Welcome to Buzzworthy's "The Week In Pop," where we round up new album releases, talk show musical guests, and TV performances by your favorite pop stars and more (so you don't have to).
We may only be one week into 2013, but it's a huge one, filled to the brim with new music and awards shows. This week, Conor Maynard finally brings his British pop Stateside with the U.S. release of Contrast, and Solange gets us into the groove with her soulful, '80s-flavored True EP physical release. Meanwhile, Black Veil Brides show us a post-apocalyptic world on their third effort, Dropkick Murphys raise some fists on their eighth studio album, and "Girls" releases a compilation of artists featured on the critically acclaimed show. It's also the beginning of awards season. On Wednesday, tune in to the "People's Choice Awards" on CBS, which features performances by nominees Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, and Jason Aldean, and on Thursday the "18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards" air on The CW Network. On Sunday, the "70th Annual Golden Globe Awards" air on NBC, where Taylor Swift, Adele, Jon Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, and Claude-Michel Schönberg are nominated for Best Original Song -- Motion Picture.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
+ Conor Maynard, Contrast: As the much-heralded British answer to Justin Bieber, Conor Maynard finally sees his debut make its way Stateside. The "MTV's Club NYE 2013" performer spent most of 2012 working toward a major breakthrough with tunes like "Vegas Girl" and "Better Than You" featuring fellow New Year's performer Rita Ora. The album also features R&B kingpins such as Pharrell on "Lift Off" and Ne-Yo on "Turn Around," as well as a song penned by Frank Ocean ("Pictures").
+ Solange, True: Following her split with Interscope, Beyoncé's little sister showcases the legendary Knowles family talent on her first independent EP. And while their shared musical genes are evident, the sisters have totally different styles: Solange has a cool penchant for soul-tipped numbers with an '80s sway, like on the awesomely synthy "Losing You." Also check out the rhythmic, soulful slow jam "Lovers In The Parking Lot." While the seven-song True EP has been available digitally since November, it gets a physical release via Terrible Records (co-founded by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor) on Tuesday.
+ Black Veil Brides, Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones: The glammy, goth metalcore group goes high-concept on Wretched, basing the songs on a short story by frontman Andy Biersack. Set in a bleak future, a controlling New World Order emerges, and refugee group The Wild Ones (made up of the band) lead the rebellion to save the world. As the "In The End" video indicates, The Wild Ones are fearless fighters, willing to die for the cause and explore their own mortality. The group also made "Legion of the Black," a companion movie they premiered on Facebook over the weekend.
Check out more new album releases, upcoming TV appearances, and performances after the jump.
+ Various Artists, Girls Volume 1: Music From The HBO Original Series: It feels like years since Hannah and her Gen Y girlfriend posse riveted us with their neurotically brill banter, but really, it's only been six months. While we wait to find out if Hannah ever found her way home from Coney Island and back into Adam's arms, if Jessa's still married, and how Shoshanna's handling her V-card loss (Season 2 premieres on Jan. 14!), we can at least revisit music from the show's first season. The soundtrack features new tunes from fun. ("Sight Of The Sun") and Santigold ("Girls"), along with recent classics from Robyn, Icona Pop, Oh Land, and others.
+ Dropkick Murphys, Signed And Sealed In Blood: Opening their new album with "The Boys Are Back," on which the beer-soaked chorus is "The boys are back/ and they're looking for trouble!" the Boston-based Celtic punks are indeed back with a raucous album to fuel your early 2013 (incidentally, they also ended 2012 with "The Season's Upon Us," which is on the iTunes Deluxe Edition). With shout-along choruses throughout the 12-song set, they keep the party going, even protesting last call during "End Of The Night."
TV APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES
Monday, Jan. 7
"The Chew" -- Cyndi Lauper
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Conor Maynard
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Miguel
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" --Sky Ferreira
Tuesday, Jan. 8
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Morrissey
"Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- The Whigs
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- No Doubt
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- Bat For Lashes
"Conan" -- Gary Clark Jr.
Wednesday, Jan. 9
"Anderson Live" -- Cyndi Lauper
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Ray Wilie Hubbard
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Brad Paisley
"Conan" -- Imagine Dragons
"Chelsea Lately" -- The Saturdays
"People's Choice Awards" -- Featuring performances by nominees Christina Aguilera, Jason Aldean and Alicia Keys on CBS
Thursday, Jan. 10
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Keith Urban, For King & Country
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- John Cale
"The Colbert Report" -- Ben Gibbard
"Chelsea Lately" -- Cyndi Lauper
"Conan" -- ZZ Ward
"The View" -- Carrie Brownstein
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" -- Common
"18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards" -- Adele ("Skyfall"), Birdy with Mumford & Sons ("Learn Me Right"), Keith Urban ("For You"), Hugh Jackman ("Suddenly"), and Paul Williams ("Still Alive") are nominated for Best Song. Airs on The CW
Friday, Jan. 11
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Rodriguez
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Bruno Mars
"Live With Kelly And Michael" -- Nas
Sunday, Jan. 13
"70th Annual Golden Globe Awards" -- Taylor Swift ("Safe & Sound"), Adele ("Skyfall"), Jon Bon Jovi ("Not Running Anymore"), Keith Urban ("For You"), and Claude-Michel Schönberg ("Suddenly") are nominated for Best Original Song -- Motion Picture. Airs on NBC.
Photo credit: EMI
