Zoë Badwi - Album Sampler

Sorry for the lack of updates but I've been locked in a dark room listening to "4" on repeat. In fact, the only new music to break through my Beyoncé-trance in the past few days came from Australia's leading lady of dance. On Friday Zoë Badwi released a preview of her soon-to-be-released debut album "Zoë" and it's all killer no filler. The six song sampler contains the club smash "Release Me", her commercial breakthrough "Freefallin'", its misguided but hugely enjoyable follow-up "Accidents Happen" and the downright delicious Sarah Connor cover "Carry Me Home" (below) as well as two new tracks. They are both great but "Until You're Over Me" is a complete knock out. Penned by failed pop star Amy Pearson, who also flexed her considerable songwriting muscle on "Freefallin'", the song is a total smash. I love the dreamy synths and bittersweet chorus. It reminds me of Sophie Ellis-Bextor - only without the annoying accent. Fingers crossed this is Zoë's next single! The other new track is called "Believe You" and was written by the cheesy nugget lovin' sex symbol herself. A sparse piano ballad complete with strings and Adele-tastic lyrics, this is a real change of pace for Australia's club queen. I'm not sure how the track will affect the flow of what promises to be an otherwise turbo-charged dance album but it's great to hear Ms Badwi do something different and show off her powerful pipes. Kind of like when Sophie Monk covered "Ave Maria" on her debut. Ok, that's probably not the best comparison! "Zoë" is released on August 5. It goes without saying that I can't fucking wait.

Zoë Badwi's Carry Me Home - video review

I've been meaning to post this for a while now. Zoë's "Carry Me Home" video debuted a couple of weeks ago and I never got around to writing about it. It's no secret that I love the song - it's so soft and pretty - but the video is kind of perplexing. From the preview, I thought it was going to have an old Hollywood theme with the stunning dance diva standing around looking frail and beautiful on a staircase. That would have been enough for me and suited the song perfectly. But someone got a little too creative and gave it an "Eyes Wide Shut" twist. In the video Zoë decides to spice up her life by inviting her man to some kind of high-camp swingers party full of gays that look like they were rounded up outside Arq at 5am on Sunday morning. It's a bit random but fair play. "Carry Me Home" is going great guns in the clubs (up to #6 on this week's chart) and should gather more steam when it's pushed to radio in a couple of weeks. You can download the radio edit from iTunes now. Trust me, it's $1.69 well spent!

Wynter Gordon - Live & Acoustic

I guess I should start this post by reminding everyone that Wynter Gordon's debut album "With The Music I Die" was released on Friday. It's absolutely brilliant and you need to own it. Expect a full review soon. Now that's out of the way, time to talk about the gorgeous singer's Sydney showcase. When I hear a dance diva is doing an "acoustic set", I usually run in the opposite direction. Memories of Melissa Tkautz belting out "Sexy Is The Word" accompanied by only a piano still haunt my dreams but I had faith in Wynter. After all, this is the woman who cut her teeth on soulful jams like "Surveillance" before conquering the dance world - so I knew she would bring it. And she did.

302 is a tiny venue the size of a luxurious toilet cubicle. So they really weren't lying when they said it was going to be intimate. Wynter squeezed her way through the horde of admiring gays and eventually sat down at a microphone with only a guitarist for back up. She started with a knock out rendition of "My Guy", which showcased exactly how strong her voice is. J Lo's favourite songwriter told us she had a sore throat but it was impossible to tell. She sounded flawless. Next up was "Til Death", which came across a lot darker pared back to basics, and a surprise cover of Katy Perry's "ET". I loved her version and think it would make a cool B-side somewhere down the track.

