Download of the Day: Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory"

Click here to read my review of 'Born This Way'.

Lady Gaga draws inspiration for her pop masterpieces from the strangest of places. In the case of her latest single "The Edge of Glory", she used her grandfather's passing last year as a reference.

Being inspired by death isn't strange; in fact, it has helped create some of pop music's most moving works (see Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" or Elton John's "Candle in the Wind"). What is strange, yet incredibly poignant, is that her grandfather's death inspired her to write the most meaningfully joyful pop song of her career.

"The Edge of Glory", just like Born This Way's opening track "Marry The Night", is a full-on stadium rock epic, with some pretty smart dance-pop sensibilities and a killer sax solo from Clarence Clemons (get well soon!). Gaga sing about being "on the edge of something final we call life", with all of the passion and energy you wouldn't expect from a song about death. But "death" is oversimplifying the message of the song. It is really about accepting life's final moments, where everything comes full circle and peace can be found. It is clear how much this song means to Gaga, since she delivers an absolute breathtakingly powerful vocal, the best she has ever done. Sitting at the end of an album that traverses everything from religion to equality, it is an incredible theme to send it off.

All in all, "The Edge of Glory" is a grandiose song that is genuine, which is something coming ffrom a woman often accused of being fake. Maybe this song will calm those naysayers, although its unlikely. Regardless, "Edge" is a true highlight from one of this year's best albums.

Download of the Day: Shania Twain's "Today Is Your Day"

The true queen of country has returned.

After dealing with unbelievable turmoil in her six-year absence, Shania Twain has decided to reignite her record-breaking career. Kicking it off is a brand new single, "Today Is Your Day", which she premiered as a part of her healing process on her OWN reality show Why Not? with Shania Twain. In the show, she talks about how her husband's adultery and the divorce stripped her of her confidence and her voice, and how she struggled to get it back.


Listening to "Today Is Your Day", it hardly sounds like a struggle. Shania sounds absolutely effortless singing this song, so much so it's as if she never left. Not one ounce of that inimitable twang has left, and she sounds very confident. The song itself is probably the most "country" record she's released since The Woman in Me, Shania's diamond-selling 1995 album. I was hoping to hear something with more crossover appeal, like her landmark Come On Over album, but I can definitely appreciate the top-notch production, done by David Foster (Whitney Houston) and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift). I can also appreciate, especially considering her personal life (seriously "Mutt" Lange, what were you thinking), the song's positive, uplifting message of living your life to the fullest. It may be simple, but it is charming, effective, and a great start for a woman who had it all, lost it, and is getting it back.

It's obvious that "Today Is Your Day" is just an appetizer to the massive main course, once the album comes out. Still, it's great to see Shania officially back, ready to take back her hard-won crown as the queen of country music.

Download of the Day: Robyn's Call Your Girlfriend

Robyn teaches the proper way to dump someone

By now, it should be known fact that Swedish pop singer Robyn is queen of the emotional electropop.

With classics like "With Every Heartbeat" and "Dancing on My Own", Robyn has shown that dance music can have a soul, a particularly sad one at that.

For her latest single, Robyn finds the melancholy even in the joy of new romance. "Call Your Girlfriend" has Robyn telling her new lover to break the news to his old girlfriend of their romance. Instead of simply cutting things off, she instructs him on how to do it right, saying that she'll love again and that it wasn't her fault that they fell apart. You could tell that Robyn has experience in the subject, which makes the lyrics and the song even more poignant.

The killer beats and production should really go without saying, since the whole album is basically the zenith of pop music right now. Still, the simple, yet elegant style shouldn't be taken for granted in the least. It may not be as explosive as "Dancing on My Own", but it's still pop done the right way. The production is overwhelming, but it's powerful enough to give extra weight to the message.

She may not be the worldwide success she should be, but Robyn is one of pop music's most important artists. She continues to push the genre towards a more restrained, classier path, with "Call Your Girlfriend" as a perfect roadmap.

