The Playlist

Emeli Sande has capped off an incredible year with four nominations for next months Brit Awards. The Scottish singer who won the Critics Choice last year and has practically appeared at every major event sees nods for best female , Album an dtwo nods for best Single for Next To Me and Labri th collaboration , the Number 1 smash Beneath You're Beautiful. Unsurprisingly , Sande will perform at the ceremony.

Other multiple nominess include Mumford And Sons , Rita Ora , Plan B , Jessie Ware and Coldplay. The overall shortlist is as eclectic as it is baffling at times. Striking a balance between rewarding the big sellers and the critics favourites.
/Amy Winehouse finds herself posthumously nominated for Best female , which she won back in 2007. The Rolling Stones find themselves nominated for Best Live Act.

Confirmed performers for next months bash include One Direction , Robbie Williams , Emeli Sande , Mumford And Sons , Muse and the fantastic Ben Howard. Unfortunatelu , unfunny chunk James Corden will be presenting yet again

The full nominations for the 2013 Brit Awards , at the o2 Arena on February 21st are

Best British Male
Calvin Harris
Plan B
Richard Hawley
Olly Murs
Ben Howard

Best British Female
Emeli Sandé
Paloma Faith
Bat For Lashes
Jessie Ware
Amy Winehouse
Best British Group
Mumford and Sons
The xx
Muse
One Direction
Alt-J

Best Live Act
Mumford and Sons
Coldplay
Muse
The Vaccines
The Rolling Stones
Best International Group
The Black Keys
The Script
Alabama Shakes
Fun
The Killers

Best International Male
Jack White
Gotye
Michael Bublé
Frank Ocean
Bruce Springsteen

Best International Female
Rihanna
Alicia Keys
Cat Power
Lana Del Rey
Taylor Swift
Mastercard British Album of the Year
Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
Emeli Sandé - Our Version of Events
Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace
Plan B - iLL Manors
Mumford and Sons - Babel

Best British Single
Adele - 'Skyfall'
Alex Clare - 'Too Close'
Coldplay and Rihanna - 'Princess of China'
DJ Fresh feat. Rita Ora - 'Hot Right Now'
Emeli Sandé - 'Next To Me'
Florence + the Machine - 'Spectrum'
James Arthur - 'Impossible'
Jessie J - 'Domino'
Rizzle Kicks - 'Mama Do the Hump'
Labrinth and Emeli Sandé - 'Beneath Your Beautiful'
Robbie Williams - 'Candy'
Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida - 'Troublemaker'
Rita Ora feat. Tine Tempah - 'RIP'
Stooshe - 'Black Heart'
Rudimental feat. John Newman - 'Feel the Love'

Best British Breakthrough
Jake Bugg
Jessie Ware
Alt-J
Ben Howard
Rita Ora

Sexys Back - Timberlake's Ready

After a six year hiatus spent making movies and getting hitched to Jessica biel , Justin Timberlake has announced his imminent return to music this year.
The Cry Me A River will release his 3rd album later this year. Timberlake posted a video onYouTube today , in which he discussed his long break from the music industry.

He said: "Look, I've only done two albums in ten years. That's the way I really look at it, what does the next decade mean for me?

"As close as I get to it I don't know if I could physically torture myself year in and year out and expect it to fulfil me the way that it does and the way that it is right now.

"I don't want to put anything out that I feel is something I don't love. You just don't get that every day. You have to wait for it. I'm ready."

Timberlakes last album FutureSesx/Lovesounds was released in 2006 and sinc ethen Timberlake has starred in Hollywood films such as The Social Network , Friends With Benefits and Bad Teacher.

A countdown clock has started on his website , with new material due to be premiered on Monday 14th January.

Welcome news , as pop could do with some Timberlake back in the charts.

Adele Eyes Oscars Glory

As expected , Adele has today been nominated for an Oscar. The record breaking songbirds Skyfall from the current Bond box office phenomenon of the same name has been shortlisted for "Best Original Song ".

Skyfall will face off against songs from blockbusters Les Miserables , Life of Pi and Ted. It;s been speculated that Adele , whom recently gave birth will perform the track during a special James Bond tribute at the ceremony hosted by Seth MacFarlane.

Upon hearing the news , Adele tweeted -" Oh my God I feel like Meryl Streep. Thank you X "

Adele has seemingly won every major award in the last 12 months , and I would'nt be surprised if shes adding the iconic gold statuette to her already heaving mantelpiece.
The 85th Academy Awards take place on Sunday February 24th from LA's Dolby Theatre

Monday, 7 January 2013

Hurts unveil a Miracle

Following last months buzz single The Road , Hurts have unveiled the first official single from March;s Exile album.
Miracle sees Theo Hutchcraft break away from the synth pop that signposted 2010's Happiness. Instead , on Miracle ,we are treated to chiming melodies and anthemic sound reminiscent of recent Coldplay.

