Tracks...

Time for a few tracks now, including the recently released video for "Trouble's Lament" by Tori Amos, a wonderful new video from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and a fantastic new charity song/video by Kylie Minogue.

Tracks...

It's been a while since I posted a batch of new/recent tracks that I'm enjoying these days. As always, it is a mix of the fabulous, the tacky and everything in between. Enjoy!



PS: a shout out to the fabulous Jon over at Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle, who drew my attention to some of the artists. Do check out his excellent blog!

SOTD...

These days it's all about Cher in the Galaxy. The diva has just scored one of her highest charting albums ever in both the US and the UK and I must say it is one of the most welcomed comebacks, well, ever (but then again, so have all her previous comebacks been) ;)

Since it is Saturday (thank god), I feel that disco-Cher is most appropriate! So we travel back to March 1979. "Take Me Home" was the first single from the album of the same name. It became her first US top 10 hit since "Dark Lady" in 1974, peaking at #8 (and at #2 on the dance chart). The single sold around million copies and became her last top 10 hit in the States, until she unleashed her 1987 comeback.



The song became the debut solo single by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who released a cover in 2001. It became a hit in the UK, peaking at #2 and topped the charts in Spain for 6 weeks.

Here are both versions:

Wanderlust...

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has revealed the release date and artwork for her fifth studio album, Wanderlust. 

Tweeting the cover image, she wrote: "here's the album cover! Album 5. Wanderlust. Out January 20th 2014. I am very excited and proud!"

No tracklist yet, but I'll post it when it has been made available. Here is a look at Miss Bextor's previous albums:

So far, her very best one: "Trip The Light Fantastic"!

Time To Make A Scene...

The new album from Sophie Ellis-Bextor has finally been released in the UK this week. It seems I have been blogging news about it for years now, both here and on the old MySpace blog. In a new interview, Miss Bextor explains what the hell was going on with the album...

The last time we spoke to Sophie ELlis-Bextor, she was on the cusp of releasing her fourth studio album Make A Scene. Fast-forward more than a year and, well, she's finally got around to putting out the record. Before we all accuse her of being a lady of too much leisure, the last 12 months have seen her part ways with her record label and set up her own, as well as putting out a pair of successful chart hits across Europe. Intrigued, we phoned Mademoiselle E-B herself to find out how it's all going.
Your new album was delayed for almost a year. How does it feel to finally get it out?
"It feels really good thanks! I'm actually very happy with what we've achieved behind the scenes with establishing the new label and getting such a fantastic team around me. I know to the outside world it seems like this record has taken forever, but from leaving Universal to bringing out the album independently has actually been quite a quick process."

Things seemed to go quiet last year after the release of "Bittersweet". What happened?
"Peter Lorraine, who was the head of the sub-label I was on called Fascination, decided to leave and go into management instead. He's a lovely guy, and we're still close, but he was the reason I was with that label, so instead of negotiating a new deal with Universal I thought I'd go it alone."

Did you have to buy the album back from the label?
"No they just gave me the album, which was great, because we'd already made a music video and shot the artwork for it. They were really good about it - the whole thing was very smooth and easy."




Did you ever worry that your music career was over?
"I was excited more than anything else! I'd been talking about the idea of releasing independently with my manager a few years before anyway. I could have signed a deal with a different label, but I was keen to try doing it by myself first. One day I might want to return to that world, but at the moment I can't see myself going back to that structure."

Does releasing music independently put the pressure on?
"I'd say it takes the pressure off - you don't need to sell as many records for the project to be deemed a success, and there are no worries about how much of a priority you are to your label. It also means I can release EPs instead of albums if I want to, which is something I'm considering."


You co-wrote most of the album; was that important to you?
"I don't think writing or co-writing my songs makes me a better singer, but I haven't really got an excuse not to do it as I've got too many opinions! For example I wrote my new single "Starlight" with Richard X and a girl called Hannah, and the process usually starts with Richard setting up a drum loop, then we add some chords over it, then we put the lyrics to the melody. I think Richard X did a great job with it. I'm a sucker for sad disco pop."

How would you describe the sound of the rest of the LP?
"It's very dancey, very electro, disco, and very confident. I feel like I enjoyed making this record more than any other. Hopefully people find it quite uplifting too. 'Starlight' is a favourite of mine and I love the title track 'Make A Scene' - it's a bit bonkers! I made it with Metronomy and I loved their approach to producing."



Will there be any more singles from the album?
"I'd like to release 'Off & On' next. I think it's about time I got on with it - it's the song that I keep putting back but really want to release."

You've had a lot of success in Russia; was that planned?
"It sort just happened. I started playing the odd gig and kept getting called back more and more and the events got bigger. It was great because it felt like the hard work paid off. I've had a couple of top three hits there now and the album performed well, which is fantastic."

We've heard some of the Russian corporate gigs can be, erm, interesting...
"I know what you're talking about, but I've always made sure to form friendships with whoever I'm working with. I've never experienced anything that's made me uncomfortable, but I have heard stories. You have to keep your wits about you!"

You feature on The Feeling's new album with Roisin Murphy, who also wrote 'Off & On' for your album. Would you ever collaborate with her?
"That's weird connection, isn't it!? When I recorded 'Off & On' I hadn't ever met her, but I really get on with her now and she's the perfect fit for The Feeling track. The Freemasons also worked on that particular song, and they're an act I'd collaborate with any time they wanted me! I love their approach to dance while still remaining sensitive to pop music."



We hear you've started work on your next album; how's it going?
"I've actually gone completely the opposite way to Make A Scene. It's a lot more live-sounding, with drum kits and real instruments. I'm not sure if I'll continue with it, but that's where I wanted to start - I wanted go outside my comfort zone. Dance music is great, but it's not a time to be reflective or particularly wistful. Lyrically I can do some different stuff too - there's more to life than dancing in the clubs!"




The album seems to be getting pretty good reviews, and it was inside the UK top 20 album chart in the midweeks (should end up in the Top 30) - not bad for a self released record with little promotion. I cant wait to get my copy!

Tracks...

Some tracks I like at the moment...

Starlight...

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has now officially announced the details for her new album - as well as a new single.

The singer will release 'Starlight' on May 30 ahead of her fourth studio album Make A Scene, released the following week.

A press release describes the track as: "A perfect chilled dance anthem that is instantly catchy with a soft but edgy beat. It is a track that can easily take you from sun lounger by day to nightclub by evening and is the perfect summer anthem."

Hopefully the new single will raise enough intrest in the album for it to do well on the charts!



UPDATE:

Sophie has revealed that she will release the LP independently after her label repeatedly shelved the project.

"Make A Scene is finally making its way into the third dimension," she said. "It's been recorded for a little while now, but I left my old label and I've set up my own label. I'm doing this by myself, which is exciting! To be perfectly honest, what we've achieved... getting the album to fruition is a big achievement, and I'm just thrilled it's going to be out there.

WTF?...

According to Universal Music Russia, this is the official artwork and track listing for Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s much delayed forthcoming album, Make A Scene, out April 18th in Russia! Excuse me????

That's in less then two weeks. That's in RUSSIA! WTF?

No release date for anywhere else has been announced - what the hell is going on? Russia, of all places? The whole thing about this album is getting beyond ridiculous...

Four singles have already been released from the album: “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)”, released in June 2009; “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, released in February 2010; “Bittersweet”, released in May 2010; and “Not Giving Up on Love”, released in August 2010.

The album features production work from Greg Kurstin, Freemasons, Biffco, Calvin Harris, Armin van Buuren, Benno de Goeij, Junior Caldera, Richard X, Liam Howe, Metronomy and Fred Ball.

Track list:

01. Revolution
02. Bittersweet
03. Off & On
04. Heartbreak
05. Not Giving Up On Love
06. Can’t Fight This Feeling
07. Starlight
08. Undertouch
09. Make A Scene
10. Magic
11. Dial My Number
12. Homewrecker
13. Synchronised
14. Cut Straight To The Heart

http://www.universalmusic.ru/en/artists/201/releases/2550/



UPDATE:

According to Sophie herself, this info is correct. The album will be released in Europe a few weeks later and it will come out in the UK at the end of May. Hmmm - OK, I smell a disaster. The last single from the album charted at #165 (!) in the UK, so she would really need a new (much stronger) single out PRONTO to raise an intrest for the album. Everything about this album has been handled very badly - sadly it seems it will be a massive flop...