Today's Pick

American Idol season five semifinalist Ayla Brown has released her first moody black-and-white music video for the lead single, "Pick It Up," off her brand new EP "Circles," which is just released on last Tuesday and now available on iTunes and all digital stores, on her label's official YouTube channel on the same day of the release. The song was co-written by Brown's label-mate Will Makar and Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Leigh Jones. It has a homemade charm about it.
The 21-year-old Brown is the daughter of the recently voted Senator Scott Brown, and it took her father's latest win in Massachusetts Senate Race to actually lift up her post-Idol career for moving up the release date of "Circles" from April to capitalize on her new found fame, the media frenzy whipped up by her father's Senate win. She talked about the whirlwind of her career with Entertainment Weekly: "I feel like it's almost promoting itself in a way after my dad won the election," she says. "When you’re part of an indie label, every little bit of promotion and publicity will help your music career."
The politician's daughter and an aspiring pop singer has found herself back in the spotlight. Her resume is a ticket to the Grand Ole Opry. She's a very nice, young woman with a wholesome reputation. She's originality, talent, smart and poised. She's got a jump shot and is willing to take on the president of the United States in a game of two-on-two. She invites little kids up on stage to sing with her. She's known in these parts as National Anthem Girl because she's sung "Oh, say, can you see" at pretty much every major event in the state. Brown currently plays NCAA basketball for Boston College, where she's a senior, in addition to trying to get her music career off the ground.

The Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Usher just premiered his new dancey music video for latest sexy R&B hit, "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" Thursday, January 28 morning via all MTV Network. R&B crooner Usher's taking it back to the basics and still knows how to bust a move in his videos.
Usher is finally getting the ball rolling on his new album. "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" is the proper lead off official single from his upcoming sixth studio album "Raymond v. Raymond," which promises to have the same intimate, detailed, revelatory feeling of the Atlanta singer's breakthrough confessions, by all accounts, is a very personal thing and will hit stores on March 30. It's about temptation, love and lust, and also about distance and the effect it has on all those things. The song was written by longtime Usher collaborator Rico Love, produced by The Runners, and features Rapper Plies. The track is fortified with a hot beat and sexy lyrics.
Usher, the 31-year-old singer and today's top R&B male performers spends a considerable amount of time in the video for "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" making sure you know he can dance way, way better than you. The video has him torn between nightlife and home life, and Usher is subjected to his fair share, mostly from some over-friendly dancers, taking in a meeting and finally ending up home with the special woman in his life, a love interest played by French model Noemie Lenoir, and serving behind the lens is Chris Robinson. One thing's for certain: Distance may make the heart grow fonder, but there are limits to everything. Usher may want to be no place but home, and "Hey Daddy" is proof of that. The good news is Usher is still in top form as a dancer, his voice is still as smooth as silk.

American R&B/pop singer Mariah Carey has premiered music videos in support of her remixed singles "Angels Cry" which officially impacted Rhythmic, Urban and Urban AC radio, featuring fellow Island Def Jam artist Ne-Yo on Wednesday night on VEVO.com. The track is the second single taken from the upcoming thirteenth studio album and second remix album "Angels Advocate," a collection of newly remixed duets with artists performing songs from her current CD "Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel," will be available in stores across U.S. on March 30.
When it rains, it pours Carey's videos. She weathers the storm and sharing screen with her collaborator Ne-Yo, singing in the rain. Apparently, angles only cry when Carey is arching her back in alley while wearing a white tank top. Or at least that's how director and her husband Nick Cannon (aka Mr. Mimi) spins it. But not only does Carey get wet from the rain, in a classy product placement moment, she douses herself and one of her pals in the video with her own M perfume. Ne-Yo maintains his usual suave composure while tinkling away on the piano and offering up one of his trademark spins. The video will debut today on MTV and BET, and all other platforms starting Monday, February 1.
Carey is currently touring to support the second installation of the double-A side combo. The revamped song is supposed to satisfy both markets - Hip Hop and Adult Contemporary. She has kicked it off on January 2 and is going to wrap it up next month on February 26. The tour and remix album are named "Angels Advocate" which is inspired by the song "Angels Cry", originally featured on "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel."

