Rihanna's Rude Boy : Remixes Ahoy

Rihanna's Rude Boy, one of the standout tracks on her Rated R album is shaping up to be one of her biggest hits and while certainly not reaching Umbrella heights, definitely sounds like the new Rihanna taking on the shiny pop of Don't Stop the Music on her own terms. It's been nice to see how the single has slotted into the altogether darker tone of the Rated R campaign, from the suggestive single cover to the Keith Haring meets MIA meets Caribbean vibe of the video.

Still what is a pop single without some decent remixes? Have dug around in the last few weeks very few of them really stand out. Chew Fu who has done wonders with many recent pop tracks falls a bit short with his take. It's too plodding and slow when it should be explosive. The Low Sundays rework is similarly disappointing. The Wideboys thankfully rescue the track with their enjoyable if slightly straightforward mix. Having done wonders with many pop hits over the last few years (Riri's own Don't Stop The Music in particular) they gave this tune an enjoyable house flavoured workout. Sounds a bit like Calvin Harris' I'm Not Alone at times too (those 90s style synths, lovely).

The cream of the crop though is the Cosmic Dawn remix (which I first spotted here) a bouncy nu-disco take on the track. It's fresh, immediate and would sound quite good blared at a summer party. And a nice excuse to post yet another version of the video. By the time you've finished you'll have the image of Rihanna whirling around imprinted on your brain forever. Check out more on Cosmic Dawn at their blog.

All very enjoyable it must be said. It'll be interesting to see how they follow up this single, there's already talk of work commencing on a follow up but with a pop album as strong as Rated R, there is sure to be some mileage left.

New Madonna Track: It's a Celebration

Madonna has her "Celebration" greatest hits coming up in September which is fronted by the Paul Oakenfold produced title track which leaked to the internet this week to the excitement of many. The single is available to stream now on Madonna.com

Before we do anything lets just take in the cover art for the single which I think is fantastic:




Madonna looks like she is on the piss, out to have indiscriminate casual sex with a stranger and smoke large cigars (perhaps in a suggestive manner). In other words, Madonna is on a night out. I love how this gets across her love of dance and her rhythm and also like someone who is slightly out of it. Brilliant.


The song itself is bouncy, joyous and a tad generic. But the good parts : thumping bass, catchy chorus, tongue in cheek lyrics make it stand out as a fantastic piece of club pop and one of the most enjoyable things Madonna has done in ages.

The lyrics are as underdeveloped as ever and her delivery is at times stupidly fast. I smell a lyrical top 5 coming on

5: "Lets get this started, no more hesitation" :

Madonna uses the word hesitation for the billionth time in a song. She obviously hopes that the word hesitate will become her new conical bra style trademark.

4: "If it makes you feel good, then I say do it" :

Is this what Madonna says everytime she does a 3 hour workout?

3: "Are you drunk or are you sober? Think about it, doesn't matter":

This is the philosophical dilemma faced by every person in a club who decides to suck face with someone completely drunk, feels bad about it and then decides that they don't care because they haven't kissed anyone in ages and if there were really going to start questioning their motives they probably wouldn't have had that last double vodka and redbull, wouldn't have hurled abuse at the girl at the cloakroom, wouldn't have told their friend that their pencil skirt does make them look bloated and probably wouldn't have spent their last five euro on said vodka/redbull. Isn't amazing how one lyric can so much? Beautiful.

2: "Haven't I seen you somewhere before? You look familiar"

Parts in pop songs where popstar speak instead of sing are usually entertaining and/or amazing. The spoken word part in "Celebration" is fantastic and is the sexiest Madonna has sounded in years. This lyrics is great for how it makes it sound like Madonna is prowling the club for that cute guy from last week but also the idea that she sees a photo of herself from 1983 and asks that same question.

1: "I guess I didn't recognise you without your clothes on"

Yet another amazing speaking part, I'd imagine this is aimed at Madonna's on/off boy toy Jesus "I'm quite frequently pictured in my underwear" Luz. I can picture M saying this to Jesus everytime he turns up to her house for a visit and is wearing more than just a smile. "Why aren't you naked?" Madonna barks "Because its cold out and I could get arrested?" retorts Jesus. "Fair enough" replies Madonna "I might just reference this moment in an upcoming song of mine, thanks for the inspiration".

Celebration may not be a "Like A Prayer" style classic but it is incredibly good fun and you will find yourself throwing shapes to this on the dancefloor within the next few months.