Travis Garland is the kind of artist that I have learned to love more and more as time goes on. With each independent release, the quality of what he is putting out into the public sphere is ACHING for the attention of the masses. All of this, without even trying it seems. Since I learned of Travis, he has never stepped out of his lane. I mean sure, every rising star has some lame electro-pop demos floating around the net, but it is with his official and REAL tracks that Travis has created his signature sound. I have posted a few of his songs in the past and “Where to Land” is so authentically him, it makes me super excited as a fan.

“Where to Land” is produced by the AMAZING, CRAZY, and STUPID TALENTED “The Stereotypes”. These guys have produced some HUGE songs and I will definitely do a feature on them in the future. Playing like a trend-train riding alternative-R&B song, Travis really takes this backdrop and keeps it HIM. He has outdone himself by melting a chillwave-esque beat with his smooth and unique vocal delivery. His runs continue to rise with the pace of the beat through each verse, coming together so perfectly. Adding a nice transition for the bridge, rapper III comes in lays a few lines to taste. I love when features do not feel forced and flow with the overall sound of a song.

It is refreshing to hear Travis tighten up his sound and yet still stay true to what his fans love about him. His second half of the “Fashionably Late” EP series drops on March 4th and if it’s as good as the first part, we are in store for some amazing shit. I personally cannot wait to hear what he has in store. The video for “Where to Land” is below and you can look forward to downloading “Fashionably Late Part II” here.

If there is anything that could drag me out of the shadows of writing obscurity, it would have to be a soulful acoustic. Fortunately for me, this time it is Justin Bieber’s “Yellow Raincoat”. An unreleased song that was included on his remix album, “Believe Acoustic”, it serves as a great addition to the guitar backed collection. Staying pretty much on cruise control throughout, it is the bridge that quickly drew me into this song as I listened to the set in its entirety. A simple melody on a bridge to nowhere (literally, the song resumes as it was for the first 2 minutes afterwards), had me jumping in my seat. Having initially skipped this song during my shuffle session with the disc, it caught me off guard as my mind wandered in traffic. I feel like this song reflects a more mature sound for Justin. I enjoy how his changing vocals glide along with the guitar and synchronize greatly with the ups and downs of the strings. His backing vocals and ad-libs give the song his signature blend of urban-pop that made me a Justin Bieber fan to begin with. Lyrically, we could go to the ends of the world with this one. Is he referencing the shade he gets from being a public figure? The messy happenings of falling out of love with a certain Ms. Gomez? Or just dealing with shit that everyone deals with in life? Not too clear on what he is addressing and shielding himself from with said raincoat, but the song is a winner in my book. Get into below and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Looking like a Nubian Pocahontas, Brandy shows off her sleek dance moves in her latest flick for the 2nd single off her critically acclaimed “Two Eleven”. Written by Sean Garrett and produced by low-key R&B producers, Tha Bizness, this song is classic Brandy. Right from the gate her vocal delivery is giving REAL Brandy fans what they love. That being her raspy, rich, raw, and powerful vocal styling. Delivering “the knock” that just makes you wanna move, the lyrics are EVERYTHING. Brandy reminisces on a time when she didn’t have love and shares that it was really all she wanted. I admire the vulnerable lyrics she shares about her story and her sure delivery just exudes the confidence that Ms. Norwood has this go-round.

As for the video, I mean look at that hair! I love the look, its fresh and really gives Brandy a current look to go along with her reinvented sound. I recently read that her label are already looking at potential next singles. The two contenders being the more urban sounding “Do You Know What You Have?” and what I believe would resonate with fans of her first single “Put it Down”, the Bangladesh produced “Let Me Go”.

“Do You Know What You Have?” is my personal favorite on the album and I would be happy to see this as a single. I think she would perform the HELL out of this track.

Whatever her next move is, I am sure it is going to be great as the material on “Two Eleven” is stellar. Definitely one of the strongest contemporary R&B albums of the year. I just hope there is more promotion to keep the albums momentum going. There is just TOO much great material on there for it not to receive the attention it deserves. It is an exciting time for Brandy fans!

