Jewel Unveils 'Two Hearts Breaking' Video; Eyes Return to Dance Charts with New Remix

It always seems like the span of time between an artist's debut album and his/her first "Greatest Hits" record gets shorter and shorter with every passing year.  Sure, in many cases it's a matter of an artist leaving a record label where the label wants to give them ONE LAST GOOD SQUEEZE to milk them for all their worth, but every once and a while we get a beautiful compilation album, actually sanctioned by the artist.  In this instance, I'm talking about Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Jewel, who recently dropped her very first disc of hits, entitled Greatest Hits (Rhino/Warner Music Group).  Yesterday, Jewel premiered the video for the album's sole new song, a beautiful mid(ish)-tempo ballad called, "Two Hearts Breaking," produced by Jay Joyce (The Wallflowers, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris).  Check out the GORGEOUS Mark Liddell-shot video BELOW, which was filmed in Los Angeles and premiered Tuesday on ETOnline.com.

[Hot Video Alert] Willy Moon - My Girl

Last time I wrote about New Zealand-born/London bread throwback singer/songwriter Willy Moon, I was GUSHING about his debut single/ÜBER-catchy Apple iPod theme "Yeah Yeah."  Now, the 23 year old Kiwi-Brit is back with his follow up single, the equally good (albeit not as catchy) "My Girl."  Released March 5th, "My Girl" is the second official single taken from Moon's forthcoming debut album, Here's Willy Moon, due April 2nd on Island Records/Interscope/Cherrytree.  Check out the vintage-inspired "My Girl" clip BELOW, directed by Focus Creeps.

Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta Returns to Take The Dance Charts by Storm; New Single 'Again' Out Now

Following the break up of international pop group and Robin Antin brainchild, The Pussycat Dolls, Jessica Sutta has been forging ahead with her own pop career.  Her latest effort, a STUNNING rager of a dance pop anthem, "Again," out today on iTunes.  Premiering yesterday on Billboard.com, "Again" was produced by and features Kemal Golden - released on Citrusonic Stereophonic.  Listen to it in full on Billboard or a snippet of the track BELOW.

Dido To Release 4th Album, Girl Who Got Away on Tuesday; Lead Single 'No Freedom' Out Now

Amidst all of the excitement surrounding the new Justin Timberlake album, I completely forgot that Dido's highly anticipated fourth record, Girl Who Got Away, was being released next Tuesday! Whoopsie!  While I admittedly wasn't too crazy about 2008's Safe Trip Home (slash I don't remember a single song from the album), this new one actually sounds like it could be more like the old school Dido I fell in love with on 1999's No Angel.  Girl Who Got Away, Dido's first album with RCA Records, is out here in America tomorrow, March 26th.

Charlotte Church: Classical Pop Princess No More!

So THIS is what the real Charlotte Church sounds like! I think I like it!  One & Two is the Welsh singer/songwriter's first album to see a U.S. release since 2001's classical album Enchantment.  If you were a fan of classical Charlotte Church, I wouldn't discount her new material too quickly. The big, INSANE voice that you fell in love is still here...it's just channeled completely differently...through unique and original songs instead of old classical standards.  Listen to first single, "Glitterbombed" BELOW and get a feel for what the new and improved Charlotte Church sounds like!

[Hot Video Alert] Hurts - Miracle

British synthpop duo, Hurts (AKA Theo Hutchcraft & Adam Anderson) have been on my list of bands to see since the release of their STUNNING debut album, Happiness in 2010.  Unfortunately, the band has yet to really spend any time promoting their work here in America but here's hoping they do at some point!  The band recently released their sophomore album, Exile, on March 11th via Major Label/RCA.  Preceding the release of the album was the band's LUSH lead single, "Miracle," which was accompanied by a simple, yet still epic visual (which you can watch BELOW the fold).  While the song has a certain Coldplay feel to me, it's just too beautiful to ignore.  This song sounds expensive, and I like expensive things.

Ones to Watch: Gamu

Good things certainly do come to those who wait, at least in the case of rising pop talent Gamu.  Fans of the X-Factor probably remember early favorite, Gamu Nhengu, who's family was nearly sent back to its native Zimbabwe due to Visa issues following her untimely elimination from the show.  While the, then 18 year old, failed to make it to the X-Factor live shows, Gamu managed to leave a very big impression on the hearts, minds AND ears of Britain.  Three years after X-Factor, Gamu is back and ready to unleash her very special brand of soul-pop on the the UK, starting with infectious debut single, "Shake The Room."

