Song of the Month - Adam Barta "Superficial"

I know, I know. I just did a post on this two days ago. So what? The song of the month is all about the best release (indie pop artists get priority) that was released this month. And go figure -- I'm in love with Adam Barta's new single "Superficial". No it's some cheesey Tan Mom track. This is a real single. And it's hot!

I have been waiting for this moment for literally years. It has been quite some time since Adam's last solo single "Q&A". He has been busy trying to create a buzz by making a song with nearly every psudo-famous person in the world (one of them was someone famous just for looking like Kim Kardashian. I mean c'mon!). Thankfully he's ready to step back out on his own, and "Superficial" is exactly the track he needs to do it.

"Superficial" is a fun electropop track that gets everyone dancing. This was made with club plays in mind, which isn't a bad route to go in this day and age. The track's lyrics give an interesting spin to the tradition views on life. Instead of being ashamed of being superficial, he is embracing it. He would rather be living life and being himself, happy and free, than "deep" and miserable. It's certianly not the common opinion, but it really does give an awesome look in from the other side, showing that everyone is entitled to be themselves.

I've already covered bases with the video, but I have to say two things once more. "Oh lordly that Rebecca Glasscock" and "Damnit, Adam! You still haven't hooked me up with that dancer!". I think that puts everything in order here.

You can grab the new track on iTunes! It's still climbing and we want this one to shoot right up the charts! Love it? Hate it? Love me!? Comment below and share, share, share!

Single of the Month - Colette Carr "Ham"

Ok, so I covered this song just last week, but honestly I can't get enough of it. This is cCarr's first appearance on this list since we switched from Song of the Week to Song of the Month. Sure the music scene has been a bit slow lately, but 'cmon. Even if it wasn't, how could I say no to Colette Carr? Let's check out her new track with Ben J of the New Boyz, "Ham".

This song is very different from what people may be used to hearing from her. Sure she has rapped before, and had complete songs dedicated to just her rapping, but we haven't seen a song of this caliber since her debut mix tap Sex Sells. This song is fun. This song is polished. This song is exactly what needs to be played on the radio. Not only is it radio-worthy, but it's the same style as what is popular right now. Let's push this track to blast off.

I was pleased to see Colette working with one of the New Boyz again. They were featured on her killer track "Sex". Having big name rappers in at her side certainly is not hurting her career at all. She's also featured Kev Nish from Far East Movement, and electropop icon Frankmusik on her last album.

This track is fresh off the heels of her debut album, The Skitszo Collection, and it proves that she isn't going to slow down one bit. This is the first single off of a new mixtape (which usually means it will be free!) called Going, Going HAM set to be released sometime this year.

You can snag the track off of iTunes now!

Song of the Month - Giulietta "No De$$ert"

It's been a few months since I've even heard the slightest peep out of Giulietta. After all the insanity surrounding her last album and the fact that she had her last single produced by T-Pain, it looked for a bit like she was going to let things calm down a bit. Wrong. She's back again with a new single and a hilarious and sexy new video to go along with it (you'll understand which is which when you see it.) Here's my top pick for August 2013 -- "No De$$ert" by Giulietta!

Oh lordy this cover is hilarious. Taken straight from the music video more or less, it depicts the star of the video, aside from Giulietta, getting her dessert. I actually don't understand the name of the track, since "dessert" is hardly mentioned at all. She spends most of the time bossing around whoever the song is written to be towards. She comes off much more cute than bitchy, thankfully, which makes her even more adorable. I know she's going for sexy but look at her bein' cute!

Musically I'm a bit torn. As a stand alone song, I'm in love with this track. It is very Hyper Crush sounding, not being too rap, but also not truly electronic either. It has a traditional rap beat, but the vocals sway far from the genre. As a Giulietta song I'm a little saddened. I'm used to "Voodoo" and "Pretty In Pink" style Giulietta. Perhaps I'll get that back in a future single. For now, I'm running with the flow here, and it's amazing. Unfortunately Taylor Skye's parts of the song were minimal.

As usual for this artist, the song is not up on iTunes. It is, however, available to listen to for free on SoundCloud and YouTube. I can't express enough how ballsy it is to release music regularly for free. The music industry is expensive, so don't take her free stuff for granted. Her last single "No Where" was available on iTunes, but it was also produced by T-Pain, so it was a bit expected.

Check out the official video below for a good laugh or two and see her look amazing!

