New Pop on the Block

Kristinia DeBarge – Goodbye (Listen)
On first listen, I decided this was just a lesser example of the current pop sound (like Rihanna singing a So What/Keeps Gettin’ Better hybrid), but then I found one particular part of the song stuck in my head. If you’ve heard the song, you’ll probably guess that it was the “nana-nananana hey hey hey goodbye” bit. I listened again, and enjoyed the song much more, thinking that The Underdogs (who produced it) had come up with this great hook, but then I found out that it’s actually a sample from a ’60s song, and a common chant at sporting events. Still, it’s a catchy song and seems to be doing quite well after a Nivea advert placement in the US. Interesting fact: Kristinia was in American Juniors, the US equivalent of S Club Juniors!
89% Poptastic!

Jackie Tohn – Beguiling (Watch)
As the years go by, there are more and more American Idol contestants flooding pop fans with their singles, and less and less chance of anybody caring. The problem with Jackie Tohn is that she wasn’t even popular enough to get through to the final 13, so how is she going to get into the charts? Then again, right now is the time in her life when she will probably be most famous, so if she really wants to release a single she may as well do it now. Jackie is a fun and interesting person, but this song and video are trying a bit too hard to be quirky and sweet in same way that Feist is. I couldn’t quite work out what was going on the video either. Worryingly, it looked like an orgy was about to begin at any minute. Having liked Jackie on Idol, I wanted to enjoy this, but to be honest it’s just annoying.
57% Poptastic!