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…

Well, here’s one press release I never saw coming!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor‘s long awaited, much anticipated fourth studio album has finally been granted a solid release date in the UK: June 6.

On the same day, La Bex will release her latest single “Starlight,” an utterly lush mixture of chilly vocals and warm Italo-disco pulsations that first leaked a few weeks ago.

Haven’t heard it yet? Click below to hear the upcoming single streaming in full, courtesy of Purple Entertainment!

And now, the full press release:

Sophie Ellis-Bextor will release new single ‘Starlight, the follow-up to the international hit ‘Not Giving Up On Love’, on 6th June followed by her new album ‘Make A Scene’ on the same day.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is back with album number four, after baby number two, looking and sounding better than ever. With a sound that is a mixture of pop, Disco, Nu-Disco and 1980s electronica, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has become established as a multi-platinum selling artist over the past decade. With hit singles such as ‘Take Me Home (A Girl Like Me), ‘Get Over You / Move This Mountain’ and ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ under her belt, Sophie still remains one of today’s most exciting British female solo artists.

‘Starlight’ is a perfect chilled dance anthem that is instantly catchy with a soft but edgy beat. It is a track that can easily take you from sun lounger by day to nightclub by evening and is the perfect summer anthem.

Sophie’s new album ‘Make A Scene’ is an exciting and energetic pop juggernaut on which Sophie was heavily involved with all parts, including co-writing much of it and working with an in-demand team of writers and producers that includes Freemasons, Greg Kurstin, Calvin Harris, Cathy Dennis, Metronomy, Richard X and Armin Van Buuren.

Two songs on the record come from the renowned Freemasons. The first, ‘Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)’ was not just a massive success in the UK but also went on to become one of Sophie’s biggest successes on the continent, particularly Russia where it reached number two in the chart. The second song is the single ‘Bittersweet’ which is a euphoric and emotive epic track with dramatic drum machines and cold eighties synths.

The albums opener ‘Revolution’ was written with Greg Kurstin (Kylie, Lily Allen and Ke$ha) and Cathy Dennis and with its catchy gritty bass and crunching beats it is the perfect upbeat introduction to ‘Make A Scene’. Sophie also worked with Calvin Harris on the album on track ‘Off & On’ which is an edgy, electro track which has the trademark Calvin Harris sound mixed with Sophie’s smooth vocals, and is sure to be a hit.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor emerged ten years ago with rare poise amidst the most memorable chart scuffle since Brit pop. ‘Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)’ with Italian producer Spiller, her debut solo release (after splitting with rock band The Audience), has recently been awarded the astonishing accolade of the decade’s most played track on radio.

Sophie will be touring the UK this summer alongside both Erasure and Bryan Ferry as well as performing at a host of boutique UK festivals.

I’M SO EXCITED!

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.

Fun fact in advance: This post was inspired by the fact that
I absolutely had to post this new photo. Vavavoom!

From Sophie’s new-and-improved website:

The first single is released early April. It’s called `Bittersweet’ and with it I have once again collaborated with the lovely and very talented Freemasons. It’s a good introduction to the fourth album because, as with the majority of the record, it’s a song you can dance to. The new tracks feature collaborations with Calvin Harris, Metronomy, Cathy Dennis, Richard X and Ed Harcourt. It’s been a lovely experience to make this album and I am so looking forward to sharing it with you all.

As we’ve come to find out, Bextor recorded the track while undergoing a rare condition known as BPO, or Brilliant Producer Overload. The song was written by the Freemasons (“The One,” “Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)”), Richard Biff Stannard (“Love At First Sight,” “New York City Lights”) and Hannah Robinson (“Chewing Gum,” “Me and My Imagination”), according to her newest post.

I am beyond excited by the very possible chance that “Bittersweet” will consist of Sophie monotoning the word “Biii-tahhh-sweeet” over a thumping, sparkly Freemasons synthesized beat.

Furthermore, I am beyond ready to hear something that can be described as nothing less than ‘amazeballs.’

A most luscious interview with the Divine Miss SEB, courtesy of PopJustice.

PLUS, SHE INVOKES THE NAME OF LISA SCOTT-LEE. What more could you ask for?

Long story short: New single in the fall, album to follow thereafter. She’s worked and written with Metronomy, Ed Harcourt, and Alison Clarkson (AKA BETTY BOO), and while there’s no major theme, she says the songs are both sexy and assertive.

Oh yes, and if you were a decent human being, you would head to iTunes (YES, she’s on American iTunes too!) and purchase the amazing “Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)” EP now.

In celebration of the most horrendous weather conditions plaguing the Northeast right now, I present the MuuMuse Mini Wintry Mix, a spicy hot collection of mixes I’ve got banging about at the moment.

The Ludacris mash-up is a particular highlight.

Who knew the objectification of women with large, round asses could benefit so well from a smattering of body glitter and poppers?

DL: Britney Spears – Shattered Glass (E.J. Original Radio Mix) (Sharebee)
DL: Tiga – Louder Than A Bomb (Hoshina Anniversary Remix) (Sharebee)
DL: Ludacris vs. Hercules & Love Affair – Stand Up (Dave Wrangler Remix) (Sharebee)
DL: Metronomy – A Thing For Me (Blackout Remix) (Sharebee)
DL: Metronomy – A Thing For Me (Sinden Remix) (Sharebee)
DL: Peter Bjorn & John – Lay It Down (The Golden Filter Remix) (Sharebee)

Why, look! Towards the sky! It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! No! It’s Swedish indie-pop darling Lykke Li riding off the coattails of contemporary Robyn‘s international success!

DL: Lykke Li – I’m Good, I’m Gone (Metronomy Remix)
DL: Lykke Li – I’m Good, I’m Gone (Black Kids Remix)

I kid…a little. I’m not that into her music to be quite honest. Nevertheless, grab these mixes while they’re still sizzling a hole in cyberspace. The Black Kids mix is more dramatic, and the Metronomy Remix is extraterrestrial in ways. Do as you will!