First Listen: Warrior by Ke$ha

December's most anticipated album is Warrior from Ke$ha! After taking a bit of a break to explore new musical options, pop's crazy rebel is back with a brand new album, and I've got your first preview of what to expect.

1. Warrior - I love the dark feeling I'm getting from this album, and it's easily distinguishable from her old sound. Her vocals sound really good, probably because of the obvious lack of AutoTune. This one is definitely dubstep influenced. I love the chorus breakdown and the dubstep break toward the end is interesting to say the least. Great start.

2. Die Young - The lead single off the album, I don't really need to cover old ground.

3. C'mon - The first song that sounds like the old Ke$ha, but that's not a bad thing at all. It's instantly catchy, and the lyrics are sing-a-long ready. It's more of the bubblegum pop than the dubstep sound delivered on the first two tracks. The lyrics are childish, but that's kinda the feeling I get from this song anyway.

4. Thinking of You - Immediately recognizable rock influences and they work really well. Mixed with dance influences and cheeky lyrics, it's a really fun track. The driving beat of the verses lead nicely into the slowed-down chorus. It rides the line of Ke$ha coming across as a jilted ex and a lamentful lover, which makes it kind of interesting to listen to, no matter your mood.

5. Crazy Kids - Beware the language in this song. It's dark, and it kinda reminds me of Die Young. Ke$ha wants to make it clear she doesn't care what you think, and I think she gets her point across very well. It's an interesting song...and I don't know if that necessarily makes it good.

6. Wherever You Are - Call this a dubstep ballad. It's interesting that we're already 2 for 6 with songs that have Ke$ha missing a man, especially considering most of her previous songs were about getting rid of the guys. But, I really like this one. The chorus is sick, and the final bridge breakdown is awesome.

7. Dirty Love - A full on embrace of love and sex. This is full-on rock and roll, and it's a lot of fun. In fact, Ke$ha sounds like she's having a lot fun on this track, which makes it really fun to listen to. Iggy Pop shows up to list people that have had sex (?) but it's interesting to hear Ke$ha with a counterpart. But a fun song, indeed.

8. Wonderland - I've always said that Ke$ha's ballads are underrated. This one is probably the closest she's ever gotten to an actual ballad. It's good. Her vocals are the most impressive part of the song. The content of the song is actually meaningful. It is a very good song.

9. Only Wanna Dance with You - An okay song. It's not entirely dancey or rock, a middle of the road combo. It's a rather innocent song for Ke$ha. There is a random guy at the end, and no one knows who it is soooo...there's that.

10. Supernatural - This is the song Ke$ha wrote about having sex with a ghost....anyway. This demo has been out for God knows how long, and it's a good song. It's got a dubstep heavy chorus, so if that's your thing, you'll probably like it. It's just a good song overall though.

11. All That Matters (The Beautiful Life) - Really, really like this song. It's a little safe for Ke$ha, but it's catchy and fun and the repeated chorus is shout-worthy. It sounds like it could've been sung by Katy Perry, and that's not a jab at either of these artists, but it's definitely an awesome song, probably my favorite on the album.

12. Love Into the Light - Not the biggest fan of this song. It's got a really interesting vibe, yet I don't know how well it works with the rest of the album. There is definite experimentation, I'm just not sure it's a hit.

The next four tracks are on the deluxe edition only:

13. Last Goodbye - Nice ballad. It's still got a danceable beat, like most Ke$ha ballads, but when she really tries, she can put together a good ballad. Full of little details, it's more striking than her party songs. I would love to see her write a song like this as an upbeat radio-ready song, it would show a lot of versatility.

14. Gold Trans Am - Not by any means the best song on this album, but it does have those rock influences that were experimented on earlier in this album. It almost kinda samples "We Will Rock You." It's catchy, although I wish the writing were a little more crisp. It's just a little bit away from being an awesome song.

15. Out Alive - Another pretty basic song, this one back completely to the dance roots. Her vocals on this one are pretty cool, I like the strain on "No one's getting out alive." The dubstep breakdown before the final chorus is siiiiick. I like it.

16. Past Lives - The deluxe edition album closes out with a ballad. It has potential, but I think it falls a little short. There is another guy singing and I don't know who it is. There is a lot of production here, and I think I would have liked it better with the simple percussion that the song starts off. Her vocals here aren't that stellar, either.

Overall, the album has some high points, but a fair share of misses. You can tell she did try to switch up the sound and she succeeds, for the most part. Animal and Cannibal had surefire hits, and I don't know if this one has as many, but I do appreciate the change in artistic style.

