AAC

Not a fan of this, unfortunately. The chorus is strong but the verses are just so weak. I much prefer his R&B tracks, but that's down to personal preference, I suppose. I don't think this will smash like his previous lead singles.

Well, you think a track like this will be a hit? Please. You may think The-Dream & Tricky's productions are generic, but tracks like "Haunted" epitomise that description. And while "Memoirs" may not have been a commerical success, it's one of her most critically acclaimed records (even though she's never going to be much of a critically acclaimed artist) with higher rankings than "Emancipation" or "E=MC2" on Metacritic. Anyway, I even stated that it probably won't bring much success for Leona which is why it won't happen, but it's just something I'd like to hear. She's got the voice for R&B, just look at "Can't Breathe". Yep. Lady GaGa and RedOne have a real connection, sonically, but I'm seriously not a fan of his production in general. Oh, and The-Dream was behind "Single Lades" and "Umbrella". He co-produced the former w/ Tricky Stewart, and wrote the latter. They are both known to work as a duo; The-Dream writes, while Tricky produces (although they are both songwriters & producers).

No, just no. I really don't like this. I'm glad she's seemingly working on uptempo material, but they need to be hot tracks that has mass appeal. A track like this won't work. She's in danger of jumping on the bandwagon (far too late, I might add) and becoming incredibly unoriginal. Working with RedOne will just enforce that way of thinking. Totally out there, and probably wouldn't bring much success, but I'd love to see her work with The-Dream & Tricky Stewart. She has the voice for R&B and would seriously complement Tricky's beats. It's never going to happen, as they wouldn't want to take much of a risk, but I'd love it.

#1 Urban #2 Urban AC #16 Rhythmic Get that multi-format smash! It's a shame Pop won't be catching on, but who knows, stranger things have happened. Who cares, it's a smash hit regardless of support from CHR mainstream.

It sounds like what you would now expect from a Ne-Yo lead single. I'm not really anticipating this record, but the single has potential, I guess.

http://octobersveryown.blogspot.com/ OVO leaked the mastered version of "Miss Me" featuring Weezy. So, it is the version that has been floating around for a few weeks, but it definitely sounds better in CDQ. The hook is really good. Not sure if it's third single material, but it's growing on me. "Unforgettable" featuring Young Jeezy leaked as well, and it's so f***ing good, but why the f*** does Jeezy dominate the song? He sings most of the hook, and has two verses. Drake doesn't even close the track. It has the Aayliah sample which didn't get cleared (apparently) but I can't imagine hearing the song without the sample, it just sounds so dope. If Drizzy was actually more involved in the songs it would be one of his best. A LQ radio snippet of "Fireworks" featuring Alicia Keys is also online. Doesn't really give much away, but holy damn I'm pumped for this track in full. Sounds great so far...

Damn, how can she come up with something so medicore? Honestly, it's just getting stupid now.

Totally agree. Although it's officially my favourite Alicia Keys song of all time, the UK really wouldn't appreciate this. I'm so glad it's the biggest hit from the "The Element of Freedom".

Official tracklisting: Anticipation is at fever pitch right now! I'm so ready to hear this.

So, "Miss Me" featuring Lil' Wayne is the third single. There has been a few leaks, one with Drake's verse, another with a Weezy addition, both with no hook. Then, I believe two weeks ago, a version featuring Weezy was leaked but the hook totally doesn't fit the track. The hook is great, but from Drake's description of "Miss Me" as a song, I'm thinking the verses will be completely different. I guess we won't know until it the full version appears on his blog next week. I'm hoping it's better than the leaked versions, as it's not that great.

Looks like this is going top 20 on CHR. Currently sitting at #22 and seeing some decent spin increases. It's doing quite well on iTunes as well. I actually really like this, even though she's a prime example of a "generic" artist. The chorus holds a great melody. It's easily her strongest release.