Check out the recently released video below:

Download of the Day: Coldplay's "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall"

Coldplay helps launch the summer with a new single!

Isn't it crazy that it's been three years since Coldplay released "Viva La Vida", the song that launched them into the pop world at full speed?

The incredibly popular group, headed by Chris Martin, is back with a brand new single, "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall". The song was released this morning worldwide (minus the UK for some odd reason) and is already shooting up the iTunes chart. I wouldn't be surprised if it's number 1 by the end of the day.

Coldplay really couldn't have chosen a better time to release "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall". The song is great for the opening of the summer season. The production, a combo of electonic guitar and synthesizer and acoustic guitar, is very upbeat and lively, giving off a happy, positive vibe, in contrast to the song's title. Call me crazy, but Chris Martin has that kind of voice that revitalizes my faith in the world. I really appreciate the optimism in his performance, once again in spite of the song's sad (but sometimes true) title.

To be honest, I am kind of disappointed that they aren't really introducing anything new to their sound. "Teardrops" sounds like it's styled after the Viva La Vida single "Lovers in Japan", which isn't a bad thing at all. However, after the game-changer that was "Viva La Vida", I was kind of expecting a song a little more instant and/or epic from them. It is definitely a grower, though, even as I type this.

"Teardrops" is a pleasant alt-pop song that will bring chart success again. It is classic Coldplay after all. It doesn't break new ground, but fans and casual listeners will appreciate the effort.

I certainly do, since I still have it on repeat, instead of switching back to Nicola Roberts or Beyoncé or even Gaga's Born This Way.

Do you like Coldplay's new song? Is it a smash hit or a future flop? Leave a comment with your thoughts! 

Download of the Day: Rihanna's "California King Bed"

Rihanna shows us her "california king bed"

People tend to ignore or insult Rihanna's abilities as a vocalist.

Sure, she's most popular for her provocative imagery and tailor-made pop smashes, and anyone who looks to her first hit "Pon De Replay" will laugh off Rihanna's occupation as "singer".

But there is no doubt that she has improved greatly as a singer from Music of the Sun. Her latest album Loud has the Barbados beauty taking more risks with her voice than ever before. No song encapsulates that more than "California King Bed", her latest single.

Following the sex craze of "S&M", "California King Bed" is a powerful ballad about two people distancing in a relationship. The song's real power surprisingly comes from Rihanna and her voice. She spends a lot of the song building up the song's tension, singing softly and sensually in the verses, then exploding full-voice in the chorus. It's surely nothing new, especially for pop ballads; Whitney, Mariah, and Celine have been doing it for two decades. But Rihanna's voice is unique. It's not technically great like the three divas, but what she lacks there she makes up for in utter performance. The song itself probably would've faltered without Rihanna's extremely passionate vocals. She sells the song on that alone, which is a rarity in the era of Auto-Tune.

I often long for the days when Whitney and Celine ran the world (and topped the charts) with their glass-shattering vocals. She may not be on their level, but it's great to know that there is still some appreciation for the power ballad, and the vocals to back those up.

What do you think about Rihanna's new power ballad?

Check out the video below:

Download of the Day: Adele's "Set Fire To The Rain"

Who could've ever predicted the hurricane that is Adele?

She has blasted through 2011 at the top of music charts across the world, leaving her pop competition in tatters behind her. Her album 21 is virtually guaranteed to be a Grammy sweeper and one of the biggest-selling albums of the year. A compelling anti-thesis to idea of the sex-crazed, dance-floor loving pop divas of late, Adele is proving with ease that have a spectacular voice is more than enough to be successful.

That, and absolutely amazing music material.

One song that really hits that idea home is "Set Fire To The Rain", which is one of the two potential singles to follow global smash "Rolling in the Deep". While her previous single was drenched in gospel-tinged soul, "Set Fire To The Rain" is a full-on pop power ballad, grand and epic in scale, with just enough restraint to have listeners entranced. That is, if they weren't already by her spell-binding voice. Even without the voice, the song stands tall as a elegant production. It has a charming orchestral melody, and it accounts for the most emotional and heartfelt lyrics on the whole album.