Swedish Singer/Songwriter Beatrice Eli Set to Release Debut EP, It's Over, March 24th

It's been a minute since we've heard from edgy Swedish singer/songwriter Beatrice Eli but she's back!  Check out the recently released music video for "It's Over," title track from her debut EP, due March 24th (via Razzia/Family Tree Music/EMI).  "It's Over" is a punchy, attitude-filled synth-pop stomper that further solidifies her place as one of my 'Ones to Watch.'  Listen to the song on SoundCloud and see if you agree.

[Review] Gabriella Cilmi - Sweeter In History

It's seemingly been an ETERNITY (about three years) since Australian singer/songwriter Gabriella Cilmi released her last album, but from the looks of it, new music is on the way.  Last April, Cilmi mercilessly teased us with a new song ("Vicious Love") & accompanying music video, before disappearing again. This fake out left me emotionally dead inside, once again left to cry alone in the corner with "Sweet About Me" playing on repeat.  Well, I don't know about you but I think Gabriella Cilmi is back this time for good - and with a cute new short 'do to boot!  March 26th has been announced as the release date for Cilmi's latest new song, "Sweeter In History," and while it's being offered as a free download, it certainly is a sign of good things to come.  Check out the just released music video for "Sweeter In History" BELOW.

[Review] Natalia Kills - Problem

Well this is a pleasant surprise! New Natalia Kills single!  Check out "Problem" BELOW and prepare to rock out with your...well, you get the idea.  "Problem" originally leaked last month in its unfinished form, but rather than whine and rant about people and patience, Kills hit the studio with producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, fun., Natalia Kills) and made it into the punchy piece of darkpop perfection that you hear today.  It sounds like a natural next step for Kills, who's last album was so so underrated. I'm glad she's not deviating from her usual blend of pleasing-to-the-ear, dark-twisty melodies, and rough-around-the-edges glam-pop production.  It just wouldn't be a Natalia Kills record otherwise!  "Problem" is out now on iTunes.

[Hot Video Alert] Paloma Faith - Black & Blue

Well, it would appear that Paloma Faith was able to shoot a music video for her latest single, "Black & Blue" after all.  While I still maintain that the Eg White co-written isn't my first choice for the fifth Fall To Grace single, I'm just happy that she's still promoting the album even AFTER just completing a major UK tour, a heart-stopping performance at the BAFTA's and two BRIT nominations.  Not only that, but Paloma just hopped on a plane to perform at this year's SXSW in Austin, TX.  Girl's still got something left in her I tell you.  Hardest workin' British songstress!  In the just released new music video for "Black & Blue," Faith flexes her acting chops once again, playing a whole cast of characters (including a man!).  The stunning black & white video was directed by Si Allen who was introduced to Faith by her longtime collaborator, Anthony Saul, who directed her "Never Tear Us Apart" video.  Check out "Black & Blue" BELOW. The single was just released in the UK this week.

[Review] Polly Scattergood - Wanderlust

"Wanderlust" is the name of UK singer/songwriter Polly Scattergood's brand new single, taken from her forthcoming sophomore album, Arrows, due out this summer on Mute Records.  According to the press release;

"Written during time spent in Berlin and Norfolk, this new track combines Scattergood’s trademark mix of storytelling and soul-searching; but also looks outwards and heavenwards, spinning sonic playfulness around while stretching for new skylines."

This song is EVERYTHING to me right now. It's dark. It's moody.  It's a bit fairy-like, supernatural or ethereal even.  It's subtle, it's intense. It's a bunch of contradictions that work and make beautiful music.  If this review sounds like a bit of a ramble session, forgive me! I'm struggling to string together a coherent thought. There's just something about this song that I am entranced by...  To be perfectly honest, I think I'm just a bit enamored with the artist herself, and hopefully you will be too after listening to "Wanderlust."

Amelia Lily Unveils 'Party Over' Video; Announces Debut Album, Be A Fighter

Since first posting about X-Factor UK alum Amelia Lily and her debut BANGER "You Bring Me Joy," the up and coming dance-pop diva has released another single ("Shut Up [And Give Me Whatever You Got])", announced a third single ("Party Over" - April 14th), her debut album (Be A Fighter - April 29th) and recently embarked on a massive UK tour opening for Girls Aloud. Quite the whirlwind career, but then again - Amelia Lily's whole career-to-date has been something of a whirlwind, hasn't it?