I have to admit I had reservations about an acoustic rendition of "Dirty Talk" but it was a lot of fun. Her next surprise was a cover of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up". I have to admit I'm not familiar with the original but I'm going to hunt it down because Wynter's version was achingly beautiful. She closed the set with "Buy My Love", which has been confirmed as the next single from her album. I love the song and can imagine radio lapping this up. It's so cute and catchy! The only disappointment in an otherwise fantastic set was the absence of "Still Getting Younger". Happily, I was told that remixes have already been commissioned and the best song Kylie never released is firmly scheduled to be her fourth single. It's going to be massive!

Behind the scenes with Zoë Badwi

I love Zoë Badwi more than cold beer and fried chicken. She puts up with my drunk tweets and continues to carve out her own little niche as Australia's first lady of dance. While her last single failed to match the success of past hits like "Release Me" and "Freefallin'", the former Sirens singer should have more luck with "Carry Me Home". It picks up where the aforementioned Amy Pearson penned masterpiece left off - killer chorus, crisp synths and dreamy vocal - but shows off Zoë's softer side. There is a mellowness to this collaboration with TV Rock DJ Grant Smillie that will no doubt help the track crossover from nightclubs to commercial radio. You can dance to this or hum along to it while doing the ironing! "Carry Me Home" is quite possibly Ms Badwi's finest moment and the video is shaping up to be equally triumphant. As far as I can tell she just walks around a house looking glamorous but at least there is no bondage-dancing in train stations or weird special effects that don't really make sense. Zoë is keeping things classy this time around and I love the old Hollywood aesthetic. Check out a behind the scenes preview below and download the song from iTunes now.

Til Death - The Video

There must be something in the water because all my favourite divas are dropping new videos this weekend! The first clip that you really need to see - right this very second - is Wynter Gordon's stunning "Til Death". As far as I'm concerned, Australia's adopted club queen can do wrong. Her music is flawless, she saved J Lo's album from being a total trainwreck and has the best hair in music. Happily, two of these three defining characteristics are showcased in her latest clip. "Til Death" was amazing from the first listen but that chorus packs more punch each time I hear it. I've even come around to the Denzal Park edit! The video possibilities for such an evocative song were endless but I'm glad they kept it cute by going with a 'house party' theme. Think "Just Dance" - only with hotter guys and an attractive protagonist. It's a simple concept but they executed it really well. Wynter's personality shines through and I could spend a week writing love poems to that glorious fro! "Til Death" is already a massive club hit in Australia and has been lodged in the top 20 for weeks but this should push the track even further up the charts. Wynter's got this!

A Week Until Death

Apologies for recent the lack of updates. I got my gangsta lean on over the weekend - hitting up a Snoop Dogg & Nelly showcase on Friday, before rocking Supafest on Saturday. It was all very messy and I just couldn't face the computer. Which is annoying because I've been wanting to post Wynter Gordon's new gem since Thursday. You might remember that I wrote about "Til Death" a couple of weeks ago. Some bitches questioned the veracity of my claim that Denzal Park gave the track a makeover, well check out the clip below and take a seat! The Aussie duo have given the track a polish and it's already apparent that Wynter has another smash on her hands given the song's non-stop radio coverage. It's a killer jam and, dare I say it, an improvement on the amazing "Dirty Talk". However, I have two minor problems with it:

1. It is quite similar to Britney's "Til The World Ends" - both lyrically and thematically - albeit it with a gifted vocalist and fresher production. Wynter's track has been doing the rounds for months, so I think Ke$ha might have been surfing YouTube stoned one day and forgot she heard it before penning Brit's flop.

2. The WAWA radio edit is vastly better than the version being pimped out below. I love Denzal Park - a lot - but their version sounds like an edited club mix, while the Polish producers have turned the song into an irresistibly upbeat pure pop explosion. But until that leaks, I guess you don't know what you're missing.

Whatever. The song is defining and it wouldn't surprise me if it follows Wynter's triple platinum Australian debut all the way to the top of the charts. Enjoy and download (legally) when the song is released on Friday. Expect a remix package featuring the aforementioned WAWA, Dan Castro, Oxford Hustlers, Andy Murphy and Polen to follow shortly.

