“I Couldn’t Be Your Friend” – Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara’s upcoming album Heartthrob is filled with upbeat tearjerkers like this one…trust the duo to come up with the saddest lyrics set to dance-pop music. “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend,” is about the aftermath of a broken relationship when it’s impossible to be ‘just friends’. But instead of a slow ballad like you would expect, the song swells with power pop beats and cheerful chords. Heartthrob hits stored Jan. 29.
“One Way Trigger” – The Strokes
The Strokes’ new track is probably the most surprising song I’ve heard so far this year and sounds nothing like any Strokes song out there. Pretty much, the track sounds like it’s been thrown into a video game, the guitars have been traded in for synthpop, and lead singer Julian Casablancas tries his hand at falsetto singing. It’s different, but I still give the guys kudos for trying something new.
Freedom – Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj’s new track “Freedom” is a surprisingly intimate reflection of her success in the rap industry and her rise to stardom. Off her upcoming album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up, Nicki suppresses her usual animalistic antics rapping confidently but tamely. She sings also sings the slow hook, and actually has a pretty controlled set of pipes on her. It’s a very non-Nicki track, but a welcomed change. The Re-Up features collaborations with big names like Ciara, Tyga, Cassie, and Lil Wayne. The record drops Nov. 19.
Blank Page – Christina Aguilera
In a pop music world dominated by scantily clad young girls, hard beats, auto-tune, and dubstep drops, poor Christina Aguilera has had a hard time trying to fit in and stay relevant (does anyone remember the monstrosity that was Bionic?) Finally, the songstress seems to have found her own with her upcoming album Lotus. “Blank Page,” the latest track to be released, is very reminiscent of “Beautiful,” with a soft piano, and X-tina’s inhumanely powerful voice being showcased in all its glory. We aren’t sure whether Blank Page will be released as a single, but it could make for an extremely successful ballad. Lotus hits stores Nov. 12.
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