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march 2024

 

Featured Review:  Jennifer Lopez    Featured New Artist:  The Last Dinner Party

 

February:

Green Day - Louis-Pierre Bergeron & Meagan Milatz

 

 

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Key for the stars

 

Buy Music CDs at CD Universe. Audio Samples and Reviews Available on Music New Releases

 

 

FEATURED REVIEW:

 

Jennifer Lopez – This Is Me… Now

Jennifer Lopez – This Is Me… Now

With her new album, Jennifer Lopez creates a sort of sequel to This Is Me... Then, released in 2002, which paid tribute to her lover at the time, Ben Affleck, as well as containing the timeless hit "Jenny from the Block". It was certainly her reunion with Affleck in 2021, followed by their wedding in the summer of 2022, that inspired Jennifer to write This Is Me... Now. The nearly 45-minute album is accompanied by a full-length film featuring music videos for each of the 13 songs on the record, from the title track to "Greatest Love Story Never Told", including the hit "Can't Get Enough". There's also a documentary entitled The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which borrows its title from a series of love letters written to Jennifer by Affleck. Unlike the film, which contains several cameos (Jane Fonda, Post Malone, etc.), the album is much more sober, with no guests and entirely focused on the Latin singer. Few tracks stand out, but the whole remains enjoyable right to the end and is sure to please her many fans.

Music Video: « Can’t Get Enough »

     

 

 

FEATURED NEW ARTIST:

 

 

The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy

Prelude to Ecstasy is the very first album from these provocative Londoners, who dabble in baroque pop and indie rock, with definite influences from Florence + the Machine, Suede, Roxy Music and David Bowie. Their rapid ascent is certainly due in large part to an opening slot with the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park before even releasing a first single. "Nothing Matters" is a perfect festival anthem, and has taken the UK charts by storm. The rest of Prelude to Ecstasy is bold, gothic alternative rock, with memorable melodies, intelligent romantic lyrics and an assertive theatrical edge. This is a very interesting debut album from a band that is likely to stand out in the next few years.

Music Video: « Nothing Matters »

½

     

 

february:

 

Green Day - Saviors

Green Day – Saviors

After a 35-year career, the Californian trio are still full of energy, and are back with Saviors, four years after Father of All.... The band continues in the same slightly more adult pop punk direction, with a cleaner sound, despite the trio's characteristic aggressiveness. Their melodies remain as effective as ever, and a few quality ballads confirm their versatility. The band doesn't deny its past influences, but Green Day is still able to make their own songs, their own style. Billie Joe Armstrong's pop instincts are undeniable, making Saviors both powerful and unforgettable. Green Day may not offer an album that will make you forget the classics of the past, but enough of the 15 songs will make you want to tap your foot or sing at the top of your lungs. (February 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « The American Dream Is Killing Me » - « Dilemma » - « One Eyed Bastard » - « Bobby Sox »

½

     

 

 

Louis-Pierre Bergeron & Meagan Milatz – Bravura (2023)

For Bravura, horn player Louis-Pierre Bergeron and pianist Meagan Milatz draw their inspiration from Beethoven. His "Sonata for Horn and Piano in F Major, Op. 17" (1800) is the first true sonata for horn and piano in the history of music and is the central work on this album. This masterpiece is accompanied by pieces for natural horn and fortepiano by Vincenzo Righini (1756-1812), Cipriani Potter (1792-1871), Franz Xaver Süssmayr (1766-1803) and Nikolaus Freiherr Von Krufft (1779-1818). Bergeron is the fourth horn of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, having performed with the OSM, Orchestre Métropolitain and Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières. He also collaborates regularly with Les Violons du Roy. As for Milatz, she is the winner of numerous competitions and appears as soloist with orchestras across Canada, including the McGill Symphony Orchestra. (February 2024 Featured New Artist)

ATMA Classique

½

   

 

january:

 

Peter Gabriel - I/O

Peter Gabriel I/O

A true progressive and art rock legend, Peter Gabriel finally presents his first album in 21 years. Each of the 12 tracks on I/O were released as singles during 2023 in two versions: Bright and Dark. Gabriel even went on tour before the album's release. The album therefore features both the Bright and Dark sides, containing the same 12 tracks. It is in the context of the album that each song takes on its full meaning, while there is a certain cohesion between them (despite frequent stylistic changes). The songs alternate between an atmospheric tendency reminiscent of the Genesis of the good years, and a more danceable pop side strongly influenced by the 1980s. In a way, the album is a logical follow-up to Up, his last studio album of original songs, released in 2002. On I/O, Gabriel offers music that demands some efforts, but rewards us greatly with its depth. (January 2024 Featured Review)

½

     

 

 

Zoe Wees – Therapy

Zoe Wees is a German adult pop singer with R&B influences. She made a name for herself around the world with the hit "Control" in 2019, then later with "Girls Like Us" in 2021, both appearing on this debut album. Her powerful, touching voice enables her to deliver emotional ballads and mid-tempo songs that reach right to the heart. In addition to her first hits, Therapy features her duet with 6LACK, "That's How It Goes", "Lightning", "Daddy's Eyes", "Don't Give Up", "Third Wheel" and "Hold Me Like You Used To". The album features no fewer than 20 tracks, totalling almost 60 minutes. There are a few tracks that are a little less interesting or repetitive, but the whole proves to be extremely solid, very effective in showcasing Zoe's talent as a singer. (January 2024 Featured New Artist)

