Something on your mind lately? Do it like Dragonette–let it go!

After unveiling the brilliant artwork for the single two weeks ago, the Canadian synth-pop outfit has at long last premiered “Let It Go,” lead single from their forthcoming studio album.

The bouncy, blissed-out track is an unbelievably catchy affair, featuring mile-a-minute hooks and loud, searing synthesizers. Actually, it’s more or less drenched in synthesizers, a lot like their collaboration with Kaskade (“Fire In Your New Shoes”) or even Kylie Minogue‘s genius Calvin Harris-produced X single, “In My Arms.” How do you describe a feeling…?

Now put on your dancing shoes on and get your hands up!

“Let It Go” will be released on April 3. (iTunes)

Dragonette‘s getting ready to let it go.

Above is the (gorgeous) newly unveiled artwork for the Canadian electropop trio’s upcoming single “Let It Go,” due out on April 2.

The song acts as the lead single from the group’s follow-up to their utterly genius 2009 record, Fixin To Thrill. Since then, the group released the Mixin To Thrill EP in 2010, including “Volcano” and “Our Summer,” which helped to make the Summer of ’10 sizzle alongside Aphrodite and Flesh Tone. (Ahh, memories of good times with Hard Candy Music!) Oh yeah, and Martina shared her vocals on a little track called “Hello” by Martin Solveig. Maybe you’ve heard of it.

The duo teased out a taste of “Let It Go” way back in December (AGES ago!), so check out the stream below. Sounds promising!

“Let It Go” will be released on April 2. (iTunes)

Nicola Roberts is a different kind of pop star.

There’s just no getting around it, really: Ever since her name was called as one-fifth of the band that went on to become Girls Aloud during the finale of the 2002 reality series Pop Stars: The Rivals, the Lincolnshire-born redhead with porcelain skin stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the pristine pop quintet. There was something special about Nicola, something different–dare say “alternative” about the then 17-year-old songstress.

Roberts made her mark in the Aloud as the quiet, quirky vocalist responsible for some of the band’s most memorable moments–the opening seconds of “Untouchable,” the second verse of “Whole Lotta History,” the show-stopping bridge of “Call The Shots.” More often than not, it was Roberts’ shaky, vulnerable vocals that placed an ice-coated cherry on top of some of the Aloud’s finest work.

But being “different” can often be problematic, and for Nicola, induction into the Almighty Aloud was nearly a curse: From the get go, Roberts was relentlessly teased and bullied in the British tabloids for her appearance, as well as an apparent bad attitude: “Ginger.” “Pale.” “Ugly.” In 2003, Busted‘s Matt Willis pronounced her a “rude ginger bitch,” a nickname that the press fondly appropriated for years. And despite the best efforts made by her fellow bandmates to protect her against seeing the stories, Roberts was still well aware of the continuous public mockery, leading to several years of excessive drinking and an unhealthy obsession with tanning.

Lest anyone be confused and think she simply stood there and dealt with the criticism however, it’s simply not true: Nicola Roberts has always found ways to fight back.

During a performance at G-A-Y in London in 2003 for instance, the quiet crooner took a cheeky stab at Matt Willis’ attack by donning a black skirt with the words “RUDE GINGER BITCH…BOTHERD?!” painted on the back. Later on in her career, as Roberts slowly grew confident in her natural appearance, she would tackle her tanorexia head-on in an eye-opening BBC special, Nicola Roberts: The Truth About Tanning.

Now, with the release of debut record out on September 26, Cinderella’s Eyes, Roberts has gone one step further and turned the tables on her detractors completely with one loud, defiant rallying call: “TEAM GINGE.”

Read more…

So, since so many of my Muusers (three actual requests) have been demanding that I do a weekly wrap-up of the X Factor performance night. I’ve decided to fulfill those wishes/dreams/desires. The show was boring in spots, so I’ve decided to highlight only the moments I had things to say about. Makes sense, right? Good. We’re on a roll.

Treyc Cohen. Amazing. Oh my God.

I love the jailbait that is One Direction, both for their knack for life-threatening injuries (like when one of them hurt their foot playing in the ocean during the auditions) and their ability to elicit pantie-wetting shrieks from the audience (myself included) for merely standing on the stage. They sang Kelly Clarkson‘s “My Life Would Suck Without You” which is kind of genius for them, and the results were pretty good-ish.

