| the single life: issue twenty two |

// Chris Brown f. Joelle James - Leave The Club //

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Is it just me, or is Chris Brown the R&B version of Lil' Wayne? All these mixtapes are extras leaking in the last year or so have kept the once-villified star steadily in our sights. Of course, non of this would matter if the stuff he was putting out sucked. Thankfully though, a lot of it is top notch material. "Leave The Club" is a smooth jam featuring sweet-singing YouTube sensation Joelle James, whom Brown recently signed to his CBE sub-label. The pair have some nice chemistry and they make great use of another excellent Justice League production.

// J. Cole - Be (Freestyle) //

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Acknowledging he didn't mean to compete with Jay-Z and Kanye's Throne drop, J. Cole decided it would be safe to put out a quick 3-track download for his fans via his Twitter. Going in on Common's classic BE intro, Cole definitely does his thing. Best line: "Cole got delivery, bitch - you got Digiorno's." #niceee If you missed him last time he was in town, check him out @ The Vogue theatre on August 23rd.

// Big Sean f. Rick Ross & Pusha T - 100 Keys //

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Continuing his staggering rise to pop music prominence, Big Sean is giving us a surprisingly solid debut with Finally Famous. Backed by impressive guests and top tier production, the Detroit-bred rapper really is doing it big. While many of the tracks from the album are winners, my pick comes from the Deluxe Edition. The energy of the synths and the flawless timing of the piano riffs in the hook are irresistable. This is a different type of hustle anthem. It's not trap music or another DJ Khaled street banger, and I actually like that. A nod to WrighTrax for the beat is also well-deserved.

// XV - Foreign Exchange Student //

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I was a bit late getting to this, but I've recently been getting solid replay value out of XV's latest mixtape, Zero Heroes. The diverse rapper from Kansas has been b-u-s-y in the last 5 years. He's put out 16 mixtapes and 1 LP. If it wasn't obvious just from the album art, XV isn't afraid to mix it up and draw from various sources and genres. One of my favourite tracks from Zero Heroes is "Foreign Exchange Student." Sampling Miami Horror's "Holidays," Vizzy oozes about a girl who kills it in Black Ops, listens to The Pixies (religiously), and dresses her ass off to boot. Yeah, that'd be nice. Keep your eyes open for XV's new album coming sometime later this year.

// Elle Varner f. J. Cole - Only Wanna Give It To You //

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For a while, it was killing me that I couldn't figure out with 90's R&B track this reminded me of. Then it hit me: Groove Theory - Tell Me. What a classic throwback. (It makes me want to go on an Amel Larrieux DL spree!) R&B newcomer Elle Varner packs a bit more punch than Ms. Larrieux, and I would consider her new single with J. Cole a hit. The track is turning heads for its old school vibe. Get it on your summer playlist, pronto.

 // Big K.R.I.T. f. Yelawolf - Happy Birthday Hip-Hop //

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A early gift of rapper/producer Big K.R.I.T.'s soon-to-be released mixtape, Last King 2: God's Machine, "Happy Birthday Hip-Hop" is an ultra cool summer joint. Joined by Yelawolf, the two southern rappers toast hip hop over a jazzy piano-laden beat. The instrumental feels so good - I'll give God's Machine a serious listen if the rest of it sounds anything like this. Even with the DJ tags at the beginning, do not sleep on this! It's too sick.

// Washed Out - A Dedication //

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I've been a fan of Washed Out for years, and I was really happy to see his recently released Within and Without get such a positive reception. Boasting dreamy arrangements and surprising depth, the album really is a treat to behold. "A Dedication" ends the masterwork with a plodding, methodical clinic on nostalgic music-making. I never ever bothering to decipher the lyrics - all you need to do is just put it on and lay around for an hour or two. Best served on lazy summer afternoons.

// Pusha T f. Tyler, The Creator - Trouble On My Mind //

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Pusha's back, this time teaming with fiendish rap enigma Tyler, The Creator. Making a team of "hipsters, felons and thugs," Pusha's Re-Up fam shot the video alongside members of Tyler's OFWGKTA crew. The grimey beat complements both rappers in entirely different ways, but still manages to find balance. Still on the fence about Tyler's antics, I regrettably give him top marks for outshining Pusha. "Trouble On My Mind" will appear on Pusha's upcoming 9-track EP titled Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray.

