Rock n Religion -GOOD FRIDAY PLAYLIST

Easter is upon once again. The religious feast where Jesus was crucified on Good Friday , only to rise again on Easter Sunday. Religion and pop culture have always gone hand in hand , with mixed and controversial results down through the years.
John Lennon caused outrage in the 60's proclaiming The Beatles "bigger than Jesus ". Who can forget Madonna incurring the wrath of the Vatican in 1989 with the legendary Like A Prayer video. And what about Sinead O'Connor ripping up a picture of Pope John Paul on live television in the 90s.

Religion has always worked as metaphor for faith for love in music. It;s inspired several classic songs , some of which make up our Good Friday playlist. Below are some of the most controversial songs with religion as the central theme or metaphor. Happy Easter and Viva Papa

Lady Gaga -Judas (2011 )
This was the second single from Gaga's Born This Way album. A song about a woman falling in love with a man who has betrayed her -Judas. It was a clever metaphor  for a song that really did'nt live up to Gaga's high standards. The song fell flat critically and commercially. The accompanying video sees Gaga as Mary Magdalene with her Judas Iscariot on their way to Jerusalem. The video concluded with Gaga as Mary Magdalene being stoned to death. Gaga ripped a huge chunk from Madonna's playbook. The Catholic League condemned the video for its religious imagery. The song itself remains one of Gaga's least memorable moments.

Joan Osbourne -One Of Us (1996 )
A 90's classic one hit wonder , that is actually a cover of a song by The Hooters.  A gorgeous song that asks how one might relate to God. " If God had a face / would you want to see , if seeing meant that you would have to believe in things like Heaven , and Jesus and the saints and all the prophets " It was a hit for Osbourne and remains as glorious a song today as back then.

George Harrison -My Sweet Lord (1971 )
This classic from Beatle Harrison was a worldwide hit and posthumously hit the top spot in the UK in 2002 after his death.
The song was written in praise of Hindu god Krishna. The song also called on the listener to abandon religious sectarianism. The song is elevated by Phil Spector's legendary Wall of Sound production. The song was basically a song for all religions , not one singular denomination. The song is celebratory in tone.

Kanye West -Jesus Walks (2004 )
Rumours suggest Kanye West's forthcoming sixth album will be called I Am A God. Not surprisingly really , seeing as West is one of music's most narcissistic personalities. But the man is also a genius. As demonstrated on this bold , thumping cut from his debut album The College Dropout.
The track details how Jesus walks with all manner of people whether they be saint or sinner.  The track also takes a swipe at a media that ignores songs concerned with faith in favor of songs of sex , drugs and violence, that have soundtracked much of hip hop. Many of /West's closest music industry friends told him as stunning as the track was , it would never be played on radio. How wrong they were. Jesus Walks won a Grammy for Best Rap Song in 2005. It remains one of Kanye West's greatest moments.

Depeche Mode -Personal Jesus (1989 )
This classic song from Dave Gahan and co surfaced on the revered Violator album. It;s a track , that not wholly concerned with matters of faith , uses Jesus as a metaphor for hope. When someone loves and depends on someone so much , that person becomes a "personal Jesus " for them.
It remains on the Mode's most enduring songs , one that has gained in esteem and acclaim in the last 20 years

R.E,M -Losing My Religion (1991 )
This is the song that turned R.E.M into one of the biggest bands in the world. An unadulterated classic that is one of the greatest songs of the 90s and perhaps R.E.M's most legendary song in an iconic back catalogue.
Prior to this R.E.M were a critically acclaimed , commercially ignored , band that successfully eked out a career. Things changed dramatically with this iconic song that would win 2 Grammys and 6 MTV Video Music Awards for its stunning accompanying video.
"Thats me in the corner, thats me in the spotlight , losing my religion " , sings Michael Stipe. 
The song is an ode to unrequited love , and catapulted Out Of Time to 18 million sales worldwide.

Madonna -Like A Prayer (1989 )
And now we come to pop's ultimate agent provacateur. The Vaticans worst nightmare. The Queen of Controversy herself. The Queen of Pop , Madonna. 
The song is Madonna;s crowning glory , pardon the pun. Its video , legendary. The album of the same name is one of the greatest pop albums of all time. To many , Madonna's finest album. It marked her transition from superstar to bona fide , Hall of Fame , icon. The song was received to a rapturous reception by fans and critics alike.
The song itself , with its Gsopel choir and the goosebump inducing opening line " Life is a mystery , everyone must stand alone , I hear you call my name , and it feels like home " It was indeed heavenly.
It was another global smash for Madonna. But the avalanche of controversy that came with the video has never been matched since, The Vatican and religious lobby were up in arms. 

