Usher Says 'Scream' Is 'Just In Time For Summer'

Following 'Climax,' singer tells MTV News his latest single 'represents the other side' of Looking for Myself album.
By Jocelyn Vena

Usher
Photo: MTV News

Bumping beats, sexy lyrics and Usher's signature R&B bad-boy swagger can only mean one thing: the singer has once again hooked up with superstar pop producer Max Martin. Their latest collaboration, "Scream," picks up where "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" left off back in 2010.

Usher used that track to convince us to go home with him after a dizzying night of partying, and for "Scream," he's got us back at his pad and he's rocking our world, one fist-pumping moment at a time. While he opted to slow it down on "Climax," Usher is back to large-scale dance tracks on Looking for Myself's second single. And, he told MTV News, both tracks reflect the sound of the album.

"This album has many different views and many different perspectives," he told MTV News while rehearsing for his one-night run as the lead in NYC's off-Broadway spectacle "Fuerza Bruta," which also served as a place for Usher to debut the album ahead of its release. "And me and Max Martin, we've had success together in the past, and this was a record I felt represented the other side of the [album]."

"Scream" and "Climax" truly are polar-opposite tracks. Where "Climax" sears and broods, "Scream" celebrates and dances. Usher is excited for the chance to show all those sides with the two lead singles from the June 12 release.

"Whereas the first song was a little bit more artistic and a little bit more soulful, and it has done everything, it probably exceeded my expectations, I mean, from the moment I was able to give it away. I was able to kind of be reintroduced in a way musically, and thank you to [producer] Diplo, but 'Scream' is really like the next step. It's just in time for summer and the type of experience that I want people to get out of the album."

But the Atlanta-bred singer notes that the album can't be defined just by "Climax" or "Scream." There's a lot there to keep fans tuning in. "It's a ton of other experiences and a ton of other walks ... as I've had this long journey over the last year [and] every bit of what I've experienced I've put into a creative, artistic way," he said.

As for the video, well, that still has to be shot, but he joked that "Fuerza Bruta" might serve as the perfect backdrop for the clip — or maybe not. "We might be shooting it while we're here," he laughed. "This is like a movie set, damn near — sh-- you don't normally see with the launch of an album. This is pretty spectacular."

What are you expecting from Usher's next album? Let us know in the comments!

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• Usher

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Twitter for Android gets another minor update

Twitter for Android has a small update in the Google Play store this evening, bringing it to version 3.2.1. The change log is short -- crashes for users that use the app in Dutch, Finnish, and Hungarian have been fixed, and the Indonesian language has been added. Grab the update from the Google Play store or hit the link after the break.

Thanks, Ben!

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Khloe & Lamar Recap: Welcome to Dallas, Rob

This week on Khloe & Lamar, the couple continued struggling as they adjust to life in a new city, with a new team, no friends around, and so forth.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Khloe's family paid a visit.

Lamar's return to L.A. was documented last week. Now it's Rob Kardashian and Kris Jenner's turn to come to Dallas. How did everything turn out?

Let's find out in Sunday's Khloe & Lamar recap ...

"Being new to a city, not knowing anyone, I'm definitely lonely," Khloe Kardashian says. "Now that Rob's here it gives me someone to hang out with." Guess the best friend/assistant and camera crew aren't cutting it. Minus 10.

Khloe and Lamar reveal that they'd like Rob to move to Dallas. "I don't want to take a step backwards," he says. Ouch, Dallas. Ouch. Plus 20.

"I get it," Khloe says. "You have your own life, but Lamar needs you right now, Rob, like your boy is hurting…[and] I am really lonely in Dallas." Minus only 5, because as lame as Khloe is, what else does Rob have going on exactly?

"Mark Cuban takes care of me," Kris Jenner says. Minus 15 for Mark Cuban.

Kourtney and Kim Kardashian are flown into Dallas on a private plane for the Mavs game. Feel like home now Lamar? Is it a good thing? Wash.

"I'm so embarrassed that my mom would go behind my back and reach out to Mr. Cuban," Khloe says, pretending to actually care. Minus 10.