// Gardens & Villa - Black Hills //

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Equipped with a wide-ranging array of sounds, California's Gardens & Villa recently made a decent splash with their self-titled debut album. My favourite track so far is the synth-heavy single, "Black Hills." Lead singer Adam Rasmussen's whimsical falsetto grows on you in a way not unlike that of Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes. I'd recommend their album for a good listen or two - you'll find at least one or two tracks to keep. Gardens & Villa will be making a stop in Seattle on October 11th @ The Sunset.

// Lloyd - Naked //

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At first I thought this song was kind of corny, but it grew on me. It's a rare successful attempt at something new for the grown and sexy. It's not old Barry White, but Lloyd takes a pretty good shot at creating something sexy without it coming across as sleazy or lame. (see: whatever song that was about him missing that pussy. Seriously, what was that garbage?)

| the single life: issue nineteen |

// Chris Brown - Talk Ya Ear Off //

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It's been a while since I've heard Timbaland turn out a beat as nice as this - it sounds like a Justin Timberlake  FutureSex-era production. This time, though, the benefiary of Timbo's handiwork is none other than Chris Brown. Built on some creative Timbaland beatboxing, "Talk Ya Ear Off" is definitely club-friendly without sounding too canned. Brown is chameleon-like, putting his own flair on the verses while channelling a little bit of JT on the chorus. He even attempts - albeit questionably - a little Michael Jackson during the break. All in all, it's a solid toe-tapper that'll make a fine addition to any R&B dance playlist.

// The Pains of Being Pure at Heart  - Belong //

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Contender for Top 50 of 2011 alert. Easily one of the most hyped releases so far this year, The Pains' sound harkens to some of our favourite 90's alternative rock bands. It would be cool if they did it all on their own, but the truth is some of that vintage (holy crap is early 1990's "vintage" yet?) alt sound is owed to their teaming with British superproducers Flood and Alan Moulder. These two legends can count U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, and The Killers as their past collaborators. Ho hum. Check out their album, also titled Belong. Past Me is playing air drums to this as we speak. Hell, Current Me is air drumming too.

// The Wilderness of Manitoba - Hermit //

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You'd think that a band called "The Wilderness of Manitoba" would be from Manitoba, but these guys actually call Toronto home. Rich, layered vocals and masterful control of pacing and harmonies are the hallmarks of this folk quintet. I've been listening to their album "When You Left The Fire" for about a week now, and it really is one of the most complete albums I've heard in a while. Nothing about them is overwhelming, which is ironically a godsend when you're like me: always thirsting for the next sound/song to knock me out of my chair. "Hermit" is the first song of theirs I came across, and it remains my favourite. Just don't listen to it while operating heavy machinery...

 // Lupe Fiasco - Airplanes //

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For those of you who like Lupe and/or still haven't gotten sick of B.o.B's "Airplanes". By the way, Lupe proves that he was made for this beat. Originally slated for L.A.S.E.R.S., the track was passed into Bobby Ray's hands at the request of Atlantic. Including "Nothin' On You," that's two hits that B.o.B. jacked from Lupe. Gee, I wonder why the guy hates his label...

// Savoir Adore - Sparrow //

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Labelmates to MGMT and Francis & The Lights, this Brooklyn-based indie pop duo has recently caught my attention with their new single, "Sparrow." It could be a transitive property of that wicked glowing ball of christmas lights they have (above), but there is a warmth and innocence to them that I can't deny. In true dreampop style, "Sparrow" reminds me of stupid love - the kind that is awkwardly normal when you're young but really, really uncool when you're older. Maybe that's what they're trying to get away from? Puppy love really is a lie, after all.

| the single life: issue fourteen |

// The Civil Wars - I've Got This Friend //

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 The Civil Wars are an indie folk duo comprising of Joy Williams and John Paul White. Best known to date for having their heart-wrenching ballad "Poison and Wine" featured on Grey's Anatomy, the pair recently released their first full-length studio album. Barton Hollow features many soaring harmonies that Williams and White have seemed to perfected in the relatively short period of time they've been performing together. "I've Got This Friend" is a folky number about that friend who just can't seem to find love. The tone of the song meanders between playful and melancholic, while both singers let loose vocally. Great stuff.

// One Republic - Secrets (Oblivion RMX) //


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I've got to admit, the release of One Republic's Waking Up two years ago totally flew under my radar. I've got a ton of respect for frontman Ryan Tedder, but One Republic's stuff has always seemed a bit one dimensional to me. Enter: Oblivion. Quite a few blogs have been showing much love to Oblivion's dubstep reinterpretation of One Republic's "Secrets." As we've seen lately, dub is slowly but surely creeping its way into mainstream pop. The glitchy robotic beeps and buzzes hit hard and enliven the polished (but relatively pedestrian) strings and percussion of the original. Check this out if you're curious about dub, but can't stomach whole tracks of it (yet).

