Virgin

What do you get if you put outspoken punk frontwoman Beth Ditto of Gossip, girl-kissing, tabloid-baiting singer Katy Perry, talented pretender Pixie Lott and French electro supremo Yuksek in a Jacuzzi, get loads of journalists and bloggers to argue about it and squish it all up onto a page? A crowded, crinkled, sodden version of this week’s Re-Reviews, that’s what. Plus a pretty disturbing image, believe you me.

Katy Perry – Waking Up In Vegas
Is this another musical landmark from Ms Perry? “Singing about everything we’d expect from a song about Vegas, the lyrics are pretty predictable, with sound effect of slot machines adding to the cheese factor,” explains Female First, yet it marks 8/10. City Life brands this 4/10 “standard issue, mind-numbingly radio friendly, anthemic rock”. The chorus is big, brash, anthemic and you must shout along to it at the top of your voice,” Unreality Shout, well, shouts. No you mustn’t, you really mustn’t. 2/10.

Pixie Lott – Mama Do
The production of big-voiced ladies keeps rolling, with Pixie Lott the latest lady of the line. Mama Do “is eclectic, fresh and very girly in a positive way with a soulful vibe and clap-along hype” according to the Beat Review, which grades this 8/10. Another 8/10 comes from Music-News, which describes this as “a highly infectious track that soon locks in your mind”. Avenue 61 thinks Mama Do “showcases Pixie’s talent well, but the sentiments it expresses are cliché”. She can really sing, but the song is unremarkable. 6/10.

Yuksek – Extraball
A while ago Music.Virgin.com mused that this could be “some sort of futuristic term for a space age game involving a sport where competitors fight to the death with a deadly object”. Artrocker more conventionally labels it “an instant dance floor hit” thanks to its mesmerising chorus. The Noises In Our Heads suggests that it is “similar in style to something The Filthy Dukes might produce but I am liking it the more I listen”. Sounding shimmering and summery, it’s a club gratifying certainty for the Parisian smoothie. 7/10.

Gossip – Heavy Cross
Gossip return with a hint of Franz guitars and a dollop of 80s cheese. “Lurching from a brooding prowl to full on disco-indie-rock pomp,” Contact Music is a fan. “Beth Ditto’s voice is as angelic and powerful as ever - think somewhere between Tina Turner and Debbie Harry,” comments Daily Music Guide’s 9/10 review. The BBC isn’t convinced though, pointing out that there hasn’t “been a flurry of sonic re-invention and radical idea-tennis” since their last record and offering 6/10. Indeed, this is listenable but dispensable 6/10 indie.

According to a recent discussion with some friends, a reference to Katy Perry is one of the best ways of attracting people to a website. So as a person of lacking morals, I’m not against a bit of shameless promotion by posting the video for her new song Waking Up In Vegas on here. Clever eh?

• Waking Up In Vegas is released in the UK on the 8th of June through Capitol Records.
• For more information on Katy Perry, visit her MySpace page.

There’s something very Scooby Doo about The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. They come onstage looking like they have only the slightest of attention spans, dressed like over-zealous nine-year-olds let loose in a dress up box after consuming a few too many Panda Pops. It’s all very cutesy and exciting in a juvenile way, but by the end they have solved the mystery, which in this case is how to entertain a Shoreditch crowd just waiting to be disappointed.

They are blessed with a singer who exudes the necessary qualities of a pop frontwoman; bolshie, pretty, kooky and more than a little like Blondie, Mette Lindberg is a star in waiting. If Lady GaGa and Katy Perry can do it, give me strength, it’s an open market. Ms Lindberg nails the attitude of her tracks, a little warped, a touch of cabaret but always going somewhere.

Her Copenhagen accent is more pronounced in person and compliments the bouncy beats of opener Hero, a hint of ska and squeaky beats dominating. Once the focus of their visually startling stance dims though, it’s hard to find much going on. Sure, there’s a horn section and a solid if basic topless drummer, but it’s all a bit corny in the musical department, with Bad Fever and its ilk doing little but pass time.

Tracks with lines rhyming crazy/mad with hazy/sad are as annoying as they sound, while even Debbie Harry-aping Rapture dance moves cannot appease forever. There is a distinct lack of substance, the feeling that this would all be better off neatly packaged into three minute bursts rather than hour sets. However, in these little snippets, such as the iPod advert adorning Around The Bend, the audience is absolutely smitten.

The only other song competing in the catchiness stakes is The Sun Ain’t Shining No More, which begins with a smooth Motown feel that Lindberg cavorts over with glee. It’s a tad darker, less throwaway and nails what this band should really be doing. There’s potential here, hits to be hit, but the whole cheesy cartoon act needs to be toned down. They aren’t mad, crazy kids – but they have a few bright ideas and a top singer. We’ll be hearing a lot more from this group – it’s still up to them to decide whether it’s any good or not.

