Stream: Christina Aguilera – Glam

With tracks Bionic and Elastic Love Christina steps into M.I.A. and Santigold territory and pulls off two unexpectedly bombastic tracks. Glam, Prima Donna and Vanity show off her cocky and playful side, while the Sia tracks serve as the “heart and soul” of the record. Bionic is an eclectic, bold and inspired album that recklessly challenges mainstream pop radio.

Time will only tell how the album will be received but I will pre-maturely call the record another triumphant creative endeavor under Christina’s belt. Details about each track are below (sans interludes and bonus tracks.)

• Bionic: The album kicks off with this audio bitch-slap. Very Santigold + M.I.A sounding and I’m totally okay with that!
• Not Myself Tonight: First single from Bionic, great club song about losing your inhibitions.
• Woo Hoo: A catchy tongue-in-cheek hip hop track with Nicki Minaj.
• Elastic Love: Co-written with M.I.A. and Switch. Big spacey sound to be played out of big speakers with plenty of bass.
• Desnudate: There is so much going on in this track but it all somehow works. Definitely one of the album’s best surprises.
• Glam: Xtina and Tricky team up to give us Vogue for the year 2020, incredible driving and dizzying beat pushes the album into overdrive.
• Prima Donna: A bumping and hypnotic bassline, will definitely make it to my summer playlists.
• Half way through Bionic, the album slows down for Sex for Breakfast. Smooth and mellow R&B track reminiscent of Janet Jackson.
• Lift Me Up: This studio version is a bit different than the version performed at the Hope for Haiti telethon. Beautiful and raw vocals on this Linda Perry-produced track.
• All I Need: A sweet piano ballad dedicated to Christina’s son Max.
• I Am: Christina admits she’s everything but perfect in this great song out of the sessions with Sia Fuller.
• You Lost Me: Melodic piano track about infidelity featuring some really cool vocal arrangements.
• I Hate Boys: It’s got a stadium anthem feel but remains light, sassy and fun.
• My Girls: A funky girl power song featuring some of the most iconic women in music Peaches and Le Tigre.
• Vanity: Christina closes out Bionic with this hilarious dance track about embracing your vain side. Sure to be a staple at many drag shows.

Verdict: B+

You’ve got to hand it to Christina for going after what she wants no matter what the risk. Like Christina’s previous records Bionic is heavily rooted in concept, which can sometimes create a mess (notably here with the sequencing.) I like every song on this record for different reasons and the record as a whole for not taking itself too seriously. It’s definitely made the sonic boom statement that Christina is back!

mp3: Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (Peter Rauhofer Remix)

mp3: Christina Aguilera – Not Myself Tonight (Ultimix Extended Mix)

And if you still haven’t had enough of Xtina, we’re being told that the deluxe version of the Bionic will include 5 extra tracks on top of the standard 18! In case you missed it over the weekend we shared Woo Hoo, the Nicki Minaj duet produced by Polow Da Don. Our beloved Peaches has also jumped on board for Bionic in the track My Girls…this just keeps getttin’ better!

Tracklisting:
1. Bionic
2. Not Myself Tonight
3. Woohoo feat. Nicki Minaj
4. Elastic Love
5. Desnudate
6. Love & Glamour (intro)
7. Glam
8. Prima Donna
9. Morning Dessert (intro)
10. Sex For Breakfast
11. Lift Me Up
12. My Heart (Intro)
13. All I Need
14. I Am
15. You Lost Me
16. I Hate Boys
17. My Girls feat. Peaches
18. Vanity
Deluxe Edition BONUS Tracks:
19. Monday Morning
20. Bobblehead
21. Birds Of Prey
22. Stronger Than Ever
23. I Am (Stripped)

NYC-Area Tour Dates:

July 28th: Wantagh, NY (Nikon at Jones Beach Theater)
July 30th: Holmdel, NJ (PNC Bank Arts Center)

mp3: Christina Aguilera – Still Dirrty [alt]

And in case you missed it, check out Christina’s killer performance of current single Not Myself Tonight from yesterday’s episode of Oprah taped in NYC::

Christina Aguilera – Woo Hoo (Feat. Nicki Minaj) by TLC Blog

Xtina (the dirrty version of Christina) is definitely back in action! Leave your Lady Gaga comparisons outta this equation, this is a pure fun, straight throw-back to Madonna‘s Human Nature S&M phase. Enjoy the video below as I have all morning!

mp3: Christina Aguilera – Get Mine, Get Yours [alt]

Bloc Party’s Russell Lissack and female vocalist Melina Mepris make up the electro-pop outfit Pin Me Down.

