Following his recent return with new tracks ‘Blindside’ & ‘A Year Ago’, and the announcement of his fifth, brand new studio album Bitter Sweet Love – out January 26th, 2024 on Columbia Records – multi-Platinum artist James Arthur releases new single ‘Just Us’ – listen here & watch video here.

James delivers a stunning, powerful ballad about realising the true meaning of life – true love, loving ourselves, our families, communities and being there for them. “‘Just Us’ is a song in which I confess to running away from what really matters and getting lost in the pursuit of validation from external things,” James explains. “It’s about chasing a hedonistic, hollow life. Realising the true meaning of life which is of course about true love, loving ourselves, our families and our communities and being there for them.”

 
He also recently announced his return to the stage with a huge UK & European tour that hits the UK in March next year for a run of 8 huge arena shows, including London’s Wembley OVO Arena on March 16th, 2024 (full dates below).

Bitter Sweet Love is James back to his very best, producing thirteen bites of world class music. After being on stage, it struck him how his fifth album should sound. A sold-out crowd was singing along to his hits, immersed in the emotion that James could hear in his own voice.

Within days of the tour ending in the States, James began sessions with different producers to see who could click with his vision. His final stop was in L.A. with Steve Solomon, with whom he co-wrote his 2016 megahit ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’.

Back in Britain, James attempted to write with more producers, but none came close to his bond with Steve, who flew over to finish the album at Miloco Studios in South London last summer, and produce a mature body of work, full of depth and oozing the impeccable songwriting quality that has defined James’s esteemed career to date.

The Middlesbrough-born, recent Brit Billion-certified artist has scored 4 top 10 albums, with 2016’s Back From The Edge hitting the Number 1 spot and over his career has collaborated with the likes of Anne-Marie, Sigala, Rudimental, Marshmello & many more.

James is one of the world’s biggest streaming artists, with over 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ became his breakthrough hit in the US. It was officially the UK’s most streamed song in 2016 and has gone on to be enjoyed via 4 billion streams while the song’s official video has achieved 1.5 billion views on YouTube. Earlier this year, the track became his first RIAA Diamond Single with 10 million certified units – making James one of just 100 recipients of an RIAA Diamond Single certification in the programme’s history.

Other huge hit singles include: ‘Impossible’, ‘Can I Be Him’, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Naked’, ‘Empty Space’, ‘Rewrite The Stars’, ‘Falling Like the Stars’, ‘Train Wreck’ and ‘Lasting Lover’, which are all certified platinum records. The song Cars Outside is currently becoming another global hit for James.

“The more albums you make and the more success you have, the more the pressure tends to be upon you. But I genuinely felt like a kid again, just making music I loved, not worried about trying to please everyone.”

James Arthur will play the following UK & Irish arena dates next year: Tickets on sale Friday HERE.

March 2024

Sun 3rd Dublin, 3Arena SOLD-OUT

Tue 5th Bournemouth, International Centre SOLD-OUT

Wed 6th Birmingham, Utilita Arena SOLD-OUT
Fri 8th Sheffield, Utilita Arena SOLD-OUT

Sat 9th Newcastle, Utilita Arena SOLD-OUT

Sun 10th Hull, Connexin Live SOLD-OUT

Wed 13th Glasgow, OVO Hydro SOLD-OUT

Fri 15th Manchester, AO Arena SOLD-OUT

Sat 16th London, OVO Wembley Arena SOLD-OUT

Tue 19th Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena NEW DATE

Wed 20th Cardiff, Utilita Arena NEW DATE

Fri 22nd London, The O2 NEW DATE

Newly reissued in expanded form, The Corrs announce that Best Of The Corrs will be made available for the first time on vinyl – out December 1st – in a stunning limited edition 2LP gold vinyl format and expanded 2 CD collection.

Originally released in 2001, Best Of The Corrs is a 21-track double platinum hits collection covering The Corrs’ hugely successful first three studio albums Forgiven Not Forgotten, Talk On Corners and In Blue, including hits such as Breathless, Runaway, What Can I Do, Radio, Dreams and more.

The newly reissued collection features three new songs recorded in tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, following her sad passing in 2022. The band have recorded beautiful new versions of the classic songs Little Lies, Everywhere and Songbird – produced and recorded by Guy Chambers. Little Lies is available on all streaming platforms here, and Songbird will arrive on November 30th – the first anniversary of Christine’s death. A two-track 7” single of Little Lies/Songbird will be released on very limited D2C on October 27th.

