Pop Music Notes

To keep the music rolling, here’s the second batch of tracks that are making my Spring mix a must-hear. There isn’t a ballad in the bunch.

– Wonder Girls “Two Different Tears” – After “Nobody” peaked at #76 here in the US, I figured that the Girls would not get a second chance, but it looks like JYP had some extra cash laying around to put together another English video for “Two Different Tears”. Now, remember what I said about Bobby Lee in a video being a good thing? Not so much here, but at this point, the only thing I care about is the music, and these ladies are two for two on their US-geared tracks. I doubt it will be a hit, but stranger things have happened, like the Girls touring the US and stopping in Denver. Oh, wait. That actually is going to happen.

– Robyn “Dancing On My Own” – How often do you get excited about a preview clip for a video? When it’s a stylish as the one Robyn posted for “Dancing On My Own”, you might as well just give in. I’m a bit confused by the behind the scenes clip, though. Robyn is definitely not a slouch in the looks department, but there is something about her in black and white that is stunning. I could handle a black and white world with that kind of beauty. Does the final product in color deliver? Absolutely. Now here’s hoping the tour with Kelis is a) a reality, and b) coming to Denver.

– Kelly Rowland “On and On” – Trust me when I say that I am a huge fan. She was heading in the right direction with Miss Kelly, but “When Love Takes Over” took what she started on “Work” and multiplied it by 10. Now she’s getting ready to drop a new album on Universal Motown in September, and while “Commander” is the official single, a Brian Kennedy-produced track called “On and On” leaked, and it’s just as good as any other dance-pop track you have heard this year. Brian also produced “Crash and Burn” for Jesse McCartney last year, which ended up on my Top Pop Singles at #11 last year. Unfortunately, Universal has done a killer job of yanking the YouTube clips of “On and On”, so instead, here’s the still-worthy “Commander”. To check out “On and On”, head on over to Idolator.

– Kylie Minogue “All the Lovers” – Everyone’s heard it, everyone loves it, but I have to do my thing and show some love. Every time I hear the song on satellite radio or check out the video clip before, I just kind of get lost in the vibe for the next 3.5 minutes. Kylie’s in her element here, and it’s a great return to form after the disaster that was “Two Hearts”, her first single from X. The collaborations on the album sound promising, and they are going to release the record worldwide at the same time, including the US, which I believe is a first. To top it off, I feel a more personal connection to the track, so it doesn’t really matter how good it is. To get that AND a great track is just bonus.