Every Time the Sun Comes Up [Sharon Van Etten]

You've accomplished a lot in your life, but those regrets are always with you. When do they pile up at your door? That's right, in the morning. Creeping in with the draft and that morning dew your mom warned you will give your pneumonia. You may have never gotten sick, but your shoulders are perpetually heavy.

Maps [Maroon 5]

It's hard to say anything bad about Maroon 5's music. The first time you hear a new song from them, you swear to everything you hold dear that you will hate it. That searing falsetto, that saccharine pop-y sound, the repetitive lyrics, the reckless abandon into all things sweet and endearing...Until that one day it comes on and you are singing along. Oh well, no one's around.

Brooklyn Baby [Lana Del Rey]

Lana of the king embodies Williamsburg, Brooklyn occupants in this catchy drifty tune. Her boyfriend plays in a band; he's cool, but not as cool as she. It's Brooklyn Baby.

Ultraviloence [Lana Del Rey]

I'm not sure what this song is all about. I had to look up the lyrics (thanks Google). Lana Del Rey muses on being 27 and being alive and being a rock star (does she qualify as one?). Jim Morrison is in the 27 club, is he the Jim she refers to in her song? Or is this all a sad song about being involved in an abusive relationship? Listen above.

Heart's On Fire

The first single from the new Passenger (the fella that sung "Let Her Go") album, Whispers (aptly titled no? Have you heard his voice?!), is a sweet melodic tune. I heard it first and then thought, "wow this should be a great lead single"; then I saw it was the single. Very good Mr. Rosenberg.

Lazaretto

Jack White's music is not boring. Following up his excellent 2012 effort, Blunderbuss, Mr. White returns with Lazaretto, an exciting blend of chamber-music punk rock that will rock your summertime.

Chimes at Midnight

That sweet spot after lunch before your food has achieved its total potential of soporifics, this song will rock you. After all, you're energized from the burger you stood on the grill line 32 minutes for; it devoured more than half of your lunch, and you (in turn) devoured your processed meat. 

Nicki Minaj's "Pills N Potions"

Even since she slithered onto the scene in the video for "Massive Attack," Nicki Minaj has made a indelible mark on pop music culture. This has been due largely to her ability to slip into different skins and generate hits across the genres of dance-pop and hip hop. Here, in "Pills N Potions," Minaj is rapping and singing, hinging upon a style that resulted in success in the past (see "Your Love"). Whether this is the hottest of tracks her upcoming The Pink Print has to offer is yet to be seen, but stay tuned, chameleon Minaj is always full of surprises.

Fabolous Ft. 50 Cent “Cuffin Season (Remix)”

"Damn it's so cold in the f)(#@in winter!" That pretty much sums up what October 2013 to April 2014 in New York was. Now that it's June, those who reluctantly held on to failing relationships gather the courage to unlock their hearts, fly free and embrace the sunshine.

Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire to Win

If 50 Cent is anything, he's consistent. Listening to his more engaging content circa 2003 and listening to his music in 2014 reveals a running theme: A hustler with his back against the wall that would die for his possessions. That's it. That's pretty much what you get here. It's 50 Cent.

What is unique about this record is 50's collaborations. Once rival Jadakiss is featured on Irregular Heartbeat along with former Young Money member affiliate Kidd Kidd (who wins with his verse, easily).

Lana Del Rey's Shades of Cool

When Lana Del Rey falls for a guy, she falls hard...and he's usually an unhaveable asshole. Listen to the track for further details.

Once Upon a Dream

Angelie Jolie adorns horns in this movie and that's the most I know about it (almost snuck into it the other day, but for lack of 3D glasses!). Lana Del Ray brings the creepy with this track. It's the kind of music you would expect to accompany a commercial for Bioshock when the little sister sinisterly flits about looking for hapless victims to stick needles into.

Me. I Am Mariah.... The Elusive Chanteuse

Whoa Nelly! Ugh, I mean it's Mariah Carey. She is elusive, she is glitter, she is a butterfly, she is even an imperfect angel. She is also extremely frickin endearing. 

Track by track:

1) Cry: This song is really nice, very pleasant, reminds me of Fly Like a Bird off of the emancipation album (not in theme, but in sound). A relaxing choice for an opener of an album, but who knows what this album will be like? Mystery, shrouded in mystery...

