David Guetta feat Sam Martin - Dangerous

This is the latest single from the producer/DJ's new album Listen which is due out later in the year. In several interviews, David has mentioned that this album will be in a different musical direction than previous albums. The song is significantly different than his usual in that it is a midtempo. It begins and ends with orchestral elements. One could compare the song to Rihanna's Electro/R&B midtempo hit "Diamonds"  but it's funkier.

Watch the lyric video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Armin Van Buuren feat Trevor Guthrie - This Is What It Feels Like

The Trancemaster is back with a new single featuring Trevor Guthrie (formerly of SoulDecision). Trance songs with a gorgeous male vocal have been making quite a comeback lately. The Electro/Dance/Rock track is so well done. It's very versatile in that it could work on Pop radio or in the clubs with the same version. The remixes are by Antillas & Dankann, David Guetta, and Giuseppe Ottaviani. Antillas & Dankann's aggressive Electro treatment works but might be too noisy for some. David Guetta's is pleasant but it doesn't deviate much from his usual blueprint. Giuseppe Ottaviani turns it into a big room Trance masterpiece recalling what Armin used to do in the early 2000s. Fans of that style will love that one. Giuseppe's version is the best of the bunch.

-Listen to the Giuseppe Ottaviani mix here (YouTube)

Grade: A

David Guetta feat Sia - She Wolf (Falling To Pieces)

This is a new single from the upcoming re-release of his Nothing But The Beat album. Just as the song "Titanium" featuring Aussie vocalist Sia has finally found success in the U.S. comes this new one. This is an incredible aggressive Electro/Dance/Pop track with a hint of Rock. Stylewise, this is a bit different from some of the other singles released from the album. Sia's vocals are stunning as can be expected. With the right push, this could be another hit for both artists.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Peter Rauhofer feat Zander Bleck - The World Is Mine

Originally released in 2004 by David Guetta featuring the vocals of JD Davis, the song went on to be pretty huge in clubland. Peter Rauhofer has teamed up with vocalist Zander Bleck to do a remake. Zander manages to capture the vocal nuances of the original vocalist, although nothing compares to the original. The new production is electro with some big room synths. It's a really energetic take on the song.

Listen to a clip and purchase the mix here (Beatport)

Grade: A-

Snoop Dog - Wet/Sweat

The rapper is back with another highly suggestive song. Produced by The Cataracs, the song is a bass-heavy slow jam. Snoop's vocals are heavily autotuned, much in the same way as his 2007 single "Sexual Eruption." For the UK market and the clubs, there is a remix by David Guetta. The remix production borrows heavily from Felix's rave classic "Don't You Want Me", as sampled by Meck for the song "Feels Like Home." This element works surprisingly well.

-Watch the music video for the the original version (NSFW) here (YouTube)
-Watch the music video for the David Guetta remix (NSFW) here (YouTube)

Grade: A- (for the remix)

Kelly Rowland - Commander

After her collaboration with David Guetta which resulted in a huge worldwide hit, her new single "Commander" is also produced by him. She performed this song to a warm response at this year's Winter Music Conference. Ms. Rowland previously recorded mostly in the R&B and Hip Hop styles but has had remixes for some of her singles. The Dance/Electronic sound really suits her well. Her vocals are exquisite on this. The lyrics are great as well. The production is hot and dancefloor ready. This is sure to be a smash as well and is a great preview to her upcoming third studio album.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Estelle featuring Kardinal Offishall - Freak

This is the latest single from singer Estelle. Produced by David Guetta, this is a significant departure from her own material. Estelle also appeared on the title track of Guetta's 2009 album. "Freak" is a sexual song leaving very little to the imagination. Interpolating a little bit of the hook from Soul II Soul's late 80's Dance hit "Back To Love (However Do You Want Me)", this track is a full blown electro-pop track. This sounds a bit different from Guetta's productions of late, but it works. The song is fun in a club setting but is just too different from the Estelle material from the last couple of years to have a lasting impact.

Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: B-

NOW That's What I Call Club Hits

This is the first release in a new series from the people behind the other NOW compilations. The concept of NOW That's What I Call Club Hits is a bit different from some of the other current hits compilations such as those from Ultra Records or those Total Club Hits type ones. While the song selections may be similar, those are all continuously mixed. This NOW one is unmixed for the most part. Some of the songs have been sequenced and edited in a way that there is no silence between the shift from one track to the next, but each track begins like it's supposed to.

Almost all of the songs appearing on the compilation are radio edits. Only a few are slightly longer. If those longer ones were shorter, a couple more tracks could have been included.

