[Music Video] Lady Gaga, "Aura"

Lady Gaga has a part in the new Robert Rodriguez-directed movie, Machete Kills. With that role also comes a spot on the soundtrack, to which Gaga has selflessly handed over Artpop opener, Aura.

The film looks to be an over-the-top action romp with B-movie leanings, and Gaga's track scores the montage of clips (in the just released lyric video) perfectly. The song itself reminds me of Born This Way's Americano- which I liked- so it's unsurprising I enjoyed Aura from the first listen.

Being that the project looks like a whole heap of overblown zaniness, I wouldn't be holding my breath for any Oscar nods to materialise from Gaga's part as La Chameleón. But who cares, fun times look to be ahead- even if ironically so!

[Album discussion] Lady Gaga Should Totally Have Recorded Miley Cyrus's "Someone Else"

The title pretty much says it all, but I'll elaborate a little. Nesting in the bowels of Miley Cyrus's Bangerz is one of my favourite songs off of the album: Someone Else.

The feisty break-up song, produced by Mike Made It, is ably handled by Cyrus- so I'm not trying to be shady by suggesting Lady Gaga should have sung it. In fact, the track houses one of the best vocals on the album; showing how diverse Miley's voice can be as it constantly morphs and changes as the track progresses. However, I can't help but hear the Gagster when listening to it.

[New Music] TLC, "Meant To Be"

To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of TLC (oh, how the time has flown!), a greatest hits album, TLC 20: 20th Anniversary Hits, will be arriving for our consumption this month. Along with the celebratory album- which contains four new songs- VH1 has also filmed a biopic charting the true story of the group. CrazySexyCool:The TLC Story will be released on October 21, 2013- so note that in your diaries, fans!

So while we wait for these treats to come our way, one of the new songs from the album has been released to tide us over. Take a listen to the (slightly dated, but well meaning) Neyo-penned Meant To Be, below.

[Watch] MKS Cover Lorde's "Royal" During Accoustic Set @ Reload Sessions

While they're busy (I assume) retooling their first album in over ten years, Mutya Keisha Siobhan are continuing to maintain their public profile via various appearances here, there and everywhere- just not anything mainstream, mind. Their latest showing was an acoustic set filmed for the Reload sessions.

The three songs chosen for the stripped-back extravaganza were a cover of Lorde's Royals (which I admit I'm still not "getting", despite it blowing up over in the States), a Sugababes classic, In The Middle, and a new track titled No Regrets. Needless to say, the trio were on point as soloists and when combining their powers, continuing to demonstrate why they are one of the best vocal harmony groups to come out of the UK.

[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.