The video depicted Madonna making love in a church to a black Jesus, stigmata on her hands , dancing in a field of burning crosses and a murder of black man.  It was hugely controversial for its time. Madonna was subsequently dropped from her multi million dollar deal with Pepsi. 
The video went on to win 2 MTV Video Music Awards and behind Michael Jackson's Thriller , it is probably the most groundbreaking video of all time. One that broke all the rules , harnessed the controversy and furore to its own benefit. But more than that , Like A Prayer is not just one of the greatest pop songs of all time , it IS one of the greatest songs of all time. 

Rolling Stones to headline Glastonbury 2013

The Rolling stones have been confirmed as one of the headliners of this years Glastonbury. The rock legends will take to the Pyramid Stage on Worthy Farm on Saturday June 29th. It is the first time the Stones have ever played the legendary festival. It also fuels more speculation that Glasto will be the bands swansong.

Arctic Monkeys will headline the Friday night on June 27th with Mumford & Sons closing the festival on Sunday June 29th. The line up was announced this evening via Glastonburys official Twitter page.

The diverse line up spreads across the Pyramid Stage , John Peel Stage ,Other Stage , West Holts Stage and The Park Stage to name but a few.
Other acts confirmed for Glastonbury 2013 are Jake Bugg , Rita Ora , Bastille , Elvis Costello , Nick Cave , Primal Scream , Dizzee Rascal , Ben Howard , Vampire Weelend . Hurts , Disclosure , Jessie Ware , Kenny Rogers , Foals , The XX , Example , Portishead , Chase And Status ,NAS , Smashing Pumpkins , The Lumineers , Public Enemy , The Weekend , Editors , Azealia Banks , Professor Green , Alt-J , Two Door Cinema Club , Solange , Of Monsters And Men ,Crystal Castles , Rufus Wainwright.

Tickets sold out upon going on sale last October. The full line up poster is featured below

Kings of Leon for album this atutumn

Kings of Leon are set to return this autumn with their along awaited new album. Their sixth studio album follows up 2010's Come Around Sundown.
It's almost a decade since the Kings burst onto the scene in 2003 with Youth And Young Manhood. The album is already recorded according to Jarred Followill.

" I thought we were gonna make a real mature album. It;s youthful , a mix of Youth and Young Manhood and Because Of The Times. "

Kings of Leon are rumoured for a slot at this years Oxegen festival in August.

I

INTERVIEW -Christianoshi

"I'm an adventurer and can be feral at times ..which doesn't leave me dry for material "
Eclectic electropop wunderkind Christianoshi was featured on here last month and described as the musical lovechild of Robyn and Dave Gahan , Neil Tennant , Andy Bell and Marc Almond. 
I caught up with the flamboyant feral London lad to chat music , performing and why listening to Jessie J is bad for the soul.


Christianoshi was a welcome addition to my eardrums earlier this year when I stumbled across his fantastic single Trust. A purveyor of the finest elecropop that pulsates and calls for dancefloor trysts and euphoria , Christianoshi is a worthy investment of your musical time. Indeed Trust created some blog buzz when released digitally

Sonically , it was my first attempt at being Prince. My co-producer steered it in more of a synthpop direction and probably saved it from the scrapheap in doing so if I'm honest. Lyrically , it's a vanilla tale about going steady and getting ready for some responsible bareback action.

Christianoshi is deliciously honest as you can tell.  At present , he is hard at work on what should be a thrilling debut album that'll surely soundtrack many a hedonistic , euphoric night.

I'm looking forward to having a cohesive body of work to guide people to. The track listing isn't quite complete and my creative flow has recently gone into overdrive, which is making it harder to determine.
As for themes, I'm surprised at the amount of songs about falling in love , written when I was doing just that. I usually draw a creative blank in that situation. So , of course , there is  also stuff inspired by unhappier times. 
But no song is without its confidence -even a devastating line like " you dont wanna fuck me anymore " , sounds bold thanks to the bouncy production on "Fuck Me. My biggest hope is that I get the the as-yet-untitled album finished in time for the summer release I've set.

