Album Review: Don't Kill the Magic (Target Exclusive) by MAGIC!

Don't Kill the Magic - MAGIC!

July 1st

(RCA/Latium Records)

MAGIC! is one of those acts that you'll never really understand. All of a sudden, the Toronto based band popped up out of the blue with a single called "Rude" and a follow up titled "Don't Kill the Magic" (the album's title track). What's really odd, is that Americans tend to dislike Reggae themed tracks, but "Rude" instantly became a smash single. I mean of all the talents in Canada, this one  seems the most unlikely to breakthrough. 

MAGIC! is backed by lead vocalist Nasri Atweh, who is famous for mainly writing mediocre pop songs that never made it quite big enough (though his production on Chris Brown's F.A.M.E. resulted in a 2012 Grammy win). He has written and produced for New Kids on the Block, Cheryl Cole, Kat Deluna, David Guetta, Shakira, Cody Simpson, Vanessa Hudgens, Big Time Rush, Akon and Pitbull along with others such as Justin Bieber. That definitely worried me when I decided to go out and purchase the album. I was hesitant, but with a first week price tag of just $7, I decided to pick it up and give it a few spins. That was somewhat of a mistake.

CDS 4th Of July Party Playlist (Part 2)

Thousands upon thousands of parties will be sweeping the United States tomorrow, as the country celebrates its 238th anniversary. July 4th marks the day that the United States declared their independence from Great Britain at the end of the Revolutionary War. In honor of the celebration, CDS Music Chart is offering a handmade playlist to help kick start your party. Instead of writing about each track, I've decided to include stats for each track on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50 (if they haven't yet reached the Hot 50, I'll occasionally include a short description). Here's to a giant celebration!

This is Part 2 of a 2 part post! A special dance ONLY part 3 is coming soon as well. Happy 4th of July!

"Me & My Broken Heart" - Rixton
CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #33
Debut: July 3rd, 2014
Weeks On: 1
Chart Run: 33
Most Recent Position: #33 (July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #33 (July 3rd, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #33 (July 3rd, 2014)
Status: Still On

"New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)" - Chris Brown

CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: TBA

After spending several months in prison, Chris Brown returned to the music world at the 2014 BET Awards at the end of June. After performing his most recent hit single ("Loyal"), he premiered a brand new track on iTunes. "New Flame" is an excellent track that combines a slew of genres into one spicy composition. It also features Usher (who did the best job on the track) and Rick Ross, who throws in some rhymes to wrap up and finish off the track. It's quite spectacular (and new), so its a good thing to have on you playlist. The track is set to bow on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50 issue dated July 10th (information and highlights are on the way).

"A Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay
CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #2(x3)
Debut: May 8th, 2014
Weeks On: 9
Chart Run: 17 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 9 - 11 
Most Recent Position: #11 (July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #2 (May 15th - May 29th, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #17 (May 8th, 2014)
Status: Still On

I Wanna Feel - Secondcity

CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #24
Debut: July 3rd, 2014
Weeks On: 1
Chart Run: 24
Most Recent Position: #24 (July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #24 (July 3rd, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #24 (July 3rd, 2014)
Status: Still On

Rude - MAGIC!

CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #29
Debut: July 3rd, 2014
Weeks On: 1
Chart Run: 41 - 32 - 32 - 29
Most Recent Position: #29 (July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #29 (July 3rd, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #41 (June 12th, 2014)
Status: Still On

"Fancy (feat. Charli XCX)" - Iggy Azalea
CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #4
Debut: March 27th, 2014
Weeks On: 15
Chart Run: 46 - 35 - 30 - 27 - 22 - 18 - 14 - 12 - 11 - 9 - 6 - 6 - 4 - 6 - 6
Most Recent Position: #6 (June 26th, 2014 - July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #4 (June 19th, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #46 (March 27th, 2014)
Status: Still On

"Hideaway" - Kiesza
CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #1(x6)
Debut: May 8th, 2014
Weeks On: 9
Chart Run: 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2
Most Recent Position: #2 (June 19th - July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #1 (May 8th - June 12th, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #2 (May 8th, 2014)
Status: Still On

"Something Bad" - Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood

CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #53(x2)

Though it didn't quite crack the CDS Music Chart Hot 50, "Something Bad" (which was released as the second single from Lambert's Platinum) did manage to chart at #53 (equivalent to #3 on the extended chart) for two weeks back in May 2014. While it likely won't ever reach the main list, it's a great, dark party track that feels perfect for 4th of July. Make sure you give it a spin or two  during this holiday! Don't forget to watch this year's annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC tonight at 8/7c! Miranda will be performing live.