The Corrs are a family affair, Andrea (lead vocals, piano), Sharon (violin, piano, vocals), Caroline (drums, piano, vocals) and Jim (guitar, piano, vocals) who have sold over 40 million albums worldwide since their 1995 debut album Forgiven Not Forgotten crashed into the charts and stole our hearts. An enchanting mix of traditional Celtic music with a pop rock twist, The Corrs have written some of the biggest songs of the last three decades.

They have enjoyed a career that has also seen Platinum records, BRIT Awards, Grammy and Ivor Novello nominations, the honour of being the only band to be asked to perform at Nelson Mandela’s 86th birthday, and more recently, the Queen’s Jubilee in 2002.
 

Their last album, 2017’s Jupiter Calling, was The Corrs’ seventh and most distinguished album – recorded with legendary producer T. Bone Burnett at London’s RAK Studios.

In 2022, Talk On Corners, The Corrs’ record-breaking second album turned 25! The UK charts it’s the fourth biggest record of the 1990s, and in 2016 was still listed as the 28th biggest selling album of all time. Its success – returning to Number 1 six times – brought their 1995 debut Forgiven, Not Forgotten up to Number 2, making them the rare band to achieve that feat. It was influential too, with Ed Sheeran citing the band’s 90s success as the inspiration behind his hit single Galway Girl.

The band have also been announced as Ambassadors for this year’s National Album Day on October 14th – celebrating the art of the record. The band say; “We’re delighted to be ambassadors for this year’s National Album Day. ‘Forgiven, Not Forgotten’ was our debut album originally released 28 years ago back in 1995. Its release came at such a special moment in time for us and it’s been a real pleasure revisiting the memories.”

The Corrs will now hit the road once more on a 12-date tour of southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand – kicking off October 18th in Jakarta. Full dates can be found here.

‘Best Of The Corrs’ Tracklist

1. Would You Be Happier?
2. So Young (K Klass Remix)
3. Runaway
4. Breathless
5. Radio (Mtv Unplugged Version)
6. What Can I Do (Tin Tin Out Remix)
7. The Right Time
8.  I Never Loved You Anyway
9. Irresistible
10. Forgiven, Not Forgotten
11. Lough Erin Shore (MTV Unplugged Version)
12. Only When I Sleep
13. Love To Love You
14. All The Love In The World (Pop Remix)
15. Everybody Hurts (MTV Unplugged Live Version)
16. Give Me A Reason
17. Dreams
18. Make You Mine
19. Little Lies
20. Everywhere
21. Songbird

CD 1

1. Would You Be Happier?
2. So Young (K Klass Remix)
3. Runaway
4. Breathless
5. Radio (MTV Unplugged Version)
6. What Can I Do (Tin Tin Out Remix)
7. The Right Time
8. I Never Loved You Anyway
9. Irresistible
10. Forgiven, Not Forgotten

CD 2

1. Lough Erin Shore (MTV Unplugged Version)
2. Only When I Sleep
3. Love To Love You
4. All The Love In The World (Pop Remix)
5. Everybody Hurts (MTV Unplugged Live Version)
6. Give Me A Reason
7. Dreams
8. Make You Mine
9. Little Lies
10. Everywhere
11. Songbird

 
LP

Side A

1. Would You Be Happier?
2. So Young (K Klass Remix)
3. Runaway
4. Breathless
5. Radio (MTV Unplugged Version)

Side B

1. What Can I Do (Tin Tin Out Remix)
2. The Right Time
3. I Never Loved You Anyway
4. Irresistible
5. Forgiven, Not Forgotten

Side C

1. Lough Erin Shore (MTV Unplugged Version)
2. Only When I Sleep
3. Love To Love You
4. All The Love In The World (Pop Remix)
5. Everybody Hurts (MTV Unplugged Live Version)

Side D

1. Give Me A Reason
2. Dreams
3. Make You Mine
4. Little Lies
5. Everywhere
6. Songbird

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) today release their inimitable new single ‘Veruschka’ – the third installment from their forthcoming new studio album Bauhaus Staircase – out October 27th on 100% Records.

A simply beautiful, film-noir ballad, ‘Veruschka’exemplifies the determination OMD have to make Bauhaus Staircase an album to rank among their finest, and an acceptance that life is sometimes about taking risks. “My attitude is like I say in this song: if you’re too afraid to jump off the cliff, you’ll never learn to fly.” singer Andy McCluskey mentions. “We couldn’t keep saying: ‘It’s not going to work.’ You have to keep trying, to see where you end up.”
. Watch the stunning futuristic animated video (created by Cine1080 Studio) HERE.

