[Review] Parade - Light Me Up

The last time I blogged about UK girlband Parade was back in January 2011 then they released their Emil Nava-directed music video for debut single, "Louder."  I believe I called Parade "just what I've been craving," and at the time that was true.  Well since then the girls released a second repetitive single, "Perfume" as well as their self titled debut album but neither one really made any kind of a connection.  Well, now it's been over a year and the girls ready to make a comeback with a HOT new single, "Light Me Up," which Popjustice has already labeled as "brilliant."  After listening to it on repeat for the past two days, I'm inclined to agree.

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Polydor Records Recording Artist Ed Drewett Offers Free Download of New Song

Music Is My King Size Bed-fav Ed Drewett is BACK with "Good Morning," a tasty bit of Gavin DeGraw-esque singer/songwriter pop-rock, QUITE the departure from that catchy electropop banger of a debut single, "Champagne Lemonade."  Now signed to Polydor/Universal, Ed is hard at work on his long-awaited debut album.  While we wait with baited breath, good ole' Ed has a little treat for us in the meantime, a free download of the new song, "Good Morning."  A good morning indeed!

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The Wanted Announce Debut U.S. Performance, Prepare for Release of Sophmore Album

America. Get ready for The Wanted! Admittedly I haven't been this into a boy band since *NSYNC last hit the charts with their 2002 hit single "Girlfriend" (with rapper Nelly - remember that song?). While there may have been a light sprinkling of appealing boy bands between 2002 and now, none have me quite as revved up as The Wanted.  There's just something about these boys...especially Max. Getting back on track, The Wanted are coming to America! No, seriously! They are.  The sexy English pop/R&B quintet are scheduled to play their first ever U.S. gig at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on October 25th (the 1 year anniversary of their first album release).  Pick up your tickets on Live Nation HERE or by going to the Gramercy Theater Event Page HERE.

The Wanted are relatively new to the music scene, but boy did they know how to make an entrance.  Their debut self titled album was a top five hit in the UK (peaking at #4) when it came out this time last year and spawned a #1 hit with their first single "All Time Low," and a #2 hit with "Heart Vacancy."  The band's third single ("Lose My Mind") did modestly well too, coming in at #19.  Since March, the lovely boys of The Wanted (Max George, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker, Nathan Sykes) have been gearing up for the release of their sophomore album, Battleground, due on November 7th (in the UK).  March 13th saw the release of "Gold Forever," (#3) the official 2011 Comic Relief Charity single, followed by the album's official first single "Glad You Came" which went all the way to #1 and has since amassed over 6,000,000 views on VEVO.  The band's new single, "Lightning" was released this week and follows the same winning dance-pop formula that has served The Wanted so well up till now.  The single was co-penned by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and singer/songwriter Ed Drewett, who's own under-performing single "Champagne Lemonade" remains one of my favorites of last year.  This isn't the first time Drewett has paired up with The Wanted, in fact the band's debut single "All Time Low" was also co-written by Ed and Steve Mac.  Check out the video for "Lightning" below, directed by Matt Stawski (Cee-Lo Green, All Time Low).

The fact that the band is doing a performance in New York gives me hope that they're planning some sort of full fledged U.S. pop chart assault.  As of Monday night, the only thing you can buy from The Wanted on the U.S. iTunes store was "All Time Low," and an "All Time Low" remix package (featuring mixes by Digital Dog and Ralphi Rosario). Hmm. Let's hope we get a proper U.S. album release (not one of those hodge-podge best of collections), and plenty of promotion.  In other news, check out the uber sexy Max on the cover of Attitude Magazine, the best-selling UK gay magazine and a complementary behind-the-scenes video from the photoshoot. Yummy! Download "All Time Low" on U.S. iTunes HERE and "Lightning" on UK iTunes HERE, featuring remixes from Chuckie and Alias.

[EDIT: I spoke too soon. "Glad You Came" was released on U.S. iTunes on Tuesday October 18th (download it HERE). In addition you can pick up the iTunes Live EP from the band HERE.]

Check out The Wanted on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: The Wanted - Glad You Came

"Glad You Came" is technically the second single (officially the first) from English boy band The Wanted's yet-to-be-released sophomore album. The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett and produced by Steve Mac, the genius producer who's worked with everyone from Westlife and Kelly Clarkson to Leona Lewis and Delta Goodrem. "Glad You Came" is a hands down floor filler, bringing more of a dance club sound than any of their previous singles.  Remixed by Italian house DJ Alex Gaudino, the song is destined to be a hit on the UK dance charts, not to mention the singles chart.  Previous single, "Gold Forever" peaked at #3 on the UK Singles chart, becoming the band's third highest charting single released so far, following "Heart Vacancy" which peaked at #2.  Download "Glad You Came" on UK iTunes when it's released July 10th.  Director X was at the helm of this super fun, super hot video, filmed on the Spanish island of Ibiza.  The video showcases each of the boys (Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes) romancing their way across the island, dropping by the club, the beach a house party and a boat.  There is plenty of shirtless action too as the boys cool off in the pool and in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

It's hard to believe that The Wanted are such a new boy band, first making waves with their 2011 BRIT-nominated debut single "All Time Low," which debuted at #1 on the charts.  Follow up single, "Heart Vacancy" was also a bonafied hit for the boys, proving they had staying power on the charts.  While "Lose My Mind" only managed to crack the Top 20, the boys came back strong with their Comic Relief Single, "Gold Forever," taking it all the way to #3.  It's too soon to tell how "Glad You Came" is going to do on the charts, but we'll find out when it's released July 10th on Geffen Records.  The boys signed a U.S. record deal with Island/Def Jam so hopefully we'll be able to get our hands on this single at some point here too.  In the mean time, check out the "Glad You Came" video below (U.S. readers click HERE). Love these guys!

Check out The Wanted on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: Ed Drewett - Champagne Lemonade

Haters be damned. 22 year singer/songwriter/Professor Green collaborator Ed Drewett took to Twitter on Sunday to address his haters.

@Eddrewett: RT this. Im not going to stoop to the level of some washed up bitter industry idiots. Dont yap on about how i cant sing and how i wont last. How about you give me a chance first. After this tweet il say no more but how about you come see me perform supporting Pro, seeing as you never have. Fucking small minded pricks. And if you still have a problem...il chin ya x

Well said sir. I DEFINITELY believe in giving an artist a chance before dismissing - ESPECIALLY a new artist.  Many songs that I post about on here I don't like at first listen, but then I listen to the song more and it grows on me.  In the case of Ed Drewett, as soon as I heard his new single "Champagne Lemonade" I was musically smitten. "Champagne Lemonade" is a follow up to "I Need You Tonight," a collaboration Drewett did with Professor Green that went all the way to #3 on the British singles charts.  "Champagne Lemonade" sees Drewett flying solo, in what's a pure party track.  Chock full of synth-driven beats, a catchy hook and an impressive falsetto "Champagne Lemonade" is just what Drewett needs to push him straight into the mainstream. LOVE this song.  UK readers can watch the video below. Anyone outside the UK go check out the video HERE.  "Champagne Lemonade" will be out October 25th on EMI Virgin Records.

Check out Ed Drewett on the web:

MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO