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A Few Words about Adam Lambert "Trespassing" and the Power of Pop

Much has been written about Adam Lambert and much has been said about his chart-topping new LP "Trespassing." But when all is said and done, the only words that truly matter are the stories Lambert so candidly shares on the album. Each and every song on "Trespassing" perfectly conveys his state of mind and distinct point of view that is woven throughout the effort.

"Trespassing" shows off two different sides of the singer. One part of the record features Lambert's exuberant and glamorous stage persona with tracks that are peppy, fun and clearly (and successfully) produced for mass consumption. The other part of the album emerges when Lambert steps off the stage, lifts up the brightly-lit, yellow trespassing signs to expose a much more vulnerable side of himself.

Tracks like "Cuckoo" and "Naked Love" capture the fun and flirty Lambert, while tracks such as "Underneath," Outlaws Of Love" and "Chokehold" show what really moves him as artist, performer, and most importantly, a human being. In fact, "Underneath" in particular addresses that very sentiment and intent when he sings, "Welcome to my world of truth. I don't wanna hide any part of me from you. I'm standing here with no apologies." 

When the party is over and the roar of the crowd fades, Lambert has the ability to take a step back, reflect on matters and tap into a raw vulnerability that is rarely exposed in pop music today. His honest and intensely personal storytelling adds a powerful dimension to his music that connects with people in a much deeper and lasting way.

One of the album's biggest contributions is that it's not just an accomplished collection of songs, but that it showcases the power and versatility of pop music. Yes, pop music can be fun, and yes, it can be highly stylized, but behind its glossy facade, pop music can also capture powerful emotions that people far and wide can relate to with great ease and apply to their own world of experience. And even if you don't speak English, Lambert's vocal tone and inflection will tell you all you need to know.

Lambert perfectly understands the power of pop and uses the ever-evolving genre to his full advantage. While pushing the envelop creatively, artistically and personally, the singer gives people music to make their own and cherish forever, which makes him a pop star of the brightest kind.

[FREE MP3] Databoy Releases "Summer Now" EP In Anticipation of Debut LP

After I first met Databoy's Cameron and Adam at a Lights gig in Austin, Texas, the electro pop duo has embarked on an exciting musical journey that has taken them to New York to work with some of pop's finest producers to engineer a unique sound of their own. All of their hard work, patience and perseverance has resulted in their debut album, entitled "Dreams Are Gold," that will be released in a digital download store near you next month.

To give us a taste of what they have been up to in recent months, the duo is sharing the "Summer Now" EP that you can download totally guilt-free on their web site now. Pop lovers will sure be in a for a big treat with this new Databoy EP that stays true to their clearly-defined pop mantra. "We're a spontaneous combustion of everything you love and love to hate about pop music," they write on their web site. We're kids of the '90s, born in the '80s, inspired by the sounds of the new millennium. We are an unconventional duo, addicted to the art of sound and the sound of art."

The "Summer Now" EP release includes a remake of the previously shared "Just Once" that was mashed up with Rihanna's "You Da One" to give the original a breezy summer flavor. Also, featured are the pop-forward summer gem "Lotion" and the very good "8-Ball," a playful, synth-happy stomper with a mighty infectious chorus. It's one of those high-grade pop confections that easily fits alongside tracks by The Wanted, One Direction and other current chart-topping Brit pop.

The group is excited and writes me, "Our first release this year, 'Memorize Me' with Rune RK, has received over 175k hits on YouTube so far and we're hoping to build on that success with the release of a lot of original material over the next few months." The release of the LP has been long in the making, and if this EP is any indication, "Dreams Are Gold" is shaping up to be a mightily exciting pop effort.

Download Databoy "Summer Now" EP [MP3]

Fun. Covers Carly Rae Jepsen, Talks Gay Marriage on Dutch 3FM Radio

Nate, Jack and Andrew of Fun. are currently zigzagging around the globe to promote their breakthrough single "We Are Young" that is flying up the charts around the world after it was first featured in a Chevy Superbowl commercial back in February. The trio stopped by 3FM's popular morning show in Holland with host Giel Beelen earlier today to play their smash single, plus they performed a funtastic little cover of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe."