But of course, Adele's powerhouse voice truly makes this song. As she sings, you could literally feel every single solitary emotion the lyrics are trying to convey: sadness, longing, and passion. Not since the glory days of Whitney Houston has a singer had such interpretative power.

Adele could take the most stale song in the world and inject soul into it. "Set Fire To The Rain" is amazing song, which allows the British sensation to really soar to heights rarely seen by most female artists today. She is more than just an amazing singer, she is the biggest breath of fresh air that pop music has seen in a long time. The future success of this single is testament to that.

Download of the Day UK: Take That's "Love Love"

British pop group Take That are pretty good at recording movie themes.

At least that's what you can infer, with "Rule The World" from the film Stardust being one of the best UK pop singles released in the past ten years and all.

Riding high on the success of their multi-platinum behemoth Progress, the five guys are back in the cinemas with their single "Love Love", which will be the British theme for the upcoming film X-Men: First Class.

Unlike their aforementioned smash, "Love Love" is not a ballad at all. It's a driving, military pop stormer, with heavy beats, industrial-lite synths, and dramatic vocals. The song takes a lot from "Kidz", which was an excellent experiment of their grittier pop sound. It stands as one of my favorite songs of theirs.

Unfortunately, "Love Love" suffers from being a bit overwrought with the vocals and the production. Gary's vocals in particular are just too dramatic and the production itself is just a bit too busy. On the other hand, Mark's voice works just as well as did on "Kidz", which is a nice surprise. Considering what the movie is, the song itself seems like a very good fit.

It's not as good as "Kidz", and it doesn't even begin to touch "Rule The World", but Take That should be commended for continuing to try new sounds and prove that they are more than just a boyband.

What do you think of Take That's "Love Love"?

Download of the Day: Jason Derulo's "Don't Wanna Go Home"

Jason Derulo knows his way around a sample, huh?

The pop star has released "Don't Wanna Go Home" from his upcoming sophomore album Future History, and as you would expect, it's a club banger with no less than two samples. The first sample is lifted from the 1993 Robin S dance smash "Show Me Love" and the hook is based off of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song").

It's sounds pretty ridiculous that someone would need two samples from two totally different musical eras to make a pop smash. Somehow, Derulo and producers The Fliptones makes it all work. "Don't Wanna Go Home" is a legitimately fun, happy, dancefloor-filling track. The lyrics are generic and fluffy, but when all you're looking for is a good time, it doesn't matter than much. He may not be a vocal powerhouse, but he sure is a charismatic singer and he sounds like he is having a ball with the song.

I actually liked how they incorporated both of the songs, and while it may not be the most original song in history, it gets the feel-good message across. However, if Derulo wants to really differentiate himself from other male pop artists (hell, even Ke$ha), he needs to be a little more inventive than lifting a cheesy lyric from a cheesy song, for a cheesy hook, in a cheesy song.

Check out the music video for "Don't Wanna Go Home" below. Do you like Derulo's newest single?

Download of the Day: Beyoncé's "1+1"

Hey Beyoncé, let's just forget about "Run The World (Girls)", huh?

Tonight, the pop queen surprised fans with the release of a brand new single from her album 4 called "1 + 1" on iTunes. She later debuted the song live on the finale of American Idol.

Switching things up from the loud electropop stomp of her underperforming previous single, Beyoncé brings everything down a couple of notches while she kicks those powerhouse vocals of hers into the stratosphere. With nothing more than a guitar and some tickling of the piano keys, the diva tears into the song's lyrics, where she begs her lover to love her. She's known for her powerhouse belting, but there is restraint in her performance. She wavers between passionate wailing and gentle begging, heightening the emotional intensity with each bar. The lyrics are pretty amazing, especially with lines like this one: "I don't know much about guns, but I've been shot by you". I don't think Beyoncé has ever been so raw or intimate in her music before. It's disarming, it's unexpected, and it's great.