Its been a minute since I posted new music on this thing and today I was motivated to share these little gems with you all out there.

I think anyone who knows me knows that I am the biggest fan of an uptempo jam with a hot beat. But every so often a slower pace comes through the speakers and I find myself hitting the repeat button. I cannot deny great song writing and vocals. And these songs provide the later accompanied by an overall smoothed out vibe that I have been finding myself in as of late.

Having been a lagasaurus-rex on posting this beautiful piece of music, I feel that I have somewhat failed as a music enthusiast and overall fan of Aaliyah. But it is here now (In my best Britney – Break the Ice intro voice). Being resurrected by the always hit or miss Drake, I was so VERY VERY apprehensive at the very thought of him taking the reigns on anything that involved the flawless Aaliyah. However, upon my first listen TO THE SOLO VERSION sans his annoying thug-wannabe “yeah’s” and “y’all ain’t ready’s”, this shit is FIRE ON A TRACK! Noah “40″ Shebib really did the damn thing in keeping his signature sound and coupling it with the heavenly vocals of Aaliyah, make it a match made in heaven. We get to hear the breezy runs and ad-lib’s that made Aaliyah music the precious and unique gift it is, throughout the entire song. I love hearing her annunciation and I feel that it makes it feel that more real, that more legitimate. Its almost like she cut this yesterday. God rest her soul and god help make the rest of the music that is supposed to come out from her, sound this good.

Next, lets listen to the freshly squeezed, independently released “Your Place” by the EXTREMELY talented Paula DeAnda. Where has this child been you ask? Heaven only knows, but I am pleasantly surprised by what she has just put out. Sounding very similar to the above hazy and faded indie R&B sounding Noah “40″ Shebib production, Paula DeAnda puts vocals front and center. Her ad-lib’s and runs are on POINT and hold my intention throughout. I love the melodies on the hook, “Lets get back to your place, I’ll do whatever you say. “Won’t want me to go, Won’t want me to go”. This shit had me bobbing and weaving during the traffic hour. Relevant and yet staying true to the music that her fans have come to expect from her, she nailed it. Here’s hoping this is the jump start she needs to get back out there to show and prove. She is WAYYYYY to talented to just be a memory in the iPod’s of many pop music fans.

Lastly, this Quincy tune had me at the fresh and crisp visual. After a few spins, I have to say that I am obsessed. Being the step son to media man, Sean Diddy Combs, this kid could be huge. He has the looks and a great sound to compliment. I believe he came out first with rapping and it didn’t really hit like it has with his singing. He has a strong start with “Stay a While”, I am excited to see what else comes out from this kid. AND DO YOU NOTICE THE FEATURE AND HOOK PERFORMED BY Mya’s older version of her son Jabari from the show ‘Girlfriends”!?!? #Makethatmoney child! But seriously, he (his name is Kendre) killed it. He compliments the track with Quincy’s delivery.

I hope you enjoy these songs, it’s always good to slow things down a bit in this crazy world we live in.

It was 2008 when Solange broke out of Beyoncé’s shadow with the masterfully crafted ode to Motown “Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams”. Starting with the flawless “I Decided” and its SMASH Freemason remix, it was proceeded by the singles “Sandcastle Disco” and “T.O.N.Y” (which she SANG the shit out of!).  From there, no further promotion was made to push the album, although I feel “Ode to Marvin”, “Would’ve Been the One”, and “Cosmic Journey” were amazing enough to do something with!  “Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams” didn’t spark much a fire with buying consumers and it was here that our little Soul Angel took a hiatus.  Probably to start anew and work on what would be some amazing tunes to genocide all of mankind.

And this week ladies and gentleman, Solange may have done just that.  With aid from indie songwriter extraordinaire Dev Hynes (Florence and the Machine, Diana Vickers, The Chemical Brothers), Solange has pieced together an amazing throwback to the 80’s electro-funk that I LOVE even to this day.  Hynes also produced the track.  I am getting remnants of something like Evelyn Champagne King or Midnight Star with this one.  The vocal delivery is still very much Solange and in staying true, Solange keeps her audience and engages what could possibly be an audience with more refined taste.  Swimming inside the ambient bleeps and background vocals are moody lyrics where Solange asks “I don’t know why I fight it, clearly we are through.  Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good?”.  Great songwriting that speaks to the age old experience shared among many, heartbreak.  The lyrics are what set the song apart and make it special, IMO.