• mp3: Pin Me Down – Time Crisis [alt]

Finally a decent remix of the The Xx, this time by none other than Matthew Dear.

• mp3: The Xx – VCR (Mathew Dear Remix) [alt]

The gorgeous photo to your right is a brand new Goldfrapp press photo for Head First, complimentary to Believer the second track to make it’s way onto the internet.

Stream: Goldfrapp – Believer

Last Friday the entertainment world joined forces for the Hope for Haiti telethon, raising an impressive $61 million. One of the most moving performances came from Christina Aguilera who debuted a brand new song Lift Me Up, co-written with Sia from Xtina’s upcoming album Bionic – scheduled for an April release. You can purchase the exclusive 20-track iTunes charity album for just $7.99 HERE.

Major Lazer: It’s cool to be asked to spend a week with artists like Christina Aguilera and for them to be really open and trust us.
The Vine: So you’ve been collaborating with Christina?
Major Lazer: Yeah her and a few other people too, but I won’t say who just in case it’s not happening.

Along with Major Lazer the collaboration roster for the pop singer’s upcoming release includes: Sia, Le Tigre, Ladytron, Linda Perry, DJ Premier, Focus, Tricky, and Goldfrapp.  How excited are you?

Previous Updates:
+ Christina Enlists Goldfrapp, Ladytron and Sia for Next Record
+ Christina Aguilera Album Updates from Ladytron, Ladyhawke and Sia
+ Christina Aguilera Album Update: Le Tigre, Bling & Burlesque?

MP3: P.Diddy & Christina Aguilera – Tell Me (Phones Remix) or zShare

As you already know Xtina has been working with Sia but it was also just announced that her partner JD Samson (current project MEN) is regrouping with Le Tigre to work on this upcoming record!

In an interview, Christina told Los Angeles Times: “My last album had a vintage, retro, glam appeal. And this next album which I am almost finished and am about to release has a very modern sense about it. Futuristic in terms of looking into the future and giving it a new twist and a new sensibility. I am working with a lot of electro artists to make that come alive. That is what really inspires me at the moment.”

The blonde bombshell is also the current face of jewelry designer Stephen Webster’s spring campaign and is rumored to be taking her first film role along Cher in a film titled Burlesque. Can’t wait for this all to materialize!

MP3: Le Tigre – My My Metrocard or zShare
MP3: Christina Aguilera – Back in the Day or zShare
MP3: Christina Aguilera – Dirrty (Featuring Redman) or zShare

Of the cover, Ladyhawke told DigitalSpy “I know nothing about the cover. I’d be really intrigued to see how she’d tackle the song. I mean, what angle would she take it from? Her vocal range is insanely good and I’m just a lazy singer!”

Ladytron checked in with NME in February stating that they’ve been in the studio with Aguilera.

Sia Furler also recently spoke with Australia’s Herald Sun about the “really amazing dream collaboration” which came about when she received a fan email from the popstar. ‘‘Obviously she likes Breathe Me, that’s the one everyone goes for, but she mentioned seven songs as far back as the first Zero 7 album, and songs like Destiny and Distractions, and a song called Moon from my last album that nobody ever picks as a favourite.  That won her some points, she’s a listener, she knows my random album tracks nobody gives a s— about. That’s pretty flattering.”

Of the writing sessions have yielded four songs and counting: ‘‘We’ve written some really wonderful songs. I would put any of the songs we’ve written on one of my albums. And it’s a total collaboration. Often she saves the day when we’re stuck. There have been a few goosebumps-on-my-scalp moments I must say.”

MP3: Christina Aguilera – Genie 2.0 or zShare
MP3: Sia – Buttons (Chris Lake Remix) or zShare
MP3: Ladytron – Seventeen (Soulwax Remix) or zShare

Topshop owner Philip Green has asked the pop star to design a new collection for the label. Aguilera, 28, is expected to receive at least 1 million pounds for the designs should the deal go through. Aguilera’s designs will not replace Kate Moss’ and both of the stars will continue to do separate collections.

“Philip loves her style and believes she would add something new to Topshop. Christina is the blond bombshell who is into pop whereas Kate is the rock chick and model. She’d appeal to a younger shopper than Kate,” said a source to Britain’s the Sunday Mirror newspaper.