kirstin's "Break a Little" set to further extend record, returning to #1 for a ninth week. Or will Drake Bell take #1 with "Honest"? Yes, "Break a Little" could go back to #1, as the songs above it appear to be falling. But it is Kirstin vs. Drake Bell once again, as they have about the same amount of points. The title track was announced as the second single from Bell's EP 'Honest'. Along with this, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, Kesha, and Brothers Osbourne will be making plays for the Top 10. What we have is: 1. Break a Little (+2) - 5000 (-100) 2. Honest (+15) - 5000 (+2800) 3. Glorious (+1) - 4800 (+50) 4. Naked (-3) - 4400 (-1100) 5. Rewind (-3) - 4200(-700) 6. Craving You (+3) - 3500 (+900) 7. Imaginary Parties (-1) - 3400 (+400) 8. Cut To The Feeling (+2) - 2500 (+300) 9. Leaves (+2) - 2400 (+200) 10. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back (+4) - 2300 (+500) Other songs fighting for the Top 10: - "Bad Liar" - 2250 - "Strip That Down" - 2200 - It's Ain't My Fault" - 2200 - "Praying" - 2000 So, this week is looking to be slightly competitive.
Kirstin's "Naked" moves 2-1, and Linkin Park debuts in the Top 10. Also entering is Thomas Rhett and Echosmith.
So, yes, Kirstin's "Naked" goes to #1, meaning Kirstin has replaced herself. The Pentatonix member is the first artist to ever replace herself on the chart. And with that, let's look at the rest of the Top 10. "Rewind" by Drake Bell rebounds 8-2. Our previous #1, "Break a Little", falls 1-3. Though I myself can see it sticking around. "Glorious" by Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey rises 7-4, hitting a new peak.
Now we get our first new Top 10 entry: "Goodbye" by Echosmith. It gains 17-5 as it's done well, though since I don't love the song, it probably won't be sticking around in the Top 10 long. A re-entry to the Top 10 comes to "Imaginary Parties" by Superfruit. My favourite track on their EP goes 12-6. Our second Top 10 entry comes from "In The End" by Linkin Park. It's off the wake of a death, it might not last long. Plus, it's a relatively old song. Speaking of that song, and keeping with the depression theme, Drake Bell's song of the same name manages to debut at #20.
"Bad 4 Us" by Superfruit rises 10-8. Not much to say, probably won't last long. The challenge comes from our third Top 10 entry... "Craving You" by Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris. What can I say? I like the song. It goes from 20-9, making it Rhett's second Top 10 entry. And it may outpeak "Star Of The Show". And finally, at #10, coming from #19 - "Cut To The Feeling" by Carly Rae Jepsen. Much better song that I originally gave it credit for.
Along with this, "My Mind Is For Sale", the heavily political track from Jack Johnson debuts at #19.
So, for my first Top 10 list, I will be talking about my favourite songs from some artists I hate. I could probably do multiple of these, so I might. This will be based on a mix of factors, how much I hate the musician, and how much I like the song. At the end of the day, it's mostly interchangeable. I love all these songs. Starting off with... 10. Michael Jackson - "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"
I know, the pitchforks and torches. You don't like Michael Jackson? Burn the witch! Wait, just hear me out before we start re-enacting the Salem Witch Trials. Now it may sound hypocritical coming from me. As I have a feminine voice and I love voices like Mitch Grassi's or Chris Colfer's, his androgynous sound always sounded fake to me. Like a man trying to sound like a woman. Not a man that naturally has a feminine touch, or like Grassi, just straight can sound like a woman, Jackson sounds like he tries too hard. Really evident from the more spoken sound at the beginning of the song. It's airy. And Jackson's voice seems to think volume equals power. But yeah, this song is really good. The 80s production, Jackson's upper range sounding pleasant, and his lower notes sound powerful. I love the six-piece horn section as well.
