[Listen] The Weeknd Samples Emika's "Professional Loving" on Own Track "Professional"

So I was minding my own business, taking a listen to The Weeknd's new album- Kiss Land- when  I got a very pleasant surprise. Two and a half minutes into opener Professional, when the track begins to wind down seemingly to its conclusion, the song unexpectedly starts up again. Now that's not the kindly surprise I was referring to before; it was actually the choice of sample used-  Emika's Professional Love- to build the coda that made me pause and smile [Don't click on that link if you plan to sleep, EVER].

I suppose I'm just agog that he's even aware of Emika, since her début album wasn't a big seller. But the two artist do share a dark and melancholy sound, so perhaps it's not so unexpected that their musical paths would have crossed eventually. Seriously, if you like The Weeknd's brand of atmospheric electronica, you'll probably enjoy Emika's 2011, self-titled album.


Check out Emika's original and The Weeknd's subsequent use of the sample, below.

[Music Video] Miley Cyrus "Wrecking Ball"

The follow-up to Miley Cyrus's publicity generating single We Can't Stop has dropped! Thankfully new song Wrecking Ball finds the singer changing gear and delivering a tune with a little more depth than the song that preceded it.

The new song also gives Miley a chance to show everyone that she possesses a set of unique and capable pipes (I can't wait to hear her sing this live). I just wish she hadn't gone for shock value with the nudity in the video because I think the faux-scandal it's probably going to generate might overshadow the song itself.

But whatever, the Dr. Luke and Cirkut produced song is a corker and that's good enough for moi!

[Watch] Celine Dion's Performance of "Loved Me Back To Life" and Interview @ Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Glad to see Celine Dion isn't resting on her laurels and leaving the success of new single Loved Me Back To Life to chance. The Diva is out promoting- wooo yeah!- and joined American Talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform the mid-tempo ballad and chat about various bits and bobs.

The performance itself wasn't as pristine a one as I've come to expect from Celine- note the slight awkward transition to headvoice at 3.04 for example. But I'm just splitting hairs, in reality it was a great rendition that illustrated to people who accuse her of being a serial-lipper that the voice is still present and accounted for. The only thing really lacking was the manic energy she usually comes with- which I felt particularly absent in the belts. Perhaps she was just tired.

Check out the performance of Loved Me Back To Life and her interview with the host (which shows just how down to Earth this megastar still is) below!

[Watch] Jessie J Performs "It's My Party" Live On Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing is back on UK screens, so you know what the means: a new primetime slot for promotion has opened up! This weekend Jessie J was lucky enough to bag the gig, performing her new single It's My Party- which still sounds like something Katy Perry should be singing- live for the audience.

As is usually the case with JJ, the Diva gave an excellent vocal; serving high energy and character while strutting across the stage.Though still not feeling the song, I can't deny that I always enjoy watching Jessie J perform live- and this time was no different.

It's My Party was released on the 6th of September.

[Free For All Friday]

It's that time of the week again: Welcome to another Free For All Friday!  Today one is babysitting and blogging! Look at me multitasking (or committing some form of neglect).  Possibly a bit of both! We'll leave it for the courts to decide.

As per usual, the rules:

• Try not to get too perverted-this site still needs to basically be "safe for work".
• If somebody starts a controversial subject, try keeping it civil when dealing with it. If things get out of hand please flag the conversation.
• It would be nice if it stuck to music, but it's not a requirement! So talk about news, current events, how you're getting your hair done next time you hit the hairdresser! Whateves, really!
• No nasty comments aimed at other users.

Inappropriate hugs to all y'all and wishing you an awesome weekend!

[Music Video] Katy Perry "Roar"

I thought Katy Perry's lyric video for Roar- you know, the one that featured the words as if being written on an instant messaging app- was clever enough to serve as a standalone promo for the single. It certainly didn't harm its sales, being number one, like, everywhere. However, Katy obviously isn't as lazy as me and has just released the REAL video for the song on YouTube.

Though still lukewarm on Roar as a single, I do like the new video- which sees the singer playing Queen of the jungle. Not only are the visuals bound to increase sales of the song, they should also nicely ramp up interest and anticipation for fourth album, Prism.

This looks like it's shaping up to be another big era for the singer-songwriter.

(Side note, does anyone else think Katy's been hitting the fake tan a little hard? She seems to be the wrong side of orange. Maybe it's just my monitor.)

[New Music] Celine Dion "Loved Me Back To Life"

We watched Celine Dion debut her comeback single Love Me Back To Life live in July [here], but this week finally sees the Sia-penned cut hit the internet in its mastered form, ready for release! Music charts world over, you have been warned!

On first witnessing the live rendition I did have slight concerns that the contemporary sound of the song might put off some of Dion's older fans. But hearing the album version I'm not so worried about that anymore; thanks to the prominent electric guitar interlude in the song's middle (I had totally missed it in the live version). It's a clever inclusion that successfully nods to Celine's adult contemporary roots and love of a power ballad. Hopefully it should be enough to reassure (those) fans that this Canadian Diva doesn't intend to leave them behind as she modernises her sound and takes aim at a new generation of listener.

Loved Me Back To Life is released September 3rd..