// Big Sean f. Chris Brown - My Last //

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To the average casual music listener, the name Big Sean probably isn't considered a household name. Still a relative unknown compared to his famed GOOD Music stablemates, the Detroit native comes full-value on his latest single, "My Last." Assisted by a classy No ID production and catchy Chris Brown hook, the slick emcee raises his glass to life in the bigs. It's a feel-good track with a few whip-smart lines that'll crack a few smirks: "Since I signed the con’, I’m Louie Vuitton shine/ Up in Benny Han Han eating all the Wonton / Rose rose over a little Chandon / Put her hands down my pants, now she rocking Sean John." Look out for Finally Famous, due out early May.

 // Lupe Fiasco - All Black Everything //

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With LASERS, it's clear that Lupe Fiasco had to go for a more radio-friendly aesthetic. With Atlantic breathing down his neck, it's not surprising that album sales became the focus. Thankfully, Fiasco's lyrical pedigree is still front and centre for the majority of the album. On "All Black Everything", the Chicago emcee reimagines Black History had the cards been dealt differently. Set to a glamourous sample of the jazz standard "I'll Be Seeing You", the track soars as Lupe ultimately rallies for a brighter future. The other side of the coin, then, is a criticism of modern day Black culture. Take from what you will, but it's at least an intriguing conversation starter. What if...?

| best of 2010: 49 - 40 |

49. The Bird and The Bee – Heard It On The Radio (Cover)

Despite our generation’s love for all things vintage, it takes dedication to really educate yourself and have good knowledge of the legends who shaped the artists we to listen to today. That’s why we see so much sampling and cover work these days: it’s because a lot of stuff out today just isn’t as genuine as it was a generation ago. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gotten really into a song – thinking it was an original work – only to find out that the melody or a major passage was cut from a classic Stevie Wonder track, for example. Last year, we were treated to The Bird and The Bee’s tribute album to Hall & Oates, Interpreting the Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates. The LA-based synth-pop duo took on the arduous task of covering the kings of rock and soul and actually did a great job. It’s pretty hard to screw up Hall & Oates, but they pulled it off with just enough of their own artistic flare without rocking the proverbial boat. My favourite pick goes to “Heard It On The Radio,” but really, there are no losers here.

48. Chris Brown & Big Sean – Shit Got Damn

I’ve tried to wrap my head around why I dig this song so much, but I can’t figure it out. I’ve abandoned any technical breakdown of the song and landed on realizing Chris Brown has the swag and the tools to make almost anything good. As shown with the breakaway success of “Deuces,” I feel like the dude is one or two hits away from the R&B throne. With “Shit Got Damn,” C-Breezy unites with another young stud in Big Sean to create a super chilled anti-banger. There’s nothing flashy or instantly addictive about the track, but it just flows and is easy to pick up and keep on repeat for hours.

47. Metric – Black Sheep

As I had said when I wrote about “Black Sheep” in a previous Single Life post, I can’t get enough of this Metric song. It’s vintage Metric, fuelled Emily Haines’ intoxicating vocals. I particularly love the clock-like build-up and spastic guitars that accompany the main verses. I could also be biased because the song appeared (in its studio version glory) in “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” one of my favourite movies of last year. In any case, it’s a staple for any Metric or indie pop fan. Grab it off the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack.

46. Tennis – Marathon

Not much was known about Tennis when “Marathon” splashed into the blogosphere during late Spring. Even still, not much is known about the husband-and-wife duo beyond the inspiration for their music (their 7-month sailing excursion along the Eastern Seaboard). As “Marathon” would indicate, Tennis’ music is heavily nostalgic, drawn from their travelling experiences and a love soda shop pop. It’s a snappy little number that’ll have you tapping your toes and bobbing your head, for sure.

45. Lloyd Banks f. Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie, Fabolous & Pusha T – Start It Up Remix

YES - a glitchy, 8-bit-style instrumental laced by four of my favourite rappers.... and Swizz Beatz. Thankfully Swizzy only does the hook and lets the actual emcees do the spitting. Everyone raves over “Beamer, Benz or Bentley,” but I would call this Banks’ best offering since his work on the original Hunger For More. It’s almost overwhelming how everyone absolutely slays the beat. There are too many punchlines to quote, but Pusha and Fab take the cake for me.