Get ALLLLL the way into the songs accompanying video below.  The video, which was directed by none other than the director whose feet who I grovel at because she is so fucking amazing, Melina Matsoukas (check her videography and you will grovel too).  Her dancing at the 3:55 mark is adorable and the feel for the video is just TOO appropriate.  I love the colors, the dancing, the locations, the fashions, everything about this video is fresh, vibrant and fun.  It takes the song to new heights.  Great work indeed!

Lastly, aiding her attempts to slay me just that much more, Solange released another Prince-influenced track called “Sleep in the Park”.  Enjoy!

The revamped Epic records, now home to sometimes pop star Ciara, recently released an exclusive playlist compilation with new material from their fresh faced artists that include Leah Labelle, Melanie Amaro and Karmin. This bevy of new material also contained a marvelous little gift in the island flavored “Livin’ it Up”.

Produced by D’Mile (Rihanna, Janet, Dirty Money, Justin Bieber) and written by the always fabulous, Wynter Gordon, this song is just undeniable. I love the independence and freedom portrayed in the lyrics, accompanied by a more robust vocal delivery. Ciara’s conviction and delivery are SPOT on. Too bad this wasn’t an official single.

This song has a great build up to a catchy chorus that, if given the right dance remix, could be a big hit in the vein of the “Calvin Harris crossover” that has its grip on many of today’s pop stars. And that’s just what the doctor ordered for a stalled career that our girl is unfortunately suffering from right now. This song is light and breezy, definitely an alternative to songs about dying young.

I tried my best to find a remix that was post worthy and was not able to find anything out there just yet. In time I guess. Download the Epic X Cosmopolitan playlist to get the track here.

In other Ciara news, catch the GORGEOUS video below for her lead single “Sorry” that dropped recently. You can also expect some more Ciara music soon as the Young Jeezy assisted “Got me Good” drops on October 8th with its accompanying video directed by none other than Joseph Khan (aka a flawless visual maestro).

Why Ciara and her team don’t market her as a pop star is beyond me.

In conclusion, let me know who is down to write Epic records and petition that this bitch get to release music like this, crossover and then slay. I mean it would be inevitable.

I have yet to admit defeat in the fight to prove naysayers wrong in that Nelly Furtado’s new lead single, “Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)”, is a complete and utter resident in Flopville.

Granted, since its release it has yet to properly impact or climb for dear life on ANY U.S. music chart. We can list a few factors that may have led to the absence of this EXTREMELY hot track from the minds of the buying public:

1. Vocally, Nelly’s singing was compared to Rihanna and not in a good way. Fans were turned off and immediately shunned this little piece of genius.

2. The big beats were all over the place. From wobbled synths to a Bjork-esque drum breakdown, this was ANYTHING but “classic” Nelly Furtado.

3. The lyrics were confusing, this new sound was NOT Timbaland and therefore in the consciousness of closed minded, KISS-FM obsessed, Hot 100 listening, dance-pop consumers, this was NOT the business.

Coming off a 6 year hiatus (for music in English anyway), Nelly came out with an aggressive and unique sound. Paying NO attention to the current dance-pop trend, a song like “Big Hoops” could easily be the catalyst that would change the direction of pop music for tomorrow. When describing the song, Nelly shared that it was a throwback to her younger days when she would listen to Hip-Hop and R&B. The music would make her feel inspired and like the superstar she would become, but wasn’t yet as a teen. I relate to this connection because it is this same music that I found my inspiration as a young child, my mojo, if you will.