9. Drake - "Best I Ever Had"
Oh, when Drake was good. Not all that good, mind you. I can't even really point out why I like this song. His singing and rapping doesn't sound lazy, and he actually sounds invested. But he tends to go off-topic, and this song comes off as cocky. No one knows who you are at this point really, and girls think your songs are about them? Please, bitch. 8. Maroon 5 - "Won't Go Home Without You"
Back when Maroon 5 wasn't the worst thing ever, I didn't dread a new song from them, and Adam Levine was a competent vocalist. Neat. Well, I love this song to this day. Getting a very similar guitar line to The Police's excellent song "Every Breath You Take", Levine of Maroon 5 delivers a heartfelt track, that's affectionate. Please, Maroon 5, go back to this. Don't continue to be garbage.
7. Kanye West - "Stronger"
Now, with West, it's mainly his ego. Because he's a very good producer and rapper. But there are times like with 'The Life of Pablo', he can just be terrible. Make more stuff like this and "Gold Digger".
6. Skrillex - "Purple Lamborghini" (with Rick Ross)
Not much to say. Rick Ross is a decent rapper here and Skrillex actually does the production quite well.
5. David Guetta - "Titanium" (ft. Sia)
Now this song's just beautiful. Sia's beautiful voice telling about no matter the hardships in life, whatever "bullets" get to us... that we're bulletproof and they'll just bounce off. You know, after I saw this video, I found the Christina Grimmie cover... and I just got depressed as hell, so let's just end this here, shall we?
4. Black Eyed Peas - "Where Is The Love?"
Such an excellent track before the Black Eyed Peas went to shit. Being an actual hip-hop group rather than EDM, the group tackles issues such as terrorism, racism, war, and even violence against gay people. And it goes along with very good uncredited vocals from Justin Timberlake. If they went back to making music like this... I probably would have been a fan.
3. R. Kelly - "I Believe I Can Fly"
He could be good, but R. Kelly is too garbage of a human being. And that forever taint his music for me. Look, this song was a part of my childhood, and R. Kelly definitely has a good delivery. But since he thinks it's okay to marry 15 year olds and run sex cults... all I gotta say is fuck you!
2. Thomas Rhett - "Craving You" (ft. Maren Morris)
Now, this one's a bit more lighthearted. I always hated Thomas Rhett for the nepotism and the fact country radio gives him hits despite his songs being bottom of the barrel when it is country, and there's some pop disguising itself as country. This song is a full pop song, and I admit, it's pretty good. Thomas Rhett should be focusing on pop radio. Very nice, albeit familiar sounding melody, the harmonies from Maren Morris are pretty good, though I wish she got a bigger part. "Star Of The Show" definitely could have qualified for this list as well.
1. Justin Bieber - "Maria"
I feel like this song is very similar thematically to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, "Stan" by Eminem, or "Loretta" by Will Smith. Crazy fans. And I tend to like these songs. And while this one's a bit brighter toned, it's amazing. Bieber has a strong falsetto, the production is catchy. This is Bieber at his best. If he did music like this on a regular basis, I'd probably be a fan. Good work.
Conclusion
So, yeah, that's my list. Let me know of what you think in the comments, and maybe give a list of your own. Thanks for reading!