Australian alternative rock band, Sick Puppies have debuted a full music video for their new single "Odd One," the second release off the alternative rock group’s third full-length album "Tri-Polar," last Wednesday, January 20 on MTV2 and MTVU websites via Virgin Records.
The trio rockers band was formed in 1997, consists of vocalist and guitarist Shimon Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin. With a name like Sick Puppies, you wouldn't think hugs would play a major role in the gutsy indie crew's rise to fame, but they do, along with malls and the video-sharing site YouTube. They bring some more thunder from down under with their latest video for "Odd One," which was filmed at a local skate park in Los Angeles and features a teenage girl who destroys everything she touches.
Even if you don't know Sydney, Australia modern rock trio Sick Puppies, you've probably seen their groundbreaking "Free Hugs," video, which has garnered more than 26 million views on YouTube.com since it started streaming on the site last year. The heartwarming clip chronicles the true life adventures of a man who walks around holding a billboard that reads "Free Hugs," the police who ban his humanitarian crusade, and the petition that earned him back the right to provide hugs to citizens in need. The band's North American debut, "Dressed Up As Life," validates the praise with a heartfelt collection of exultant rhythms, propulsive beats and choruses that span miles. It's the kind of record that captures the beauty, pain and endless possibilities of life.
Sick Puppies have been classified as Nu Metal in their early days but are now classified as an Alternative metal and Post-Grunge band. The trio will be opening for Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin and Shinedown on their upcoming North American tour extensively through the first half of this year.

American adult contemporary pop/R&B singer and American Idol season 2 third placer, Kimberly Locke was exclusively world premiered a music video for her the No.1 Billboard dance hit and the roll out single "Change" from her sophomore album, "Based on a True Story" on Americanidol.com in 2007. The Tennessee native Locke, with the assistance of Ty Lacy & Dennis Matkosky, wrote the song about the crossroads she reached when deciding whether or not to call off her engagement in 2005.
Wisely, the single focuses on that core, albeit with enough of a contemporary edge to indulge her youthful profile and perhaps drum up like support at adult top 40. "Change" rocks harder than the pop imprint of debut top 40 hit "8th World Wonder" and a bit less than the brusque, more urban "Wrong," mediating middle ground for a song that could make the grade across several formats. At this point, pop radio appears hesitant to embrace most Idols, so this persuasive effort is tailor-made to deliver on Locke's promise as a potential signature at adult formats.
The music video for "Change" was filmed in Nashville and was shot by award winning director Roman White, who has directed videos for such artists as Carrie Underwood, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Lonestar. The video follows Locke walking alone through the city on a cold winter's night. A promotional dance remixed version of the video was also produced and distributed to danceclubs.
A proven hit-maker, who has scored four Top 10 Billboard hits and collaborated with a dream team who've crafted songs for Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, Monica and Kelly Clarkson, among others, is giving the recording thing another go. She is currently working on her 4th album with producer Randy Jackson. She states the album will be more in the dance genre and hopes for an early 2010 release. Have I ever mentioned that I love her voice? Locke is truly a vivacious and lovely woman who is captivating with her awesome voice and musical style.

American country artist Jessica Harp, one-half of the Grammy-nominated duo, The Wreckers, and now she sets out on a solo adventure with a new music video for her new single, "A Woman Needs," exclusively on AOL's The Boot yesterday. The single was impacting radio last Tuesday, January 19. Inspired by the video, Harp got a tattoo of three stars as a reminder of the significance the song's message had on her own life.
Despite getting her debut single "Boy Like Me" inside the Top 40 at Country radio last year, Harp is still primarily known as of the Wreckers with her good friend Michelle Branch. The single, "A Woman Needs," is the second and title-track off of Harp's forthcoming solo debut album, "A Woman Needs," which is scheduled for release on May 11. The album blends a lot of juicy hooks with heartfelt lyrics that are, at times, autobiographical, and other times are just about having a good ole time. Co-written by Harp with her husband Jason and producer Jerry Flowers, "A Woman Needs" is a song that takes the well-worn "sow my oats" story and weaves into a cohesive mission statement about how we all need to 'spend time on our own' to find out who we are. With a progressive country-pop like sounds as good as anything currently on country radio, Harp sings the lyrics with strong, individual freedom.
In the making of the video webisodes, Harp described the theme of the video, which is based on the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and centers around a woman who was unable to live out her dreams, but is able to see her daughter fulfill those dreams. Harp celebrates friendship in this endearing new video, directed by Kristin Barlowe, chronicles the story of three girlfriends throughout their childhood, teenage and adult years. In each stage of their life, the girls carry a tradition of a star symbol on their hand in varying degrees of permanence to mark a few of life's seasons. "'A Woman Needs' is a really special song," Harp says. "It's about women coming into their own and following their dreams, following their paths, and sometimes taking the path unknown. I think the obvious answer with me, the dream that I've followed, is the dream that I've had since I was three years old to grow up to be a country singer."

