Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Page + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week

It's Tuesday! Time for another round of "5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week"!

I'm in an EDM state of mind, which is why I've selected (mostly) pulse-raising anthems from both pop stars and established dance floor titans alike this week: Synth-tastic comeback tracks, pounding club cuts and soon-to-be summer smashes from pop stars with predilections for pink wigs -- it's all here!

1.) Nicki Minaj, "Pound The Alarm"

It's a glorious day for Barbs, Kens and Ken Barbs around the world: Today sees the release of Nicki Minaj's bananas o'clock sophomore record, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Of the many Euro-tinged blazin' club bangas on the rapper/ singer/ bad b**** enthusiast's new record, "Pound the Alarm" is almost certain to be an instant fan favorite. Let's put it this way, SAT style: If "Starships" is to Lady Gaga's "Just Dance," then "Pound the Alarm" is to "Poker Face."

"We're 'bout to get up and burn this floor/ You know we're getting hotter and hotter/ Sexy and hotter/ Let's shut it down," Minaj declares during the song's Ibiza-ready bridge. And then, with a single foghorn blast (straight out of Britney's "Stronger"), the track ricochets into its bouncy, off-the-walls beat blast -- much like her current single. Starships were meant to fly. Alarms, however, were meant to be pounded. Can you say summertime smash?

+ LISTEN TO NICKI MINAJ, "POUND THE ALARM"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week after the jump!

2.) Jennifer Lopez, "Dance Again"

After all this time spent looking glamorous behind the table as a judge on "American Idol," it's hard to believe that flaw-free mamacita Jennifer Lopez has found the time to return to us on the radio with her RedOne-produced banga "Dance Again."

For her brand-new beat, Jenny has but three real desires: 1.) To dance. 2.) To love. 3.) To dance again. Featuring a guest verse by Mr. Worldwide himself (Pitbull) atop a sample of Nightcrawlers' "Push The Feeling On" ("Shimmy, shimmy, y'all, shimmy yam, shimmy yay!" -- actual lyric!) Jenny's latest soon-to-be smash re-creates the celebratory synth-pop magic of the hits from her latest studio album, LOVE?, including "On The Floor" and "Papi."

Basically, it's hot, hot fiya on the dance floor. Now then, let's get started on tackling J. Lo's wish list... and dance!

+ LISTEN TO JENNIFER LOPEZ, "DANCE AGAIN"

3.) Dragonette, "Let It Go"

After several years of kicking out fresh, pumping tunes, Canadian synth-pop outfit Dragonette expanded their electro-wings over the past two years with some incredible EDM collaborations, including "Fire In Your New Shoes" with Kaskade and "Hello," the 2011 worldwide smash hit single from Martin Solveig. But now the band's back and fixin' to thrill once more, starting with the lead single, "Let It Go," from their upcoming album. The shimmering, summery new track sees lead vocalist Martina serving hook after hook above blaring synthesizers and bouncy beats: "We don't need a cure for the weight of the world, 'cause it's floating round in the universe," she merrily croons.

Like a cross between Kylie's "In My Arms" and the group's collaboration with Kaskade from 2010, the group's bringing nothing but feel-good vibes. I need to take a few notes from Dragonette: No stress -- just let it go! PHEW!

+ LISTEN TO DRAGONETTE, "LET IT GO"

4.) Kat Graham, "Put Your Graffiti On Me"

When "Vampire Diaries" starlet Kat Graham isn't busy dealing with loads o' drama from the undead, she's busy prepping tunes for her delicious side career as a fierce, fabulous electro-pop star. Her latest release, "Put Your Graffiti On Me," finds the fast-rising songstress tempting her spray can-wielding lover across a matching band beat. "Tag me!" Graham declares, launching into a deliciously hip-twerk friendly clang-a-lang breakdown. It's just like LMFAO's "Everyday I'm shufflin'!" ...well, except with more cowbell.

The video for the track's equally booty-pop worthy (if not even more so), featuring the ridiculously hot chanteuse working animal print for days (lip tattoos!), ferocious choreography and enough high ponytail flips, grabs and twirls to cause you to briefly concuss.

+ LISTEN TO KAT GRAHAM, "PUT YOUR GRAFFITI ON ME"

5.) Morgan Page featuring Nadia Ali, "Carry Me"

After unleashing two major dance floor anthems over the past few months -- "In The Air" with Angela McCluskey and "Body Work" with Tegan & Sara -- DJ/producer Morgan Page just released his sensational third studio effort today, In The Air.

"Carry Me" is but one of the many gems tucked away into Page's latest, featuring the unmistakably rich, melodic vocals of dance floor queen, Nadia Ali. "You carry me, it would be bittersweet/ If you weren't here, then where would I be?" Ali croons in her usual fluttery style above the tranced-out beats. Gorgeous production, gorgeous vocals -- it's a stunning success for both parties involved.

+ LISTEN TO MORGAN PAGE FEATURING NADIA ALI, "CARRY ME"

Bradley Stern is a writer from Connecticut. In his spare time, he enjoys organizing his Britney Spears CD collection in reverse chronological order and plotting the various ways in which he will bring down Katy Perry to become Rihanna's best friend. But most of all, he spends his time tweeting musing daily about pop music on his blog, MuuMuse.

Photo credit: Getty Images/PictureGroup

Filed under: Music

Top

No Comments »

Leave a Reply




Back to Top