Correction

A while back we posted the album cover and tracklisting for Nicola Roberts' debut solo album, Cinderella's Eyes. We got the information from a reliable source, but we were misled. They weren't the real thing. Well here's the final article. Obviously the artwork is cropped, unless Nicola's going to be the first person to release her album via an oval shaped CD in a rectangular box...

She looks a bit miffed, like she's gotten half way through sorting the stuff in her basement for a lovely front yard sale, and become bored.

1. "Beat of my Drum"
2. "Lucky Day"
3. "Yo-Yo"
4. "Cinderella's Eyes"
5. "Porcelain Heart"
6. "i"
7. "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime"
8. "Say It Out Loud"
9. "Gladiator"
10. "Fish Out of Water"
11. "Take a Bite"
12. "sticks + stones"
    

Hmm but also Sigh and Meh

What on earth is this? It's Kanye West's new music video-cum-album-sampler. Not one to be outdone, he decided Lady GaGa's videos clearly weren't long enough, and has released a 35 minute one.

Couldn't they afford more realistic claws for the phoenix?

This is art. THIS IS ART. THIS. IS. ART, apparently.

A big-budget Jay-Z video...

There's a fairly 'fierce' moment towards the beginning of this big-budget bonanza where Rihanna sets something on fire and then lowers her hood to reveal her beautiful face and cockatoo haircut. Other than that, depite all the money spent, it's fairly monotonous. There's a bit in the song where Kanye raps "no homo" and we have to say, as one of the gayest music blogs in the world, a music blog so gay we don't even know who Oasis are, that this sort of irritates us. The full lyric, if you care goes like this:

"everyone on your dick: no homo"

Whilst we are aware that Kanye West is not homophobic, and has, in fact, spoken up against homophobia in hip hop (something extremely brave and admirable) there's something a bit ridiculous about his need to assert that, yes, he is not gay. Well we realise that. It's a bit like when people say "I don't have a problem with black people but I'd never date one". You know? That sort of covert prejudice. "I don't have a problem with gays, but I am NOT ONE NO SIR I AM NOT." Well, Kanye, we didn't think you were, but if you carry on protesting like that we might get suspicious.

Don't get us wrong, we're not offended by Kanye's assertion that is "no homo". It's just interesting isn't it? Or is it? It isn't.

Stuck In Our Head: "Knock You Down" - Keri Hilson with Kanye West and Ne-Yo

Earlier this year we were vaguely damning about Keri Hilson's long delayed solo 'effort' - we just didn't think it had the personality to cut it. Well we'd probably still stand by that statement in terms of the album-as-a-whole, but that doesn't stop us thinking this single is VERY GOOD. It has enough hooks to keep everyone happy, and that sort of vaguely 'ravey' (take note, Steve Appleton) R&B synth that Timbaland made popular. The tune is also stellar. Yes, yes it doesn't reinvent the pop wheel and it's not going to change your life, but sometimes, as we've said before and we'll say again, you just have to let your ear-organs take over and just enjoy. Bonus point as well for:

"I was the captain of my pimp ship flying high."

Classical!

When egos collide...

Don't get us wrong. We worship at the altar of Madame GaGa and we have a lot of time for Kanye's music, but if there are two more deluded and self-inflated people in pop right now, we have yet to locate them. When Kanye's not DECLARING THAT HE IS THE GENIUS OF A GENERATION AND THE BESTEST MOST MASTERFUL SONGWRITER SINCE MOZART, Lady GaGa is just. like. omfg. dying. because her art is so artful and her very being is the essence of glitter punk Warhol pop fart.

Anyways... they're going on a tour together, according to reputable (psht) gossip website Pere... oh we can't even say it. According to this (ahem) reliable source, they will not be co-headlining or even co-supporting, they will be performing TOGETHER on stage for, like, several hours.

We can only imagine the ego-coloured fireworks that will go off... and if it comes to the UK we can pretty much guarantee we'll be down the front.

A picturesque Kanye West video...

Aren't the landscapes pwetty??

A psychadelic Kanye West video...

KANYE WEST!!!! WHAT TO SAY. THIS VIDEO IS FRESH YO. IT IS FULL OF COLORS AND RAINBOWS (WHICH DESPITE BEING GAY ARE SURPRISINGLY FRESH). IT IS SICK. IT IS THE ILLEST. KANYE IS THE FUTURE OF ALL ART.

Ok, no but seriously. Despite the fact that Kanye has angered us recently with his patronising of gays (love, we know what you're trying to do, but it's quite embarassing), this song, with it's haunting cellos is QUITE GOOD and the video is certainly WATCHABLE.

This, however, doesn't make it the best piece of art of all time, Kanye. Just sayin'!