Cher Lloyd

http://www.facebook.com/cherlloydmusic

Who do you have to thank for this post? Savan Kotecha. That's right, Savan Kotecha, songwriter and vocal producer behind artists such as Usher, Carrie Underwood and One Direction. WHY do you have him to thank? Well, my dear readers, because he has been tweeting nonstop about Cher Lloyd and curiosity finally got the better of me.

After seeing yet another tweet about her latest single, "Want U Back," I took to Youtube in search of the song and was hit in the face with a catchy summer song. Of course, this led me to start searching her album because I am in need of some serious summer tune-age. What I found, was a great, fun album.

Now, if I were to describe Cher Lloyd's music to you, I'd have to say this: It's like if Nicki Minaj and Lily Allen's music had a baby that was influenced by Godmummy Madonna. That's really weird to read, I'm sure, but I really can't think of how else to describe it. But I promise, it makes sense when you listen to her.

Let's start from the beginning, yeah?

Cher Lloyd is another product of the UK's X Factor, having been a contestant on the seventh series. (Seems to have been QUITE an exciting season, no?) She made it to the final, finishing in fourth place before being signed by Syco Music (Simon Cowell's label, in case you were wondering). And I guess you can say the rest is history.

Her debut album, 'Sticks + Stones,' boasts collaborations with Busta Rhymes, Carolina Liar and Mike Posner as well as beats that get under your skin. The album peaked in the UK at #4 and now she's trying her hand at cracking America. You know, as a part of this major British Invasion we got going on. NOT that I'm complaining. You guys already know how I feel about all things British.

That all being said, I don't think I've ever heard an album that is just so freaking catchy the whole way through. Even the one song that I'm not particularly a fan of has me bobbing my head, even if I don't want to. ("Swagger Jagger" for those of you wondering. Though I do love the chorus.) Overall, 'Sticks + Stones' is a great first album. I'm genuinely excited to see her grow as an artist and let's be real, I'm EXTRA excited to blast her music in my car with the windows down. Get with it America, I wanna hear this girl on the radio.

Go Download: "Want U Back" just dropped in America TODAY! So go pick it up HERE!!! And make sure to keep your eyes open for when her album happens :D

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #6

Name: Ed Sheeran
Original Post:http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/09/ed-sheeran.html

Why: Are you kidding me? Do I NEED a reason to love him aside from the fact that he's a ginger British singer?! Haha, but seriously, his music is some of the best music I have on my iPod. It isn't just what type of music he makes, even though it is some of the most chill music ever, it's also the subject matter. I feel like he covers a lot of real world problems that aren't seen in many artists' music today.

What they've done since I posted about them: He released an album, "+", but you can't get it in America. Go figure. BUT, America will be getting his EP on December 6 :)

In the mean time, watch his latest music video, which features Rupert Grint, my second favorite British ginger

Wugazi

http://www.wugazi.com/

While, not a band, a really cool concept that needs to be recognized. It's a mash-up album of Wu-Tang Clan and Fugazi (Wugazi. Get it?) and is up for completely free download on their website. It's slightly genius and it blows my mind that anyone could come up with something like this. The group, Doomtree, is a hip-hop collective who work to create alternative-inspired rap and hip-hop. Where one might not think the culmination of rap's Wu-Tang Clan with the punk's Fugazi would fail, it creates a wonderful marriage. I can't even imagine the amount of work that had to go into this to make it work, but my hat is off to you, Doomtree. When I read the concept, I thought Frank Iero might have gone crazy tweeting the link, but I was proven wrong. And never has eating crow been better.

Go Download: The whole album, 13 Chambers. I mean, why not? It's free. (Sleep Rules Everything Around Me is my favorite though)