The new track arrives as the band’s new music has been exploding over the airwaves in recent weeks, and the band will appear on BBC’s Later…with Jools Holland – to be broadcast in November.

Bauhaus Staircase sees the band’s most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of their desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba – born from the impetus to kickstart new explorations during lockdown. A broad, electronic, sonic masterpiece that lyrically tackles the topics of the future, it was predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by both McCluskey & Paul Humphreys (who has recently become a second-time father).

OMD have sold an astonishing 25 million singles and 15 million albums, which has established them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups. Their 13 albums include reissued ‘Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’ (1980), ‘Organisation’ (1980), ‘Architecture & Morality’ (1981) and ‘Dazzle Ships’ (1983).

Across February & March 2024, OMD will play 22 dates across the UK & Ireland (tickets here), including their biggest ever London headline show at London’s O2 Arena on March 24th, 2024 – with support coming from the legendary Howard Jones (London only) & Walt Disco (all other dates). “We are so excited to be able to tour again with a brand new album to showcase.” says Andy McCluskey. “It’s been six years since we learned new songs for live performances. The songs from Bauhaus Staircase will fit beautifully into our setlist – we just have to choose which five to play, as we have to treat people to the hits as well!”

The band will also perform a handful of UK in-store performances and signings between October 29th – November 2nd in Kingston, Brighton, Liverpool & Leeds.

UK IN-STORES

October
Fri 27th London, The Social (Show)

Sun 29th Kingston, Banquet Records @ Pryzm (Show)

Mon 30th Brighton, Resident Records (Signing)

November
Wed 1st Liverpool, Phase One Records @ Camp & Furnace (Show)

Thurs 2nd Leeds, Crash Records (Signing)

UK HEADLINE TOUR
February 2024
Tue 27th Belfast, Ulster Hall

Wed 28th Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre

March

Fri 1st Manchester, O2 Apollo

Sun 3rd Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena

Tue 5th Leeds, First Direct Arena

Wed 6th Edinburgh, Usher Hall

Fri 8th Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall

Sat 9th Newcastle, O2 City Hall

Sun 10th Sheffield, City Hall

Tue 12th Leicester, De Montfort Hall

Wed 13th Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

Fri 15th Wolverhampton, Civic Hall

Sat 16th Swansea, Arena

Sun 17th Southend-On-Sea, Cliffs Pavillion

Tue 19th Bristol, Beacon

Wed 20th Oxford, New Theatre

Fri 22nd Portsmouth, Guildhall

Sat 23rd Ipswich, Regent

Sun 24th London, The O2*

Tue 26th Brighton, Dome

Wed 27th Eastbourne, Winter Gardens

www.omd.uk.com

Metallica announces plans to press the band’s first five studio albums on special limited edition coloured vinyl, available ex-North America.

Each month from November 2023 to March 2024 will see a new title/colourway being released.

The first drop will consist of:

Kill ‘Em All, the bands’ ground-breaking album will be released on Nov 3rd 2023 pressed on 180g ‘Jump In The Fire Engine Red’ limited edition coloured vinyl, featuring the 2016 remastered audio.

Ride The Lightning, the 6 x Platinum sophomore album will be released on Dec 1st 2023 pressed on 180g ‘Electric Blue’ limited edition coloured vinyl, featuring the 2016 remastered audio.

Master of Puppets, selected by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” will be released on Jan 5th 2024 pressed on 180g ‘Battery Brick’ limited edition coloured vinyl, featuring the 2017 remastered audio.

…And Justice For All featuring the single “One” which earned the band their first Grammy® award will be released Feb 2nd 2024 as a 2LP pressed on 180g ‘Dyers Green’ limited edition coloured vinyl, featuring the 2018 remastered audio.

Metallica aka the Black Album, the first Metallica album to reach #1 in the charts, becoming the band’s best-selling album, will be released on March 1st 2024 as a 2LP pressed on 180g ‘Some Blacker Marbled’ limited edition coloured vinyl, featuring the 2021 remastered audio.

*Each pressing will come with a digital download card.

EXPLODED PACKSHOTS HERE

Earlier this year, the band scored a UK number one album with their latest studio record 72 Seasons, dominating the charts globally as they racked up an impressive 19 number 1’s across the world.

