Pop bliss

Two acts emanating from the UK showcase just what is so right about its current energized pop scene. While Calvin Harris has had a previous CD (I Created Disco) and is better known for his electronica and music programming, he’s come up trumps with his new CD of party music, Ready for the Weekend. Pixie Lott is a new artist, all of 18 years old, but shows a maturity that should give her career a long, extended run.

Calvin Harris — Ready for the Weekend. Scottish by birth, Calvin first came into mainstream prominence by being handpicked by Kylie Minogue to work on one of her recent CDs, and he was similarly approached by rapper Dizzee Rascal. Ready for the Weekend is as its title implies, one party-inspired set that liberally uses ‘80s influences and synthesizer-augmented music. Think Jamiroquai, Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers with a sense of humor and lots of catchy tunes. I loved so many songs here (the title tune, Flashback, Worst Day, and Relax), it’s constantly being played when I’m driving. The three bonus tunes are winners as well, with Dance Wiv Me starting off like a Marvin Gaye tune, but turning out to be a playful rap, hip-hop winner! One of the best this year.

Pixie Lott — Turn It Up. One of the more popular acts that broke through this year, Lott is an irrepressible singer/songwriter, actress and dancer. Take a little bit of Lily Allen, a dash of Duffy, but percolate within the musical mainstream, and you’ll have some idea of Lott’s musical persona. She works on this CD with the producers of Kylie, Pussycat and Lady Gaga, and it shows, with each tune giving us a different facet of her talent. I especially liked Band Aid, Turn It Up and Jack. There’s even a tune called Gravity that has her sounding very much like an English Jordin Sparks. More than any individual song, it’s the consistency of this first album that had me smiling. She’s not some “one trick pony” with one hit song to carry her through this CD. An impressive pop debut.