New Music Tuesday-Week of June 10, 2012

By: Jacob Elyachar

The Summer solstice may be in a couple of days but that does not mean that the music charts are heating up with lots of new releases from some of the hottest artists in music.

This week’s edition of New Music Tuesday will cover Usher’s latest studio album: Looking 4 Myself, Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off and new singles from Jennifer Lopez, Matchbox Twenty, Ne-Yo and another Sparkle single sung by the late Whitney Houston.

Looking 4 Myself-Usher

In the R&B superstar’s seventh studio album, Usher co-wrote a majority of his songs with some of today’s biggest names in the music production world including will.i.am, Max Martin, Diddy and Pharrell Williams.  Looking 4 Myself is a major departure from his last albums because it utilizes a lot more Eurodance elements in it.     However, Usher left a lot of room for other musical attributions in his album as the late Amy Winehouse’s producer: Salaam Remi brought a Motown ambiance with “Sins of My Father” and Pharrell brought a Sly and the Family Stone-esque edge to “Twisted.”

Final Thoughts and Grade: Usher continues to be on a roll with his music and while he continues to grow as an artist, the R&B artist remains one artist that does not disappoints his fans when he releases new music.   A-

Songs to Download: “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” “Scream,” “Looking 4 Myself,” “Numb” and “Euphoria.”

Usher performed “Scream” at this year’s Billboard Music Awards. Click here to watch the performance: http://youtu.be/etHLViQEn3w

Blow Your Pants Off-Jimmy Fallon

One of the segments that every Late Night with Jimmy Fallon fan looks forward to is when the Emmy-nominated host parodies a song that everyone knows.   In this album, you will find Jimmy’s collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Stephen Colbert, Sir Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen.  These 12 songs are impeccable, will make you smile and maybe have you singing along.

Final Thoughts and Grade: This is one of the best comedy albums of the year and some of Jimmy’s best material.  A

Songs to Download: “Scrambled Eggs,” “Bob Dylan Sings “Charles in Charge,” “Slow Jam the News,” “Friday” and “Neil Young Sings “Whip My Hair.”

One of the best parodies on this album was “Neil Young Sings “Whip My Hair.” Click here to watch the parody: http://youtu.be/DRbd12Sv1Ak

She’s So Mean-Matchbox Twenty

For the first time in 10 years, Matchbox Twenty will be releasing a new studio album in early September.   The first single that the alternative rock band dropped is “She’s So Mean.”   The song’s lyrics are fantastic, Rob Thomas sounds incredible and the sound is astonishing.    “She’s So Mean” is a great precursor to the band’s fourth album: North and a lot of fans including this author are glad they are coming back.  A-

Goin’ In-Jennifer Lopez and Flo Rida

“Goin’ In” is a track from the Step Up Revolution soundtrack and features two of the Top 40’s best dance artists: American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez and Flo Rida.    This has a great beat that will dominate the club scene in the upcoming months.    In addition to Jennifer’s seductive singing and Flo Rida’s smooth raps, keep on the lookout for cameos from Lil John, who moves this track with his enthusiastic shouts.  B

Lazy Love-Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo will drop his fifth studio album: R.E.D. in late September.  In order to prepare his fans for his latest release, he dropped the first single off of his highly anticipated album: “Lazy Love” today.   This song proves that Ne-Yo continues to his journey to superstardom and “Lazy Love” could be one of the best love jams in the summer.  B+

His Eye Is On the Sparrow-Whitney Houston

The latest single off the Sparkle soundtrack is Whitney’s cover of the gospel anthem: “His Eye Is On the Sparrow.”   This is a beautiful cover sung by the late recording artist and actress.    Whitney perfectly delivered her sermon with an excellent gospel choir and this song is a wonderful precursor for the movie.   A-

To listen to Whitney’s take on the classic gospel anthem, click here: http://youtu.be/eRdYSDSYTVY

I do not own any of the clips that were featured in this article.  They belong to the artists and their respective record companies.