Today's Pick

After his brush with death from acute pneumonia, George Michael's and finally back with a gorgeous circus-themed music video for his new piano-driven "Let Her Down Easy," the lead single from English singer-songwriter's newest sixth studio album "Symphonica," the first album of new material since 2004, out today! Having often made the news for all the wrong reasons, Michael was hoping to put the focus back on his music. Despite fears that one of the best voices of his generation might never perform again, Michael made a slow recovery and eventually resumed his tour.
Michael's in-concert album "Symphonica," was recorded after his recovered from pneumonia, reiterates his resilience as a consummate live entertainer. Produced by Michael and Phil Ramone, the legendary American producer who passed away last year at 79, "Symphonica" is a far cry from the kind of fare served up in the '80s by the singer and his former Wham! buddy Andrew Ridgeley. As befits a man of 50, this record is more refined. With elegant strings and horns adding color without being intrusive, it places the onus firmly on a smooth, expressive voice that is still in magnificent fettle.
The most interesting covers are the less obvious ones. Michael excels on Terence Trent D'Arby's touching 1993 classic "Let Her Down Easy," a poignant, subdued song written by a concerned father about his teenage daughter's coming of age. But, despite the bumpy ride behind "Symphonica," this polished return is an overdue reminder of a great British voice that might even be getting better with age. He says the orchestral accompaniment on "Symphonica" gave him the opportunity to showcase his famously mellifluous vocal skills.
The cautionary tale told in the Vaughn Arnell-directed black and white circus-themed clip follows the love story of two circus performers - a handsome, love-experienced ringmaster and a virginal young acrobat - who have a romantic interlude. It's already a given that the young man is going to have his way with the girl who retires to her home where she strips naked and is greeted by her co-star. But, as the title suggests, the song's lyrics implore the guy to not lead the girl on and just deflate her hopes for a future relationship as gently as possible. It's very sexual and very emotional. Watch the heartbreaking tale play out below.

Newcomer Asher Monroe has been making waves on YouTube with the release of his new music video for the track "Like I Do," creating a fan frenzy with over 1.5 million views since its debut on November 7. The 23-year-old former pop/R&B group V Factory singer sings from his heart in this newly released music video which has been amazingly popular and earning more than 1.5 million views in just over a week's time.
While Monroe is a new name to many, he has built up a following from his years in the boy band V-Factory, as well as acting appearances on Broadway and in the 'Fame' movie. He says he's eager to give fans a full album of music. "All of my music is written straight from the heart so I hope people really feel something when they hear my songs," Monroe says in a press release. "I couldn't be more excited that people all over the world are embracing 'Like I Do,' and I can't wait to get more of my new music out there."
The epic song was both written and produced by Monroe, along with Alon Levitan and S.T.R.Z., is currently available for download on iTunes and gives fans an introduction to Monroe's upcoming solo debut. While "Like I Do" marks his music video debut as a solo artist, Monroe is no stranger to performing. His remarkable voice has taken him to both stage and screen.
Directed by Barney Patterson, the video brings to life Monroe's modern take on the classic love song, in which we get to see Monroe travel in Southern California to offer his affection to his love interest. Shot against a scenic Southern California backdrop, the clip follows the singer throughout Los Angeles, where he drives from the studio to the coast to the Hollywood Hills as he expresses his unending devotion, and parks in the middle of a palm-tree lined street to sing the lyrics about his devotion to a special someone.

Alumni of the boy band NLT (an abbreviation of Not Like Them) are doing pretty well for themselves these days, I'd say! Kevin McHale scored a leading role as Artie on the hit TV series on "Glee," Justin Thorne went on to form the new group "One Call," Travis Garland has a hit single with "Believe," and now Visky "V" Sevani is back with a new single of his own! He just dropped the music video for his pop/R&B single "Take You To The Moon." If you're into catchy pop tracks you'll definitely want to check out the Seth Harden-directed video on YouTube.
Rarely is one bred to be a superstar. Los Angeles native, Sevani, is one of those rare breeds. From a young age, he was well cultured in the arts. Growing to be a triple-threat, he began to master dance, music, and theater; due to strong influences from his mother, a classically trained pianist, and his father, a collegiate degree holding dancer. His natural talent and gifts shined early, being able to capture and entertain watchers from his first dance moves to his first theater showcasing in "A Christmas Carol."
The former NLT member has been working hard this part year on his solo career and developing and creating his upcoming progressive Pop debut album "Steps," which is collaborating with High Valley Producers, Greg Whitman a.k.a. Whitty, and Dylan Charbonneau. It is also an album chronicling every step of a relationship from the initial love at first sight, to the broken heart and all the emotions and situations that fall in between.
The 22-year-old explores the light and darkness of helpless romantic Pop. Sevani isn't really out of this world, but his new tune, "Take You To The Moon" is! Sevani's new song is the first from his solo debut album, with the perfect blend of romantic lyrics and catchy melody and it's the ultimate pop love song! While finishing up his album, "Steps," Sevani will also be filming his first featured film, "Rock, Paper, Scissors." Much is to be expected in the near future from Sevani, the next generation entertainer.

R&B star Ciara admits to going Hollywood for a minute, but is coming back to stake her claim and reminding her detractors that she's still the 'Same Old Chic' in the new formal promotion video for her upcoming fourth album's title buzz song "Basic Instinct (U Got Me)." The song sees the singer speaking about the return to her R&B/urban roots and ditching the pop sound of previous records. The expletive-filled street anthem video directed by Phil the God and features a cameo from The-Dream. Ciara will unveil a glossier image when the video for her lead single "Ride" which features Ludacris premieres on Vevo via Jive Records today.
So apparently Cici is holding no punches on her new project, "Basic Instinct." The ATL princess has sprung a surprise on her fans by releasing this first visual hard-hitting cut, just moments ago on her official Twitter page. The "Love Sex Magic" hitmaker tweeted, "Hey my sweet fans!! Check out my video Basic Instinct (U GOT ME) Enjoy!" In the video Ciara is walking down a dirt road spitting venom like verses addressing the bloggers, critics and one particular R&B songstress that has yet to be named. With The-Dream on her side, The 24-year-old R&B singer shows off all the things she got from singing, dancing and rapping skills. She take shots at the haters and the blogs that criticize her and spread rumors about her. Also, the track reportedly is to fight back singer Keri Hilson who is rumored to diss her on "Turnin' Me On" remix.
The freshly-released video came out around a week after Ciara unraveled the title of her fourth album in an interview with Maximo TV during her red carpet appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of "Death at a Funeral" on April 12. "You're gonna get an even more sensual side and also confident and cocky. I got like such an attitude on this record, but in a fun way," she gushed further. A follow-up of her 2009 album "Fantasy Ride", "Basic Instinct" is due in stores across the U.S. this summer.