Dia Frampton releases amazing cover of Lana Del Rey's "Video Games", remains true winner of The Voice

Meet Dia Frampton. She was originally one-fifth of indie rock band Meg & Dia, but later went on to find mainstream success as the runner-up of the popular NBC singing contest The Voice. She really should have won, I mean where in the world is Javier Colon? Nowhere, that's where.

While touring with The Voice mentor Blake Shelton, Miss Framps found the time to show a little love to our girl Lana Del Rey. And by 'show a little love', I mean 'completely diminish the talent of.' Below is Dia's rendition of the Lana Del Rey single "Video Games."

While Del Rey's version included classical instrumentation including harps and violins among other ambiance sounds, Frampton's cover is accompanied only by a guitar. It's no shock that Dia Frampton is more vocally talented than the song's original interpreter, but the way she redid this song is completely ridiculous. Irrelevant now is the original, in fact replace it in your iPods with this one.

Dia's delicate, wispy vocals walk along the simple guitar chords in perfect unison. The way she emphasizes certain words or vowels that Del Rey did not gives the song a completely different feel to it. Then, she lets her vocals soar in the chorus. "I heard that you like the bad girls. Honey, is that true?" she sings in her silky voice with just the right amount of rasp. It's utterly perfect.

The best part, though: the last chorus. Chills!

Request a download link in the comment box and I'll put one up ASAP

Dia Frampton's debut album Red is out in stores and iTunes now.

What do you think of Dia Frampton's cover? Do you prefer Lana Del Rey's or Dia Frampton's rendition of "Video Games"? Comments greatly appreciated!

Madonna reveals standard edition cover for "M.D.N.A." and unleashes LMFAO remix, flaws remain nowhere to be found

Above is the newly-revealed cover for Madonna's new album M.D.N.A. While last week we got to see the cover for the deluxe edition of the album this week we get this glorious piece of artwork. A masterpiece, if you will.

While last week's cover was beyond amazing, everything I could have ever wished for, really, this cover is just everything+more! The red dress and gloves are looking bawm, that tube-like reflection that was seen in last week's cover is seen in this one as well, except from farther away, but most of all Madonna is looking amazing! This should come as no shock, but I still become surprised at how great she looks.

That pose right there beats all three "Give Me All Your Luvin'" poses put together.

This is why she is the queen, plain and simple.

Also, check out the LMFAO remix of her new single.

 

This remix takes the peppy production of the Martin Solveig-produced track and turns it into a club jam. It really is amazing how much these boys can do with remixes. Minaj remains in the track, M.I.A., however is out en lieu of the boys of LMFAO. Well, how courteous.

The cheer leader chant is even better on this version of the track than on the original. It is a big statement to make, but the music truly speaks for itself. This remix has an amazing energy completely different from the original song, but still great. I truly am torn between which version I like the most because both are just so good. Just give this song a listen even if you don't like LMFAO and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

That breakdown! Ugh!

What do you think about Madonna's new album cover? What do you think of the LMFAO remix, does it measure up to the original? Comments greatly appreciated, I want to hear your opinions!

Madonna premiers video for Minaj and M.I.A.-aided single "Give Me All Your Luvin'"

This has got to be Madonna's most fun music video.

The music video opens with Madonna coming out (she pushed the door down!) of a perfect, cookie-cutter house out into a perfect, cookie-cutter neighborhood while pushing a black baby stroller. Then, oh no! The local varsity football team is on the loose at Wysteria Lane! But fear not, Miss Madge is friends with them (who knew?). They take out a big orange road block sign for her! And then, oh hey! it's Nicki Minaj or Roman Zolanski and M.I.Am.A.Middle-Eastern.Rapper.And.I'm.Proud.Of.It.A!

The fearsome threesome walk for a little bit until it, like, starts raining gold. Like literally, liquid gold rains over Madonna. Must be the tears of the angels at looking how great she look at 52! Quickly, the football team runs towards her with open umbrellas to shield her from the rain of gold (it makes your hair frizz) and even put their letterman jackets on top of puddles of gold as Madonna walks by very "oh yeah, thanks boys, whatever."

Madonna is sporting a gorgeous blonde 'do in this video, but what's more is when she takes of her khaki-colored trench-coat she's wearing an amazing, legless black outfit. To. Die. For.

Then the football players effortlessly pull a taxi in half so Madonna can walk by uninterrupted by its presence! These scenes in the utopian neighborhood are intercut with scenes of Madge in a beautiful black getup, wearing a giant gold cross and strutting her stuff like she's a 20-year-old.

