An apocalyptic takeover of Radio Bobby by Lady GaGa’s ARTPOP left last week’s new music releases out in the cold (hey, it snowed here last week – so they were literally left out in the cold!).  So this week, I’ll be using my Top 5 format to rank new music from this week and last week.  Time to let your ears explore:

1. “Talk” by Illy f. Kira Puru (hip-hop/rap) – Aussie rapper Illy tops the chart this week with “Talk,” an upbeat, very catchy song from his new album Cinematic.  I’m fond of Illy’s voice – he’s got a great flow and it’s got hints of his Aussie accent, distinguishing him from the pack of similar-sounding rappers in music today. The feature by Kira Puru is what we’ve come to expect from hip-hop/rap songs with pop appeal.  That said, I think Puru has a beautiful voice and I would suspect we’ll be hearing more from her in the next couple years.  First Illy has to “make it” in the US, then I’m sure fans will want more from Puru (kind of like a Gotye and Kimbra deal, you know?). Did I mention the background beat is great for dancing?

2.  “Mirror” by Ellie Goulding (pop/soundtrack) – from the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Ellie Goulding is great at creating ethereal, ambient music.  Her voice is soft, airy, and delicate.  Lay that on top of a background that sounds both swanky and peaceful and dangerously cautious and your mind begins to wonder about the images playing at the moment this song comes on.  (Need another suggestion from the soundtrack?  Listen to Christina Aguilera’s “We Remain“)

3. “Bonnie and Clyde” by Kellie Pickler (country) – Kellie Pickler has knack for sassy, alluring country music. Despite seeming like another bubbly blonde, she’s committed to this song and it makes her seem a little rough around the edges, “I knew I’d be doin’ time, when you locked your eyes with mine…you and me boy are dangerous, all I need’s a warning sign…” A great vocal and a historical/film reference?  Nice.

4. “Booty Monsta” by Borgore & Victor Niglio (dance) – I’m not sure what the “booty monsta” is, but I am sure, I’m in love with this instrumental/engineered dance track – this beat may or may not turn my booty into a monster… I bet it does yours too!

5. “Chasing Twisters” by Delta Rae (alternative) – despite the official listing as an “alternative” song, it feels a bit country (and that’s perfectly okay).  It’s an upbeat [love] song about loss and a desire for the departed to “come back to me darlin’.”

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK: 

“Unconditionally” by Katy Perry – I’m a huge fan of director Tarsem Singh (Immortals, The Cell).  I love the look of his films – the surreal and accentuated beauty.  Perry’s “Unconditionally” video looks like it could be a Singh credit – especially those gorgeous falling snow clips! This has to be (by far) my favorite anything from Katy Perry.