Metallica’s M72 World Tour returns to Europe in May 2024

Europe Dates here:

24th May 2024: Munich, DE @ Olympiastadion

26th May 2024: Munich, DE @ Olympiastadion

7th June 2024: Helsinki, FI @ Olympic Stadium

9th June 2024: Helsinki, FI @ Olympic Stadium

14th June 2024: Copenhagen, DK @ Parken Stadium

16th June 2024:Copenhagen, DK @ Parken Stadium

5th July 2024: Warsaw, PL @ PGE Narodowy

7th July 2024: Warsaw, PL @ PGE Narodowy

12th July 2024: Madrid, ES @ Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano

14th July 2024: Madrid, ES @ Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano

Full dates HERE.

www.metallica.com

“A dose of helter-skelter outlaw energy from two of the best in the biz” – Clash Magazine
“A ram-jam barrage of 50s rock ‘n’ roll mania, shot through with punk venom” – Classic Rock
“A breath of fresh air…reminds me of Motorhead. What the world needs now!” – Chrissie Hynde

His Lordship, one of the most explosive and exciting live acts to emerge from the UK in years, come flying out of the traps with the announcement of their debut self-titled album, out January 19th, 2024 – produced by David Wrench and Tchad Blake (Arctic Monkeys, Black Keys).

A tour de force of twelve frenetic, frenzied, rapturous tracks, the album will also include their latest offering ‘Jackie Works For The NHS’ – a monster garage rock anthem with a chorus that will blow the roof off venues across the country when they take to the road in November. Totalling seven shows, the tour will conclude in what will be a simply wild night in the capital at London’s Garage on November 17th. Listen to ‘Jackie Works For The NHS’ HERE.

“England 2023. Our beloved NHS is being dismantled piece by piece,” the band explain. “Jackie lives on our block. Jackie works for the NHS. We love Jackie. God save the NHS.”

A maximum rock’n’roll trio conceived during lockdown to blow the cobwebs away and remind us of what music has been missing, the band are made up of the powerhouse duo of James Walbourne (The Pretenders, The Pogues, The Rails) and Kristoffer Sonne (Chrissie Hynde, Willie Nelson), the band’s first single ‘All Cranked Up’ hit the 6 Music B-List last summer, and today sees the release of its follow up ‘Buzzkill’ – an angular, twisted ear worm produced by David Wrench (Courtney Barnett, XX, Frank Ocean) – listen here.

His Lordship sold out their debut UK tour in July, and then joined Jason Isbell on a sell out European tour culminating with a roof raising show at London’s Eventim Apollo. To coincide with the new single the band headed out on their biggest headline tour to date, taking in 12 cities, including a sold-out headline show at London’s Lafayette in April this year.

His Lordship will play the following UK headline shows in November. Tickets on-sale HERE.

November
Wed 8th Glasgow, Room 2
Fri 10th Manchester, Deaf Institute
Sun 12th Leeds, Key Club
Mon 13th Bristol, Exchange
Tue 14th Nottingham, Bodega
Wed 15th Brighton, Hope and Ruin
Fri 17th London, Garage

His Lordship – Album Tracklisting
1. All Cranked Up
2. Buzzkill
3. Joyboy
4. The Repenter
5. Rock Fall Echo Dust
6. Cat Call
7. Jackie Works For The NHS
8. I’m So Bored of Being Bored
9. Pixellated Polly
10. I Am In Amsterdam
11. My Brother Is An Only Child
12. I Live In The City

Home

Hot off the back of a show stopping performance at ‘Radio 2 In The Park’, James Blunt today releases ‘The Girl That Never Was’, the emotional next installment of music from his upcoming new album Who We Used To Be – out October 27th. Listen to ‘The Girl That Never Was’ HERE.

The new single, which lyrically explores the heartbreaking theme of loss, is delicate, raw, acoustic-lead and one of James’ most emotional songs to date.

The album’s first single arrived in the shape of the upbeat banger ‘Beside You’. Directed by Craig Bingham, the video evokes memories of James’ past. Meeting versions of himself throughout his life, the video sees James embrace the characters of his past self, as he moves forward. Watch the video for ‘Beside You’ HERE.

Who We Used To Be is James’ first studio album since the acclaimed, top 3 Once Upon A Mind in 2019. This time out he has worked with a variety of producers including Jonny Coffer, Red Triangle, Jack & Coke and Steve Robson. His recent greatest hits collection, The Stars Beneath My Feet, went Gold selling over 100,000 copies.

