Bera - Light It Up (Remixes)

This is the followup single to his breakout "Favorite Things" last year. Produced by Darkchild, this is an uptempo perfect for the dancefloor and radio. Stylistically, it calls to mind some of Taio Cruz and Jason DeRulo's recent uptempo singles. The Eurodance meets Electo/Pop production is hot. Remixes are provided by Abe Clements, Bimbo Jones, and Dave Aude. Abe opts for a piano-laden circuit mix while Bimbo's is a bit more atmospheric. Dave's is the pick of the bunch as it stays close to the original and soups it up. With the right promotional push, this could be huge on U.S. and international radio this Spring.

-Listen to "Light It Up" here (YouTube)
-Watch Bera's EPK here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me (Remixes)

This debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 based on just a week of sales, and has now begun to take off on radio. Remixes for this have begun to be promoted. Abe Clements, Adrian Lux & Nause, Jump Smokers, Mike Rizzo, Ocelot, Smoke n Mirrors, The Alias, and Tracy Young have remixed this so far. Since there are so many mixes, it would be a bit much to describe all of them in great detail.

The Abe Clements, Mike Rizzo, and Tracy Young's mixes are the best of the bunch. All are equally energetic, especially Mike's. Abe's incorporates the dubstep section nicely. Tracy's is dark and tribal, and her handling of the breakdown is a bit unexpected. Adrian Lux & Nause, Jump Smokers, Ocelot, and Smoke n Mirrors mixes are a bit on the busy and noisy side, and are just okay. The Alias mix sounded promising but feels a bit too metallic and is painful to listen to.

An extended version of the original is desperately needed and would be a great addition to this package.

Grade: B (for the package overall)/A- (for Abe, Mike, and Tracy's versions)