Radar Time!

I promised a list of the Füturhits* to keep your eardrums peeled for, and here they are.

You wonder who's really flying under the radar these days? Well, there's a million and one great artists doing their thang out there now. Surely, this list is non-comprehensive, but vastly enlightening to all those of you that, as I, follow a pre-top40 doctrine. Yes, we all eventually come around to loving Ryan Cabrera after the umptieth play of "True" (in one of its 50 different acoustic versions), but there's more to life than Britney. Mind you, not always, but that just proves there's life after "Chaotic".

THE MUSICAL SHORTLIST or WHO'S HOT NOW? (That was my attempt at a Rocky & Bullwinkle double entendre/double title. Oops! I just did it again. Thanks, Britney.)



Gorillaz
"DARE"
Cartoons on electronic steroids. A bumpy, yet perfect 4 minute dancefloorfilla about doin' something. Yes, something, anything. Dare you? Dare I? "Demon Days" are here to stay with our odd 2D heroes in place.



Mylo
"In My Arms"
Scandinavian minds always come up with perfect sampling. Sunset Strippers made their own version, "Falling Stars", also noteworthy and a recent release. The difference is the "Bette Davis Eyes"-entrancing synth placed in for high kicks. Beating the one-hit wonder syndrome by good.



SoulDecision
"It Must Be You"
The perfect companion to any Hollywood teen movie soundtrack. Quite possibly the world's first tell-off that sounds so pop-perfect that it's an inviting trance to kiss that former love-of-your-life off for good, guilt-free with a poignant point in mind: **ck off. Love it. Go Trevor! Add-in: title track "Shady Satin Drug", another funky, "good to get high" (on love, for example, you doofus) mantra.



Charlotte Church
"Crazy Chick"
That, she is, indeed. A most welcome turning page and a new chapter for pop-happy former-child-operastar-turned-pop's-newest-rising-star (aka slut). Hooky, jumpy. And not just the barely 3-minute radio-perfect track. A breakout hit waiting to happen.



Gwen Stefani
"The Real Thing"
Lush, electronic ballad that redefines sensuality with good taste... a love plea in electro-minor. Plus, anything to make stations halt "Hollaback Girl" play is a good thing.



Daniel Bedingfield
"All Your Attention"
For God's sake, he's brilliant. When'd he lose his appeal? These are post-sister-Natasha times already (except for the US, where she deservedly is set to hit #1 with "These Words", a year after the rest of the world caught on her with rapture). This is one of his finest, exuding with 70's robust production. Rich in content and vocals, maybe this guy's duet with Lionel Richie left him with more than just inspiration. Daniel, well done mate!



Coldplay
"Talk"
Apparently the world's biggest band according to every reputable rock mag in the world, Chris and company have proven themselves mighty with the alright latest offering, "X&Y". Here's a growing ballad, much in the style of their classics. Yes, it's inevitable to compare this to "Clocks" because that's become their trademark style, but it's undeniable to state that it's damn good.


OTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS:
1) Black Eyed Peas Feat. Justin Timberlake "My Style" (Fergie in Spanish? Priceless. It's "Where Is The Love, Part Deux".)
2) Helena Paparizou "My Number One" (Eurovision, duh!)
3) Kristian Leontiou "The Crying" (Beat-fab, surprising inclusion from the Brit crooner.)
4) Kelly Clarkson "Gone" (Rock reteam: "Since You've Been... oh well, this is ANOTHER track.)
5) Natasha Bedingfield "I'm A Bomb" (Sure is, having exploded most everywhere and on a short fuse in most places.)
6) JoJo "Breezy" (Probably Anastacia's long-lost younger sister, once again boggling our minds with pitch-perfect delivery and an irresistible R%B beat.)
7) Backstreet Boys "Poster Girl" (Men singing about women in fantasies? Hmmm... note-worthy.)
8) Keane "This Is The Last Time" (Hope not!)
9) Moby "Raining Again" (Electroguru gets it right for the first time in a long time.)
10) Annie "Me Plus One" (Norwegian rap dreams come true.)
11) Jem "Wish I" (Unconsciously kitschy, irresistibly sweet and drawing: the Dido complex.)
12) Tina Cousins "Wonderful Life" (Brand new version injects soulful lyrics to a song that's been inexplicably covered several times over.)
13) Jazon Mraz "Wordplay" (Smart, playful track from the insanely-adept singer-songwriter. Someone's stocks are clearly on the mainstream high rise!)
14) Indra "Oublie Moi" (French pop tracks with English blends are always a smart idea. Sexy, sassy, catchy... Need I say more?)
15) Melanie B "Today" (Scary Spice no more. Liberated from pressures of most everything, she looks to a lighter side of pop and takes on acapella and acoustic for higher learning. Smart move artistically, though sales might slump.)
16) Izzy B Featuring Nikola Bedingfield "In Your Arms" (Not only the other track on this very list with a repeated track name, but also the most popular last name in the music business as far as we're concerned. Enter the arena the final of the three Bedder siblings, now as a Natasha voice-clone. Odd call.)
17) Timo Maas Feat. Kelis "4 UR Ears" (Master DJ doin' his thank with the fabulous ghetto R&B Mrs. Nas)
18) Axel F "Crazy Frog" (God, make it stop! One of the most plaging tracks in recent memory, its claim to fame has been to easily and inadvertently beat the overhyped Coldplay camp to #1 and become the year's most downloaded ringtone in a matter of days.)
19) Jessica Simpson "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" (God-awful version of the Nancy Sinatra stomper by the ever-talented singer, slated for the prime spot thanks the the Dukes Of Hazzard/Daisy Duke sex appeal factor.)
20) Kelly Osbourne "Suburbia" (MIDI-ridden 80's track that must've slipped off some lost Alphaville recording session, done justice thanks to robotic delivery and stonecold feeling that delivers to critise closed societies.)


Yes, these tracks are purchase-worthy and downloadable. Stick to iTunes for those glorious 30 second previews that can help you make your mind up easier. Free musical trials can be so much fun!

More tracks will be added in the days to come, so don't get lost in oblivion. Come back and share your new favorites too, post now!

Cheers!
-djchaco 8)

*As is overtly obvious, I have a thing for creating compound words in the most casual of fashions, thus this one derives from "future" and "hits", with the ü thrown in to look cooler, and maybe more international? Your call. Whatever the reason, just love it and understand it. This is "djchaco lexicon primer 101".