Popcrush » Reviews

Kelly Clarkson, 'Tie It Up' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:18:06 +0000

Kelly Clarkson has been flirting with country music for the past few years. The Texas gal has straddled the line between the pop and country genres, ya'll, even releasing singles in the latter genre as she attempts to cross over. She certainly experiments even more with that sound on her new single 'Tie It Up,' thanks to the twanged-out guitars and groove.

Victoria Justice, 'Gold' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:05:02 +0000

With her TV show 'Victorious' in the rear-view and a tour with Big Time Rush on her summer calendar, it's time for Victoria Justice to focus on her music career, and she does just that with her new single 'Gold' from her upcoming debut album.

Britney Spears, 'Ooh La La' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:52:46 +0000

New Britney Spears is here in the form of ‘Ooh La La,’ her song for ‘The Smurfs 2′ soundtrack. The track will play over the end credits of the film, out July 31, and appear on the July 23-issued soundtrack. It is a thoroughly modern pop track, featuring synths, processed vocals and some sassy “sorta” [...]

Fifth Harmony, 'Miss Movin' On' – Song Review

Jessica Sager — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:32:09 +0000

Fifth Harmony finally released an original track! Harmonizers will eat up their first single, ‘Miss Movin’ On.’ The gals — Normani Hamilton, Camilla Cabello, Ally Brooke, Lauren Jauregui and Dinah Hansen — channel their inner ‘X Factor‘ mentor Demi Lovato and a bit of Kelly Clarkson (Lovato’s own idol) in their breakup anthem. The girls [...]

Jonas Brothers, 'The First Time' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:09:54 +0000

The Jonas Brothers have put down their pom poms… literally. After their recent single ‘Pom Poms,’ a high school-ish, pep rally romp that was cray cray catchy, went absolutely nowhere, the trio has rebounded with the slower, moodier ‘The First Time.’ It’s a much more mellow and grown up track than its predecessor. In the [...]

Mike Posner, 'The Way It Used to Be' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:51:21 +0000

Mike Posner, who has penned songs for oh, you know, Justin Bieber and Big Time Rush, is focusing on himself with his new single 'The Way It Used to Be,' which will appear on his sophomore set 'Pages,' out via RCA later this year.

Karmin, 'Acapella' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:16:46 +0000

Karmin are back with a sassy new single, ‘Acapella,’ which will appear on their upcoming album due out via Epic this summer. It sounds exactly like the Karmin you’ve come to know and love on the back of their two No. 1 singles ‘Hello’ and ‘Brokenhearted.’ Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan have perfected their pop-rap [...]

Big Time Rush, '24/Seven' (Standard Edition) – Album Review

Jessica Sager — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:21:22 +0000

Considering Big Time Rush have achieved massive global success and multi Platinum sales throughout their career, it’s a little baffling (yet simultaneously impressive) that they’ve done so without much radio support nor trophies to line their mantles. Part of this is because of the group’s formation. They star on Nickelodeon’s ‘Big Time Rush,’ which is how [...]

Miley Cyrus, 'We Can't Stop' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:19:12 +0000

There’s been a lot of hype about Miley Cyrus‘ new album, her first for RCA, as she sheds her ‘Party in the U.S.A.’ Disney past. The first single from the new record, due out this year, is ‘We Can’t Stop,’ a heavily processed, synthy dance song. It’s an ode to partying until the sun comes [...]

Kid Ink, 'Almost Home' – EP Review

Trent Fitzgerald — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:52:48 +0000

Kid Ink has been making big moves ever since he signed with RCA Records earlier this year. The Los Angeles native recently grabbed over 2 million views on YouTube with his 'Bad A--' video and he's currently on tour with Kendrick Lamar.

30 Seconds to Mars, 'Love Lust Faith + Dreams' – Album Review

Jessica Sager — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:46:06 +0000

Is the end nigh? If you ask Jared Leto and Thirty Seconds to Mars, the answer is a resounding “hell yes” on ‘Love Lust Faith + Dreams.’ When you launch a single to the International Space Station like 30STM did, it means one of two things: You either really know how to get publicity, or you [...]

Daft Punk, 'Random Access Memories' – Album Review

Scott Shetler — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:18:09 +0000

It says something about pop music in 2013 that an album created with live musicians in the studio rather than electronics is considered “ambitious,” but that’s the case for ‘Random Access Memories,’ the latest release from French robot helmet-wearing duo Daft Punk. Mostly ditching the electronics for real musicians is a brave step for Guy-Manuel [...]

Lawson, 'Brokenhearted' Feat. B.o.B – Song Review

Jessica Sager — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:21:11 +0000

London-based band Lawson teamed up with Atlanta rapper B.o.B for their new single ‘Brokenhearted’ — and it’s catchy as anything. In a YouTube video announcing the track as the band’s fifth single, lead singer Andy Brown said, “‘Brokenhearted’ is definitely a bit of a turning point for us as a band. It’s my favorite song [...]