Here's the tracklisting:
01. Black Eyed Peas - "Boom Boom Guetta" (David Guetta's Electro Hop Remix)
02. Sean Kingston - "Fire Burning" (Dave Aude Radio)
03. Flo Rida - "Right Round" (Benny Benassi Remix Edit)
04. Pitbull - "I Know What You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" (More English Radio Edit)
05. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - "When Loves Takes Over" (Electro Radio Edit)
06. Kid Cudi - "Day 'N' Nite" (Crookers Remix Radio Edit)
07. Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Ne-Yo - "Knock You Down" (Bimbo Jones Radio Remix)
08. Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake - "Love Sex Magic" (Jason Nevins Sex Club Radio Mix)
09. Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain - "Blame It" (The New Devices Remix)
10. Lady Gaga - "Lovegame" (Dave Aude Radio Edit)
11. Kelly Clarkson - "My Life Would Suck Without You" (Chriss Ortega Radio Mix)
12. P!nk - "Please Don't Leave Me" (Digital Dog Radio Edit)
13. Katy Perry - "Waking Up In Vegas" (Calvin Harris Remix Edit)
14. The Killers - "Spaceman" (Tiesto Remix)
15. Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne - "Let It Rock" (Filthy Dukes [Radio])
16. Bad Boy Bill feat. Alyssa Palmer - "Falling Athem"
17. Empire Of The Sun - "Walking On A Dream" (Kaskade Remix)
18. Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (Thin White Duke Remix)
19. Jackson 5 - "Dancing Machine" (Polow Remix)

The tracklisting of the compilation is quite strong overall. Even though a majority of the songs/remixes featured have been released digitally, they have not been released on a CD of this nature unmixed. In addition to the Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock and Alternative acts, some choice Dance/Electronic ones have been included, making this compilation quite eclectic.

The compilation will be released in the U.S. in both CD and digital form on September 22, 2009.

Buy and listen to clips of all the songs here (Amazon)

Grade: A

David Guetta, Sebastian Ingrosso, Dirty South & Julie McKnight - How Soon Is Now

This is not a remake of the classic by The Smiths. It is a new track produced by three of Europe's electronic music legends including David Guetta, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Dirty South featuring the vocals from Julie McKnight (of King Of Tomorrow's "Finally" fame). This is very much in the same vein as the "Leave The World Behind" track which was released in the middle of Spring. However, this one goes a bit further. The instrumental isn't as aggressive and it has an old school vibe. It has a classic feel to it already. Julie McKnight sounds amazing as usual.

Grade: A

David Guetta featuring Akon - Sexy Bitch

This is the second single off of David Guetta's highly anticipated One Love album due at the end of the month. After the international smash that was "When Love Takes Over", this one could be an even bigger hit. Senegalese R&B/Hip Hop artist Akon is the guest on this track. Combining the best of what both do, "Sexy Bitch" is catchy and fun while being creative. This one may have greater potential in the U.S.

Buy the clean version here (iTunes)

Grade: A

David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland - Love Takes Over

There had been considerable buzz surrounding this collaboration even before people could have a chance to hear it. It is worth of all the buzz and praise it has been getting. Of course it will be an event when a former Destiny's Child member and a French House producer come together. Kelly's voice is a great fit for Dance/Electronic music as demonstrated by the vast number of remixes that have been done for her singles. On this particular song, she showcases more of her range which is a good thing. She sounds perfectly at home on this track. The production is really great. The aggressive, energetic intro leads to a chilled, almost "Clocks"-like keyboard loop. And then Kelly's vocals come in. It's a nice blend of hard and soft. There are several remixes of this coming soon. This one will prove to be one of this year's biggest club tracks on both sides of the Atlantic.

Listen to the original here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Kylie Minogue - Wow

This is the second UK single off of her comeback album X. The heavy electro-pop track is much catchier than the previous single "2 Hearts", however, it may take several listens to get into it. A watered-down version has been made as the radio edit. It's just okay. The really noteworthy mix of this is by CSS (Cansei De Ser Sexy). Some of the extra electro edge has been shaved off in favor of a more subdued production. They give the song a nice 80's synth-pop feel. This takes the song up several notches. Additional mixes by David Guetta with Joachim Garraud and MSTRKRFT make the song a bit clubbier. The instrumental hook from the original is kept to some degree in all the mixes.

Original
Grade: B

CSS Remix
Grade: A+

Guetta & Garraud Mix
Grade: A-

MSTRKRFT Mix
Grade: B+