New music from former flames

It may be a coincidence, but the two releases today are from Travie McCoy and Katy Perry, who were an item not that long ago. Of course, Katy is now with British comedian Russell Brand. Both artists also came to our shores, Katy for her MOA concert, while Travie was the featured artist on an MTV-sponsored documentary on HIV awareness in Asia. The common element that still exists for the two, is that they’re creating excellent music.

Travie McCoy — Lazarus (Warner Music). Formerly of Gym Class Heroes, a band that engagingly mixed R&B and rap, with fun and a sense of humor, Travie’s new CD shows that he hasn’t lost that touch, the tongue-in-cheek flavor that makes his music so enjoyable. Nowhere is that more evident than in the carrier single Billionaire, where he collaborates with Bruno Mars (Peter Hernandez Jr. in real life, of Hawaiian and Filipino descent). The fun also hits its peak with We’ll Be Alright, which samples the Supergrass hit of the ’90s Alright. Other standouts include The Manual, where T-Pain and Young Cash join Travie. The CD is pop-oriented, and that only makes the R&B broader in appeal. A strong, sunny debut for Travie, and one that should gain a lot of fans.

Katy Perry — Teenage Dream (EMI). At the top of her career, Katy’s new CD is full of potential hit singles — California Gurls with Snoop Dogg and Teenage Dream already having made waves. Katy is all about Fun Fun Fun in music and this CD is well-poised to continue in that mindframe. Last Friday Night and the delightfully naughty Peacock are immediate favorites and should be her next singles. While the second half of the CD lags in my estimation, one can’t fault Katy for knowing that it’s teenage angst and controversial stands on social issues, served up with self-deprecation and humor, that makes her such a delight. Voted Maxim’s Most Sexiest, it’s her effervescence and chutzpah that keeps her high in the public radar, and can’t wait for the fallout if Peacock is her next big hit.