kirstin is looking to be dethroned... by kirstin. Yes, for the first time on the Top 50 so far, an artist appears to be dethroning themselves from #1. "Naked" appears to be leading in the way of points. "Break a Little"'s still got its record for now. Along with this, "Glorious" by Macklemore and "Rewind" by Drake Bell both will battle with "Break a Little" for the #2 spot, and Echosmith could be making a play for the Top 5. Linkin Park, Thomas Rhett are also making possible Top 10 entries. So let's look at predictions: 1. Naked (+1) - 5500 (=) 2. Break a Little (-1) - 5100 (-1400) 3. Glorious (+4) - 5000 (+200) 4. Rewind (+4) - 4900 (+200) 5. Goodbye (+12) - 3700 (+2000) 6. Bad 4 Us (+4) - 3500 (-200) 7. In The End (debut) - 3400 8. Imaginary Parties (+4) - 3000 (+500) 9. Craving You (+11) - 2600 (+1300) 10. Cut To The Feeling (+9) - 2200 (+600)
kirstin dominates the Top 6 with her 'L O V E' EP, while also taking the record for most weeks at #1. So let's get to it. First, "Break a Little" holds on to #1 for an eighth consecutive week, beating out previous record holder, "Run Away" by Drake Bell, which led for seven weeks. It doesn't end there for kirstin's good fortunes, however. All of her EP's album tracks in the Top 5. "Naked" (#2), "Bad Weather" (#3), "Something Real" (#4), "See It" (#5), and "All Night" returns to the Top 10 at #6. As for the rest of the Top 10, "Glorious" by Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey falls 5-7, Drake Bell's album tracks "Rewind" falls 2-8 and 3-9 respectively. And "Bad 4 Us" by Superfruit clings on, going 6-10. Further down, we get two new entries to the Top 20. Echosmith brings their first Top 20 with "Goodbye", which debuts at #17. And Thomas Rhett's "Craving You" with Maren Morris, rises 25-20, earning him his second Top 20 (following "Star Of The Show", which peaked at #8). Along with this, "Sakura Kiss" by Kristine Sa makes a return to #25, and "Just Like You" by Megan Lee debuts in the Top 40. Thank you for reading, and the chart will finish updating possibly later today, if not tomorrow. Prediction thread will be posted today as well, along with possibly a Top 10 list (or two) coming up, so stay tuned for that.
kirstin's 'L O V E' EP appears to be dominating next week. kirstin appears to be one of the only artists I care about a whole lot releasing an album, her album blitz is coming. If the predictions are correct, "Break a Little" will break "Run Away"'s record for most weeks at #1. Due to this, songs are expected to crash hard next week despite gains in overall performance. What it's looking like currently: 1. Break a Little (=) - 6500 (+500) 2. Naked (debut) - 5500 3. Bad Weather (debut) - 5400 4. Something Real (debut) - 5300 5. See It (debut) - 5200 6. All Night (+8) - 5000 (+2500) 7. Rewind (-5) - 4950 (-1025) 8. Leaves (-5) - 4800 (-1150) 9. Glorious (-4) - 4800 (-400) 10. Bad 4 Us (-4) - 4700 (-300)
"Break a Little" rebounds 2-1, and Drake Bell debuts in the Top 5 with 'Honest' EP. Yes, kirstin (who just looks gorgeous in the picture I decided to use, by the way) once again returned to #1 with "Break a Little". By returning, it makes its seventh week at #1, tying with the current record holder, Drake Bell, with his song "Run Away" (which returns at #20). Speaking of Drake Bell, he debuts all of his album tracks in the Top 5. "Rewind" debuts at #2, being only 25 points away from kirstin (the latter song was bought on Thursday, which just gave it the edge). "Leaves" and "Honest" debut at #3 and #4 respectively. A new entry to the Top 5 is the new single from Macklemore, "Glorious", which features Skylar Grey, gains 9-5. Last week's #1 "Bad 4 Us" by Superfruit, crashes 1-6, and their album track "Imaginary Parties" loses 3-7. Liam Payne and Quavo continue their ascent in the Top 10, as "Strip That Down" goes 10-8, for a new peak. The final two songs re-enter the Top 10 - "Coming In Hot" comes back at #9 and "Slow Hands" comes back to close the Top 10. As previously mentioned, "Run Away" by Drake Bell returns at #20. Other songs with big gains both make entries into the Top 20, as "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes makes an unexpected gain of 30-11, and "Unpredictable" by Olly Murs and Louisa Johnson shoots up 29-19. Big songs expected next week from: Echosmith, Selena Gomez, and a gain from Bruno Mars. kirstin is expected to do well next week, so stay tuned for that. Prediction post: http://naosslife.blogspot.com/2017/07/kirstin-expected-to-dominate-next-week.html