Then she does something that your faves could never: she has the football players lift her up and she walks sideways on a wall. Not only does she do this, but she looks flawless while doing so. It's just too much.

After that the song's two featured artists appear with some anime mask-wearing cheerleaders. Miss Minaj is wearing a stunning red, white, and red dress and playing with her pom-poms (not like that) while M.I.A. wears a cool-looking letterman jacket and cheers along effortlessly. The girls join Madonna as she walks down a red carpet and later veers off into a sketchy-looking alley. This can't be good.

And it's not! Some random music hater pulls up in his car and starts shooting Madonna! But does she notice? No, not at all. She continues and strolls, sings the lyrics to her song while numerous football players throw themselves and take many bullets for her. They were benchwarmers anyway. Then, Madge finds a giant pile of football players and decides to climb them, and lo and behold there's a door to a super secret club that she somehow manages to get into (there's not even a bouncer?).

But before that, something amazing happens. Madonna pretends to breastfeed a baby doll. It's amazing. You must watch it.

But back to the club, she goes through the door and emerges on the other side wearing... an outfit that looks like the one she wore in the "Vogue" music video and she also has a curly, blonde wig and so do Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. and they all kinda do a little dance and you totally die during it so watch it  three times to get the full effect!!

Nicki raps her verse and looks all sorts of amazing, then Madonna sings her little bridge part while doing a robot-esque dance, and while M.I.A. does her thing Madonna totally steals the show by winking, throwing kisses, and looking seductively into the camera. What can you do, it's Madonna. Do you see how far she bends right there? Your faves...never.

After than Madonna effortlessly falls as countless muscly, footballer arms try effortlessly to catch her till she reaches the bottom, and two very efficient quarterbacks run through a wall to catch the queen.

Then all three of the girls get on a stage and dance and rave outdoors with all the football players and cheerleaders a whole high school district could ever dream to have.

And it's all flawless.

That is all.

What do you think about Madonna's new music video? How does it compare to her other iconic videos? Comments greatly appreciated!

Hot Songs of The Week: 1/30

"Tickin' Like A Bomb" - The Charlies

The girls are currently filming the music video for this song, their album's first single. "Tickin' Like A Bomb" is pure fire! Imagine Britney Spears' "I Wanna Go" but with euro-trash instrumentation and with much more...err...normal-sounding voices. "I'm about to go oh-oh-oh-oh-offfffff," the girls scream in the glitchy chorus. It's a slice of heaven, y'all. Out of the album I personally would have chosen "Let That Body Breathe" as a single before, but then again who am I, right? Hopefully "Let That Body Breathe" will serve as the album's second single because if not, that would be a huge injustice.
Download the girls' FREE EP "Start A Fire" here!




"Stupid Hoe" - Nicki Minaj

Her Minajesty has done it again. This song was originally received to thoughts of hatred (by me) but now it's managed to make it's way into my head. The song sounds like it was produced by one of Minaj's buddies in a ghetto internet cafe. What with the "whoop" repetition and the beats that repeat and repeat and repeat, this song is not amazing production-wise. But then she starts to talk and it's just addicting! "I'm Angelina, you Jennifer. C'mon b*tch, you see where Brad at!" Minaj says in the song's first verse. This song was supposed to be a diss to Lil' Kim, which at first seemed like a bad attempt, but now it's starting to look more and more like a third degree burn. TUNCHI!



"National Anthem" - Lana Del Rey

While her debut album leaked in full last week, this song was one of the initial leaks. "National Anthem" has all the classic elements of a Lana Del Rey song, but it also has even more. During it's mesmerizing chorus Del Rey screams "Tell me I'm your national anthem!" in a very Sky Ferreira-esque manner. The backing violins and militant-style drums create a beautiful ambiance for Del Rey's whispered vocals. I could really go on and on about this song, so I will. Stay tuned for my review of Lana Del Rey's album to be posted later today or tomorrow. This song is hands-down a highlight from "Born To Die."
Purchase Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die" on iTunes.
Read the Pop Is A Bloodsport full albm review here


"Turn Up The Music" - Chris Brown

It's not a mystery that Chris Brown is not the best person in terms of role models, but this song makes all of that ethics stuff not matter for about four minutes. In the wake of the release of the Pitbull single he is featured on, Brown releases this amazing techno-house song that blows "Yeah x3" out of the water. The beats are sick and new, the lyrics are about music only (no innuendos for a change), and the overall result is a stunning song a couple of years in the future of music. "Turn up the music" Brown screams over the techno beat that later escalates until it finds Brown screaming at the top of his lungs to be heard over it. Quite the pop banger.
Purchase this song on iTunes.


