Today, I’m just winding down what has been a pretty uneventful spring break, but I can’t wait to bring these songs to you. There are some MASSIVE tracks that I have been playing on repeat for a while now, and I cannot wait for you to hear them. Let’s get started.
Goldfrapp – Rocket
While I fell deeply in love with Goldfrapp’s previous, very subdued album, I will admit that the gay boy inside me squealed with delight when I heard this first single of of their upcoming album, Head First (out March 22). EVERYTHING about this song is massive. It is a balls to the wall dance track that has me tapping my toes as I sit and write this. This song is another shining example of the true artistry and innovative nature of Goldfrapp; they are unexpected, and always come to the table with their A game. If this is any indication of what the rest of the album will sound like, it is going to be like Goldfrapp have proven themselves to be time and time again; massive. I seriously cannot hear this song enough right now; it is on major repeat!!
Kate Nash – Do Wah Doo
While I was extremely excited to see that my beloved Kate Nash has a new album coming out next month (My Best Friend Is You, April 19), I will admit that I didn’t LOVE this first single the first time I heard it. Kate came to my attention back in 2007, when her debut album ended up nabbing the number 3 spot on my year end countdown, with its quirky and downright amazing songs. I managed to see Kate in concert, and my love for her only grew, so naturally, to say that was anxious about her next move is a bit of an understatement. Now, as I said before, I didn’t love this track instantly, perhaps because it is a bit different from her previous stuff, but after a few listens, I can definitely hear the Kate that I fell so deeply in love in there. Each new listen has me more and more excited about her upcoming release, which I am sure will show just as much growth and energy as this track; which by the way, I now definitely love.
Erik Hassle – Amelia
It is with extreme joy and jubilation that I can say that the much talked about (at least by me last year) Swedish pop phenom, Erik Hassle FINALLY sees a proper release of his debut (now titled Pieces) this week. This album is PACKED to the brim with single-worthy tracks, and I was more than pleased to see this “hidden track” surface as a “real” track on this go-round. This is definitely an album that you will hear about this year folks, because all of the hype surrounding this guy last year was the real deal, and now that he has a proper album released to back it up, I expect more and more Erik in all of our lives. (You’ll most likely see it amongst my albums of the year as well, just a heads up).
Amy MacDonald – Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over
This is one song that came and slapped me right across the face and demanded that I pay attention to it. I discovered Amy a while back, and even featured one of her songs on the 5SF in the past, but for some reason, I never really gelled with her music other than a couple of songs. Well, I noticed that she had a new CD coming out this week, and I thought I would at least see what she was up to this time around, and I am more than glad that I did; this song is EPIC!! If there is any justice for this BEAUTIFUL Scottish lass, this sophomore album will catapult her to even more fame, because this single is amazing, and should get lots of radio play. I’m sorry I ignored you in the past, Amy, I am all ears now; and I promise not to tell you that it’s over, because you are right, it has only just begun!!
JLS – One Shot
JLS is also one of those bands that I have posted about on the 5SF in the past, when I discovered their amazing single (and now starting to make waves in the US!) Everybody In Love on BBC Radio 1. Well, I have the BBC to thank again for playing this track, because this new single is just as amazing; these guys are definitely doing something right. This is the type of feel good pop that really deserves to be blasted on the radio, and just enjoyed for what it is; really well-produced pop music. It’s funny that this song is called One Shot, because it certainly got a second chance from me, and has me thinking that I need to keep my eyes (and ears) out for more goodness from JLS.
Well, I hope that you enjoyed this week’s picks, and please, let me know what you thought in the comments. Also, be sure to tell me what you are listening to; I am ALWAYS on the look out for great music!
It’s time for some well placed gushing ladies and gents! This song is completely, utterly, and fantastically amazing. This is the new single from Will’s upcoming release, The Hits, and it is definitely one of his best songs ever; how fitting that it would be recorded for his first greatest hits compilation. Will nearly took the top spot in 
I was torn about posting a Lady GaGa song this week (since by now, everyone and their mother is sure to have heard it), but given the video’s release this week, and how good this track is, I couldn’t ignore it. When I started talking about her, it didn’t seem like many people cared, but slowly, everyone seemed to come into the Haus of GaGa. A little over a year later, and she is a bona fide pop sensation that seems to somehow be picking up even MORE steam. As I hinted at above, this week, the internet has been all a flutter because of the release of her 
It should come as no surprise to my regular readers of the 5SF that I love British pop music, and after hearing this song in BBC Radio 1, I was reminded of just why I love it so much. This song is incredibly catchy, and the chorus will be stuck in your head for hours after hearing it. I only heard of JLS a few weeks ago; apparently, I missed out on their first single, Beat Again, when it was released a few months back. However, with the release of this new single (which is an official UK number one!) that coincided with the release of their self-titled debut last week, it seems that I couldn’t ignore them any longer. While the jury is still out on the rest of the album, this song is getting constant play on my ipod. This song reminds me A LOT of the great pop ballad-type anthems made popular by the Backstreet Boys back in their hay-day (I’m thinking of perhaps their biggest song, I Want It That Way). JLS may have come in second on last year’s X-Factor, but by the sound of things, they are doing quite well for themselves post-X-factor in 2009. 
This has been a good year for finding rock bands from the UK (Band of Skulls, Glasvegas and, White Lies to name a few). When I first heard this song, I thought it was Snow Patrol, because the lead singer’s vocals in this song have a very similar sound to the lead singer of Snow Patrol. To my surprise, it was actually Biffy Clyro (who’s lead singer is Scottish), who I have heard of, but I had actually never heard anything by before. My interest was peaked, because I have had some experience with Biffy Clyro, because the lead singer is a part of a side project called Marmaduke Duke; whom I posted about in a 
To say that I was excited for the release of the new album by The Swell Season would be quite an understatement. However, and somewhat unfortunately, the hype must have gotten to me, because I have had a difficult time really getting into it since it was released a few weeks ago. That being said, this song was an instant stand out, mostly because of the beautiful arrangement, and the intricacy with which they weave the melody throughout the chorus. The gentle guitar picking, and the beautiful deep bass, all overlain with the distorted keyboard, comes together to create something truly gorgeous. Add to that the sweet and sensitive vocals of Glen Handsard, and what’s not to love? Nothing, I tell you. This is definitely one of the best tracks off their new album; and perhaps shining some attention on it this week will motivate me to keep trying to get into the rest of Strict Joy (which is good, but I think I hyped it up so high that there was no way I wouldn’t be let down at least a little).