Today's Pick

New York-based Singer/  songwriter Brendan James is getting ready to release his sophomore self-titled album on September 7 via Decca Records, and just debuted the video for the album's Fray-ish lead single "The Fall," co-starring actress and model Melissa Ordway, and directed by her boyfriend Justin Baldoni. James' distinctly detached vocal delivery actually keeps the grander moments here in check, subtle cool shadings that keep the focus on the classic pop/rock melodies that burrow quickly into the subconscious.
Born and raised in New Hampshire, and began writing songs during his sophomore year at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. James's inspiration stems from the rich and time-honored singer/songwriter traditions of New England. However, unlike his predecessors, James who accompanies himself on piano, has fused these traditional sensibilities with the experiences of his own generation, resulting in a sound that is overwhelmingly unique and original, yet resonates with the soulful simplicity of the past.
"The Fall", which James wrote about having to let someone go with the knowledge that the freedom of letting them go is the most grounding feeling of all. "I have tried to write a little more abstractly, but I just can't. You are what you are and my heart is on my sleeve. I am a romantic as well as an optimist. I also go through my daily life thinking too hard about certain things. Stuff doesn't roll off of me that easily. So I think my songs have this heaviness meets romance meets positivity."
Despite the finely crafted, melodic piano pop from James on display with his 2008 debut, "As I've matured I've realized that though life is beautiful and enjoyable, it can be legitimately hard," James says. "I didn't know that until I had finished touring behind my first album and I was ready to write about it for this new album." Finding that special not-too-sweet spot that lingers somewhere between hook-heavy, radio-friendly pop anthems and the art of critically credible, personal songwriting, James exudes a gracefully assured ease. Some artists name an album after themselves because they're stumped for another title. James grins at this suggestion. He says, "The album is self-titled because I feel like it's my first recording that really showcases the different sides of me as a musician. It's got everything from the mellow to the upbeat, to the somber to the unashamedly positive."

Filmmaker Eugene Lee Yang was not hired by Marina and the Diamonds or her label to create this 10-minute video, using a medley of tracks from her debut full-length studio album "The Family Jewels." But after watching this enchanting mini-movie, I've been transported into a world of fairy tales and princesses and all things aesthetically stunning. Yang created the video entirely on spec, and according to his YouTube page, he felt truly inspired by Marina's album, and it's a journey of bright lights, beautiful colors, and the most beastly of all things beautiful and bewildering. "I Am Not A Princess" puts a modern, poptastic spin on several storybook tales, from The Little Mermaid to Cinderella to Alice in Wonderland, and uses Marina's songbook as the score.
The 24-year-old Marina Lambrini Diamandis, better known by her stage name, Marina and the Diamonds, is a Welsh singer of Greek descent. She rose to fame after reaching No.2 on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll list, coming 2nd to Ellie Goulding. Despite the name, Marina is a solo act, with the "Diamonds" being what she refers to as her fans. Her musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo new wave-style songs with full band backing. This new video is jaw-droppingly-amazing, and I get chills every time.
And here's full story about the video on Marina's YouTube page: "My original spec music video for the incredibly talented indie pop artist Marina and the Diamonds comprised of a supermix of tracks from her inspiring debut album, 'The Family Jewels.' The story reimagines a myriad of classic princess mythologies that every little boy and girl has grown up either adoring...resenting...fulfilling...(or a conflicted mixture of all those feelings), and writes each fairy tale its own unique, modern twist. This message: of carving your own path and ultimately following your heart, regardless of expectation or society, is very near and dear to me and hopefully reflected in the spirit of this film. Marina herself said it best when describing the origin of her musical identity: 'I saw a simple group made up of many people who had the same hearts. A space for people with similar ideals who could not fit in to life's pre-made mold. I was terribly awkward for a long time! I really craved to be part of one thing because I never felt too connected to anybody and now I feel I have that all around me.'"
"My fairy tale dream was this: to produce and direct my ideal music video with no limitations...to allow a spectacular young cast and crew to perform solely off their own creativity...to encourage and embrace diversity on film...to direct a project both my grandmother and little sister could love and understand...and, if anything, to promote a new artist who sincerely deserves more international attention. Artists like her, especially in pop music, are indeed as rare as diamonds, and upon your first listen you'll understand why I chose to feature her music in this passion project. 'I know exactly what I want and who I want to be...'"