Virginia-based five-some band Parachute got a taste of success when they released their debut single "She Is Love," which became a Adult Contemporary radio staple, and the video was the belle of the VH1 ball last May. As a part of their first major tour following the release of debut studio album, "Losing Sleep" in the summer of 2009, they have been touring with artists such as 3 Doors Down, The Script, Secondhand Serenade, and Kelly Clarkson.
Things continue to head in a musical skyward direction for this Island Def Jam/Mercury alt-soul rockers. After the debut album release of "Losing Sleep," the band saw luck and raised it bundles of talent, and now follow-up "She Is Love" with a second music video off of their album "Losing Sleep" for their latest rich melody-laden tune "The Mess I Made," with director Brad Furman in Los Angeles features actress Jennifer Lawrence.
Soulful rock is served up on a delicious platter in new video for the melancholy track about love lost and regret. Working out "romantic ideals and the frustration of real life" are certainly conditions most people can relate to. "'The Mess I Made' deals with the regret and looking back on a failed relationship. Its video is currently generating a lot of good heat for the band." says band's vocals Will Anderson. When asked whether he thought songwriting is a kind of poetry, Anderson admits, "Yeah, it is. Sometimes my songs are very literal and sometimes they are very straight. Other times they are more poetic. For me it depends on the song and the situation."
Sufficed to say, I immediately fell in love with this album and it's been on heavy rotation on my iTunes play-list ever since. Parachute is definitely "in the zone" for me. I've been following them since I heard their debut single, "She Is Love" last May. Fortunately, "The Mess I Made" is still about giving compliments to a girl and literally about something a guy would regret for letting the girl he loves and all that. Well, it's still very straight to the heart which I mostly find on all Parachute songs.

Humanitarian and 3x Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and Vancouver native Sarah McLachlan has written, recorded, and shot a themed music video for her song "One Dream", which will be used to promote as the official theme song for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics taking place in her hometown. The video for "One Dream" will premiere tonight at 9/8c during the 2010 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships. It featured McLachlan mixed with highlights from the 2006 games in Turin, Italy, and countdown to kick off on February 12 at 9 p.m. Friday via NBC.
The spirit of the Olympic dream is captured in McLachlan's new song, "One Dream" is "written in the spirit of the Olympics," according to a news release from McLachlan's label, Nettwerk Records, and is inspired by the shared hopes and "by the athletes of the world as they strive to reach their Olympic goals." Something McLachlan knows a bit about herself: Since her 1988 debut album, "Touch," every album of hers has been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum, no doubt making her one of Vancouver's favorite daughters. She is known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range. "I am thrilled to be a part of the Olympics celebration. The games will provide the perfect opportunity to share with the world the hometown I love!" McLachlan said in the press release. And it's a very good thing she's warming up those pipes now.
Every two years, the Olympics come into our lives and take over our televisions, allowing us at home to watch the great athletes from across the globe battle it out. The Olympics are great for many reasons; they unify countries, they glorify the greatest, and they give much needed spirit to the nations involved. The touching and inspiring lyrics from "One Dream" will keep the Olympians warm during the frigid Vancouver nights and motivate them to go for the gold. It's refreshing to see McLachlan making new music and supporting the Olympics with such a great video: simple and artistic and completely inspiring with lots of heart. This summer, McLachlan, the lovely founder of Lilith Fair will headline the rejuvenated Lilith Fair concert festival, and is expected to release a new album, but it's not yet known if "One Dream" will be included on the album.