Well, two of my favourite artists going up against each other for a #1. Interesting. As Drake Bell's EP 'Honest' will be debuting on the chart next week, he had a very good shot at #1. His only clear competition for #1 is Kirstin Maldonado. Her single "Break a Little" has led at #1 for six consecutive weeks before dethroned. As with strong performance and her own EP release coming the week after, it has a good chance of still dominating. The most likely candidate to block kirstin's return will be Bell's "Rewind". However, any songs off the EP with the exception of "Run Away" have a chance at #1. Speaking of "Run Away", it led the Top 50 (previously My Hot 100), for seven consecutive weeks. kirstin therefore, has a shot to tie his record for most weeks at #1. "Run Away" so far leads the year-end list and will probably be able to return to the Top 20 next week. Other candidates gaining in the Top 10 will include Macklemore, who has a shot at the Top 5, and Liam Payne. Diamante and Niall Horan have chances to return to the Top 10 as well as Superfruit's EP begins to lose plays. So far, this is the standings: 1. Break a Little - 6000 2. Rewind - 6000 3. Leaves - 5950 4. Honest - 5500 5. Bad 4 Us - 5000 6. Glorious - 4950 7. Imaginary Parties - 4000 8. Strip That Down - 3950 9. Coming In Hot - 3700 10. Slow Hands - 3300 Looking at the standings, it's anyone's question. Well, won't find out till Sunday, 16 May, when charts will be updated. So stay tuned for that.
"Bad 4 Us" goes to #1, Superfruit debuts six songs. Superfruit's "Bad 4 Us", in wake of their EP 'Future Friends - Part One", jumps 2-1. By doing this, they dethrone fellow Pentatonix member kirstin, who led at #1 with "Break a Little" (which falls 1-2), for six consecutive weeks. Superfruit further dominates by debuting six songs in the Top 10: "Imaginary Parties" (#3), "Future Friends" (#4), "Worth It (Perfect)" (#5), "Heartthrob" (#6), "Sexy Ladies" (#7), and "Vacation" (#8). Because of this, "Glorious" by Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey falls 6-9, despite a heavy gain in performance. And finally, "Strip That Down" by Liam Payne featuring Quavo holds at #10. More Superfruit further down, as the "Superfruit Theme Song" rises 16-14, Mitch Grassi (aka my gay crush) rises to the Top 20, going from 31-20. Also, the Frozen Medley (featuring Kirstie Maldonado), debuts at #40. Other songs with big gains are Selena Gomez's "Bad Liar" (32-18), and Shawn Mendes' "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" (43-30). "As If It's Your Last" by K-pop girl group BLACKPINK debuts at #1 on the Bubbling Under chart. For next week, we should see debuts from Drake Bell, Kesha, and The All-American Rejects.
Today, I will be reviewing the new EP from Drake Bell as he steps into mainstream pop, and go through promotion strategy.
Release date: 30 June 2017 (or 5 July 2017?)
Record label: DB Records
Genre: Pop
Best songs: "Rewind", "Honest"
Worst songs: "Leaves"
Rating: 7/10
Let's see... I don't know the details, there are two ways this could have happened. One, you actually did release on the 30th and it somehow flew over my head, and Bell decided not to post about it till the 5th, a Wednesday (note the official release date for music is a Friday). Or Two, you did release on the 5th, and it's mislabeled as the 30th. Either way, it's only two tracking days for its debut week, but eh.