Halestorm, American hard rock band from Pennsylvania has just debuted the new video on Noisecreep for group's latest moody "Familiar Taste of Poison," off group's self-titled debut album, which Halestorm unleashes a turbulent torrent of infectious hard rock with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson. The band churn out uncompromising rock n' roll anthems, and has been consistently active, writing and performing original music since 1998 and becoming increasingly successful.
"The track is an amazing journey for me," the frontlady Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Hale explained whole story about the track and it's video: "Hi guys, it's Lzzy. Im here to tell you a little bit about our new video for 'Familiar Taste of Poison.' First and foremost, this was the most intense, and enjoyable video Ive ever made! Directed by Mr. Jeremy Alter (director of music videos and films including 'The Perfect Sleep') and written by Anton Pardoe, this video is moving and full of depth, one that you'll watch over and over, just to relive all of the details. Jeremy and his team worked tirelessly on every inch of this video to make sure everything was right."
"A little about the video: This is a movie, set in 1940's Hollywood, shot in film noir style and grace. Myself, a young starlet, the center of a murder mystery. Joe cast as 'Hard boiled Joe,' the head detective in the case. Josh cast as 'Playboy Dr Smith' the suspiciously smarmy boyfriend, and Arejay as, 'the coroner, owner of 'Arejays Cadaver Palace,' and head of forensics, who is helping Joe with the case. This is a 'who done it and how.' You will see Halestorm as you've never seen us before. This is a film full of surprises ( and a special guest appearance if you can guess). Hope you enjoy!!"
"What FTOP means to me: This song to me has always been a realistic way of looking at love. The fantasies and happy endings are just that, fantasies. 'the roses were only to drain my inspiration, the promises were spoiled before they left your lips' There are no rules to live by or follow. Love is torture, a creeping, and slow takeover. Attacking your senses, and awareness. To love someone and take someone in for all they are, and equally (more importantly) for all they are Not, is the most beautiful and poisonous thing. You continue on, with only your flighty mind and slowed heart beat to follow. Battling the opinions of others, questioning yourself and all society says that you're 'supposed to do.' Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. At this point of no return, you decide that this familiar taste of poison is the only thing that will guide you, the only thing that is in fact real. 'I could fight this til the end, but maybe I don't want to win'. I know that 'the sweet escape is always laced with a familiar taste of poison'. Love, Lzzy"

Treating her fans to a brand new creation, Katy Perry has premiered the official music video via MTV for her second and title track "Teenage Dream" off her forthcoming sophomore album, set to be released on August 24. The midtempo pop song is an upbeat tune about a woman who is falling madly in love and it makes her feel like a teenager again, because she wants him again. It's absolutely in tune with teenage girls' hearts and minds.
Cruising down the highway in a convertible with her welterweight hunk, the 'I Kissed a Girl' hitmaker is madly in love with model Josh Kloss, going through a series of makeout sessions with him in this Yoann Lemoine-directed romantic video, which kicks off in true California cool fashion. Visually, the clip was wonderfully shot with a graying effect that dulls down what otherwise would've been the cliche sunny day in her hometown of Santa Barbara. "It is gonna be completely different from 'California Gurls.' With 'Teenage Dream' you'll see a very raw, almost vulnerable [side]," Perry says about the video. "I had to wear so many less layers of makeup."
"I can't run from where I came from, nobody can," says Perry. When it came time to make her exhilarating second album "Teenage Dream," the 25-year-old singer found herself increasingly drawn back home to Santa Barbara. "I love the vibe that Santa Barbara gives off and I wanted to really tap into the purity of my childhood and that feeling," says the two-time Grammy nominated singer. "It was really fun to get away and walk into the studio with no make-up on." The new album will move you, both emotionally and physically. "I called the album 'Teenage Dream' because I feel like I will always want to be that pin-up poster," Perry says. "I definitely want to be in everybody's dreams at all times until I get to Liz Taylor's age when I'm not in your dreams anymore, and I'm just a diva!"
It's irreverent statements like this that have branded Perry a true American original. She's the extremely talented girl next door with slyly captivating charm. She erases any barrier between pop star and audience by writing all her own material. As much as her life seems to play itself out in the press, she reminds us the real Perry is in every note and every word of her music. Meanwhile, Perry is set to marry Russell Brand later this year and now that she has yet another successful album, it is certain that her personal life is mirroring the success she is seeing in her professional life.

Beluga Heights' island-pop sensation IYAZ is back with the video for his newest single, "So Big," the third single taken from his debut LP "Replay." The JR Rotem produced new catchy little tune has the British Virgin Islands artist declaring his love for his girl. Watch as the dude showers his lady as only a Top 40 recording artist knows how.
The Caribbean singer and rapper makes lilting reggae-infused R&B melodies inspired by island shorties, wireless romance, and the anguish of unrequited love. This wouldn't be the first time IYAZ has crooned about love: His previous hit, "Solo," shows him struggling to make it on his own, sans girlfriend, whereas his 2009 hit "Replay" has the R&B singer failing to get a girl off his mind. Despite two successful singles, Virgin Islands-bred pop star IYAZ' freshman set still has yet to arrive. At this point, of course, there's only one thing to do: drop another single, one "So Big" that the album will take on a life of its own. Over bass beats and a mild keyboard melody, the single "So Big" should be another hit off his dance-driven debut album, "Replay," expected to drop later this year, possibly as late as December.
IYAZ was born into a musical family and grew up in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. IYAZ's rise to the top of the Billboard charts happened not to long after being discovered by reggae-fusion singer and rapper Sean Kingston on MySpace. With inventive re-imaginings of the reggae-splashed hook-heavy soul popularized by acts like Sean Paul and Sean Kingston in the early half of the 21st century's first decade, Virgin Island-born singer IYAZ swiftly built up a hearty cult following on MySpace. Kingston, in the process of forming his own Time Is Money label, stumbled upon IYAZ's site and snapped up the 23-year-old singer as the maiden signee of his new imprint. IYAZ's debut single, "Replay," which was co-written by Jason Derülo, an iPod name-checking musical stew adding splashes of classical and electronica to his usual island pop, soared on the charts and reached #1Top 40.
In an interview with HitQuarters, his producer J.R. Rotem described IYAZ's creative perfectionism: "Whereas others might work on several songs in one day, he might sit there and work on one song for days. The end result that he gets is usually an absolute gem, so heartfelt and genuine." IYAZ understands that struggle firsthand, because the music business has been challenging for his love life. Instead of cultivating a relationship, he's busy in the studio or touring. But when things get to be too much, IYAZ can always return to his other great love: motorcycles. He just hops on one of his dirt bikes and rides off into the Floridian sunset!

