Music Video Update: Sugababes, Shakira, Gossip, Little Boots & More!

I've been really out of touch regarding my music videos lately, so here's a massive update.

Sugababes - Get Sexy: You've heard me raving about the single, now it's time for me to rave about the video. The girls all look hot and I love the set they are dancing around in. There's definitely some cool visuals going on here and while there's no story line per say, there's definitely plenty to look at - with the Sugababes front and center of course. The single is due out in the UK on August 31st and features remixes by Bitrocka, Max Sanna & Steve Pitron and Superbass. "About A Girl" will be the girls second single, preceding their new album, Reborn. Check out the "Get Sexy" video HERE.

Shakira - She Wolf: Wow. What a hot video! Shakira is showcasing her animal instincts, dancing around in a cage and prancing about in a stomach-like cavern of some kind. There's no denying her true physical prowess after seeing her dance in this video. The more and more I listen to this track, the more excited I get for her forthcoming album (also called She Wolf), due out in early October. Shakira collaborated with Pharrell, Wyclef, RedOne and others on the new album. Be on the look out for "She Wolf" remixes by Moto Blanco and Bimbo Jones,with more to come I'm sure. Check out the "She Wolf" video HERE.

Gossip - Love Long Distance: The new Gossip single has the band half-animated...with a variety of athletic, rollerskating balloon-headed figures dancing around and singing. It's certainly an interesting video visually. I kind of like it. I also like the single, the band's second from Music For Men, which came out earlier this summer. Beth Ditto's voice sounds as fiery and strong as usual. Check out the "Love Long Distance" video HERE.
Little Boots - Remedy: I love love love the new Little Boots album (and still have to buy it), with "Remedy" being one of my clear favorites. Little Boots seems to be channeling some Lady Gaga here with her look and I kind of love it. She looks great! Written by Little Boots in collaboration with RedOne, the track is the official second single ("Meddle" and "Stuck on Repeat" were promotional singles, "New In Town" served as the official first single) of her album Hands. Look for remixes by Rusko, A1 Bassline, Disco Bloodbath, Crazy Cousinz and Style of Eye. Check out the "Remedy" video HERE.

Pixie Lott - Boys and Girls: Pixie Lott is my newest obsession out of the UK right now. This English singer/songwriter is signed to Mercury Records in the UK and apparently Interscope in the U.S. (very promising!). Her first single, "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)" entered both the iTunes chart and the UK Singles Chart at #1 when it was released this past June. Her follow up single, "Boys and Girls" is even more fun than it's predecessor. "Boys and Girls" is expected to be released at the end of August, just before her album, Turn It Up is released September 14th. Look for "Mama Do" remixes from Bimbo Jones, T2, Linus Loves & Donae'o. "Boys and Girls" has remixes from Moto Blanco, Fuzzy Logic and more. Also, look

for covers of the Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," "Apologize" by OneRepublic and Lady

Gaga's "Poker Face." Lott was also named MTV Push's artist of the month for August. Check out the "Boys and Girls" video HERE.

Kate Miller-Heidke - The Last Day On Earth: I'd heard about Australian singer/songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke but never really took the time to investigate who she was or what she sounded like. Then, a couple of weeks ago I saw someone post a link to a live performance of a HILARIOUS song called "R U Fucking Kidding Me?" I was hooked. Check out the previous singles from her current album Curiouser before you check out her latest single- "Can't Shake It," and "Caught In The Crowd." - Check out "The Last Day on Earth" video HERE.

Jade Ewen - My Man: With numerous West End productions & various UK/Aussie TV series under her belt, plus a stint with R&B group Trinity Stone, British singer/actress Jade Ewen now has her eyes on pop chart success. Ewen participated in the 2009 UK Eurovision Song Selection contest and was ultimately selected to represent the UK in the international contest. The single, "It's My Time" was composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber, who accompanied the singer during the live show. Ewen finished in 5th place, the highest placing for the UK since 2002. Now, signed to Polydor, she'll release her debut solo album in September. Ewen collaborated with Take That's Gary Barlow, Guy Chambers (Anastacia, Melanie C.,

Jessica Simpson), Ina Wroldsen (Pussycat Dolls, The Saturdays), Cutfather (Pussycat Dolls, Kylie Minogue, Jordin Sparks) and more. "My Man" is the lead single off of the new album. Look out for remixes by Cahill, Parampay and more. Check out the "My Man" video HERE.

Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone: Moving past the controversy surrounding this Ryan Tedder-produced single - it really is a beautiful song. Whether you are listening to it in it's original form or in the stripped down acoustic version that Kelly's been performing live (check her out on Letterman last week) - it's a beautiful ballad. Kelly Clarkson looks absolutely stunning in this video. I really hope all of the drama that's been going on with Clarkson and her label gets resolved. It would be a shame if this were the last single off of All I Ever Wanted. Looking forward to the GORGEOUS StoneBridge remixes (track #5 in his player) StoneBridge...if you're reading, I'd kill to get my hands on your mixes! Check out the "Already Gone" video HERE.

Paloma Faith - New York: Yes, I know that I mentioned this video in my last post but I couldn't resist. It's THAT GOOD. I'm so excited about this album, you have no idea! Paloma Faith is the real deal. "Stone Cold Sober" was truly something else, but this follow up single is even better in my opinion, and with remixes by the legendary Tom Middleton, as well as by Cutmore and Starsmith - it's bound to be a club smash as well. Check out the "New York" video HERE.

Musical Snippets - New Robbie Williams, Natasha Bedingield, Natalie Imbruglia & More!

Wow. Lots of little updates to go over spanning all genres of music. Let's see...where to start...

Robbie Williams - Back With A New Album: Finally! The hottest hunk from the UK music scene is back with new material. The album, called Reality Killed The Video Star is out November 9th, preceded by the first single, "Bodies" which comes out on October 12th. It sounds like Robbie Williams is ditching the electro-sounds of his commercial & critical mixed bag of an album, Rudebox and going for a more traditional pop sound. Working with producers including Guy Chambers (David Archuleta, Natasha Bedingfield, James Blunt) and Trevor Horn (Cher, Pet Shop Boys, Seal) there's a lot riding on this new album, rumored to be his last with EMI. Williams needs a hit, whether he'd care to admit it or not.

Check out Robbie Williams on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube

Natalie Imbruglia - Back With A New Album: I trust Popjustice when they say the new Natalie Imbruglia single isn't shit. They describe it as a "slightly electronic Kate Bush kind of affair." Sounds good to me! The single is called "Want" and will be released on September 28th. This will be the lead single off of Come To Life, to be released on October 15 on Island Records. According to a press release, "the album was produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Elbow, Depeche Mode), and features three writing collaborations with Coldplay including the first single ‘Want’, which Natalie co-wrote with Chris Martin." Very promising indeed! The release goes on to say, Come To Life charts an entirely new path for this vastly under-rated artist. The opening salvo of “My God” and two Coldplay collaborations, “Lukas” and “Fun”immediately establish the breadth of this remarkable record which combine dark, driving beats and gorgeously wistful ballads into a totally cohesive whole." Hopefully there's the perfect blend of up-tempo and mid-tempo ballads on this album. I don't want another snoozefest!

Check out Natalie Imbruglia on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter//Vimeo

Natasha Bedingfield "Waist Deep" In Writing New Album: This is good news. I'm really thrilled that Natasha Bedingfield has seen so much success in the States. That's quite a difficult thing to accomplish for a European artist. I can proudly say that I loved Natasha BEFORE she was popular here in the U.S. and have both the UK and US versions of her debut album. In her latest blog update on her official site, Bedingfield admits that album writing is her favorite part of the process. "It's nice to put aside the promotion side of my career and really focus on what attracted me to music in the first place," Bedingfield says. She also mentions that she's been collaborating/writing with Danielle Brisebois, John Shanks, Wyclef, Estelle, Sam Sparro and Sia. All good news, indeed. Too bad we have to wait "half a year" to hear it.

Check out Natasha Bedingfield on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter

I've Got A Date With Ray: I just got my tickets this morning for the Fall 2009 Ray LaMontagne tour. I'm OBVIOUSLY so excited. This Fall is looking to be a big one for live music. I'm already going to see Kylie Minogue, Girl Talk and now Ray LaMontagne. I still desperately want to see Regina Spektor when she's here, but I don't know if it's in the cards. Anyway, Ray is terrific live so see him if you can. Get your tickets here.