Oh snap! The official remix featuring Drake is out, and his verse is HOT. I knew it'd be out eventually. Anyway, the track is currently #2 on Urban, #3 on Urban AC & risen to #22 on Rhythmic! Still seeing major increases, should go #1 on Urban after "Over" runs it's course. Considering it's still rising on Rhythmic, it could end up being somewhat of a crossover hit. I don't think it'll do much on Pop in all honesty, but it could follow the trend of recent R&B leaning tracks (successful on Urban, Rhythmic with Pop eventually catching on). Who cares, this is the biggest hit for her since "Like You'll Never See Me Again" so I'm not going to complain.

Holy crap, I second that! "Strangers" had possibly the best backing track Leona's ever been given. Anthemic. The one we've heard is the unfinished version, I would love to hear what it sounds like after completion. It's actually one of my favourite Leona songs, even if the verses are a little weak.

Have no idea why "Perfect Stranger" didn't make the cut, it's a great track. As for the new leaks, eh, seriously, they're both average. "Burned Love" sounds OK for a standard Leona ballad, but "Playground" is so dull. The production sucks. I'm hoping these won't be considered for the new album. I hope this isn't the kind of record we have to look forward to, as "Echo" - although not as commercially successful as "Spirit" - was an amazing sophomore album. Some of the tracks came straight out of the 90's, but it's so much more artistic. Come on Leona, deliver some rehashes of "Can't Breathe" for the third record!

Maybe some people are only interested in mainstream pop acts? I'm definitely not one of them but seriously, who cares? So I LOL at you for belittling those people, it's just lame. Anyway, I don't really follow the UK charts as a lot of the music doesn't really interest me. I do appreciate some acts in the UK, but I grew up on U.S. urban music, so I mainly follow the charts of my home country. The UK singles chart can be quite interesting, with the races to #1 and all (as it's based on sales alone).

I don't think anyone has mentioned that "Over" is #1 @ Urban. I knew it'd turn out to be a smash on this format.

OFFICIALLY #1 on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop songs! It's her 6th R&B #1.

Yeah, the girl looks STUNNING. Literally, hot as hell.

I love "Born Free". It's such a mess, but a positive mess. "XXXO" is rather commercial, but still very M.I.A. A strong start, and I'm hopeful this record will prove to be as inspiring as the last.

I actually hate the original and even Alicia couldn't change my opinion. Even though I dislike the track, I think it proves QUEENlicia isn't just a one-trick pony. Girl can do whatever the hell she wants and make it work!

I think this is officially my favourite Alicia song ever. Seriously, this is just so smooth. It's not burning on me at all, either and I'm playing the track a ridiculous amount of times per day (which I have done since the album was released). I NEED that confirmation that it's #1. If it's not this week, it has to reach the top next week. It's still smashing on Urban radio.

Video is out, and the best of this era. Great plot. Oh, and word is that "Unthinkable" is #1 on Billboards R&B/Hip Hop chart. The chart will be released tomorrow, but here's to hoping she can dethrone Monica! I'm so thrilled this has become such a success. This is just what Alicia needed.

It's a nice track, I suppose. It was predictably boring, as all of these commercial sountrack singles seem to be nowadays. Leona's voice sounds great, though.

Well I'd much rather Queenlicia than Kings of Leon. Either way I know it'll be fire! Oh, "July" leaked a few hours ago. Apparenty, it's not a cut from "Thank Me Later", but rather an old track from 2008 (featuring Jhene Aiko). It's neat.

"Imperfect" leaked, a leftover from the "Memoirs" sessions. Clearly produced by The-Dream & Tricky Stewart and it's a great mid-tempo JAM! With a stronger hook, it could've slayed. Even without a soaring chorus, it's definitely a great song that could've made "Memoirs". Another, "Help Me Make It", has leaked, but it's only a snippet. It's acoustic, and sounds more like "Right to Dream" than anything on "Memoirs". Even though it's around 50 seconds long, it's something different for Mariah and actually refreshing. Her voice sounds great on this.