Single Selections: August 9th

Raphael Saadiq - Movin' Down The Line   5/5   Youtube

The electrifying, supremely talented Raphael Saadiq commands a style and sound all his own, drawing on classic R&B, soul and blues influences. His latest single and video treatment goes to 'Movin' Down The Line' an exquisitely crafted song, featuring Saadiq's gorgeous falsetto and a groove that'll have you jiving. 

Record Review: Sia

Sia - We Are Born 4/5

Myspace

The Zero 7 alum, known for her chilled, atmospheric ballads like "Breathe Me," whips up a dizzying collection of up-tempo, quirky pop that's sugar coated and deliciously sinful. We Are Born's electro-pop plays up the Aussie native's wild side with goofy confidence.

Attributing her more upbeat sound to her relationship with JD Samson, of Le Tigre, and her childhood influences, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. It's apparent from "Clap Your Hands," the album's first proper single, full of jagged guitars and synth beats that's ridiculous fun. Elsewhere, the hand claps of "Bring Night" to the ragged guitar riffs of "Never Gonna Leave Me" rein supreme.

In her more heartfelt moments, "Clouds" and "Be Good To Me," Sia possesses soulful vocals, that command emotion, yet remain optimistic never straying too far into moody or atmospheric ballads. The album closes on the airy, and lackluster Madonna cover, the only real misstep on an otherwise energetic and fun record.

Single Selections: Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles - King of Anything 3.5/5

Myspace

"Who cares if you disagree/you are not me/who made you king of anything," chirps a self-assured Sara Bareilles. Returning to form on the bouncing, piano-driven pop record, from her sophomore effort due later this year. The sunny and crisp single is all but guaranteed to be a radio favourite. Bareilles proves she's far from a one hit wonder, with her signature bravado, and well-construct pop single.


Dido - Everything To Lose 4/5

Myspace

Making an appearance on Sex & The City 2's soundtrack "Everything To Lose," is a smooth, electronic beat, layered with Dido's humming and elegantly subtle vocals. Fitting in to a lounge mix or played over the speakers of a martini bar, it's a different direction from Safe Trip Home, and refreshing to hear Dido move back in the direction of "Hunter," mixed with some studio time with the likes of Tiesto or say, Kaskade.

Enrique Iglesias - I Like It (feat. Pitbull) 2.5/5

Official Website

A summer single, can be spotted by 3 simple tell-a-tale signs: 1) a simple pop hook, 2) featuring the current hip-hop/rap muse, in this case Pitbull and 3) sampling a previous hit like that of Lionel Richie's "All Night Long." For what it's worth the song isn't all bad, Enrique can manage a decent pop single, but it's the appearance of Pitbull, who makes the song feel dated before it's even begun to age and an over-produced sound that kill any long-term interest in Iglesias' latest attempt at conquest of North American radio.

Katy Perry - California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) 1.5/5

Myspace

A decided response to the Jay-Z/Alicia Keys smash "Empire State of Mind," Perry is looking for buried treasure with "California Gurls." Featuring west coast rapper Snoop Dogg, "Gurls" is very much a sunny, pop single, but that is all it is. Perry seems to be digging through the recycling bin of pre-packaged summer tunes, like something LFO would have recorded. It may be listener friendly but it sounds more like a one-hit wonder, to be found 10 months from now in the reduced to half-price bin.

Sia - Clap Your Hands 4/5

Myspace

The odd ball singer-songwriter, channels an upbeat, disco sound, on her most recent single from her forth-coming album We Are Born. The simple hook of "Clap Your Hands" chorus, the injection of a little tamborine, hand claps, and a bit of synth make for a ridiculously catchy single. "Come on dance/take a chance on romance," take a chance and dance to this number and you'll be spinning it over and over.