Tag: Dua Lipa

The Time Is Ripe For The Return Of ‘The Nevermind Man’


by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

The band Garbage is one of my favorites. And, as I understand it, the band is the brain child of Butch Vig. I keep ranting about the need for him to produce someone like Dua Lipa or Olivia Rodrigo or even Taylor Swift, but lulz, no one listens to me.

But I’m frustrated AGAIN and at how bad modern pop music, so you get this. This happens every once in awhile. Something is warping modern pop music to make it so bad. Now, of course, it’s possible that I’m just old. But it is notable that what I feel would otherwise be happening — the return of pop rock in the guise of something akin to NeoNew Wave, isn’t happening.

All I got is rap is sucking up all the male creative energy that would otherwise be giving the momentum to a general pop rock revival? Because rap is far more creative an interesting than anything else going on, the best minds in music gravitate towards listening to and producing rap music instead of the more white-oriented New Wave?

Because right now, there is no organized genre for people who like pop rock. It’s all these little deep echoes of a by gone era that pop out here and there. No one has the guts to put out a Neo New Wave (Rona Rock) album that might fail horrible because it’s too hip for the room.

But if there was one person who could pull it off, at least on the producer side, it’s Butch Vig. Too bad this will never, ever happen.

The Curious Case Of Dua Lipa


by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

Let me begin by saying I’m rather indifferent about what Dua Lipa might — or might not — do with her image. But I’m of an age that there is something interesting she’s doing, or not doing, that is of note.

Where’s all the Dua Lipa T&A?

I grew up with Madonna getting naked as possible as often as possible. And, while we’re talking about Madonna versus Dua Lipa — holy shit is Dua Lipa a charisma heatsink. Ms. Lipa is going 100% by every other metric than what is more crucial for her to become a long-term success: she has no stage presence. She’s extremely stiff and can’t dance. So, while Ms. Lipa probably has a better singing voice than Madonna, she’s rather meh as a star.

Anyway.

Again, I don’t care one way or another, but Ms. Lipa is a stunning young woman and you’d think there would be a few “oopse, I showed a nipple!” or “here’s my buttcrack for the fans” picture that might pop out here or there.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more there is, strangely enough, not a lot of soft-porn in the music business anymore. We have Ariana Grande wanting to make everyone think she’s 12 years old while be about as sexualized as possible…and yet she’s never decided to make her think of her as more of an “adult” by getting nekkid.

I guess Miley Cyrus has a high T&A factor, but does she really?

I’m starting to think that The Powers That Be have made a collective decision not to show us as much T&A in the public square. Maybe as a result of #MeToo? Hmmm, what an interesting possibility?

Let me be clear — porn is still everywhere. But the usual running-around-nekkid practice of young female singers we grew accustomed to in the 80s, 90s, 00 seems to have abated.

Back to Ms. Lipa.

She’s drop dead gorgeous. If I was younger, she’d be a celebrity crush. But I’m too old for such things. She’s just an attractive young lady for me, the old coot.

‘Rona Rock:’ Miley Cyrus Is Making The Best Pop-Rock Music Out Today


by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

I’m shocked how great the music Miley Cyrus is producing right now is. It blows my mind. It’s actual…gasp…pop rock! She seems to have finally figured out how to use her particular vocal style in the pop rock genre. I call this New Sound, “Rona Rock” but that’s just me.

In particular, I really like her duet with Dua Lipa “Prisoner.” That’s what I’m talking about. That’s a pretty traditional pop rock banger. It’s got a beat and you can dance to it, as they say. Keep doing that! Go that direction!

I could do without the allusion to period cunnilingus in the video. Jesus Christ, ladies. But the song itself is great. I love it. I’m probably going to listen to it a zillian times over the next few weeks.

The question, of course, is this just a blip or a trend? I continue to be astonished by the cultural ignorance younger people. It’s like they barely know any music outside of The Beatles that’s older than 30 years old. It makes you wonder what happens if they suddenly discover the entirety of The British Invasion. Or punk. Or whatever. Good music.

Anyway. Keep up the good work Miley!

Some Observations About Dua Lipa



by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

Let me begin by saying I’m a fan of Dua Lipa. I’m impressed with her singing ability and pose for someone so young.

And, yet, from what I can see of her live performances, she’s rather stiff.

So, she’s in an interesting situation. Ms. Lipa is arguably a better native singer than Madonna, but Madonna blows her away in the stage presence metric.

I do find it interesting that Ms. Lipa has managed to keep her clothes on. Many young singers her age — such as Miley Cyrus — race to drop their clothes a soon as they can legally. In an earlier age, I suspect Ms. Lipa would have probably found herself in the pages of Playboy Magazine before it was all over with.

Ms. Lipa is a demonstrably gorgeous woman.

I am curious if she can act.

A Few Rising Stars Of Note

Shelton Bumgarner

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

I’m a nobody in the middle of nowhere working on a novel. But I’m also a nobody working on a novel with a lot of opinions. So, here are two rising stars who have caught my attention of late.

Margaret Qualley
Qualley, who I think should go by “Maggie,” is a real head turner in more ways than one. I was really impressed with her performance in Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood. I don’t shade her for dating Pete Davidson. Shrug. So what. She’s still young. She still has plenty of time to snag someone…a bit more stable…who will help her overall career.

But I have high hopes for her. Her performance in Once Upon A Time was a star turn. I just hope she is able to build on her current momentum. She’s still young and if she plays her cards right she could maybe follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Lawrence. Maybe. Lawrence is, at least in my opinion, a rare talent who has managed to play the Hollywood game quite well. Not everyone is as fortunate as her.

Dua Lipa
Now, Lipa is a huge star in music. But I’d like to see her at least attempt to make the transition into film. Her combination of pure talent and stage presence seems like it would be a great fit for the silver screen. I continue to be impressed with her poise at such a young age. She seems like she has a her head on straight.

Really, all the she needs is the right vehicle. Something that would highlight her beauty and personality. But Hollywood is a fickle mistress. Anything — bad or good — could happen. I do, however, look forward to seeing her name in Hollywood lights.

Eva Victor
Victor is currently something of a Twitter cult favorite. She does some charming videos on Twitter that are quite appealing. In my mind, she’s something of America’s answer to Fleabag. She’s not nearly as razor sharp as Phoebe Waller-Bridge, however. Her humor is rather sassy and gentle in comparison to Waller-Bridge.

I currently don’t know what is going on with Victor’s career. She seems somehow connected to Comedy Central. It seems like she would be the perfect fit for a Broad City-type show. Or maybe Broad City meets Fleabag. Ideally, she would end up on SNL, but who knows. It would be great if Tina Fey would mentor her.

V-Log: Of #Women, Pop Art & Feminism (And A Little About Dua Lipa)

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

Idle rambling about women, pop art and feminism. And some idle observations about Dua Lipa.

I’m Impressed With Dua Lipa

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

Briefly, I’m really impressed with Dua Lipa. She’s got great pose for someone so young. She is, in real terms, a little baby and she’s extremely professional and talented. I’m a big fan of hers, though I have found her most recent releases a little…..uhhhh…boring?

But I think that’s more about the state of modern pop music than any talent she may — or may not — possess. She’s a gorgeous young lady and I’m somewhat shocked that she hasn’t completely gone bonkers and taken her clothes off at every opportunity. I suspect that has something to do more with her innate talent being what she can use to garner attention instead of any particular need to be scandalous.