In an interview prior to the studio performance, DJ Giel Beelen noted that Holland recently celebrated 10 years of equal right for gays and lesbians, and asked the group about their ongoing support for gay marriage in their own country. "America is not as forward as some other places in the world," Fun.'s Jack Antonoff explains. "It's nice to come to countries where you don't have any second-class citizens because everyone's equal. That's a good feeling right off the bat. Whenever we know we're going to be somewhere that has equal rights we just get like a warm feeling in general about the place."

Antonoff says about President Obama's recent support of gay marriage that it is "hopefully the start of a big change in America." The guitarist adds, "It's a human rights issue and the biggest issue of our generation, and if you're not saying something then you're part of the problem ( . . .) We're straight, and that's a big part of our stance and we still care and everyone should care, gay or straight."

[NEW] Natalie Duncan Releases Video For New Single "Sky Is Falling"

Natalie Duncan is without a doubt one of the most exciting new vocalists to impact the scene this year. Combining raw vocal power with poignant storytelling, her eclectic brand of blues pop is instantly classic and will speak to music fans far and wide who are looking for real, authentic sentiment in music. 

Not much is known about Duncan and the British songstress is purposely sharing very few personal details. She wants her music to do most of the talking to give listeners the opportunity to interpret it in their own unique way to make her songs truly timeless and meaningful. As Duncan herself puts it, "If you want to know who I am, all you have to do is listen to my music."

She reveals on her website though that many of the songs on her forthcoming debut album are inspired by heartbreak and anger but in a way that can be related to on many different levels. "My songwriting whatever type of music I'm writing is quite abstract," she explains. "I like to think the songs I write are more interesting than just a love song or a pop song. I like to explore and mess around with melodies as well, being quite intricate and delicate with parts of melody - having classical elements and then making it into blues."

She adds, "I don't really have a formula. I want to write a song that sounds a particular way, so I do. I'm definitely a welcome grim-reaper for the pop world."

The video for "Sky Is Falling" is a powerful work of art as well that incorporates scenes of animated skylines made up of yesterday's newspapers that are interspersed with footage of Duncan performing the song at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. It's a wonderfully creative and a perfect visualization of such a captivating tune.

Pop Music Rules at 2012 Billboard Music Awards [Report from the Live Show]

(Picture of LMFAO receiving Song of the Year Award.)

Last night's Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas was a diverse and memorable evening loaded with pop featuring some incredibly moving moments, impressive comebacks and powerful musical statements by some of pop's biggest idols. I was in the audience just a few rows away from the action on stage to witness (and tweet) every single second of it.

One of the most memorable moments of the night was an incredibly touching tribute to the late Whitney Houston that was performed by soul man John Legend and young Jordan Sparks. The Idol winner impressed and moved the crowd to tears with her flawless, pitch-perfect rendition of Houston's eternally classic "I Will Always Love You." Immediately following that performance, Houston was being honored by Billboard Magazine with a special Millennium Award that was handed to Houston's daughter Bobbi-Kristina who thanked fans gracefully for their support in recent months.

Even though Adele received most awards at this year's event, the night belonged without a doubt to LMFAO who took home 6 Billboard Music Awards including well-deserved nods for Song of the Year and Best Duo/Group performance. After opening the show with a sizzling medley of "Party Rock Anthem," "Sorry For Party Rocking" and "Sexy And I Know It," the group took the stage two more times to receive their awards. RedFoo and SkyBlu were genuinely humbled and happy to win and I couldn't be any more excited for them.

Nelly Furtado made her long-awaited return to the TV spotlight with a stomping rendition of her massive new single "Big Hoops." The performance was inspired by the music video for the song that includes Indian tribal dancers and, yes, some massive stilts to emphasize Nelly's point that everything bigger is better.

I spoke with Nelly at the official Billboard Music Awards after-party at the Mirage Hotel and she told me that she was very happy with the performance and that she is excited to be sharing more of her new music soon. She also noted that the next single to be taken from her new LP is the album's title track, "The Spirit Indestructible."

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