The Musiqtone Blog

It has been one whale of a year for Dutch singer-songwriter Esmee Denters.  What began as a YouTube account on a whim, singing her favorite songs for the world to see and hear has turned into a signing on Justin Timberlake’s label, opening for him on the European leg of the FutureSex/LoveSounds Tour and then finally an opening slot on Honor Society’s “Fashionably Late” Tour which gave Esmee a full taste on the American audience.  As she brings her edgy R&B/Pop sound from coast to coast, there’s no doubt the young singer-songwriter will find herself a place here in the US.  Fresh off a stirring and emotional duet with Honor Society’s frontman Michael Bruno, the chief head and chief editor at Musiqtone.com, Alan Ho puts the 21 year old budding star into The Audio Booth!

The Audio Booth:

Since the release of their debut album in 2008 “Shwayze”  Shwayze have made quite a name for themselves. Performing concerts nationwide and costarring with Cisco Adler on the MTV reality show “Buzzin”, the Malibu, CA hip-hop duo seem to be an unstoppable force.  In just a year’s time the two have grown to be American heartthrobs: singing their way into young girl’s hearts.

Keeping true to their roots, their new album “Let it Beat” consists of songs mostly about encounters with girls. Unlike their previous album though, they turn from their usual acoustic beats to experiment with a more electronic upbeat sound.  Don’t get me wrong though, the usual kick-back acoustic songs dominate most of the album; only a few tend to have pop undertones.

The single “Get U Home” is an undeniably a future chart climber. The new pop-style they are trying out is definitely working out for them. With just a few listens, the lyrics are stuck in your head. You find yourself moving to the beat of the song as soon as it begins to play. Like most pop songs, “Get U Home” is something you can listen to anytime, especially at a party. This new fun upbeat sound is shown in not only “Get U Home”, but also songs such as “Maneater” and “Dirty Girl”.

Don’t worry though, if your one to like the classic “Buzzin” Shwayze, they don’t disappoint in this album. With songs, such as “Sally Is A…” and “Perfect for Me”, the dynamic duo encompasses the easy-going spirit of California and young-love perfectly. Their slow-downed tunes are perfect for a relaxing day at the beach, especially is song featuring Snoop Dogg, “Livin’ it Up”.

Whether you’re looking for an album to chill out to after a hard day’s work or dance to at this weekend’s party, “Let it Beat” is the perfect choice. Shwayze is able to recreate the same sentiment of their original album, while throwing their fans a couple curveballs with a whole new pop-style. “Let It Beat” hits stores November 3^rd and is definitely an album worth checking out.

Album:  Let It Beat
Artist: Shwayze
Label:  Suretone/Geffen
Rating: 4.5/5
Album reviewer: Samantha Cano

Who:  Justin Bieber
Where: Atlanta, GA by way of Ontario, Canada
For fans of:  Jesse McCartney, Usher, Ne-Yo

Why you should check him out:  The 15 year old music wunderkind (he is self taught in the guitar, drums, piano and…trumpet) turned a chance parking lot meeting with Usher in Atlanta, GA into a kind of opportunity only his fellow peers can dream of.  This led to a brief bidding war in which Justin Timberlake attempted to snatch Justin from the megastar and former kid wunderkind for himself…ultimately the then 14 year old settled into Island Records with Usher as a mentor.  But before all that happened, the Canadian native was already a YouTube sensation, wowing his fans with covers from Usher, Ne-Yo and Stevie Wonder; building up over 10 million views through a grass-roots effort and word-of-mouth!

It has been already a whirlwind year for the teenage music prodigy in 2009, with appearances in his native Canada, his debut single ‘One Time’ gone platinum in Canada and climbing fast up the Billboard charts.  He charmed US audiences at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and about to take one of the biggest stages one can take on the morning show circuit, ‘The Today Show’ later on this month!

He carries the kind of charisma and music talent not seen in anyone under the age of 16 since Usher himself took the music world by storm at the young age 13.  It is no wonder the R&B star has taken the Canadian prodigy under his belt, Bieber’s potential is so high that perhaps…the sky is the limit.

His debut album, “My World’” will drop on November 17, 2009…so mark your calendars down as the date a music star was officially born!

Music video:  One Time

Who: Black-Eyed Peas
Video:  I Gotta Feeling
Why you should watch:  Oh boy do they have a feeling!  Check out their latest music video on the eve of their latest effort which is set to drop on June 9th!

Video: PARENTAL ADVISORY

Who: V-Factory
For fans of:  New Kids on the Block, Jonas Brothers, Push Play, Backstreet Boys, ‘NSYNC, Honor Society
Where:  Utah, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee

Why you should check them out:  Every decade of pop music has its teen idols.  In the 60s it was the Beatles, in the 70s it was The Monkees and the Osmonds.  In the 80s, you had Foreigner and The Police.  In the 90s, you had Hanson, Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC.  In this decade of the 2000s, you have Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Honor Society and maybe when this decade is said and done, a fivesome from all parts of the country could be added as a major luminary in the pop era.

One look at V Factory and you will immediately get comparisons to a modern-day New Kids on the Block (pre-comeback).  And why not?  They have the good looks and the good talent to back it all up.  Their music is highly addictive, a blend of New Jack urban pop and dance moves that harken back to the height of the late 90s boy-band era.

And while New Kids on the Block continues their comeback, another NKOTB could be rising for the next generation.  And that could be V-Factory.

Music: Love Struck

Links:
V-Factory Myspace