Mike Ponser's debut album is described as "synth-pop". This is accurate, but not inclusive of all its elements. "31 Minutes To Takeoff" features songs about hooking up, relationships, partying, and designer sunglasses. Every track on the album is danceable. Posner's general appearance, facial hair style, clothing, even the tone of his voice at first would lead some to stereotype him as kind of a self-absorbed poser. I can all but assure you this is not the case. After listening to his record, there is a certain sincerity about the 22 year old singer from Detroit that shines through. The first two singles, "Cooler Than Me" and "Please Don't Go" are definitely infectiously catchy. The whole album is lyrically pretty fresh. None of the tracks are cumbersome. This is a pretty solid pop album.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
N/A

Track:
Cooler Than Me

Justin Nozuka is trying to do what every Canadian talent attempts to do...make it big in America. This album, his second, puts him in a position to do so. One of the most attractive things about this album is Justin's voice. It almost doesn't even matter what the lyrics are. Vocally, he is just stunning. There is something incredibly soulful in his voice. It's enthralling. Lyrically, however, he comes through anyway. The words to his songs are more poetic on this album. I do believe he's matured artistically in the nearly three years since his first album. In contrast to his first release, which was for the most part about heartbreak, this work speaks more about being submissive to love. An example of this is the first single, "My Heart is Yours". "You I Wind Land and Sea" is fairly easy listening, not too heavy in any sense. It may be the most satisfying album I've heard this year.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Holly

Track:
My Heart is Yours

In the follow up to her self titled album, the British singer stays true to her adult contemporary pop fan base. On tracks like "I'd Do It All Again", she exhibits her amazing vocal prowess, but we also hear a lot of her soft and intimate delivery throughout the album. The 31 Year old was widowed when her husband was found dead of an accidental drug overdose in 2008. I feel like this incident is a major contributor to her lyrical content. She sings about love in such a way that you can sense her heartbreak, yet she is still so in awe of love as a concept that she could never give it up. I think "The Sea" is about moving on and finding love again, but also about love being unique in the sense that it can be new everytime it's experienced. Rae seems to have a certain wonder about her and the way she views the world, and she has a gift for translating that wonder into art.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Corrine Bailey Rae (self-titled)

Track:
Closer