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?

Hold on to your eclectic bandannas y’all–It’s time for “The Girl And The Robot,” the much anticipated album track off of Rökysopp‘s upcoming album, Junior featuring Robyn!

Following in tow with the build-to-nowhere composition that is Robyn’s sad disco sensation, “With Every Heartbeat,” backed by a dooming collection of haunted choral moans and glimmering synth waves, and fueled by unrequited love lyricism ready to light that torch ablaze (including Margaret Berger‘s greatest written contribution to pop: “I’m in love with a robot”), “The Girl And The Robot” can officially be credited as the latest addition to Röyksopp’s continually expanding contribution to refined, sophisticated synth-pop at its finest.

As for how to concoct this bad boy? I’d say to take a small dash of Depeche Mode, mix in a hunk of Annie‘s Richard X produced “Songs Remind Me Of You,” and give it just a sprinkling of The Aloud‘s “Untouchable” to boot.

Though it’s not fair to judge until we’ve got the track in its fuller format, I believe we can safely assume that the song will absolutely dominate.

Oh, and if it doesn’t immediately click with you, give it five more spins–I guarantee you’ll be begging for another go.

DL: R̦yksopp РThe Girl and The Robot (Sharebee)

Adios, Island Records…Hello, Richard X!

There hasn’t been too much buzz about it, but Annie is planning a proper release for February 2009! This time, it’s going to see the light of day…I can feel it.

The track, called “Ánthonio,” will be packaged under Richard X’s label, Black Melody, along with two remixes: One by Designer Drugs, and one by Fred Falke. I love the title…It’s very Hercules & Love Affair. Let’s hope it’s aurally similar as well (with a few more synths added in for good measure)!

Along with that, the Nordic electro-doll is already preparing a second release closely after “Ánthonio.” You’re spoiling us, darling! Says Annie-kins on her blog of the impending releases:

Been working a lot on getting the sleeve ready for my next single…it..s a great designer who..s living in Berlin that..s gonne do it,so mailing him all kinds of ideas,pix etc…so exited bout Ánthonio….. I..m also preparing another single that will be out close to Ánthonio.., so for next year I..ll release records as often as possible,music for your ears.oh yeah

She loves punctuation. Really, she does.

In celebration, a random track from Annie’s catalog: Her collabo with The Teddybears!

DL: Annie – Yours To Keep (Mediafire)

And if there’s no further updates today…I hope you and yours have a simply smashing New Years celebration!

See you in 2009!

Thanks to PopJustice!, we now have a smattering of information regarding my favorite indie-electro, bubble-gum pop blonde star from Norway’s second release. You can read the full write-up directly from the site, or savor these deliciously summarized bullet points:

+ The new album will be called Don’t Stop.

+ She has collaborated with Xenomania, Timo, and Richard X over the past year for production.

+ Xenomania-produced “My Love Is Better” is a sure-fire hit single featuring the ladies of Girls Aloud. The song sounds like the Aloud’s “Long Hot Summer” and “You Freak Me Out.”

+ “Sweet,” another Xenomania creation, is another big one.

+ The one I’ve been dying to hear, merely for its name (“Songs Remind Me Of You”) will be finally unveiled.

+ There’s a song called “Loco” which channels some Blondie and features some silly lyrics.

+ “Heaven & Hell” sounds like Saint Etienne and features some sassy lyrics.

+ The album also features a fair share of slower, experimental tracks.

+ “When The Night” is Annie’s first power ballad.

+ “Marie Cherie” proves that Annie’s got some troubled thoughts.

+ “Take U Home” is a “gothic n’ ghostly electro-ballad.” Sounds like the theme song to my life, am I right?

+ “Misery” is another track off the album that is amazing.

+ And finally, a tracklisting (tentative):

+ Annie doesn’t know how to count, as evidenced in her 10-12 track skip on the PJ page. Stop fucking with my mind, woman.

In retrospect, I really could have linked that article and saved myself the fairly redundant posting of information. I forgive myself.

She’s back!!! After keeping us watering at the mouth for about four years, Annie‘s back with her new single, “Girlfriend” produced by Brian Higgins and Xenomania. The best thing is, there’s no “HEY HEY, YOU YOU” at the beginning of the track like other “Girlfriend” songs you may know. Just retro-friendly dance beats! It’s generally nice and flows well. The full name of the song is “I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me,” but that would give away the whole plot of the song. Basically, Annie’s being a bit of a home wrecker here. What an Anniemal, that woman.

Not only does the song pass Pop Rule Number One (“All pop from Norway and Sweden is perfection”), but passes Pop Rule Number Two with flying colors (“Songs involving phones, or merely their ring-a-dinging or ring-ringing are 99% pop perfection”).

DL: Annie – Girlfriend

The anticipation is simply getting ugly at this point. PopJustice has revealed that Annie’s new album, due in a few months, will include COLLABORATIONS with Franz Ferdinand, Datarock, and…are you ready? Girls Aloud. GIRLS ALOUD. And the lead off single shall be the Richard X produced “I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me.” This sounds like several scoops of perfection showered in chocolate sprinkles!

I really need to get out more often.

Source: PJ!

Hmm! Sounds like Annie is getting revved up for the sophomore album I’ve been so eagerly speaking about! And, if nothing else, she’s been placed as #1 on the Pop Almighty over at PopJustice, which is about 93% accurate for the prediction of pop perfection. According to a poster on the site, Annie’s follow up album will be released in April, with songs such as “2 of Hearts,” “Anthonie,” and “Songs Remind Me Of You.” For any Anniethusiasts, you’ll know that the last two mentioned are Richard X-produced. “2 of Hearts” is actually a cover of an ’80′s track, which I’ll display below:

I want more.
Don’t forget to buy Anniemal at Amazon.
And you, what do you think?

You guessed it, further proof that all music released from Norway and Sweden is perfect.

Pegged as the new Britney, Madonna, and reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Annie released her brilliant Anniemal back in 2004 after collaborating with creator of all things pop, Richard X. The album was quite exciting and full of crunchy electro-pop hits, especially the hypnotizing, “Heartbeat” and taunting “Chewing Gum.” Even Pitchfork liked it, and you know they hate everything. Sadly, she’s been diddling around and doing a whole lot of not releasing follow-up albums, which is pissing me off. However, listening to Anniemal again after nearly a year is almost as exciting. That, and she re-designed the homepage with a drippy new logo after signing with Island Records a few months ago. The Wikipedia says she’s releasing her follow-up in spring of 2008, with a new single debut on her Myspace in late January. I seem to have a habit of posting about the stars that never release anything right before they decide to release something.

Anyway, here are some samples to tide yourselves over through this ongoing drought:

DL: Annie – Chewing Gum
DL: Annie – Me Plus One
DL: Annie – Heartbeat (Incorrectly labeled “My Heartbeat” in iTunes.)

Buy the essential Anniemal at Amazon.

And you, what do you think?