It;s an album I'm really looking forward to. And the song Fuck Me , is well worth checking out online via Soundcloud. Appearances can be deceptive and behind the apparent disco charm of his music , there is vulnerability in spades. Not melancholia , but vulnerability. Of the sort we can all relate to. 

There's a great amount of autobiography in my music but I'm not averse to making stuff up. I'm an adventurer and can be feral at times, which doesn't leave me dry for material , that's for sure.

It certainly doesn't. And I get the impression , this forthcoming debut opus will be a raucous , riotous document of a wild night out under discoballs , whilst under the inflluence. But with an undercurrent of romance , mischief and the vulnerability that comes with sobering up as the sun comes up. Dreaming and thinking of love , whether it be unrequited or not. Real music of the night.

Christianoshi has performed on the London toilet circuit and has played  The Social and Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

It's been about two years since I first performed as a solo artist and in the interest of keeping things exciting for the audience , I haven't done it too often. There also isn't a great deal of venues supporting new pop music and I often stick out like a sore thumb on the toilet circuit among indie bands on the same bill. While it's been great for getting experience , it's not been so conducive to connecting with a wider audience unfortunately.

My first live performance at a club in East London, I was really thrown in at the deep end. Without a clue as to what I was doing , popping beta blockers as I soberly waited to go on at 3am. Falling into the arms of my friends at the end of the set was one of my most amazing feelings ever.

It's no great surprise that one of Christianoshi's favourite live performers is the legendary Freddie Mercury. Another performer not known for sitting in the corner , quietly sipping a glass of wine.

My ultimate live heroes would be Freddie Mercury and Kylie , but they are big league entertainers who have long embraced their vulnerability in such a situation. While Frank Ocean's artistry embodies fearlessness to me , his performing seems more modest , though no less captivating as a result. So I'm probably channeling him on stage more than the other  two.

I couldn't think of a better current performer to channel. With Christianoshi , to these ears , essentially being a pop artist  , how apt that pops ultimate hitmakers Xenomania should top his list of songwriters.

Xenomania is a genius songwriting team which inspires me to stretch myself creatively. Theres a huge difference between them and those commercially driven songwriting camps employed for the likes of Rihanna. They realise theres a science and a magic to it. They've definitely influenced songs like "Fake Blood"  "Trust " and "Fool", which replace the traditional repeated chorus outro with an entirely new structure.

So with Girls Aloud recently splitting and One Direction dominating the charts , what does Christianoshi make of the current state of pop music.

Is it the fall before another rise ? I'm not sure because things have been stale and boring for so long now, you kind of expect the good stuff will remain underground. I think Little Boots is proving that being dropped by your label is no detriment to continue doing what you love and she probably has the fan base to still make something of a living from it.

You'd have to go back a few years before I could name a Number 1 single, which is probably to the detriment of an artist aiming for success. But listening to Jessie J can only be bad for the soul.

Dont expect a collaboration between Christianoshi and the newly bald pop screecher anytime soon. But who would Christian like to get in the studio in.

It took me a while to get my head around all the 1980's comparisons my music has received because it wasn't intentional. It does make sense though as I consider that to be the halcyon decade , in most  cultural aspects actually.

Someone like Ed DMX would be ideal to collaborate with for the remainder of the album as his devotion to 80's electro seems apparent today as it did in the late 90's. i went to his Fresh Up night last weekend in the hope of seducing him but couldn't find him.

It would be hard not to be seduced by Christianoshi. Both his look , voice , and indeed music is made for that wider pop audience. Away from the underground , no one should be immune to the musical charms of Christianoshi.

I would implore you all dear readers to seek out Trust and Fool on iTunes , download it and enjoy a beautifully , glorious electro pop ride. This is vital pop , that is needed in this new post-Aloud world we live in.

Colourful , cutely brash , hedonistic electropop with that gorgeous undercurrent of vulnerability. Christianoshi is one to electrify your iPod and very well melt your heart at 4am in the morning. Await his debut album later this summer with intrigue and salivation.

Links

@christianoshi

soundcloud.com/christianoshi

facebook.com/christianoshi

Watch the audio video for Christianoshi's Trust below

PJ and Duncan Rhumble Itunes Chart

The 90's revival continues in spectacularly nostalgic fashion  as PJ and Duncans 1993 hit Lets Get Ready To Rhumble stormed the iTunes chart overnight.
Ant and Dec , who performed as their Byker Grove characters in the early 90's , reformed for a showstopping performance on their Saturday Night Takeaway show last night. It was part of a closing segment that featured acts from ITV's smash hit Big Reunion series perform together.

