These songs are pretty much all I want to listen to this week

"Part of Me" - Katy Perry

When this song originally leaked back in 2010, shortly after the "California Gurls" and "E.T." leaks, I immediately fell in love with it. The song sounded like a dark version of Teenage Dream's lead single "California Gurls," but it really shows off Katy Perry's vocals amazingly. "This is the part of me that you're never gonna ever take away from me," she exclaims in the explosive chorus. The song was re-written in order to fit better with Miss Perry's current emotional struggle: her divorce with comedian Russel Brand. "You can keep your diamond ring," she bitterly sings to Brand. If this song is an omen to her future offerings, we might have ourselves a new, more radio-friendly Adele.

Listen to Katy Perry's new single here.

"Starships" - Nicki Minaj

Ok here's the deal with this song: it's actually three different songs. There's the beginning which is very "let's go to the beach" and kind of makes one think of Selena Gomez & The Scene's "Summer's Not Hot" but for adults. Then there's that little Jamaican-esque part that's really like a cheap rip-off of Rihanna's "Man Down" except not about killing people. And those are both rubbish. There's a part in between all that junk that's actually good. Very good actually. The RedOne produced track boasts a monstrous dance breakdown that is just so good you must hear it for yourself. Imagine Lady GaGa's "Bloody Mary" mixed with Kat DeLuna's "Everybody Dance." Yeah.

Listen to Nicki Minaj's new single here. 

I am all for eccentric Grammy performances, but I am not so keen on this one.

I am not against religious influences in music, much like Lady GaGa or Madonna often take, but this has taken that to another level.

It is a good idea conceptually to parodize The Exorcist, but when you actually do it make sure it does not look like the above.

I like the song, though, so the performance has got that going for it. And not much else.

K, thanks.

What do you think of Nicki Minaj´s Grammy performance?

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!

Nicki Minaj leak shows that Onika Maraj might just be more talented than Roman Zolanski

In the aftermath of Madonna's Super Bowl performance with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. this Nicki Minaj song leaked (with tags).

"Marilyn Monroe" has not been confirmed by the singer herself to be featured on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, but it would be a crime if it was not. The song sees the rapper channeling her inner...er, human being?...in an average R&B production. The production is not what makes this song, as is the case with many of Minaj's songs. It's the lyrics.

"Call me cursed, call me blessed. If you can't handle my worst, you ain't getting my best," she sings in the songs chorus before asking if this was how Marilyn Monroe felt. Her vocals really sound better than ever when they're reflecting and singing rather than spitting hard rhymes (although I love that too).

Minaj whines about fame in this song, and I guess it is to be expected. Every artist, at one moment in their career or the other, will whine about fame. Although it is dumb to do so, it makes for great songs. This latest Minaj leak shows Onika Maraj (her real name) instead of Roman Zolanski (her alter ego) or The Harajuku Barbie.

"I can get low, don't know which way is up," she says before the chorus. The pensive track truly is a treat to fans of Minaj's songs like "Your Love" where she sings in that average, yet beautiful voice of hers.

I hope there are more moments like this on the album, because you really do need a balance between hard-hitting disses and softly-sung melodious ballads.

What do you think of Nicki Minaj's latest leak? Do you prefer songs like this or are you a bigger Roman Zolanski fan? Comments greatly appreciated!

Hot Songs of the Week: 2/6

"Give Me All Your Luvin'" - Madonna f. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj

As if there is even a reason to explain why this is among the hot songs of the week, here goes: the song just came out, it's hot, it was performed amazingly at the Super Bowl, and it will slay all. The massive production on this track is just over the top amazing thanks to Madonna and Martin Solveig's production skills. The song is classy, sassy, and best of all FUN! This song goes very well when accompanied in a playlist with "Vogue," "Music," and "Like A Prayer." For fun, you can also copy every single thing she did in her Super Bowl show and put on a show for the neighbors (the gladiator men can be substituted for your dogs).

Watch the full video here!

"Bad Girls" - M.I.A.

In the wake of the release of Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin'" video, M.I.A. released the video for her Danja-produced track "Bad Girls." The song is taken from her mixtape Vicki Leekx, which by the way is amazing. "Chain hits my chest when I"m bangin' on the dashboard," the Middle-Eastern princess sings. That quote surpasses extreme levels of amazingness every time I hear it. The crazy Arabian-sounding beats and urban-influenced synthesizers make for a very cultural experience, as does the video. Lessons to be learned: kids, don't play on a moving car that just so happens to be about to tip over.

