MUSIC Reviews

Pistol Annies Built around twin- "Hush Hush" (3:25) SINGLES kling piano and a soulful assist from PRODUCERS: Chuck Ainlay, HIP -HOP Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf fellow -ite Ray EARL SWEATSHIRT WRITERS: Miranda Lambert, Dalton, "Can't Hold Ashley Monroe, Angaleena "Whoa" (3:23) Us" is additional Presley PRODUCER:Tyler, the Creator proof (for those who

PUBLISHER: BMI WRITERS: Thebe Kgositsil, needed it) that the duo Tyler Okonma RCA of and PUBLISHERS. Randomblackdude is more Publishing/Golf Wang Steak than a one -trick pony. Sauce, administered by Sony/ ATV Songs (BMI) Naturally, the "Thrift Shop" stars can't help Tan Cressida/Columbia but shout -out some "Whoa," Earl Sweat- sartorial savvy-in shirt's latest single, this case, Bob Barker's is a free -associative "suit game."-DH mess, but that's the environment in which the I9 -year -old thrives. ELECTRONI CA When Odd Future ZEDD FEATURING cohort Tyler, the Cre- FOXES ator's intricate produc- "Clarity" (4:34 tion flourishes-jazzy PRODUCER: Zedd piano changes, horror COUNTRY WRITERS: Zedd, Matthew film synths, dusty Koma, Porter Robinson, Holly percussion-meet the Hofferman

MC's stoned flow, the PUBLISHERS: various effect is unlike any- Pistol Annies' Steadfast Sass Interscope thing else in modern Just like David hip -hop.-RR Guetta did with Sia Pistol Annies-the trio of country superstar Miran- acknowledge the truth that a brother was in re- on "Titanium," Zedd da Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Pres- hab. "Hush hush, don't you dare say a word/Hush R&B builds a pulse -rattling ley-relit an old -school flame within the countryhush, don't you know the truth hurts," the chorus CIARA electronic carpet genre on their ion debut, Hell on Heels. For "Hushurges, tongue-in-cheek. Pistol Annies understand upon which U.K. artist "Body Party" (3:57) Hush," the lead single off sophomore set Anniethe importance of allowing all three vocalists to ex Louisa Rose Allen, Up, that spark still flickers as the group sticks to itshibit their personalized sass, and despite the heavy- PRODUCER: Mike WiLL LEGEND Made -It aka Foxes, can let her strong points: constructing narratives and keep- handed subject matter, "Hush Hush" contains its vocals soar. The singer WRITERS: various CREDITS ing its country roots on full display. "Hush Hush" fair share of humor and translates the trio's corn proselytizes of tragic presents a family in denial, as the narrators won't bined power into uptempo fun.-JM PUBLISHERS: various love, frozen waves and Epic Records bursting clocks as the Edited by "There's no need to German electronic Mitchell Peters (sIbums)and On "Hush Hush," the group sticks to its rush," Ciara croons dance music producer Jason Lipshutz on her seductive whips up an epic (if (singles) strong points: constructing narratives and new single. "We can slightly overindul- CONTRIBUTORS: go another round if gent) anthem.-DH Justine Aguila, keeping its country roots on full display. that's what you want." Chuck Dauphin, Co -written by Ciara's David Downs, DANCE Phil Gallo, David boyfriend Future, Greenwald, Dan "Body Party" is a slow KREWELLA Hyman, Steven J. LIVE jam set in a druggy "Alive" (4:51) Horowitz, Jason Lipshutz, Kerri electronic soundscape, PRODUCER: Rain Man Mason, Jill Menze, with a sugary melisma ARTIST: Vicente Fernandez 4o songs, including the classic WRITERS various Ryan Reed "Guadalajara," the romantic and slippery high hats All albums VENUE: Staples Center, Los Angeles PUBLISHERS' various commercially "Si Nos Dej an" (If They Leave that make it downright DATE: March 24 Krewella/Columbm available in the Us) and the climactic "Volver engrossing.-RR United States Wearing traditional charroVolver" (To Return, to Re- The dance trio of are eligible. clothing and later donning a turn). Each composition has an Jahan Yousaf, Yasmine Send album HIP -HOP review copies to white brim sombrero, iconic iconic place in Mexican music, Yousaf and Kris Trindl Mitchell Peters ranchera singer Vicente but no one delivers them quite MACKLEMORE & RYAN has made noise on the at Billboard, Fernandez held up a drinklike Fernandez. His thunder- LEWIS FEATURING with 5700 Wilshire RAY DALTON Blvd., Suite 500, after nearly every song and ing voice, operatic in nature, "Alive," a fragile yet Los Angeles, CA was toasted back by thousands ultimately puts the crooner in "Can't Hold Us" (4:19) festive single made up 90036 and singles PRODUCER: Ryan Lewis of whimsical slow- review copies to of fans who came to see thea league all of his own. In full Jason Lipshutz 73 -year -old artist before he re- command of the stage, Fernan- WRITERS: Ben Haggerty, Ryan downs and relentless at Billboard, tires with a three -night standdez thanked fans for five de- Lewis speed-ups. Fans of DJ 770 Broadway, PUBLISHERS: Macklemore Sammy's enduring Seventh Floor, at Los Angeles' Gibson Amphi- cades of support, sending the Publishing/Ryan Lewis rave-up "Heaven" may New York, NY theatre in late April. With an crowd of approximately 18,000 Publishing (BMI) 10003, or to opening set by his son, Vicente into near hysteria. Fernandez have just stumbled the writers in Macklemore/Alternative upon another stop -start the appropriate Fernandez Jr., the three-hourmay be scaling back, but his Distribution Alliance/Warner bureaus. concert featured more than music will live on. -JA Bros. sandstorm.-JL

0 BILLBOARD I APRIL 6, 2013