To shed some more light on what makes this song just that MORE legit, lets analyze the many references used as lyrics for the song:

“Tonight is the jam” – Freddie Jackson – Jam Tonight

“I’m going down, I got my big hoops on” – Mary J Blige – I’m going down

“Hey, Hey, Hey, What’s the scenario?” – A tribe called quest – Scenario

“That boy keeps passing me by” – The Pharcyde – Passin’ me by

“I said no diggity, no doubt” – Blackstreet – No Diggity

“They got that hair like high five” – Hi-Five – I Like The Way (Kissing Game)

“I don’t want to talk about sex, want to express myself tonight” – Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex (May be making a stretch here?)

“That boy going to feel my poison” – Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison

“I know he can’t stand the rain” – New Edition – Can You Stand The Rain

“I want to be down with you baby” – Brandy – I Wanna Be Down

“Back and forth, back and forth, back, back, back and forth” – Aaliyah – Back & Forth

“You got my rump-rump shaking” – Wreckx – N – Effect – Rump Shaker

“I’m another bad creation and I never have to fake it-fake it” – Another Bad Creation – Playground

Judging from the above, Nelly was heavily influenced by the sounds of the 90’s. I mean what hip, cool kid wasn’t? I listened to most of those albums on a 24 hour loop while stomping around my backyard. I mean that’s normal, right?

Maybe one day Nelly can speak for the music and let us know if we missed any. Catch Nelly serving some CVS parking lot, Janis Joplin realness in the alternate video for Big Hoops below. This is my favorite version of the video.

There always seems to come a short period of time when I grow tired of the same sounds, the same music and the same artists that seem to always appear on shuffle when playing my IPod.

It is during these rough times that I scour the internet like a meth addict or play a random station on Pandora, to expose myself to new music and artists. Luckily for me, language is no deterrent on my search for great new music.

After randomly hearing the duet between Juanes and Nelly Furtado, “Fotogragfia”, I thought two things. The 1st being, OMG this is the most flawless creation ever and 2nd, I MUST hear more!

This led me to Juanes’ second album (Un Dia Normal) which contained “Fotografia” and again, I was in awe over the flawlessness of the 6 time Latin Grammy award winning album. I was instantly hooked and began my search for everything and anything that was similar. Luckily, I came across some AMAZING music that I can only partially understand. But that is okay! I have been a fan of Japanese and French music for a few years now and already obsessed with Nelly Furtado’s Spanish album “Mi Plan”, so it was about time that I took my heritage seriously and pursued the infinity of musica en espanol available to me. After listening to albums by Belanova, Alex Ubago, Julieta Venegas, and Reik, I now have some sick new music to jam out to. I wanted to share my favorites that I loved instantly. This is such a beautiful thing in my opinion because it represents a true connection to something, especially since it was instantaneous. With what may turn out to be many LOL’s at my Spanglish incorporation and at the fact that I am even listening to THIS, I suggest that you check out the following:

Belanova – Escene Final

I always heard this bands’ name thrown around amongst my Spanish friends since high school. Only hearing great things, I did some research and decided to give their most successful album (Dulce Beat) the listening treatment. Loving about 4 songs from this set, “Escene Final” reminds me of a Kylie song, yet more chill and romantic. The feel I get from this track would be something like ambience meets dance-pop? Whatever the hell people call it, it’s amazing and the song is MUY dope. Sentimental delivery and a great pace, definitely a winner. “Me Pregunto” also deserves an honorable mention.

Alex Ubago – Fantasia or Realidad

Learning of Alex from a renegade search of the best Spanish albums, I stumbled upon Amazon’s list of the top 20 best Spanish pop/rock albums. Coming from the album of the same name (which ranked within the top 10 by Amazon), the attractive cover combined with such refreshing music won me over. “Fantasia or Realidad” has strong crossover appeal and the melody stands out great. I could see this song being huge in the states on adult contemporary (you know, the station you listen to while waiting in the dentists’ office) if it were sung in English. “Salida” would be my next favorite.

Reik – No Hay Nadie Mas

Famous for their song, ” Inolvidable”, I should have listened to this album when I first heard of that song. Liking about 6 songs from this album, it is evident why this album won the Latin Grammy for best pop album. The music is well meshed and the main vocalist sounds fresh. He definitely has a unique tone. I like the melody of this song and how catchy it is. It uplifts me and for this, I felt the need to share. Another song I really loved was “Momentos”.

