First Impressions is a segment where we let you into our early thoughts on a highly anticipated album, This week, we have our early views on Jason Derulo’s self titled debut. It drops March 2nd, 2010.

Though UTG is now nearing its second birthday, the world of Top 40 music is still new territory for us. Unlike the underground rock and hip hop scenes we usually run in, labels are MUCH more protective of their “sure things.” One example of this would be the restriction of only being allowed to hear 9 tracks off the more than highly anticipated debut from up and comer Jason Derulo.

Rising out of obscurity in 2009 with his double platinum certified single, “Whatcha Say,” Derulo became an international celebrity almost overnight. Since then, the buzz surrounding this young talent has grown to the point some wonder if the bar has already been set to high for his debut. Well, based off what we’ve heard, Derulo has nothing to worry about.

Over the course of the 9 tracks we receive, which included both of the current singles as well as what we can assume will be the song’s the label chooses to push post relese. Personally, I think everyone needs to prepare for the pop perfection that is “Riding Solo.” This dance floor ready track about hitting the town on your own instantaneously infiltrates the very core of any music fan as soon as it begins and never lets go. Likewise, “Encore” has the feel of Usher in his Prime and the ballad “Blind” will surely be filling proms across the country in a few short weeks.

Of the song we heard, not one has garnered less than 20 plays in the past week. Everything we’ve been given from Jason Derulo is not only radio ready, but solid gold pop music as well [meaning – it’s not all fluff, there’s a lot of heart here as well]. There is no doubt in the mind of myself or any of the other UTG staff that Jason Derulo will in fact be the first king of pop in this new decade. Yea, it’s that good.

You know what? I’ll go further. If the remaining tracks are as good as what we’ve already heard, Jason Derulo’s debut album may just be the best male pop record since Futuresex/Lovesounds.

-James Shotwell

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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