Next year, James makes a most welcome return to the road, where he will play 12 dates across the UK next Spring kicking off March 30th at Leeds First Direct Arena and finishing April 14th at the Bournemouth International Centre. Tickets on sale now at www.jamesblunt.com

March 2024
Sat 30th LEEDS, First Direct Arena
Sun 31st BRISTOL, Beacon

April
Tue 2nd BRIGHTON, Brighton Centre
Thu 4th NEWCASTLE, Utilita Arena
Fri 5th GLASGOW, OVO Hydro Arena
Sat 6th NOTTINGHAM, Motorpoint Arena
Sun 7th BIRMINGHAM, Utilita Arena
Tue 9th LONDON, Royal Albert Hall
Wed 10th LONDON, Royal Albert Hall
Fri 12th MANCHESTER, AO Arena
Sat 13th CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena
Sun 14th BOURNEMOUTH, International Centre

Home General On Sale

Following the release of Part I – When Everything Was Lost earlier this year, London four-piece Palace return with the second EP in the series, Part II – Nightmares & Ice Cream. Alongside the announcement the band have released their heartfelt new single ‘Rabid Dog’. 

The EP’s opener ‘Rabid Dog’ is a stunning laid back track soaked in reverb and lead singer Leo Wyndham’s spellbinding vocals. “‘Rabid Dog’ is about realising that our inner child is always present and part of us,” Leo muses on the track. “In fact, we are still that person, we’re all just older and the vulnerable child is very much still there.’ Listen to ‘Rabid Dog’ HERE. 

Produced by Adam Jaffrey (Oh Wonder, Loyle Carner, Lucy Rose) at Unwound Studios, Nightmares & Ice Cream EP sees the band with a sharp new focus. Beautifully hypnotic, mesmerising and full of raw emotion, the EP is the band at their very best. “‘Nightmares & Ice Cream’ is another snapshot of life and moments of the past year,” Leo said of the EP. “It’s Part II of the journey, and one that’s felt very significant. It’s a hazy chapter of intense reflection to past events, but also a sort of purgatory where we stumble forward, stunned, trying to find some kind of grip on reality.”

Childhood friends Palace released their acclaimed debut EP Lost In The Night in 2014, followed by the Chase The Light EP the year after. Now with three albums under their belt, So Long Forever, Life After and 2022’s Shoals and a mass of adoring fans across the world, the band look set to close 2023 on a high. 

Palace are Leo Wyndham, Matt Hodges and Rupert Turner.

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Following the announcement of his brand new album, Open Arms – The Symphonic Songbook, Alfie Boe releases the second offering from the LP with a stunning version of Chris Isaak’s beautiful classic ‘Wicked Game’. Alfie’s new album is out October 27th on BMG.

A spine tingling rendition of the haunting masterpiece, which featured in the 1990 David Lynch film Wild At Heart, Alfie said “I couldn’t resist adding ‘Wicked Game’ to the record. We recorded it on a separate day to the other tracks, filmed it with the orchestra and it felt quite magical. The contrast of epic drama, cinematic strings but soft all the same time. It’s a powerful song to sing, I just love it.” Listen to ‘Wicked Game’ HERE.

Alfie’s homage to rock, Open Arms – The Symphonic Songbook sees the tenor rework versions of rock’s finest tracks such as Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’, Bryan Adams’ ‘Summer of ‘69, & many more, into simply spectacular symphonic masterpieces.

The foundations of this album go deep, back to over 20 years ago. Alfie was on Broadway, appearing in Oscar-winning film director Baz Luhrmann’s 2002 revival of La Bohème.

“Baz was opening up this vast world for me to venture into,” he remembers. “And I found that the love of music for me had broadened, from classical to rock and contemporary. I’d always been into my rock music. But I thought: this is a great opportunity for me to show people the similarity between classic rock and classical music, and the structure of them, and how the two worlds are so close.”

Alfie also releases his memoir, Face The Music: My Story – out September 7th via Penguin Spotlight.

Between late 2022 and early 2023 Alfie decamped from his new home to Metropolis Studios in Chiswick. The producer: the legendary Al Clay, a man who, having collaborated with everyone from Hans Zimmer to Del Amitri via the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack, had his feet in both the rock and the classical words. The players: a “scratch” orchestra assembled by Clay – a group of players unbound by tradition or heritage.

A decorated career that’s lasted 30 years, Alfie is one of the best-loved vocalists of his generation and a hugely successful, multi-platinum selling artist. He has triumphed on theatre stages and in concert halls around the world and has two recent UK #1 albums under his belt for albums ‘Together’ and ‘Together Again’, made with his great friend Michael Ball. The duo also won two Classic BRIT Awards earlier this year for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Group of the Year’.

His exceptional voice has made him Britain’s most popular and biggest-selling tenor. The Tony Award winner has conquered the world’s greatest opera stages and arenas and led the cast of Les Misérables. He stole the show at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, and performed at the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle. Most recently the public saw another side to Alfie when he starred on BBC1’s Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof, which involved taking on various challenges in sub-zero temperatures. In warmer climes, Alfie then made a surprise cameo appearance on ITV’s BAFTA-winning dating series Love Island, serenading two contestants, one of whom was moved to tears by his singing, whilst viewers up and down the country praised Boe’s passionate performance.

