This week, it’s all about FEMINISM. Well. Kind-of. It’s not exactly bra-burning, roll-your-own-tampon feminism. It’s Jennifer-Lopez-refusing-to-clean-the-kitchen feminism. Which is just as valid, in our eyes! But then, we’re gay men, what do we know.
Jennifer Lopez – I Ain’t Your Mama
JENNY’S BACK! As usual, at the beginning of the music video, she’s got about twenty minutes of “acting.” J-Lo angrily hanging up and stomping out of a rain-streaked phonebox. J-Lo blowing her fringe out of her face and looking crestfallen whilst drinking a cup of Lavazza coffee (LAVAZZA! YES, LAVAZZA COFFEE!
DID YOU CATCH THAT? LAVAZZA). Then there’s a sample of one of Hilary Clinton’s speeches and it becomes clear that J-Lo has lured us into thinking it’s the usual J-Lo dance breakdown fare, when actually it’s a FEMINIST ANTHEM!
It’s all about not cooking for your man, and wearing shoulderpads, and throwing typewriters out of office windows, and solving Rubik’s cubes in seconds. All of which she does, whilst looking flawless and doing a dance routine. Well done J-Lo! Your Nobel Peace Prize is in the post!
Ariana Grande – Into You
Now, I’m aware of what a strong, contentious statement this could potentially be, but I think this song might be the most significant moment in pop since Braveheart by Neon Jungle. I know. I KNOW. I would not say that lightly. When Neon Jungle broke up I didn’t talk to anyone for a week.
Anyway. I think it’s safe to say that Ariana is our next big diva. None of the other up-and-coming pop tartlets compete.
Taylor Swift is basically Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl, except less interesting. Demi Lovato seems scared to leave the house since the Met Gala. And Meghan Trainor…just…no (NO!).
So that leaves Ariana! And she is deserving of the accolade. Into You is SO major. It’s got Ariana’s trademark sultriness, and a quite a dark, threatening hook that I LOVE. Coming soon to a 5am Bethnal Green coffee table near you! Yes!
Nadia Oh – No Bueno
As I often do, I’ve viewed the new releases rule more as a *Captain Barbossa voice* guideline than an actual rule. SO here’s an OLD release, that I discovered last week on Spotify! Hooray!
I’ve been absolutely loving Nadia Oh’s entire back catalogue! Don’t remember her? She did that Egyptian Lover song with Space Cowboy when pop music was in its bizarre but quite good CHERRY BOOM BOOM SYNTHY PLINKY TIMBALAND SHUGA SHUGA ON THE BEAT RED ONE phase.
Her album Colours has barely been heard by anyone, but I personally think it’s perfection! It’s not exactly chilled out, but I’ve been enjoying storming around sweltering London Fields to it in tiny denim cut-offs. My fave track is No Bueno.
Slutty reggaeton techno gorgeousness!