"Warzone" - The Wanted

While the boys of The Wanted are busy taking over the US (no biggie) with their hit single "Glad You Came," my iPod is currently blaring another tune of theirs. Their latest UK single "Warzone" is a lush power-ballad in the styles of their boy-band predecessors N'Sync and The Backstreet Boys. "I know I just gotta let go. I should've known," the boys sing in unison in the track's explosive chorus. This song is by far the best song on the album; everything from the vocals to the powerful, dubstep-y production is top-notch. This song will do just great here in the states. Of course, we should wait and let "Glad You Came" get to No. 1 first, no?

Madonna reveals single cover, album press release, and music video sneak peak; music lovers rejoice

Above is the amazing single cover for Madonna's new single "Give Me All Your Luvin'"

As you can see, it's free of flaw. Everything from hair to the translucent black mini-dress to the facial expressions to the poses. It's. All. Flawless. If you think there is a flaw in this, feel free to put it in the comments so I can then proceed to correct your erroneous views.

With this puppy also came the M.D.N.A. press release. Here's what it said, basically.

SINGLE RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3

ALBUM RELEASE DATE: Mar. 26

A limited pre-order offer of the DELUXE edition of M.D.N.A. will be made available on iTunes starting Feb. 3.

On Feb. 2 American Idol will air an exclusive preview of the music video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'" while the video itself in full will premier on Feb. 3.

There's tons more little details in the press release which you can read here.

I CAN'T WAIT!

To keep us sane until then (this Friday) listen to the leaked demo of the track, it's already amazing. Imagine it with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj!

*dies*

Coldplay release Rihanna-assisted single "Princess Of China," remain legendary while doing so

As you may have recently noticed, radio listeners, Coldplay's latest album "Mylo Xyloto" has become quite the hit spawner. "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" did really good, but "Paradise" is doing even better. Wanna know why? Because the boys finally went pop.

Their newest record features their most radio-friendly tunes ever.Among them the beautiful "Princess of China" featuring vocals by none other than Rihanna herself. (That Rihanna reign just won't let up).

"Princes of China" is scheduled for release on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day. Quite tragic, when you really think of it. The song features Rihanna and Chris Martin reflecting over a love that could have been so great, but something along the way changed that, and everything went awry.

"Could've been a princess, you'd be the king / Could've had a castle and worn a ring / but no / you let me go" Rihanna aka the Princess of China (Don't ask me why in the world it's China) sings in the song's nostalgic chorus.

This song has about as many synthesizers as Demi Lovato's standout track "Unbroken" and that's saying something for anybody, but especially for an alt-rock band.

The amazing song closes with a hurt-sounding Chris Martin and Rihanna repeating "'Cause you really hurt me / Yeah, you really hurt me."

The best part of the song, though, might even be the delicious, anthemic "oh oh oh ohhhhhs" found in the son'g intro. Just. So. Good!

"Paradise" was amazing and all but this song is just next level ish!

What do you think of Coldplay's latest single? Comments greatly appreciated!

"Princess of China" will be released on Feb. 14 for radio airplay.

Chris Brown releases amazing house-pop single "Turn Up The Music," almost forgiven for idiocy

Chris Brown is undoubtedly the biggest idiot of this generation. Yes, not even Charlie Sheen is that bad. But when he does things like release such music perfection as his latest single "Turn The Music Up" it's almost easier to forgive him for all he's done.

"Turn Up The Music" is the second single from Brown's upcoming album Fortune. The song veers away from the more R&B-influenced techno-pop of "Yeah x3" and goes more into the grimy, clubby synthesizers of a deadmau5 remix.

 "Turn up the music 'cuz I'm trying to hear the speakers blow," he sings over the winding house beats that veer on dubstep at some points of the song. Although the backbeat of this song could be a lot stronger, the beat is already extremely well put together.

The best part of the song, though, is the post-chorus bit where the son's producers really go bananas. The synthesizers begin escalating in pitch as Brown sings "turn it up, just dance" repeatedly until the instrumentation just reaches about as high as it could possibly go.

While this song is far from the amazing heights of amazing his songs "Kiss Kiss" and "Forever," there's no doubt that this song will get pretty high up in the charts, maybe even to No. 1.

Although that's unlikely. I mean, he beat her.