Currently touring across the UK, Alfie bought his electric live show for a standout performance at London Palladium earlier this month. Tickets for the remaining dates can be bought HERE.

Alfie is an artist who has effortlessly broken boundaries via his love of music – and with this brand new record, he continues to do so.

UK HEADLINE TOUR DATES:
September
Fri 29th Newcastle upon Tyne, O2 City Hall Newcastle

Sat 30th Harrogate Convention Centre


October
Mon 2nd Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Tue 3rd Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall

Thu 5th Edinburgh, Usher Hall
Fri 6th Nottingham, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall

Sun 8th Manchester, Bridgewater Hall

Tue 10th Cardiff, St David’s Hall
A
Wed 11th Oxford
, New Theatre

Fri 13th Blackpool Winter Gardens
Sat 14th Birmingham, Symphony Hall

Mon 16th Belfast, Waterfront Hall


https://alfie-boe.com/

Following a first taste of his new EP 9INE last month, Luke Royalty is back with new single ‘Synthia’. The track comes after a breakthrough year in 2022, which saw Luke  release his sublime debut EP My Blue Room and play a host of shows across the UK. Listen to ‘Synthia’ HERE.

Self-produced and taking Influence from the likes of Frank Ocean, Tirzah and Tame Impala and mixed by longtime collaborator Bob MacKenzie, ‘Synthia’ sees Luke take a new direction sonically. A hazy, hypnotic pop number, the track is a dream like love letter to a future partner. ‘I wanted to write a love song for my new record, but didn’t have a girlfriend so I made one up,’ Luke said of the track. ‘It’s named after a stock plug-in on Logic Pro where the track was created.’

Merging lo-fi beats, with Luke’s raw, easy-going tones, the collection of seven tracks intertwine through hazy vibes to breezy pop hooks. “9INE is a messy pop project about love, hope and fear,” Luke said of the EP. “I really wanted to try and make something that sounded different to the other music that’s being released right now and separate myself from any labels or genres that people might expect when listening to Luke Royalty. I want to create something that’s fresh, exciting, and rough around the edges.”

Hailing from Darlington in the North East of England, Luke came from a creative family of artists and musicians. He, however, avoided dabbling in music until his late teens, preferring to spend his time playing Sunday League football and following his beloved Darlington FC. Upon finding influence in the likes of Mac Miller, Amy Winehouse and Bill Withers, Luke got drawn into the culture of turning his words to music and the rest is history in the making.

Without doubt one of the most exciting emerging acts around and having already garnered support from key players including BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders’ ‘Future Artists Next Wave Pick’), BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, NME, Clash Magazine, Far Out Magazine, Notion, The Line Of Best Fit, The Independent and Amazing Radio, 2023 sets to be another step towards greatness for Luke Royalty.

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Joe Sutkowski aka Dirt Buyer shares fourth single “Heartache” off his forthcoming album Dirt Buyer II out October 20 via Bayonet Records. Listen to “Heartache” HERE.

“Heartache” follows “Gathering Logs” and “Fentanyl,” the album’s centrepiece and “On & On” that Stereogum called an “emo throwback…darkly dramatic.”

Dirt Buyer’s new album is a documentation of making it to the other side.  Sutkowski grew up in New Jersey, and although he lives in Brooklyn now, he remains “an emo kid at heart,” garnering inspiration from bands like My Chemical Romance and Muse, the latter of whose theatrical, dramatic performances inspired the band’s own vocal-forward, soaring takes.  Initially working together as a duo while Sutkowski and Ruben Radlauer (Model/Actriz) were at school in Berklee, the band’s self-titled 2019 debut album was recorded on an IPhone in their practice room on just drums and guitar, and the quietly striking, nuanced stylings earned them accolades far beyond the “fake record label” the two made up to originally release their music.

The band’s new album, Dirt Buyer II, was recorded in February 2020, and represents a foray into heavier material that marks a deeper shift for the band.  Now working as a trio, Sutkowski is flanked by Tristan Allen on bass and Mike Costa on drums, a fellow Berklee grad who cut his teeth playing in bands across Boston including past collaborations with Sutkowski.  Half-recorded while the band was on tour with Surf Curse, the record finds Sutkowski reaching out for places, people and beliefs to ground him.

