SONGS SONGS AND MORE SONGS (13/1/14)

So, it's been a busy couple of days in pop. With new songs being premiered left, right and centre proving that 2014 has well and truly arrived. 

Yesterday saw 3 big song premieres with differing reactions. Undoubtedly, the one with the biggest hype surrounding it: that elusive Shakira and Rihanna duet, 'Can't Remember To Forget You' was underwhelming to say the least, and has received a mixed response. An island-influenced song, that oozes summer from start to finish, but realistically sounds like an (admittedly very solid) Rihanna album track at best, where the biggest shock came in the form of RiRi's slick and polished vocals outshining Shakira's almost screechy ones. It's a serviceable slice of pop, but unfortunately not a lead single. 

If you didn't enjoy the Shakira vocal, then it's probably best you avoid the new Paloma single; 'Can't Rely On You'. The Pharrell produced lead single from the songstress' third album, which includes an albeit convincing, if slightly too forced delivery from Faith, has received almost universal comparisons to the huge hit of 2013- 'Blurred Lines' (that of course Pharrell also featured on). However, aside from the slightly repetitive cow bell beats and the divisive vocals, this really is a foot-stomper, and definitely a grower. By the time the third listen came around, all comparisons had evaporated, and i was left singing along with the 'you got that good stuff, but that don't last' hook, which was swirling around in my head for the rest of the evening. This really feels like it could go either way. It'll either be absolutely huge or a catastrophic flop. I hope it's the former. 

Oh and there's the very nice and aesthetically pleasing video complete with Italian spoken intro, that doesn't really fit the song at all. But you can always rely on Paloma for a good bit of unnecessary drama. 

The final big song premiere of the day came from the formerly retired Lily Allen, in the form of 'Air Balloon', a bouncy, almost child-like number that has hooks galore (including one very similar to that of M.I.A's Paper Planes), and very much sees Lily returning to her her breakthrough sound. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, it's undoubtedly catchy, but I can't help but feel that her comeback thus far has been a bit of a directionless mess. Hopefully the album will clear this up. 

So that was Monday over and there had already been more Pop news than had been seen in weeks. What more can the rest of the week possibly bring? We'll have to wait and see.