[Free Music] JoJo vocally Slays On New Mixtape "#LoveJo"

JoJo is feeling the love today and has decided to spread it around by giving us a very special valentine's day gift: a new mixtape, #LoveJo.

I've had a brief nosy through the four song set- I don't have time right now to give it a proper whirl- but even still, with those little tasters, it is more than apparent that JoJo has stepped up the vocals. I didn't think it was possible for her to bring anything new, vocally, but it sounds to me as if the singer is still growing, and refining, her instrument.

I'll comment again with my thoughts on the mixtape once I've had a proper listen, but I wanted to make sure I shared it with you on the actual day of release- since it ties in with Valentines.

Take a listen to the loved-up set below. You can also download each song FOR FREEEEEEEEEEE!

[Open Post] Valentine's Salutations

The annual commercialisation of our romantic affections is upon us once again! Rejoice! Consider this post your own personal valentine from moi. I won't be offended if you recoil a little at the notion of this, but know, I don't accept returns or backsies, so you will deal!

[Countdown] Top Ten Girl Groups of ALL TIME

Billboard have used their book of chart magic to conjure up a list of the top ten girl groups of ALL TIME. Spooky, yet prestigious (for those who made it on to it)!

In reality, the American chart compilers used some kind of algorithm to formulate this list. They actually explained their methodology- take a read, below- on their website, but the way it trailed off into vague conjecture by the end, it may as well have been magiced up because I sure as hell don't know what they were talking about. You give it a try:

The top 10 all-time girl groups list is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100. Artists are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over time, certain eras are weighted differently to account for chart turnover rates over various periods.

Still, we all love a countdown/list -don't lie, you do- so let's stop wasting time and get to it! Also, regardless of this list, let me know of YOUR favorite girl group(s) in the comments. A video would also be appreciated, just so we can hear what it is you're talking about.

[Review] Mariah Carey Gets Slushy (And A Little Repetitive) With "You're Mine (Eternal)"

They're here! Mariah Carey has released the album version and remix- featuring Trey Songz- of You're Mine (Eternal). This is the third song to be lifted from the Diva's May-due album The Art Of Letting Go, and no doubt she's hoping it'll echo, and build upon, the success of her last big hit, Beautiful.

After listening to her performance of the song at the BET Honors [here] I was craving the studio version of the Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins produced You're Mine (Eternal) like a fiend. However, since hearing it in its mastered glory, the similarities it shares with Mimi's biggest hit We Belong Together have become more apparent, leaving me a little bummed. I'm definitely feeling the laid back and "direct" (read: less "whispery") vocal, but lyrically and production-wise, I feel like we've covered this ground with Mariah many, many times before.

The Diva was definitely onto something with the fresher sound she cultivated with Miguel on Beautiful- the positive public reaction attested to that. So it's a shame she decided to look to past hits for inspiration with this track, especially when has so recently been shown Mariah can still be relevant if she chooses to move forward with her music.

Still, I like You're Mine- just not as much as I thought I was going to.

Rating: B

[New Music] Mariah Carey - "You're Mine"

No sooner had Mariah Carey performed her Valentine-due, new single You're Mine at the 2014 BET Honors, no sooner was it leaked onto the internet. Hardly a surprise, but I'm sure Mimi is a little vexed by it happening. But since it's here, we might as well take a listen.

Her new single is Rnb, through and through. It brings to mind Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel's glorious H.A.T.E.U, while simultaneously containing a little motif that had me digging up Alicia Keys' Like You'll Never See Me Again.

This "live" recording of the third single to be lifted from Carey's new album, The Art Of Letting Go, doesn't feature much of the Diva's trademark melisma- which seems to be something of a theme with this project. However, it does have some octave jumping at the song's climax. This starts on a chest note (D5), which transitions up a register to a whistle note (E6). From this high, the diva then drops to a D6, holding it until the track ends. Impressive stuff.

Though quite a good recording of You're Mine, I'm still excited to hear it in its mastered form. Not long to wait now...

[Free For All Friday]

Today I will not be watching the Winter Olympics....

If you don't know the score, here be 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] Kylie Minogue Saves the Pennies With "Into The Blue" Visuals

Kylie Minogue, the Princess Of Pop, is back with a new song and a new video.

Now, I love Kylie, and I pretty much consider everything she does as genius, but Into the Blue has got to be the Diva's weakest lead single, ever. That's not to say it's bad, as it sure is catchy. However, the Mike Del Rio produced cut is all kinds of generic, which doesn't exactly instil confidence about her first album- entitled Kiss Me Once- under Roc Nation's management.

On the merits of the song alone, I just don't see Into The Blue being a hit for Kylie. Nor does it do her legacy as a musical trendsetter any favours. However, she has something else going for her at the moment, something that will definitely help the song chart- in the UK, anyway- and that thing comes with a big red chair that swivels 180 degrees on the touch of a button: