What Are You Waiting For? by The Saturdays

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The Saturdays are back with a stomper called "What Are You Waiting For?" It is a summer party anthem! Unfortunately, it won't be available for purchase until August 10. Ugh!

The song is the lead single from their Greatest Hits album coming later this year. I'm not sure about the single cover, when I first saw it ... I thought it was fake, like a fan had done it. It's a bit weird that three of them are looking off to the side, and it's weird that they are not all the same proportion.

The video was filmed in Greece, and it is absolutely beautiful. And speaking of beautiful, The Saturdays look stunning as ever. You must admit, they are very pretty. As well as being great singers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdmNS9Nkm0

This new party dance track is fun. I'm not sure yet if I prefer it to their single "Not Giving Up," which was out earlier this year. You'll have to wait for my year-end countdown for that!

Until then ... enjoy The Saturdays!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

Heartbreak Dream by Betty Who

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Another song that I forgot to feature this spring was "Heartbreak Dream" by Betty Who.

Betty's new song is upbeat, even though the lyrics are a bit melancholy. The melody is great. And it is one of those songs that you put on a playlist and it grows and grows on you. 

The video is a live performance of Betty and gang jumping around and having lots of fun mixed with some more personal scenes. Check it out …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzUz0sfxcMo

"Heatbreak Dream" can be found on Betty Who's Slow Dancing EP. Available on most digital outlets, including iTunes. If you missed this song earlier this year, don't worry. It will be great addition to your summer playlist.

Now you might remember Betty Who's breakout hit last year called "Somebody Loves You." We featured the song back in February of 2013. Click on the song to see what we said about it. It also came in at #24 in our year-end countdown.

Cheers then,

—Davearama

See You Again by The Skinny Guns

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The time has come for me to review a rock song. Yep, you read that right! I like many forms of music, not just pop. If you like rock too, then check out the new single from The Skinny Guns called "See You Again."

Now you might wonder how I came across this song. The Skinny Guns are a local band here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I know the guitarist, Eric Lindsey, as we have worked together for about seven years now. His brother Brian is the bass guitarist. The lead singer, Somori Pointer, is a nephew of the Pointer Sisters. And the drummer is Conor Acomb. I even saw them live in Berkeley about five years ago. 

The Skinny Guns are Eric, Conor, Somori and Brian

Speaking of live performances, here is a live performance of "See You Again" …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-c7w4BL8js

"See You Again" is their first single available on iTunes and BandCamp. It's quite mellow at first, but then the chorus is big and bold. And it turns out to be a power anthem. If you like guitars, then put your disco beats aside and check it out. Rock on!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

P.S. Remember to like their Facebook page.

I Was Gonna Cancel and Crystallize by Kylie Minogue

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Because I am a bit behind in featuring some new songs, Kylie Minogue has gone ahead and released two singles. One is from her latest album Kiss Me Once, and the other is a charity single to raise money for One Note Against Cancer. You can click the album title to read Poptastic Confessions review. And click the charity link for a special message from Kylie.

"I Was Gonna Cancel" is the official second single from Kylie's latest album Kiss Me Once. The track was written by Pharrell Williams. I quite like the track. It's a bit unconventional with the "Go" part, and I was unsure about that part at first. But it grew on me. It's a funky little track. Unfortunately, the video for the song is not that great. I might have been an OK concept, but the result is lackluster. It's really too bad as the song deserves better. Check it out …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g0c9mv0j9E

The charity single released today is called "Crystallize." It's quite nice track with lovely melody over a steady beat. The chorus is big, and that's nice. 

The video is a bit basic, but at least it is more interesting that the one for "I Was Gonna Cancel." Check it out …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfQAhii0TzA

Both songs are available on iTunes. You should add them to your summer playlist! And buying the second track is for a good cause. You should buy it today. Don't delay!

Cheers then,

—Davearama

Love Is A Camera by Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has released her third single from her album Wanderlust. Read Poptastic Confessions' review by clicking the title. The new single is called "Love Is A Camera."

As like many songs from her latest non-dance album, the new single is a mid-tempo affair. The music is playful, and the melody is quite nice. The best part of the song is the last minute, where the tempo picks up and gets faster and faster and Sophie almost sounds like she is rapping!

And the video. It is downright beautiful and haunting. The last minute of it is a bit spooky! Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmPM-LZ-6y8

"Love Is A Camera" as well as the album Wanderlust is available on iTunes.

Cheers then,

—Davearama

Brighter Days by Glass Slipper

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Whoops! I just realized that I never featured "Brighter Days" by Glass Slipper! 

Back in mid-April, the deep-house vocal duo made the track available FREE for download for their Facebook followers. The song is glorious remake of the song by Cajmere featuring Dajae. I'd never heard it before, so it's like a brand-new song for me! 

The song is awesome! The music will have you moving, and Lisa's vocals are mighty powerful.

Check it out!




Don't forget to like Glass Slipper's Facebook page!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

Let Me Down Gently by La Roux

Dear Poptastic Readers,

La Roux is back after a long break. Their sophomore album Trouble In Paradise is due at the beginning of July. And the first single is glorious "Let Me Down Gently."