"Respect" - Melanie Amaro

The winner of US "X Factor" finally releases some material of her own. The cover of Aretha Franklin's hit single "Respect" gets a mayjah facelift with Melanie Amaro. This song is a ferocious, over-the-top dance anthem like no other! The glitchy "R-E, R-E, R-E, R-E," sequence is pure magic, so glad somebody thought to do that. Her vocals sound better than they ever did on "X Factor" and I could not be more proud of this girl. Her Pepsi commercial premiered last night at the Super Bowl where she sang this song and sent Elton John into a dungeon with Flava Flave. Your faves could never.

"A** Back Home" - Gym Class Heroes f. Neon Hitch

This song is mostly here because of Neon Hitch. Yes, the GCH do a great job on this track, the verses are creative and fun. But Neon sings a truly heartfelt chorus: "I don't know where you're going, just get your a** back home." Her voice cracks beautifully during the song, giving the song an extra layer of depth that the Gym Class Heroes simply can't create on their own. The interesting thing about this song is that without Neon it might totally suck, it might be an outtake. It would never be a single. But then you through Miss Hitch's vocals in there and BOOM! You got yourself a hit single. Which brings me to the next song...

"Love You Betta" - Neon Hitch

This track has been floating around online for a while, but this week it finally gets its formal release. The Benny Blanco-produced track is perfect for Neon, it shows off her vocals and diversity. The song has an amazing "Hold It Against Me"-esque pulsating beat throughout that makes me feel all fuzzy inside! "She's prettier than I'll ever be. Got yourself a beauty queen, but there's one thing I gotta say. She can love you good, but I can f*** you betta," she sings before breaking into a glitchy, amazing series of repeating "etta etta etta," no doubt a shoutout to Etta James, no? No, I'm kidding.

(download link will be taken down tomorrow, support our girl Neon Hitch!)

What do you think about the hot songs of the week? Which ones will you be downloading on iTunes?

Madonna slays with medley of hits at Super Bowl halftime, everything in the world remains pressed

So as we all know by now Madonna, the queen of virtually everything, performed at the Super Bowl XLVI (36th Super Bowl for those of you who are not Nicki Minaj's alter ego) during halftime. I'll try to remain objective throughout this review, but bear with me if I do not do so. In what is by far the greatest Super Bowl performance of ever, Madonna winds, grinds, shuffles, vogues, kisses, vogues, lip-syncs, remains flawless, and vogues. Click "Read More" to check out the full write-up, you won't be disappointed.

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!

Madonna releases carelessly fun "Give Me All Your Luvin'" featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.

It's finally here. Madonna's first single from "M.D.N.A." was released to iTunes exclusively at 6 AM, and like a lot of people, here I was at 6, joyfully bouncing in my seat as the download progress bar filled up with that dark gray color: I was seconds away from getting all of Madonna's luvin'!

It must be stated that the official single mix doesn't differ much from the demo that leaked last year. The production is obviously fine-tuned and Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.'s vocals are added in, but other than that the structure of the song doesn't change. This is no "E.T." situation.

With that being said, "Give Me All Your Luvin'" is not Madonna's best single. It is, however, her most blatantly fun. While in past 2000-era singles like "Hung Up" or "4 Minutes" (if you have not heard these songs, look them up for your own well-being) Madonna sang in a sexy, concealed manner, in this track Madonna returns to what first made her famous. The flirty, honest, and downright fun vocal performance she lays on the track she and Martin Solveig produced is reminiscent of her older material. And when I say old, I mean old as in "Holiday" and "Like A Virgin."

"I hear you comin' and I don't wanna know your name," Madonna sings in a soft, friendly voice during the track's first verse. Her flirtatious vocals are intercut with the soon-to-be-legendary "L-U-V Madonna" and "Y-O-U You wanna?" cheerleader-esque chants delivered by none other than Miss Minaj and M.I.A.

