Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"sweeToxic" by SuG
I was waiting for the official release before posting this one and I'm so happy to finally show my love for the group. We've had some rough times like most of the PSC bands, but it's nice to see that the band has figured out how to catch my attention again. This PV combines their more recent style with a taste of what made them appealing in the beginning and something fresh to keep me interested. The visuals are saturated in some places and vibrant in others which shows that balance they have finally claimed with this musical style. It's not overwhelming either, it's just enough to make me happy again and I hope they keep this direction up for future releases.



"Eclipse" by Moran
I was really curious how the new additions of Vivi and Ivy would work out with the band and I'm happy to say that it only made an awesome a more awesome band. They haven't lost their initial sound, but simply enhanced it even more with this addictive track and natural energy. The PV is simple and highlights each member while delivering so much energy. I am even more anxious to hear their first album as a quintet.



"Controversy" by Natalia Kills
Sometimes less is more, but this one could be a hit or miss for fans visually. The concept points out social commentary of what we digest through media from day to day. It's lyrically simple, but possesses a truthful message with its words. I read that Natalia's concept for the upcoming album this song will be featured on will be chaotic and noisy and this song definitely fits in that category without being obnoxious about it. Everything is very simplistic, but it holds so many topics that people can discuss for hours on end. I'm looking forward to the album and delving into this new direction.



"WOW" by BTOB
This was an interesting new sound for the group...and kinda kpop as well. It's a mixture of 90's pop and current electro-pop elements which surprisingly works well for the boys. They're slowly breaking out of B2ST's shadow, but they still have quite a ways to go to truly not be compared by their labelmates. The story is pretty standard and the styling matches the musical mash-up ranging from 90's throwback scraps and recycled and revamped B2ST wardrobe.



"Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue
So, I've decided instead of just waiting for something more interesting to pop up or just settle for okay, I would pick something from the past that I'm sure the younger generation haven't been exposed to. This will only occur if I can't find anything to fill the space. Anyway, this is a memorable and empowering song. I remember when it came out for the Set It Off movie. I don't think I've seen the whole movie actually. I believe I was too young to watch it at the time. ^^; Like typical soundtrack based songs, they insert snippets of the movie in between the groups' performance. Normally, this would be quite boring, but for this song it doesn't need anything flashy and over the top. The ladies' emotion filled power vocals make up for everything. I miss R&B songs like this that provide strength to women and really touch your soul.

Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"Lights Out (Go Crazy)" by Junior Caldera feat. Natalia Kills & Far East Movement
You should all know that I'm in love with the underrated Ms. Kills and I like Far East Movement too. I don't know how I missed this fantastic song, let alone music video. Thanks to the Prophet Blog, I've purchased this little gem and abused the replay button for the past couple weeks. The video is pretty simple, but has just the right impact to match the mood and pace of the song. Looking forward to more music from all three artists.




"Shot You Down" by Florrie
I've only heard one song by her through last.fm and this was also posted on Prophet Blog. I wasn't sure whether I'd like it or not since I haven't really explored much of her music. It's a simple down beat dance track with repetitive lyrics, but it's somehow effective for the genre. The delivery and execution is powerful, artistic, and intriguing. Very modelesque~




"Pretty Enough" by Verbal Jint feat. Sanchez of Phantom
I know I just said that I'm in love with Natalia Kills, but I'm sorry that a different, perhaps emotional part goes to Verbal Jint and his newest masterpiece. I already fangirled to a certain friend on how beautiful and creative this song and video is. I love the concept and lyrics so much that I almost was brought to tears on the shear beauty. The last song that made me feel that way was Daichi Miura's "4am" and that sealed the deal for me to buy his latest album. Sanchez's voice also compliments Verbal Jint's rap and I hope there's a Phantom debut in the near future. Definitely looking forward to listening to this album. I'm sure it's flawless.




"Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!" by BABYMETAL
The jpop/metal girls are back with a "bangover" of a song for the fans (and haters). They're still quite unpredictable, but still entertaining in my mind. I instantly fell for this new release from the sweet beginning transitioning to the hard rocking handbanging moment. I was so tempted to join! The guitars are pure love to my ears and I think I want to see these girls live one day. Maybe even learn a dance or two. I feel a little guilty, but it can't be helped. Japan is so odd sometimes.




"Love Again" by 2BiC feat. Ailee
I've never heard of these guys before, but I'm truly impressed that this is the first song I've heard of theirs. I'm slowly boarding the Ailee train and I was shocked that was her rapping in this song. It sounded like a totally different girl like one of those idol rappers (one of the good ones). Anyway, these guys have amazing voices and the video is quite classy, despite a couple moments that could've been omitted. I think these guys could fit in in America with material like this.

Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"Super Lover" by MissTER
One of my friends posted this on Facebook and called them the female Big Bang of Taiwan. Yes, they're actually girls...all of them. It's quite an interesting concept, especially for Taiwan. They really have talent too. I listened to their debut album, Boom Boom Boom, and looked at some of their other music videos and a few lives. I can see how fangirls can easily fall for these handsome ladies.




