Brightest Young Things

In this weekly feature Nina (a real live breathing 17 year old-ed) will examine whatever song is currently at the top end of the charts and defend its “musical merits” to the best of her ability talk about it.

"Halo" by Beyonce

Whenever I do this column, I usually listen to whatever song I'm writing about for fifteen or twenty minutes straight.  This is usually a very painful experience, and it takes a few hours of Phoenix/Vampire Weekend therapy to remind me that good pop music exists.  There have been a few times where I haven't minded the process though, and this week was one of those times.  Basically because Beyonce freakin rocks.  I can honestly say that I am so proud to have her as the "Diva" of my generation.

"Halo," as with the other singles from Beyonce's most recent album, is a really good song.  I love the beat, which is simple (just some drums, piano, handclaps, and synth) but totally fresh and current at the same time.  Rather than being another tired ballad (a.k.a. every Mariah Carey song of late.  Sorry.) this is good after multiple listens and never sounds too gooey or too sentimental.  It just sounds like a well-built pop ballad.  Plus, Beyonce has an amazing voice, which doesn't hurt.

Currently, there are so many female pop stars getting famous from being lunatics (i.e. Katy Perry, Lady GaGa) which can be fun and good, but I think one of the reasons Beyonce gets so much respect isn't so much her talent but her class.  She's private, but in the spotlight just enough to stay relevant.  And then when she releases albums, they are solid and contain really good hits.  I rarely listen to the radio in the car, but when this comes on, I never change the channel.

So yeah, as you can tell, I really like Beyonce.  You should download "Halo" now.  But stay tuned for next week when I will review that new Black Eyed Peas song about 3008.  It will not be pretty.