44. Destroyer – Chinatown

Gotta show love for that hometown talent. 2011 could be the year Dan Bejar (aka Destroyer) finally gets his props. Combining a distinctly hushed West Coast vibe with smooth jazz horns, “Chinatown” just makes you feel like daydreaming about something or someone. I would play this on repeat as I laid on a grassy field to cloud-watch on a clear summer day. How’s that for imagery?

43. Sleigh Bells – Run The Heart (Dorian Remix Club Edit)

Before this countdown is through, you’ll have seen Sleigh Bells’ name pop up at least once or twice more. Their debut album, Treats, was as startling an introduction as I’ve seen in recent years. Harnessing the power of internet, the noise pop duo ran an open contest for fans to remix the popular single, “Run The Heart.” The Dorian Remix Club Edit wasn’t #1 when I checked things out, but it was definitely my favourite (most of the vote-getters were really hard dub-step mixes). The Dorian Remix is done in a typical house/dance style, highlighted by a nice progressive pattern that hits in waves. I’d get up from my seat instantly if I ever heard this at a party.

42. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (Cosmonaut Grechko Version)

Yes, “Maps” is a really old song, but its inclusion here is due to some fantastic work by Russian remixer Cosmonaut Grechko. I don’t remember where I stumbled upon this mix, but it’s sick. It totally reinvents the song, which is always dangerous when you’re dealing with an indie classic. For that, the good Cosmonaut should be commended. He’s actually got some other good mixes too floating around his Soundcloud. Check him out!

41. J. Cole – Too Deep for the Intro

The J. Cole train picked up some serious steam in 2010, and even though he hasn’t dropped his first studio album, Roc Nation’s prized rookie kept plenty busy in the past year. On his much-hyped mixtape, Friday Night Lights, Cole opens with the Erykah Badu-sampling “Too Deep for the Intro.” I’ve always had mad love for the guy for doing his own beats and writing his own rhymes. No doubt he’s skilled and “Too Deep...” set the precedent for the entire mixtape. Thankfully, he delivered from start to end.

40. Girl Unit – Wut

If you heard this kind of bass thumping down your street, you’d swear that was some really shitty southern rap putting out that level of oomph. Enter Girl Unit, whose unique blend of hip-hop and house sensibilities forged an absolute heater in “Wut.” Driven by a couple of simple female vocal loops, the track crests several times across its 7-minute duration and is a joy to listen to over and over. For a track that only really features 4 or 5 total words, it never seems to get boring. I’m not sure if this is anything you’d hear on the dance floor or even at a really music-snobby party, but it’s definitely a great choice for when you need a boost (eg. the drive home from work).

| best of 2010: 59 - 50 |

was MIA thanks to the flu last week. gonna burn through the top 50!

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59. Eminem – Space Bound

With Recovery, Eminem proved that even the world’s most celebrated emcee can add to his game. Long known for his anger-fuelled rhymes, Em seemed to find a new gear when it came to the snarl behind his delivery. While most people clamoured towards “Love The Way You Lie” or “No Love” as popular singles, I found myself gravitating to “Space Bound.” To me, this track is a throwback to the Eminem of years gone by. He’s still effective here without going full bore as he so frequently does in his newer material. Not that Eminem has been one for subtlety, but it’s still appreciated when he gives it a shot. I like the direction of the song: a rap ballad of sorts. 

58. Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Some people just don’t get Arcade Fire. You either understand and love them, or you don’t understand them and despise them for ruining your Grammy predictions. While I can admit I’m not a die-hard fan, I can certainly admire the heights they’ve achieved in the last year or so. With the critically-acclaimed The Suburbs, the Montreal alt-indie rockers continued to do things their way. “Sprawl II” is easily right up there with any of their best work.

57. Fabolous – You Be Killin ‘Em

Even though 2010 came and went without a major release from Fab, the Brooklyn rapper worked tirelessly to keep his music bumpin’ in his fans’ speakers. In conjunction with the slew of freestyles and street singles put out during the course of the year, Fabolous also treated his loyal listeners to There Is No Competition 2, a preview of sorts for his next album (due out this year). “You Be Killin ‘Em” again demonstrates Loso’s wordplay mastery over a very catchy Ryan Leslie beat. It’s an interesting partnership the two have formed; Loso’s Way 2 could be a monster if this is what it’ll sound like.

56. Drake x Coldplay – Ever Lost (Prod. By Chi Duly)

I’ve concluded that there simply isn’t much info on Chi Duly, the genius behind the Drake/Coldplay mashup album, October’s Very Cold. He’s from somewhere in the States (Phoenix? NYC?) and is currently not signed to any major or independent label. In any case, he really should be getting more love for putting together this underground treasure. “Ever Lost” is the intro track, and probably my favourite, but the whole album is pretty tight. Definitely worth the free download @ www.octobersverycold.com. 

55. Sky Ferreira – One

Sky Ferreira is one of the most interesting faces to pop up in 2010. The 18-year old got her first big break when she was noticed by Swedish production team Bloodshy & Avant (of Miike Snow) via MySpace almost 3 years ago. 2011 should be the year we see Sky’s first album, which will feature collaborations with several notable up-and-coming songwriters and producers. “One” was the first single released in Europe this past June.  Maybe I’m a sucker for the production, but I just like the way everything is put together. This is definitely a cleaner look for Ferreira, whom we normally see and hear a little messier than this.

54. Stromae f. Kanye West & Gilbere Forte – Alors on Danse RMX

Rapper/singer Stromae has been making rounds in the European circuit for a few years now, but 2010 saw his popularity explode thanks to the insanely addictive “Alors on Danse.” The trance-like saxophone-laden track is perhaps one of the best electro/hip-hop tracks to cross the Atlantic in recent memory. The international #1 later caught the attention of Kanye West, who jumped on a remix and made it a certified banger on North American soil. Newcomer Gilbere Forte rounds out the extended mix and adds his own flare. All in all, an impossible track to miss and a no-brainer for any party mix.

53. Sara Bareilles – Breathe Again

Sara Bareilles is probably one of the most impressive live shows I’ve ever seen. Her tunes are big and showy, and she certainly has the vocal chops to knock the show out of the park. That said, I’ve always found her ballads to be her strongest suit. In “Breathe Again” the heartbeat kicks pulse away as Bareilles agonizes over love lost. At her dramatic best, Bareilles soars and executes truly hair-raising dynamics between the 3:35 – 4:00 marks of the song. Not in the league of “Gravity,” but still a terrific track.

52. Cults – Go Outside

At this point, not much is known about the New York-based band. “Go Outside” was quietly released via Cults’ Bandcamp page. I’d normally attempt digging for more information, but the consensus from respected music guru sites is that no other info of note exists at this time. In this context, then, “Go Outside” is kind of weird and spooky. Is this what we’ll expect from Cults or is this juvenile, chanty music considered out of the band’s norm? Questions aside, the song is definitely interesting and easy enough to get into. Everyone loves a little xylophone now and again, right?

51. The Knocks – Make It Better

NYC producers The Knocks are better known for their mixes of established stars’ material, but they’ve proven to be well on their way in crafting their own hits. Whether releasing work under their own names or producing for others, the duo have a bright future with Neon Gold backing them. “Make It Better” is perfect summer fare. Driven by a perky whistle loop and catchy hook, the song is light on lyrics but will still rock any party. Not much else to say here.

50. Chris Brown f. Drake, T.I., Kanye West, Fabolous, Rick Ross & Andre 3000 – Deuces Remix

It’s fair to say no one has had to eat more shit in the last 2 years than Chris Brown. Condemned by several industry titans and abandoned by his fair-weather fans, Breezy seemed to be without a friend in the world for quite some time. Last year saw his phoenix rise once again, as his joint mixtape with Tyga, Fan of a Fan, brought the embattled R&B star back to the charts. Powered by the success of “Deuces,” phone calls from would-be collaborators looking to hop back on the Chris Brown’s dick poured in. Even after putting out the “Deuces” mega-mix, Brown openly criticized the sincerity of his peers. We still don’t like the domestic violence thing, but the guy has since paid his dues and it’s hard not to like how hard he's fought to get that respectability back. I give him props for being honest about his industry "friends," but it put a bit of a damper on this utterly stacked remix.

49-40 coming asap!

| best of 2010: 70 - 79 |

79. Ellie Goulding – Under The Sheets

Topping BBC’s Sound of 2010 list and releasing a wicked debut album is just tip of the iceberg for British singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding. Her voice has this crazy quality to it: on one hand, it’s velvety but almost sounds as if it’s about to crack half the time. She’s got the looks, decent vocal range, and the electro-pop genre seems to fit her just fine. Like some of the other acts on this list, many of the songs off Lights have been remixed and mashed-up with impressive results. Look for great things from Ms. Ellie in 2011.

78. French Horn Rebellion – Broken Heart

Go figure that two brothers from Wisconsin put out some of my favourite synthed-out electro pop in recent memory. If you haven’t gotten into their stuff yet, it may convince you that these dudes got some serious respect after touring with the likes of Sleigh Bells, Hot Chip, and Cut Copy over the past couple of years. Not bad company, if you ask me. Their debut, The Infinite Music of French Horn Rebellion is a gem. I missed out on its release until just a day ago, and I regret not following up with it sooner. Don’t sleep!

77. Crystal Castles f. Robert Smith – Not In Love

Originally included in their second album, Crystal Castles (II), “Not In Love” was redone with the help of legendary Cure frontman Robert Smith. The original version was one of the best on the album, but the reworking proved to be a winning combination. By washing out the background synths and injecting Smith’s vocals in lieu of Alice Glass’, the track takes on a subtle but strikingly dreamlike tone. By the time the simple chorus of “I’m not in love” drops, listeners will undoubtedly have the urge to jump up and shout the lyrics in unison. It’s that dope.

76. Samuel – Fader (The Knocks Remix/Temper Trap Cover)

I liked The Temper Trap’s original, but Samuel’s version just had a refreshing feel to it. While Temper Trap shot for arena wussy rock (and succeeded), the up-and-coming New Yorker hooked up with production wizards The Knocks and came up with this sparkling remix. It’s just pleasant to listen to: laid back, mixed well, solid arrangement. This is a case of nothing to complain about equals something to like. A lot.

75. Gold Panda – You

In 2009, Passion Pit exploded the world with their glitchy sampling ways. Similarly, UK-based producer Gold Panda got behind the boards and did a bit of a copy cat with his album, Lucky Shiner. Of course, there are differences between his style and the aforementioned Passion Pit though. It’s more apt to say that Gold Panda’s music is almost entirely instrumental, save for the occasional vocal sample. Overall, “You” is a fantastic trip, but what I like most is the little video game coin sound at 1:16. It may sound like a minute detail, but its placement is so precise like a little cherry on top of a sundae. That’s the kind of stuff that’ll make me sit up and pay attention.

74. Mr Hudson & Caspa – Love Never Dies

Ok, so Straight No Chaser bombed. Fortunately still relatively early in his career, Mr Hudson is still alive and kicking with the release of “Love Never Dies.” It doesn’t hurt that he still has Kanye’s backing. The trek into dub-step proved to be a good look, as Hudson has had success with electronic genres in the past. After my initial obsession with him, I’m now on the fence about Mr Hudson. Does anyone else find his voice really harsh sometimes?

73. Chromeo f. Ezra Koenig (of Vampire Weekend)

A couple of years ago, someone ruined Chromeo for me and set me back on them for quite some time. The exact phrase was: “Chromeo? They’re kind of like LMFAO.” Talk about a negative endorsement. I’ve since banished the thought from the old noodle and boy am I glad. They can get a little bit cheesy sometimes, but they’ve got hits! Business Casual was very likable and I particularly picked up on the lead track from the Deluxe/iTunes version. Nice guest spot by Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig, and I like the jazzercise groove. Good, honest fun. I like.

72. Chris Brown – Talk That Shit

If you've never been in a messed up relationship, let Chris Brown lay it down for you. He doesn’t go so far as to say the song’s about Rihanna, but one can imagine the mouth on a girl of her clout. The interesting thing about “Talk That Shit” is that it’s honest and to-the-point. I’m sure there are plenty of youngins out there screaming “Preach!” to Chris Breezy for this one.

71. Drake f. Jay-Z – Light Up

2010 was a huge year for Canada’s hip-hop ambassador. His first true studio album was massive, and his status will only continue to grow with the boss Lil’ Wayne free from the clink. “Light Up” is a tale of the come-up in a treacherous rap game, with Jay-Z taking the role of hardened industry veteran and mentor. It remains to be seen how sincere the master/apprentice act is, but it pairs perfectly with the gloominess of the instrumental.

70. JoJo – In The Dark

At the height of her popularity 5 years ago, JoJo was still only 15 years old! After label conflicts caused her to fade into obscurity, she’s made a strong comeback bid with her mixtape titled Can’t Take That Away From Me. (Who said music isn’t about politics?) Now armed with a new distribution deal, the former teen sensation is back and all grown up... and by grown up, I mean she’s angling towards being another sexpot pop star. Well good luck to you, JoJo. You’re swimming with the sharks now.

| the single life: issue ten |

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