Want to know which fresh new music is hitting the (virtual) shelves this week? Then you've come to the right place. Here's our pick of this week's new releases...
Albums:
Ke$ha Animal
Sounding like the missing link between Fergie and Avril Lavigne, 22-year-old Kesha Rose Sebert (there's no dollar sign on her birth certificate!) makes a huge first impression with Animal. Whether it's confronting her cheating boyfriend (Kiss N Tell), stalking a guy she fancies (Stephen) or being sick in a someone's closet (Party At A Rich Dude's House), this is a debut album that is raucous, fresh and tons of fun.
Corinne Bailey Rae The Sea
Partly inspired by the tragic passing of her husband Jason Rae, The Sea marks something of a progression from the laid-back soulful sound of her self-titled debut. Tracks like lead single I'd Do It All Again and Are You Here capture her emotions in a heart-breaking, yet beautifully understated way, while The Blackest Lily and Paris Nights/New York Mornings show that she's still got an ear for a catchy chorus.
Nick Jonas And The Administration Who I Am
Jo-Bro fans - don't panic! We're confidently assured that this is a 'side project' and doesn't mark the end for everyone's favourite sibling trio. While Who I Am is not a huge departure from his brothers' successful pop/rock formula, it never-the-less shows a more mature side to his music, with the funk-influenced State Of Emergency and haunting ballad In The End among the many highlights.
Singles:
Marina And The Diamonds Hollywood
Forget 'ones to watch' lists and industry hype, 24-year-old singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis has caught our eye for writing what has got to be the best lyric in a pop song so far this year: 'He said "Oh my God! You look just like Shakira! No, no - you're Catherine Zeta!", actually my name's Marina'. Genius!
Check out our ten essential facts about Marina And The Diamonds.
Jedward Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)
The big-haired bundle of energy that is the Grimes twins team up with veteran rapper Vanilla Ice to reprise their show-stopping mash up of Under Pressure and Ice Ice Baby from last year's X Factor. Resistance is futile.
I Blame Coco feat. Robyn Caesar
Having Sting as your dad is probably a blessing and a curse when trying to make it in the music business but, fear not, Coco Sumner's new single has more in common with the electro-pop sound of her duet partner Robyn than The Police.
Listen to Caesar in the Monkey player
Michael Franti & Spearhead Say Hey (I Love You)
It's freezing outside but we're feeling just that little bit warmer after giving Michael Franti & Spearhead's new single a spin. A summery slice of feel-good reggae, Say Hey (I Love You) has already been a hit Stateside and will be hoping to do the same on this side on the pond.
Listen to Say Hey in the Monkey player
For all the latest music news follow 4Music on Twitter.
