Site News: #TheReturn

Hello to all of my readers. It's been a while, I know. I have plenty to say to you all and not a lot of time to do it, so why don't we get started? First of all comes the big announcement: Taking Over The Universe is coming back! Check it!

I am super excited to announce that the blog is going to come back full time starting this October. I am currently planning a big comeback week jam packed with interviews, "top lists" and maybe even an essay or two. I have been pulling favors and grabbing onto stories for the past month trying to pull together a great comeback week (or even week plus) so that you guys all can remember what you loved about this site in the first place.

I want some of the return week to be a surprise, but I can say that if you like my Facebook page you will get many more exclusive sneak peeks. All you have to do is like the page, and then click on the arrow next to the "like" button and click receive updates. It's that simple. You will get advance notice of who I am doing interviews with, what sort of essays I've been working on, and polled for input on all the upcoming top lists. Often I will go on Facebook and Twitter alike, and tell everyone who I am speaking with that week and see if anybody has any questions they want to ask the artist.

This brings me to our next topic: I am making a pledge right now to make this site more than just a music blog. Yes, music will still be a huge focus, but there are so many other aspects of this universe, and if I am to take it all over, I've got to start branching out. I am going to do weekly reviews of a few more tv shows, including the return of my RuPaul's Drag Race reviews. I have not decided which shows to follow exactly, but I will do my best to provide news on a wider variety of series.

I want the site to come back to not be just a good website, but a great one. We left off at a crucial moment with the UCA awards, but due to sickness and other personal problems, I was not able to continue things at the speed and consistency that my readers have come to know and appreciate.  That being said, the Universal Conquest Awards from 2013 are null, and due to the hiatus the 2014 UCAs will not be taking place. I have yet to decide if the UCAs will come back next year, but that is not even an issue this early in the game.

Basically, as a writer, I have been itching to get back on the scene. Writing is something I love to do, and I love that you all read and support me. I hope that this past year of being gone hasn't set me back too far. My goal is to continue on that upward slope, getting bigger stories, bigger interviews, and bigger readership.

Thank you all. It's time to for our comeback. It's time to take over the universe -- again.

If you would like to help, go on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and every other oddly named social media and hashtag #TheReturn and #TOTU and link them here. October 1, 2014 will be the dawn of a new era for us.

Universal Conquest Awards 2013

TOTU is back! It's time for the third annual Universal Conquest Awards. Due to time restraints, I'm doing things a bit different this year. Now we are going to vote for things in waves. This means that the categories will won't be released all at once, but rather one at a time in order for each participant to get their fair share of the lime light.

Today we welcome in Song of the Year for voting. We have the five chosen songs from across the year, along with two wild cards. The entries are:

Kids Without Instruments - Nausea Nostalgia
Brandon Hilton - Daddy
Kim Smith - Jealous
Dream Beats + Molly - Beneath The Lights
Cascada - Glorious
Levi Kreis - Gonna Be Alright
Natalia Kills - Saturday Night
Giulietta - No De$$ert
Colette Carr - Ham feat Ben J
Adam Barta - Superficial
Hyper Crush - Visions of Coleco (Wild Card)
XELLE - Red Flag (Wild Card)

Who do you think deserves to be the indie music world's best song this year? Voting ends Christmas day!

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!

Young London Kicks It Up With New Single

To say that I've been lacking on my Young London updates for you all is an understatement. I missed their last album, and the last video they put out got deleted (mysteriously) from YouTube before I was able to put up a story on it. Thankfully, Sarah and Matt never stop, and they have released a new single for me to ramble on about. Let's check out "Take A Chance".

I don't know if I could ever listen to a Young London song I don't instantly fall in love with. This track in particular, contrary to my initial thought of it being an ABBA cover, is no different. I actually kind of like this song more than the previous YL tracks, because I'm a huge Sarah fan, and she takes control for most of this song. As highly involved as Matt is in the production of the tracks, it's nice to see Sarah take the spotlight now and again.

This is another new song that is not from their previous album Instincts. Young London fans and I are hoping that this is the entry into a new period for them. For an indie band, they pump out music quickly, making this the beginning of their third venture in the short three years they have been active.

"Take A Chance" is a fun electropop romp through the new vibe of Young London. It mixes in a beautiful piano piece, making it feel much more two dimensional than things you would hear on today's radio. The lyrics are not explicitly clear on what they mean, but from what I gather, this song is about taking a chance on love. Go figure.

You can grab the track on iTunes. It's only 99cents. TOTALLY WORTH IT!

Adam Barta's New Music Video Is A Bit Superficial

And I mean that in the best way possible. Today, gay pop sensation Adam Barta dropped his new single "Superficial", along with a killer music video. Anybody notice that familiar face? We'll get to that in a moment. For now, enjoy Adam being damned for all eternity in a mirror. Think that spoiled the ending? No. It didn't, you prostitution whore.

Remember that familiar face I was talking about earlier. Yeah. That's Rebecca Glasscock from the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race, now airing as the "Lost Season" on Logo. She appears as the evil witch that is jealous (?) of Adam in the video, luring him into a mirror world. But never fear, Adam, there's a sexy prince to kiss you back to life from that poison apple. But for some reason he remains trapped anyway. Ok, so the plot doesn't make sense but look at how awesome they look!

It's really not as bad as it sounds. The quality is a huge leap from his past few videos, and the costuming is a pleasure. Rebecca looked like she was having a blast on the set and meshed well with Barta. I do have to say that I'm going to need the name, phone number, and Facebook of the guy dancing on Adam's left during the shots of him and Glasscock on the rooftop. That boy was fiiiiiine.

The song is the best that we've heard from Adam in a great while. For so long now, he has been releasing tracks with reality tv personalities that aren't as top notch as he'd been before. Thankfully now he's teamed up with some of the team behind Kim Smith's album Nova to bring us a true pleasure to the ears.

Team Barta is currently trying to get this song on the iTunes charts. It's steadily climbing, but it needs more support. Head on over and drop a cold 99cents to get yourself a great pop track and support an indie artist who needs a shot at the big times!

Album Review - Fifth Harmony "Better Together"

Fifth Harmony is my secret obsession. I may not have been into X Factor, but I can say that these five girls have some serious talent. They have been all over the Disney Channel, and they are besties with  Demi Lovato, but now is the time for them to shine on their own. Let's check out Fifth Harmony's debut EP, Better Together.

Album Review: Hyper Crush "Vertigo"

OK, I'll admit it. I love Hyper Crush. I mean it should be obvious with as many times as I post about them (and how often I make it a point to say how sexy Preston is), but I thought I should point it out just in case you are incredibly dense and hadn't caught on. Not long ago they released their newest album Vertigo, and of course I've gotta review it!