Craig Allen’s New Music Favorites

Seeing as I play music, and talk about music, for a living...I am often asked about my favorites!For example: "What's your favorite song of the '90s?"

Right now, I'm thinking "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind.....

I played it as a current in Philly....and now, its one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits!"

But, the BIG music question that I am often asked is: "What do you listen to when you're not playing, or listening to, "Jersey's Favorite Hits?"

The answer: New music!

I have always been a huge fan of "Top-40" (new music) radio!

When I did nights and weekends on New Jersey 101.5's sister station, SoJO 104-9, I would often say: "One of the best things about playing the HITS is, I can have a new 'favorite' song EVERY week!"

Here is what I'm cranking up on the radio, or playing on my iPhone or via CD, this week:

Maroon 5--"This Summer's Gonna Hurt"

Fronted by Adam Levine, this band formed in Los Angeles, and won the Grammy for "Best New Artist of 2005."

They'll be playing on the beach in Atlantic City on August 16th!

Check out Maroon 5's Official Site by clicking HERE!

The Weeknd--"Can't Feel My Face"

"The Weeknd" is Canadian singer, songwriter, producer Abel Tesfaye.

He first gained notice in late 2010, when he "anonymously" uploaded several songs to YouTube under the name "The Weeknd."

Along with releasing several albums and singles of his own, Tesfaye has re-mixed songs by other hitmakers, and he sang duet with Ariana Grande, on "Love Me Harder"

He lists Michael Jackson and Prince among his musical influences.

"Can't Feel My Face" is holding at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, this week.

Check out The Weeknd, here!

OMI--Cheerleader

OMI is Omar Samuel Pasley, from Kingston, Jamaica.

"Cheerleader" is remixed by Felix Jaehn, and has landed at #1 in Australia, Germany and England. It set a record in the UK, when it stayed at #1 for a 4th week...making it the longest stretch at #1 for a Jamaican singer, in England.

Cheerleader is at #2 on the charts in New Jersey.

Visit OMI's Official Site, here!

Walk The Moon--Shut Up And Dance

"Walk The Moon" is an Indie-Rock band from Cincinnati.

Formed in 2008 by lead singer Nicholas Petricca, the band went through several lineup changes before coming together with Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman and Eli Maiman in 2010.

The band name comes from the Police song "Walking On The Moon."

Before crossing over to Top-40 radio, "Shut Up And Dance" got its first exposure on "Alternative" radio...

"Shut Up And Dance" is at #7 this week on the "Hot 100." It peaked at #4.

Check out the Official Website by clicking the link HERE.

Pitbull (f/ Chris Brown)--FUN

This video makes me want to start up my own "Miami Vice" dvd marathon! I have a couple box sets...

Born in Miami, Pitbull is Cuban-American rapper Armado Christian Perez.

He chose his stage name because pit bulls don't "lose. They're basically everything I am. It's been a constant fight."

Active on the music scene since 2001, Pitbull has released several albums, numerous mixtapes, and has been a featured artist on re-mixes of other singers' hit songs.

"I Know You Want Me" was Pitbull's first international hit, peaking at #2 in the U.S. in 2009.

Check out "Mr. Worldwide" by clicking here.

Carly Rae Jepsen--I Really Like You

Call me crazy (maybe), but "I really like" this song...because its so...happy and upbeat...its an unapologetic "pop song." We need more (bubblegum-ish) "feel good" music, right now.

And, how can you not enjoy the video...Tom Hanks has a great sense of humor!

Sadly, the song is already falling off the pop charts...

Carly Rae Jepsen was born in British Columbia, and is currently based in Vancouver.

She was a finalist in "Canadian Idol" in 2007, and will be forever known for "Call Me Maybe," which topped the charts in 19 countries, including the U.S, in 2012.