There sure are some pigeon-holes being filled this week. The elder Gallagher is back on vocal duty trying to add some meaning to Oasis’ swagger, an old Libertine is wallowing in broken British grandeur, a young UK artist is trying to make a breakthrough and almost doing so, while a sparkling bona-fide star is releasing drivel that will outsell it all. Welcome to chartland in little old Blighty. Have a cup of tea and a read on us…

Peter Doherty – Last of the English Roses
Well well, an added ‘r’ to his forename and suddenly this is a “departure from the drugged up and desperate themes that have become all too predictable”, This Is Fake DIY believes, marking 5/10. Comfort Comes is unimpressed, calling it “a long ramble that seems to just go on and on”. Then TeenFi goes and gives it 10/10 for being “bloody great”, describing it as a “euphoric anthem to be sung along to at great volume”. It’s somewhere in between; overproduced with distracting drums detracting from the core of a cocksure, yet heartfelt, effort. 7/10.

MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / YouTube / Facebook

Thecocknbullkid – I’m Not Sorry
Anita Blay’s synth-pop is back, sounding both cute and cutting. Digital Spy adores the chorus, which is “as sweet as the dust you find at the bottom of a bag of Haribo”, awarding 8/10. Comfort Comes calls it a mixture of “a lot of intangibles” and admits it was “never bored during this track”. MFM takes a giant leap off the fence, naming it “one of the most infectious pop tunes of ‘09 so far” for its “pop brilliance”. It does skip along pleasantly, while the bitchy lyrics add a certain edge to otherwise straightforward fare. 7/10.

MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / YouTube / Facebook

Oasis – Falling Down
It’s that time on the Oasis release schedule when Noel takes the mic and offers some introspection and basically nonsensical lyricism. Contact Music is chuffed about this, grading 8/10 because “he has really hit the nail on the head with a glorious track”. Unreality Music is actually more realistic, complaining that “the vocals are buried beneath the music, making it impossible to hear” and questioning its choice as a single. Brit Music Scene gives 7/10 and suggests it is “a grower”. It isn’t a rabble-rouser and is better for that fact, but it is also deafeningly ordinary. 5/10.

MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / YouTube / Facebook

Katy Perry – Thinking of You
As many a popstress has discovered to their eternal delight, if you have a catchy pop hit, a ballad to follow up is more certain to sell than a Lloyd’s stockholder. That doesn’t make it good. Although, Angry Ape thinks it is “seaped in emotion and “shows versatility to her songwriting” and the Beat Review labels it “an absolutely astounding ballad”. Graciously, the BBC gives it 2/10 and recommends listeners should “scream in horror and run as far away as your legs could take you”. We’re with Auntie - it could be worse, but we’re not sure how. 2/10.

MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / Spotify / YouTube / Facebook

Few artists can break down language barriers and find success, yet Yelle, a French Pop Artiste, can certainly state that claim as she has done just that. Her music, despite being sung entirely in French, has gone global and specifically infecting English speaking countries with her sound, yes sound. Listen to her album Pop-Up and you’ll understand. The electro-pop sounds make you euphoric and you can’t help but dance. Her live show takes the energy of the album and multiplies it by a 1000, giving you a feeling that you’ve just enter an aerobics session. So it was a great pleasure to have a chance to interview her last month, touching on topics such as how the group started, musical and fashion influences and a host of other topics.

Killahbeez: Hi Yelle, thanks for taking the time and doing this interview with us.

Yelle: No prob!

KB: So for those who are new fans of Yelle, can you breakdown how the group formed with you, GrandMarnier and Tepr and why the group decided on the name Yelle?

Yelle: I met GrandMarnier first and we became good friends. We decided to do music together in 2005 and we chose the name Yelle at the beginning for “you enjoy life” and it was just YEL, but then we decided to feminize it with one more L and E! Tepr met GrandMarnier because he used to be a journalist and he was writing an article about GM’s previous band. We asked him to join us on stage and for the album in 2006.

KB: Your album, Pop-Up, has a fun and playful sound to it, how do you translate that to the stage and bring that energy out?

Yelle: The live show is like an extra power of the album. It’s like a DJ set with the energy of instruments (GM on the drums, Tepr on keyboards, me singing and hitting my floor tom). Performing live is what we prefer; we are a rock band when we are on stage!

KB: [laughter]. Yeah I couldn’t agree more.

KB: Writing for this album, how much of the lyrics are about your life and how much of it is just about a 25 year old girl (which you happen to be as well) living life and having fun?

