Top 6 Singles: July 2016

July was a great month, it was my birthday month and there was some really great music released which made it VERY difficult to pick the best six new releases for the month. Take a read of our list and tell us in the comments which of these you love the most and what your favourite song of the month was.

Single of the Week: FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna/Kanye/Paul McCartney

This has almost been single of the week for a number of weeks, but with it hitting number one on the Australian charts this week, it seemed the perfect time. This is a very strong song from three musical powerhouses, the type of collaboration that wouldn't have seemed real or possible a few years ago.

Now this song is a definite grower. The laid back track didn't grab me when I first heard it, and I thought it was a strange first single for Rihanna's new album - especially after she released a new album every year for a few years and then suddenly stopped. But after a few listens you truly begin to appreciate the beautiful ease of this great folk like ballad.

For me this is all about Rihanna's almost breathless vocals. A Rihanna ballad is something I've always loved and she has never sounded better, her vocals, like the song, have a beautiful ease. Kanye West sounds great here too, sure, he's using his trademark auto-tune but it's not over used. McCartney clearly had a big hand in the writing and producing as it feels more like a song of his and not the other two.

Lyrically it's an interesting one, it seems to be about heartbreak, loss and self destructive behaviour. It's the kind of track that will get stuck into your head, I certainly have been walking around for a few weeks singing it.

I for one am now very intrigued to hear the upcoming album from Rihanna and see what direction she'll be taking this time. This track is introducing a more adult sounding Rihanna and I'm ready for more.

Now as for the latest Kanye controversy with him and his hatred of anyone but Beyonce winning major awards, I take it with a grain of salt. He's a polarising figure and guess what, he likes it like that. He is entitled to his opinion, and all this bullshit with people now bagging out Beyonce has to stop. You don't win an album of the year because you play a million instruments, it's about a lot more than that - it's voice, songs, production, critical reception. Did Beyonce deserve to win? Maybe, I personally was hoping for Sam Smith to win. The thing that is interesting is that people are so angry about Kanye having an opinion and then ridicule him with their opinion - seems a double standard to me.

Time to forget it and just enjoy this great song and it's simple clip again. Long live double denim!

What do you think about "FourFiveSeconds"? Tell me in the comments section below.

Diva Off: Beyonce vs Rihanna

Since the dawn of time we have pitted diva's against each other to discover who we love more. And you don't get bigger diva's right now than Beyonce and Rihanna. To some it may seem like a one sided competition, Beyonce all the way, but Rihanna is pretty massive here in Australia and singles sales would point the competition to Rihanna.

I've been asking people this question all week, and it's been an even spread, and some of the discussions have been getting hectic. Love it. So let's plead the case for both.

BEYONCE:

Right from the beginning of Destiny's Child, Beyonce was the breakout star. Amazing vocals that match perfectly with her pop and R&B hits. She is not just a pop star, she is an icon, a style leader, and her influence is so massive, Kanye West crashed Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to declare that Beyonce had the best video of all time with "Single Ladies" (above).

Beyonce has sold over 118 million records throughout the world, if including Destiny's Child, add another 60 million. She's won 17 Grammy awards and must be worth like a gazillion dollars (not an official amount). Plus there's the amazing songs, so many great songs including "Crazy in Love", "Halo" and "Drunk in Love". She is a true star!

So here are my favourite three Beyonce songs, these songs prove why she is a true force of nature:

1 - Telephone (featuring Lady Gaga)

What an amazing collaboration! This song has everything, two amazing divas, a great hook, catchy chorus and cultural phenomenom film clip. Sure it's meant to be a Gaga single, but Beyonce owns her parts. Her voice sounds flawless here. Could listen to this one on repeat over and over.

2 - Irreplaceable

This could have easily been my favourite, even though it's 9 years old I still love it just as much. Co-written by Beyonce and Ne-Yo, this mid tempo ballad is a little pop, a little R&B and all awesome. So easy to get "To the left, to the left, everything you own in a box to the left" stuck in your head. A pretty perfect pop single that rightfully went number one world wide.

3 - 1 + 1

This wasn't an official single, but was released as a promo, video included. This power ballad is a complete showcase for some flawless Beyonce vocals. She sounds so desperate and impassioned on this track, you can't help but gush as she emotes. And those lyrics, wow, "We ain't got nothing but love, and darling you got enough for the both of us". I truly adore this beautiful song.

RIHANNA:

Rihanna has been releasing albums since 2005 and already has released 7 albums featuring some massive songs, in fact, here in Australia she has had 8 number ones (more than Beyonce). She's sold 54 million albums and 190 million singles worldwide. Her clips are pieces of art and she's an amazing fashion icon.

Let's talk hits, and there have been many. And these songs show the beauty of Rihanna, crossing from pop, hip hop and reggae and filling the gaps in between. "Umbrella" was massive, and for reason, there's her duets with Eminem, "Love the Way You Lie" and "The Monster" which were incredible, and then a beautiful ballad like "Stay" showcases her vocals. I was just dancing along to "Only Girl She is a singles artist and does it with style and flare.

Here are my favourite three Rihanna songs:

1 - Unfaithful

This, like "Irreplaceable" was co-written by Ne-Yo and this haunting power ballad is a perfect showcase for Rihanna's unique vocals. Lyrically it's about someone who regrets cheating. It's a great sing along ballad and a song I remember playing on repeat when it was first released. Beautiful stuff I still adore.

2 - S&M

Rihanna can make a wonderful dirty song, and this bit of pop brilliance proves it. This great track celebrating the love of S&M proves why Rihanna has often called herself, "The Black Madonna". The beat is deep and makes you want to dance, and you can't help but sing along with she belts, "Now come on". And extra points for re-recording this as a duet with the fantastic Britney.

3 - Diamonds

Speaking of catchy lyrics, most of us would have had, "Shine bright like a diamond" stuck in our heads. This is a Sia penned track, and proves again why she is songwriting gold. This mid tempo ballad is a grower, working your way into your self conscious and sticking there for days, weeks, on end. I am a big fan of this song.

MY VERDICT:

Okay, I love Beyonce, and love her Destiny's Child stuff, but for me the answer is Rihanna. For me it's about her versatility and as a massive pop music fan, Rihanna is more of a pop artist. Cue the screaming from Beyonce fans!

YOUR VERDICT:

Time to vote in the comments section below. Tell me who you prefer, Beyonce or Rihanna. Let's see who wins!!!