Check Out Ray LaMontagne on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook

New Howie Day Album Due In September: I mentioned back in February that Howie Day had a new record coming out. Well, turns out that in May, he released a digital EP - "Be There." Finally, September 8th sees the release of Day's new album Sound The Alarm. This is exciting news! I am quite fond of his last album, 2003's Stop All The World Now. 6 years later, it's about time for a new Howie Day album! According to Day on his official website, "The new album very obviously echoes my own life, in all of its highs and lows,” Day says. “Some of the songs draw inspiration from people and places I’ve observed, and then bits of my own experiences find their way in. This new album represents the end of one era and the start of another, it’s about tipping your hat to the past, living in the here and now, and looking optimistically toward the future." Whatever this new album is about, I'm ready for a new Day!

Howie Day, that is.

Check out Howie Day on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//imeem//YouTube//Twitter

Michelle Branch - Sooner Or Later: The first single off of the new Michelle Branch album, "Sooner or Later," isn't half bad. While it's perhaps a little more country than I might usually like, it's enjoyable. I still think I prefer her teaser single, "This Way," but I'll take all the MB I can get. it's been far too long since she put out a solo record. Everything Comes and Goes doesn't yet have an official release date but I'm guessing sometime this fall. Check out an acoustic version of her new single here and buy the album version on iTunes!

Check out Michelle Branch on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter

X-Factor Winner Alexandra Burke to Release Debut Album in October: I learned a couple of weeks ago via The Prophet, that X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke is close to finishing her debut album. FINALLY! It seems like it's been forever. The still as of yet untitled album is due out October 26th in the UK and features collaborations from the Freemasons, Taio Cruz, RedOne, Pharrell Williams, Stargate, Akon, and more. Wow! Quite an impressive list. Burke, who shot the video for the first single in LA, has also signed a deal to become the face of Dolce & Gabbana's youth collection. Burke will be wearing the designer's clothes in both the album artwork and subsequent music videos as part of a cross promotional campaign. Can't wait to hear what the first single will be!

Check out Alexandra Burke on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter

Album Review: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

Congratulations Jordin Sparks. You made a second album that doesn't suck. I guess I should congratulate you on making it to album #2 without being dropped by your label, as is what sadly happens to so many American Idol alums. When I purchased Sparks' self-titled first album I was buying it because of her strong vocals, personality and lead single "Tattoo." Jordin's Idol single, "This Is My Now," while not bloody-awful, is standard reality show-winning single-fare. First single "Tattoo" was good...not amazing. Follow up single "No Air" was AMAZING, and third single "One Step At A Time" was decent. Rumored 4th single "Permanent Monday" faded back into oblivion for me, as did the rest of the album. Thank God for the series of remixes that followed for "Tattoo," "No Air," and "One Step At A Time," otherwise Sparks would have completely been lost on me.

By the time the Ryan Tedder-produced "Battlefield" was released I was ready for some new Jordin Sparks. I instantly fell in love with the single. While the song was in fact a mid-tempo ballad, it's not anything soft and sweet...Sparks' vocals are quite powerful. After listening to the first single a half dozen times, I was ready for the new album. Battlefield is for Jordin Sparks, what Breakaway was for Kelly Clarkson. A really solid second album. While there's certainly some filler tracks on this new album, a majority of the songs are single-worthy in my opinion.

The album starts out strong with "Walking On Snow," a fun little jam written by Lucas Secon (Britney Spears, Sean Kingston, The Pussycat Dolls, Sarah Connor). Another standout on the album is Sparks' cover of the Fefe Dobson track "Don't Let It Go To Your Head." While I love Fefe's version, Jordin's take is slightly softer. It has just enough edge without it being too rocky. Second single, "S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)" is a good choice for a second single, despite it featuring a sample of the slightly over-used Shannon dance hit "Let The Music Play."

Other choice tracks: "It Takes More," the rocky-ballad "Let It Rain," the beautiful "Faith" and to close the album, "The Cure." The only slightly forgettable tracks are "Watch You Go," (which actually gets better about halfway through the song), "No Parade," "Emergency (911)" and "Was I The Only One." It's not that these songs aren't well sung or well produced, they just didn't really do anything for me. A couple of them might grow, but this is how it stands right now.

I hope this album does well for Jordin. So far it's not really outselling her debut, although it did land in the #7 spot on the Billboard Charts...higher than her first album (Jordin Sparks debuted at #10). I think part of the reason her last album went on to be as successful as it was, was her Chris Brown duet - "No Air." Without a strong single like that on this album, I'm just trying to stay positive. Perhaps she'll release a re-packaged album with that Leona Lewis duet that everyone's been buzzing about. However Jordin Sparks winds up doing on the charts, she should be proud. This album is a worthy follow up.

Check out Jordin Sparks on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/YouTube