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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).
Between Sweden's output of stellar musicians and strapping hockey players (go Red Wings!), I'm considering going on a boyfriend-finding fact-finding mission to see if their water is spiked with magical creative juice. Swedish duo We Are Serenades further my obsession with the release of their pretty debut, Criminal Heaven. With the flurry of boy bands making their rounds and news, we welcome a classic girl group back into the fold when SWV drops I Missed Us. Also, two of my favorite things, food and bands, come together tonight during Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations," which features The Black Keys. And after last week's Britney-stravaganza, it's time for week 2 of "America's Best Dance Crew." MTV's new hip-hop show, "Hip Hop POV," sees its second episode this Wednesday. Finally, if you didn't catch it the first time around, the infamous Lana Del Rey "Saturday Night Live" performance gets a rebroadcast at the end of the week.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
Tuesday, April 17
+ We Are Serenades, Criminal Heaven: Formerly named Serenades, this is the Swedish duo's debut album. Adam Olenius (Shout Out Louds) and Markus Krunegård (Laakso) mine sunny dream pop. It's steeped in sweet, shimmery sing-along harmonies, from the a cappella, hymnal beauty of opening track "All The Words" on through the remaining nine tracks.
+ SWV, I Missed Us: The '90s hitmaking R&B girl group -- Taj, Lelee and Coco are Sisters With Voices -- return after more than a decade with this all-new, 16-song offering. Stream I Missed Us ahead of tomorrow's release date.
+ Neon Trees, Picture Show: Frontman Tyler Glenn told MTV Hive his alter ego Trixie was inspired by the literary figure Lolita. "It's the innocence of youth and the attraction of youth for me," he explains of Trixie, who also has a dark side. Intriguing concept aside, their "Everybody Talks" single is straightforward, catchy pop. The "Moving in the Dark" Picture Show box set comes with a View-Master and autographed poster.
Check out more new album releases and upcoming TV appearances and performances after the jump.
+ William Beckett, Walk The Talk EP: The former frontman of The Academy Is..., William Beckett branches out on his own with this solo debut EP. He treads a bit poppier terrain than his erstwhile band on the four-song set, which ends on the softer side with a ballad, "You Never Give Up."
+ Jason Mraz, Love is a Four Letter Word: The singer-songwriter's fourth studio album has already spawned a hit with the yearning, hopeful "I Won't Give Up". The single alone has sold 906,000 copies to date. Catch him on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Ellen" this week, where he's sure to feature new material.
+ JD McPherson, Signs & Signafiers: Former art teacher JD McPherson's debut gets a re-release on Rounder Records. It's informed by vintage sounds, from blues, rockabilly and R&B to the analog recording treatments. In its shake, rattle and roll, the singer-songwriter's original compositions bring a contemporary approach to the classic stylings.
+ Train, California 37: It's their follow-up to 2009's Save Me, San Francisco, which spawned their surprise hit single "Hey, Soul Sister." "This'll Be My Year" finds them trying a bit too hard with scattershot pop-culture references and radio-aimed chorus. The quieter, acoustic numbers fare better, although "You Can Finally Meet My Mom"'s lyrics are cringe-worthy. Train doesn't eschew its formula, which should keep fans happy, but might not earn converts.
TV SHOW APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES
Monday, April 16
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Neon Trees
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- White Rabbits, rebroadcast
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Blake Shelton
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Noel Gallagher
"Late Call With Carson Daly" -- deadmau5, Walk the Moon, rebroadcast
"Colbert Report" -- Bonnie Raitt
"Conan" -- First Aid Kit
"Live With Kelly" -- Ice-T
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" -- Katharine McPhee, Neon Trees
"Smash" -- "The Movie Star"
"The Voice" -- Live Quarterfinal Performances
"House" -- Patrick Stump guests
Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" -- The Black Keys guest
Tuesday, April 17
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Joseph Morgan
"Today Show" -- Esperanza Spalding
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Esperanza Spalding, rebroadcast
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Melanie Fiona, featuring J. Cole
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Ashanti
"Last Call With Carson Daly" -- Fool's Gold
"The View" -- Bush
"The Voice" -- Live eliminations
Wednesday, April 18
"MTV's Hip Hop POV" -- Episode 2 premieres!
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Bush
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- The Shins, rebroadcast
"Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Toby Keith
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Jason Mraz
"Last Call With Carson Daly" -- Bombay Bicycle Club, rebroadcast
"Conan" -- Girls
"American Idol" -- Finalists compete
Thursday, April 19 on MTV
"America's Best Dance Crew" -- The dancers take on week 2.
Thursday, April 19
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Nickelback
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Taylor Swift, Los Lobos' Cesar and David
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Kasabian
"Last Call With Carson Daly" -- Young the Giant, rebroadcast
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" -- Bon Iver
"American Idol" -- One voted off
Friday, April 20
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Creed
"Late Show With David Letterman -- Lionel Richie, Jason Aldean, rebroadcast
"Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Meat Loaf
"Last Call With Carson Daly" -- Trentemøller, rebroadcast
Saturday, April 21
"Saturday Night Live" -- Lana Del Rey is the musical guest, rebroadcast
Photo credit: RCA/Kareem Black
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