"Kill My Boyfriend" by Natalia Kills
An unofficial version of this video was released earlier and I'm so happy that it's officially released by the label. It's such a contradicting song, meaning the music is so cheerful and sunshine, but the lyrics are not that happy at all. It's kinda comical and the visuals are quite impressive. Natalia looks absolutely flawless and the song is slowly growing on me. I'm really pleased with the changes as well. I hope this'll be her year to shine a little more.




"Domino" by Jessie J
I know some people had some complaints about this video, but I like it. Sure, it sounds a little Katy Perry-ish, but Jessie still has better pipes than most pop talents these days. I enjoy her funky style and goofy dancing. The editing is quite eye catching too and it looks like she had some fun filming it. I hope we get to see her break out of her box more this year.




"DOOM" by Black Gene For the Next Scene
You all know I've been waiting for the full version of this song and PV and I must say I'm truly impressed and excited. I love the talent these guys have, the vocal and musical arrangements were amazing, and the PV is very simplistic yet eye catching. Lastly, I'd have to add the bass solo was badass. I'm really rooting on Rame on this group. I'm loving them a lot right now.




"The Grasshopper Song" by Sunny Hill
I'm pretty sure you kpop lovers are aware of the release of this flawless Sunny Hill video. They've grown up so much and I'm really loving the direction they're going. I hope they never follow the same path as those mainstream kpop groups either. I've probably abused this song and music video so much, since the release, but it's worth it. Unfortunately, Janghyun will be heading off to the army soon. I'm looking forward to his return with the group and maybe he'll have more lines too.

Quick Music Review

The Birthday Massacre - Imaginary Monsters (2011, U.S.) Rating: 3/5
Favorite Tracks: Forever, Pale (Kevvy Mental & Dave Ogilvie "Rubber Unicorn" Mix), Shallow Grave (Assemblage 23 Mix)

Recently, I blindly bought a single...and I really dislike buying singles, but I ended up not regretting this one. "Forever" is haunting yet beautiful track that shows off that emotional goth electronic sound of the band and Chibi's voice is flawless. The song smoothly transitions to "Burn Away" which has a slightly harder sound than the first track. "Left Behind" has an eerie sound and dramatic electronic rock music arrangement that drags along some. The next 5 tracks are remixes of songs from their last album, Pins and Needles. "Pale (Kevvy Mental & Dave Ogilvie "Rubber Unicorn" Mix)" brings out more bass and guitar sound yet keeps the integrity of the original intent of the song. "Control (Tweaker Mix)" sounds extra retro electronic. Think of Flock of Seagulls' "I Ran". "Shallow Grave (Combichrist "Good For Her" Mix)" has a few scratches and tweaks. I didn't really care for this remix so much. "Pins And Needles (Skold Mix)" has its moments of great musical arrangement choices within the remix. It kinda reminds of me of an industrial DDR song or something. "Shallow Grave (Assemblage 23 Mix)" is better than the other remix of the same song. It keeps its original tempo and adds cool, familiar dance elements to it. Overall, the single wasn't that bad.



Natalia Kills - Perfectionist (2011, U.S.) Rating: 4/5
Favorite Tracks: Wonderland, Break You Hard, Zombie, Love is a Suicide

If you haven't noticed, I've been waiting for this album for a while now. It opens with one of my favorite tracks, "Wonderland". The lyrics are interesting and a little dark. The music is simple, but definitely leaves an impression in your mind. "Free" is an upbeat, fun song that follows along the same line as Jessie J's "Price Tag". I believe this is her latest music video as well and it features will.i.am. I really wish he wasn't in it because his part is kinda annoying and unnecessary. "Break You Hard" is an aggressive song mixing haunting sound effects, intense vocals, and a rock influence music arrangement. "Zombie" used to be a track I was obsessed with. The song is still amazing and keeps that dark pop vibe. "Love is a Suicide" is my favorite new track. No doubts there. It has a great dance sound and keeps true to Natalia's style. "Mirrors" was another song that was previously released. It still has a nice dramatic sound with a retro-electropop vibe. "Acid Annie" goes back to that dramatic rock sound, but more of a stalkerish, threatening tone to it than "Break You Hard", but underlying uplifting. "Superficial" is a lighter track than the previous one and easy to get into. "Broke" is a slightly softer track and fuses Natalia's sound with R&B elements which creates this beautiful little song. "If I Was God" keeps that light, thoughtful tone going to close out the album. It compiles some of the themes presented in the previous tracks and puts it on the table for the listener to think things over. It also shows off Natalia's great, diverse vocal range. Overall, this is a great debut album for Kills and it was definitely worth the wait. I hope she can keep going on this great route while this dance/electronic trend is still going. I also hope this kills the Gaga comparisons too.



