New Picks of the Week September 26, 2010

Yes, I know. Another Owl City song in my list of new picks of the week. But this one is a little different. For one, the credit is given to his real name, Adam Young. You wonder if he is going to eventually switch over to this. And he is featured on a different project by Dutch DJ/producer Armin Van Buuren. Armin has been around the club scene even longer than fashionably popular David Guetta. His music has more of an alternative trance feel than David’s however this effort is definitely more pop friendly. Some of my other recommendations by Armin include “Going Wrong” with DJ Shah featuring Chris Jones, “Fine Without You”, his mix of BT’s “Every Other Way” and “Broken Tonight” featuring VanVelzen.

Easily my favorite Christian rock album of the year is “Light Up The Sky” by the Dallas, Texas band The Afters. It already has produced the CCM hits “Light Up The Sky” and “Runaway”. And now there is another one to add to the list, “Lift Me Up”. A refreshing declaration to giving our lives to Christ with a great anthem-like chorus and driving bridge leads to another wonderful effort from this young band that in my opinion rivals MercyMe and Casting Crowns as one of the best Christian rock bands on the scene today.

Okay so I’m pretty sure the Killers have not broken up. Thanks goodness. They have been one of the best pop rock bands in the music world the past half decade. Therefore, I can like frontman Brandon Flowers’ first solo project, “Flamingo”. The single “Only The Young” has that Killers type feel but more low key and trance-like. And the lyrics like most Killers songs are somewhat confusing, but you know me, lyrics aren’t always that important. The 29-year old Nevada native has a hit on his hands.

Chart Highlights:

One of my past new picks of the week has reached the #1 spot on the pop chart this week. The 25-year old newcomer has replaced Katy Perry at the top of the chart this week with “Just The Way You Are”. It tops Bruno’s former chart peak of #4 when he was featured on Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” earlier this year.

The other big development in the Top 10 this week is Rihanna’s mega leap from 75-3 with “Only Girl (In The World)”. It becomes teh 22-year old Barbados superstar’s 12th Top 10 hit song. Also entering the Top 10 this week is Far*East Movement by moving from 16-10 with “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. It’s the first hit song for the L.A. hip hop quartet.

Another big debut comes in at #21 this week. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine leaps from 93-21 which actually matches the 72-notch move of Rihanna. Florence + The Machine is actually one artist Florence Welch out of London, England. The Machine consists of a variety of other artists that appear on her recordings.

Rapper Drake bows at #25 with “Fancy” featuring T.I. and Swizz Beatz. It is Drake’s eighth Top 10 hit, all coming in the past year and a half. Kings Of Leon round out the collection of new songs in the Top 40 this week. They enter at #37 with “Radioactive”.

Check out www.songerstudio.com, our website!