Song of the Month - Natalia Kills "Saturday Night"

Did this really surprise anyone? Actually, it might have. In my review for the song, I noted a few things such as it not feeling like a full single or not being as strong as her initial tracks for the new album. I was wrong. "Saturday Night" is one of my favorite tracks, and it has grown on me an insane amount. That is why this song is July's Song of the Month!

I can't exactly put my finger on what it is that makes this song so amazing. It isn't the typical pulsating and growling type of track that Kills has shifted her focus to. Instead, this piece is a shining example of how a true story can make for a powerful song. Natalia has come out and said that many of the tracks from her new album are events or memories from her life, and this is no different. "Saturday Night" in particular is based off of her experience as a young teenager having to bounce from home to home as her wealthy parents shuffled her around the globe. It all seemed surreal, and all she wanted was a taste of normalcy.

What is really great about the song is that if you hadn't known about her life, you could still piece together what happened without her outright telling you. The power of lyrics is an amazing thing, and well written ones don't have to come out and spell everything out for the listener. This shows a definite change from her first album, which did have more complex writing, but was about more superficial things (pun intended).

This looks to be the last taste we will get of her new album Trouble before it's September 3rd release. Thus far, between this song, "Problem", and "Controversy", it's looking to be a well rounded sound, and seems to be staying true to her promises she made for the album. Now all we can do is wait... and listen to this song over and over for another month.

The song is up on iTunes for your enjoyment! Grab it now to tide you over until the full album.

Song of the Month - Levi Kreis "Gonna Be Alright"

Imagine this: I was writing up a story on this artist, Levi Kreis, about his new single "Gonna Be Alright" when the media splashed with the news that DOMA had been stricken down. Homosexuals can now get married (where legal, obviously) and not have to call it something like "domestic partnership". This is for real. "Everything's going to be alright," I said. Awkwardly enough I was singing along to this track when I said that. Point is, this song fits so perfectly with this month, that I've dubbed it June's song!

This track isn't exactly new. It's actually from Levi's 2009 album, Where I Belong, but it has been redone to a point that it's nearly unrecognizable. The vocals have been updated, the beats are pulsing, and it has magically become a club banger. Another odd thing about this song is that there's no "real" version of it. By this I mean there are a lot of mixes, but no original version aside from the '09 one. For the time being, the "Jared Jones 2k13 Radio Mix" is being used for the basic analysis of the track.

What I love about this song is that it really is an anthem for LGBT Pride -- which is the month of June by the way -- and this combined with the recent triumphs in the US Supreme Court -- really make this song have a much more special meaning. It is a message of hope to the community (whether or not that was it's original intention) and it gives us what we all want: Something to shake our booties to. Someone back me up here!

With both the choosing of this song, as well as it's message that I hope to continue sharing, I wish everyone a Happy Pride! I have worked hard at TOTU to point out as many of the positive aspects of LGBT in today's music and television. I hope everyone, LGBT, straight, or otherwise, can see what positivity the homosexual community has to offer.

You can also grab the track on iTunes now!

Song of the Month - Cascada "Glorious"

Cascada has come a very long way. They've had ups and downs, they've had bit hits and huge misses, but I can honestly say they've stayed consistently good over the years. This single, made special by their representing an entire nation on one of the most watched TV shows across the pond, is no different. May's Song of the Month is "Glorious".

I don't know if this song was a response to some of the backlash on the internet they've received in the past. After hearing "all their songs sound alike", they have now come out with something that sounds strikingly different from what we've heard in the past. It still has the bumping bass and the racing synths, but it's laced with a different vibe -- a much more uplifting one.

This month was harder than ever to decide on a selection, but when it came down to it, I felt that this was the best selection. They may be well known, especially in Europe, but this single has gone largely ignored in the US. As a matter of fact, since their last single in the United States, "Evacuate The Dancefloor", they've had two more albums that haven't seen the light of day stateside.

While not exactly indie, they are somewhat of an anomaly here in the US, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The song is good, the singer is gorgeous, and the timing is perfect. They may not have come even close to winning Eurovision, but they certainly won my heart. Here's to the fifth addition to this year's Song of the Year competition!

Grab the track on iTunes, and gear up for the second half of this year!

Song of the Month - Dream Beats & Molly "Beneath The Lights"

I know I just did a story on this a few days ago, but it came down to this and another track (which is up for a special Wild Card Position I will address soon), and both of them were from the last week. I had no choice, really. It looks like my faves Dream Beats have won my hearts again -- and since they have put it up on US iTunes, it's free game!