Hailed by many as one of the brightest new artists of 2009, Angel Taylor, a pop singer-songwriter based out of the Los Angeles area, is poised to breakout in 2010. Her debut album, entitled "Love Travels" was named iTunes' Best Pop Album of 2009, and now Taylor rings in the New Year 2010 as the latest 'VH1 You Oughta Know' artist. The network has celebrated Taylor's rising star with the broadcast premiered her first music video, "Like You Do," last Saturday, January 16, on "VH1 Top 20 Countdown."
Taylor spent most of 2009 on the road in support of "Love Travels." She made her television debut October 17, 2009, when she performed "Like You Do" on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", and featured in the 6th season finale of the CW television show "One Tree Hill."
Up-and-comer Taylor's new single "Like You Do" sounds like Colbie Caillat for a reason. The song was produced by Mikal Blue and co-written by Blue and Jason Reeves, who first patented breezy, sentimental pop with their work on Caillat's breakthrough single, "Bubbly." What Taylor offers, though, is a slightly sassier tone, as the 21-year-old takes zestful jabs at the object of her blossoming affection. Set to a fairly generic, foot-tapping beat, the lyrics are striking in their assertion of conflicted desire-they may not be edgy, but at least they feel honest.
Billboard got it right when they dubbed the 21-year-old singing/songwriting sensation one of their 15 Artists to Watch in 2009, and she remains one to watch in 2010, when "Love Travels" promises to take Taylor to even greater heights. Billboard magazine hailed "Like You Do" for its "breezy, sentimental pop" and the "sassier tone" of lyrics that are "striking in their assertion of conflicted desire," while the Associated Press called the album "one of the top debuts of the year." As a "VH1 You Oughta Know" Artist on the Rise, Taylor joins the esteemed ranks of Amy Winehouse, The Fray and label-mate Adele.
A passionate blend of youthful innocence, soulful essence and a spiritual center, Taylor is every bit as wholesome and pure as her "Love Travels" debut, her longing for love and lust for life colored by dashes of hope. Don't count on that changing anytime soon.

American R&B and pop singer Keri Hilson just dropped a new official music video for her international single "Change Me" unexpectedly, to follow up her No.1 single "I Like" overseas in Germany and other areas. The song features a rather screechy Akon.
The new single "Change Me" is the sixth single lifted from Hilson's old-certified debut album "In a Perfect World," which was released in March 2009. There was delay with the actual release of this single as it was sent to the U.S. urban radio back in October last year. Seems Hilson's album promotion in other countries and tour affected the official release. Although it was never officially released as a single, three months after being sent to the U.S. radio a full length music video appeared online. An official statement about the song has not been made.
The video for "Change Me," teamed up with Akon, was shot by British director Sarah Chatfield, and produced by Polow Da Don. Hilson's Perfect World gets a splash of color, the video takes place of the set of all white back drop with Hilson, the only one allowed to have springs of color. The video focuses on Hilson singing the song while lying on a bed, and she's looking absolutely gorgeous, stunning and breath taking.
Miss Hilson set the tone in 2009 for Female R&B Acts, and her album "In a Perfect World" was very good too. She has been busy recording her sophomore album, "Turning You On, times 10" for a tentative summer release, due May 2010. According to Billboard, Interscope head DJ Mormille says: "We're just getting into this, but we already have an idea of what we want to do. This album will continue the evolution of Keri, building off the hits 'Knock You Down' and 'Turning Me On,' which helped define her." It doesn't mean she has to stop spitting out new videos from her Gold-selling album "In a Perfect World". But first she will make a stop at the Grammys on January 31 on CBS, where she is nominated for two awards including Best New Artist.