"Don't play those stupid games 'cause I'ma different kind of girl. Every record sounds the same you've gotta step into my world," Madonna sings in the chorus or pre-chorus (technically it could be both) when the song's care-free production is at its best. There are soft-hitting synthesizer beats, winding synths, and those delicious bass strums in a frenzy behind Madonna's lush vocals.

The chorus is a clear kick-back to 80's: "Give me all your luvin', give me your love. Give me all your love today," Madonna sings backed by some retro-sounding production. It's almost euphoric.

After the second chorus one starts to wonder: "Are Nicki and M.I.A. just here to be cheerleaders?"

But then, in place of the vocal breakdown in the song's demo is a brand-new verse by the Harajuku Barbie herself. "I'm Roman. I'm a barbarian, I'm Conan. You was sleepin' on me, you was dozin'. Now move! I'm gonin'" she effortlessly raps. Although in my opinion her verse is too short, this performance by Minaj should be ranked among her best collabs. Such a great rapperette!

After that comes Madonna's bridge (same as in the demo) and then M.I.A. comes in. Her laid-back rapping style is such a contrast to Nicki's overzealous rapping style. "It's supersonic, bionic, uranium hit" she says during her verse. It's far from "Paper Planes" and closer to "XXXO."

Then Madonna comes back for another ecstatic, cheerleader-aided chorus and goes out with a bang!

I love this song because it's so unapologetically fun unlike most of the stuff on the radio. This song will definitely be bringing Madonna back to the top of the charts again. And throwing in Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. didn't hurt either.

"Give Me All Your Luvin'" was released on iTunes Feb. 3

What do you think of Madonna's new single? Would you buy it? Is it worth performing at the Superbowl? Comments greatly appreciated!

Madonna reveals "M.D.N.A." tracklisting, remains controversial

Madonna is everywhere. She was interviewed on "Anderson," her music video preview premiered just a few hours ago on "American Idol" and now she's released the tracklisting for her twelfth album "M.D.N.A." And let's just say I have quite a few comments/predictions about it.

1) Girls Gone Wild: This song title is extremely promising. What could a 52-year-old possibly have to say about going wild? Will it be a reminiscent track or a party one? I'm going for a song about the 21st century 50-somethings.

2) Gang Bang: Seriously? Is this like a symbolic "gang bang"? Like getting attacked by the paparazzi or being constantly the center of attention? Possibly...or it could be a song about a girl who gets gang-banged.

3) I'm Addicted: Drugs or love? Intrigue building.

4) Some Girls: Maybe she's talkin's smack to all those rich girls with no humility? Or those man-stealers?

5) I Don't Give A: This is probably gonna be one of those club-bangers. Madonna's gonna just party and party and party 'cuz she doesn't give a...

6) Turn Up The Radio: Oh this song, I just have a feeling, is gonna make a reference to a past song of hers.I can just feel it!

7) Give Me All Your Luvin': Well we all know and love this song already. Can't wait till tomorrow morning when I can hear the studio version in full!

8) B-day Song: I really hope this is to Madonna what "Birthday Cake" is to Rihanna. Because if so it's going to be ah-mazing.

9) Superstar: This could either be a story about how Madonna is a superstar, or about how a certain someone is a superstar in the eyes of Madonna. Either way, I predict a ballad.

10) I'm A Sinner: Ooh, this one is hard to read. It could be about all the nasty things Madge has done, or maybe a song of repentance. To God or to an old lover? Hmm..I'll marinate on this.

11) Masterpiece: This song is amazing. I really have not stopped listening to it. Love it so much. Madonna & Orbit = Dream Team.

12) Falling Free: I predict some guitar riffs infused into this song one way or another.

13) Love Spent: I foresee a pensive track about how Madonna wasted her time and love on Guy Ritchie, her ex-husband.

14) I F*cked Up: This sounds like a really big pop banger to me. It's going to include some really good beats, and a very catchy chorus. I can already hear it...

15) Beautiful Killer: Out of all the songs, it's this one I can't wait to hear it. The fact that it has such a good title and that it's the last song is a def omen to a great song.

I would like to go on the record and say that your faves could never come up with such an amazing tracklisting. Never.

Also, something to ponder: "Give Me All  Yout Luvin'" doesn't say "feat. Nicki Minaj and M.I.A." which leads to the obvious question: does Madonna eat pork?

Just kidding: are there any other features on this album?

I don't think so, sadly. But I can still hope.

