Art Nouveau Magazine.

When Beyonce released “Dangerously In Love” music was different. Ashanti, 50 Cent, and Nelly were still on the radio. Jay-Z was still “retired.” And Mrs. Carter herself still made good music.

Of course fans of Beyonce will praise “I Am…Sasha Fierce” as the best album a female singer has released since, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Even if she “co-wrote” a gem like “Ex-Factor” naysayers will still compare it to trash. But, the middle ground is more where this album is.

For what it is “I Am…Sasha Fierce” is not that bad, it’s just not really that good. It does have it’s moments. Like the high-paced dance number “Radio” and the bumping Jim Jonsin produced “Sweet Dreams” which appear on the second disc and the Ryan Tedder assisted “Halo” and the pop gem “If I Were A Boy” are the best things on the first disc. She could have taken the best tracks and smacked those on one disc, instead of waisting two for 11 tracks.

Maybe Beyonce is trying to fit into the current music scene which is bland to say the least. Or it could be she’s lazy. “Dangerously In Love” was an amazing well-crafted album. After the critical disappointment which was “Work it Out,” Beyonce had alot to prove. It seems as the years went by she felt comfortable in her spot as the female R&B singer. Maybe that’s why “B’Day” was so rushed. Maybe that’s why “I Am…Sasha Fierce” is so rushed.

Beyonce may want to start putting more umph into her music though. In case you haven’t heard Rihanna is looking like a perfect person to replace her.

Download: “Radio” & “Sweet Dreams”

Okay I take back everything I ever said about Kanye West. Well not really, I still think he’s a pretentious asshole. But, after listening to the first track on his latest album “808’s & Heartbreak,” I realized he’s a talented pretentious asshole. And that’s all right in my book.

“808’s & Heartbreak” isn’t your average rap album. It’s not even your average hip-hop album (where experimentation is welcomed, sometimes see:Common for when it’s not). I think that’s what I like so much about it. The last rap album I almost enjoyed was Lil’ Wayne’s “The Carter III.” So that meansKanye’s album has made a great impression indeed.

Brace yourself, Kanye’s no singer, but he does sing on every track. A lot of tracks he sounds so much like T-Pain I thought I was listening to “Thr33 Ringz.” On some tracks he’s convincing vocally (”Amazin” & “Welcome To Heartbreak”) and sometimes his voice is shrill, empty, scratchy and sometimes whiny (”Streetlights” “Robocop”). But, it’s not his singing that makes this album bad or good, it’s the production here that’s the star. These are some of the best beats I’ve heard in a while. From the heavy stadium worthy “Welcome To Heartbreak” to the spacey Lil’ Wayne assisted “See You In My Nightmares” this album bumps. There’s a sense ofhumanness to the beats which is eerie. Take for instance “Love Lockdown ” when the drums come in just a bit too fast, it seems like a mistake that was left in because it makes the song feel that much more real.

What strikes me as impressive, dare I say genius, is his influence of tribal beats. He describes this as making an emotional feel which permeates through the whole album. The album is cohesive. It’s one clear, concise thought.

What’s even better about “808’s & Heartbreak,” is in the world of rap music, album art is rarely art. It’s usually the most photoshopped photo with a nasty typeface. But, what I appreciate about Kanye is he brings back the art of having good album covers. This one is amazing. Kudos to the designer for using Helvetica. It looks clean.

Whether “808’s & Heartbreak” saves Def Jam or not from totally oblivion this winter is yet to be seen. But one things for certain, depending on his competition at next year’sGrammy’s, if Kanye loses Album of the Year he might actually have a legitimate reason to flip out this time.

Download: “See You In My Nightmares” “Welcome to Heartbreak” & “Amazin” “Love Lockdown”

Corinne Stevie, the first artist on Nouveau Music, released her EP entitled “The Oddity” today on her website
www.corinnesart.com. “The Oddity” features production by Urban Noize, Got Dion, TimeShare and Freako Suave and features appearances by Merc of Kumi Hues and Saer Ze. Tracklisting after the jump.
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/50825860a226f863/

1. The Oddity (Intro)
2. Let’s Go!
3. Club_Kidz
4. Hackerz feat Merc of Kumi Hues
5. Across The Globe
6. Mornin’ Sunrise
7. I Am Glam Right Now feat Saer Zae
8. Time Travela
9. Set Me Free
10. Club_Kidz (Timeshare Remix)

Corinne Stevie, the first artist on Nouveau Music, released her EP entitled “The Oddity” today on her website
www.corinnesart.com. “The Oddity” features production by Urban Noize, Got Dion, TimeShare and Freako Suave and features appearances by Merc of Kumi Hues and Saer Ze. Tracklisting after the jump.
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/50825860a226f863/

1. The Oddity (Intro)
2. Let’s Go!
3. Club_Kidz
4. Hackerz feat Merc of Kumi Hues
5. Across The Globe
6. Mornin’ Sunrise
7. I Am Glam Right Now feat Saer Zae
8. Time Travela
9. Set Me Free
10. Club_Kidz (Timeshare Remix)