Robyn - Indestructible

"I'm gonna love you like I've never been hurt before"

Hmmm... what do we think about this? When Robyn unveiled the radio version of the previously acoustic Hang With Me earlier this summer, I was completely enchanted. It became the definitive version of the song, and one of her best singles to date. I'm not as sure about this one. In its "original" form, Indestructible was an achingly gorgeous, string-laden ballad of the highest order. This new version, while certainly an interesting choice of sound, hasn't immediately hit me as strong as I hoped it would. The spare, house-influenced beat seems to strip some of the grandeur that existed in the original. But I really hate to cement my opinion in stone this early, because I feel I may like this better with subsequent listens. Mostly, I'm curious what Robyn fans think.

Indestructible (Edit) by robyn

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the previous EPs here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Short Stack - Sweet December

"The station played our favorite songs"

I know I posted a track from these guys just last week, and I usually don't like to harp on a specific band too many times in a short period, but as I've combed through Short Stack's discography I've realized that I missed an awesome single from late last year. Sweet December is the kind of song that started this blog in the first place. It reminds me of the Scandinavian synth/glam/rock that first inspired my interest in music from overseas. I knew from the stomping opening that I'd love this song, and luckily it only gets better as the gargantuan chorus kicks in. This track will also be on their upcoming second album, which I am very excited for (after not being too impressed with their first one). Regardless of what you think about this band or genre, I urge you to give this a listen. It's a completely rousing anthem--a real "hit from another planet" (if that planet is Australia, where this reached top 10). It's been banging around my head all week.

Short Stack - Sweet December by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Le Kid - We Should Go Home Together

"I can see it in your eyes"

This is the jolliest single of 2010. In fact, it's probably the jolliest single of its ilk since Alphabeat released the similar-sounding Fascination. Le Kid have been working on their bouncy brand of pop in Sweden for awhile now, and although this isn't their first official single, it's the one that I hope will break them big. Some people will groan about the bubblegum campiness here, but I just don't see how you can resist it. Not fully. From the opening drumbeat to the soaring vocals in the chorus, this is a solid gold hit, whether or not it actually charts. Having heard some of the band's other songs, I can say that they're consistently great. They're all bright colors and huge hooks and gallons of energy. Why aren't there more bands like this? And here's an impressive fact for you fans of Swedish pop: members of this band have produced/written for BWO, Alcazar, Agnes, Velvet and Eric Saade. If that's not enough to sell you on this band, I don't know what is!

Le Kid - We Should Go Home Together by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Robbie Williams - Email From A Vampire

"I don't like sunlight"

What to say about Robbie Williams? By now he's such an important part of the British pop landscape, that it's hard to remember when he wasn't releasing music. And although his output will never reach the popularity (or general quality) that it once had, he's still churning out great records. His new greatest hits (about as comprehensive as it gets) has just been released and, if for some reason you're unfamiliar with his material, I can't imagine a more perfect album. The real treat for fans, though, is the third cd of b-sides. All but three have already been heard, but Williams is definitely a b-side artist. He's got dozens and dozens of them, and most are of album-quality. The three new tracks are amazing, particularly Email From A Vampire. As the title suggests, it flirts with novelty but is saved by a soft 80's rock beat and gorgeous melody. This is exactly the sound he should be moving toward--a mix of Rudebox era experimentalism and his newer, mature releases.

Robbie Williams - Email From a Vampire by alienhits

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

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me

"I see your face when they put my record on"

I'm knee deep in X-Factor right now (Nicolo should not have gone home, by the way). It's one of those things, like Melodifestivalen in February, that just kind of takes over the world during this time of the year. I get way too into it, and this season already has so many more to root for than last. Joe McElderry, last season's winner, was a pretty boring contestant but he had a great voice. And, surprisingly, he's turning into a good little popstar. I'm so happy he's gone for an uptempo sound rather than the tepid ballads most winners are given. As much as I prefer the original, Donkeyboy's Ambitions was an inspired first single choice, but the b-side is even better. In fact, listening to the samples of his upcoming album, I predict this song will be the best thing he's recorded. It's total, unabashed dance-pop with one hell of a hook. The chorus is so great that it completely barrels over everything else (which is good because some of the lyrics in the verses are lame). It sounds like a big, singalong Eurovision track--very cheesy but in the best possible way. I don't know who wrote/produced this but I wouldn't be surprised if they were Swedish. I always thought Joe should inherit George Michael's throne. Songs like this could do it for him.

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.