For such an intensely private person, "1 + 1" may be the first truly vulnerable recorded moment that Beyoncé has ever given us. She has said that this album will be one where she takes risks. It seemed like she was taking the wrong ones with "Run The World", but if she continues down this current path, then 4 might just be the album that sets Beyoncé firmly in the icon stratosphere she deserves.

The song is currently available on iTunes, so after you either buy or just listen to the sneak peek, come back here and share with me your thoughts. Is this better than "Run The World"?

RATE BEYONCE'S "1+1":

Download of the Day: "For Good" by the Glee Cast (featuring Lea Michele and Chris Colfer)

Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) are my favorite Glee duo

Glee is one of those rollercoaster shows for me: when they aim high, they touch the stars. When they are low, they are down in the dirt (sometimes literally).

But once in a few episodes, there will be a magical moment that completely restores faith in Glee's role as a pop culture touchstone.

That moment occurred on last night's episode, the season finale, when Rachel and Kurt snuck into the theater that houses the Broadway smash Wicked and sang the show's closing number, "For Good". Not so ironically, the original singers of the song, Kristen Chenowith and Idina Menzel, have appeared on the show before. I've never heard the original before, nor have I seen the musical, but I could tell that it is one worth seeing.

Back to the song. Glee has been really good at choosing songs that really match well with the storylines of the show. What made this song truly special was that it was about more than just them singing their hearts out, imagining their future. "For Good" served as a nice capping off on Rachel and Kurt's evolving friendship, especially this season. I've always thought that Lea Michele and Chris Colfer had the best vocal chemistry (especially after their epic duet "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again"), and it follows through here in spades. Colfer has never been better, and Michele had a brilliant mix of diva belting and duet grace. When the two sing in harmony in the song's climax, it is one of the most beautiful musical moments that Glee has ever produced.

While many people will salivate over Finn and Rachel's great duet during Nationals, it was Rachel and Finn's stage dreams that will be remembered as one of Glee's top moments.

Download of the Day: Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass"

Nicki Minaj has done something very few female rappers can successful do; crossover to the mainstream.

With a song like the infectious "Super Bass", is it really hard to see why?

Nicki spits rapid-fire verses in her inimitably touch but cute style over a delectable pop beat. It still amazes me how she can switch personas so easily without sounding cheesy or anything, but it works very well, so there's no point in questioning it. The Ester Dean-assisted chorus is the money pot of the song, with that irresistible hook and the power punch of the production. The breakdown, where Nicki pulls out her very good singing voice, is a welcome surprise, and I hope that she considers more of it in the future (or she could release the #1-in-waiting "Save Me" and save herself the trouble).

Anyone who pops over to iTunes can see that this could be her biggest hit yet, which should be telltale sign that Minaj has found her lane in pop. Rating: 8/10

Download of the Day: "Give Me Everything" by Pitbull

It's kind of hard to believe, but I have been listening to other music besides Lady Gaga's new album (although it has pretty much consumed my iTunes).

The one song that has really caught my attention these past few days is Pitbull's "Give Me Everything", featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer. I skipped over the rapper's previous hit "Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)", assuming it would just be some generic dance-pop song that would add nothing to my iTunes library (the same reason why I ignored the Black Eyed Peas and their hit "Just Can't Get Enough"). This time around, I decided to give the new song a try, after hearing a really cool snippet from somebody's really loud headphones in my college's computer lab.

Well, "Give Me Everything" is a generic dance-pop song, but there is something surprisingly elegant about it. First off, the production is very simple, but has quite a few layers; the piano that pops up a few times throughout is a very wonderful touch. By being so uncomplicated, it allows the Ne-Yo-sung hook to really shine through. In fact, this is Ne-Yo's best performance on a track since his blockbuster 2008 release Year of the Gentleman. As for Pitbull, he is always a fun rapper to hear spit bars. He always sounds like he is having the time of his life, and with the heaviness of other rappers these days, it is a welcome change.