2) Faded: A catchy breakup song that is pretty reminiscent of mid 2000s catchy breakup songs. Did The Dream write this? *Looks it up. Nope, Mariah and Mike Will (Wrote)-It.

3) Dedicated: Mariah teams up with Nas on this track that is essentially an ode to old-school hip hop. It's nice and listenable. JD talks in the background. He mentions the Wu-Tang Clan. The track samples a Wu-Tang track

4) #Beautiful: Well, you already know this song....it's beautiful and I was surprised to see it here, it's been so long....

5) Thirsty: I heard this on the radio the other day! Well it's going to be on the radio for a bit and introduce (or reintroduce?) another buzz word into the everyday vernacular of school children everywhere.

6) Make It Look Good: Another cool mid-tempo track. Mariah's delivery, the harmonica and instrumental will make you feel good.

7) You're Mine (Eternal): This track is pretty fun. Mariah sighs out her emotions over an ethereal instrumental. Like most of these tracks, it could've done without the clap claps in the background. Mariah's voice doesn't really need THAT much accompaniment.

8) You Don't Know What To Do: This is a nice surprise nestled midwayish. Reminds me of Hold on We're Going Home. Not sure if to dance or to be filled with remorse; Mariah is breaking up with Wale (Wah-lay) on the song.

9) Supernatural: Mariah pulls a Jay-Z and has her babies giggle and gurgle on this track. It's cool, but the only baby gurgling I like on my songs is on "Tell Me You're That Somebody."

10) Meteorite: Meteorite, starships, dancing on the moon. What is this obsession with what is above us? Well Mariah should stay on earth. I've heard this song before, it's called Firework.

11) Camouflage: Mariah takes you (me, us, them) to church with this one. Complete with choral support, this track beautifully reminds us of the relation of R&B and gospel.

12)  Money ($ * / ...): is cool, a little annoying. Nice to see Fab is still around. Also is that Drake at the end of the song? That's Fab?! Oh.

13) One More Try: Mariah pulls an Adele here and throws on an oldie but goodie. Listen to the original here and you decide.

14) Heavenly (No Way Tired / Can't Give Up Now): Mariah pays tribute to one of the pioneers of modern popular gospel. This is absolutely listenable and very nice and actually is a medley of a few other songs.

15) Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse: On this closing "track" Mariah wants you to know that she was an abstract fine artist since she was 3 years old.

...and then you shoot your cousin

Following a three year hiatus, The Roots returns with "...and then you shoot your cousin" a melodic fight for the soul of misguided youth. 

Steeped in coldness and painted with the hard-tangled grammar of street communication, the album lightens up only through the piano keys struck on its final track; however, more intense listening can even turn Tomorrow into a sad revelation of the folly of youth.

Hello, You Beautiful Thing [Jason Mraz]

Yesterday my friends were trying to expose me to the reggae-laid-back-hippie style of Jimmy Buffet. "You've never heard this song at a barbeque?!" they remarked of "Margaritaville." 

   "No, thankfully I haven't!" I exclaimed in reply, "I get my reggae-laid-back-hippie music from Jason Mraz."

Say It, Röyksopp and Robyn

Back in 2007 I was in China and music was blasting over the sound system in this crazy-packed club. To my left there was this kid that was clearly cascading down the velvety walls of a k-hole. He was in his own personal hell, while everyone around him was having the time of their lives. I swear this song was playing over those speakers. Party on champions.

CHERUB, Year of the Caprese

Post-disco duo Cherub returns with "Year of the Caprese" an album comprised of trippy boots and pants rhythms and saccharine lyrics.

Lyrically rife with cliches but riding a middle ground between R. Kelly R&B banter and Drake mawkishness, Cherub can definitely find a home in the sound systems of the late teen crowd this summer. One only needs to look to the second track "Disco Shit" to draw similarities with Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," a song that took over the airwaves last summer. Another dangerously catchy tune is "This Song Is for You," in which a girl is wooed as a party winds down.

Moreover, "Year of the Caprese" is lighthearted fair. There isn't anything here that would pervade into summers to come, but it's something to play in the meantime; like a mid-season show that gets you through the stickiest months of the year.

