A.U.I.M.E. | Beginning with the End (part one)

Now that I'm properly settled in to my new place, I'm going to get back into the music section of this obscure little blog. This is part one of a two part review of all the musical content I've accumulated since the end of 2013. This portion includes artists that are well established in the game or at least familiar to my iPod...

M.I.A-Matangi...This is the most energetic album of the bunch with incredible dance tracks that keep me bouncing off the walls every time I push play. "Exodus"/"Sexodus" are my favorite tracks; one is basically subtle remix of the other, but the song is so good she could have put it on a third time.

The Weeknd-Trilogy...I'm kind of obsessed with this kid; his vocals just sweep me away and I hear something new in each song that makes me love it more every time I listen. He also happens to be the originator of the melody behind M.I.A.'s "Exodus", which is probably why I like that song so much. My favorite tracks are "D.D" (a flawless "Dirty Diana" remake), "House of Balloons" and "Next" and so many more because everything is just perfection.

Britney Spears-Britney Jean...She's still the queen of pop as far as I'm concerned and this was such a wonderfully refreshing effort from her. Reviewed in full HERE.

Nine Inch Nails-Hesitation Marks...Trent Reznor's artistry is forever compelling and I'm loving his latest work. It's dark with flashes of unexpected levity with songs that are as complex as they are catchy. Favorite tracks: "Copy of a", "Satellite", "Came Back Haunted".

Natalia Kills-Perfectionist...I had to pick up some tracks from this young lady's debut album. I think her star is still rising and she's definitely on the brink of taking center stage with some of her songs being featured in some mainstream productions. Fave tracks: Acid Annie, Zombie.

Marina and the Diamonds-The Family Jewels...Katy Perry's more indie cousin is really brilliant and like Natalia, I had to seek out her earlier work, which I found to be a little more quirky than Electra Heart, but just as infectious. Fave tracks: "The Outsider", "Guilty", "Rootless", "Oh No!"

Beyoncé-BEYONCE...I'm seriously afraid of retaliation from the Bey Hive if I say that this is my first time putting any of her music on my iPod--I do agree that she's the Queen of the Universe so I hope that makes it better. Fave tracks: "***Flawless", "Haunted", "Blow", "Heaven".

A.U.I.M.E. | Old Pop, New Pop and Artpop

It's been a minute since the last A.U.I.M.E. post and since then my ears have been saturated with new material from old favorites and new discoveries from new talent.

Lady Gaga-Artpop...okay, so maybe I'm a closeted Monster, but it can't be helped--bitch can sing and she makes me dance. I'm not always here for her crazy sartorial antics, but I think she consistently delivers music worthy of heavy rotation. However, some questions arose while listening to her latest offering: Does she know Pluto is no longer a planet? Is she as into golden showers as R. Kelly? And most of all, is "artpop" going to be a new genre onto itself? If so, I'm here for it. Fave tracks: Aura, Swine, Jewels N' Drugs, and Do What U Want.

Katy Perry-Prism...I have to admit Katy's album didn't immediately pull me in like Gaga's or some of the other artists featured here, but she still gave me a well-executed dance pop album with some very notable standouts. Fave tracks: Legendary Lovers, Dark Horse, International Smile, By the Grace of God.

Natalia Kills-Trouble...Natalia is quietly changing the pop game. She's dark, she's edgy and she's completely unapologetic. The visceral imagery of her lyrics combined with catchy hooks and a distinctive vocal give her this incredible allure that I've never seen in any other pop artist and it doesn't come off as contrived, just raw and real. Her previous effort, Perfectionist is also a wonderful listen with some amazing standout tracks, but I think Miss Kills definitely stepped it up with Trouble, it's one of the most perfectly composed pop albums I've ever heard. Fave tracks: Stop Me, Problem, Controversy, Rabbit Hole, Marlboro Lights... (honestly, the whole thing is a gem).

Thirty Seconds to Mars-Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams...another symphonic rock pop (or whatever) album from the band with the sexy frontman. The only thing I don't like is how the number has been turned into a word because that's improper AP style, but the album is fantastic so I'll let it go. Fave tracks: The Race, Conquistador, Do or Die, Up in the Air.

Marina and The Diamonds-Electra Heart...apparently Electra was a fictional persona and now she is dead...? Despite that morbid detail, this album is tons of fun and has tracks that can lift me out of a bad mood any day. I love her husky vocal and the feminist-y concepts in some of her lyrics. Fave tracks: Fear and Loathing, Radioactive, How to be a Heartbreaker, and Lies.

The Weeknd-Kiss Land...so I guess Michael Jackson was reincarnated as a black, chubby, dreadlocked Canadian. This kid is insanely talented and I've always found his profane, creepily sexual music very compelling. I actually first encountering his syrupy vocals while shopping at Urban Outfitters years ago and I had to ask the salesgirl who was singing because I'd never heard anything like him before. Very few artists can take me to another world and his unique ability to do so pleases my ears--and my loins. Fave tracks: Belong to the World, The Town, Pretty, Tears in the Rain.