MUSIC

#1. What do you get when you mix a rapper and the lead singer of an alternative band? Magic. “Airplanes,” a collaborative between rapper B.o.B and Hayley Williams from Paramore, took a turn better than expected. This hit is not only catchy and a great singalong, as most hit tracks are, but it’s emotionally powerful. B.o.B unfolds his distressed story about how he misses the old days when the world was simpler through his rapping. Hayley Williams sings the chorus of the song, which is stunningly simple, yet haunting and powerful. “Can we pretend that airplanes/in the night sky/are like shooting stars/I could really use a wish right now.” This song has definitely reached a great popularity height because of it’s strong quality in its catchy-ness and meaning.

#2. 3OH!3 is adding more spice to their fame with their new single, “My First Kiss.” Just like their past single, “Don’t Trust Me,” “My First Kiss,” which features Ke$ha, is extremely fun and catchy. You’ll be singing along to this song in no time. Nathaniel Motte and Sean Foreman, the duo that makes up 3OH!3, are all about having fun in their music. They always have danceable rhythms and unforgettable, entertaining lyrics. Those components are definitely present in “My First Kiss.” There is an endless amount of energy throughout the whole song, especially in the chorus. Ke$ha has a featured part in the chorus that is not very long, but does add to the catchy-ness. “My First Kiss” is just all around fun to sing and dance along to.

#3. “You Look Better When I’m Drunk” is the new, terrifically energized single by The White Tie Affair. The White Tie Affair is a pop punk/electronica band from Chicago. Though most of their music isn’t that electronica influenced, “You Look Better When I’m Drunk” certainly is. It is very playful, upbeat and overall the ideal edgy party track. The song is about a night where you just want to let loose and have fun, without thinking about any consequences. “Hey DJ spin the soundtrack/to bad decisions/and these drinks, make me/lose my self control/(that’s why)/you look better when I’m drunk.” If you’re looking for your summer anthem, here it is!

#4. Lady Gaga has done it yet again. Following up her past chart topping hits, (they have all been in the top 10 in USA’s Billboard Hot 100 chart) “Poker Face,” “Just Dance,” “LoveGame,” “Paparazzi,” “Bad Romance,” and “Telephone,” comes her new single – “Alejandro.” The track begins slowly, with a soft, sorrowful violin playing as Lady Gaga sings without any sort of background beat. Then the song begins to hit full charge with a strong and brilliantly catchy rhythm. “Alejandro,” which is heavily influenced by Europop and disco, has a very uplifting melody carried out through the whole song. The chorus becomes very addictive as Gaga repeats “Alejandro, Alejandro, Ale-Ale-jandro, Ale-Ale-jandro” to us. Lady Gaga has certainly created the ideal summer song with this single.

#5. Four Year Strong is an American pop punk band from Massachusetts. Their newly released album, Enemy of the World, is made up of amazing, head banging vocals, melodies and charismatic guitar riffs. In particular, their song “Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)” presents us with all of that. Lead singer Dan O’Connor will give you chills with his strong, straight from the heart vocals. The song is about a relationship that is no longer working out and angst is built up as it’s realized that their so called significant other was just a waste of time. “Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)” is also well built instrumentally – the guitar, drums and bass all pound out a fierce rhythm to match O’Connor’s infuriated singing. Ear catching, powerful and meaningful – it’s the perfect song to blast when you’re feeling uptight about someone.

~Christina Butan, Young Women’s Leadership School