New Music From: Christina Aguilera, Kelis

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT12cKlxKeM


Poor Christina. It's almost as if she's accepted that it's a Gaga world and everyone else is simply living in it. 'Not Myself Tonight,' the first major release off her new album Bionic, is Xtina's attempt at staking her place in the fashionable realm of electro-pop, already populated by much more well suited vocalists like Little Boots, Roisin Murphy and the mighty Lady Gaga herself. There's not much to the song, Aguilera warbles over some fully sick electric beats about how she's just not the same girl we used to know, "and if you don't like it fuck you." Classy.

The main problem I have with 'Not Myself Tonight' is that the original Dirrty girl is selling herself just a little too short. She's got a powerful, distinct voice. She knows this. We know this. So what is she doing with it? Nothing. Christina Aguilera separated herself from the Britney's of the world by utilizing her greatest asset (her voice, not her amazing skank powers). Without the voice, all she's doing on this track is coming across like Nu-Gaga. At the end of the day this song's going to get a ton of airplay, people will get drunk and dance to it at the clubs (myself included) and it will probably chart well, being the big comeback song and all. But this doesn't bode well for Bionic being the commercial AND critical success that past albums like Stripped and Back to Basics were.

Rating: 2/5

Kelis - Acapella
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8D9xCBcfzw

I've always had a soft spot for Kelis. She's a bad ass. You don't think so? Do you remember 'Caught Out There?' She was so angry back then. Of course commercial success wouldn't come until she showed us on sophomore album Tasty that her milkshake is better than yours, damn right, it's better than yours. Even that success was short-lived with follow-up album Kelis Was Here not meeting record label expectations. You've got to give her credit though because she's back again with the pumping club track 'Acapella.' Produced by some random named David Guetta, the track is starting to get some serious play and not only in the clubs! Guetta worked wonders for Kelly Rowland and the Black Eyed Peas last year and it looks like Kelis is next to benefit from some studio time with the guy. 'Acapella' isn't in the league of any of Kelis' major singles like 'Caught Out There,' 'Milkshake,' or 'Bossy,' but it's a decent enough dance song that's bringing her widespread success.

Rating: 3/5