Jason Mraz's "Love Someone"

On this sunny Monday morning I woke up to an email from the Jason Mraz marketing team attempting to sell me preorders, including a guitar adorned with birds. That's cool, but I just went for the free stuff (i.e. the link to the Youtube of his new jam "Love Someone" another collaboration with the LA-based indie jammers Raining Jane (see the amazing "A Beautiful Mess").

Accompanying this announcement was the news that Mraz and Jane are collaborating to make an entire LP together; titled "Yes" it will be available on July 15. The question still looms though, where is the LP code named "Album 5" from Jason Mraz? Has copious amounts of green tea binging and avocado related Chipolte commerce led to this?

Never mind, the "Love Someone" song is another beautiful another ode to intimacy from the guy that brought you "I'm Yours" and "I Won't Give Up" Grab someone you love, hold them close and play this song til you fall into a soporific stupor of feels.

Believe Me, Lil Wayne Featuring Drake

Drizzy and Wayne team up once again on "Believe Me" and junior high kids everywhere rejoice. On an instrumental eerily similar to that of "Started from the Bottom," Drake and Lil Wayne volley versus, venturing to elicit vivid vicarious visions of female drug mules and piles of cash higher than the concert coffers of One Direction.

In summary, this will sound amazing in your car with the bass turned up to ridiculous levels that mutilate the beginning of the verse. Do it and satisfy the guilty pleasure that is Drizayne.

Xscape with Michael Jackson [Xscape Music Review]

Michael Jackson (aka the King of Pop), the top earning musical act of 2013, returns to the airwaves with Xscape, a musical journey featuring previously unreleased records.

The most surprising thing about this album is how instantly endearing it is. Although many were put off by the bizarre direction his mid-life took on, Michael Jackson, at his core, was an unsurpassed performer. This definitely comes through here with this selection of songs. On "A Place With No Name," Michael hollers out between lyrics, not only do you want to follow along the narrative of the track, but also dance along.

Gorgeously remastered, catchy, and sonically pleasing, Xscape will add to two things: the King of Pop's estate and his musical legacy.

Lana Del Ray's West Coast Review

Last summer, Lana Del Ray's album Born to Die found reinvigoration on the charts through the popularity of the excellent "Summertime Sadness." Just in time for the warm weather, Lana shakes off the spring chills with "West Coast," sprinkling her sultry voice all over a temperate ska-ish track in an ode to the west coast and the stardom that lies there.

Lily Allen's Sheezus

With her new set, Lily Allen is at her best when she is touting social commentary through snide and slick lyrics. Once again, we find the Smile singer making fun of the blatant materialism and commercialism of the recording industry in the title track Sheezus and on Insincerely Yours.

-Ken

Paolo Nutini Wins Hearts with Caustic Love

Words by Ken Francis

Video via Youtube

Following his successful 2009 release "Sunny Side Up" Scottish crooner Paolo Nutini returns triumphantly with "Caustic Love," an album concerned mostly with matters of the heart, but still takes time to reflect on the perpetual turmoil of the world at large.

"Caustic Love" begins with the most radio-friendly track here, the funk-heavy, aptly-titled "Scream (Funk My Life Up)." This track sets up the first half of a familiar Nutini dichotomy, one of sad and happy tracks coexisting on the same record but never clashing. This contrast showcases Nutini's delivery strengths, as he is able to sing of the girl that "makes you wanna scream hallelujah" and follow it up with the girl that you beg to "let you down easy."

The rest of the album plays on this theme; in love one minute, shattered the next (Paolo is in his 20s no?). Themes aside, the performances are pure gold, with Janelle Monae making a welcomed feature on Fashion.

For more on Paolo Nutini, view the spectacular "Iron Sky" video below

and visit http://www.paolonutini.com/splash/ironsky

Coldplay Returns with music "Magic"

Words by Ken Francis
Video via Youtube

Coldplay is back, and this time the guys from across the pond are packing a softly-sung-melodious pop song, titled Magic. 

Magic is best described as a minimalist pop song. Sparse, simple and repetitive vocals make up the  formula here. Surrounding Chris Martin's sonically-pleasing vocals are synths, an electric guitar played from "over the phone" and a persistent baseline, but not much else.

These guys have been pulling #1s out of their hat for a long time though, so fear not, it's a great trick track. It's easy to listen to and is Coldplay sweet; harmless, and welcome.

View the video for Magic below and look out for Coldplay's new album, "Ghost Stories," in stores May 19.