Ed Sheeran premieres Castle On The Hill video

Ed Sheeran has debuted the nostalgic clip for current single Castle On The Hill. The video sees a young Sheeran relive his teenage years in Framlingham , Suffolk. Akin to a tamer episode of teen drama Skins the video sees teenage Sheeran enjoy his first kiss , drinking cans with mates. As well as dancing in clubs , hanging out at bonfires and shooting a few rounds of pool.

Castle On The Hil was pipped to the top of the charts by Sheeran's other new track Shape Of You. Sheeran is expected to top the UK charts for a third consecutive week . His third album Divide is set for release March 3rd

James Leon unleashes his Zen

Looking to blow the cobwebs off your dry January. Well , The Playlist favourite James Leon has just the elixir for you. It comes in the intoxicating form of his brand new single , the power pop arms aloft anthemics of  Zen (To The Power )

Zen ( To The Power ) trails Leon's forthcoming four track EP also entitled Zen. The EP includes the Club Clique remix of previous hedonistic bop I Love The Music (The First Night ). We waxed lyrical about that track from the moment we heard it,

But on Zen ( To The Power ) , Leon has cranked up the clubby pulsing beats and sweet vocals on a call to arms chorus that echoes Erasure meets Years and Years. The track is an aural delight , full of upbeat optimism after a grim 2016 tinged with the 2am haze of a London dancefloor. The London based electro -pop powerhouse has never sounded better. Its swirling , hedonistic and emotive.

The punchy , defiant chorus is an absolute earworm , that builds and builds to a rapturous all out massive attack of pure pop perfection. It sounds current  despite some of Leon's past 80's leaning offerings. This time though , that retro vibe sounds like a delightful mix of late 90s dance with modern pop sensibilities. What holds this track and pins it so wonderfully is Leon's swooping , soaring vocal.  As ever , he recalls the love child of Andy Bell and Neil Tennant , but his vocal is instinctively his. These comparisons are just subtle nuances of an underrated pop vocalist.

Zen (To The Power ) would not feel out of place on an album by Erasure and The Pet Shop Boys. An easy retro comparison indeed. But its sound and swooping pop puts it firmly in the realm of Years and Years , The 1975 and the very best Scandipop  of Robyn ,  Zara Larsson et al.

The matching video shows a vibrant fast-paced journey through modern London, providing an energy which reflects the heady highs and lows of life in London. From the stark industrial vistas of kings Cross to the disappearing artistic community of Hackney.

The video is directed by the amazing Susan Supecharged. An artist as well as a film maker working from her studio in Hackney Wick. Her films work incorporates a lo-fi hi-fi derived from Burroughs cut up technique. Hailing from the historic East Village Art Music and Fashion scene in 1980's New York, Susan’s personal history is as heady and unique as her artwork. As a model she was known as the model with the super 8, filming as she sashayed down the runway. The films are in the archives of the metropolitan museum in New York, and have shown in exhibitions in US and the ICA in London.

Shes certainly brought the video to life in contemporary London and paints a palette of city life to Leon's high octane track.

Zen ( To The Power ) is available to download now

'Zen' EP available now on iTunes (and other digital outlets): http://apple.co/1X54j7X

Spotify: http://bit.ly/1j7H4g0

'

Here's the other links to get yourself familiar and more acquainted with James Leon's music.

Spotify:  http://spoti.fi/1NAVpzS

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jamesleon

You Tube: http://bit.ly/1ZwDcVs

Website: http://jamesleonofficial.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesleonuk

Twitter: @jamesleon1

Instagram: @jamesleon1

Watch the video above for the stellar Zen ( To the Power ) and download it now

THE MALONEYS 2017 - Honey G set for clean sweep

Honey G is primed to clean up at The Maloneys 2017.  The self proclaimed "realest chick in the game " is up for 4 prizes including Aldi Worst British Single , Worst British Female , Worst British Breakthrough and Worst British Artist Video.

In its 5th year The Maloneys will honour the very worst in British music the night before the BRIT Awards on February 21st. Past winners include Tulisa , Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Jedward.

Other notable nominees this year include X Factor winner Matt Terry , Robyn cover version murdering Calum Scott, obese wannabe popstar James Corden. They join other luminaries such as Cruz Beckham , innocent pop legend and not a nonce Cliff Richard and ITV daytime hero Bradley Walsh.