Fresh off his breakthrough debut chart-topper hit single "Whatcha Say," Pop sensation Jason Derülo is pressing forward with another music video in support of his latest follow up catchy slice of R&B-kissed pop single "In My Head". He trying to add another chart-topper to his list with "In My Head."
"In My Head" is the second single released from Derülo's forthcoming anticipated self-titled debut album, which is due in stores March 2 via Beluga Heights. When opening for Lady GaGa's Monster Ball Tour in St. Louis, he revealed inspiration behind the song. He stated that it was written around a one night stand he had encountered while staying in the state. He discussed the success of the debut with MTV News: "I feel like the first part of last year was spent on trying to get known — get my name out there kind of — and now that that's done we can actually start the fun...You can't really get to know somebody off of one song. I'm basically the person who will try and reinvent himself on each song. I want every song to be completely different," Derülo explained. "I mean, you can tell the difference between 'Whatcha Say' and 'In My Head' already. I'm excited for the world to get to know me musically."
The newly Midas-like J.R. Rotem-premiered video depicting the R&B performer fantasizing about the girl of his dreams. While the song seems to follow Derülo's frank, honest approach to a girl in a club, the clip's action takes place in what seems like the nicest convenience store parking lot we've ever seen. He stopping a girl and wooing her. He is also seen dancing with several guys outside of a grocery store.
Having found Derülo's debut offering thoroughly irritating, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was feeling this Pop/Rock/Urban fusion. The JR Rotem produced cut is a decent follow up to the first and once again definitely a winner. We knew he had it in him. After showing off a few shuffling steps in the video for the smash "Whatcha Say." Now that all this success has come his way, Derülo lets his inner b-boy shine whips out the fancy footwork for this new clip and brings us even more of a rocker sound to win over his lady of interest. This artist has all of the qualities to blow the R&B game out the water.

New artist Esmée Denters, the 21-year-old Dutch songstress, and the YouTude Protege of Justin Timberlake has finally put out a music video to support her new single "Outta Here", the first release and title track off the Dutch pop singer's debut album, released in the UK on January 11, 2010 and features the previous 2008 charity duet with Timberlake, "Follow My Lead" as an additional bonus song.
Before becoming a singer, Denters was a pancake house waitress from Westervoort, and a regular cover-artist on video-sharing website YouTube, where she covered songs from some of the biggest charting artists like Alicia Keys, Pink, and Natasha Bedingfield until she caught Timberlake's attention. From her webcam at home to 70,000 people in Holland's Amsterdam Arena supporting Timberlake, she's had a big step up in her career. Her YouTube videos have racked up over 133 million hits. Her debut album "Outta Here" shows not only her voice, but her writing talent as well, creatively collaborating with Timberlake on a big part of the album, which is a mix of Pop and R&B with both ballads, and uptempo tracks.
The single "Outta Here" is part pop, part R&B with a twist of soul that the internet sensation says encapsulates who she is. Speaking about the inspiration behind its songs, Denters stated: "I wanted my album to represent exactly who I am. Because I'm a 20-year-old girl, sometimes I just wanna go out and have fun with my girls. So that side of me naturally appears on the record. But then there's also a deeper side to me that's in there too, where I talk about relationships, getting your heart broken, feeling betrayed... So yeah, I guess I basically just wanted to vent all my personal issues on the record, while at the same time giving people songs that they can relate to."
The music video mostly features Denters having personal troubles with her boyfriend, she then starts to remove him from her life. Later in the video it shows her celebrating in a club and then flashes back to an image of Denters in a corner crying, ending singing to the camera laying on her back, wearing headphones. Denters herself has confirmed something along these lines, saying, "it has a strong message that says when someone treats you bad, just get out of that situation and think about yourself first." YouTube sensation's voice is very current and the amount of control she has when she does those runs is incredible! With her look, talent and the backing of someone like Timberlake, I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of her!

Texas-based country music band, Eli Young Band (EYB) has the world premiere of new music video for their best selling singles, "Guinevere" via CMT Network on January 4 to ring in the New Year. The Band have had a couple of successful singles on the radio, but this one may become their biggest hit yet.
"Guinevere" is the fourth single, perhaps the most heartfelt EYB song released from their third album "Jet Black & Jealous," such an intriguing musical property, a 12-song CD that paints even the difficult turns in life with an underlying optimism. The album was released on September 16, 2008 by Universal South, and has accounted for three Top 40 singles on the Billboard country singles charts. They've come a long way from playing in small clubs across Texas, have now become a potent draw in the Southwest to a world premiere video on the home page of CMT.com.
"Guinevere" is not the song I expected the group to release to radio at this point in time, but I'm pleasantly surprised because "Guinevere" is one of the best tracks on "Jet Black & Jealous" and the song paints vivid images of a deeply flawed girl who is always looking for the quick fix to her problems, usually in the form one night stands. The girl's problems really stem from the fact that she 'let her guard down' and allowed a man to 'break her heart' so rather than let love in, this girl continuously searches for unfulfilling romances, just like "Guinevere" instead, all the while holding grudges. The emotionally torn girl in "Guinevere," focus on the future, even when she's uncertain what that future will be.
The EYB's music has all the hallmarks of youth: passion, energy, excitement. Sticking around is a major tenet of the EYB. Those attitudes distinctly mirror the real-life philosophies of the EYB, and their persistence led to new career plateaus. The band's story is the definition of commitment: eight years into the journey, that national target has shifted from a hazy, optimistic dream to a very realistic possibility. Throughout their advances, the EYB has maintained an internal enthusiasm that's easily apparent in "Jet Black & Jealous" album. The album's driving sound and never-say-die lyrical core capture the free-wheeling nature of their concerts, which have built them a solid base of fans.