"Give Me Everything" isn't doing anything different from other songs currently on radio, but it certainly fun. Sometimes that's more than enough.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Download of the Day 2/22: "Someone Like You" by Adele

Adele rips your heart out in
"Someone Like You",
from her new album

While it spends a fifth week atop of the UK chart, Adele's sophomore set 21 finally sees it's stateside release. Her lead single "Rolling in the Deep" set some pretty steep expectations for the Grammy-winning singer, but it seems that she is matching them pretty easily.

I haven't heard the full album yet (trust me, I'm on it), but, besides the first single, there is one song that has me completely hooked.

I first heard "Someone Like You" when she performed the song live at last week's BRIT Awards and proceeded to keep Gaga's "Born This Way" from hitting #1. From the second I clicked play on the Youtube video to the second it stopped, I was absolutely mesmerized by her performance. It was even that fact that she broke down into tears at the end, although that definitely killed me. She really proved, quite effortlessly, with her performance that all you really need sometimes is the right music and the voice.

While there was something magical going on with her performance, the album version of the song sounds just as powerful and impact as it does live. You can still feel the tugs at your heart as Adele hits those wailing high notes in the chorus. The simple elegance of the melody still makes you grab for your Kleenex. You still think, after listening to the full song, that Adele is our generation's answer to Whitney or Aretha. I'm firmly convinced that Adele could sing just about anything, even the most mindless dirge being pumped out of the pop machine, and turn it into absolute gold.

It excites me to see Adele's album #1 on iTunes as I type this, but for those still hesitant to click that $9.99 price button, just preview the 90 seconds of this song and prep your wallets. I have a feeling it might be a bit lighter after hearing "Someone Like You" for the first time.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Download of the Week 1/15: Hold It Against Me by Britney Spears

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Laziness + doctor's appointments + unnecessary shopping + iPad = no blogging. But, I am back!

There's no point trying to pretend that any song captured the world's attention this week like Britney Spears' comeback single "Hold It Against Me". In the five days since it was release, it has broken the one-day debut spin record on US radio and has topped the download charts in 19 countries. It is virtually guaranteed to debut at #1 in America, which would make her the first artist since Mariah Carey in 1996 to have two #1 debuts (Mariah had three, her last being '97's "Honey").

Don't hold Britney's pop domination
against her

But Britney's success is more than just smashing chart records; she does that effortlessly. What is particularly significant about "Hold It Against Me" is the music itself, and how she might just be the catalyst for a whole new mainstream music movement.

While she's not the first artist to feature dubstep elements in her music, she is definitely the first of considerable pop success to do so. Produced by pop's dynamic duo Max Martin and Dr. Luke, "Hold It Against me" sounds like it was bred directly out of a gritty London club.

"Hold It Against Me"'s impact hits the second you hear that electrifying, pulsating beat that opens and bases the song. Considering Britney's previous work, even her last #1 hit "3", I was expecting some melodic energy, but the beat alone is enough to power Buckingham Palace. The song really picks up in the second half, starting with the epic dubstep middle eight breakdown, featuring some iconic Britney come-hither adlibs. This leads to second middle-eight before busting into a full-blown chorus that would wake the dead into dancing. It's sort of a rollercoaster ride of a track, but that it's beat that keeps everyone safely holstered into the song. 

More than ten years into the business, Britney has more than proven her ability to set trends in mainstream music. "Hold It Against Me" is no different, and just like Blackout ushered in the era of Europop stateside in 2007, don't be surprised if dubstep becomes of the sound of 2011.

Download of the Day 1/03: Higher by Taio Cruz featuring Kylie Minogue

Can Kylie help Taio Cruz get "higher"
 on his latest track?

Taio Cruz has exploded unlike any other male pop star today. With his dancefloor ready hits like "Break Your Heart" and "Dynamite", Cruz has easily dominated both sides of the pond.

