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.

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Karin Park

At first listen, Swedish singer/songwriter Karin Park sounds like the quirky lovechild of Björk and Lykke Li. Listen to her dark new electropop masterpiece of a single "Restless," below and I think you'll agree.  Following on the heels of her critically acclaimed UK debut EP, Tiger Dreams, "Restless" is the first single to be lifted off her forthcoming album, Highwire Poetry, which is due in the UK on May 28th.

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Hot Video Alert: Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing

It's always nice to see Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, and seeing him in Swedish singer/songwriter Lykke Li's new music video is an extra special surprise. "Sadness Is A Blessing" is the third single taken from Li's sophomore release, Wounded Rhymes. The album was produced by Björn Yttling and went on to become Li's highest charting album in the states, peaking at #36 on the Billboard 200 as well as #10 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart and #7 on the Alternative Albums chart. The album also did well in the UK, peaking at #37 on the UK Album Chart. The video for "Sadness Is a Blessing" was directed by Egyptian/Swedish TV producer, animator and film director Tarik Saleh, who also directed the visually stunning video for Lykke Li's last single, "I Follow Rivers." Li, who recently cancelled a string of UK dates due to a "meltdown" is set to perform a string of dates in the U.S. later this month. Check out the quirky video for "Sadness Is A Blessing" below as well as forthcoming tour dates. Snag Wounded Rhymes on iTunes HERE.

Check out Lykke Li on the web:

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

Adele Maintains Position Atop the Official UK Singles & Albums Charts

For the second week in a row, Adele's beautiful ballad "Someone Like You" remains in the top spot.  Co-penned by Adele and Dan Wilson (who also served as producer) the single started gaining traction a couple of weeks ago after a poignant performance at the BRIT Awards.  So far the single has peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #35 on the Canadian Hot 100.  Check out a magnificent live performance of the song taken from VH1 Unplugged: Adele HERE.  While "Someone Like You" was released as the official single in the UK, elsewhere in Europe, the equally brilliant Fraser T. Smith-produced "Set Fire To The Rain" was released as the official second single.  Below, listen to this brilliant dance remix of "Someone Like You" by The Thin Red Men.

Elsewhere on the singles chart, Jessie J and Rihanna maintain their #2 spots where as Adele drops back to #5 leaving room for Lady Gaga to rise to #4.  Both Chipmunk and Alexis Jordan sink one spot to #6 and #7  respectively.  Singer/songwriter Jessie J, who's album was released this past week must be pleased to see her debut single "Do It Like A Dude" reenter the Top Ten.  As far as new chart entries this week, there aren't too many worth mentioning with the exception of the new Foo Fighters single (#22), and two Jessie J album tracks - "Who You Are" & "Nobody's Perfect" (#40, #81).  Disappointing chart performances include new entries from Alesha Dixon, who's new single, "Every Little Part Of Me" featuring Jay Sean, enters the chart at a measly #78.  Promising beginnings for Britney Spears' who's new single "Till The World Ends" enters at #55 after only being released last Friday and The Black Eyed Peas new single, which was officially released only yesterday in the UK enters the chart at #89.  New singles out this week include "That's The Truth" from McFly, "Mirrors" by Natalia Kills, Olly Murs' "Heart On My Sleeve," Willow Smith's second single, and Tinie Tempah's "Wonderman," featuring Ellie Goulding.  What will happen next week? Do any of these new entries have what it takes to dethrone Adele? We'll have to wait and see I suppose.

Official UK Singles Top 10//March 12, 2011

1. Adele//Someone Like You

2. Jessie J feat. B.o.B.//Price Tag

3. Rihanna//S&M

4. Lady Gaga//Born This Way

5. Adele//Rolling In The Deep

6. Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown//Champion

7. Alexis Jordan//Good Girl

8. Chris Brown//Yeah 3X

9. Bruno Mars//Grenade

10. Jessie J//Do It Like A Dude

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

On the album chart front, Adele also maintains her #1 position for the sixth consecutive week.  This is BEYOND impressive.  What's even more impressive is how well the album's been doing in America, debuting in the #1 spot and selling over 350,000 copies, becoming the highest debut yet of 2011.  Coming in strong at #2 is Jessie J's debut album, Who You Are, which was bumped up by nearly an entire month, all for the best it turns out.  English rock band Beady Eye (made up of former members of Oasis, including Liam Gallagher) debuts at #3 on the UK Albums Chart, while Clare Maguire's Light After Dark makes an impressive entrance at #7 following the #23 debut of her second single, "The Last Dance."  The final new entry in this week's Top Ten, Alexis Jordan, who's self titled debut was released last week slides into the #9 slot, following the #6 debut of her second single "Good Girl" last week.

Other new chart entries this week come from Lykki Li, who's sophomore set Wounded Rhymes enters the chart at #37 (a vast improvement from the #112 debut of 2008's Youth Novels) and Far East Movement, who's debut album Free Wired debuts at #63.  U.S. acapella group Straight No Chaser also enters the chart this week with their latest album, With A Twist, coming in at #91 on the UK Albums Chart.  New albums out this week which should chart next Sunday include Avril Lavigne's Goodbye Lullaby as well as new releases from Lupe Fiasco, Marianne Faithfull, Noah & The Whale and Slash.


Official UK Albums Top 10//March 12, 2011

1. Adele//21

2. Jessie J//Who You Are

3. Beady Eye//Different Gear, Still Speeding

4. Adele//19

5. Rihanna//Loud

6. Bruno Mars//Doo-Wops & Hooligans

7. Clare Maguire//Light After Dark

8. Mumford & Sons//Sigh No More

9. Alexis Jordan//Alexis Jordan

10. Cee-Loo Green//The Lady Killer

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Hot Video Alert: Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers

Swedish indie-tronica artist Lykke Li released the second single, "I Follow Rivers," off of her forthcoming sophomore album, Wounded Rhymes (out February 28th in Europe, March 1st in the States). The follow up single is considerably more mellow than it's predecessor, the up-beat tribal-esque "Get Some."  While I think I prefer the more up-tempo "Get Some," "I Follow Rivers" goes to show just how versatile of an artist Lykke Li really is. The song vaguely reminds me of her 2007 single, "I'm Good, I'm Gone," off her debut album Youth Novels.

I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix) by LykkeLi

Both "I Follow Rivers" and "I'm Good, I'm Gone" are haunting, but for different reasons. The videos for both songs complement the dark tone with an eerie visual aide. While the video for "I'm Good, I'm Gone" was downright creepy, the video for "I Follow Rivers" is absolutely mesmerizingly beautiful. Directed exquisitely by Egyptian/Swedish producer/director/animator Tarik Saleh, the black and white clip plays out like the scene of a silent film, allowing Lykke Li to flex her acting chops. Brilliantly done. Check out the video below and listen to the amazing Magician Remix above.

Check out Lykke Li on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Lykke Li - Get Some

Lykke Li is further proof that all things musically fabulous come out of Sweden. The new video for "Get Some" has Li looking all tribal and stuff, getting down and DIRRTY, grabbing herself and dancing around looking fierce while some eerie black and white video montage plays behind her. The atmospheric and gritty video was directed by Johan Söderberg who's done some video work for Madonna. Very cool stuff. "Get Some," which features a driving rhythmic drum beat throughout, is more ROCK than it is electronica, a style I think really suits the talented singer/songwriter. When paired up with the visually complementary kaleidoscopic visuals of the video, "Get Some" turns into a romping stomping good time. Download "Get Some" for free on Lykke Li's website OR buy it on iTunes with the B-Side "Paris Blue."

Check out Lykke Li on the web:

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