Pet Shop Boys, Frank + Derol, Agnes + 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"!

This week's roundup includes the latest single from one of England's most prolific pop groups of all time, lush indie-pop offerings, a Swedish pop princess, and a blazin' banga from Danity Kane's most outspoken alum.

Pet Shop Boys, Frank + Derol and more in 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs of the Week!

1.) Pet Shop Boys, "Leaving"

This week, the legendary British electronic duo behind classics such as "West End Girls," "Go West," and "It's A Sin" -- the Pet Shop Boys -- return with their 11th (!) studio album Elysium. The record is a lush collection of chill electronic songs recorded in L.A. alongside Kanye West and producer Andrew Dawson. "Leaving," the album's lead track, doubles as their latest single from the record: "I know when enough’s enough and you’re leaving/ You’ve had a lot of time to decide on your freedom/ But I can still find someone to believe in love," Neil Tennant croons throughout the dreamy number, gliding on top of a sparkling synthesized pulse. With its haunting, melancholic melodies and razor-sharp signature PSB lyricism, "Leaving" isn't just one of the brightest highlights from the all-around amazing Elysium, but an instant classic in the band's ever-expanding repertoire. It's an absolute must.

+ LISTEN TO PET SHOP BOYS, "LEAVING"

Listen to more Must-Hear Pop Songs after the jump.

2.) Frank + Derol, "Lightning + Gold"

After unleashing what is undoubtedly one of the most essential tunes of the summer ("Barely Love You Too" -- Live it, breathe it, love it), Frank + Derol, aka songstress Codi Caraco and Brandi Cyrus (she of the Cyrus clan, yes), returned with a most essential debut EP last week. Included in the flawless four-track collection is the staggeringly gorgeous "Lightning + Gold," a sparkling moment of Ellie Goulding-like blissful coos and gentle synthesizers. Packed with, oh, about 74 billion different hooks and choruses, the track is an explosion of infectious synth-pop brilliance: "Love is all we are," the girls sing sweetly above the twinkling pulse. It's completely enchanting and further proof that the reign of Frank + Derol is only just beginning.

+ LISTEN TO FRANK + DEROL, "LIGHTNING + GOLD"

3.) Agnes, "All I Want Is You"

"Pop Idol" alum, powerhouse vocalist, and all-around Swedish Queen Agnes is utterly unstoppable right now. After releasing "One Last Time," the tender lead single from her off-the-charts amazing new record Veritas, the singer has returned this month with "All I Want Is You," a gargantuan burst of soaring strings, quivering vocals, and one whopping power-punch of a chorus. "All I want is yo-o-o-o-o-u," the stunning songstress flutters as the background vocals chant dramatically in the background. By the time we reach that stunning bridge, featuring Agnes howling with all her powerhouse diva might, we know we've embarked on a true religious experience, basically.

+ LISTEN TO AGNES, "ALL I WANT IS YOU"

4.) Aubrey O'Day, "Physical"

Aubrey O'Day -- aka Aubrey O'Slay -- is back to seize the day. After unleashing her Pia Toscano-co-penned power ballad "Wrecking Ball," the solo songstress just revealed a new cut last night called "Physical," a deliciously blazing hip-pop sizzler that recalls the blessed excellence of the dearly-departed Danity Kane. With Aubrey's seductive vocals, sizzling synthesizers, and a fire-hot chorus (which includes an interpolation of Olivia Newton-John's classic "Physical"), the track's got enough oommmph to make my body go on automatic (reference!) and straight onto the dance floor. Praise Queen O'Day!

+ LISTEN TO AUBREY O'DAY, "PHYSICAL"

5.) Anjulie, "You And I"

Anjulie, she of "Brand New B****" legend, is back with a brand-new beat, and it's quite possibly her best one yet. Produced by Italian house DJ/producer Benny Benassi, "You And I" is an instant dance-floor smash, recalling the loving feeling of a Kylie Minogue classic and the pulsations of Kelis' Flesh Tone (which coincidentally was also crafted by Benassi.) "You and I/ My heart's getting louder with you," the Canadian-bred chanteuse lovingly coos on the soaring chorus. Between those feel-good melodies and that unbeatable production, don't be surprised if Anjulie starts skyrocketing up the radio charts this fall.

+ LISTEN TO ANJULIE, "YOU AND I"

Bradley Stern is a writer from Connecticut. In his spare time, he enjoys organizing his Britney Spears CD collection in reverse chronological order and writing impassioned letters to Congress urging that Madonnalogy be taught in all public schools. But most of all, he spends his time tweeting musing daily about pop music on his blog, MuuMuse.

Filed under: Music

Top

No Comments »

Leave a Reply




Back to Top