God, I love press releases. New photo alert!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor‘s fourth studio album, now titled Straight Through the Heart, will be released this summer.

Along with the new Freemasons produced single “Bittersweet,” the album will include tracks with Calvin Harris, Richard X, Metronomy, Liam Howe from the Sneaker Pimps and Cathy Dennis. There will also be another new Freemasons collaboration on the album.

No word on whether or not “Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)” will make the album, but its lack of mention makes me suspect that it will not see the final tracklisting.

This album is going to be without flaw.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor‘s “Bittersweet” is like getting smacked in the face with a bucket of paint and glitter.

Accordingly, the song’s accompanying video features sequences of Sophie Ellis-Bextor getting smacked in the face with buckets of colorful paint and glitter.

Continuing with the minimalist theme of the “Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)” video, including her fabulously choreographed back-up dancers, “Bittersweet” is the definition of what it takes to become a modern disco diva: Grace, elegance, glamour, etc. etc. Need I go on?

Beautiful. Brilliant.

Well, her website’s first countdown is over, and here it is: The cover for Christina Aguilera‘s ‘comeback’ single, “Not Myself Tonight.” According to PopJustice, it’s produced by Polow Da Don (“Blindfold Me,” “Patron Tequila”).

Wow. After the hype that was the Iamamiwhoami, this whole ‘timed release’ campaign feels like a complete and utter non-event.

Who else is already bored?

After months of tempting and teasing his fans with song clips and lyric bits, Simon Curtis has finally unveiled his debut effort, 8Bit Heart.

8Bit Heart is a hard-hitting collection of cutting-edge pop hooks, catchy electronic noises and storming, dancefloor-ready synthesized beats that come together to celebrate the very essence of modern pop.

With the vocal chops recalling that of a young Darren Hayes and the smooth, slick flow and raw energy of Justin Timberlake, Simon Curtis has what it takes to be what he’s always sought after: the second coming of the modern male pop artist, upgraded and reprogrammed for the 21st century.

The entire album is available to download for free at his newly designed website, including hi-quality artwork from the campaign and full lyric sheets.

Someone sign this boy…and fast!

A glamorous little birdie tells me that Christina Aguilera‘s comeback single will be released to radio on March 30. Still no word on the final song decision, though all bets are on either “Glam” or “Bionic.”

Keep your eyes on her official website to hear the big news (and probably the song title) shortly!

Well…this I did not know about!

Tomorrow, March 23, Marina and the Diamonds will be unveiling an EP entitled American Jewels, containing three tracks: “I Am Not A Robot,” “Mowgli’s Road,” and Passion Pit‘s remix of “Mowgli’s Road” (the Flex’d Rework) which is chock-full of glitchy robot noise.

Marina’s debut, The Family Jewels, will be released in the US on May 25 on Chop Shop/Atlantic Records.

The Sugababes‘ seventh studio album, Sweet 7, premiered on the Official UK Album Chart today at #14–the lowest chart number for a Sugababes album since the group’s debut in 2000 (#26).

Not only that, I hear word from Muuser David R. that the album insert is riddled with spelling mistakes and grammar errors, including such gems as “Loubitons” (Louboutins).

In response to my March 16 Pop Pondering of the Day (“If an album is released by a band composed of none of its original members, does it still make a sound on the charts?”), the answer is a definitive, heartbreaking “Meh, not really.”

Sad times.

Once again, Cheryl Cole performs a near flawless rendition of her soon-to-be smash, “Parachute.”

Rock solid.