Hot Songs of the Week: 1/23

"Paradise" - Coldplay

I know I'm really late on the Coldplay train, pardon me on that, but this song is just too good not to talk about. After Recently having watched their performance of this track on Saturday Night Live, I have not been able to get over the epicness of this song. It's massively epic! "This could be para-para-paradise" the band's frontman Chris Martin sings over an ambitious techno-tinged rock productions that doesn't leave many silent gaps in between. The song lyrically speaks of a girl who is disappointed with how her life has turned out, so she turns to dreaming of paradise as her only way out. Quite tragic isn't it? I'm totally digging it though. Never have I heard a song this good by Coldplay. Never.




"So You're Alive" - Vincent Did It

Formerly known as Frankmusik, Vincent Did It is Vincet Frank's latest pseudonym. After parting ways (very bitterly at that) with his record labels, he decided to become an independent artist and do whatever the hell he wants, basically. This song is nothing at all like his old stuff as Frankmusik, which is what makes it so intriguing. It's so techno-y and glitchy and great. Be on the lookout for more of his music soon. And also, his debut album will be titled "Sopa Opera." Yea. Follow him on twitter for more strange shenanigans @VDItweets




"Want U Back" - Cher Lloyd

Cher Lloyd is loved and hated by the masses. Sometimes hated and loved by the same person at different periods. But this song, it's just pop perfection. Well, the solo version, because quite frankly Astro being thrown in there like a Bruno Mars hook is not really necessary, or pleasant at all for the matter. This song has extremely catchy lyrics, and I say this because even the verses are catchy, and a fun beat. It's like Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" but made in 2011. "Boy you can say anything you wanna. I don't give a shh no one else can have ya. I want u back, i want u back, want want u want u back" Cher sings in the chorus. And don't forget those amazing grunts! UHH!




"Turn Me On" - David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj

Yes, I hated this song at one point too. I actually deleted it off of my iPod. But now all the things I first hated about the song is what I now love about it. Minaj's strangely high-pitched vocals at first seemed annoying but they now sound fresh. "Make me come alive come on and turn me on. I'm too young to die come on and turn me on" Minaj sings in the song's drastically produced chorus. The synthesizers in this song are just off the hook! Kudos to David Guetta for producing such a great dance pop song, it manages to be good enough for the clubs, but pop enough to be the No. 1 song on iTunes. One downside though, Minaj's rap during the bridge is much too short.




"Born To Die" - Lana Del Rey

As soon as I heard this song I instantly fell in love with Lana Del Rey. No matter how much trash she gets for her "horrible performance" on SNL (which for the record was not bad at all) this song truly shows what Del Rey is all about. "Don't make me laugh, don't make me cry. Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough I don't know why" she sings during the calmly-produced chorus. Out of the few songs out by her this is one of the best. Not only are the lyrics extremely promising to what Del Rey will bring in her debut album, it's the production that wraps it all together. Without the calm, soft-rock production with a gangster vibe Del Rey might not be much.

Getting Dolly Rockered: "Boys Will Be Boys"

Welcome to the third installment of Getting Dolly Rockered, a series of articles for us Dolly Rocker fans so desperate for new material that we have to think about the old stuff to keep us from insanity. This time around we'll be talking about the almost released single, "Boys Will Be Boys." The single was scheduled for release before the complications with the girls' record label began, and thus the release never meterialized. Which is sad because, I mean, listen to the song!

"Boys Will Be Boys" marks a huge change for the girls. While their previous singles featured fun production and spoken vocals, this song saw the girls in an epic, almost anthemic, production with sung-screamed vocals. The song is lyrically about that "boy in love with his own reflection." The song begins with a crunchy synthesizer beat to which more layers of synths are added as the girls begin the first verse.

"They never listen and they talk too much about stupid stuff, they're so freaking boring," the girls sing in unison in the track's amazing chorus. Their bratty and sassy vocals are complemented perfectly by the song's drastic production, creating an interesting contrast between the two.

"Boys will be boys will be boys will be boys," they all sing in the song's hook. The song's synthesizers and beats all collapse into eachother in the song's chorus creating a pop masterpiece that would have served as a great No. 1 hit for the girls. Sadly, it never came to be released. On the bright side, you can download it above! Enjoy!

What do you think of "Boys Will Be Boys"? Comments greatly appreciated!

NERVO teams up with Avicii to bring some love back to the dancefloor

Above are NERVO, an Australian pop group consisting of two twins who's surname is Nervo. Creative. These girls have received tons of promo due to touring with Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour as well co-penning some seriously impressive songs (Ke$ha's "F*ck Him (He's a DJ)" and David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over") as well as putting on some seriously amazing shows.

