Ariana and Ellie, the new Divas of Pop

Pop music is at present abuzz with the presence and I must say particularly the sounds of two very talented girls, Ariana Grande and Ellie Goulding. They have all the goods for stardom, great looks, music that is familiar enough to relate to but also new and innovative and they are titans in social media circles. This early, they are already referred to by their first names and just as we know who is being talked about when they say Miley or Rihanna, we now have a clear idea who Arianna and Ellie are.

Now, if you are among those who still do not know who Arianna is, then it is probably because there is no tweener in your house, who enjoys watching Nickelodeon’s popular TV show Victorious. That was how Arianna, who has been performing since she was eight years old, was introduced to the public. So when she decided to give recording a try, she already had a solid base of adoring fans. 

That is the reason why The Way, the first single out of her debut album Yours Truly, went straight to No. 1 in the iTunes hit list a very short eight hours after it was made available on line. The hook-filled song, co-written by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and Sevyn Streeter, is just the right showcase for Arianna’s fantastic vocals, while the rap by Mac Miller gives it hip hop edge. 

Now The Way is not all there is about this girl and there are more goodies to discover about her in the album, which she incidentally also executive produced. Arianna soars in the big ballads, is sweet and sexy with R&B and can be jazzy and soulful with bebop. Her singing, so effortless and natural reminds me of Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera during their early days. Very impressive. Yours Truly is worth your while.

The only thing that scares me about Ariana’s success is that it will surely bring back the melisma embellishments that have become the trademark of R&B singing. I say again that only the truly gifted vocalist should attempt to do those. Hearing such vocal histrionics in local singing contests or from wanna-be divas in TV shows can be a nightmare.

 Arianna is also a songwriter and she co-wrote Tattooed Heart, one of my favorite tracks in the CD. And guess who one of her co-writers is? Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. So glad to find out that The Face still has excellent composing chops. Remember, this was the same guy who did Toni Braxton’s great Unbreak My Heart and other big hits of the ’90s. Well, he came up with several for Arianna and that must be why this girl has that distinctive diva vibe.

I am sure you will also enjoy her Baby I, Right There, Lovin’ It, Daydreamin’, Almost Is Never Enough with Nathan Sykes of The Wanted, and the one I like best of all, the uplifting Piano.

 If the gorgeous Arianna can be a future Mariah or Beyoncé Knowles, then I see a mix of Madonna, Rihanna and Sinead O’Connor, plus also Annie in singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding.  The music of this girl dances, but in an other-worldly, mystical way.  It is haunting folk disguised as electronica.  I know that is a unique, or to be honest, a really odd combination, but it is how her music sounds and it is the sort that really works for this British sensation.  It is also very commercial.  Remember, she began her career three years ago with a No. 1 seller, Lights so she has been doing everything right.

There were no sophomore slump worries in Ellie’s case. Halcyon her second album literally skyrocketed to the top of the charts. There was really no way that it could fail. For one, Ellie has this amazing voice that makes even cold, utilitarian electronica sound warm. Then, she got a massive boost with the scintillating I Need Your Love, her collaboration with today’s No. 1 DJ, Calvin Harris. For another, she goes all out in the inspirational department. How else would you describe the way she filled the songs in the CD with choral backgrounds? From the first cut, Don’t Say A Word and onwards, choirs add to the ethereal mood of the album. The effect on the listener is quite uplifting.

Then, as if those were not enough, she has released a new single that will be part of the reissue campaign for Halcyon on the last quarter of this year. Produced by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, it shows Ellie exploring new waters. It is not just folk and electronica blending into dance anymore, she has added rock into the brew and the result is quite interesting. This is what I like most about Goulding. There is a fearlessness in her approach to music. She seems unhampered by image or market dictates and just flows along. Makes me wonder what she will do with album No. 3.

P.S. I hope that Arianna and Ellie will never learn how to twerk or feel the need to stick their tongues out and ditch their clothes.