Paloma Faith Announces New UK Single; Black & Blue Out March 11th

PHOTO CREDIT: Epic Records

Oh HEY Paloma Faith. I hear you're releasing a new single? That's right, UK fans!  Paloma will release the Eg White co-written "Black & Blue," as the fourth single from her BRIT-nominated sophomore album, Fall To Grace, March 11th.  Produced by Nelle Hooper and Jake Gosling, "Black & Blue" isn't my FIRST choice for a new single, but hey! I'll take what I can get.  After releasing "Just Be" in December, I was hoping the artist and her UK label, Sony/RCA would choose something more up-tempo, like..."Blood, Sweat & Tears" perhaps? Ah well. Maybe there will be some remixes included on the digital EP. A boy can dream!

Frankmusik Finds His Way Home; Releases New Single, New Video, New EP

After seemingly endless teasing, the one and only Vincent Frank (AKA Frankmusik) finally unveiled the music video for stunning new single, "Map," taken from his brand new EP, Far From Over, due tomorrow - Valentines Day.  "Map" is a stunning piece of electropop in which Frank showcases all of his skills; that of a talented songwriter and producer and a truly gifted singer.  

[Hot Video Alert] Ellie Goulding - Explosions

Ellie Goulding quietly released the video for "Explosions," the beautiful and understated third single off her sophomore release, Halcyon.  Produced and co-written by John Fortis, "Explosions" was one of the clear favorites on the U.S. leg of her Halcyon Days Tour (which I caught last month in Philadelphia) so it's no wonder that for the song's video, Ellie and her camp opted for black & white tour footage.  Despite not having been officially released yet, "Explosions" managed to hit the Top 20 on the UK Singles Chart, thanks to a well placed spot in a television advert.

[Hot Video Alert] Delta Goodrem - Wish You Were Here

Nothing quite says "Merry Christmas" live a hauntingly beautiful piano ballad. That's what I always say anyway.  Seems fitting then that I do a post on Aussie pop star Delta Goodrem's latest offering, "Wish You Were Here," taken from her fourth studio album, Child of the Universe (Sony Music Australia).  The single was co-written by Goodrem and Gary Clark, the latter whom served as the song's producer.  The track was released back in October and featured two other songs as well as a remix of the album's first single, "Sitting on Top of the World" by Stuart Crighton.  "Wish You Were Here" peaked at #5 on the ARIA Singles chart.

Giveaway Alert: Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace

Paloma Faith - a name even the most CASUAL reader of Music Is My King Size Bed should know by now.  As you probably know, Paloma released her sophomore album, Fall To Grace in America on December 4th through her U.S. label, Epic Records.  To commemorate the album's release I have been afforded the opportunity to give away 5 copies to give away to U.S. fans of the feisty outspoken red headed chanteuse.  TO ENTER, please do one of the following:

1. Leave me a COMMENT here on the blog, naming your favorite Paloma Faith song and email address
2. Email me at foolfourmusic [AT] gmail [DOT] com
3. Follow me on TWITTER (fool_4_music) and send me a tweet with your favorite Paloma song, using hash tag #PalomaFaithGiveaway
4. The contest ends JANUARY 6th, 2013 at 5:00 PM EST

That's it! 5 lucky U.S.-based winners will win a free copy of Fall To Grace.  Easy, right?  Just in time for Christmas!

[Hot Video Alert] Rihanna - Diamonds

Back around Thanksgiving I prepared my blog for a bunch of Hot Video Alert posts that would go up BOOM BOOM BOOM but, the craziness of the holiday PLUS the fact that I was about to start a new job in the city, I never got around to it.  So...let's try this again.  First up, Rihanna's STUNNING video for her single "Diamonds," taken from Unapologetic, the Barbadian beauty's seventh studio album.

[Hot Video Alert] Kelly Clarkson - Catch My Breath

Despite owning all of Kelly Clarkson's albums, I just purchased her Greatest Hits: Chapter One compilation disc. Why? Because I'm a CD lover and I if I like an artist, I'm going to buy every CD, EP, remix and single that I possibly can, even if that means having duplicates. Call me crazy!  Penned by Clarkson, Jason Halbert and Eric Olson and produced by Sound Kollectiv, "Catch My Breath" is the first single lifted off the original American Idol's first greatest hits album.  While not Clarkson's worst performing single by any stretch, "Catch My Breath" hasn't exactly been igniting the Billboard charts, peaking at #54 on the Hot 100.  The song fared better on the Hot Digital Songs chart, debuting AND peaking at #11.  The song, while nothing new stylistically for Clarkson, does speak to her consistency as an artist.  Clarkson remains a force to be reckoned with in pop music today, not only in her native U.S. but internationally.  Who would have thought that this plain Jane waitress from Texas would be an international superstar today?

