will be better if I'm pregnant. Yeah all that morning sickness is great, not to mention all the extra weight plus oh yeah at the end you have a baby to take care of while you're supposed to be in school. I think Hollywood needs to lay off pregnancy as a subject matter so that it isn't being constantly put in our thoughts. I'm just saying there is more likely than not a connection between the hypersexual content and the current trend of maternity in the media.

Lindsay, just go back into the studio and finish your third album please!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

AH-MAZING

The music video for Girls Aloud's new single, Untouchable, premiered early today and all I can say is omgomgomg. I am in love with it. I love the whole concept; the girls as meteor-like orbs, the red alert is pretty much epic, not to mention the styling (Nadine looks gorrrrgeous). This is way more than what I was expecting especially since they just shot the video just over five days ago. Seriously these girls just keep getting better and better.


Tuesday, March 24, 2009

New Single from Girls Aloud

As they gear up for their new tour, Girls Aloud are set to release their third single from their latest album Out of Control.Untouchable was selected as the British girl group's 21st single by an online fan poll. It is definitely my favorite song on the album, as well as the longest with a runtime of 6:45. It has however been edited for radio play with new vocals and a quicker tempo. The music video is set to premiere tomorrow and a single release is set for April 27.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Dolls Upgrade to 2.0


The Pussycat Dolls have just revealved information pertaining to the re-release of Doll Domination. Aptly titled, Doll Domination 2.0, the album will supposedly only include 10 tracks which begs the question ... why bother even purchasing it? It will featuring the unreleased tracks Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny), Top of the World (theme song to The City and my life), Painted Windows, as well as a remix of Hush Hush featuring vocals from Gloria Gaynor's disco classic, I Will Survive. Tracks reappearing from the original Doll Domination include singles When I Grow Up, Bottle Pop, I Hate This Part as well as "fan favorites" Halo, Takin' Over the World, and I'm Done. The re-release hits stores April 14.

Now I've been anticipating this re-release for a while but I'm a bit thrown by the track listing. First of all, only 10 tracks? That just seems nonsensical if they want to make money from this effort. I'm glad they scrapped the crap songs on the original album but where is Whatcha Think About That which they performed on tour with Britney, and released as a single (granted it flopped majorly) and Magic, one of the better songs off DD. We'll have to wait and see if this track list is true.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

All Eyes On Britney...

A few nights ago I had the privilege of catching The Circus: Starring Britney Spears, Brit's seventh concert tour. The show had its ups and downs which is why I've compiled some dos and don'ts of touring.

When returning to stage after a period of absense
Do: Enlist a major pop act to rev up the crowd before you take the stage. The Pussycat Dolls were an excellent selection on Brit's team's part. They were full of energy and had a list of hits to perform that the crowd was familiar with.
Don't: Keep the crowd waiting with superfluous acts. After the Pussycat Dolls' 40-or-so minute set we were treated to performers from the Big Apple Circus. By this time we wanted one thing: Britney. I didn't want contortionists or unicyclists or any crap like that. I wanted the show to start! Simple as that.

When Choosing a Setlist
Do: Keep the energy going with dance tracks, mixed with the occasional ballad to slow things down.
Don't: Disregard your hits. Considering its been a while since the last tour I wanted to celebrate the new albums as well as the golden days. While there were nods to $ucce$$e$ such as Baby One More Time, Slave, Toxic, and Everytime noticeably absent were Oops!, Crazy, Lucky, My Prerogative and Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman. The setlist in general was peculiar; there was a pluthera of Blackout tracks, however, sans Break The Ice. Previous album tracks such as Breathe on Me and Touch of My Hand worked their way in (granted I love them, they still could have been replaced by singles or current album tracks).

When Choosing Costumes
Do: Bring major designers on board, such as DSquared2, to create dazzling ensembles that are stage-friendly and conscious of your newly hot bod.
Don't: Change every other song if the costumes all look similar; I would rather keep the momentum going with fewer costumes than constantly stop and start only to see another sparkley, sequined number.

Overall the show was remarkable, full of energy and quite the production. The circus theme was well executed initially but was phased out as the concert progressed. The highlight was the amazing opening with Circus which was followed by Piece of Me and Radar after a quick wardrobe change. Also, there was a stunning video interlude, set to a cover of Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics, in what could have been a promo for Gossip Girl. The best part of the concert was definitely being able to see Britney back in action. I had my doubts as to whether or not the show would be cancelled or whether she could pull off an entire performance but I was pleasantly surprised at how well Ms. Spears managed throughout the night. I can't wait for the next tour which will hopefully include some more of her back catalogue.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Expanding Her Empire

What can't Lindsay Lohan do? First diverging from movies to music and more recently into the world of fashion with her line of leggings, LiLo is set to debut her own self-tanner. That's right, self-tanner. The product is chemical free and contains caramel, Chardonnay extracts, gogi berry, and a sugar-coconut base. In other words it sounds delish. It will supposedly last about 5 days. LiLo developed the mist with Lorit Simon, a "tanning expert" who has bronzed Lohan on numerous occasions for events as well as fashion spreads. Titled Sevin Nyne (LiLo's fave numbers), the tanner will hit Sephora shelves exclusively April 15. I'm def getting some!