Wynter Gordon & The Duelling 2nd Singles

Yesterday Neon Records announced "Til Death" as the official follow up to Wynter Gordon's massive number one smash "Dirty Talk". The song has been doing the rounds for months but it has been given a complete overhaul by Denzal Park - the producers behind Zoë Badwi's fabulous top 10 hit "Freefallin'". I'm told it now has an "Only Girl In The World" vibe and is scheduled to hit radio on April 11. Some of you might be scratching your head, wondering what happened to "Pride (Putting It Out There)" but that was just a promo single for Mardi Gras. To muddy the waters even further, another record label is trying to cash in on the success of "Dirty Talk" by re-releasing the diva's 2010 club smash "Believer". Only now Vicious is pushing the track to radio as Wynter Gordon featuring The Freemasons instead of the other way around. Cheeky! It's a bit complicated but I kind of like the Wynter overload. Just remember that her official second single is "Til Death" but better yet - buy them all! My second favourite interviewee returns to Australia in April for the Creamfields dance music festival. Buy your ticket now!

Wynter's Mardi Gras Anthem

Do you remember when Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras used to have a different theme song every year? Most of them were pretty crap but occasionally they got it right - Dannii's "Everlasting Night" and Robyn Loau's camp Chaka Kahn cover "Never Miss The Water" both spring to mind. Well, it's that time of year again and Mardi Gras has decided to revive the tradition by roping in the services of party performer Wynter Gordon. And the stunning diva has outdone herself. "Pride (Putting It Out There)" has been floating around the net in demo form for quite some time but it has been polished to perfection for the Gras. I love the massive chorus and so 90s it hurts main room house influence. There are also inspiring lyrics about being yourself and a typically powerful vocal. The roof of the RHI will explode when Wynter belts out this uplifting anthem. I can't wait! It should be pointed out, however, that this is NOT the follow up to "Dirty Talk". That song will debut in the next couple of weeks. "Pride (Putting It Out There)" is just a gift to the gays while Neon Records sorts out single number two. Give Wynter's Mardi Gras anthem a listen below and keep an eye out for it on iTunes. It should be available to download in the next few days.

Accidents Happen + 10 Reasons Why Zoë Badwi Is Better Than Your Faves

Six months ago - has it really been that long? - Zoë Badwi unleashed "Freefallin'" on unsuspecting homosexuals across Australia and landed herself one of the biggest homegrown pop hits of the year. The song reached the top 10, went platinum and was picked up by Altantic Records in America. Which means there's a lot riding on the follow up. Lesser divas would have buckled under the pressure but Zoë delivers another knock out punch with "Accidents Happen". I admit it took me a couple of listens to get into but now the damn thing is stuck in my head and I'm getting RSI from repeatedly pressing replay on my iPod. The track, another collaboration with TV Rock, sounds like something Reina released in 1998 - which is possibly the highest compliment I have ever paid on this blog! "Accidents Happen" is cute, fun and should hopefully follow (the slightly superior) "Freefallin'" to the top of the charts. And if you still have doubts about this sublime songbird - sit down, read the following list and get correct!

10 Reasons Why Zoë Slays Your Faves:

1. Zoë was a founding member of iconic Australian girlband Sirens.

2. As such she bum-danced with Sara Marie on the trashiest novelty hit of the noughties. Respect.

3. One of my first music related jobs involved putting together a digital promo of her top 10 club smash "In The Moment".

4. Which - kind of - makes her my homegirl.

5. She tweets about Red Rooster's cheesy nuggets ie. the best fast food EVER!

6. I still hear "Release Me" every time I hit Oxford Street.

7. Her platinum selling mega-hit "Freefallin'" saved Amy Pearson (who co-wrote it) from a life of poverty and/or crime.

8. That song was 2010's ultimate 'pick yourself up, dust yourself off' anthem.

9. I suspect "Accidents Happen" is really about unreliable birth control.

10. Zoë teams a fluffy pink baby doll blouse with leather hotpants in the video - without looking like a cross between Baby Jane and a lesbian trucker.

Watch in awe as Australia's new queen of dance (sorry, Suzy Ray!) shows the other bitches how it's done.

Wynter - New Video & Aus Tour!

A couple of weeks ago I posted a preview of Wynter Gordon's new but not really improved "Dirty Talk" video. Well, the clip debuted in full earlier this week (below) and it's better than I expected. Wynter looks beautiful and it's definitely slick and stylish. I just think the trashy naughty school girl original was more fun and better suited to the song. But who really cares? I'm just excited "Dirty Talk" is taking off in Australia. The dance anthem is already a top 5 ARIA club hit, was the 10th most added song to Australian radio last week and is steadily climbing iTunes. As of last night it was firmly lodged in the top 100 and looks set to keep on rising. Even more exciting is news that Wynter is flying down to bless us with her fabulousness. America's hottest dance diva will before the following shows in December:

3 Dec Gold Coast East 88
4 Dec Melbourne Stereosonic
5 Dec Brisbane Stereosonic
5 Dec Brisbane The Family
9 Dec Melbourne Pool Room
11 Dec Adelaide HQ

Sydney fans don't get stressed just yet. I'm told Wynter is still negotiating a Sydney show. Can't wait to see her strut her stuff! I guess hope she sings "Wonderland". That's my jam!

Wynter Gordon's Australian Adventure

Wynter Gordon is name you need to remember. Over the past couple of years the talented diva has written songs for the likes of J Lo and David Guetta, made Flo Rida's "Sugar" bearable, covered a Donna Summer classic and is currently setting dancefloors on fire with "Believer" - a close runner up in last week's Pop Panel! Her latest move is signing a record deal with Australia's hottest dance label. Neon Records is the force behind Zoë Badwi's top 10 hit "Freefallin'" and they pretty much have a lock on the ARIA club chart. The label clearly saw hit potential in Wynter's #103 US smash "Dirty Talk" and their faith is already paying off. The sexy anthem is a top 5 club smash and looks set to be one of the songs of the summer thanks to a bunch of hot new remixes. Make sure you check out Denzal Park's hot mix (below). I love it! A new video has also been commissioned and "Dirty Talk" is set for a commercial release on the 19th of November. I'm told an album will follow in 2011. Best of all, Wynter is heading our way for a promotional tour in December. I can't wait to see her strut her stuff!

Zoë Badwi - Freefallin'

After a slow start to the year, the Australian pop scene has caught fire with a bunch of hot new tracks on the way from some of our favourite divas. I'll be featuring all of those lovely ladies over the next couple of weeks but it's going to take something pretty amazing to top the pure pop explosion that is "Freefallin'". As many of you already know, I've been a Zoë Badwi fan since the glory days of Sirens (check out these posts). Solo stardom appeared to be a forgone conclusion when "Release Me" topped the club chart for several months last year but the song never really crossed over despite the fact that I still hear it 3 times a night when I go out. Her follow up singles were a bit hit ("In The Moment") and miss ("Don't Wan'cha") but she has finally struck gold with "Freefallin'".

Penned by Australia's favourite exiled pop star and produced by Denzal Park (of "Filter Freak" fame), the track gently nudges Zoë out of her dance music comfort zone into the radio friendly world of pure pop. You can tell Amy Pearson had her fabulous butterfingers all over this. The lyrics are relentlessly upbeat and the chorus is an absolute monster. I'm so into Amy at the moment. I think her amazing scrapped album should be carved up among Australia's struggling pop divas as a merciful act of charity but I digress. "Freefallin'" is utterly irresistible and I hope it's a massive smash. The song is already available to download on iTunes and the video debuted today. It's a simple affair with Zoë being handcuffed by gay dancers in a flooded sewer (happens to me all the time) but she looks pretty and it's good to know that studded jackets are making a comeback. Check it out below.