Yelle: With GM (GrandMarnier) we find the theme in our life, in my real 25years old girl life! Of course it’s funny to imagine some stories but it’s always apart of reality!

KB: So do you feel that singing in French has been a barrier at all to breaking into the North American market, or do you feel like good music is good music and people don’t necessarily care about the language?

Yelle: It’s maybe exotic for English speaking people to listen French songs. But yes the music is very important and if the people are curious they’ll try to find the translation of the songs. It’s not a barrier, we have this particularity and it’s cool!

KB: Yeah I was definitely initially drawn to the energy of the music before diving into the lyrics a bit more.

KB: How would you describe your sound? I mean in some songs there are times when it definitely sounds like you are rapping, yet maintaining a pop/electro vibe.

Yelle: We did a real electro pop album with some fantasy sounds. I think I’m more a singer than a rapper; my rap is so old school! I discovered the rap music with Warren G and Snoop Dogg when I was a teenager and yes I like that!

KB: You mentioned Snoop Dogg and Warren G, who or what else influences your music and sound?

Yelle: I’m a big fan of pop music with Madonna, Blur, Prince, and more and I was listening lots of rock bands and French singer when I was young, with my parents. Then I had a crush on Daft Punk, with my bro.

KB: Speaking of Daft Punk, a lot of French artists, such as Daft Punk, Justice, DJ Mehdi, SebastiAn and including yourselves, are getting a lot of recognition in the US. Do you feel like each of you are influencing one another with your sounds?

Yelle: It’s not the same sound, and not the same crew. We appreciate them but we can’t say they are an influence, except Daft Punk, for sure, cause they do have songs, you know what I mean, it’s not only about sound, it’s about songs. But we are from the same generation yes, and we all watched the Fresh Prince!

KB: [laughter]

KB: So changing topics here, in all your pictures and in all your videos you’re so well dressed. Who or what influences your fashion sense? Any favorite designers or pieces of clothing that you can’t live without?

Yelle: I like to play with my outfits for a long time! I like to wear colors but black and white stuffs too! I just like to have fun with my style like in my life so I’m a big fan of designers like Jeremy Scott, Andrea Crews, JP Lespagnard or JC de Castelbajac who are really into pop art, they have lots of fun in the way to dress people! I’m a big fan of bags and shoes!

KB: Would you ever think of starting your own clothing line?

Yelle: We have some merch on tour and on a web site call www.recreation-center.com! Creating a clothing line is one of our project, yes.

KB: Going back to the topic of music, Tell us a bit about your experience at Coachella, what was it like performing at such a huge festival? Do you prefer big venues or smaller more intimate venues?

Yelle: Playing in Coachella was totally crazy and amazing!! We were a little bit nervous cause we were playing at the same slot of Portishead but the crowd was there, they were dancing and screaming, it was a very good night for us! We like to play sometimes in little venue to be closed from people but it’s really intense and fun to be on a huge stage too!

KB: What’s next for Yelle, any other projects or collaborations that you can talk about?

Yelle: Katy Perry just asked us for a remix, we did it, but now we really want to focus on the next album. Can’t wait to go back in studio and work.

KB: Anything else you want to say to your fans that read this?

Yelle: We love you!

www.myspace.com/iloveyelle
www.killahbeez.com

So there I was one night, innocently searching YouTube for my favourite new release from Katy Perry when something very interesting caught my eye. Under the ‘related videos’ section, I found myself faced with a bunch of mysterious looking videos. The first video I clicked on was someone attempting to mix Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold together with Bloc Party’s Banquet. A ridiculous mix of songs you say? Well I’m afraid, in a strange, mashed up way, it definitely worked. Mixing together two songs I love, it created for me a new super tune, opening up my ears to a whole new form of music; the YouTube MashUp.

Catching my imagination, I began to hunt down more of these mashups and to my surprise I found some truly amazing songs in the process. The best ones certainly seemed to emerge from two songs of completely different genres. There are so many amazing mashups floating about on YouTube that I could listen to them all day, and probably will. It’s so hard to choose a favourite but one which certainly impressed me was Jay Z vs The Verve’s Bittersweet Off Your Shoulder. The strong rap from Jay Z somehow seemed less aggressive when played with The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, adding an extra dimension of emotion to the song, which together created a new, catchy pop song. Genius!

