It seems that March will be a great month of music leaks and what not as we went into the month with Crookers’ Tons of Friends and today we are blessed with Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach. It’s been 5 years since the release of Demon Days so fans and hipsters alike were awaiting this album somethin’ serious. So how does the album fair?

Plastic Beach initially sets off with an “Orchestral Intro” that sets the album’s melancholy mood off just right with its beauuuutiful string instruments. As each track progresses from next to next it is obvious that this album is NOT Demon Days. This may be disappoint the casual fans as it was their second album’s fun and almost happy-go-lucky vibe that opened them up to a more mainstream audience. There are however some happier moments during the listening session and one of those moments would be “On Melancholy Hill.” How ironic that the title of the song that somewhat defines the mood of the album is one of the songs that would fit a bright sunny day on a, well, beach.

One thing is for sure, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the gents behind the virtual band are true artists. Reason being, the music of Plastic Beach is a genuine evolution of the band’s music. Casual fans may take a break this era, true fans will stick around and new fans will be obtained. There is no doubt that Plastic Beach is a very solid album. The album will hit music outlets on March 3, 2010 in Japan, March 5, 2010 in Australia and Germany, March 8, 2010 in Ireland, New Zealand and the UK and finally will hit the US and Canada on March 9, 2010.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

YES, yes, YES, it’s finally here, Crookers’ Tons of Friends! The Italian electro duo had us hooked when they remixed KiD CuDi’s “Day N Nite” some time ago and since then a Crookers’ produced track did not go unnoticed by us. Tons of Friends is the duo’s debut album and is packed with 22 hot jams;you are sure to find something in there to fit your tastes. From Will.i.am to Pitbull to Róisín Murphy to Kelis and everyone else in between, the album has a feature list that would make many hipsters dribble with excitement. We do not need to go into detail and review this album because it is one scorchin’ HOT album without a doubt. Below you can preview 5 tracks from the album and be sure to purchase the album when it hits music outlets on March 8, 2010.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(more…)

Experimental group, Yeasayer, is here with their sophomore album Odd Blood. The group whose music is described as “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel” take our ears for a ride with their psychedelic sounds. After one listen of this album, which was released yesterday, it can easily be nominated for best album of the year. Get a taste of it by downloading the first two singles below.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

After the success of his first album, Uprising, Vol. 1: Not Settlin’, Ricardo Clarke is due to release his sophomore album, Uprising, Vol. 2: Wasting No Time. The first single to be lifted from the sophomore effort is the title track, “Wasting No Time.”

Clarke continues right where he left off as far as the sound goes for the second album. Present, is the live band, the classic reggae flavor and deep and meaningful lyrics; his music was made for live performances. Take a listen to this great track below and go out and get the album when it hits stores this MARCH. If you never did, check out our interview with the artist here.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

DOWNLOAD RINGTONE

This past week at the Dipdive Data awards, y’know the one where everyone and their alter-egos criticized Kelis’ “unique” outfit, she performed three of her songs. The one in which people were looking forward to, her premiere performance of “4th of July” was made private so until a few hours ago viewers and listeners have just become acquainted with the song.

We’re in shock once again. With each leak from Flesh Tone it hits us like a pile of bricks that Kelis is making a full-on dance/electro album. All of these songs sound like club DJ remixes. It’s a bittersweet thing because whilst we do enjoy the genre a whole album of it is not our thing. I mean we listened to Guetta’s once, straight through, and haven’t listened to it since. With that being said, “4th of July” is more sonically attractive than “Scream and Shout.”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Kelis – 4th of July (live)

Just a day after 3 new tracks from Sade’s Soldier of Love were premiered, the full album surfaced online. Upon first listen, the album is pure, organic, timeless, exquisite, royal, etc… The album is a great album and more. To say if the album is worth a ten year wait, honestly we cannot 100% say yes but it is the subtle epic nature that is Sade that makes us smile about music again. To get a another taste of this gorgeous album take a listen to the last song, “The Safest Place.”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sade – The Safest Place

With the release of Soldier of Love right around the corner, February 8 to be exact, Sade’s record label premiered 3 new songs from the album across various outlets. The songs are “In Another Time,” “Skin,” and “The Moon and the Sky.” All of the songs are timeless but we’re still waiting to hear that certified classic. As for posting her 3 songs, we thought we’d spoil you but Sade is one of the few artists who makes us excited about purchasing an actual album…

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sade- In Another Time

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sade – Skin

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sade – The Moon and the Sky

If you’re like us then you basically enjoyed every single performance from the Hope For Haiti Now telethon. The album is currently available on iTunes in which you can PURCHASE here. But we will leave you with a few of the performances…

Justin Timberlake along with Charlie Sexton did an amazing cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Every second of this performance was pitch perfect. The blending of the two male’s voices and the harmonious tied of the two make this our favorite performance of that night.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Justin Timberlake – Hallelujah feat. Charlie Sexton

Well no matter what we were going to post this song as it’s the first of the Christina Aguilera Bionic era. Aguilera emancipated everyone with this performance despite the ever-so-slight LOUD nature of her singing. Other than that, she had us all lifted up.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Christina Aguilera – Lift Me Up

Coldplay did an awesome job with their updated song for the telethon. “A Message 2010″ kicks off with Martin’s vocals and an acoustic guitar and some bass. The song progresses into a more upbeat state leaving you filled with joy and a reason to be optimistic.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Coldplay – A Message 2010

Oh she did, Madonna went old-school on us with “Like a Prayer.” To be honest this is probably our top most-liked song by Madonna, period. The video was so controversial back then but when she performed it on Friday, it had a whole new holy meaning.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Madonna – Like a Prayer

Miss Hudson, what a voice this woman has. She had to go there and perform “Let It Be” featuring The Roots. This song takes us someplace; a place to almost shedding tears. The gospel melody is so powerful and Hudon’s voice is perfect for this song.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Jennifer Hudson – Let It Be feat. The Roots

Now, we wish we could post all of the songs but that just wouldn’t be right. Please support those in need, no matter which way you do it.

Kesha Rose Sebert, radio’s current darling, was born during a party in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles to a single parent. Fast forward 22 years and that party aura has stuck with the newest pop act.

2009 was the beginning of mainstream exposure for Ke$ha; She was the female vocalist on Flo-Rida’s #1 single, “Right Round.” The exposure got the ball rolling and people were interested in hearing more. Later on that year her first single, “Tik Tok” (previously titled “Diddy”), went to number #1 in many countries before becoming the first #1 single of the new decade on the Billboard Hot 100. With mainstream central behind her, how does her debut album, Animal, hold up?

In one word Animal is FUN. It’s almost as though she knows exactly what works for the radio and went in just having a ball; nonchalant attitude ‘n all. The girl made a ballad about a hangover for goodness’ sake. Her sound has been compared to electro artist, Uffie, except watered down for the mainstream. The album is a well rounded debut and the label shall have no problem in choosing future singles. If you want to have a good time, then Ke$ha’s Animal is for you.

Now on to the next part… Ke$ha is the artist with the first Billboard #1 of the decade; that’s something for the books. Ke$ha is being labeled as 2010’s Lady GaGa (some people really treat pop acts as dispoable items!) Be that as it may, Ke$ha entered the decade on a good note. Will she last for more than a half a decade or even a few years? Some complain GaGa speaks of herself as art when she’s just a gimmick with talent but beneath that is hard work and determination that will keep her from fading away. We do not want to speak anything on Ke$ha but she seems like a live-in-the-moment type of girl just having fun. We shall see what the future holds for Ke$ha.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Alicia Keys… where do we begin? Well let’s start off by speaking about Keys’ ever-evolving music. The Element of Freedom will be the fourth studio album from Keys’ to be released on this upcoming Tuesday, the 15th of December.

Our initial reaction when we heard Keys’ new album would be this year (we’re used to her taking longer than 2 years) was skepticism. Then the first single “Doesn’t Mean Anything” debuted shortly after the VMA’s and we were left underwhelmed. Gladly, she completely redeemed with the timeless and epic sounding “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart.” Alright, so by this time all issues were pushed aside and we were PUMPED for this new album.

The album leaked and what did we think… we were SATISFIED and HAPPY! With Element.. Keys’ proves to be an album artist; all the songs are cohesive and even songs like “Doesn’t Mean Anything” is much more sonically attractive when fitted with the rest of the album. Press play from the beginning and there will be few people that press the skip button.

Lyrically, this album is DEEP. As many of you know, those sites who are all up in these public figures’ business (us included *hides faces in shame* lol), Keys has been in a very private relationship that may not seem morally correct from afar. In this album the situation is gleaming because there are tones of vulnerability, happiness, loyalty, sadness and all other emotions of a person with a tender heart.

As mentioned before, Keys’ ALWAYS evolves and it is noticeable especially with the track she and Beyoncé collaborated on. Her ballads show an incredible amount of maturity and are very relatable. The music speaks of her personal side without being autobiographical.

Soooo, putting our LOVE for Alicia Keys aside and just speaking about the music; the album is very pleasurable and fulfills our serving of Alicia Keys quite well. In fact, with the combination of everything we shall be heading to our local retailer to pick up a Deluxe version when it becomes available. Purchase HERE and HERE

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.