The Aussie-born, UK-based jazz and pop singer Gabriella Cilmi is out with the music video to her new ballad single "Defender," the third release from her second studio album "Ten," which has been in stores Down Under since March this year. The Invisible Men-produced track is a moving ballad which features a marching band drumline to emphasise its lyrical message.
Cilmi (pronounced 'chill me') was catapulted to global fame by her worldwide mega hit, "(There's Nothing) Sweet About Me," and her teen beauty and powerful voice may have quickly marked her out at the beginning of her career, but there was always a depth and variety about her that hinted at richer, wilder things. She has always taken luck into her own hands, and possesses a smoky, whiskey-soaked voice that belies her age and a feisty rock attitude that placed her on the inside fast track to pop stardom. The 19-year-old is set to surprise a lot of people with her bold, fresh musical direction and feisty attitude.
After 'Cilmi's foray into New Wave Disco flopped harder than Magikarp, the Aussie pop star has returned back to a more organic sound for her latest single "Defender." Her toned down the glitz & glamor for the song's music video, trading in her Barbarella space suit and 70's-era nightclubs for a dirty white tank top and the rape tunnel from "Irreversible." It's a touching and empowering ballad, and it fits Cilmi's unique vocal style a lot better than some of her underrated disco jams did.
From a feminine, the songstress transforms into a tomboy in this music video, which was filmed in Chelmsford's water factory. "There was lime scale falling from the walls and it was quite cold and lonely looking, but it had just the right character for the video," Cilmi explained about the filming location. The concept is to follow a girl leaving behind one world, stripping back everything that hides who she truly is and then going into battle to protect someone or something she believes in. In the video we see Gabi strip away from her popstar guise to prepare for combat mode. But who or what exactly is she defending in a wet tank top and baton, we'll never know.

Despite touring throughout 2010, Country and western duo sensation Sugarland has been largely absent from country radio as of late, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush now reemerge to reclaim their eminence as country music's dominant duo, released their new video for "Stuck Like Glue," the peppy first single from the duo's upcoming fourth studio album "The Incredible Machine" has been scheduled for an October 19 release on Mercury Nashville.
"Stuck Like Glue," is a catchy, up-tempo tune that will have you tapping your toes and singing along in no time at all. It's a joyous, infectious acoustic pop song that shows off Nettles' stellar vocal skills, it once again confirms her place as one of popular music's most talented stylists. "'Stuck Like Glue' is just plain, unashamed, Sugar-fun," Nettles described the single. "It sticks in your brain, no pun intended. To me it feels young, hip and of course sassy! I can't wait for it to get out there so we can play it live in our show. We've been sitting on our hands to not play it live 'til it was released!" With her irrepressible charm and girl next door appeal as an anchor, she shines on even the most standard pop-country fluff.
Sugarland show off their comical side in a newly-premiered music video, the duo become partners in crime as they stalk Nettles's love interest. The video opens with Nettles and Bush driving get-away car, a family truckster on a road trip seemingly to go visit her beau, nicely played by "Chuck's Captain Awesome" Ryan McPartlin, and determined to win his heart. Turns out it's an unreciprocated love, to put it mildly. After they get arrested for coming a little too close to the object of Nettles' affection, they get thrown into the pokey, but she later on throws a punch on his face after he gets a call from another girl.
Once an artist achieves superstar status they have an amazing amount of stress put on them to not only deliver more and more 'great music' that keeps the newer fans but music that will appeal to fans of their earliest music. Sugarland is a group that has never really tried to sound the same over and over again. While they've had a base that is country in a modern context, the duo has never been content to record the same sounding song over and over again. Each of their albums are meant to challenge and evolve. Taking this into account, it's easy to understand where Sugarland is coming from on their new single "Stuck Like Glue." It's about rhythm and movement, and easy to dance to because people connect to that rhythm immediately. With Brooks & Dunn about to end their long and successful partnership, Sugarland is a contender for the top spot among country music's duos.