What do you think of Madonna's tracklisting? Any comments about the song names? Comments greatly appreciated!

Watch the "American Idol" preview of Madonna's"Give Me All Your Luvin'"

EDIT: updated with high quality rip.

READ ALL ABOUT MADONNA'S TRACKLISTING FOR MDNA HERE!

My brain is literally molten from all amazingness. All I can say is...

Madonna: lookin' fine, gurl

Nicki Minaj: as a cheerleader...whydidn'tanybodythinkofthisbefore?

M.I.A.: hotter than I thought

Newly-Recorded Hook: as much as I loved Madonna herself singing "L-U-V Madonna" I love it even more with M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj's polished vocals.

New Instrumentation: Nothing especially new as far as this preview shows. I do think, however, that the dubstep-y bridge is gonna be mayjah!

Theme: the football-theme seemed odd to me at first but I have now been corrected by Madge, it's nerdy goodness!

Sideways Walking: your faves <<< Madonna

Can't Wait For: The verses by M.I.A. and her Minajesty!

EDIT: Just realized those cheerleaders are wearing masks in the style of "V For Vendetta." Amazing.

Comments greatly appreciated!

Just a pop thought with The Charlies



What if The Charlies, the sirens behind amazing pop songs like "Let That Body Breathe" and "Tickin' Like A Bomb," were to collaborate with some very, very amazing producers and other artists. I have fantasies about what these girls could accomplish and I got sick of keeping them to myself, so I'm gonna let 'em fly.

What if the girls collaborated with will.i.am. in an electro-hop single with glitchy beats and seriously demented synthesizer sequences? Then will.i.am. would undoubtedly spit a few verses in during the bridge, which would be ok. But imagine the voices of Klara, Alma, and Camilla ina mega-autotuned state over a big slice of hip-pop pie? Simply amazing. I'm thinking it would sound a little like a more energetically-sung "Big Fat Bass" (by Britney Spears, duh) and with a really amazing melody.

Or what if they worked with Bloodshy & Avant? I mean seriously, those guys are responsble for the best songs by Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and Sky Ferreira, now imagine what they could do with The Charlies! It could either be a really chill semi-ballad with elements of grimy electronica and delicate, quivering vocals or it could be a full-blown, rave-happy adventure with synthesizers and everything but the kitchen sink thrown in with the girls' amazing, powerful vocals. It could be the dance anthem of the century! Picture a mash-up of Kylie Minogue's "Speakerphone" and Britney Spears' "Radar" but with better vocals and a stronger backbeat. Mmm!!

Now, I know that this is less of a fantasy and more of a waiting game, but a David Guetta collab would be great. I mean, no matter what he did with them, it would be great. Well, so long as it resembles anything but Jessie J's Guetta collab "Repeat," because it's quite shoddy. There would be an amazing breakdown, which The Charlies are no strangers to. It could be like a mix between "Let That Body Breathe" and "Monster (EAT ME!)" taken to the next level, killed, and risen to heaven. I could scream of excitement; this man collabs with everybody, it's only a matter of time till The Charlies get to take a turn on the Guetta train (not to be confused with the Ghetto train, in which Ciara is the queen).

Also, about the D. Guetta collab, it could also include these people as featured artists: Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo, or a mixture of all the above. Why not?

I'm also thinking a RedOne production, but that might sound like his work with The Dolly Rockers and the last thing I wanna do is have to choose between my two favorite girl bands. Let's keep this one in the backburner.

I would also lurve to see the girls show my home country of Mexico some love. A bilingual collab with Mexican Pop Princess Paulina Rubio would be really nice. The electro-pop niche these women all swim in (albeit in different languages) would make a great collab. A duet (is it called a duet if it includes a band a solo artist?) with Alek Syntek as he's quite good at those bilingual songs, as shown in Kylie Minogue's "In My Arms" remix. Then if I really wanna get cray, we could have The Charlies collaborate with Tropi-pop Queen Fanny Lu in a very ranchero-tinged track about a fanfarron or something of the such. It would just be so good!

Also, a collaboration with any member of Girls Aloud or Sugababes would be kindly received here at PIAB.

What are some of your crazy Charlie collab ideas? Post them in the comments below!

Download The Charlies' FREE EP "Start A Fire" here.

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*

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.