Last week, game developer Red Octane announced that Aerosmith will receive their own installment in the very popular "Guitar Hero" series. I guess it's a cool concept but does Aerosmith really have enough songs in its catalog that are worthy of playing? Moving on.
So, still feeling the blues of being single last Thursday? Celebrating Singles? Awareness Day not good enough? Well don't worry all you singles out there, things will work themselves out. In the meantime, why not enjoy these new singles as they make their way to the airwaves.
"Say"
by John Mayer
Grade: B+
Originally recorded for the soundtrack for the film, "The Bucket List," "Say" is Mayer's first single to be released and not be featured on one of his albums. It's endearing, it's bittersweet and an all-around a delightful entry in Mayer's long list of hits. It may seem repetitive - the lyric "say what you need to say" is sung about 40 times - but you won't even notice because of how soothing and melodic it sounds.
"Everybody Nose"
by N.E.R.D.
Grade: A
It's been a while since the whole gang has been together with Pharrell Williams' successful solo career, but as expected, Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley return with fire. It isn't a very different sound that what we're used to from the "She Wants To Move" hit-makers, but I feel that that's better than not. A definite body mover, "Everybody Nose" is a call out to "all the girls standing in the line for the bathroom" in the club, with a chorus that leads one to believe Williams is really rapping about cocaine use.
"Supernatural Superserious"
by R.E.M.
Grade: C+
A safe comeback for Michael Stipe and the "Losing My Religion" band. There's nothing revolutionary, nothing new and it's all so very simple. In this case, it's OK. It's better than trying an entirely new persona to catch up to the changing times and failing miserably (Duran Duran, I'm looking at you). A simple pop-rock song in R.E.M. fashion, "Supernatural Superserious" is the first single off of the band's forthcoming album, "Accelerate."
"Love In The Club"
by Usher feat. Young Jeezy
Grade: B+
This one isn't an official release, but rather a leaked song from his upcoming, still untitled album that's making its rounds on the Internet. This song oozes Atlanta hip-hop. The beat sounds like it's an R&B polished version of T.I.'s "What You Know" with piano thrown in there now and then. Jeezy's verse is great, Usher's vocals are on point and it does a good job of being a slow jam with a not-so-slow jam hook. Jeezy's trademark "Heyyyy" also adds a lot.
"Don't Get Me Wrong"
by Lily Allen
Grade: A-
"Don't Get Me Wrong" is a cover of a Pretenders song, and a great one at that. The versions sound very similar, but I would take Allen's voice any day over Chrissie Hynde's. It's an infectious, cute song about falling in love, which, if you listened to Allen's first album, is not her style at all, but it certainly is fitting of her.
"Shawty Get Loose"
by Lil' Mama feat. T-Pain and Chris Brown
Grade: A
This was unexpected. When "Lip Gloss" first came out, I quickly dismissed it as juvenile and lame, but Lil' Mama has proved me wrong on this one. This has potential to be a big hit from its pounding beat, Chris Brown chorus and everyone's favorite Tallahassee, Fla., native, T-Pain. Definitely check this one out.
Contact Stephen Ortiz at Stephen.Ortiz@UConn.edu.
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