Kim Jaejoong - Mine

As a new K-Pop devotee, I've mostly been researching the pop and hip-hop sides of things. And honestly, this track is more "pop star gone rock" than true rock music, considering Kim Jaejoong is also a member of the boyband JYJ. This is quite a departure for him, though. It's all big, crunchy guitars and goth sensibilities. It's worth hearing if only for the accompanying video, which is stunning. Korea does music videos so much better than the western music industry. This is like a mini-movie. Artistically shot and filled with intricate, amazing costumes and surprisingly effective special effects. Add to that a song that gets better with each play, and we've got something really special.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Tegan And Sara - Goodbye Goodbye

"You never really knew me"

I'm sad that I haven't had much time to spend with Tegan and Sara's new album since it debuted on the internet, but I have given it a really quick run through and I've gotta say... I didn't know they had it in them. One of my favorite things is when an indie-pop band goes big, polishing their own sensibilities to the point where their music becomes huge pop. I know, I know. Most "hardcore" fans of bands like this would say exactly the opposite. They've sold out. They've abandoned what made them great. Yadda yadda. Different strokes for different folks, I say. And really, how can someone resist a track like this? From the opening synth hook, you know it's gonna be amazing. It's as if the girls have melded their style with influences from bands like Dragonette and Marina & the Diamonds. It's a brilliant move.

Click to hear the song!

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Listen to the entire album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Del Marquis - Say Ooh Damn

"You make me see all the things I fail to notice alone"

We all know Del Marquis as the guitar player in Scissor Sisters. Now that that band's on hiatus, Del has moved back to doing some solo work. He released a few EPs a couple of years ago, but this time he's put up a mixtape (a collaboration with Xavier) for free download! The music sounds a bit more like Scissor Sisters this time around, just maybe a bit funkier and more indie. Say Ooh Damn is probably the most SS-sounding track on the EP and also what I'd consider to be the standout. I love the guitar and female background vocals that pop up every now and then. Very 80's. Kinda like a sleazy Prince/George Michael hybrid.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Download the EP for free here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Mohamed - Unbreakable

"Nothing will divide us"

This Saturday, Denmark's Melodi Grand Prix will present the country's ten entries hoping to compete in this year's Eurovision. Having listened to all the songs (you can too), I really don't think they have a winner in the bunch. Props to them for including so many uptempos, but unfortunately they all have a really generic, samey sound. There's nothing as good as Jesper Nohrstedt's Take Our Hearts from last year over even that Venter song. Personally, I think Mohamed got the best track in Unbreakable. Yes, it's a complete rip-off of Loreen's superior Euphoria, but at least it has a melody that sticks. He should do well, given his time in X-Factor. I don't know much about him myself, but hopefully his performance matches the "bigness" of the song.

Click here to play the song

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Listen to all the songs here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.