To keep it brief, after the show I updated my personal Facebook with this:

“On a high from Kelly Clarkson’s show. She was bloody amazing! I especially loved her cover of Florence + The Machine’s ‘Heavy In Your Arms’ — goosebumps! Vocally the best show I’ve seen in quite some time. Oh yeah, and Fancy herself (Reba McEntire) was in the audience. I will definitely be seeing her again. Unf*ckingbelievable!”

That pretty much sums up the show, except I did leave out the fact that besides her huge pop records, she also performed a cover of Etta James’ hit I’d Rather Go Blind (as a tribute to the iconic singer’s recent passing), and a wonderful rendition of My Man, taken from the huge Broadway favorite Funny Girl.

But since Kelly’s ballads have always hit home runs in my eyes, those particular numbers stole the show in my opinion. Below you will find an acoustic, stripped-down version of the angst-ridden Never Again, the beautiful rendition of Florence + The Machine’s Heavy In Your Arms, and a lovely ballad that Kelly wrote to help the children of Africa entitled You Still Won’t Know What It’s Like.

Get ready to feel your heart skip a beat.

It’s been almost a year since I last talked Tim McGraw. And although BTB doesn’t spit out country-related material on the daily, when I heard this song I instantly knew I wanted to write about it.

The fifth song from Tim McGraw‘s upcoming Emotional Traffic album (due out January 24th) is pure poetry. Written by Jedd Hughes and Luke Laird, the modern country track is rough around the edges yet full of smooth-skin soul.

The darker ballad revolves around a man who’s tired of fighting with his lover.

“Let’s just cut it down the middle / Let it bleed and bleed out / I’ll clean up the mess / Baby you stand there and shout / Cry, cry, baby I can’t hold us together,” McGraw pours out the words with a bittersweet center.

“Baby I’ll let you go when you say so / Try to let your heart fly free / I’ll crawl outta my cradle, down into my black hole / You just lay low / Under your halo,” he continues to sing, during the chorus.

If this song is any indication to how the rest of the Emotional Traffic album will sound, I’d say we’re in for a beautifully wild ride.

[Related Post: Tim McGraw Joins The Sober Club]

Also, since it’s a mini celebration, it kinda helps when there’s free music involved…

Sexy Jersey pop prodigy, KDrew, has dropped his Free Volume 2 EP for FREE mp3 download. The second of seven consecutive self-produced EP’s, Free Volumes 1-7 presents KDrew’s swagger as singer/songwriter, producer, and performer.

He will be releasing five more EP’s on the first of each month through May 1st of 2012.

His music is like Pringles… once you pop! Lame description but whatevs.

Freakin’ love some KDrew!

Oh yeah, check out my exclusive interview with the dude himself, HERE.

KDrew Free EP Vol. 1&2 by KDrewMusic

Can’t wait to see Kelly kick it live in January, here in the Big Apple!

In the meantime…

Paramore’s new single In the Mourning is definitely picking up right where the band left off. They really know how to make hits and gets one’s energy flowing. I found this stripped down, acoustic version of the tune done by Miss Hayley Williams, and had to share it.

Feel free to eat this up!

If you follow this blog, you will see Florence + the Machine (and Drake) on a consistent basis. They’re just that damn good. Once again, they’ve gone and outdone themselves. At BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge, the band broke out with a cover of Take Care by Drake featuring Rihanna. I was a fan of this track before, but now, it’s an absolute love affair.

Check it out for yourself.

ROB BRAYL: Ok, first things first. That shirtless pic of you in the Yankee’s hat has an old skool Marky Mark Calvin Klein vibe going on. How would you describe yourself, sound and image for those unaware?

KDREW: That picture shows more of the fitness side of me which played a huge role in my life. But on the other hand I guess my image is a little more rock when I’m fully clothed. [Laughs] I have a ton of sides to me, which definitely translates to my music.

RB: I understand that, like Lil Wayne, you tend to swing it in the studio? Do you always go in to record without lyrics in mind?