To kick off the new year right, he is releasing a new single called "Higher". Originally a solo effort, Cruz enlisted the help of two music stars and reworked the track into a duet for it's release. America gets a remix featuring Travie McCoy, while the rest of the world gets the version with Australian pop queen Kylie Minogue.

This here, people, is why I despise global music industry politics.

As you would expect from someone who chose "Get Outta My Way" as my #1 single of 2010, I much prefer Kylie's version, even though the success of both versions is virtually guaranteed. Kylie, with her slinky vocals, adds a layer of sex appeal to the song, which make the song a lot more interesting. The song itself is typical Taio Cruz fare with pulsating, pumping beats, although the song is a lot funkier and cooler in the verses.

It's not one of Cruz's best tracks (that title is still reserved for "Dynamite"), but the addition of Kylie gives the song a huge boost into single-ready territory.



Rating: 7 out of 10

Download of the Day 1/1/11: More by Usher

Last year (can't be I'm already saying that), Usher made a huge comeback with his album Raymond v. Raymond. He scored massive sales and one of the biggest hits of 2010 in "OMG". Yet, there was considerable criticism about Usher's musical direction towards a dance-pop sound, accusing him of selling out to get a hit.

Usher wants "more" for the new year

His latest single choice, a remix of "More", won't quell his critics in any way. Remixed by Gaga's top guy RedOne for pop radio release, this song couldn't be more Europop dance if it tried. It basically sounds like it was birthed on the floor of a sweaty club in Ibiza, with pumping synths and sharp buzzing beats. The song works a lot better as a club track than you would expect, though. There is an awesome sense of intensity, aided by the originally dull lyrics about "wanting more". In fact, Usher's lyrics and vocals benefit greatly by this electro makeover. The original, while a highlight of Raymond v. Raymond, needed an energy boost, and when you compare it to RedOne's reworking, the difference is startling. Listening to the original after the remix is actually a bit of a letdown.

Usher's switch to more dance-oriented pop music is a conscious one; it is doing exceptionally well on radio at the moment, Unlike other artists, though, Usher retains his personality and style in his genre switch, and uses the different sound to his advantage. I would not consider Usher a sell-out at all.

I would consider him versatile, and in today's ever-changing pop landscape, that is a treasured adjective.



Rating: 8 out of 10

Download of the Day 12/27: The Way You Love Me by Keri Hilson feat. Rick Ross

When I first heard this song, I was firmly into liking her single "Pretty Girl Rock" and thinking that she was on the right track with her career.

Then, my friend Roly and I watched the music video for "The Way You Love Me" in the library of the Umoja House, a house that promotes the presence and culture of African Americans at Trinity College.

Oh dear, the terrible irony.

Keri Hilson gets dirty (and I mean
downright porno)
on "The Way You Love Me"

Suffice it to say that "The Way You Love Me" may be the most ghetto hot mess video to have been released since Kiely Williams' "Spectacular" last year. It really just reeked of desperation and overall tackiness, and much of the blogosphere felt the same, causing Keri to respond on, of all places, Perez Hilton.

What I realized a bit later, after the shock of the video faded away, is that the song itself is pretty darn catchy. Actually, it's really catchy. 

I know, how could I like a song that is so without melody and really, really skanky in almost every sense?

Well, songs like this aren't really meant to be enjoyed for its musical quality. "The Way You Love Me", like most of Ke$ha's catalog, is a song meant for instant consumption and induction of a strong sense to party. What makes this song work is that it strips away any kind of interesting musicality for a sick, heavy beat, and a manic, sex-deprived vocal performance from Keri. Then there are those lyrics, which can range from racy to porno soundtrack ready, depending on what version you listen to. It's goal is to make you move, and it works. I wouldn't be surprised if people were grinding to this song as I type.

Is it the best song in the world? No. Is it the best song I've ever reviewed? Absolutely not. Is it the song that will set club floors ablaze in these cold winter months? Yes.

For the sake of perspective, I've included the whole video (courtesy of Vevo) instead of just the audio. Enjoy!

