TUNESDAY is a new regular feature on my blog where I share some of the songs, collaborations, music videos, and live performances I’ve been groovin’ to. Let’s start the showcase off with a new release from the summer’s most buzzworthy UK-based singer-songwriter-folkster…

Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (from x)

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

Ed Sheeran’s second studio album, x, dropped this week, and is bursting with tracks of betrayal, heartbreak, and anxiety. x sees a happy ending with the inclusion of “Thinking Out Loud”, a heart-and-soul-filled love song that looks ahead at the long-term of a romantic relationship. It’s a favourite of Ed’s, and is sure to be a favourite at weddings and with his listeners.

Ed Sheeran & Demi Lovato – Give Me Love (from +)

Give me love like never before / ’cause lately I’ve been craving more

At 104.3 MY fm’s MY Big Night Out at the Hollywood Bowl on June 16th, Ed Sheeran was joined by Demi Lovato for a special live duet of “Give Me Love”. These two singers, known for a shared tendency to wear their emotions on their musical sleeves, soared and stunned with the combined forces of their vocals (especially Demi, who NAILED that bridge, not surprising given her passionate solo acoustic cover of the song).

Kacey Musgraves – The Trailer Song

Keep your two cents on your side of the fence

Country music’s current it girl Kacey Musgrave has another hit on her hands with her new single, “The Trailer Song”. This sassy and straight-talkin’ song is essentially a message to all of the busybodies out there to bugger off and mind their own businesses (sound like someone you know? I’m sure there is.) Kacey recently teamed up with Katy Perry for CMT Crossroads and will be touring with the pop star on the Prismatic Tour this summer. You can download the studio recording of “The Trailer Song” on iTunes.

Alex & Sierra – Scarecrow

I just want to believe in you and me

Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton, known together as Alex & Sierra, and also known as the most recent (and most relevant) winners of the third (and final) season of The X Factor USA, have released their debut single, “Scarecrow”. The cute couple’s sweet and breezy acoustic-pop vibe is stamped all over this catchy song about urging a loved one to open their heart up.

Kristin Chenoweth & Lea Michele – For Good (from Wicked)

Because I knew you / I have been changed for good

During the opening weekend of the Hollywood Bowl’s 2014 summer season, Kristin Chenoweth was honoured with an induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. The Broadway belle was supported by Lea Michele (whom she had sung Cabaret’s “Maybe This Time”  with on Glee back in 2009) for a wickedly wonderful duet of “For Good” from Wicked (and by Glinda and Elphaba, are Kristin and Lea darlings or what?)

Queen + Adam Lambert – Love Kills

Love kills / Scars you from the start

The glam rock legends of Queen have kicked off their summer tour, featuring Adam Lambert as their lead vocalist (and I can’t even express how freakin’ excited I am to see them in Vancouver on June 28th!) During a preview performance with iHeartRadio, Queen + Adam Lambert unveiled a new live performance of a Freddie Mercury rarity, “Love Kills“. Originally written by Freddie as disco-rock track for the 1984 re-release of the 1927 silent film, Metropolis, this revamped version sees the song stripped down to an acoustic ballad.

Michael Bublé – Cry Me A River (from Crazy Love)

I cried a river over you

Next to his fiery entrance to “Fever” and his emotional closer of “A Song For You”, the third highlight of Michael Bublé’s To Be Loved Tour is his opening encore performance of Julie London’s “Cry Me A River”. Michael delivers this dramatic torch ballad with total passion and command. I’ve been finding myself trying to emulate his vocal in the shower ever since.

John Lloyd Young (as Frankie Valli) – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (from Jersey Boys)

At long last love has arrived / And I thank God I’m alive

After seeing the film version of the jukebox musical-biopic Jersey Boys (directed by Clint Eastwood) at the movie theatre over the weekend, I’ve been playing many Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons hits on rotation – “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Ragdoll”… but it’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” that I can’t get out of my head. Tony Award winning actor John Lloyd Young, who originated the role of Frankie Valli in the Broadway production, and his showstopping performance of Valli’s signature song are both undeniably unforgettable.

Lead image via Le Soir.