CHEESE!!! dan + shay, justin bieber - 10,000 hours

dan + shay, justin bieber - 10,000 hours

NEW HALSEY!: halsey - clementine

halsey - clementine

HOT SONG: julia michaels - 17

julia michaels - 17

VIDEO PREMIERE: shawn mendes x camila cabello - señorita

VIDEO PREMIERE: rihanna - sledgehammer (star trek: beyond OST)

rihanna - sledgehammer (star trek: beyond OST)
after hinting about this last week, rihanna officially released the main theme song for the upcoming star trek film (the 13th!!) called 'sledgehammer'. the over the top production and vocals can only mean it's a sia and co. track. perhaps within the context of the credits, this song will be fun to listen to, but for now it's just ALOT.

WONGIE POP BALLAD OF THE WEEK: little mix feat jason derulo - secret love song

little mix feat jason derulo - secret love song
nothing like a solid cheesy power ballad to warm up your chilly winter sadness. the little mix gals join up with jason derulo and collectively have relationships on the DL (hence the sad face for all). i have a feeling that this might be one of lil mix's bigger hits as it really is a good ballad for the season.

WONGIE POP BALLAD OF THE WEEK: troye sivan - talk me down

troye sivan - talk me down
teasing his upcoming debut album 'blue neighbourhood', troye sivan is definitely proving himself beyond his internet sensation tag and showcasing some serious cred with the songs he's already shared with his fans. this dreamy ballad is not only a highlight of the lot, but paired with it's emotional video, is also tear worthy. swoon away kids.  

WEEKEND MIX: kelly clarkson - invincible

kelly clarkson - invincible
co-written by the almighty sia, this is a nice power ballad anthem that kelly can belt out in her sleep. not my fave track off her current 'piece by piece' album, but it's not bad either.

VIDEO PREMIERE: madonna - ghosttown

madonna - ghosttown
easily my favorite song off the album, here is the brand new madge video with terence howard as her guest star!

NEW SIA: sia - big girls cry

sia - big girls cry
the final video from the maddie ziegler trilogy, the young dancer is once again front and center in a consecutive close up shot. hopefully the muse will make guest appearances in the future, but for now what a wonderful swan song to an exciting collaboration.

WONGIE POP BALLAD OF THE WEEK: cheryl - only human

cheryl - only human
easily one of the best pop ballads i've heard in awhile, this ethereal gem gives cheryl some cred especially since previous releases have been kind of 'meh'.

WEEKEND MIX: zara larsson - carry you home

zara larsson - carry you home
swedish pop gal zara is one lucky singer with some seriously talented songwriters backing her up. every release i've heard from the girl has been catchy with just a sprinkle of originality to make it interesting. the girl is on a roll with her latest single, it's a mid tempo pop ballad that deserves a few repeat listens. nice one!

WONGIE COUNTRY BALLAD SONG OF THE WEEK: hunter hayes - invisible

hunter hayes - invisible
after making it's worldwide debut at the grammy's, country singer/songwriter hunter hayes offered up his anti-bullying anthem as a 1st single from his upcoming sophomore release (which he's still recording!) but a song this good just needed to be put out there to be loved.

WEEKEND COVERS: katy b - story of my life (one direction cover)

katy b - story of my life (one direction cover) (live @ in:demand)
yeah still one of the better pop ballads of last year!

VIDEO PREMIERE!: christina perri - human

christina perri - human
as the 1st single off her upcoming sophomore album, christina doesn't stray too far from her hitmaking piano based sound (though she does it nicely under those restrictions). plus the singer songwriter looks GREAT these days! a nice return for sure.

LAST BATCH MIX: britney spears - perfume

 
britney spears - perfume
i still feel like this song is under-produced, which is a shame cause this sia (again!) penned number deserves a bigger feel to it.

btw, have you seen the britney spears E! special? it's actually made me wanna go check out her brand new vegas show. take a look at it below:

i am britney jean

LAST BATCH MIX: icona pop - just another night

icona pop - just another night
further proof that swedish pop is in a class by itself. kind of a fool proof pop ballad for the winter!

CATCH UP MIX: olly murs - hand on heart

olly murs - hand on heart
as part of the re-release of his 3rd album 'right place, right time', the latest single "hand on heart" has been radio remixed with a more lush sound. it's a solid pop ballad and a perfect winter companion piece for your pop mix. i'm just sayin...

WEDNESDAY MIX: katy perry - unconditionally

katy perry - unconditionally
there she goes again, writing totally perfect pop songs that you'll be able to sing instantly and will gnaw at your brain when you least expect it. yaaay!

POP MIX: a great big world feat christina aguilera - say something

a great big world feat christina aguilera - say something
after watching a dance choreographed to this song by the amazing stacey tookey on so you think you can dance, christina reached out to this singer/songwriter duo and asked to be part of the song. the result is this simple and beautiful harmony where her vocals actually allow for the song to breath. it's gracious which is an adjective i haven't been able to attach to aguilera in awhile. just wonderful.


behind the scenes of the recording of "say something"


so you think you can dance - say something (feat amy and robert)