Music Videos: « Control » - « Girls Like Us » - « That’s How It Goes » - « Hold Me Like You Used To » - « Daddy’s Eyes » - « Lightning »

½

   

 

decemBER:

 

Dolly Parton – Rockstar

Dolly Parton – Rockstar

When nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Dolly Parton initially refused, claiming she wasn't a rock 'n' roll singer. She finally accepted her induction, promising in return to produce her first rock album. Since the queen of country music never does things by halves, here is Rockstar, a double album of 30 rock tracks mixing original songs and covers. On her 49th career album, the 77-year-old singer, who has lost none of her voice, performs duets with numerous artists, including Sting on the excellent "Every Breath You Take", Elton John on "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (one of the best on the record), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Ann Wilson (Heart), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Debbie Harry (Blondie), Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Kid Rock, Stevie Nicks, Peter Frampton, Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar, Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on The Beatles' "Let It Be", P!nk and Brandi Carlile on The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", and several others. Many of the covers are far too similar to the original to be of any real interest, apart from Dolly's unique voice, which is often the song's only distinguishing feature. She does, however, cause a surprise on a few occasions, notably when we hear the first notes of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". We can only wait for what’s coming next, when she is accompanied by Lizzo and Sasha Flute, but we won't be bowled over by her version. Her cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" is also unexceptional, unaffecting and somewhat pointless. Dolly touches on blues rock, pop rock and, of course, country rock. The original songs don't particularly stand out, and often sound like rock songs from the 1990s. Dolly Parton doesn't take herself too seriously throughout the album, and you get the feeling that she made this project to enjoy herself first and foremost. Certainly, with over 140 minutes of music, the whole thing could have been tightened up quite a bit to keep only the best of it. But Dolly wanted to go all out with her rock trip, and we can only congratulate her on her audacity. What's more, it's her biggest career hit on the Billboard 200. (December 2023 Featured Review)

     

 

 

Jung Kook – Golden

Junk Kook is best known as one of the members of the K-pop boy band BTS. The 26-year-old South Korean singer-songwriter has just released his debut album, which is distributed worldwide. With Golden, he proves that he has perhaps the greatest potential of any member of the band to make a real breakthrough as a solo artist. His pop music is highly effective, with funky or R&B beats and unforgettable melodies. And unlike many K-pop artists, he presents it all in English, which will undoubtedly facilitate his breakthrough in many world markets. Kook can count on renowned producers such as BloodPop, Diplo, Andrew Watt and Cirkut, as well as songwriters like Shawn Mendes and Ed Sheeran. Also featured are rapper Jack Harlow on the fun-loving "3D", Major Lazer on the sensual "Closer to You", DJ Snake on the danceable electronic anthem "Please Don't Change", and Latto on the chart-topping, record-breaking "Seven" (the edited version is also included). Everything is in place to make Jung Kook an international star, who has nothing to envy Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber or Harry Styles. His catchy R&B songs are highly effective, as is his pleasant voice. Only the more haunting ballads can sometimes be boring (it's not easy to write good ballads), but the whole remains solid and no doubt we'll be hearing from Jung Kook for a long time to come. (December 2023 Featured New Artist)

     

 

novemBER:

 

Kylie Minogue - Tension

Kylie Minogue – Tension

Kylie is at her best when presenting upbeat, danceable music, and that's what she delivers on Tension. The first single, "Padam Padam", starts things off lightly and sets the table for the next 10 tracks, tailor-made for dance floors. The Australian hits the spot with the title track, "Hold on to Now" and the excellent "10 Out of 10", featuring Oliver Heldens. Tension features some of her catchiest choruses in a long time, real earworms. Influences from the 1980s can be heard, but it's mostly the 1990s that serve as the foundation for Kylie's thoroughly modernized music. Considering that her career dates to the mid-1980s, it's particularly impressive to see how well Kylie Minogue manages to keep up with the times. So, here's another great record from Australia's queen of pop! (November 2023 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « Padam Padam » - « Tension »

½

     

 

 

Rêve – Saturn Return

Born in Montreal under the name Briannah Donolo, Rêve is now based in Toronto. Her electronic dance music is tailor-made for both dance floors and pop radio. "CTRL + ALT + DEL" with Banx & Ranx helped her become a superstar, as well as earning her a Juno Award in 2023. "Tongue" and "Whitney" also conquered the pop world, and all these hits are included on Saturn Return, her debut full-length album. Also included are the highly effective "Big Boom" and "Hypersexual". In fact, there are few uninteresting moments to be found on Saturn Return, which offers quality dance pop music. (November 2023 Featured New Artist)

Music Videos: « CTRL + ALT + DEL » - « Whitney » - « Tongue »

½

 

The Kills – God Games

The Kills – God Games

After a career spanning more than 20 years, London duo The Kills finally arrive with their sixth album, seven years after Ash & Ice, perhaps their weakest. Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince's God Games is a great, creative and varied album. Co-produced with Paul Epworth, the album presents a rich, highly contemporary sound, in contrast to their more minimalist reputation. As usual, the explosive duo has no shortage of drama ("New York"), as well as returning to the past with a revival of the 1980’s Sunset Strip in Los Angeles (the apocalyptic love song "103"). The Kills also know how to be more introspective, as in the trip hop and ambient mix of the title track. Alison seems to be at the top of her game, demonstrating the full richness of her voice on several occasions, notably on "Love and Tenderness" and "Going to Heaven". God Games is their first album composed mainly with keyboards rather than guitar, a change that yields brilliant results. (November 2023)

½

   

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

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