Listening to...

Here's a run down of some of my favorite current hits. Links lead to YouTube videos.

Shame - Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow. What a great idea--get two guys together who used to be in a boyband together but then had a publicity-drenched falling out as one and then the other left to pursue solo interests. It's a great song autobiographic song that covers that territory and then buries the hatchet. The Brokeback Mountain-themed video is the icing on the cake. Easy, easy, easy #1 hit when it's released in Britain in a few weeks (it's already out in the US).

Only Girl (in the World) - Rihanna. So no more singles from Rated R apparently, as Rihanna already has its follow-up, Loud!, ready to go for this November (I was really hoping "Fire Bomb" would be a single, oh well). "Only Girl" is quite awesome though; a real dance pop stomper of a hit. It's been at radio in the US for 8 days and it's already #25 at top 40.

Heartbeat - Enrique Iglesias feat. Nicole Scherzinger. Enrique follows up "I Like It," his biggest hit in years, with "Heartbeat," a more downbeat but still quite dance-y affair featuring Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.



History - Groove Armada feat. Will Young. Groove Armada haven't had a hit for awhile. Their last top 10 single in Britain was their 2007 collaboration with former Sugababe Mutya Buena, "Song 4 Mutya." "History" teams them up with another pop star, one of my dearest faves, Mr. Will Young. "History" is a great track. It reminds me a great deal of Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy," a #3 hit in 1984.

Get Outta My Way - Kylie Minogue. Another luscious dance floor stomper from the lady from down under. The writhing on the floor thing in the video is pretty much what she already did for "Slow."

Any Which Way - Scissor Sisters. The Scissor Sisters' star power seems to have deemed considerably of late. Such a shame, for they continue to release amazing material, like this awesome disco track in which Ana Matronic coos about taking her panty hose out of an egg. Love it.



Radioactive - Kings of Leon. "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" were both surprisingly massive hits over the last 2 years. Now the band has the daunting task of following up their commercial success. "Radioactive" is a decent song, but not as instantly likable as their recent hits.



(It's Not War) Just the End of Love - Manice Street Preachers. Manic Street Preachers new album promises to be their most commercial in years, and this single definite goes for the big hook. Great track, although it doesn't look like it will be top 10 this weekend.

Hang with Me - Robyn. Body Talk Pt.2's hit single is just as good, if not better, than "Dancing on My Own." Great dance pop song that sees Robyn exude a bit of vulnerability through her usual armor.



Fuck You! - Cee Lo Green. Cee Lo's made the most vulgar phrase into a lovable pop hit. That takes talent.