f(x) - PINOCCHIO (2011, South Korea) Rating: 3.5/5
Favorite Tracks: Pinocchio (Danger), Dangerous, Love, Lollipop

Things have been a little quiet for the girls since Amber was injured, but this was their comeback. "Pinocchio (Danger)" was the promo song to get people excited about their first album and their comeback. It's a very catchy song and goes along with the same vibe as "Nu ABO", which made me happy. "Sweet Witches" takes a sweeter sound of pop that I didn't know existed in them. I'd rather not hear anything like this again. "Dangerous" has a bit of a retro pop sound that I can't seem to place where I've heard before. "Beautiful Goodbye" is a nice, little simple ballad that gives the girls a chance to show off their vocal harmony. "Gangsta Boy" kinda has a bit of a red flag vibe for me just basing it off the title, but the song isn't that bad. They took pieces from the same sound as "Pinocchio (Danger)" and pretty much simplified it to a cute track. "Love" regains my attention back to the fact that these girls have talent. It has cuteness and power at the same time. "Stand Up!" is one of those tracks that's supposed to put an instant smile on your face, but...I just skip this track completely. "MY STYLE" has a retro "Soul Train" element in the music, but combines it with the girls' sassy pop sound. I noticed a lot of people like "So into U". It does have a nice instrumental to it and the vocals are pretty good too, but not my style. The album ends with "Lollipop" featuring labelmates SHINee. I must say I might like this one better than Big Bang and 2NE1's, but that's probably due to overplay. Nonetheless, it's a really good, repeatable track.



9GOATS BLACK OUT - Rorschach inkblot (2011, Japan) Rating: 4/5
Favorite Tracks: missing, Yuuustu to Kodoku

A highly anticipated yet nerve racking comeback. I was a little nervous about listening to this single, since I wasn't completely wowed by their last release before they went on hiatus. I was surprised by this single! "missing" has flawless vocals and the music is filled with so much theatrics and emotion that it's hard not to fall in love with them again. "Yuuutsu To Kodoku" has an airy, haunting feeling that made "sink" amazing, but on a whole new level. The single ends with a live track from their latest DVD. "Atena No Nai Tegami [live in Melancholy pool]" has a mellow, acoustic lounge sound and it's easy to lose yourself with the soft vocals and prominent basslines.



2NE1 - 2NE1 Mini Album Vol. 2 (2011, South Korea) Rating: 3.5/5
Favorite Tracks: I Am the Best, Lonely, Hate You, Don't Stop the Music

The girls have been teasing us with video after video of awesomeness and now we have the compilation of the girls' great works from their recent releases. "I Am the Best" was the biggest boom since "Clap Your Hands" perhaps? It has a heavy bass, a simple electro-pop sound, and extra sass. It is a very catchy track that you can't resist repeating and it's a great opener for this new mini. "UGLY" is one of those confident building anthems that's kinda catchy here in the States. I'm not particularly fond of the song and the video didn't help the matter either. Surprisingly, "Lonely" grew on me and I slowly started liking this little ballad. Everyone's voice is nice and the video reflects the beauty and emptiness of the song. "Hate You" has more of an electro-pop sound than the first track and the song lyrically is kinda simple. Easy to sing along, at least around the chorus. The video is kinda entertaining for something animated. Park Bom's "Don't Cry" is featured on this mini and...I'm still not a fan of hers, but the song's alright. "Don't Stop the Music" closes up the mini and it was the first track to be used to promote this CD. It reflects more of the girls' sound from their last album release and doesn't mesh as well with these new tracks. Nonetheless, it's still a good song.

Darkness V-log: 90's Nostalgia, Music Anticipation, & Blood Stain Child ...

Blood Stain Child Contest officially starts today! For details, please watch the video above.

Promo: Natalia Kills

|Official Site|

Natalia Kills is the new face of innovative dark pop in Cherrytree Records. She started off acting at the age of 7 and moved onto writing music for various soundtracks. She had a couple other aliases before becoming Natalia Kills and signing onto the Cherrytree label. Her most recognized debut was her single, Mirrors. Although, she did have two other promotional videos for "Zombie" and "Activate My Heart" uploaded on her YouTube account.

I believe I was introduced to her through a recommendation on last.fm. Some things played on My Recommended Radio and I checked out her stuff on YouTube. I was easily hooked and sadly was one of those people who felt her sound was a little similar to Lady Gaga. I believe they have a little connection with each other aside from the label, but their sound and style are very much their own. Natalia has the potential to become something in the U.S. as long as dance music is trending and she keeps her face in the music scene. She's doing a pretty decent job by touring with Robyn and Kelis as well as a collaboration song with the rising Asian talent Far East Movement. She also has a short mini film on her account that shows off her acting and directing abilities as well as keep you in suspense of what's going to happen next and the release of future material. She's recently released the single and music video for "Wonderland" to promote her debut album, Perfectionist. It is currently available in the UK and hopefully will be sold in the U.S. soon.



Check out the Director's Cut of "Wonderland"!