Pop as a Worldwide Language

On the tail end of our last post, and for our preparation for our next journey coming at the end of the month, to Asia(!!!), we thought we’d keep with the international vibe and celebrate some of the off of center dance pop of the world.

Let’s start on theme with a little disco number from the UK. Interestingly, this was Sarah Brightman’s of the Opera world’s debut. Funny how it all connects together..

Sarah Brightman with Hot Gossip “I Lost my Heart to a Starship Trooper” (1978)

Sticking to the pop theme for now let’s fast forward to current times and give this act a look. Being billed as a “concept” rather then a “band” (much like the above) I can see big success for this group. Seems to touch on a youthful careful vibe while still being sexy and for grown ups too. However definitely at risk of being too much of a “creation” and too plastic we’ll see how it catches on in the States. Its got all the polish, shine and formula of a other internationally successful pop acts that is for certain. Straight out of South Korea (we don’t often get music from them!):

T-ARA “I Go Crazy Because of You”

T-ARA “(티아라) – Why Are You Being Like This(왜이러니) ”

Now let’s move onto something less slick and slightly more off center.. we’ll ease you in…this has a nerd girl vibe and still nice and bubblegum. Read on after this if you desire something darker. Get to know Japan’s Tomoko Kawase and her two rather clever alter egos. A light side and a dark side…

Tommy February6 “je t’aime ★ je t’aime”

Tommy Heavenly6 “Lollipop Candy ♥BAD♥ Girl”Yes that is a ten minute song with pumpkins, lollipops, and wizards for a band. Love it.

And now for probably the most epic artist we’ve uncovered, with a career spanning from the early 80s until now, she is more ground-breaking then Madonna and far edgier then Lady Gaga (<3 u still babies), and has sold over 25 million records, yet you may have not have heard of her? Because the French have an obsession with the macabre that doesn't always translate to other cultures. We think she is brilliant. Her videos are shot like films; each detail paid attention to from sets to costumes. She has too many amazing videos to post, here is a couple to tempt your palette, look her up and watch them all if you like this. Mylène Farmer "Libertine" (1986)

Mylène Farmer “Oui mais Non” (2010)

The woman doesn’t age and she’s hot too. And she can make one hell of a live show as well.

“Intro Mylene Farmer Live in Bercy 2006″

The video is a little low res which is too bad gotta get our hands on the HQ of this but yes, we are very impressed.

That ought to give you enough to tantalize your music and visual senses for now.