[Watch] Miley Cyrus Smashes "Wrecking Ball" Perforamce @ SNL

We knew she could do it, but she proved it for reals when she took new single Wrecking Ball to the Saturday Night Live studio this weekend. No craziness or outrageous outfits, just Miley and a microphone, singing her heart out.

Wrecking Ball still sounded slightly out of the Diva's live range, but the rasp that came with those pushed notes worked well with the song's melodramatic lyrics. Where the Diva's comfortable belt really lies is within its mid-range, which she demoed during an acoustic rendition of Bangerz lead single We Can't Stop. If she stopped the smoking and the drinking the voice probably be more elastic, but I don't think that's on the cards any time soon!

Check out both performances below! 

[Music Review] Sia – "Elastic Heart"

Whereas I felt something was missing from Christina Aguilera's contribution to the Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, Sia's effort- Elastic Heart- is pretty much flawless right off the bat.

Sporting an unusual melody built atop a quirky sample, the Diplo-produced track lets Sia's vocal versatility shine through as the Diva plays with texture and tone to create an interesting lead vocal and a layering of gorgeous supporting harmonies.  

[Review] Christina Aguilera "We Remain"

What is Christina Aguilera's next move going to be? Sure, she can keep collecting those massive checks from The Voice USA while sitting grandly (and richly) upon her swivelling throne. But this is a singer who has often proclaimed the importance of using her gift, so she can't be satisfied with this strategy, long-term.

So with this in mind, how can Christina continue with the music, stay relevant and not risk another a flop- like back-to-back bombs Bionic and Lotus? Well she could keep doing what she is now: featuring on other people's tracks- à la successful collabs with Pitbull and Maroon 5- while periodically tossing us original material via soundtracks- as she has just done with her contribution to the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire OST. It's not an idea situation, but it sure feels sweeter to me (see what I did there?- only the die hard fans will get that) than a prolonged Christina Aguilera famine.

Her contribution to the aforementioned soundtrack, We Remain, is actually a beautiful one. It not only benefits from the Diva's capable pipes, but she also had a hand in composing the uplifting lyrics. This may be the reason why the vocal on the Ryan Tedder-produced cut sounds like one of Aguilera's most emotive to date.

[Music Video] Rihanna delivers Just What You Were Expecting With "Pour It Up" Visuals

Released over half a year after the song itself peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Charts, Rihanna finally débuts the visuals for the scuzzy stripper anthem, Pour it up.

I've played this song to death since Unapologetic's 2012 release, and as so, have often imagined how the visuals would be. With lyrics like "Strippers goin' up and down that pole, and I still got my money", "All I see is signs, all I see is dollar signs", it was hardly going to birth a thoughtful and nuanced promo. Needless to say, the video is just as depressingly dirty and seedy as it could have been.

The visuals were obviously done to shock and gain column inches, but I think the real reason for the star finally getting herself together and filming the video- which fans have been calling for since January- was more to do with this moment than anything else [see gifs]. What better way to educate- or shade- Miley Cyrus than by showing her how she would make a ratchet video with some serious twerking featured..

[Music Video] Britney Spears "Work B!tch"

Work B!tch is still doing as much for me as a cold cup of tea, but hey, the video is out, so let's see if that can do anything to improve my feelings towards it- I'm shallow like that sometimes.

The Ben Mor directed visuals are actually heartening to behold. There's less of the fast edits that were done last era to disguise Britney Spears' sloppy choreography, and there is definitely a sparkle back behind the ol' peepers- though that could have been added post production! Overall, it's a good promo for a crumby song and it should convince many- not me- that she's back on form and ready for her two-year stint in Las Vegas.

Finally, I will say this once more and then shut up about it because I feel like a broken record: Will.i.am please stay away from the production on the album. You can help select songs, design the cover with your Crayola felt tips and glitter glue, choreograph the routines, or even turn Mama Knowles and single-handedly design and sew Britney's entire tour wardrobe; just please stay away from the music itself. I'm begging you!!!

[Watch] Katy Perry Performs @ 2013 Itunes Festival

Katy Perry closed the iTunes Festival yesterday, performing a selection of her hit singles for the packed audience at the Roundhouse in Camden. The Diva, who seemed to have adopted a rockier edge, also performed a few cuts from forthcoming album Prism- including latest single Roar.

Vocally, Katy was pretty much on point. Her voice was close to those laid down in studio for much of the set, but I had a personal problem enjoying the wobbly, weak tone in the midrange (which was most notable in first song, Walking On Air). The voice was definitely more impressive when Katy warmed up and left the midrange, with the belts and head notes sounding surprisingly good. Fireworks, however, still sounds a note or two too high for her live range.

I'm no expert on Katy Perry's live voice (is there such a thing?), so I'm not sure if this would be classified as a good showing for the Diva. Perhaps some of Katycats can inform me either way in the comments. I thought it was serviceable enough. After all, Katy isn't known for being a vocalist. I'm just surprised that at this point in her career, the stage presence isn't quite there.

Random thought: What was with the dark and dirty Dark Horse!?  Absolutely Loving that! (Just took a listen to the studio version, for some reason wasn't feeling that...weird).

Enjoy!

[Music Video] Katy B "5 Am"

I'm going to see Katy B somewhere in London tomorrow , so the timely  release of the visuals for new single 5 Am couldn't have come at a better time for me- especially since I've been meaning to get into the song for weeks now.

It's another frosty dance track from the Popular Music graduate, and it finds the singer-songwriter longing for a lover that can invoke the same feeling popping a Valium would. Why bother, I ask! Just take the pills. It'll be easier in the long term! I do question the lyric " I need somebody to knock me out", though... seems like it's asking for trouble!

Anywho, I'm off to learn the words and make up a dance routine. It's bound to feature of the setlist  tomorrow.

Enjoy!