Goodbye to the Hills?

We were graced not too long ago with the trailer for the new season of The Hills. While it promises tearful reunions, the show's protagonist, Lauren Conrad, has proclaimed her retirement from the series. I know. Take a few deep breaths. L.C. broke the news in the latest Seventeen which MTV producers later confirmed. She cites her desire for more privacy as the primary reason for her departure.

Anyways, the people at MTV are trying to figure out a way to beat the dead cash cow horse some more and keep the show running. While there is still talk of Speidi getting their own series what I'm interested in is something à la The Ashlee Simpson Show or Cheyenne that documents Heidi as she records her debut album. That would indeed be a hot mess.

But I digress, the trailer begins with what could not be a more scripted tarot reading of LC and a flashback to the beloved "You know what you did!" encounter at Les Deux. While I am excited for the Heidi-Lauren reunion I hope they don't make us wait until the end of the season. Heidi continues her incomprehensible relationship with Spencer who appears to be getting some action on the side (run home to mommy for some advice that you'll ultimately ignore). Lo resurfaces, albeit briefly. My favorite part however is the epic build up at the end (the Spencer brawl looks enticing). I can't wait for all the dramz to start again!



The new season of the Hills starts March 30

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

DSquared2 Hits Milan

DSquared2 showed their latest collection at Milan Fashion week. Models strutted down the runway in Olsen-esque looks, carrying Starbucks lattes and Star magazines in their bags, some even checking their BlackBerry. The somewhat tame show makes me wonder how they tackled the challenge of dressing Britney for her tour, The Circus: Starring Britney Spears which kicks off tonight. The twin brothers helped outfit Madonna for her Drowned World Tour in 2001 with country-Western inspired costumes also featured in her music video for Don't Tell Me. Hopefully BritBrit's ensembles are a bit more elaborate ... and revealing. Only 13 more days!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Riding Coattails of $ucce$$

Without a doubt, Slumdog Millionaire ruled the award ceremonies this year winning eight of the ten Oscars it was nominated for, as well as four Golden Globes and seven BAFTA awards. Following this immense success, two of my favorite pop acts have decided to cash in. First, the Pussycat Dolls have scrapped plans of releasing Bottle Pop (much to my dismay, this song has been stuck in my head for weeks) in favor of Jai Ho. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Originally sung in Hindi, the Pussycat Dolls have created their own "interpretation" featuring English lyrics. The Dolls are set to re-release Doll Domination, most likely to capitalize on Jai Ho, and begin their tour with Britney Spears tomorrow in New Orleans.

Pop princess Kylie Minogue is also working with Slumdog Millionaire composer, A.R. Rahman, for the new Bollywood film Blue. Minogue has been in Mumbai for a few days before shooting a music video for the film. She has recorded two songs for the film, both with Rahman. Kylie commented, “I love to be taken out of my... well, not my comfort zone, but my world... this is certainly far different from anything I’ve done before.” She's set to play herself in the film in a performance-based role.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Oops ...

Kelly Clarkson's new album, All I Ever Wanted, was leaked on iTunes thanks to Norway a few days ago. The CD isn't set to be released for another few weeks. I was quick to jump, naturally, to see how she handled the much anticipated album. I knew from the sound of My Life Would Suck Without You that she was re-rooting herself in mainstream pop, I just wasn't prepared for this.

The album traipses from one bubblegum pop track to another without ceasing. She seems to lose her personality throughout the album, caught up in the sugar-coated productions and run-of-the-mill pop motifs. Tracks such as I Do Not Hook Up and Whyyawannabringmedown are rather dire but some eighth grader out there will find comfort in them.

This really could have been an amazing album had she melded the power pop of Breakaway with the personal touch of My December. I was most anticipating a polished version of Ready, a demo that leaked months after the release of My December. The vulnerability in her voice and simple production fit perfectly. The final vocals, however, are void of any sort of personality and placed on top of an over-produced score. While it is sure to be a commercial success, All I Ever Wanted is by no means a classic, nor an artistic venture.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Three of a Kind

After recuperating from the split with her former Wreckers bandmate, Jessica Harp, Michelle Branch is set to release her third solo studio album. Continuing with a country twist, Branch remains true to her pop rock style on Everything Comes and Goes. The first single, This Way, debuted earlier this week on her website. It's nice to hear new music from Michelle, she was one of my favorite artists years ago and then she kind of disappeared (granted she got married, had a child, and toured for quite some time). She is still recording songs for the album and therefore no date has been confirmed yet for release. This will be her first solo album since Hotel Paper back in 2003.

