Tracks...

As regular readers may have noticed, the blog hasn't been updated much lately. The main reason for that is because I have been extremely busy over the last few weeks. New management took over the place where I work and that has meant quite a few meetings, changes in the workplace etc. I had intended to keep on working there but something else unexpectedly came up.

I have been in talks this month with another company and as a result I will be starting a brand new job next week, running a business I don't really know anything about (!). However, I have decided it is time to move on to other things and hopefully this will be a fun new challenge.

But on to the business at hand - yes, it's time again for some tracks/videos that have caught my attention lately. This lot includes the return of Infernal (as Paw & Lina) as well as a comeback from Miss Marianne Faithfull. There are also two songs that feature Ariana Grande, although I'm not even a big fan! However, "Problem" has been sneaking up on my all summer and "Break Free" not only features dance prince Zedd but also a video inspired by the world of a certain Barbarella!

The highlight here though has to be the excellent "Monument" by Royksopp and Robyn! Hope you'll find something to enjoy here :)

Tracks...

Tracks time again - a rather diverse one.

This lot includes the usual mix of commercial/uncommercial recent tracks, including not one but two fantastic videos from Goldfrapp, the latest from my new French fave Indila, the latest video from the fabulous Lana Del Rey, the Kazaky boys etc. Considering it is the middle of summer (despite the complete lack of it over here, at least weather wise), it seems that a lot of the music coming out this time around is rather laid back but the likes of Martha Wash are here to try and fix that.

As always, hope you'll find something to enjoy here.

Tracks...

Part two of tracks I am currently listening to (or have been over the last few months). As always, some are here because I just like them, some because I enjoy the tackiness and a few because they finally got a music video! Hope you find something in here that you like too!

This lot includes, amongst other things,  the "long awaited" return of Miss Paris Hilton, a hilarious OMD video, the much appreciated return of Toni Braxton and what I think is probably one of the most degrading to women music videos ever made; courtesy of (who else) Britney Spears.

Tracks...

A new batch of tracks I have been enjoying over the past few weeks.

Tales...

Goldfrapp have announced their new album. Tales of Us, which marks the sixth studio LP from the group, will be released on September 9.

Tales Of Us will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats. The duo has also put together a special limited edition boxset that contains the CD, vinyl, an exclusive disc of bonus material plus the full album in 5.1 on DVD. It also contains a 12” print (first 500 copies signed by the duo) and a 40-page hardback book compiled by them. The price for the box is £64.99.

Tracklist:

1. Jo

2. Annabel

3. Drew

4. Ulla

5. Alvar

6. Thea

7. Simone

8. Stranger

9. Laurel

10. Clay

Moving...

After the news yesterday about Kylie Minogue's new management deal, now comes groundbreaking news about her current record label.

Parlophone Label Group has been sold as a complete unit to Warner Music.

The record label - which is the home of Kylie Minogue, Coldplay and Pet Shop Boys - has been sold off by the Universal Music Group, after it acquired the label as part of the EMI buyout last year.

The Warner Music Group has confirmed that it has acquired the label as part of an all-cash transaction for £487 million ($765m).

The company beat a joint bid by Sony and BMG, and Simon Fuller/Chris Blackwell as the main contenders to acquire the company and parts of its back catalogue.

"This is a very important milestone for Warner Music, reflecting our commitment to artist development by strengthening our worldwide roster, global footprint and executive talent," said Len Blavatnik, Chairman and founder of Access Industries, which owns Warner Music.



Stephen Cooper, CEO of Warner Music Group, added: "Having the Parlophone Label Group become part of our family represents a unique opportunity for us to join with legendary record labels and artists that are highly complementary to our existing organisation from a creative, geographic and strategic standpoint.

"We are committed to making this a great outcome for Parlophone's artists and employees, who will find in WMG a similar spirit and culture that is dedicated to providing the most supportive and innovative home for recording artists.The continuation of the Parlophone legacy and brand are central to the future success of this combination, and we are proud to have them join us."

The Parlophone Label Group is comprised of the Parlophone label, Chrysalis and Ensign labels, as well as EMI's recorded music operations in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia and Sweden.

Radiohead's early catalogue, Queen, Tinie Tempah, Lily Allen, Gorillaz, Goldfrapp, David Guetta, Tina Turner, Pink Floyd and The Chemical Brothers are also part of Parlophone's collection.

However, it is understood that Universal Music has retained ownership of Virgin Records, the Beatles catalogue and other key assets.

A shame this couldn't happen earlier - Kylie and PSB could have been label mates with Madonna!

Tracks...

Some tracks I like at the moment:

The Singles...

On 6th February 2012 electro-pop icons Goldfrapp release The Singles, a career-spanning
overview featuring tracks from their five critically acclaimed albums, alongside two brand
new songs written especially for this release: ‘Yellow Halo’ – a slow building synth-pop
wonder, and the introspective and defiant new wave ballad ‘Melancholy Sky’.

The Singles, is the first compilation from the band, taking in the cinematic electronica of
their Mercury shortlisted debut album Felt Mountain, through the electro glam of Black Cherry,
the Grammy nominated, half-million selling dance pop of Supernature, the Pagan, electro-folk
of Seventh Tree and last year’s, top 10 album, the hands-in-the-air, retro-futuristic Head
First.

The Singles is released on 6th February through Mute/Parlophone.

Tracklist

1.             Ooh La La
2.             Number 1
3.             Strict Machine (Single Mix)
4.             Lovely Head
5.             Utopia (Genetically Enriched)
6.             A&E
7.             Happiness (Single Version)
8.             Train
9.             Ride A White Horse (Single Version)
10.           Rocket
11.           Believer
12.           Black Cherry
13.           Yellow Halo
14.           Melancholy Sky

New...

Goldfrapp have started to work on their next album.

Will Gregory recently told BBC6 Music: “I am ready to do it now, to get back to Goldfrapp will be a very refreshing change. We have tried sitting down and writing lists and having coffee to talk about it, but usually we just mess about, it’s good not to be too conscious about what you do.”

While the duo have plenty of unused material from their last album, Head First, they are working from scratch. “We have, as usual, lots of stuff in the bottom drawer which we rejected the first time round, but I expect we’ll want to start a fresh this time round,” will explained.

In November of last year, Alison Goldfrapp announced the band had parted ways with EMI after Head First failed to make much of an impact on the charts.