Ellie Goulding is an unlikely pop star.

Her public image is subdued, even self-effacing; her voice is a gorgeous, fragile wisp that would sound more at home at a coffee shop than layered over a bouncing synth track; her lyrics are imbued with an aching vulnerability that most singer-songwriters would kill for. But like some other sonic greats who have paired distinctive vocals with dance beats — like Björk or Siobhan Donaghy — Ellie’s music derives much of its power from its pop sound. Likable, accessible, and danceable, her work with producers like Starsmith, Biff Stannard, and Frankmusik makes her poetry radio-friendly.

Since bursting onto the scene with her debut single, “Under the Sheets” — released via uber-hip singles label Neon Gold — Ellie was the top breakthrough act in the BBC’s Sound of 2010 poll and won the Critics’ Choice Award at the BRITs, a feat previously managed only by Adele. Her debut album, Lights, was released to commercial and critical acclaim, cementing Ellie’s position in the English cultural consciousness. But the re-release, Bright Lights, was even better, containing her sharpest work to date — collaborations with Fred Falke and Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons took her glistening folk-dance to dramatic extremes.

Ellie has toured in the U.S. more than most English artists — we don’t usually get so lucky here in the States — and she’s just kicked off her latest stateside tour. Her evolution as a live artist has been an exhilarating thing to watch, as she’s become the kind of pop performer who genuinely lights up the stage with a rare ferocity. If she’s coming to your town, don’t miss her.

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PUT YOUR HANDS UP!

Kylie Minogue is about to release a set of remix EPs for her massive Starsmith-produced Aphrodite track, “Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love).”

The two EPs–which will be released on June 5 in the UK–feature several different remixes, including offerings from Pete Hammond (listen now!), Bimbo Jones and Nervo, as well as a live cut from the Aphrodite Les Folies Tour. You can currently hear samples from both EPs at Amazon.co.uk here and here.

The first EP also features a brand new B-side from the Aphrodite era: “Silence,” which you can now hear below. (Thanks for the link, WeArePopSlags!)

“It feels so right, you can’t deny / The best is what you haven’t heard,” Mizz Minogue croons above moody strings and a steady electronic pulse. Slightly more moody than the bulk of Aphrodite, “Silence” is a more sophisticated comedown from the hyper-happiness of its accompanying track–think of it as the “I Know” or “Made of Glass” from Ultimate Kylie! Love it!

The remix EP will also be released in the US beginning tomorrow, May 31.

Support! Download! Let’s natch that next US Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play #1 for KM!

The “Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)” remix bundle will be released on May 31 in the US and June 5 in the UK. (iTunes) (iTunes UK)

Here we go again: The end of another year in music!

2010 may well be remembered as the Year of the Future (if not the Year of All Hearts–hint hint!): A year of fembots, androids, bionic women and time-traveling adventures deep into the 22nd century.

Space-age love stories and robo-dramatics colored a large portion of the year’s biggest releases in pop, no doubt a response to the reign of the machine on the pop charts as synth-pop productions continued to dominate the digital airwaves in 2010.

Below is the list of MuuMuse’s Top Albums of 2010, which was based on a variety of factors–from individual song and single goodness, to the complete album experience, to overall artistic integrity, to an album’s ability to ‘stick’ as the year progressed. Basically I’m trying to say that it’s a bit of a hot mess, but I tried my very best.

There’s also a rather controversial dishonorable mention prior to the Top 40 list that will likely blow my chances for that much coveted position as editor of Rolling Stone. DAMN IT.

Now…LET’S DO THIS.

Without further ado…the list!

Don’t forget–Ellie Goulding’s introductory EP, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, is now out in America!

The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Starry Eyed
2. Guns and Horses
3. The Writer (Live Acoustic Version)
4. Lights

Don’t want to be the last fool latching onto the bandwagon like you were with Florence + The Machine this year? Then I highly suggest you purchase the EP now.

And while you’re at it, take a peek at the MuuMuse review of Goulding’s debut album, Lights, from earlier this year. That’ll be heading stateside in Spring of 2011.

Oh yeah–and if you’re digging the music, you’ll also want to check out the newly posted interview with Ellie’s producer, Starsmith, right here. See…I’ve got you completely covered.

Go, Goulding, go!

She just couldn’t believe that what we’d ended up completely doing in my bedroom…was going to become what people would say would be the sound of the following year.

If you’ve even been vaguely paying attention to the state of pop music in the U.K. at the moment, chances are you’ve heard of Starsmith.

In just under two year’s time, the 22-year-old producer has gone from crafting homemade remixes in his mother’s house to working on tracks with Diana Vickers and the Princess of Brit-Pop herself, Miss Kylie Minogue.

Starsmith’s brush with musical stardom came shortly after answering a MySpace message from then unknown indie-pop sweetheart Ellie Goulding. After several recording sessions in the producer’s bedroom, Goulding would somehow find herself topping the list of the prime honor for artists on the rise: The BBC’s Sound of 2010 Award.

Needless to say, it was a bit unexpected for the both of them.

Since then, Starsmith has been busy at work crafting tunes for the likes of media darling/ex-Aloud/X-Factor superstar Cheryl Cole, as well as paving the way toward his own solo effort. In fact, Starsmith’s solo venture has just began with the release of his French House-inspired double A-Side debut single, “Give Me A Break / Knuckleduster” on August 29.

With plans to work with both familiar faces (Goulding) and new collaborators (Imogen Heap; Xenomania‘s Miranda Cooper; Alphabeat‘s Stine Bramsen), the young producer’s upcoming debut album (due out in Spring 2011) is gearing up to be a full-on pop smash.

And for once, maybe a boy will get a shot at ruling the pop charts.

Click “Read More!” to see the full MuuMuse interview with Starsmith.

Read More!

What’s black and white and pink all over? Why–Starsmith‘s new video, of course!

Click above to watch the video premiere of Starsmith’s hands-in-the-air raver, “Give Me A Break,” one of the two debut singles to be released by the producer-turned-artist on October 18.

Just can’t get enough? Stay tuned: The MuuMuse interview with Starsmith is going live sometime early next week.

Working with Kylie is like working with every artist I have ever wanted to and continues to be as exciting and fresh every time we do something new.

As promised, here comes part two of my interview with the sensational producer, remixer, songwriter and musical director (amongst other titles!), Mr. Steve Anderson.

Go ahead and read on to learn about Anderson’s unreleased electro-ballad with Britney (“Grow”) and much, much more Kylie gossip (Unreleased tracks! Scrapped setlist ideas!), as well as Anderson’s thoughts on remixing, the music industry today (including a killer list of artists to watch), and his latest project: Launching his latest chanteuse Elouise into the seemingly impenetrable territory that is North America.

Click “Read More…” to read the full second half of the interview.

Missed part one? Or just want to brush up on last week’s installment? Click here to see the first half!

Read More…

Just as with “Dancing On My Own” weeks back, Konichiwa Records has been kind enough to upload and stream all of the official remixes for Robyn‘s amazing new single, “Hang With Me.”

The remixes burst with glittering electronica, a supple bass line, and sparkling waves of synthesizers–some truer to club form (Hot City), some dubbier and tribal (Kaiserdisco)–but it’s the Starsmith and Avicii mixes that shimmer sublime.

“Hang With Me” will be released on Sept. 5, and Body Talk Pt. 2 will be released on Sept. 6 in UK (Sept. 7 in the US).