I received a text message last week from my sister with the words Willow Smith, Whip My Hair. 

Now, I didn’t know what Willow Smith, Whip My Hair meant, or what it could possibly lead me to, so I didn’t do anything about it and honestly just forgot about it. However, the next day I was on Facebook and saw a post with the same words in it so then I had to check it out. 

I clicked play on what turned out to be this epic and astonishingly creative music video by non other than Will Smith’s daughter Willow Smith. The styling and genius makeup (rhinestones on her lip etc) was so much fun to watch, that I caught myself re-posting (and now blogging about it) instantly.

So here is Willow Smith’s Whip My Hair. I hope you have fun watching and are able to enjoy its youth and energy as much as I did. 

My favorite part of her website is Willow’s Warriorette/Warrior Pledge. Check it out and then go pledge yourself!

Oh T. Swift! Fearless was one of my favorite albums of 2009, full of slick pop and heartfelt, endearing, and relatable lyrics. The world at large is convinced of Swift’s talent, though it seems like every time I mention the girl at least one or two haters pop up to protest her fame and popularity.

Since Speak Now was written entirely by Miss Taylor, I was ready to turn a critical ear to it and settle the turmoil once and for all.
Speak Now certainly shows off what Swift does best—writing a solid pop song whose lyrics point fingers at the man who did her wrong.

Songs like “Innocent” (her response to Kanye West’s famous interruption at the VMAs) and “Dear John” definitely sizzle—Though “Dear John,” a tune about getting burned by that jerk John Mayer, seems a little overindulgent (it goes on for 7 minutes, y’all! SEVEN MINUTES? Jeez!). Though not all of these vengeful love songs are so pointed, these two stand out as this record’s most scandalous tracks.

Here’s a video of the album’s first single, Mine:

I’m no snob about pop music. After all, what do you sing at the top of your lungs with all your buddies? A pop song, that’s what. Here are my favorite singalongs on the charts right now:

Neon Trees – “Animal”

I love the scratchy vocals and the tempo of this song. Neon Trees has been climbing the charts with this winner and I say good for them! This is a great track from an overall snappy album that has been a big hit on my stereo lately.

Adele – “Make You Feel My Love”

Oh my goodness, this song is beautiful. Adele’s rich, sultry voice is perfectly matched to the vulnerability in these lyrics and video. Currently at #20 on the UK charts, this slow, gorgeous song is sure to win a special place in your heart.

The Wanted – “All Time Low”

OMG hot boy band! Ignore their stiff, wannabe male model poses and all around cheesy video and just concentrate on their dreamy (and varied!) facial structures, hairstyles, and outfits—all while bobbing your head along to this kick ass dance jam! I love this song for it’s catchy hook of a melody and the British accents that peek into their singing voices. Adorable!

-Carmen B.

Music Must for Your Week: Kings of Leon’s Come Around Sundown

Hailing from Tennessee, Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill’s groaning, moaning, heartbroken vocals have been a sexy staple to my record collection since I first heard the band’s Grammy award winning “Use Somebody” in 2008. Only By The Night was just a great album, dudes—and their latest release, Come Around Sundown, is pretty darn good too. 

The guitars are still sleepy, the beats still kicked up and a little dusty, and the boys are still frustrated and frenetic. These tracks are a bit more complex than their previous hits, a change that reveals slightly more grown up Kings that aren’t afraid to take a musical risk, but largely you’re getting a record that sounds like a continuation of Only By The Night. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

 You can stream the album for your listening pleasure!

Come Around Sundown was released earlier this week! Are you gonna pick it up? 

XOXO

Carmen B.