Five , Atomic Kitten and Blue all performed before Ant and Dec slipped back into their baggy jeans and baseball tops to perform as PJ and Duncan , to a rapturous audience reception.
Within hours the track was soaring up iTunes , and 24 hours on , it now sits at Number 2.

There is now a distinct possibility that Lets Get Ready To Rhumble may top the charts on Easter Sunday , 19 years after it originally peaked at Number 9.

Prior to finding fame as TV presenters , Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly starred in BBC kids series Byker Grove as the hugely popular PJ & Duncan. As their alter ego's , they had a  few hits between 1993 and 1995. They then dropped the alter ego's to their own names Ant n Dec , whee they continued to have moderate chart success with Shout and When I Fall In Love , before quitting pop in 1997.

In their time as popstars though , they never topped the charts. Now momentum is speeding like a locomotion train , and in could see them at the top of the charts this Easter. A resurrection Jesus himself would be proud of.

Watch the original music video for PJ & Duncan's Lets Get Ready To Rhumble below

The Saturdays finally hit Number 1

It's taken them over 4 years and countless near misses. But finally , The Saturdays sit proudly perched at the top of the UK charts tonight.
What About Us , featuring Sean Paul , sold over 114,00 copies making it the fastest selling single of 2013. Enough to give them their first Number 1. Since the release of their 2008 debut single If This Is Love , The Saturdays have had 11 Top 10 hits.

The Saturdays fended off competition from Justin Timberlake and Pink to claim the long awaited chart topper,
Seems there is still much life left in The Saturdays 5 years on. It will also act as a nice swansong of sorts for Rochelle Humes. She leaves the band to go on maternity leave as she is expecting her first child with husband , JLS hunk Marvin Humes.

Watch The Saturdays perform their Number 1 What About Us , on Alan Carr;s Chattyman , alongside Sean Paul.

INTRODUCING -James Leon

Following on from our last tip for the top in Christ Ian Oshi , hot on his heels comes one James Leon. London seems to be producing a wave of fantastic electro pop artists , yet to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public. James Leon is one such artist.
His voice reeks of a gentle yet hypnotizing melancholia , set against a backdrop of lush synth pop. Tales of heartbreak , hedonism , struggle are all beautifully woven into some great pop tracks. As found on his two independent single releases Purple Heart and the brilliant yet subtlely glam Caught Up In Your Vanity

The single cover , shown above , is gorgeous, in keeping with the vanity of the title. Being a synth pop artist , of course James' sound echoes that of past pioneers , the legends Erasure, Pet Shop Boys , Depeche Mode and The Human League. They may be obvious if even lazy comparisons to any new synth pop act , but I got a larger Erasure vibe on my first listens to James Leon. Vocally , there is a resemblance to Erasure. And to my ears , it sounds wonderful.

Electropop/synthpop is a genre thats like Marmite to many at times. Equally loved and loathed in equal measure by tastemakers and disco hedonists. How apt then , that James Leon's debut album be entitled Never Been Cool. 
It's a self deprecating title , but also one that could to many sum up electro pop. But that would be too wrong an assumption. Electro pop has always been cool. And it continues to be one of pop's more thrilling sub genres in whatever inventive variations it can take. Thats the beauty of electro pop. It can vary beautifully and James Leon is just the latest. He has a sultry , even sexy melancholia to his sound. A fantastic pop voice.

Co-produced by Julian Simmons , Never Been Cool was released last autumn. James released the album independently to iTunes and Amazon. So get downloading and investigate this hot new talent for yourself.

James is a regular performer on the club and Pride scene , and is gearing up for a new single release. Plastic looks set to be James next single. Again , another gorgeous vocal and quirky lyrics about todays society.
James Leon's album title may claim that he's Never Been Cool. Cool is its own convention. But aint nobody said he could never be successful. Successful and cool. Its a  perfect combination and one that James Leon could easily have in the near future. He's got the cool already. Hes got the songs. Hes got the talent.

James Leon is an intriguing prospect , on a pop scene bereft of intelligent , quirky male artists. Instead we get   bland , watered down RnB , X Factor pap , boring singer/songwriters that sound the same. If anything , James Leon has never been cooler.

Links

soundcloud.com/jamesleon

http://jamesleon.net

twitter.com/JamesLeon1

Never Been Cool is available on iTunes/Amazon right now

Watch the video for James Leon's single Purple Heart  below

Popstars , Gift Wrapped Kitty Cats , Biology , Walking Primrose , Beautiful Robots Dancing Alone and Dreams That Glitter -The End of Girls Aloud

" Disco dancing with the lights down low/Music pumping on my stereo " And the rest was pop history. Girls Aloud finished their Ten tour in Liverpool last night , bringing the curtain down on almost eleven glorious years as one of pops biggest and most beloved groups.
When Sarah Harding was voted in as the final member of a then unnamed giel band in December 2002 , on ITV's Popstars;The Rivals , nobody could have predicted the juggernaut that Nadine Coyle , Cheryl Tweedy , Kimberley Walsh , Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding became.
22 singles , 4 Number 1's , over ten years of pop glory

They were the girlband it was cool to like. criticallya nd commercially successful. Julie Burchill famously compared them to the Sex Pistols. And yet most people thought they would'nt last the obligatory 15 minutes even after Sound Of The Underground topped the Christmas charts in 2002.

That was followed up by the even better No Good Advice.  In 2004 , follow up album What Will The Neighbours Say cemented their staus as one of pop's most inventive and thrilling propositions. Love Machine , much maligned , begged for 'a squeeze a day ' , The Show which preceded it was another smash. Another Number 1 came with their cover of I'll Stand By You. 

Chemistry followed in 2005 , which spawned their finest hour in Biology. A pop masterpiece that could only have been written by Xenomania and delivered with such fiest and panache by Girls Aloud. It remains one of the greatest pop songs of the past decade.
Girls Aloud were three years in and were firmly established as credible commercial pop hitmakers. Their first Greatest Hits album followed a year later. Something Kinda Ooh soon became a staple.

2007 saw Tangled Up , and a collaboration with rivals Sugababes on a Number 1 cover of Walk This Way. 
Call The Shots became one of their biggest songs ever. When Cheryl joined The X Factor as judge in 2008 , the girls hit a purple patch unseen  throughout their career.
The Promise hit Number 1 and picked up Best British Single at the following years Brits , where the Girls stole the show with an iconic performance.

After Untouchable became their first song not to hit the Top 10 , there came the inevitable solo break. Cheryl became the star , the tabloid darling , the national treasure. Three solo Number 1 singles and albums all followed in quick succession.
Nadine spectacularly flopped to much online mocking. Nicola also released an acclaimed solo outing , but without any commercial success.

When Girls Aloud reunited in October 2011 , we knew it was short term. A long delayed swansong that would see them celebrate a glorious decade in pop. And glorious it has been. For the most part , in terms of genius pop music Girls Aloud and indeed Xenomania have never put a foot wrong, Sure there were some odd singles choices. But even they were a blessing on the radio.

Girls Aloud were everything thats great about pop music in the past decade. Carefree , fun , sassy , smart , intelligent.In short a really , brilliant pop outfit that changed the face of pop music.

The Promise , Biology , Something Kinda Oooh , Sound Of The Underground , Untouchable and Call The Shots are fantastic pop songs that will stand the test of time.

So Nadine , Cheryl , Sarah , Nicola and Kimberley -Girls Aloud. Off into the sunset you shall ride. Your place in pops Hall of Fame assured.
All thats left is to say -Girls Aloud. Thank you.

Hurts To Embark on Exile Tour

Hurts will embark on their biggest tour yet this Autumn in support of recently released sophomore album Exile.
Kicking off in their hometown Manchester on October 25th , " The Exile Tour " will take in Scandinavia , Estonia ,Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Czech Republic , Germany , Switzerland , Belgium and Holland. The tour will conclude in Luxembourg on November 22nd.

Exile entered the UK albums chart on Sunday at number 9. The duo will release Blind as the albums second single.

Avril Never Growing Up

Avril Lavigne is poised to release the first single from her upcoming fifth album. Heres To Never Growing Up , premiered in 14 second clip on Lavigne's Twitter page.
The Canadian singer , who recently got engaged to Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger sounds to be in familiar territory. However the full premiere of the song is yet to come.

Lavigne's last album Goodbye Lullaby was released in 2011 and underwhelmed commercially. However the album itself was quite underrated. But failed to spawn the usual hit singles. More mellow and mature than previous efforts , the album sold moderately.
Lavigne has already said her new album will mark a return to her more poppy roots , and will be more upbeat and fun. Her fiancee Chad Kroeger and former Evanescence member David Hodges have worked on the album.

Since her debut album Let Go , in 2002 , Avril Lavigne has sold over 34 million records

Heres a 14 second snippet of Avril Lavigne;s new single Heres To Never Growing Up

Kelly Clarkson readies new single

Kelly Clarkson will release People Like Us , as the next single from her Greatest Hits: Chapter One album on April 8th.
Clarkson whom released her hits compendium in November last year , follows up Catch My Breath , which was the trailer new song from the same album.

The singer was recently embroiled in a war of words with mentor and music mogul Clive Davis after he made disparaging claims about the American Idol winner in his autobiography. Claims which Clarkson staunchly refuted.

Bow Down To Beyonce....Bitches!!

She's taken her time , but Beyonce has released some new material , in anticipation of her forthcoming 5th album.
Bow Down/I Been On was released last night on Bey's official Tumblr page.A suitably ferocious romp , its not known whether this will serve as the albums lead single.
Still , it's a pretty satisfying teaser ahead of the long awaited album. As yet , no official details have emerged regarding the new record.

Rumours abound that Lady Gaga and Rihanna will both feature , as well as Justin Timberlake. Her recent HBO documentary Life Is But A Dream , will screen on BBC 1 on Thursday March 28th at 10.35pm.


Listen to Beyonce;s new track Bow Down/I Been On below

Stooshe finally set for album release

After much delays , Stooshe will finally release their debut album on May 27th. The album will be preceded by new single Slip on May 13th.
Stooshe had two huge hits last year with Love Me , and most notably the brilliant Motown pastiche Black Heart.

However , it feels as though momentum has somewhat stalled for the British girlband since. That huge summer hit was followed up an ill judged , poorly received cover of TLC's classic Waterfalls. The track failed to set the charts alight and dented some of the goodwill built up by Black Heart.

Timberlake to release 20/20 Volume 2 ?

Justin Timberlake this week finally releases his 3rd album The 20/20 Experience. After his Hollywood hiatus   , it's a truly spectacular comeback thats been well worth the wait.
It's a long album , but well worth the listen, with stand out tracks like Dont Hold The Wall and Let The Groove Get In.

Now reports have surfaced that Timberlake will release the second part of the album , comprising of 10 songs this November.
Roots drummer QuestLove announced the news saying -"Spoiler Alert! 20/20 Vol 2 comes out in November. 10 songs now -10 songs later =20 Vision "

Exciting news as this Volume 1 has lived up to my expectations , I expect this unconfirmed Vol 2 to be just as good. Its been seven years , so why not two Timberlake albums in a year. My only qualm would be that the songs be a little more edited and not all amount to seven or eight minutes each. Not that the album feels bloated , just some pruning would have been welcome on this opus. Nonetheless, Justin Timberlake has reclaimed his pop crown in some fashion already this year.

Listen to album track Dont Hold The Wall below

The Saturdays on course to break chart duck

After almost five years , 13 singles , are Frankie , Mollie , Una ,Rochelle and Vanessa finally about to land their maiden Number 1 single.
The Saturdays 14th single What About Us , featuring Sean Paul has stormed to the top of the iTunes chart upon its release yesterday.

The Saturdays certainly wont be counting any chickens just yet. Its not the first time the girls have taken an early chart lead , only to be denied on the crucial Sunday.
Flo Rida has twice scuppered them to the top spot when Just Cant Get Enough and Missing You were ahead midweek.
Their last sizeable hit was 2011's pulsating All Fired Up , which eventually lost out to Pixie Lott.

The girls , currently starring in E! reality show Chasing The Saturdays , have made no secret of their long held desire to have that elusive Number 1 single.
Whilst What About Us is no Higher or Ego , it would be nice to see the girls finally land the top spot. Most people wrote this song off on first listen. Could The Saturdays finally have the last laugh ?

Duke Dumont 100% Needs You

Duke Dumont has teamed up with the hotly tipped A.M.E on a song that will bring him hurtling into the mainstream with mass impact. Stepping out of the shadows , after years of acclaimed live shows and remix work.
Need U (100% ) is guaranteed to be the floor fuller for Spring. An instant club classic , Dumont will firmly step into the limelight when this surely hits the chart summit in April. This will be lapped up in every nightclub from Manchester to Ibiza.

Released on March 31st , I would safely assume this will shoot straight to the top of the charts. 100%

Scherzinger boomerangs to top spot

Nicole Scherzinger is on course for her second solo UK Number 1 , as Boomerang lead the midweek charts. Despite mixed reviews and not being playlisted by Radio 1 , Scherzy is on course for the top this Sunday.
Scherzinger last topped the UK charts in 2011 with Dont Hold Your Breath. Shes alos toppe dteh charts twice before in 2005 with the Pussycat Doills.

Her new album is expected later this year , the follow up to Killer Love , which spawned the hits Poison and Right There

Comic Relief's Greatest Hits - Counting down the charity's 5 greatest pop moments

Comic Relief has been raising money for Africa and projects in the UK since 1986. The Comic relief charity single has become as much a part of the fundraising drive as the iconic Red nose itself.
Since April 1986 , there have been 21 singles released , 13 of which have hit the top spot. Spice Girls , Bananarama , Boyzone , Per Shop Boys and this year One Direction have all released songs for the charity.

From the 21 singles released , I've compiled a definitive Top 5 of Comic Relief's greatest singles


5. Pet Shop Boys -Absolutely Fabulous (UK Number 6, May 1994 )
Featuring snippets of dialogue from Patsy and Eddie , this track was suitably camp as Christmas in the most blatant yet comedic way.
The dialogue used is genius , set to a Europop beat and Neil Tennants one word chorus. Fabulous darling

4. McFly -All About You ( UK Number 1 , March 2005 )
Possibly McFly's greatest moment as this soared to the top in 2005. McFly had been huge at the time , something Comic Relief cashed in on numerous times throughout the past 25 years. Recruit the pop act of the moment and let them loose on an old 80;s pop classic. It worked most of the time, Although , this iriginal song deserved it success. One of the charitys better chosen songs

3. Spice Girls -Mama/Who Do You Think You Are ( UK Number 1 , March 1997 )
The only Comic Relief song I've ever bought. Pairing the biggest pop phenomenon in the world with the charity was a stroke of genius. It gave us an alternative video for Who Do You Think You Are featurign the Sugarlumps. Lulu as Baby Spice , Dawn French;s hilarious turn as Posh Spice and Jennifer Saunders as Ginger. Kathy Burke was Sporty Spice. It remains one of Comic Reliefs most memorable musical moments. The double A side was Number1 for 3 weeks and the Spice Girls were on top of the world

2. Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay - (Is This The Way To ) Amarillo (UK Number 1 , March 2005 )
What started as a spoof featuring Peter Kay lip synching to 70;s crooner Tony Christie , flanked by the likes of Ken and Deirdre from Corrie , Shakin Stevens , Shaun Ryder and Bez , Michael Parkinson and most memorably Ronnie Corbett. It became a phenomenon. The video was one of the highlights of that years telethon. The single was released to huge demand where it subsequently spent a massive seven weeks at Number 1.
It single handedly resurrected Tony Christie;s career and made Peter Kay a national treasure. The longest reigning UK Number 1 in almost seven years. The track has since sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone , making it one of Comic Reliefs most successful and beloved singles

1. Cher , Chrissie Hynde and Neneh Cherry with Eric Clapton -Love can Build A Bridge ( UK Number 1 , March 1995 )
This blockbuster collaboration , for me , remains the greatest Comic Relief charity single of all time. Three heavyweight female vocalists on an old country song by The Judds, It was tender yet rousing , a perfect song to soundtrack that years fundraising drive. Eric Clapton's guitar solo stops it from becoming a sombre , saccharine laced power ballad. Instead , it's the charity's greatest music moment. And one they should perhaps try and replicate in some form for future campaigns

Bastille reveal next single

As predicted by many tastemakers at the turn of the year , Bastille are currently riding the crest of a very successful wave. Pompeii landed at Number 2 on the charts this week and debut album Bad Blood is soaring to Number 1.

Dan Smith has confirmed that Laura Palmer should serve as the next single , presumably at some point in May.

Texas announce comeback

Scottish pop veterans Texas have announced details of their forthcoming new album entitled The Conversation.
It is Sharleen Spiteri and company;s first album in 8 years , the follow up to 2005's Red Book. In the intervening years Spiteri has gone on to release two solo albums with mixed success.

The Conversation is set for release on May 20th. The tirle track will serve as the set's lead single a week earlier on May 13th.
This year marks Texas' 25th anniversary. Their first hit , I Dont Want A Lover , reached Number 8 in 1989. Since then , they've sold over 30 million albums worldwide , and sold out countless tours,

They enjoyed a massive career renaissance in the late 90's with huge albums , 1997's classic White On Blonde and its 1999 predecessor The Hush. They enjoyed huge success w.ith pop anthems Say What You Want , Halo , Black Eyed Boy , In Demand and Summer Son.

The tracklisting for The Conversation , released May 20th is

1. The Conversation
2. Dry Your Eyes
3.If This Is'nt Real
4. Detroit City
5. I Will Always
6. Talk About Love
7.  Hid From The Light
8. Be True
9. Maybe I
10. Hearts Are Made To Stray
11. Big World
12 I Need Time

Watch the lyric video for Texas' classic hit Black Eyed Boy

Paloma's " Black And Blue "

Paloma Faith has unveiled the video for forthcoming single Black And Blue. The track will serve as the 5th single lifted from her platinum Brit-nominated Fall To Grace album.
It follows Never Tear Us Apart , just Be and Picking Up The Pieces. Faith performed the tarck at last night's Comic Relief gig Give It Up For Comic Relief.


Black And Blue is released this Sunday March 11th

Ready Or Not Here She Comes -Bridgit Mendlers Pop Masterpiece

Disney  has a rich and varied history when it comes to churning out future pop megastars. In the past theres been been Mickey Mouse Club alumni Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. The recent past has seen Miley Cyrus , Selena Gomez and current pop princess in waiting Demi Lovato.

Now pop gold has struck again , in the form of one Bridgit Mendler. The 20 year old star of Disney Channel comedu Good Luck Charlie , has released the catchiest pop song of 2013 thus far.
The brilliant Ready Or Not is currently racing up iTunes. The song is throwaway , infectious , summery but unbelievably catchy and euphoric.

The lyrics are strangely genius - " I'll be your William , you;ll be my Kate " It's pure pop of the Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe " variety. The ultimate pop earworm. This is stuck on repeat on my iPod. Pop prozac.

Whether Bridgit ends up a one hit wonder remains to be seen , but shes fresh , looks great and her vocals are a touch above the usual Disney poppets.
Spring is in the air and summer is hurtling towards us. Ready Or Not serves as the perfect soundtrack.

Beyonce reveals new Pepsi tour poster

Beyonce has unveiled the latest Pepsi poster in support of her forthcoming Mrs Carter Show World Tour. The poster reveals Beyonce sporting a blonde wig , reminiscent of Christina Aguilera. Whilst her face looks lighter than usual.

The image is the latest to promote her mammoth world tour and Pepsi sponsorship.


Watch the video for Beyonce;s Run The World (Girls )

Rudimental go Home

Having stormed the charts with summer anthem Feel The Love , dance group Rudimental will release their debut album Home on April 29th.
The group , who recently confirmed a Glastonbury appearance this year , have also collaborated with the ubiquitous Emeli Sande on the debut opus.

The tracklisting for Hiome released April 29th is as follows

1.Home
2. Feel The Love (feart. John Newman )
3. Right Here (feat Foxes )
4. Hell Could Freeze (feat. Angel Haze )
5. Spoons (feat. MNEK and Syrons )
6. Hide (feat. Sinead Harnett)
7. Powerless
8. More Than Anything (faet. Emeli Sande )
9. Not Giving In (feat. John Newman and Alex Clare )
10. Baby (feat . MNEK and Sinead Harnett )
11. Waiting All Night (feat. Ella Eyre )
12. Free (feat. Emeli Sande )

Watch the video for Rudimental's Number1 smash Feel The Love

Carly Rae Snubs Homophobic Scouts

Canadian pop princess Carly Rae Jepsen wont be inviting the Boy Scouts of America to call her maybe , anytime soon. The singer has refused to perform at the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree in the summer owing to their homophobic stance on gay scouts and leaders.

It's a welcome move from the young singer , who's foregone any exposure in place of her own principles. And more power to her, She released a staement saying -" "
As an artist who believes in equality for all people , I will not be participating in the boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer.........I always have will continue to support the LGBT  community on a  global level...and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe "

Watch the video for Carly Rae jepsen's new single Tonight I'm Getting Over You here