PINK - BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)

The latest album title from PINK sums up the singers persona perfectly.  Blow Me (One Last Kiss), gives you attitude, innuendo, and just enough sweetness that balances this ever relevant singer.  NEW PINK

I must admit, for years Pink was a bit of an enigma to me.  I grew up consuming music by Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Whitney, & Mariah - all strong women who made their mark (or continued to) in the era when music became a visual medium.   When Pink burst on the scene in 2001 with "Get The Party Started", it was a smash hit around the world.  The single was a song to be heard endlessly on the radio.   For some reason though, her records never made it into my collection.   I'd hear the singles, love them, but not make them mine.  It might be that her popularity prevented me from feeling the need to buy the tunes, because I could hear them anytime I wanted by turning on the radio... but of course then I would only hear the official singles, and not the gems that are oftentimes hidden on great artist's albums.  It was her live performance of Glitter in the Air at the 2010 Grammys that took my breath away.   A dazzling spectacle that saw her twirling and spinning through the air ala Cirque du Soleil, in the best shape of her life, flawlessly hitting her marks.  Pink had arrived.

This is just part of why Pink deserves my, and your attention.   She is a talented song writer, singer, & performer.PINK - AS SEEN ON HER WEBSITE - CLICK TO VISIT   She brings so much power and edge to her work, but can also romance you with her voice - not an easy range to cover.  What keeps this entertainer relevant and modern is her no nonsense, non-pretentious attitude and personality.   While her rebellious persona feels authentic, there is a level of manners and respect that comes through.  She is not so much rebel without a cause, but rebel without a pause - because she speaks from the hip and doesn't play the celebrity soul selling game to tabloids and / or reality shows.

One part Joan Jett, one part Janis Joplin,  Pink has a unique style all her own.   She is sexy enough to grab your attention, and talented enough to keep it.  If I had daughters, I'd hope they would listen to her music - and more importantly - take her message to heart. So What, Stupid Girls, & especially  F**kin Perfect are anthems to young ladies to believe in themselves and urge them not to validate feelings of insecurity projected on you from others.  All of these song help prove she is the most authentic "girl power" singer of her generation, Pink is the real deal.   

Click images to listen or shop.  Watch her performance of Glitter in the Air at the 2010 Grammys below:

LISTEN TO FASHION? ROBYN STANDS OUT!

The fashion and music world go together like models and rock stars.  A performers image has become as important as their vocal ability for marketing and publicity.   In the late 90's, Cher was quoted as saying that people "watch music now".   Luckily for her, Cher was ahead of her time and worked her image as hard as she worked her vocals.   CHER IN BOB MACKIE AT THE OSCARSAlong the way, she made Bob Mackie a household name as the man who created those wild fashion statements. 

You can't talk about fashion and music and not talk about Madonna.  (Her next album M.D.N.A. is out in weeks!)  She did what few performers do.   Each physical transformation is a perfect extension of the music she creates. MADONNA - VOGUE  The 1980's was the decade of that saw the Music Video blossom.   What was once an optional way to promote music, became a mandatory tool to selling a band - which was now marketed like a brand.   The birth of MTV changed the industry forever, and Madonna was there at the beginning.

Today, there are a new crop of artists that grew up watching singing brands.   They know there is no separation of church and state - so to speak.   If you aren't a size two, you better have the pipes of Adele to make everyone notice & not notice.

Then there is Robyn.  This Swedish singer and songwriter is not your average pop star.  With a unique look, a unique sound, and unique moves, Robyn gets noticed with every move she makes.

Her debut album "Robyn is Here" in 1995 brought acclaim and a hit single "Do you know (what it takes)?".   Enter the bad news... Several years of contract hell and corporate wrangling over creative control stalled her career, which should have been multi-platinum by this point.

After buying herself out of her contract and forming her own label, Robyn was finally able to release a much anticipated follow up album - "Robyn" with the single "With every heartbeat" that brought mainstream success worldwide.  Brighter days are here!  The album Body Talk with the single "Dancing On My Own" is strong enough to relaunch her name to a new generation of pop fans worldwide!   

The sound is groovy pop that has an edgy 70's sound that can only come from someone form Northern Europe.   If Abba and the Jody Watley had a daughter, it would be Robyn. 

One of the coolest things about Robyn, is that she has this huge following and great style, and has still remained independent.  She has made a choice not to affiliate herself with any one designer brand.   She has said in interviews that although she loves fashion, when she thinks of the artists that inspired her growing up - you didn't think of a brand name, you thought of the person.  Madonna and her rubber band bracelets and headbands of fabric are a perfect example. 

Click one of her images to listen to the smooth dance tracks by Robyn now!