So, let's get to the EP itself. There is not really a plot line to this that at least I see, except for maybe a failed relationship, but eh, it's an EP. The first track is "Leaves", a nice upbeat track with hints of electric guitar. Now, Drake Bell's falsetto... it's not a Justin Timberlake falsetto. It sounds good, but it doesn't sound heavily supported, and it sounds far brighter than his modal range, as he tends to be dark as a tenor. While his falsetto was never great, I do have a feeling it's gotten a bit worse. Just my opinion. Then we get "Honest", which would have been perfect as a single since the production sounds like "Shape Of You" and "Cheap Thrills", with the synths, it's a pretty by-the-numbers pop song. How he says he's not perfect, but he's still "honest", and he's telling his lover to be honest with him. Which is ironic since this is more of a project made to go mainstream. Then we get "Run Away", and I like the song. It's a decent pop song, and the falsetto sounds better, but still pretty thin. And you can tell the upper notes are a bit harder for him. Has a pretty good drop though. Then we get "Rewind", the closing song, and it has nice organic production, a Spanish guitar, a good pop rock tune that's more of a ballad that could have fit on It's Only Time. But here's my main problem. Lyrical content wise, these songs are pretty basic for him, it seems formulaic, and wanting to be popular again. It shows a musician approaching middle-age who wants his youthful years, his relevancy back. He's basically trying to be Justin Bieber on this project, and while he does show he can do it better than Bieber, from such a talented musician, he can do better.
Look, a VERY light 7/10. It's decent, I guess. Some good writing is still here. And his charisma well makes this project. But for me, I feel like Bell will not do better than his first two albums. Maybe that's just me being petty. I feel like I'm one of those fans who leave the fanbase of a metal band once they start getting popular. That aside, coming from someone who loved his first two albums... look, it still will get into my playlists for a bit, but it's not his best work.. Just saying. And I'm not seeing this is a bad release, far from from it, it's pretty damn good pop music. Also, the short length. I think it being longer would have been a bit better for me.
So yeah, thanks for reading, feel free to comment if you've heard it, which you likely haven't, because it's not like it'll be topping charts anytime soon. I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'm not sure what I'll be reviewing or talking about next, so if you got a suggestion for that too, feel free.
kirstin's "Break a Little" leads for sixth week, while Superfruit debuts at #2 with "Bad 4 Us".
With "Break a Little" leading for a sixth straight week, it goes up to second in longest runs at #1, tying with Pentatonix's "Hallelujah", and Drake Bell's "Run Away", which led for seven weeks. "Break a Little" does face competition next week, and it's coming from the debut at #2, "Bad 4 Us" by Superfruit (comprised of Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying). This follows Avriel & The Sequoias' (Avi Kaplan), debut at #2 with "Fields And Pier". Maldonado's fellow Pentatonix members will be battling her for #1, as their debut EP, 'Future Friends - Part One', will be impacting the charts next week, with all seven songs set to debut in the Top 10. So far, Kevin Olusola is the only member of Pentatonix to not impact the chart at all, much less the Top 10.
Next, is "Coming In Hot" by Diamante, which rises 4-3. It's doing well, but this song, like every song below it, will take falls next week. Niall Horan's "Slow Hands" rises 7-4. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by Pentatonix continues to take losses, falling 3-5. Which takes us to our second new Top 10 entry, "Glorious" by Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey. It rises 21-6, as it's doing extremely well. "Cut To The Feeling" by Carly Rae Jepsen rises 8-7. "Only One Me" by Ice Cube rises 9-8. Our previous #2, "All Night" collapses down from 2-9. The third new Top 10 entry, and one that's very unexpected, is "Strip That Down" by Liam Payne featuring Quavo, which rose big from 30-10. So far, Louis Tomlinson and ZAYN are the two One Direction members who failed to reach the Top 10 (Tomlinson's "Just Hold On" peaked at #22, and Zayn's "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" peaked at #87).
As noted previously, Superfruit's whole EP is set for a Top 10 debut, and as such, this week, the "Superfruit Theme Song" picks up to 35-16, and Mitch Grassi's "Graveyard" rises 40-31. Also, the new single from rapper Desiigner, "Liife", which features rapper Gucci Mane, debuts at #30.