Exile could very well see the Mancunian duo ascend to the big leagues, and is one of our most anticpated albums of this year.

Miracle is due for release on March 10th

INTRODUCING -Raglans

Recently , I had been thinking that perhaps the Irish music scene had stagnated somewhat. Shut up shop , like so many a town centre during these recessionary times. Ten years ago , there was a purple patch of classic Irish music that gave us BellX1 , Damien Rice , Damien Dempsey , Gemma Hayes , David Kitt and Mic Christopher.
And then , sitting at home on the Friday night before Christmas , I find myself watching The Late Late Show. That nights opening music act was Dublin four piece Raglans. That night they performed the brilliant Sand In My Pockets , a jangly , irresistibly uplifting track from their Long Live EP. Admittedly I was quite taken by Conn's beard and tambourine. But hey , thats just me. But there was an undeniable , hopeful charm to them.

And any doubts that the Irish indie scene had hopped on a plane to Oz were quickly and brilliantly dispelled. Raglans are an Irish band that are sure to become a must see live act this year.

The lads are made up of Ste Kelly , Rhos Horan , Conn O'Ruanidh and Sean O'Brien. Meet Raglans.

Their debut EP Long Live was released in may 2012 and quickly hailed by Hot Press whom noted they "recalled the golden era of indie rock ". The EP was produced by Morrissey cohort Baz Boorer. Tracks such as the fantastic The Man from Glasgow and Digging Holes have created a buzz around the band. Clocking up 20,000 YouTube hits and fast gaining a huge Twitter following after their recent Late Late appearance.

The lads recently played a barnstorming gig in Cavan over the festive period and are becoming one of the countrys best new live acts. Indeed , coming a long way from the festival tent where they were formed in 2010 , to being one of the first signings to Whelans Records

They've played the length of breath of the country from The Forum in waterford alongside Delorentos to Indiependence , Grand Social and Sea Sessions , as well as the usual top Dublin indie venues.
Raglans are an uplifting band for a time when we need to be uplifted. But dont be fooled either , theres a depth and substance to these boys that is authentic and endearing.
2013 is definitely the year of Raglans. As they said themselves on their Tumblr site " 2013 is getting the neck boxed off it " Katie Taylor would be proud. Its gonna be some wallop.

Follow Raglans on Twitter @Raglans and raglans.tumblr.com

UNSIGNED #1 -Sleeve Of Hearts

So its a New Year , and here at The Playlist I want to give a voice to those artists who are yet unsigned. Barely a week into 2013 , we've already been bombarded with acts tastemakers are tipping for success this year I'll be focusing on them in due course. One of those is Gabrielle Aplin , who has a link to todays unsigned gem.

But for now meet Benjamin Lee or as hes known Sleeve Of Hearts. A fitting name . given that from what I've heard , lyrically the man certainly wears his heart on his sleeve. I had the pleasure of hearing this week , What Have I Become. A gorgeous , yearning torch song that ticks all the boxes.
Sleeve of Hearts fits nicely in the genre marked singer/songwriter. To many , this may seem like a crowded if not lucrative market right now.
Ed Sheeran , Ben Howard , Jake Bugg et al have all had huge success. What makes Sleeve of Hearts stand out is quite simply a crisp , enchanting voice that draws you in. Quite simply , Benjamin Lee has a voice that is suited to mainstream success but its unique and its gorgeous. Dripping hope and heartbreak.

At present , Sleeve Of Hearts is currently at work on an debut EP containing 6 self penned tracks , due for release this Spring.
A UK tour will also follow. Influence wise , the artists making him tick cover Frank Ocean to Luke Pickett and even Craig David.
The array of artists with which Benjamin has shared the stage with is just as diverse. See Brit urban mainstays Lemar and Tinchy Stryder , to the Boomtown Rats and Morning Parade.

Sleeve Of Hearts will make you cry on your sleeve. Already picking up a huge Twitter following , its just a matter of time before Benjamin Lee has his moment in the sun.
He's already been endorsed by one Gabrielle Aplin. The recent chart topper , heavily tipped to sell bucketloads of albums in 2013 has already tweeted him saying that they should record a song together . This after remarking she loved his voice.

Sleeve of Hearts is easy on the ear and the eye. In life and in pop we get broken hearts , black hearts , stolen hearts , bruised hearts , kings and queens of hearts. Now in 2013 and beyond - its Sleeve of Hearts.

Follow Sleeve of Hearts on Twitter @SleeveOfHearts and check him out for yourself below.