Snap, Crackle (fizzy) Pop: Pop Pourri ~ Something For The Weekend (Brandon Flowers, Bang Bang Club, Bailey Tzuke, The Unconventionals & Jonas Oakland)

Oh lordy, I'm off to a hen weekend in a minute so thought I would throw an amalgamation of recent posts together for your weekend pleasure. Though really you should be either outside enjoying the "glorious" weather or (if this is your 'bag') shouting at your tv as part of the world cup (or in my case the new series of Big Brother in which the best contestants are an Australian called John James and "a mole" called Mario. Go figure)... Actually, when I was getting my starbucks today served by the posh looking new barista dude, he asked if I was looking forward to the match later and I grumpily huffed "no"! He looked aghast, and then a little bit angry at this answer, like he wanted to rough me up. I think I wanted to let him a little :P Anyway, here are some lovely tunes that will make your weekend better whatever you are doing :)

• Jonas Oakland ~ Beat Of My Heart: I'm already quite smitten with Jonas Oakland, thanks to the fine folk at scandipop :) You may be a tiny bit too late, but they put up the newest single from Jonas as a totally legal free download on their site yesterday and most magnificent it is. Jonas has everything that appeals to me in a popstar - great hair, accessible but rather smart style choices, music that is both current and catchy and a decent nod to his pop heros flowing as inspiration through his tunes. This one is an instantly amazing pop stomper that is as uplifting as it is fulfilling - great vocal, gigantic chorus and arms in the air dance classic all rolled into one. I'm a little late to the Jonas party, but I cannot wait to see what he accomplishes next because this is off to an absolutely magnifico start!
• The Bang Bang Club ~ Chemistry: Just a brief update on these lovely folks today :) Their ever excellent Chemistry debuts (finally) on my charts (see below), just as their single release campaign appears to be gathering speed. Their website has been pleasingly revamped - it's now quite streamlined and packed with ace info, as well as reviews, videos and news of where you can catch them playing live. They are parading round the country playing Pride events throughout the summer, which will hopefully awaken even more bang-bangers to their excellent synth-driven pop majesty (I shall definitely catch them at either Derby or Gloucester pride!) And they are now getting more twittery by the day. All bodes well for a hopefully great debut when Chemistry is released officially on 12th July. Bang bang, my baby shot me down indeed...
• Bailey Tzuke ~ Strong: I've written about Bailey before, and there is a great review of her music and video over at fabtasticmusic. I'm increasingly smitten with this tune, particularly now it has a video to go with it. It's artsy black and white, with Bailey looking positively stunning in a black ballgown, set against backdrops of waves of grass, swirling clouds and a stormy sea; all of this acts as great metaphor for the turbulent emotion within the tune. A simple video that translates the tune nicely - and oh, that voice just gets me everytime. Gorgeous.
• The Unconventionals ~ Top Of The World: You may well remember The Unconventionals as the group that got unceremoniously booted first from the X-Factor a few years back. Oh well, can't keep a good group down because they have returned! And looking like Deee-lite! Their musical mission is to reinvent classic songs in a new harmonic way that makes them stand out from the originals. Take this cover of the Carpenters song - it's a laid back, swoon fest with a doo-wap vibe and enough creative musical ticks to make it both cheesy and utterly charming. Their new single Push The Button is out soon - follow them on twitter for more of their addictive madness :) PS Andrew Uncon is an unconventional fitty mcfittster!

Top 21 songs of the week...

A whole makeover this week as lots of songs that have been bubbling under for a while break through to total adoration on my mp3 player. Just nipping in at the last minute (hence slightly lower than he probably would have debuted with a full weeks play) is the handsome B-Flo. It's an odd yet engaging solo number - odd in terms of it actually sounds like it is a new Killers track (although Brandon has said in interviews that he wanted this album to be a Killers album) and engaging in terms of delivery, melody and the oomph that the song has. I love the falsetto in the chorus and though it's not as instant as Somebody Told Me or Human, it exudes a warmth that makes it instantly endearing. And he looks l-u-s-h in a tux!! Very excited for his album (and check Nick for his views!) Now, if Maroon 5's "Misery" could premiere soon, I'd be most satisfied...

21 ~ Maria Mena, All This Time
20 ~ Bright Lightx2, A New Word To Say (NE)
19 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire (NE)
18 ~ Adam Tyler, Friction
17 ~ Sergey Lazarev, Alarm
16 ~ LeKid, Mercy Mercy (RE)
15 ~ Bang Bang Club, Chemistry (NE)
14 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room (NE)
13 ~ Eric Saade, Manboy
12 ~ JLS, The Club Is Alive
11 ~ Donkeyboy, Sometimes
10 ~ Lovestoned, Thursdays
09 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop (NE)
08 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever (NE)
07 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Hearts Don't Lie
06 ~ Kelly Rowland, Commander
05 ~ Gravitonas, Kites
04 ~ Scissor Sisters, Fire With Fire
03 ~ Chanee & N'evergreen, In A Moment Like This
02 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
01 ~ Kylie Minogue, All The Lovers (5 weeks)