Favorite tracks: Warrior, C'mon, Thinking of You, Wherever You Are, All That Matters (The Beautiful Life)

What are you thinking of Ke$ha's first album in forever? You like the new sound? Got a favorite track? Let me know what you're thinking below in the comments section!

Evan

First Listen: Lotus by Christina Aguilera

Now that she's seen weekly on NBC's hit The Voice, Christina Aguilera looks to finally release an album with some relevance for the first time in quite some time. After 2010's Bionic which wasn't very well recieved, Aguilera is back with Lotus. Here's a first listen:

1. Lotus Intro - Interesting slow jam beat mixed with Auto-tuned vocals make for an intriguing opening track. There are many references to lotus, which is all about rebirth. It's got the heavy bass to boot, and it's a slow jam that you can get into. It sets up an interesting start for the album.

2. Army of Me - Picks up right from the first track with that ominous feel. These vocals definitely sound more like Xtina. This song is a solo write by the pop star and she has described it as Fighter 2.0. That description is pretty spot-on, at least in terms of lyrics ("One of me is wiser, one of me is stronger, one of me's a fighter, and there's a thousand faces of me"). It's got a danceable beat, but it's pretty dark.

3. Red Hot Kinda Love - This song jumps right into its funky beat and it's instantly fun, more than the first two tracks. It doesn't really build from there, but it's still a ridiculously fun beat. The vocals go from belting and airy in the blink of an eye. It's just a bit more fun than the first two songs which are more mellow.

4. Make the World Move - This song also carries the light feeling of the last track. And surprise....Cee-Lo Green makes an appearance on the song! It almost kind of works because there are elements of both artists' sounds in this one song. This one has more of a universal message (let's just love each other, a'ight?) than the other tracks. It's got a driving, foot-stomp beat, and it's pretty fun, especially the breakdown on the bridge before the final chorus.

5. Your Body - The lead single off the album which hasn't done too hot on the charts, despite the fact that it should be a bonafide hit. The sound actually fits with the rest of the tracks, with those bleaker undertones. Her vocals here are on fire and perhaps the song can go higher upon the album's release and a little promotion on Xtina's side. I dig it.

6. Let There Be Love - Instantly the most club-ready song on this album, from the beat, bass, and synths to the easy-to-memorize lyrics. I've heard rumors that this is the second single on the album, and it wouldn't surprise me. In fact, if Your Body can't take off, here's hoping this song finds success. Xtina's vocals, the production, it's all screaming hit.

7. Sing for Me - A very basic ballad that showcases Xtina's vocals. Added points for the key change. But a very simple song that works after two heavy dance songs.

8. Blank Page - Another simple ballad that is a little better due to the stronger lyrics. It's obvious that this album is attempting showcase Xtina's raw vocals, and she's not disappointing. The instrumentation takes a backseat once again.

9. Cease Fire - An interesting sound. It's got a military feel to it with the bombastic drums. It's a change of sound, but I'm not sure how much I dig it. It works for Christina Aguilera, though. If anyone else tried, it may not be as successful.

10. Around the World - Another song that makes good use of the drums, but really kicks it up. It's got a fun feel to it, and Xtina sounds good. But it's still just okay to me.

11. Circles - I love the feel to this song. It's almost got an island feel to it, but it's sassy and biting. This is Xtina's song to the critics, and she's not holding back. It's the most her voice is played with on the album, but it still sounds good and fun.

12. Best of Me - Another bombastic song, and this one is a cool anthem. This is more of a confident Aguilera telling off her haters, rather than the playful one that came out in the previous track. The production has millions of layers and it's cool to see them revealed one by one.

13. Just a Fool - The album closes with one of the most different but best tracks on the album. With a feature from Blake Shelton, the song has some country influence here and it's a great ballad. Their vocals mix surprisingly well here, and the grand instrumentation certainly helps. It's a great song, surprising considering their sounds are polar opposites.

Overall, the album has some strong spots, but overall, it is just good. There are potential hits here, and Xtina's added exposure due to The Voice will certainly help.

Favorite tracks: Red Hot Kinda Love, Make the World Move, Let There Be Love, Just a Fool

What do you think of the new album? Got any favorites? Comment and let me know in the comments section below!

Evan

First Listen: Take Me Home by One Direction

Hello everyone! It's been a while, but hopefully I will be back on a lot more soon. Anyway, the new One Direction album is now up for a free stream on iTunes, and I've got your first listen. So let's get started:

1. Live While We're Young - This song is pretty harmless and it's got a good jam-out beat. My only problem is that it sounds just like What Makes You Beautiful, which works, but it gets tiring fast. It's light, airy, and pretty carefree, but releasing it as the lead single might not have been the best idea since it sounds just like their biggest hit.