This juxtaposition of two clashing worlds creates something innovative and new, breaking the boundaries of music snobbery and sticks two fingers up at those who believe genres must remain separate and rigid. The idea of overlapping lyrics and beats merging together into one totally dazzling tune is truly inspiring. Who would have thought that a few simply bored people sitting at their computers could create such pieces of musical brilliance, which could potentially change the face of music dramatically in a great way? If nothing else, mashups are totally fun to listen to, whether they are completely amazing or completely rubbish. Being able to listen to two songs in one also saves a bit of time, right?

listen to the Jay-Z/Verve mashup on YouTube

Virgin Unite Ambassador, Jewel has recruited celebrity friends to provide hand-written lyrics of their hits for an auction to benefit Project Clean Water.

In addition to Jewel’s personal contributions, Katy Perry, Pussycat Dolls, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, John Mellencamp, Josh Groban and Jason Mraz are just a few of the artists who’ll be auctioning lyrics written in their very own hand. The auction takes place December 3, 2008 to December 18 2008.

“Project Clean Water has always been my passion along with music. I am so excited to be able to find a way to tie the two together with this auction,” said Jewel. “I am also very blessed to have the support of my musician friends who will help make a stronger impact on the donations from the auction.”

Visit Jewel’s website at www.jeweljk.com or www.jeweljkauction.com to check out the auction and place your bid.

Britney Spears won the Act of 2008 and the the Album Of The Year awards at last night’s MTV Europe Awards at the Echo Arena in Liverpool - proudly sponsored by none other than Virgin Trains. Those world conquering MTV types took the train to Liverpool this year as the city celebrates being European Capital Of Culture 2008. And which most famous Scouser took home the Ultimate Legend Award? Why Sir Paul of McCartney of course. How fitting. And God-like person Bono was even on hand to present the award. With such royalty in attendance it seemed a shame that princess of pop Ms Spears wasn’t on hand to receive her two awards - maybe she was a bit busy with other stuff in the US - you know, family commitments and all that…

Luckily the lovely Pink (or is that P!nk?) made an effort to show up, pick up an award for most addictive track (So What?), start a pillow fight with a bunch of audience members and then shower everyone in feathers. Presumably she heeded the good advice to leave the barrel of tar at home.

30 Seconds To Mars also picked up 2 awards (Rock Out and Video Star), Kanye West was crowned Ultimate Urban and Lil Wayne was the Artists Choice. The Killers also treated us to a performance of their very Giorgio Moroder-sounding single - Human, Kid Rock managed to squeeze two numbers in for the price of one with a mash up of new So Hot and old All Summer Long and bootylicious Beyonce belted out her newie If I Were A Boy. Jared Leto had the crowd standing to attention for a certain Barack Obama while Kanye and Estelle performed American Boy to the President-Elect’s giant mugshot on a big screen. Watch Kanye & Estelle’s performance.

Okay, okay, enough already. We know you Americans are now once again officially the greatest people on the planet ever after 8 years of shame - never more delightfully represented by spoon-wielding Katy Perry in a sequined Barack Obama tshirt - and we really, really love you but what about the rest of us!? Yes okay thank you for the nod in the direction of McCartney, but what about some of our slightly more, uh… hip acts? Come on the European voters - spread the love around a bit…

The Ting Tings and Duffy kept it up for the Brits by performing That’s Not My Name and Mercy, Marks & Spencers’ man band Take That debuted their new single Greatest Day while Liverpool locals The Wombats did a brilliant cover of our Olympic Games representative and MTV award loser Leona Lewis’ Bleeding Love. That’s more like it.

So did we win any awards? Err, well - yes. And which esteemed Brit act took the honour of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with McCartney to showcase the best of what this country has to offer right now? Who did legions of ‘the kids’ vote for as Best Act Ever? Rick Astley. Rick bloody-rolling-Astley. I ask you. Did this have something to do with the democratic but slightly cheeky power of the world wide interweb? Unfortunately Rick wasn’t around to collect his gong but MTV pulled a cracker and got the lovely and gorgeous Perez Hilton - star of Virgin Radio 999 in Toronto - to take it in hand and keep warm for him.

MTV Europe Awards - you have been Rick Rolled. It could only happen here. Oh thank heavens for a slice of Perez and Virgin Train back home to the Old Smoke.

Jack White has had to pull out of a performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool in November due to a prolonged neck injury.

Having slipped a disc whilst on tour with the Raconteurs, White had been hoping to recover in time to perform a duet of Bond theme “Another Way to Die” with Alicia Keys for the MTV event but fans and organisers have been left disappointed by Jack’s ongoing problem. Unable to travel and with a neck which is refusing to heal we wish Jack White a speedy recovery.

The MTV EMA’s are being hosted by saucy singer Katy Perry and Kid Rock, Beyonce, Take That, The Killers, Pink and Duffy have been confirmed.

Watch the above footage of Jack announcing his injury before bravely going on to play “Top Yourself” at Austin City Limits 2008.