Demi Lovato, 'Demi' – Album Review

Jessica Sager — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:52:14 +0000

Demi Lovato has come a long way from her Disney days, in which she was and remains the best belter of the Mouse House's alumni. She's been to rehab (and still lives there), she's been touring, she's been an 'X Factor' judge -- and the whole time, she's been real, honest and open.

2AM Club, 'Not Your Boyfriend' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:59:56 +0000

2AM Club want to make one thing abundantly clear — they’re not your boyfriend. But they make that often heartbreaking message sound so freakin’ good, encasing it in a crazy, catchy pop package that’ll have you dancing around the living room, singing along in unison. The song is equal parts pop, dance music (but not [...]

The Saturdays, 'Gentleman' – Song Review

Sara D. Anderson — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:48:05 +0000

The Saturdays complain about how difficult it is to find a quality ‘Gentleman’ this day and age on their new single of the same name. Unfortunately, they are not complaining about Psy and his “gentlemanly” antics showcased in his latest single and video. (Because that would be hilarious, right?) Instead, they throw shade at a [...]

Jennifer Lopez, 'Live It Up' Feat. Pitbull – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:50:24 +0000

It’s a three-peat for Jennifer Lopez and her frequent collaborator Pitbull. The Latin duo have teamed up for the third time with ‘Live It Up,’ following ‘On the Floor’ and ‘Dance Again,’ which were two singles that reinvigorated Lopez’s somewhat sagging music career. Does ‘Live It Up’ stack up against J. Lo’s and Mr. Worldwide’s [...]

Mariah Carey + Miguel, 'Beautiful' – Song Review

Jessica Sager — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:11:27 +0000

Mariah Carey and Miguel duet on ‘Beautiful,’ and it sounds pretty much exactly how you’d expect: Lovely. The midtempo track opens with a minimalist guitar and drum arrangement Miguel’s first verse and choruses. “Hop on the back of my bike / Let the good wind blow through your hair / With a a– like that [...]

Pink, 'True Love' Feat. Lily Allen – Song Review

Jessica Sager — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:03:12 +0000

'The Truth About Love' by Pink is proving to be a full-fledged hit machine, and there's no sign of it stopping anytime soon. Leading off with the feisty, "typical Pink" track 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' before easing into the emotional, softer tones of 'Try' and 'Just Give Me a Reason,' the blush-hued songstress reconciles both ends of the continuum with her latest single, 'True Love.' And she does so with the company of the lovely Lily Allen!

The Wanted, 'Walks Like Rihanna' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:09:22 +0000

The Wanted have pulled back on chasing the sun and being glad you came, but they haven't scrimped on the groovy bounce that is part and parcel of their music. Multi-part harmonies? Sing-along parts? Anthem-like energy? It's all here on the boy band's new track 'Walks Like Rihanna,' the first single from their forthcoming album.

Kodaline, 'All I Want' – Song Review

Jessica Sager — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:32:13 +0000

Irish quartet Kodaline, gearing up for a tour with the Airborne Toxic Event, are riding the folk wave stateside with their new single, ‘All I Want.’ The melancholy lyrics juxtapositioned with a relatively sunny melody make for a unique listen that’s undoubtedly going to get stuck in your head. The song, from their self-titled debut [...]

Daft Punk, 'Get Lucky' Feat. Pharrell Williams + Nile Rodgers – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:38:49 +0000

French EDM duo Daft Punk are generating a deafening buzz that’s louder than a tarmac for their upcoming album ‘Random Access Memories.’ The record drops May 21, and the first single is the excellent and unforgettable ‘Get Lucky.’ Daft Punk haven’t endeavored to release an album since 2005 and in the time that’s lapsed, their [...]

Snoop Lion, 'Torn Apart' Feat. Rita Ora – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:40:19 +0000

If there is one thing that Snoop Dogg, er, Snoop Lion is adept at, it's getting hot pop starlets to work with him and feature on his tracks or to feature on theirs. Besides Miley Cyrus on 'Ashtrays and Heartbreaks,' he's recruited Brit diva Rita Ora for 'Torn Apart,' a decidedly reggae track where the two trade vocals in their DNA distinct styles.

Jessie Ware, 'Devotion' – Album Review

Keith Creighton — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:39:11 +0000

'Devotion', the debut album of British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware, finally washed ashore in the U.S. this week. It was released to much hype and ballyhoo across the pond last August.

Remember the problems we had around that same time with NBC's controversial tape delays from the London Summer Olympics? Imagine if they were just airing the gymnastics finals this week. That's how the delayed effect hits you while listening to this album.

Jason Derulo, 'The Other Side' – Song Review

Amy Sciarretto — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:40:46 +0000

After a neck injury derailed his ability to promote his last album 'Future History,' Jason Derulo is all better and has emerged with a brand new single, 'The Other Side,' which will appear on his third album, due out in September. The track, an upbeat pop song slathered with synths, was produced by Ammo and Dr. Luke. With that kind of knob twiddling expertise behind the board, does it stand up?