CDS Picks: FIFA World Cup, Pharrell, Ed Sheeran + More

Welcome to the 6th installment of CDS Picks, a fairly new feature on this site! CDS Picks will focus on new music that you should know about for the upcoming weeks! With Spring Break in session (and coming up depending on where you live), you'll want to know which music is hot this month!

Let's kick it off!

Pitbull - "We Are One (Ole Ola) [The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Song] [feat. Jennifer Lopez & Cláudia Leitte]"

I mean sure it's not nearly as good as Shakira's 2010 FIFA smash "Waka Waka", this somewhat soft and tropically influenced anthem still hits within the theme of competition. The flavors that mixed into this track were pretty much on point with my expectations. It sounds very Brazilian (this year's competition takes place in Brazil), and the energy level is at a point where the track is at least danceable. It's highly likely you won't hear this track that much in the United States (on radio stations), but anything is possible when you mix Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull into one track.

Ed Sheeran - "Sing (feat. Pharrell Williams)"

Though he really isn't credited, Pharrell Williams shows up to spread his hit-making vocals on this brand new track from Ed Sheeran. Leading Sheeran's 2nd studio album ("X"), the follow up to breakthrough debut "+", "Sing" is a MAJOR departure from Sheeran's previous works. While most fans have embraced the change, a handful have complained that "that's not the voice I fell in love with". My opinion? I'm not really into slower jams (like his earlier works), but I do feel like Sheeran is kind of selling out. But he is smart. Working with Pharrell on the track has made it an instant success, and according to several sites, it might sell 120,000 copies by the end of Sunday in the United States alone.

Owl City - "Beautiful Times (feat. Lindsey Stirling)"
"Beautiful Times" is just a little too similar to Owl City's previous single releases, though the interesting added production provided by Lindsey Stirling saves this track. I'm not going to lie; I was just a tad bit disappointed with the outcome of this track. After all these years (since 2009) I expected something fresh but this attempt seems a little half assed. Sorry to say it that way, but I am not impressed. This is surprisingly the same person that brought us "Fireflies", "Hello Seattle" and "Good Time". With all that negativity said, it's still a solid track that is very listener friendly.

Katy Perry - "Birthday"

Back in February 2014, I predicted that "Birthday" would be PRISM's 5th single and I was so close! "Birthday" was released as the album's 4th single this past week and will be sent to mainstream radio in less than 2 weeks. How does Katy keep cranking out the hits? We may never know. All we can be certain of is that she is doing at least something right! "Birthday" follows #4 peaking "Dark Horse (feat. Juicy J)" on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50.

OneRepublic - "Love Runs Out"

Yes I know, this track is only available as a snippet for now. This track is haunting, eerie, magnificent and just plain amazing based on first listen. "Love Runs Out" will be available in full on April 14th, 2014. The track previously failed to be included on OneRepublic's 2013 release Native. Lead singer from the band, Ryan Tedder, claims that the track wasn't quite ready but now he feels confident in it. I don't know about you but I am really looking forward to jamming out to this track. "Love Runs Out" follows the 2 week leader "Counting Stars" on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50. "Counting Stars" currently ranks at #3 this week, spending a 20th consecutive week in the top 10 this week and 18th consecutive week in the top 5.

Come back for more new posts including a forecast for this week!