KD: Pretty much. I like to get caught up in the moment whenever I’m making a track. I never say, “Hey, you have to go into the studio at 1:15 and write a ballad about unicorns and fairy dust.” [Laughs] Sometimes it will be 4 in the morning and I’ll feel like making a dubstep record. So I just break out my laptop and start working. I guess I just go with the flow.

RB: I’ve gotta say that I love your music — it’s got a very commercial appeal that I think will go far. Has radio been supportive? I know radio can be a bitch to break.

KD: Thank you very much. Some stations have definitely been supportive and to this day still are. The other ones that haven’t jumped on my music yet hopefully will in the near future. But as hard as radio is, it’s just one piece to the puzzle. Sometimes people make it their number one priority to get on it. You gotta just make music for yourself and fans, everything else will come after that.

RB: Last album you purchased.

KD: ‘Mylo Xyloto’ by Coldplay.

RB: I see that you’re a huge Michael Jackson fan (join the club!). Was he your first inspiration for starting music? Also, can you moonwalk? Just curious!

KD: Michael was definitely one of the many influences I had growing up. I was raised around all different types and styles so I hope people can really hear that in my music. Every once in a while when I go to the store I’ll moonwalk there. Great cardio.

RB: How sad are you that Justin Timberlake hasn’t recorded a new album in 5 years? Your stuff is right up his alley BTW.

KD: I wouldn’t say sad. I would say more eager to hear what he’s been conjuring up in the studio. Whenever he comes out, his music becomes a style. So I understand as an artist why he hasn’t put anything out. He’s smart though for waiting.

RB: Any new projects you’re currently working on? Upcoming shows?

KD: I’m always working on new projects so you never know when you might be hearing a record I wrote or produced. Currently I’m working with a hip hop artist who’s really dope. Also I’m trying to get a bunch of my dubstep and house records finished so I can put them out. Show-wise I’m sporadically doing them all over the country. But soon I really wanna sit down and plan a tour or even hop on someone else’s.

RB: This might be a tough one, but what’s your favorite track you’ve ever recorded?

KD: Truthfully, every song I do is probably my favorite. I put so much time and energy into each one that to say I have a favorite would be unfair to the rest of my songs!

RB: Finally, thanks for talking to me, yo! Give us something random to end this interview on.

KD: Thank you for having me and I like turtles. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are great and I want to go skydiving.

But hey, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate, right? Especially since it’s been a good minute since we’ve heard a new track from Brandy, who pours her heart and soul out on the just-leaked edgy ballad about a lost love. The emotional track was produced by Kadis & Sean.

Apparently Brandy is pretty darn happy with the track tweeting: “Now y’all know I don’t toot my own horn, but a b*tch SLAYED ‘silent night’ #cockymoment !! Lol”.

Judge for yourself.

For the record, I’m lovin’ this song!

[Brandy's new album is due out next year on RCA/Chameleon Records.]

Last summer I interviewed Marga Lane for BTB’s From Scratch section, spotlighting unsigned independent artists. And now,the singer/songwriter/New York native is back with a striking music video for her pop/soul-infused single, Rebound.

If you’ve ever been screwed over by a guy who likes to plays with balls — you know, basketball, football, that sort of thing — then this song is for you. Or pretty much anyone who’s been screwed over. That works, too. Yeah.

For the interview with Marga click HERE.

Check out the music video for Rebound below.

And spread the word! Support independent artists, you turds.

The day has arrived, peoples of the interwebs. Today, your eyes will witness something monumental — the new music video for Disaster by mah homegirl JoJo! Disaster is the lead single off the highly anticipated forthcoming album, Jumping Trains, due out in early 2012.

Y’all know how much I love JoJo! So please, if you have an extra buck, go buy this track and support her. The pop world deserves more of, oh, you know, singers who can actually saaang!

Behind-the-scenes interview + the official video for Disaster following.