Sutkowksi grapples with loss throughout the record, often mourning relationships that have yet to come to pass (“Sand”) and questioning the fragility of time.  “How the leaves have changed,” he intones, repeating the phrase throughout the album.  Three years on, Dirt Buyer II is an artifact of a time that is still preserved through the headrush of peak memory; the magnitude of high highs and low lows that are both addictive and transformative. “If heavy’s what you wanted / heavy’s what you’re gettin’ / heavy’s what you needed, believe me now / if change is what you wanted / change is what you’re gettin,” he sings on “Heavy,” ironically one of the catchiest tracks on Dirt Buyer II.  But with that comes the opportunity to see life for what it’s worth: “I’m fortunate to have a thing that’s an outlet but also an escape.”

Half-recorded in his mother and uncle’s upstate house where he turned the living room into a studio, he contemplates the beauty and disaster around him—all refracted through visceral visual imagery of how the physical earth meets the unknown to converge in something greater than ourselves. “This is all a living chronicle of all I want to do, which is feel good and be happy,” he admits. “I’m a completely different person now – a better version of myself.”  Processing the past, Sutkowksi has emerged with newfound belief, fully intact and with a new path forward to the future.

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Today, Texas have released the video for their stunning cover of ‘Keep On Talking. Taken from the band’s career spanning new compilation album The Very Best Of 1989 – 2023, the video, directed by Bailey Tom Bailey, was shot at London’s Moth Club. 

Featuring an ensemble of northern soul dancers, including 2022 world champion Sally Malloy, the video sees the group of performers  rejoice in an all nighter at the working men’s club in Hackney. Watch the video HERE.

A foot-shuffling cover of the 1965 Northern Soul deep-cut, written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham – and produced by Oldham in Muscle Shoals, the band’s rendition of ‘Keep On Talking’ has the Texas stamp. It’s packed to the brim with attitude, vibe and coated in Sharleen Spiteri’s undeniable tones. “It was a dream to work with Spooner on this northern soul classic that he and Dan Penn wrote,” Sharleen said of the track. “The records that Spooner has played on alone made working with this legend very, very special.” 

34 years since they recorded ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’, then watched, gobsmacked, as it reached Number Eight in the charts, Texas, one of the UK’s most loved bands, have gone on to produce ten studio albums, selling over 40 million records worldwide. The band celebrate their continued legacy with a special 2LP & 2CD compilation The Very Best Of 1989 – 2023 – out now on [PIAS] Recordings.

Following a triumphant, stand out performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this year, Texas will return to the stage for a run of UK Arena shows in 2024. Kicking off at Leeds First Direct Arena on Friday September 6th and culminating with a hometown date at Glasgow’s Hydro on Saturday September 14th, the run will see the band play a set of classic hits from their recently released The Very Best Of 1989 – 2023. Artist presale will be available at 10am on Wednesday September 20th, with general sale on Friday 22nd HERE.

Texas will play the following UK dates:

September 2024

Fri 6th LEEDS, First Direct Arena

Sat 7th LIVERPOOL, M&S Bank Arena

Tue 10th BOURNEMOUTH, Bournemouth International Centre

Wed 11th CARDIFF, Utilita Arena Cardiff

Fri 13th BIRMINGHAM, Utilita Arena Birmingham

Sat 14th GLASGOW, OVO Hydro

https://www.texas.uk.com/

Acclaimed pianist, composer and producer CHLOE FLOWER today announces the release of her first-ever holiday album, CHLOE HEARTS CHRISTMAS, available Friday, November 1 from Sony Music Masterworks. A must-have for the season, Chloe Hearts Christmas includes a range of festive favorites, each of which have been newly rearranged by Chloe and given her self-coined “popsical,” or pop-meets-classical treatment. From traditional melodies and beloved standards to contemporary pop hits and holiday film soundtracks, Chloe brings together a dazzling array of musical styles to capture the spirit and sound of the season, enlisting longtime friends and musical icons Questlove and Babyface as collaborators on five of the album’s sixteen tracks. Debuting today alongside album preorder is Chloe’s take on Korean superstar V of BTS’s “Christmas Tree,” which transforms the delicately moving number into a soaring orchestral piece – listen here.  

Of today’s track, Chloe says, “It was really important to me to include a Korean artist on the album. BTS have helped pave the way for so many other Korean artists like me, and what they’ve been able to accomplish both as a group and individually as solo artists is really amazing.” 