"My sisters and my mom, they tell me what to do a lot and it's so frustrating. I want to show everyone I'm capable of living on my own." - Rob. Dude. Either freeload off your famous family and enjoy, or don't. Just stop whining. Minus 10.

Plus 20 for Kris actually reaching out to Lamar. "Kris, I think she feels for me because she understands my mother passed away at a young age," he says. "She always has words of encouragement, and it seems like what she tells me sticks."

Even Khloe sees how much she helped lift his spirits. Plus 5.

"Moms are moms," Khloe says. "Does she embarrass me? Yeah. Is she annoying at times? Yeah. But that's my mom and I think if you asked anyone about their mom they'd say the same thing." Not to Kris Jenner levels. Minus 40.

Lamar gives props to Kris for reaching out to Mark for the box seats, saying knowing where his family was helped him during the game. Couldn't have helped that much, as he was soon released by the Mavs. Minus 15.

Maybe now he'll heed her words and quit the NBA? Minus 10.

Rob decides to stay in Dallas. Freeloader. Plus 5.

EPISODE TOTAL: -65. SEASON TOTAL: -195.

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GOP Pricks Obama; He Needles Back (WSJ)

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Microsoft invests $300 million in new Barnes & Noble 'strategic partnership'

Well, that's an interesting end to all those legal tussles. Microsoft and bookseller Barnes and Noble have decided to buddy-up in the face of competitors like Amazon and Apple. The strategic partnership -- Microsoft loves 'em -- would come in the form of a new Barnes and Noble subsidiary that deals with all things Nook, in addition to its education business. The bookseller would hold onto the lion's share at 82.4 percent, with the remaining 17.6 percent in Microsoft's control. The first benefit posited would be a Nook app for the incoming Windows 8. Barnes and Noble's Nook Study software would also benefit from a friendly boost on all that Windows hardware. Maybe all those other legal matches will resolve in similar warm-and-fuzzy business hook-ups -- but we doubt it.

Continue reading Microsoft invests $300 million in new Barnes & Noble 'strategic partnership'

Microsoft invests $300 million in new Barnes & Noble 'strategic partnership' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Justin Bieber Album Cover: Released!

It is here, Beliebers.

Justin Bieber released the album cover for his upcoming CD last night, Tweeting two versions of the photo (regular and deluxe), along with the hashtag #53DAYS. It will be available for purchase on June 19.

Think you might buy a copy?

Bieber has said the tracks on the album will be more grown up than his usual fare; one will also have been written with Taylor Swift, while another - which might not make it on to the song list - was actually written with Mariah Yeater in mind.

Expect to see Justin giving many interviews and playing many concerts in the days leading up to the release. He'll be featured on The Today Show June 15, for example.

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Cyberpunks Rejoice: Kickstarter Project Aims To Resurrect Shadowrun

If you spent any time in high school thinking about ley lines and bio-implants, you were probably a Shadowrun player. The game, which petered out after a disastrous run as a PC/Xbox game in 2007, brought the high-tech of William Gibson to the magical realms of Mr. Gygax. It was, in short, pretty cool. A Kickstarter project aims to bring back all that fun in video game form, adding lots of what you missed about Shadowrun back to the PC. This new version will be a RPG involving the Shadowrun world complete with various character types - elves, samurai, humans - and, although this is discouraged, deals with dragons. $15 gets you a copy of the game while $60 gets you a t-shirt and some in-game perks.

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Somehow, this picture made me think of. . . (Powerlineblog)

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Ask Engadget: best 'money is no object' laptop?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Chris, who simply has too much money to blow on a super-laptop. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I sold my business and I want to replace my laptop [HP Pavilion G6] with a completely unreasonably expensive top of the line machine. I want it to do everything I do (gaming, coding, web design) all at the same time. Apart from the fact I need two hard drive bays, I'm completely open-minded, so what should I be buying? Thank you!"

Quell your gnashing teeth, members of the 99 percent, he's done well for himself and now he needs our help. We were able to trick out an Alienware M18x to full capacity for $6,700 -- with an over-clocked 4GHz Intel Core i7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, two 2GB NVIDIA GTX 675M GPUs in SLI mode and 1.2TB of SSD RAID storage. That's the benchmark, folks: who out there can find something more powerful?