Recently these girls have collaborated with Swedish DJ Avicii on a new track called "You're Gonna Love Again." The song, to speak eloquently, is pure fiya!


The song's production is slow at first, only a steady beat and a few synths here and there. Then when the song's chorus kicks in the production starts to escalate and escalate until it reaches its climactic peak and all hell breaks loose. Avivii's infamous club production is at its best in this breakdown. The icy-cool synthesizers coil round the twins' vocals while they sing "People come home you don't have to be scared, 'cause you're gonna love, you're gonna love again."

This song is extremely club-oriented, but with the right promotion it could definitely be a huge hit on the radio for these girls.

What do you think about NERVO and Avicii's collaboration?

Pop Is A Bloodsport Introduces: Lana Del Rey

Meet Lana Del Rey


I know I hopped on the Lana train a little late...erm, very late...but I just had to share this with anyone who hasn't heard of her. Nevermind the fact that her father is a millionaire. Nevermind the fact that she's signed to Interscope Records. Nevermind that her real name is Elizabeth Grant. Nevermind anything you've heard about her, all you need to know is whatever she sings above.
Lana's voice is not anything special, per se, but her true talent lies in the blend of the elements of her music and the ambiance it creates. "Born To Die" is the latest single from her debut album of the same name. The song instantly has the feel of a dark Oh Land song, mixed in with the oldies-sampling savvy of Kanye West. "Feet, don't fail me now," she pleads in the song's first verse, almost emotionlessly. The song has an almost diluted instrumentation, as if it was being listened to through a bottle.

Pop Is A Bloodsport Introduces: The Charlies

Meet The Charlies.
They're formed from the remains of formerly-famous Icelandic pop group Nylon.
And they're about to change your life forever.
Nevermind the history, here's the facts: The Charlies have released the best pop EP to ever be released (yes it's even better than Sky Ferreira's As If! EP).
The track that first turned me on to these girls was "Let That Body Breathe." (below)



This song is anything but coy. "I'm just a girl with the nerve and I do what I want. Make a boy wanna beg on his knees for my love" one of the girls sings (I honestly have no idea which) in the song's first verse over some nice pop production. then things get serious in the pre-chorus where the production grows into a tense "hit me up boy, hit me up boy boy boy!" part. Then there's the oh-so-delicious chorus "So baby baby please just oh yeah yeah yeah let that body breathe!" they sing in the chorus over some sick synthesizers that would make any pop producer jealous. As if this wasn't enough to give Max Martin a run for his money, there's a dubstep breakdown. And it's magnificent.
Ok, so these girls are good, but how good? That's when you listen to "Tickin' Like A Bomb."

Kerli prepares to release new album, reveals new view of love

Meet Kerli.
In case you've been living under an Estonian pop-depriving rock, Kerli Koiv is an Estonian pop singer (duh). Her first album was a collection of depressed anthems (Aptly titled "Love Is Dead") and dealt with song talking about Kerli coming out of depression. The album's biggest single "Walking On Air" was its most mainstream, while most the rest were angry rock songs.
This time around Kerli is switching things up a bit. Her perspective of love has changed. with the single "Army of Love." The song is an upbeat rave-pop track that explores the idea that Kerli cares about nothing more than love, and her desire to create an "army of love" is to spread love to the world. Whatever, the message is there, but the production...
IS AMAZING!!
"Army of Love" is the catchiest thing that Kerli has ever released. It shows her venturing into a more mainstream side of music, while still staying true to herself. Through the rave-happy beats, there are dark undertones.
The music video is as visually enticing a Lady GaGa video and as simple-minded as Ke$ha video, in other words it's perfect for the average human!



After the release of this video, the next glimpse into Kerli's second album was revealed in the form of a demo. A glorious demo. A glorious demo that puts all your favorites to shame. "Zero Gravity" is the epitome of "next level ish." Not only does it start out slow and builds into a maniac techno-pop instrumentation, but after the anti-chorus a sick electronic breakdown follows and it is breathtaking. I have never heard anything like it. It's so fresh, yet so simple.



Then there are the assorted live rips, song snippets, and leaks from the new album. All of them Are spectacular. They all point to a more electronic vibe that still stays true to what Kerli is best known for, as shown in "Speed Limit."


Kerli's second album is undoubtedly one of the albums I'm most expecting this year.
Moonchildren, reblog away.