Rating: 7 out of 10

Download of the Day 12/26: Lovergirl by Teena Marie

In honor of Teena Marie, who passed away yesterday at the age of 54, I have decided to feature her biggest hit (and my favorite song of hers) as today's D.O.D.

"Lovergirl" was released in 1984, the first single off of her album Starchild. It was the success of this song that help propel the album to sales of over one million and launched her mainstream music profile in the United States. It isn't hard to see why it was this song that really put her on the map. "Lovergirl" was the perfect Prince-era song, full of funk and dancefloor energy. That's all well and good, but anyone with a working set of ears knows what makes this really work: it's Marie herself. Unlike today, where many artists allow the production to overwhelm and hide their voices, she pulls out all of the stops with her voice, showcasing an enormous instrument and an undeniable personality. Without a visual in front of you, you can imagine just how much she's having, just from her voice. Speaking of her voice, there is a reason why she was a successful R&B artist, despite being white. Marie had soul dripping from those pipes of hers, evident even in the most pop-like song in her archive.

It is a shame that Teena Marie didn't reach the levels of mainstream success that some of her less-talented contemporaries did, but there is no denying her mark on R&B music. She will be missed, but with songs like this one, she will never be forgotten.



Rating: 9 out of 10

Download of the Day Christmas Edition: Last Christmas by the Glee Cast

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time for all, where you spend time with family and share in the experience.

There are times, as Glee's Finn Hudson and Rachel Berry can tell you, when Christmas can be quite painful and sad. The couple saw their relationship fall apart as they shopped for Christmas trees for the Glee club. Of course, singing their feelings was easier than actually saying them, so to express them, Rachel and Finn chose to sing the Wham classic "Last Christmas".

Last Christmas, Rachel gave Finn her heart,
but the very next day...

The pop ballad, sung by 80's icon George Michael, translates awesomely into the new decade, sounding as fresh as it did twenty-something years ago. Commenting on Lea Michele's voice after all of the songs she has sung on this show is a bit redundant, but I will say that this is one of her best, if not most restrained, vocal performances yet. Cory Montieth continues to improve with his vocals, even hitting some pretty impressive power notes. Lea and Cory have some of the best duet chemistry in television history, and this song perfectly highlights how and why.

Once again, Glee has worked its magic, making a relatively old song sound fresh enough for a new audience to enjoy. It's excellent evidence for the claim that Glee is a pop cultural game changer.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Download of the Day 12/24: All of the Lights by Kanye West

What is the recipe for a hip-hop masterpiece?

Hmm, let's see. Of course, you need a bombastic, over the top hook. To sing the hook, you also need a huge pop singer who is famous for her hook deliveries, like Rihanna. You probably should throw in some epic drum beats, with an epic horn-driven melody for good measure. If the big pop star singing the hook isn't enough star power for you, you could always throw in, just off the top of my head, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Elly Jackson of La Roux, John Legend, and Elton John, just to spice things up. The pièce de résistance? Absolutely manic, deliciously egotistical lyrics that only a rapper with a manic ego could pull off with a straight face, paired with an absolutely manic, deliciously egotistical production.

If only there were a song like that out there right now....

...wait a second! This recipe seems to match up quite well with a little ditty called "All of the Lights" by a little known rapper named Kanye.

Kanye turns all of the lights on him,
 and the eleven other artists on this opus of a single

"All of the Lights" is one of the standouts on an astonishing album. Boasting an eclectic group of featured artists, cinematic scale production, an amazing hook sung by an equally amazing Rihanna, and some of the most powerful delivery of his career, Kanye has concocted nothing short of a hip-hop masterclass that all songs in the genre should be judged by. It is his most affecting single since "Jesus Walks", which is pretty astounding when you consider his discography, even in this current era. While it can be argued that the song is a bit overwhelming, anyone who is familiar with Kanye's anything knows that this falls perfectly in line with him, except for one thing.

It exceeds them all.

Rating: 10 out of 10