The release of Chloe Hearts Christmas marks a lifelong dream for pianist, composer and producer Chloe Flower, whose love of the season is no secret. “Everyone knows I’m obsessed with Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year,” she says when asked about the album’s inception, which began in many ways, with last year’s release of her first-ever holiday EP, Christmas with Chloe Flower. The 4-track EP was an immediate success, landing Chloe a coveted spot as the first-ever classical instrumentalist to perform on Disney’s annual Magical Holiday Special. “Performing at their show was a dream come true. I was truly so inspired, and I think even then I knew where my musical journey was taking me next,” Chloe remarks of the experience. 

Now making her dreams into reality, Chloe Hearts Christmas arrives as a carefully curated mix of traditional classical pieces, beloved standards and carols, contemporary pop favorites and holiday film cues, each infused with Chloe’s signature “popsical” sound. Chloe fittingly likens the record’s sound to her Christmas traditions growing up, noting, “It’s like my dad’s Christmas dinner plate, filled with stuffing and kimchee. You might not think they go together at first, but they do!” Much like her Korean American spin on Christmas dinner, Chloe’s artistry is rooted in the marriage of traditional classical music and modern pop sensibilities, a talent on full display and taken to new heights on Chloe Hearts Christmas. 

Included within the expansive 16-track collection are orchestral selections from Tchaikovsky and Leontovych, beloved standards from Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, contemporary pop hits from BTS’s V, Ariana Grande and Sia, as well as seasonal favorites from Joni Mitchell and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The album also includes a number of selections from films including Anastasia, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Sound of Music and more, showcasing Chloe’s longtime love of the transportive power of cinematic music. A fierce advocate for representation in the music industry, Chloe was also careful in selecting tracks that spoke to her support of female artistry as well as her Asian-American heritage, with selections from V of BTS and songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Sia, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey. 

Joining Chloe as producers on the album are Nick Patrick, a multi-award winner who has worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, as well as Chloe’s longtime collaborator and mentor Babyface, who joins Chloe to provide a hip hop-inflected take on “Carol of the Bells.” Also featured across four of the album’s tracks is another of Chloe’s longtime collaborators and friends, Questlove, who adds his legendary percussion skills to “Blue Christmas,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The Christmas Waltz” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” The duo were joined by Hollywood composer, arranger, and conductor Chris Walden on “Blue Christmas” and “The Christmas Waltz,” of which Chloe says, “I really wanted listeners to hear and feel the nostalgia of that era. Questlove’s knowledge of music and Chris’ repertoire of Old Hollywood arrangements made them the perfect choices to replicate that sound.” The resulting collection effortlessly transcends genres, decades and styles – from the first crisp notes of album opener “Sleigh Ride” to the final flourish of “Jingle Bell Rock” – Chloe Hearts Christmas is a timeless showcase of the rich tapestry of holiday music.

CHLOE HEARTS CHRISTMAS 

TRACKLISTING –

1. Sleigh Ride 
2. Once Upon a December 
3. Christmas Tree 
4. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy  
5. Santa Tell Me 
6. Blue Christmas (featuring Questlove)
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (featuring Questlove) 
8. River 
9. Where Are You Christmas 
10. Carol of the Bells (co-produced with Babyface)
11. Snowman 
12. The Christmas Waltz (featuring Questlove)
13. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence  
14. A Liberace Christmas 
15. The Sound of Music Medley 
16. Jingle Bell Rock (featuring Questlove)

ABOUT CHLOE FLOWER 

Visionary artist Chloe Flower became the most talked about pianist in the world after a show-stopping performance with rap queen Cardi B at the 2019 Grammy Awards, launching her into viral fame nearly overnight and prompting her major label debut with Sony Music Masterworks. The Pennsylvania native began playing the piano at the age of two, studying at Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard and London’s Royal Academy of Music before meeting her mentor, the 12-time GRAMMY Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter and producer, Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds. In the years since, Chloe has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including artists like Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Celine Dion, 2Chainz and Nas as well as producers like Mike WiLL Made-It (Miley Cyrus / Beyonce) and Tommy Brown (Ariana Grande / Justin Bieber). Releasing her self-titled debut in 2021, Chloe has coined the term “popsical” to describe her imitable style, which infuses classical music with a contemporary pop sensibility. 

Chloe is not only a gifted musician and fashion icon but also an outspoken activist as well. She is an artist ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has been honored by the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Activism (CAST) and, most recently, received an award from Gloria Steinem at the Asia Society’s Last Girl Awards for her efforts in the fight against human trafficking. A champion of music education, Chloe has spoken at the United Nations as an ambassador and is the youngest board member of the Liberace Foundation. An official Steinway Arist, Chloe proudly celebrates her Asian heritage and culture and is a fierce advocate for women’s representation — particularly women of color — in the music industry.

CONNECT WITH CHLOE FLOWER

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