A track from fellow singer-songwriter, Natalie Imbruglia, recently leaked titled, My God. It's in a similar vein to the new songs on her greatest hits album in 2007. It's alright if you ask me; what you would expect from Natalie. The album drops next month.

Finally, the first single from newly-engaged Mandy Moore's upcoming album, Amanda Leigh, leaked. The album will be her sixth studio album! Who knew she made that many? The track, I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week is the first taste of the album, which seems to be reminiscent of her previous work, Wild Hope. Look for a May release of Amanda Leigh.




Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Lady Gaga vs. Heidi Montag

I was checking out the soundtrack to the upcoming film, Confessions of a Shopaholic to see if it would at all to the music from The Devil Wears Prada. Long story short, it doesn't; but the point is that on the tracklisting is Fashion by Lady Gaga. Listening to a quick sample of it I realized it's the same song that leaked by pop prodigy Heidi Montag. Delving into the history of the song, it was actually penned by Lady Gaga and given to Montag to use in her forthcoming album.

Sadly enough I actually prefer Heidi's version. She gives it more personality and owns it! Montag is supposedly going to be doing a club tour in LA and NYC to promote her album which is rumored to have a March 2009 release date. Can't wait!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Blame It On Guy Ritchie

Madonna landed her own 46-page portfolio in the upcoming W magazine and it is delicious. Titled "Blame It On Rio," the pop diva was shot in sensuous Rio de Janeiro by Steven Klein (and yes that is her rumored boy toy Jesus Luz she's with). I cannot wait to see these in the big, glossy pages of W. Take that Guy!




Some People Won't Go Away

Timbaland protégé Keri Hilson is still releasing singles to promote her continuously pushed-back album, In A Perfect World, which was originally set for a release in mid-2007! Now slated for a March 2009 release, the album has already produced three failed singles (maybe only two). The Hilson team is gearing up to release, Turn Up the Radio another upbeat R&B track, similar to those released before.

Answer me this; why is her record label pouring so much money into her when she hasn't produced a smash hit? It's like a black hole. My follow-up question is why was Nicole Scherzinger's solo project scrapped so early! Her efforts are underrated and underappreciated. In A Perfect World hits stores March 24. Meanwhile, Her Name Is Nicole sits collecting dust on a shelf at Interscope Records.


Sunday, February 8, 2009

New Pussycat Dolls

Not too long ago the Pussycat Dolls released their new single, Bottle Pop, sans Snoop Dogg. The video is what's to be expected from the troupe: dancing, cabaret-inspired, leg lifts, etc. Not that the Dolls are known for their budget-busting videos but they always work with what they have (sex appeal, choreography, etc.). With this video the styling is off (Nicole does not look good), the choreography is lackluster (um, what is with the whole ground humping bit?) and the camera work is a little shaky. While the video isn't as bad as their previous effort, Whatcha Think About That ... oh, no one knew they even released that?

In my opinion, I think they should have scrapped Bottle Pop and released Magic instead. It's one of the best on a so-so album and with a fresher radio mix it could revitalize the plundering Doll Domination. Check out both Bottle Pop and Magic below:



Download/Bottle Pop (Video Version)
Download/Magic

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Boombox Finally Drops

While Japan received the first release of Kylie Minogue's Boombox, a remix compilation spanning from 2000-2008, way back in early December, North America, as per usual, had to wait. I must admit I was surprised to learn that there even was a release date, considering the embarrassing performance of X, her latest studio album, in the US (but she managed to nab a Grammy nomination for best dance record!).

I was anxious to get my copy so I rushed to the Virgin Megastore in Union Square after class. Inside, I quickly found it under the new releases with a good number already gone! Plus it was marked with a big $10 sticker to draw people in. The artwork is pretty experimental with chopped up images of Kylie's various body parts spelling out the title.

The remixes are, for the most part, cohesive which creates an amiable flow to the album. Throughtout the course of eight years presented on the album, Kylie has released a multitude of remixes. Are these the best? No (seriously, a Bini & Martini mix over Freemasons?). Do they suffice? I suppose. While they may not be the rarest mixes of the songs, there are gems such as the Chemical Brothers interpretation of Slow, as well as the unreleased title track, Boombox, reworked by LA Riots. Overall, it's a well put together compilation to appease the desire for new Kylie material between studio albums. Check out one of the tracks below:

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Kylie's New Tous Campaign

Kylie Minogue's new campaign was unveiled earlier this week for jewelry and accessory brand Tous via their website. All I can say is gorgeous! Finally Kylie is looking less matronly and more fresh. The image is evocative of her Brigitte Bardot-inspired Body Language era, circa 2003. I hope this photo session is used in their print ads! I always love seeing Kylie flipping through Vogue.