[Hot Video Alert] P!nk - Try

"Try" is P!nk's latest single off her sixth studio album, The Truth About Love and it's a masterpiece.  The pop/rock ballad is one of the clear standouts from the American singer/songwriter's latest effort and the video is a work of art in and of itself. It's absolutely beautiful!  Written by busbee and Ben West and produced by the always phenomenal Greg Kurstin, "Try" went on to become a top 10 hit for P!nk in Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland and peaking (so far) at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 here in America.

[Hot Video Alert] Willy Moon - Yeah Yeah

It's been a while since Apple has had an ad on TV with a song that just stops you in your tracks, but it looks like they've done it again with their 2012 iPod collection campaign featuring "Yeah Yeah" by New Zealand-born/London-based singer/songwriter and producer Willy Moon.  Back in the day it seemed like every single Apple TV spot contained an edgy, little known or at least non-mainstream artist, artists like Feist ("1234"), Yael Naïm ("New Soul"), The Ting Tings ("Shut Up and Let Me Go"), Chairlift ("Bruises"), The Asteroids Galaxy Tour ("Around The Bend") all come to mind.  Hell, THIS blog's name was even inspired by a song featured in an Apple advert: CSS - "Music Is My Hot Hot Sex."  Today, while Apple advertising might not be as innovative as it was a few years back, every once and a while they introduce us to something or someone pretty cool and unique and right now, Willy Moon is that something or someone for me.

[Hot Video Alert] Daniel Bedingfield - Secret Fear

WARNING - THIS VIDEO CONTAINS NUDITY AND VIOLENCE. IT IS EXTREMELY "NOT SAFE FOR WORK" - WARNING

"Gotta Get Thru This" and "If You're Not The One" hitmaker, Daniel Bedingfield has unleashed a brand new video for his song, "Secret Fear," taken from his latest EP, Stop the Traffik - Secret Fear and MAN is it intense.  The video marks Daniel's directorial debut and features the singer/songwriter tumbling around completely naked with a nude female model, in a rotating, transparent water-filled box.  Wow.  Check it out BELOW but not if you're at work. It's pretty...explicit.  Beautiful, but explicit. Certainly not for the faint of heart.

Paloma Faith Unveils New 'Just Be' Remix by Shy FX and B. Traits; Single out December 16th

As previously mentioned UK pop chanteuse Paloma Faith's next single, "Just Be" will be released December 16th, shortly before she kicks off her 2013 UK/Ireland Tour on January 20th in Belfast. In my last post, I was also buzzing about a new remix by London based drum & bass DJ/producer Shy FX.  Paloma had announced in one of her U.S. tour videos that she was recording new vocals for the mix while in Washington D.C.  Well...that remix has now made it's way online and you guys can listen to it right here: Just Be (Shy FX & B. Traits Mix)!  

[Hot Video Alert] Melanie Amaro - Don't Fail Me Now

Melanie Amaro, winner of the very first U.S. X-Factor competition sure has been taking her sweet time with her debut album. She released her debut single, the incredibly catchy, auto-tuned-to-death dance/pop jam "Don't Fail Me Now" back in September, followed by the more R&B "Love Me Now," both of which saw some success on a couple of different charts here in America. Nearly a month later, the music video for "Don't Fail Me Now" debuted on Melanie's VEVO page. Now I appreciate the fact that her label (Epic Records/Syco Music) don't want to rush anything, but come on! At least put out another single for us to chew on while we wait?

[Hot Video Alert] Rita Ora - Shina Ya Light

Released November 5th on Roc Nation/Columbia Records, "Shine Ya Light" is the third single released by English pop/R&B star Rita Ora.  The Emil Nava-directed video sees Rita proudly taking to the streets of her native Kosovo, serving up all sorts of attitude.  While I still don't consider myself a FAN, Rita Ora is definitely growing on me.  For me, her sound lacks originality at the moment.  "Shine Ya Light" in particular sounds a bit too similar to something Barbadian dance/pop queen Rihanna might have put out a couple of years ago but she's definitely got the chops to carve out her own niche.  We'll have to see what happens, I guess.