Visitor - Los Feeling

"When we touch is the truth too much?"

This track has kinda already been around the blogging block this week, but when something fits my taste so perfectly, I've got to spotlight it. Visitor is a UK band (I featured them a long time ago when they were called Cobra Dukes) and Los Feeling is the only track I've heard from them so far, but based on just these three and a half minutes, I'm salivating for more. Now that Daggers have converted to the not-as-good Hurts, these guys seem to be intent on taking their place. The music is quite similar: highly melodic synth pop with brilliant vocals. Los Feeling (is it meant to be Lost Feeling, I wonder?) is majestic and seems to be in a constant state of elevation. It just keeps building and building. A band to watch, for sure.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Visit their myspace here. Follow me on twitter at nickajames)

Janet Jackson - Work

"Tired of this place, tired of this city"

Although it's all about Michael right now (and believe you me, I am a freaky-enormous-obssesso fan), Janet's always been the Jackson for me. The fan love has slowed in recent years when her music began to take a different direction, but yesterday an unreleased Rhythm Nation track leaked and reminded me of exactly how ridiculously amazing she is. it's funny because I've actually been looking for an excuse to write about Rhythm Nation since I listened to it a week or so ago. Even with all its accolades and success, I think it is an extremely underrated album in the grand scheme of things. I can't think of anything that came before or after it that sounded or looked the same. It's full of the kind of artistic, ground(and ball)breaking pop music that really doesn't exist anymore. And Work, the new unreleased track, is better than anything on the radio now. And the thing is, it's not even technically "finished" yet. I practically drool over the thought that there are more tracks in the vault like this. This is how it's done, folks. And Ms. Jackson? Please get back to this sort of thing. It's so funky.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy Rhythm Nation here. Follow me on twitter at nickajames)

Blake Lewis - Sad Song

"Sing with me tonight"

While not the pop masterpiece it could have been, Blake Lewis' debut record is highly underrated. At least he tried something, unlike most of the American Idol alum. Now he's preparing for his second album, which is said to be even more pop/dance. The first single, Sad Song, is great but I can tell you now that it will not be a hit. But, you know... that's totally fine. It's far more European than most Americans like and expect, but I think Blake's better as an indie artist anyway. Most importantly, he's stayed true to himself and produced something that he's proud of (or at least I assume so). He continues to be one of the most musically interesting in the AI cannon and probably the one creating music closest to my taste. Consider this an appetizer to the bound-to-be-great Adam Lambert single.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the first album here. Follow me on twitter at nickajames)