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

$ucce$$ for Kelly

Well, America has bought into Kelly's effort to revitalize her faltering pop career. Perhaps intrigued by the censoring of the song's title, listeners were eager to purchase My Life Would Suck Without You, Clarkson's follow-up to the commercially and critically disastrous My December. The song shot up the chart to the top position shortly after its release on January 16 (my birthday!).

More importantly, my girl BritBrit holds strong in the top 10 with Circus at #9 and Womanizer holding its own at #19. If U Seek Amy, the upcoming third single, has been plagued with censorship difficulties. Radio stations are demanding that the song be renamed to If U See Amy to appease the outcries of anger from soccer moms across the country. In my opinion, if you have to go through the trouble of editing and renaming a song it isn't worth the release; simply select another single (I know, there was that whole 'Vote for the next single' thing on her site but the public doesn't always know what they want).

It is pop courtesy for the third single be a slower-tempo song: Pussycat Dolls' PCD, 1. Don't Cha 2. Beep 3. Stickwitu. Brit's own In the Zone, 1. Me Against the Music 2. Toxic 3. Everytime. It's just common practice. Thus, rather than fussing with If U Seek Amy, Brit's crew should focus on creating an editted radio mix of Unusual You.


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Gossip Girl Spin-Off Gets Stamp of Approval

The CW has agreed to finally shoot a pilot for the much talked about offshoot of the wildly popular drama, Gossip Girl. Rather than centering around the overly dramatic life of little Jenny Humphrey (thank god), it will feature a teenage Lily van der Woodsen as she leaves her family nest and sets her sights on Hollywood glamour. Surely there will be a young Rufus Humphrey attempting to get his break into rock stardom to join Lily in the big city. Oh, and did I mention it will be set in the 80s? Can't wait to see what the stylists conjure up for the wardrobe.

The pilot has yet to be cast, but it set to air May 11 in place of Gossip Girl. Furthermore, it has yet to receive the green light to became a full-fledged series.

Kelly Clarkson Seeks Redemption

Kelly Clarkson debuted her new single, My Life Would Suck Without You, earlier this week. The track comes from her fourth album, All I Ever Wanted which was influenced, as she has stated, by Garbage and Mozart. She recruited OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder to produce the album and help make it a hit (he has worked with Leona Lewis, Hilary Duff, Pussycat Dolls, Natasha Bedingfield, etc.). Also, Clarkson has been working with Britney-mastermind, Max Martin who is responisble for songs such as ...Baby One More Times\, Oops!, and If U Seek Amy from Britney's latest album. Martin also produced Clarkson's biggest hit Since U Been Gone as well as Behind These Hazel Eyes.

Max Martin produced My Life Would Suck Without You which tries, and fails, to be a Since U Been Gone Part II. It's a mediocre, generic pop song that reeks of desperation. It's kind of sad to see Clarkson this way; she has had quite the roller coaster ride when it comes to success. Hopefully her personality will shine through a bit more in the rest of the album which is set to release on March 17. 'Til then, check out the first single below (mind the uber-Photoshopped cover):



Pre-Fall 2009

While many collections have been rather lackluster, a trend has begun to surface throughout several collections. Designers seem to be inspired by 1960s art and fashion, regressing back to the days of Twiggy and bold mod prints. Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg, as well as Nicole Miller and Missoni among others, presented their 60s-inspired collections for Pre-Fall 2009 over the past month pairing their print-heavy designs with black tights, a trend that continues into the new year.

Michael Kors

Nicole Miller
Missoni

Sunday, January 11, 2009

New Girls Aloud

A rip of the new Girls Aloud song, Memory of You, leaked onto the internet this week. It is set to be the B-side to The Loving Kind, which will be release tomorrow, January 12. Memory of You is one of the best songs I've heard from the group in a while. The majority of the song is sung by Kimberly Walsh, who seldom receives solo parts, let alone carries a song. Nicola Roberts also is featured on the song.

The song is dreamlike with a persistent, pulsing beat accompanied by synths. It is reminiscent of Untouchable from their latest album, Out of Control. I don't understand why it was left off the album, or why they don't feature Kimberly more often; she has an amazing, melodic voice. Check it out the song below:



Download/Memory Of You

Kylie & Pierre

While watching Kylie Minogue's magnificent X2008 Tour (via Youtube) I noticed a little gem: her shoes. I discovered, by searching through the tour book, that they were designed by master shoe designer, Pierre Hardy. The pair Kylie dons during her Cheer section of the concert is an adaptation of his sneaker-stiletto, pictured on the right, circa Spring '08. It's a perfect twist on the classic trainer!


The X2008 tour is such a beautiful show, filled with gorgeous costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier; I just wish I could have seen it live!