<Review by: Shourya>

It’s been an incredibly sad day, rather a sad year in music so far. Whitney Houston’s untimely passing has yet to completely sink in. So it’s really not easy for a pop fanatic like me to fathom the fact that the Queen of Disco, the incomparable Donna Summer is no more. Lung cancer took away the prolific ‘Love To Love You Baby’ vocalist at the age of 63. That’s the 3rd death of a legendary diva this year, after Etta James and Whitney, and we’re not even halfway through 2012. I start off today’s post by paying a tribute to one of the most influential and ground-breaking vocalists of all time.

‘I Feel Love’ – Donna Summer

4 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles, 5 Grammy’s, a back-catalogue of over 40 years and a legacy that remains incomparable, there’s no one quite like Donna Summer, nor will there ever be another Donna Summer. At a time when disco was ruled by the men, Donna Summer revolutionised music by dominating the charts as the reigning Queen Of Disco with genre-bending classics like ‘Hot Stuff’, ‘Bad Girls’ etc. Growing up listening to a staple playlist of Madonna, Janet Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Kylie Minogue, Whitney Houston etc (the 80’s power-diva brigade), I was always intrigued about their influences and musical styles, ever eager to deconstruct a Janet Jackson or a Madonna song’s origin (I had way too much time in my hands as a morbidly obese kid with low self esteem issues, but lets not go there now. Another post on ‘5 songs to listen to when you have an oversized arse and are worthless’ maybe?).

Donna Summer was the crucial key. There would have been no Madonna or Janet or Beyonce or TLC or Gaga – generations of vocalists who have created their careers using dance music as the backbone. Donna practically revolutionised dance, and today, Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna and even Madonna have re-structured, revitalised and re-created their careers by reviving the sound of the 70’s and the 80’s, the blueprint of which was laid down by Donna. Today, I include my favorite Donna Summer song on the top of my playlist. ‘I Feel Love’ was way ahead of it’s time back then, and it’s still as refreshing, insanely addictive and poignant even today. Just play this one at a club, and watch the crowd go berserk (I usually flail like it’s nobody’s business when this one comes on). Thank you for the music Donna Summer. Rest In Peace. The Heavens must surely be having one helluva party after your arrival there.

‘Happy Pills’ – Norah Jones

Velvet-voiced chanteuse Norah Jones is back with her 5th studio album ‘Little Broken Hearts’, and this time around we get to witness the darker side of the diminutive diva who made us collectively fall head over heels in love with her mellifluous voice with the incredibly lush and mellow ‘Come Away With Me’, which remains one of the highest selling albums of the past decade with over 21 million units sold worldwide. Norah seems to go the Adele way, focusing on her broken hearted blues for inspiration for this new album. It’s good to see a shift in her musical style as well, as she’s collaborated with Danger Mouse for this album. Here’s the first single ‘Happy Pills’ from the album, the video for which unveils a rather dangerous side of the demure chanteuse as she deals with a relationship gone wrong.

‘Good Girl’ – Carrie Underwood

Did you know? The impeccably flaw-free Carrie Underwood can officially do no wrong. Period. Ever since she released her 7 times Platinum debut album ‘Some Hearts’ after winning American Idol, Country music has never been the same. Each album of hers have had at least 2-3 songs that have literally been stuck in my head. Timeless indeed. Carrie’s 4th studio album ‘Blown Away’ debuted straight at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart last week blocking none other than chart titan Norah Jones with ‘Little Broken Hearts’, and is at #1 for a second week in a row. I’m thoroughly in love with the album, and my fave track on the album is the mellow ‘Nobody Ever Told You’. I highly recommend you guys go get it. Today, I’ll feature the first single from the album, ‘Good Girl’, a typically sassy Carrie Underwood Country gem that’s on course to become her 12th #1 single on the Billboard Country Charts. Watch the video right here:

‘Call My Name’ – Cheryl Cole

Girls Aloud front-woman and flawlessness supreme Mizz Cheryl Cole has just unleashed ‘Call My Name’, an out-and-out banging new club anthem and a bona fide summer jam, as the first single from her 3rd solo studio album titled ‘A Million Lights’ scheduled for a June 18th release. The Calvin Harris produced cut is supported by a fierce Anthony Mandler-directed video that features some majorly sexy choreography. This one’s playing on loop on my dance playlist right now. Check out the gorg video right here:

‘Live Your Life’ – Yuna

Malaysian songstress Yuna Zarai is just on the verge of crossing over into the mainstream music scene in the US with her self titled English language debut album. Already a mega-star in her home country, Yuna has come a long way from performing to local crowds to rocking the MTV stage at Times Square, New York. Yuna’s first official single from her new album is the bongo-based lush-fest, ‘Live Your Life’. It’s an interesting blend of Feist-meets-Sade-meets-Dido, and sounds positively divine. Addicted to this one as of now, and the mellow song with Yuna’s breathy vocals is a staple on my lounge playlist. Check out the video for ‘Live Your Life’ right here:

Hope y’all enjoyed my playlist for today. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter ShouryaC. Lots more coming up soon!