Maps - Maroon 5

CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: #3(x2)
Debut: June 26th, 2014
Weeks On: 2
Chart Run: 3 - 3
Most Recent Position: #3 (June 26th, 2014 - July 3rd, 2014)
Highest Rank: #3 (June 26th, 2014 - July 3rd, 2014)
Lowest Ranking: #3 (June 26th, 2014 - July 3rd, 2014)
Status: Still On

"Good Kisser (Disclosure Remix)" - Usher

CDS Music Chart Hot 50 Peak: TBA

I initially overlooked Usher's original release of "Good Kisser", mainly because I thought it sounded terrible and way worse than anything he had released in 2012 (when his album Looking 4 Myself) first dropped. Thanks to the world class DJ brothers that form Disclosure (a sick production team), "Good Kisser" is filled with more life, more dance and it sounds a whole lot better. Make sure you include this new track (which was just debuted last night) to your 4th of July playlist!

Library Additions: Week Ending July 4th

The following tracks have been officially added to the CDS Music Chart iTunes library. They will not necessarily chart on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50. Some tracks may have already charted, but were not official additions to the playlist. These tracks that have already charted had scores only composed of streaming, radio and voting (they tend to rank much lower).


Singles

"2 On (feat. SchoolBoyQ)" - Tinashe

This track has yet to chart. It is likely to appear on the July 10th chart, though it hasn't been confirmed. Check back this weekend to get all the details.

"Holding On to Heaven (Radio Edit)" - Foxes

This track has yet to chart.

"Let Go For Tonight" - Foxes

This track has yet to chart.

"Break Free (feat. Foxes)" - Ariana Grande

This track has yet to chart. It's unlikely to chart on the July 10th chart (though eligible). It could reach the July 17th chart.

"No Mediocre (feat. Iggy Azalea)" - T.I.

This track has yet to chart. It is likely to appear on the July 10th chart, though it hasn't been confirmed. Check back this weekend to get all the details.

"Sirens" - Cher Lloyd

This track has yet to chart, though it reached #1 on the Voter's Hot 100 for a single week.

"Wiggle (feat. Snoop Dogg)" - Jason Derülo

This track has yet to chart.

"My Hitta (feat. Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Rich Homie Quan and Nicki Minaj)" - YG

This track has yet to chart.

"Boom Clap" - Charli XCX

This track has reached #28 on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50 as of July 3rd, 2014. It is currently in its second week on the chart. It debuted at #33 on June 26th.

"Summer" - Calvin Harris

This track has reached #16 for 3 consecutive weeks on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50 as of July 3rd, 2014. It is currently in its 6th week on the chart. It debuted at #43 on May 29th.

"Good Kisser (Disclosure Remix)" - Usher & Disclosure

This track has yet to chart. It is likely to appear on the July 10th chart, though it hasn't been confirmed. Check back this weekend to get all the details. The original version of this track never made the CDS Music iTunes library and never wound up charting.

"My Love (feat. Jess Glynne)" - Route 94

This track has yet to chart (though it reached #51 on the extended chart). It is likely to appear on the July 10th chart, though it hasn't been confirmed. Check back this weekend to get all the details. 

"Lovers On the Sun (feat. Sam Martin)" - David Guetta

This track has yet to chart.

Albums/Partial Albums

Rise of An Empire - Young Money (Various Artists)

Added Songs:

"Trophies" - Drake

"Looking A** Hitta" - Nicki Minaj

These tracks have yet to chart.

Don't Kill the Magic - MAGIC!
Added Songs:
"Rude"
"No Evil"
"Let Your Hair Down"
"Stupid Me"
"No Way No"
"Paradise"
"Don't Kill the Magic"
"One Woman One Man"
"Little Girl Big World"
"Mama Didn't Raise A Fool"
"How Do You Want To Be Remembered"
"I Would"
All tracks except "Rude" have yet to chart. "Rude" has reached #29 on the CDS Music Chart Hot 50 as of July 3rd, 2014. It is currently in its fourth week on the chart. It debuted at #41 on June 12th.

Trigga (Target Deluxe Edition) - Trey Songz
Added Songs:
Cake
Foreign
Na Na
Touchin, Lovin (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Disrespectful (feat. Mila J)
Dead Wrong (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
All We Do
Foreign Remix (feat. Justin Bieber)
Late Night (feat. Juicy J)
Smartphones
Yes, No, Maybe
Y.A.S.
Change Your Mind
What’s Best For You (Tremaine Bonus)
Love Around The World (Tremaine Bonus)
I Know (Can’t Get Back) [Tremaine Bonus]
Mr. Steal Your Girl (Tremaine Bonus)
Hard To Walk Away
Serial
Sneaky

Come back for more posts soon!