Julieta Venegas – Nadie Serio

Another album I should have listened to when I first heard “Lento” back in high school, “Si” has given my iPod about 5 new songs to carry. “Nadie Serio” has a reggae-tinged feel to it and I love the melodic backing beat that weaves the drums together. Julieta oozes some unexpected swag in her delivery that has me uncontrollably rocking back and forth as she sings “Pero ya dejate, de jugar conmigo así”. I also gravitated toward “Donde Quiero Estar”.

I understand that this music may be generic to many Spanish music lovers, but for someone like me, it’s the best thing EVER. Maybe my love comes from not being able to fully understand the lyrics, making the music subjective? I hear vocal delivery and melody in the music first, and lyrics second. In either case, I am so thankful to have pursued these artists and their music. I feel more inspired than ever by this and I hope you enjoy it as well. It never hurts to try something new, you may discover some new things about yourself as well. I know, cliché, cliché, cliché.

This song serves as a reminder to me of how in love I am with the music on “Blackout”. The production and songwriting M.A.D.E that album and breathed new life into what seemed like a chaotic Ms. Spears. Like most of the material on the album, the production was helmed by the incomparable Danja. Credited writers include Keri Hilson, Jim Beanz, Danja, and smash mixer Marcella Araica (aka The Incredible Lago).

“Outta This World” is such a sexy-cool R&B song backed by a spacey, futuristic vibe that showcases Britney’s voice. Bleeps and a melodic hum make the song special for exhibiting Britney in a new light when it comes to her vocals and the more sleek, dark and edgy production of “Blackout”. I will even make the claim that this is one of Britney’s BEST vocal recordings, if not THE best. However, I know most fans seem to think “Every Time” is her best. Listen to the bridge at the 2:18 mark and let it speak for itself.

All in all, I think this song was a great addition to the album and for me, really cemented my adoration and esteem for Danja’s music.

Leaving the movie theater last night after watching “Total Recall”, reminded me of Cheryl Cole and in particular, her song “All is Fair”.  She practically stared in the film as Kate Beckinsale is basically her twin.

I watched that in a post chemical war torn world, the elite live on a continent that is called the “United Federation of Britain”.  Quite the opposite to the only other inhabitable place known as “The Colony”.  The Colony seems to be located on the continent of Asia, as it draws many eastern influences in its appearance.  The Colony looks like the backdrop to Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U” music video.  But I won’t get into how I think Britney Spears warned us about the end times in her music videos.

Back to Cheryl, we are all aware that she is from the U.K. and in the U.K. there is a matriarch led by the queen and the royal family.  Referred to as blue bloods, the royal family have been linked to numerous conspiracy theories from reptilian aliens to being the new world order (a one world government system).  The entertainment industry is also linked to similar conspiracies and it is here that I find it interesting that Cheryl is talking about a song regarding war on a VERY COMMERCIAL pop album.  To me it felt like, “Where did this come from!?”.

“Close the blinds, turn down the sun.  Better run and hide, here they all come.  With the hate in their eyes and lies on their tongues.  So we stand, and fight, an army of one.  Everybody wants to rule the world it seems, if they fire first you know what this means.  This is war, they really don’t care about us.  Don’t play it by the rules, got nothing left to lose.  This is war.  All is fair, we don’t care, all is fair, we don’t care.”  Don’t ignore the helicopter in the beginning.

Sounds like writer and vocal producer extraordinaire Jim Beanz, along with the equally as amazing Candice Nelson (from the writing collective, The Clutch) really put some work into this.  The backing vocals, harmonies and lyrics are very powerful.  Coming from who many claim to be “vocally limited”, Cheryl really hits some good notes and keeps her tone consistent throughout.

During a time when people are fighting back at the police for alleged injustice, when people are tired of how things are going and social upheaval is coming from all over the world, a song like this comes out and gives this new movement a voice.  I think this was great of Cheryl to put out the record, very creative and thought provoking.