"Let Me Down Gently" is lovely track. It starts off like a synth ballad. It takes about a minute for the mid-tempo beat to start. Elly's vocals are quite nice in this somewhat sad song. The song has a long pause in the middle and it comes back a bit faster. 

The video is really quite nice. Elly's hair looks fabulous! Have a look ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlyDYI_ddZY

"Let Me Down Gently" is available on iTunes.

Cheers then,

—Dave

Do It Again by Röyksopp & Robyn

Dear Poptastic Readers,

I haven't shared with you one of my favorite songs of the year so far. It is called "Do It Again" by Röyksopp & Robyn.

I started this blog in 2011, and that is the last time Robyn was featured with her song "Call Your Girlfriend." But she had three songs in my Top 20 favourite songs of 2010.

I bought the new song at the end of April, but I thought I would wait until the video was released. Well, the video isn't out yet, but here is the lyric video. Enjoy!~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIG7PVa8SS8

"Do It Again" is available on iTunes. If you already have it, kudos to you. If not, what are you waiting for!

Cheers then,

—Dave

P.S. Since I originally wrote this, they have released their EP also called "Do It Again." And instead of a video for the main song, there is a video for another song called "Say It."

Paradise Preview by Jody Watley

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Last week, we saw Jody Watley in concert for the second time. We also saw her in concert last year. Both shows were amazing, but this one was extra special as Jody was debuting some songs from her upcoming Paradise EP. And for the show at Yoshi's in Oakland, they were offering "Meet-and-Greet" tickets!

Photo from JodyWatley.net. Photo by Albert Sanchez. 

Make up by Billy B. Design by Ray Easman.

I called to get the tickets for me, my husband Arturo, and our best friend Janice. Only one meet-and-greet ticket was left. "I'll take it!" I told the nice woman on the phone. Arturo and Janice will understand, and they did.

The night before the show, I got out all of my Jody Watley vinyl and CD collection. I wondered what item I would take to have Jody sign. Arturo said to bring them all! I laughed.

The show started at 8 p.m., but the Meet and Greet started at 7 p.m. Outside the box office, I bought the 12" single of "Nightlife" and a promo photo. I decided I would have Jody sign the promo photo and not my vinyl, but Arturo, who had brought all my records, had me take one record in, just in case!

I got in line and stood next to some fans named Charles and David, who had sat near us at dinner. When I got up to meet Jody, and I said, "Hello Jody, I'm ..." Before I could even say "Davearama from Poptastic Confessions," Jody said, "Dave Higdon!" WOW!

Davearama meets Jody Watley!

Jody thanked me for my promotion of "Nightlife" on my blog. We hugged and I gave her gifts of CDs from Glass Slipper (who met because of Poptastic Confessions) and Annikafiore (a favourite of mine). I told her that they all gave me permission to share their music with her. She signed my promo photo and then we smiled for photos. I was thrilled!

For the show, Arturo, Janice and I were seated at the front of the stage on the right side. We were so excited to have such great seats. And our table was next to Charles and David. Everyone was just so happy.

Jody's performance with her band, backup dancers and singer was fantastic. The show opened with "Nightlife" followed by an equally fabulous new song from her forthcoming EP Paradise called "The Dawn." It had a great vibe like "Nightlife." I can't wait to hear the studio version! Jody told me the song features Levi Seacer on guitar and it is produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe.

A medley followed of Shalamar songs mixed in with some of her solo hits. After that, it was solo hit after hit! The energy of the show was amazing! Even when Jody slowed it down for some of her ballads and down-tempo songs, she captivated the audience. When we weren't dancing in our seats, we were in awe of Miss Watley.

I believe it was during the ballad "Most Of All", which Jody has reworked a bit, that she started calling out some of her friends and colleagues in the audience. And then Jody said something like, "And there's Dave Higdon over here who helped with the promotion of my single 'Nightlife.'" I was completely floored that she would mention little me from the stage. There's something I never imagined would happen back when I was a teenage fan.

Jody debuted another new song from her upcoming Paradise EP. It was called "Sanctuary." It really had summer vibe to it. A mid-tempo groove that Jody said we could play at our barbecues! Indeed, we probably will! It is produced by Soulpersona.

Also during the show, Jody handed out many signed hand fans to the audience. She gave one to our friend Janice, who turned and gave it to me. Janice said, "You are the fan! So you get the fan!" It was very sweet of her.

I went to sleep that night with a big grin on my face. It was truly a night to remember. And Jody Watley is still a thrill. If you ever get the chance to see her concert, don't miss it. Even if you are just a casual fan, you will be so happy that you did. Her band, dancers and backup singer Christina Grady are all amazing.

As you might remember, "Nightlife" was Poptastic Confessions' #1 song of 2013. If you didn't get the feel-good song, please head over to iTunes now and buy it! 

Jody Watley. Amazing artist. Wonderful songwriter. Emotional singer. Friendly with her fans. Class act!

Support Jody by legally downloading her music. Please like Jody's official Facebook page. You can follow her on Twitter. Bookmark her official website. Watch her videos on YouTube. And purchase Jody's music on iTunes.

"It's in the music!"

Cheers then,
—Davearama