Then came the judging, and Cheryl just couldn’t keep it in her pants. Seriously. So much so, that she forced Simon to restrain her from pulling a Paula right in the middle of a live show. It went like this:

Cheryl: “You boys are just so cute and I–”
Simon: “Cheryl.”
Cheryl: “Everyone loves you so much, and I–”
Simon: “Cheryl.”
Cheryl: “Don’t know what it is, I just–”
Simon: “Cheryl.”
Cheryl: “–just so cute, I just want to–”
Simon: “CHERYL.”

Brilliant.

And then came the announcement that Cher Lloyd was up next, and so the seas parted and surging claps of thunder rang out across the land and all of God’s creatures nestled together to watch the Almighty Lloyd perform.

In the now usual Lloyd fashion, the young Cherylita was both simultaneously shit and amazing in the most awe-inspiring of ways with her weird-but-great performance of Jay-Z‘s “Hard Knock Life”: The chorus–AMAZING. What pipes! The rap: Spot on! But the awkward moments in between…OH, THE AWKWARD, MEDIOCRE VERSES. I just don’t understand what’s happening there, but then the pretty dancers distracted my brain and then I start remembering how amazing her audition was and then the next chorus comes and she’s really good again and my brain just sort of goes “Well, I give up. YOO AH RAHYT UP MAY STREET.”

I love you, Cheroleeza Lloyd.

And then Diva Fever happened and they ruined music for all of mankind once again.

If the British public has any sense of decency, they’ll do away forever with this tragic mess of ‘entertainment’ once and for all. But if Jedward is any indication of a camp act’s staying power on X Factor then…oh, Cheezus Christo.

Then came Rebecca Ferguson, and everything in the world was right again. The judges were on the money in their critiques (i.e. Dannii describing her as making classic feel modern, James Bond theme, etc.). Rebecca delivered a chic, smart, tight performance of Nina Simone‘s classic “Feeling Good.” Loved everything about this–the look, the sound, the drama (not too much drama!) Everything was just right.

Then came Ellie Goulding Diana Vickers Katie Waissel, who proved to have a surprisingly strong night, stripping it back a bit for a pretty amazing rendition of Etta James‘ (one of my favorite classic songstresses!) “I’d Rather Go Blind.” To be fair, all I kept thinking about was how much she looks like a cross between Martina from Dragonette and Nelly Furtado, but in the fleeting moments where I actually listened to her sing, I found it to be v, v good.

And then–OH! Belle Amie! This is HANDS DOWN my number one favorite girl group to be named after a gay porn production agency.

They sang “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks, and it was somewhere between Girls Aloud at their least amazing and The Saturdays at their most amazing…so it was sort of very good! “There aren’t many girl groups in this country that are as good as what I saw tonight,” Simon remarked while sitting next to former girl group member, Cheryl Cole. Ahem.

On a similar note, in the too real moment of the night: Cheryl Cole, on Belle Amie arguing over lead solos: “Sometimes other people just sound better on other songs, and that’s just something you have to accept.” *Awkward silence* *Nuhdeen‘s Irish Mist Burger comes flying on screen and slaps into Cheryl’s face.*

But it was Mary Byrnes, faithful Tesco worker and beloved jewel of Britain, who graced the stage and proceeded to BLOW. ME. AWAY. Seriously, performance of the night by FAR. From the very first note, she had chills running straight down my spine. Spot-on performance, classic vocals. Insanely amazing. As Cheryl Cole so eloquently stated: “I GET GOOSEBUMPS ALL OVER. I RESPECT YOU AS A WOMAN.”

Oh, and Matt Cardle. You did rull good too–amazing, actually. I mean…you did it. You hit the High C!

And…that’s everything that happened that you should care about, really. Thank you for your time.

Hello.

This is Martin Solveig‘s new single, “Hello,” featuring vocals from Martina Sorbara, who is perhaps best known for putting the “ette” in Dragonette.

Above is the newly released video for the song, which features Solveig, fellow French DJ Bob Sinclar, and a whole host of tennis players whose names I can’t pronounce.