THE NOMINATIONS ARE

TESCO CLUBCARD WORST BRITISH ALBUM

Susan Boyle- Its A Wonderful World

Alexander Armstrong - Upon A Different Shore

Cliff Richard - Just..Fabulous Rock n Roll

James Arthur - Back From The Edge

Bradley Walsh - Chasing Dreams

WORST BRITISH MALE

Matt Terry

Louis Tomlinson

Calum Scott

Cliff Richard

Cruz Beckham

WORST BRITISH FEMALE in association with Vagisil

Honey G

Louisa Johnson

Mollie King

Susan Boyle

Fleur East

WORST BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH

Honey G

Calum Scott

Cruz Beckham

Reggie n Bollie

Matt Terry

ALDI WORST BRITISH SINGLE

Cruz Beckham - If Everyday Was Christmas

James Corden - The Greatest Gift

Honey G -The Honey G Show

Louis Tomlinson -Just Hold On

Reggie n Bollie -New Girl

Louisa Johnson - So Good

Calum Scott - Dancing On My Own

Matt Terry - When Christmas Comes Around

Mollie King - Back To You

Jonas Blue -Fast Car

WORST BRITISH ARTIST VIDEO

Honey G - The Honey G Show

Cruz Beckham - If Everyday Was Christmas

Louisa Johnson -So Good

Zayn -Pillowtalk

Calum Scott -Dancing On My Own

Matt Terry - When Christmas Comes Around

James Arthur -Say You Wont Let Go

Reggie n Bollie -New Girl

One Direction - History

Fleur East -Sax

WORST BRITISH GROUP

Stooshe

M-O

Reggie n Bollie

Busted

One Direction

WORST INTERNATIONAL MALE

Niall Horan

Charlie Puth

Chris Brown

Kanye West

Mike Posner

WORST INTERNATIONAL FEMALE

Britney Spears

Meghan Trainor

Iggy Azalea

Azealia Banks

Demi Lovato

WORST INTERNATIONAL GROUP

The Chainsmokers

DNCE

Lukas Graham

Fifth Harmony

Bon Jovi

BRIT AWARDS 2017 - Full Nominations

Little Mix , Skepta and rising srat Anne-Marie lead the way at the 2017 BRIT Awards. The nominations were revealed in a live nominations show.
Following last years criticism for a lack of urban artists , this years line up sees urban acts dominate. Skepta scoops three nominations in Best British Male , British Breakthrough and the prestigious British Album Of The Year for Konnichiwa.

He faces off with Kano , Michael Kiwanuka , The 1975 and the late David Bowie in the latter category.

Little Mix see themselves nominated for best British Group for the first time as well

British Single for Shout Out To My Ex and British Artist Video for Hair featuring Sean Paul

The 2017 BRIT Awards will be hosted by Michael Buble and broadcast live on ITV on Wednesday February 22nd. Little Mix , Emeli Sande and The 1975 are the first confirmed performers

2017 BRIT AWAERD NOMINATIONS IN FULL

BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST
Craig David
David Bowie
Kano
Michael Kiwanuka
Skepta
BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Anohni
Ellie Goulding
Emeli Sandé
Lianne La Havas
Nao
BRITISH GROUP
The 1975
Bastille
Biffy Clyro
Little Mix
Radiohead
BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Anne-Marie
Blossoms
Rag’n’Bone Man
Skepta
Stormzy
BRITs GLOBAL SUCCESS AWARD
Identified by the global sales success of British Acts of
their latest project/album. Sales achieved in the period 1st
January 2016 to 31st December2016 will be counted.
BRITISH SINGLE
Alan Walker – Faded
Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own
Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie – Rockabye
Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go
Jonas Blue feat. Dakota – Fast Car
Little Mix – Shout Out To My Ex
Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
Zayn – Pillowtalk
MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep For You Are Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
David Bowie – Blackstar
Kano – Made In the Manor
Michael Kiwanuka –  Love & Hate
Skepta – Konnichiwa
BRITISH ARTIST VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Adele – Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie – Rockabye
Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go
Jonas Blue feat. Dakota – Fast Car
Little Mix feat. Sean Paul – Hair
One Direction – History
Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
Zayn – Pillowtalk
INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
Drake
Leonard Cohen
The Weeknd

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Beyoncé
Christine and the Queens
Rihanna
Sia
Solange
INTERNATIONAL GROUP
A Tribe Called Quest
Drake & Future
Kings of Leon
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Twenty One Pilots

The Weeknd debuts gritty Party Monster video

The Weeknd has debuted the high octane clip for Party Monster. The track follows previous cuts from his current fourth album Starboy including the title track itself , False Alarm and current hit I Feel It Coming.

