Cher Lloyd – Want U Back
“Want U Back” is British pop star Cher Lloyd’s first single in the US and is a great, feisty debut for the 18-year old who competed on The X Factor UK two years ago. The song was originally released as Lloyd’s third single off her album Sticks + Stones, and was re-cut and re-released for her introduction to the US. The music video shows Lloyd confronting her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend in a diner while wreaking havoc all over the place. Apart from looking like an American Apparel advertisement, Lloyd shows off her serious sass and has a great “don’t care” attitude while keeping things PG for the young ones.
Lykke Li – Come Near
Lykke Li’s label Ingrid released a compilation called Volym 1 for international Record Store Day on April 21. The compilation featured Scandinavian artists including Miike Snow, Starlight Serenade, and a brand new track by Lykke Li. “Come Near” is an ethereal tribal inspired track with no apparent hook or chorus, but shows Lykke Li’s raw talent with some creative African inspired wails and drums. Those Swedes are a talented bunch.
Kanye West – Lost in the World
Even though Kanye West’s last album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasies was released over a year ago, the rap superstar teamed up with fashion filmmaker Ruth Hogben to create this video masterpiece. His video for Kanye’s “Lost in the World,” which features Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, is stunning and goes far beyond the norm of usual rap aesthetics. It’s an art piece shot in black and white featuring anguished dancing, layering effects, and strobe. Lots of strobe. Whether you’re a Kanye fan or not, this creative video is definitely worth checking out.
Young London – Someone Like You
I know, I know, do we really need another technofied version of an Adele song? The answer is yes. Yes we do. Boston electro-pop duo Young London takes Adele’s ballad, adds some synth, ups the tempo a few notches, throws in some Dubstep, and voila! Now, instead of a song usually saved for tears and ice cream, you can have some fun and dance to this sweet jam! Also, the video is super cute as Matt Rhoades tinkers at the sound board while Sarah Graziani belts her heart out in the studio.
Regina Spektor – All The Rowboats
Three years after her most recent album Far, Ms. Spektor is back in all her indie-pop glory with All The Rowboats, her first single off her sixth studio album What We Saw From Cheap Seats. All The Rowboats is a dark yet dreamy track backed by a haunting piano and electric guitar. The music video, directed by Tom Petty’s daughter Adria Petty, brings out All The Rowboats’ dark quality with Spektor running through lights, falling in water and being whisked away tied up in a rowboat. Spektor’s new album drops on May 29.
- Azra Kassam