Dream Beats is quickly becoming the go-to producer for indie pop. I say that because he is making a habit of turning artists who are just starting out into internet phenomenons. And this guy doesn't even have a thousand fans on Facebook. He just magically makes people awesome. Molly is no different. She has the talent, and now with an amazing track, she is sure to excel and move on to even more hit pop tracks.

There isn't much to say about the song that I haven't said already in my previous post. It is a great song with a very interesting juxtaposition between verse and chorus. The Dream Beats production is the solid foundation, and Molly's vocals are the glittery sparkles that bedazzle the top. And that, my friends, is the gayest thing I have ever said on this site.

Ever.

Grab the track on iTunes so he keeps finding new talent to make songs for so I can keep this gig going!

March Song of the Month - Kim Smith "Jealous"

I know, I know. The Song of the Month is supposed to be posted on the last day of said month, but sometimes I get busy. So, without further ado, allow me to reveal the Song of the Month for March, 2013 -- Kim Smith's sexy hit "Jealous"!

Don't know who Kim is? That's understandable, I guess. He released his first single this month, and it has been on my mind ever since. I have always love independent artists, especially when they are quality acts. He is Australian and sexy. What more could you ask for? Maybe a sexy song? Well then get a load of "Jealous".

This song is about exactly what you'd think it is about -- being a complete jealous bitch. Ok, maybe "bitch" is a bit too far, but it is very relatable. One can assume that the song is about an unrequited love (it never comes out and explicitly says so), due to him saying he is jealous of all the other boys in your life. He would even like to just be a fling with you, but you ignore him.

Why would anyone ever ignore Kim? I mean he is buck naked in his new music video, and with that body and that mug, whoever this person is ignoring him must be messed up in the head. I mean just check him out.



You can grab the single for yourselves on iTunes.

Song of the Month - Brandon Hilton's "Daddy"

It is quite refreshing to do a song of the month as opposed to a weekly gig. It makes the stakes higher, and the competition tougher. As you know, I don't focus much of mainstream music, so in the grand tradition of Taking Over The Universe and the Universal Conquest Awards, we will continue to pick indie artists for this distinction. This month, Brandon Hilton has released a new single that has this blogger doing a double take.

I know what you are probably thinking: I talk about Brandon too much. Yeah, that might be true, but when an artist grows as much  and as quickly as this one, I can't help but brag about him. This time around, he has switched things up, moving from 100% pop to dabbling in R&B. While it's not a huge change, it still marks growth, and shows us a different side of him.

The song itself is about his life with his dad. Things get a little ugly, as his history with his dad is complicated. He has not publicly went into details of what happened, but the song does shed some light onto the situation. This also marks an interesting turn as it's his first song to have an explicit warning label, which can be contributed to his bitter feelings about the whole ordeal.

There have been mixed feelings about the song thus far with his fans. I, for one, like this change, as it makes him into a more diverse and deep artist. He has cleared up the confusion a bit online saying that this was an experiment and will probably not a style of music he is going to pursue in the future, but it was a story he felt needed to be told.

You can preview and buy the February Song of the Month "Daddy" by Brandon Hilton on iTunes.

Song of the Month - Nausea Nostalgia

So in case you haven't noticed, the Song of the Week segment has been tossed out of the window. For many reasons, I have decided to go with a monthly segment instead of a weekly one. Now, every last day of the month I will be hand picking a song that I feel is the best of the best for that month. This will make the UCAs much more precise as well as up the stakes for everyone involved. So here is January's entry: Kids Without Instrument's hot track "Nausea Nostalgia".

I may have done a story about these two less than a week ago, but when I looked over the new crop of tracks for this month, nothing stood out more than this unique duo. It combines the best parts of artists like Black Kids and Gotye into one amazing package. The vocals may not be perfect, and the music may be a bit odd to those used to popular tracks, but it all meshes together so well.

The song is about remembering an old relationship and deciding whether to let it go or try and move on. Both the male and female vocalists seem to be wanting the same thing, but are having trouble communicating this to one another. The title alludes to this, without being the focal point or the hook, which is a bit of a refresher while still not going as far as Panic at the Disco or Cobra Starship had done.

Wanna know what is the best part about the song? It's free. I have never knocked on free music. Even if you don't like it, nothing was lost. Putting music out for free is not only a great way to gain fans, but also a gesture from the artist showing that they are not just in it for the money, but also for the sake of art.

You can grab the track for free on their Facebook page. Don't forget to "like" them, too! And also, take a moment to look at the re-vamped rules for Song of the Month. The limitations are much more relaxed, allowing for many more people to submit their music. Click on the "Suggestions" tab to get started!