Avicci - Fade Into Darkness

This is a new track based on the “Penguin” instrumental (which is also the basis for Leona Lewis’ new single). A stunning male vocal appears between the piano samples from “Penguin.” The result is truly remarkable, a stark contrast to the Leona Lewis disaster. One could really compare this with the smash hit “When Love Takes Over” as it has a similar structure and is just as pleasing.

Listen to the vocal mix here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Leona Lewis - Collide

This is a brand new single from the UK chanteuse best known for the smash "Bleeding Love." She returns with an uptempo, a departure for her. Co-produced by Avicci, the song sounds very similar to the song "Penguin." Unfortunately, the song just does not connect in terms of the vocals. Leona sounds completely bored on this hookless song. The instrumental production on its own is stunning, however, it just doesn't work at all with the vocals. The Afrojack remix sounds a little better, but there's little that can be done to save this snoozer.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)
Listen to the Afrojack remix here (YouTube)

Grade: D- (for the original version/D+ (for the Afrojack remix)

Leona Lewis - Happy

This is the first single off of her second album entitled Echo. Co-written by Evan Bogart, Ryan Tedder, and Leona Lewis herself, it is also produced by Ryan Tedder. "Happy" is a midtempo, pseudo-epic track. It definitely goes beyond some of what Ryan Tedder has come up with in the last few months. Leona's vocals are really stunning on this. Lyrically, this is pretty good too. This would work well remixed. This seems like something Jason Nevins, Moto Blanco or Tony Moran could do really well.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Agnes - Release Me

This song had a considerable amount of success in Europe earlier this year, and now it looks like it may do the same in the U.S. Agnes was the winner of Swedish Idol back in 2005. "Release Me" is from her third album. She was recently signed to a label in the U.S. The Dance/Pop track is light and pretty. It is very catchy. Agnes' vocals are pretty good too. The various remixes, particularly the Cahill and Moto Blanco ones are great. Additional mixes for the U.S. release are in the works.

Purchase the original here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Leona Lewis - I Will Be

This is the third single from the songstress' debut album. Just as the previous two singles were, "I Will Be" is a ballad too. This one is piano-based just as "Better In Time" was. However, this one is a bit more Rock-oriented than the earlier two singles were. On this one, her vocals are a lot more emotive and show additional depth. This one is sure to be a multiformat smash. This goes for adds on Pop radio on January 6, 2009 according to the FMQB website.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-