Ask Engadget: best 'money is no object' laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Reasons Why Nokia Lost Its Handset Sales Lead and Got Downgraded to ?Junk?

In the mobile industry, a 14-year lead is undoubtedly impressive. But Nokia's lead has gradually declined in the past few years, for a number of reasons. Here's what Nokia did wrong -- or alternatively, what Samsung did right -- that led to one handset company's rise over the other.

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Sony Xperia ST21i with ICS leaks out, shows off its chunky physique

It may not be as sleek as its S kin, or even as powerful as that mid-level U, but this recently leaked Xperia ST21i might just have enough goodies to lure a handful of you in. According to Techblog, this thick, 3.2-inch unit packs some pretty run-of-the-mill features, including an 800MHz Qualcomm chip paired with 512MB of RAM, a 3-megapixel shooter to help with those Instagram shots and a bland 640 x 480 screen res. Unlike a few of the other Xperias still waiting to be served, though, the ST21i has already been filled with a portion of Google's famous ICS. No word yet on when the pudgy device will see a legit introduction, but until then you can peek at some extra photos at the source link below.

Sony Xperia ST21i with ICS leaks out, shows off its chunky physique originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dark Meadow: The Pact now available for Tegra 3 devices, and it's incredible

Admit it. Part of the reason you bought a Tegra 3 powered Android device is because of the gaming. We're all friends here, and I'll be the first to stand up and say that I get into some gaming on my Transformer Prime. It's easy to do when Tegra optimized games kick enough ass to fill a wheelbarrow, and here's one that does. I'm talking about Phosphor Games new title Dark Meadow: The Pact, and it's arguably the best Unreal Engine 3 game ever made.

Those are big words, especially with a little something called Infinity Blade on iOS. But Android has a secret weapon -- NVIDIA's Tegra 3 and their special relation with developers in the TegraZone. When combined with the great story, excellent voice acting, and random acts of humor Phosphor brings to the table you have the fixings of a real winner. Dark Meadows: The Pact delivers.

You wake up in an abandoned hospital. Right away you'll notice the beautiful game textures, together with smooth animations, high frame rates and poly counts which makes for a sense of being in the game world. Play this one in the dark with headphones and you're in for an experience mobile just hasn't seen yet. Above all the great game graphics, you're hearing a tale from your aged benefactor, telling you how to go about your escape. Pay attention to him, and between his moments of wisdom and bouts of insanity you'll hear some hilarious dialog. Spoiler alert: he likes bacon bits. It's over the top in a way that fits an old fellow trapped in a decrepit Insane asylum. He'll warn you of the creatures that stand in your way, which you'll soon meet. They're incredibly detailed, and grotesquely beautiful in their own right. 

Of course you'll have to fight your way past them, which leads us to the game mechanics. It's an open style map, meaning you can see where you are as well as everywhere you may need to explore, and character movement is a breeze. Tap a glowing ring and you move to it, and you can look around a full 360-degrees to search for treasure, secret compartments, and bits of documents that will help you on your way. It's perfectly suited for touch-based gameplay, as is the combat system.

One of the disfigured minions will appear in a puff of dark smoke, and your trusty crossbow appears in your hands. By pulling back the string you get to see the arc the bolt will fly and use it to aim. Maneuver it so it crosses paths with your foe and let go. Once the creatures get close, your ranged weapon is replaced with a melee weapon and you have a tap and hold blocking function or a swiping attack function. The whole time you're also able to tuck and dodge left or right by tapping an on-screen arrow. There are no confusing controls to learn, and you'll be proficient in just a few minutes -- leaving more time to enjoy the exceptional look and depth of the game. As you progress you'll level up and assign points into skills, as well as find gold to trade at the store for better items. You'll need both, because "the witch" does not fool around. You have been warned.

This is how mobile gaming was meant to be. If you have a Tegra 3-powered device, it's simply a must-have game. Hit the break for some gameplay footage and screenshots, as well as the all-important download link.

More: NVIDIA; Phosphor Games

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