2. Kiss You - Instead, this should have been the lead single. It's infectious. It's like jumping on a moving train and you party the whole time. The firecracker delivery of the first verse and the poppy chorus are impossible to deny. I'm also to differentiate their voices, a little. Is it a lyrical masterpiece? No. But I'm not expecting that from these guys. This one at least sounds a little different from WMYB and I would've made it the first single.

3. Little Things - A complete change of sound. This is one of Ed Sheeran's co-writes on the album, and I wish there was a version of him singing this because he would sound good on it. As for 1D? It's such a complete change of sound for them, especially after the "YAY PARTY OMGZ." sound of the first two tracks. In fact, it's placement on the tracklist is what might make it not work so well here. You know what else I don't dig? The lyrics, at least coming out of these guys' mouths. I can picture Ed Sheeran singing about a girl with confidence and weight problems, but when these guys sing it, it just sounds...out of place? It's just not a 1D song and they don't make it work in their advantage.

4. C'mon, C'mon - Back to their original sound, this one works for me. The harmonies on the chorus are good and the driving beat makes it instantly catchy. Of course, this being 1D, the song is about dancing. And nothing else. It's still a very fun one, and definitely jumps back into that sound the first two tracks established. Additionally, the vocals sound pretty good here, although I wouldn't know exactly who is holding those high notes on top. But kudos to him.

5. Last First Kiss - Apparently, this is the band's favorite and they are all credited as co-writers. I like this one. These are the kinds of "ballads" the band should stick to (I'm looking at you, Little Things). With the growing chorus, even if it is sung in unison, these are the kinds of songs that the band can experiment with to good results. I can picture the middle-schoolers slow dancing to this, being awkward and dancing ten feet apart, but I can also see high-schoolers singing this at their prom. Better this than a super non-romantic slow song (at one of my proms, the song was "Forever Young" by Jay-Z...yep....super romantic).

6. Heart Attack - Another song that works because it is specifically their sound. These sound like songs that the group would've made on their first album, and it's still working here. The "Ow!" is funny, for what it's worth. And this works good after LFK because it's an easy transition. Good beat, good vocals, good song.

7. Rock Me - Digging this one, a lot. Darker sound and they really make it work. It pulls a bit from Queen's "We Will Rock You," but it works. It's a pounding beat and when the drums kick in on the chorus, you're in. It's a little more sexual and mature than their other "Oh, girl you're pretty and sweet" songs, so it definitely works better for the older fanbase. Even me. Ah.

8. Change My Mind - Another change of pace, but this one does work. Still manages to be sexual even as a ballad. It grows to the end, which I love on just about any song ever. It's sweet. Nice. Cool. Next.

9. I Would - Probably the closest we get to "dance music," which says something. This album is pure pop, but there are some pop elements with the bass and synths. Anyway, it picks up well from CMM and it features some good harmonies from the boys.

10. Over Again - Okay, I really feel like I've heard this before, sung by Ed Sheeran. He co-wrote the song, so hmm. Anyway. This is an Ed Sheeran kind of song that they can pull off. It's got the extra instrumentation which works with the extra voices. Ed's lyrics are wonderful, as always, and the boys sound just fine.

11. Back for You - The lyrics seem too mature for them ("Every time you wake up, you're hearing me say goodbye"? Umm....) but the song is catchy, although I am not a fan of the repetition of "back for you" in the chorus. Nice little song.

12. They Don't Know About Us - Surprised. From the beginning of this song, I wouldn't have guessed the chorus progression. Drums, synths, guitars. And it doesn't feel overcrowded. This one surprisingly works.

13. Summer Love - It's not a Justin Timberlake cover, so if you're disappointed...sorry. Guitars and harmonies, nothing better. Unfortunately, it's not as touching as it should be since it will be heard in the dead of winter, but it's a perfect end of summer song. It almost has a country twang to it. I really really like this one.

Overall, there isn't a big difference from the first album to this one, except maybe the sexual overtones to it all. Still, there is enough for young fans to still enjoy. The group obviously excels with pop songs ready for radio, but the ballads do work here (except Little Things, which I still reserve judgment on).

Favorite tracks: Kiss You, C'mon C'mon, Last First Kiss, Rock Me, Summer Love

What do you think? Do you have any favorite tracks yet? Post them below in the comments section!

Evan