NG's Top 30 Joints Of 2008....Presents : Number 4 & 3
4. Jordin Sparks Feat. Chris Brown - No Air
Released: February 11, 2008.
From the Album : Jordin Sparks 2007:Kelly Clarkson - Never Again 2006:Gnarls Barkley - Crazy 2005:Kelly Clarkson - Behind These Hazel Eyes 2004:Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit
No Air is an epic love song. We have one of the beloved American Idol winners, Jordin Sparks collborated with the soon to be new Usher, Chris Brown making the track one of my favorite thing in 2008 music. Whoever picks Chris Brown to be in the song is a smart person, knowing he has the charm for mainstream listeners, it is a great move to help launch Jordin's career. Back to the song, starting with Jordin's echoey vocals as she says, "Tell me how am I supposed to breathe with no air.." That line alone already grasps my attention as Jordin sings back and forth with Chris Brown showcases their skillful vocals. The tinkly keyboard and string effects shifted in making the song even more emotional. No Air is a track that everyone can relates to, the kind of track for a person who is longing for love and desiring for affection. Just when the song hypnotizes you under a spell of Jordin and Chris Brown's emotional vocal, it gets better when the last verse kicks in. That whole thirty seconds is a ladder of plain, simple awesome vocals. No Air immediately defines Jordin's career proving that she has the talent and changes her status of just an American Idol winner to one of the strongest young talents in pop music in a blink of an eye.
3. Imogen Heap - Not Now But Soon
Released: July 8, 2008.
From the Album : Heroes Original Soundtrack 2007:Kanye West - Stronger 2006:Beyonce - Ring The Alarm 2005:The Game - Dreams 2004:Brandy Feat. Kanye West - Talk About Our Love
If you don't know Imogen Heap, you are missing out big time, my friend. She is frickin' A-M-A-Zing. The reason this song charts so high is because I have been anticipated for new music from Imogen since the summer of 2007 after hearing her amazing effort, "Speak for Yourself." In March of 2008, Not Now But Soon leaked and I am completely head over heel with the track the first time I've heard it. The track is mesmerizing in every possible way from the vocal to the lyrics and I can see why it ends up in Heroes Soundtrack. Imogen Heap’s distinct, beautiful vocals work well over Not Now But Soon, which cleverly draws on the Heroes theme instrumentally, while making the most of that lush, melodically layered voice. The music is incredible with refreshing sound I would not hear anywhere else. I have to give props to Imogen on writing the most beautiful lyrics as she sings, "Not now but soon,the most beautiful light will wake us to pillow fighting excitement. Not now but soon, bright into every corner, satellites manoeuvre in beams of change." Listening to Not Now But Soon makes me happy and excited for Imogen's next album. It will be amazing! So not now.. but soon.