The result is a cheeky, Wes Anderson-esque kind of clip, featuring some very silly dialogue and campy over-acting. The video was actually filmed in front of the audience of 12,000 at this year’s French Open–neat!

Oh yes, and the song itself is fresh to death. I certainly wouldn’t mind hearing this one on the dance floor.

It should be noted that this isn’t the first time Solveig and Sorbara have teamed up: Check out their equally delicious stormer from last June, “Boys and Girls,” right here.

Martin Solveig’s new album, Smash, is due out later this year.

While I’m still very much mourning this afternoon’s Suga-nnouncement, this has SURELY caused quite the distraction.

Behold the greatness that is the album cover for Fixin To Thrill, Dragonette‘s follow-up to their 2007 effort, Galore. It’s sort of like a Goldfrapp-meets-Grace Jones sort of deal (though I think I find myself saying that about most things that are “cool.”)

And now, the tracklisting:

1. Fixin To Thrill
2. Gone To Far
3. Liar
4. Stupid Grin
5. Easy
6. Pick Up The Phone
7. We Rule The World
8. Big Sunglasses
9. Okay Dolore
10. Come On Be Good
11. You’re A Disaster
12. Don’t Be Funny

Mmmkay, sounds nice.

And now, a most awe-worthy 7″ Richard X mix of their latest single, “Pick Up The Phone.” It is excellent (obviously), full of throbbing synths and bedazzled with ’80′s-esque electronica jewels (obviously).

DL: Dragonette – Pick Up The Phone (Richard X 7″ Mix)

The album will be released on September 29 in Canada, Australia on October 3, around the world digitally on October 6. The international physical release date is October 20.

There, now you’re informed. Don’t you feel good about yourself now?

Wow! I didn’t see this concept coming after my interview with Martina a few months ago. Click above to watch the official Drew Lightfoot-directed video for “Pick Up The Phone,” the second single off of Dragonette‘s upcoming album, Fixin To Thrill.

It’s basically everything you ever wanted to do with your friends on the day of high school, but didn’t. Or, as Martina describes the video, “fucking shit up, in the best possible sense.”

Bitchin’.

The song you’re hearing is “Gone Too Far,” the new song off of Dragonette‘s upcoming album, Fixin’ To Thrill. And as for what you’re seeing? I’m still trying to figure that one out. Part Travolta, Part Dragonette–and a whole lot of line dancing and cowboy boots. Now where’s my chaps when you need ‘em?

PLUS, the band has just confirmed a series of North American tour dates, which you can peruse after the cut! Ticket sales begin now through August 7, so get them while you still can. Looks like I’ve got a new concert for November!

Canadian Tour Dates:
Friday, October 2nd – PETERBOROUGH, ON @ Red Dog
Saturday, October 3rd – MONTREAL, PQ @ POP MONTREAL / LE Cabaret
Monday, October 5th – HAMILTON, ON @ casbah
Tuesday, October 6th – LONDON, ON @ Call the Office
Wednesday, October 7th – WATERLOO, ON @ The Starlight
Thursday, October 8th – TORONTO, ON @ The Mod Club
Monday, October 12th – WINNIPEG, MB @ West End Cultural Centre
Wednesday, October 14th – CALGARY, AB @ The Whisky
Thursday, October 15th – EDMONTON, AB @ Starlite
Saturday, October 17th – VANCOUVER, BC @ Venue
Sunday, October 18th – VICTORIA, BC @ Sugar

U.S. Tour dates:
Monday, October 19th – SEATTLE, WA @ Vera Project
Tuesday, October 20th – PORTLAND, OR @ Doug fir
Thursday, October 22nd – SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Popscene / 330
Friday, October 23rd – LOS ANGELES, CA @ The Echo
Saturday, October 24th – COSTA MESA, CA @ Detroit Bar
Monday, October 26th – DENVER, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Wednesday, October 28th – KANSAS CITY, MO @ Czar Bar
Friday, October 30th – SPRINGFIELD, MO @ Outland
Saturday, October 31st – CHICAGO, IL @ Sonotheque
Wednesday, November 4th – BOSTON, MA @ Great Scott
Thursday, November 5th – NEW YORK CITY, NY @ Santos
Friday, November 6th – WASHINGTON DC @ DC9

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