American Grammy Award-winning record producer, singer and rapper Timbaland is coming to a museum in the music video for his latest single "If We Ever Meet Again", a song about flirting with a stranger at a club, teaming with "I Kissed a Girl" hitmaker Katy Perry, who has at least traded up since her last "featured" appearance.
Timbaland lends his AutoTuned vocals to the song "If We Ever Meet Again", which is the fourth single from über producer's latest third studio album, "Shock Value II". The song will serve as the second official new single in the UK, being released on February 15.
Timbaland told MTV that will.i.am's work on "I Gotta Feeling" inspired him to make "If We Ever Meet Again". The music video was filmed in December 2009. It was directed by Paul "Coy" Allen, who directed "Morning After Dark" and "Say Something". He added that he wants the video to be serious and maybe have Bitchy Perry playing his guardian angel: "I wanna make something deep, I don't know if I wanna make it like a relationship. I wanna make it like she saved my life with whatever depression I was going through, whether it be drug depression, weight-loss depression — something. ... Will she be around if I go through this again?" Not sure we picked that up in, but we did get a four minute music video incarnation of The Thomas Crown Affair.
The Paul "Coy" Allen directed video follows a beautiful woman who makes headlines as a burglary suspect. Timbaland picked a curious moment to start outright singing on his own tracks, but he's the most influential producer of the decade, he's earned it. The chorus is perfect for huge crowd sing-a-longs, and we'll probably have to bash our heads against the wall a couple hundred times to get it out of of our brain, so well done, Timbaland, for dishing out yet another song that will be played on the radio nonstop.

The 22-year-old singer-rapper Iyaz, otherwise known as Virgin Islands-born Keidran Jones, who claims he writes tunes in the dark, went straight in at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his debut single "Replay" last week after selling more than 106,000 copies up to Saturday night, and has topped the UK singles chart and UK R&B Chart for the second week in a row, a healthy total for the opening part of the sales year.
Newcomer Iyaz has become increasingly popular because of his profile on MySpace which was discovered by singer Sean Kingston. "Replay" was produced by J.R. Rotem, who helmed most of Iyaz's reggae-infused, R&B heavy debut album, "My Life" (will be released in March 2010,) says he saw the star power in Iyaz from the start. "I was impressed with what he did with the writing and his vocals himself." The single was released in the UK on January 4, 2010 and charted No.1 on the UK Singles Chart on January 10, making it the first No.1 single of the new decade. Through the success of his first hit single, "Replay," the artist already feels like a star. Rotem was right -- Iyaz seems to have what it takes and the reception he's receiving these days when he performs is a testament to that.
Beaches are definitely the It Locale for music videos this week, but at least Iyaz, who has an excuse to frolic on the coast in the middle of winter. He's just released his bright, cheery sand-strewn video for the hit song by Warner Bros, in which he flips through photos all Minority Report-style while coincidentally sounding almost exactly like fellow tenor and label patron, Sean Kingston.
Nick Levine of Digital Spy Chart Blog gave the song a positive review stating: "'Replay' doesn't feature anything as quirky as Derulo's Imogen Heap sample or indeed anything new at all, but it is a surprisingly likeable slice of radio-friendly R&B. The lyrics are sweeter than the average Song 4 Shawty, the reggae-tinged beats bring a bit of Caribbean sunshine to the crisp British winter, and, well, the chorus certainly does its job. In fact, once heard, it's roughly as easy to remove from your brain..."