The frenetic video sees the Canadian star speeding through the desert where he he encounters a femme fatale. Amidst a dizzying flurry of crosses and fires , they drag race across the desert before entering a dark underground soaked in neon.

The gritty video ends with his female companios car flying off a desert cliff as the scene flashes in The Weeknd's sunglasses.

The Weeknd is currently enjoying his third stint atop the Billboard Hot 100 with the continued success of Starboy

Ed Sheeran reveals third album details

Ed Sheeran took to Twitter today to reveal the track listing for forthcoming third album Divide.

The follow up to 2014's X (Plus ) will feature 12 tracks. As yet no release date has been confirmed. But with rumours of a Glastonbury headline slot , don't bet against a June release.

Sheeran has already launched the album to spectacular success so far with the lead off singles Castle On The Hill and Shape Of You.

Both tracks look set to make chart history this Friday by making Sheeran the first artist to hold the Top 2 chart positions in the UK with new tracks. As it stands , Shape Of You look set to give Sheeran his third UK Number 1 following 2014''s Sing and Thinking Out Loud.

The track listing for Divide looks like this

Eraser
Castle On The Hill
Dive
Shape Of You
Perfect
Galway Girl
Happier
Hearts Don't Break Around Here
New Man
What Do I Know
How Would You Feel (Paen )
Supermarket Flowers

Listen to Shape Of You below

READERS POLL 2016 - The Results

The results are in. Thanks to everyone on Twitter who took the time to vote over the past month. The categories were tighter than ever. So much so , that there are joint winners in Album Of The Year and Most Anticipated Album of 2017. In fact , the only clear cut winner from the outset was in the Best New Artist category. Read on for the full results and thanks for voting,

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

1. BEYONCE

2.  Adele

     Christine And The Queens

3.  Sia

4. Shawn Mendes

5.  Drake

     Fifth Harmony

   Lady Gaga

Britney Spears

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

1.  BEYONCE - Lemonade

    DAVID BOWIE - Blackstar

2. Lady Gaga - Joanne

     The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It

3. The Weeknd - Starboy

     Kings of Leon  - WALLS

4.  Solange - A Seat At The Table

     Britney Spears - Glory

  BEST RADIO DJ

1. GREG JAMES - BBC RADIO 1

2. Anne Mac - BBc Radio 1

    Will Manning - Capital

3. Jenny Greene - 2FM

4. Roman Kemp - Capital

    Zane Lowe - Beats 1

5. Luke O'Faolaoin - 98FM

6. Emma Nolan - Beat102103

BEST GROUP

1.  LITTLE MIX

2.      Coldplay

3.      The 1975

        Kings of Leon

        Radiohead

4.    Green Day

5.  OneRepublic

        Tame Impala

TOP SONGWRITER

1.   SIA

2.  Lady Gaga

3.   David Bowie

4. Frank Ocean

5. Billie Joe Armstrong

6.  Chris Martin

7.  Justin Vernon

     Beyoncé

     Ryan Tedder

ULTIMATE SONG OF THE YEAR

1.  BEYONCE - Formation

2. Christine And The Queens - Tilted

3.  Justin Bieber - Love Yourself

      The Weeknd - Starboy

Little Mix - Shoutout To My Ex

4. Justin Timberlake - Cant Stop The Feeling

5. Rihanna - Work

   DNCE - Cake By The Ocean

Sia feat Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills

Lukas Graham - 7 Years

6. The Chainsmokers feat Halsey - Closer

   Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza

Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles

Fifth Harmony - Work From Home

Zara Larsson - Lush Life

Calvin Harris feat Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

1. BEYONCE - Formation

2. David Bowie - Lazarus

3 Sia feat Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills

4. Ariana Grande feat Nicki Minaj - Side To Side

5. The Weeknd - Starboy

6.  Beyoncé - Hold Up

     Pink - Just Like Fire

7. Frank Ocean - Nikes

   Fifth Harmony - Work From Home

Kanye West -Faded

BEST NEW ARTIST

1.   ZARA LARSSON

2.     Christine And The Queens

3.     Twenty One Pilots

4.     Rag n Bone Man

5.    Blossoms

6.   Dua Lipa

7. Anne-Marie

     Girl Band

    Viola Beach

TOP LIVE ACT

1.  ADELE

2.   Beyoncé

3.   Years And Years

4    Stone Roses

5   Muse

6   Sia

    Calvin Harris

    Coldplay

7. The 1975

    Rihanna