Only two months from the release of Adam Lambert's debut CD "For Your Entertainment" and fans are now getting treated to the third music video from the glam star. The latest video for his second mainstream and radio single, "Whataya Want From Me," premiered on MTV and VH1 on Friday morning. Instead of the over-the-top glam rocker we usually see, American Idol season 8 runner-up appears in the new video as an emotionally raw and vulnerable young man torn between public and private life.
"Whataya Want From Me" was written by Pink, Max Martin, and Shellback. It was originally recorded for Pink's 5th studio album, "Funhouse," but it never made it to the final cut. It was produced by Max Martin and Shellback who have collaborated with Pink, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and fellow Idols Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Allison Iraheta and Carrie Underwood.
The music video for "Whataya Want from Me" was directed by Diane Martel and shot on December 20, 2009. The video is starting in his under-decorated apartment, a makeup-free Lambert wakes to begin his daily mope and being harassed by a camera man. There are also performance clips throughout the video where Lambert is performing with a live band. One scene in the video features Lambert in a club and making his way through a crowd of paparazzi and fans into a car. The video also features one of his female fans who is too young to get into the lub. The video, which doesn't feature the same robust colors and saturation as the first two, shows a depressed, emotionally raw and exhausted man, uncomfortable and unhappy with his public life. It's a suitable video for a song full of emotion and strong feelings, but it most likely doesn't represent who Lambert really is at this point, which is someone who seems as happy as a clam living his dream life.
"Whataya Want from Me" has received generally favorable reviews. Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine praised the song and called it "phenomenally well-crafted pop single(s) that give Lambert the opportunity to shine". In the Houston Chronicle, Joey Guerra wrote that the song "...[is] probably the disc's most straightforward cut, with a bit of a Backstreet Boys vibe. Not bad." I've to say the new clip for Lambert's "Whataya Want From Me" plays out in such a personal-yet-enigmatic way, it's hard not to imagine that the AI runner-up is feeling a little overwhelmed by all the change that's come to his life in the last 12 months...

Australian country music artist Keith Urban has unveiled his newest music video this week for his latest hit "'Til Summer Comes Around." The track is the fourth single to be released from his fifth studio album, "Defying Gravity," which was released last March.
Urban co-wrote the song with frequent songwriting partner, Monty Powell who told TheBoot.com: "When Keith started playing the guitar riff that opens up the song, we felt it conjured up the ocean in winter... when it's cold and slate gray. Urban has finally gone for something a little more substantial. In this song, the narrator is deeply let down by the end of summer, yearning for the girl that he met at the carnival. In the meantime, he waits for her to come back again. The chorus provides interesting little details. The production and melody are appropriately somber, relying mostly on Urban's soft slide guitar licks and some soft organ fills. Urban steps up his game vocally, convincingly playing the role of one very heartbroken man. The song was reached No.1 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 and peaked at No. 14 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
This music video was filmed over two days in Los Angeles last November, capturing the Santa Monica Piers, exposing the summer warmth of the meadow with a theme park featured in the distance. It revolves around a brief fling between a couple enjoying each other's company in the open place. "I had this idea about a theme park," Urban said when explaining about inspiration behind the song. "For me, there's something fascinating and deeply sad about theme parks in the wintertime when they're shut down. It is accompanied mostly by electric guitar and organ. Urban's original idea was to write a song about longing telling the story of a guy who meets a girl at an amusement park. He falls in love with her and longs to see the girl again. She says she will be back, and every year he is still there waiting. I think this is Urban's best video ever. It so haunting, nocturnal, and dreamily textured. I have always felt sad at the sight of a carnival or boardwalk in the off season and he catches this emotion perfectly and sings it with so much passion!
Urban and his superstar actress wife, Nicole Kidman, enjoyed a nice, long Christmas and New Year's holiday in their luxurious, 21st-floor, $6 million penthouse apartment in Sydney. Upon returning to the States, He won his first award of the New Year, nabbing the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Artist. This was a pretty cool feat, as the category encompasses all genres. He actually beat out popular artists like John Mayer and Eminem! Urban will also attend the 52nd annual Grammy Awards on January 31 in Los Angeles where he's nominated for Best Country Album for "Defying Gravity," Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Sweet Thing", Best Country Collaboration with Brad Paisley for "Start A Band" and Best Long Form Music Video for "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing."