Want to know which fresh new music is hitting the (virtual) shelves this week? Then you've come to the right place...
Albums:
Jason Derulo Jason Derulo
With two top five singles now under his belt, anticipation is running high for the 20-year-old Florida native's self-titled debut album. Luckily it doesn't disappoint. Whether it's celebrating the freedom of being single (Ridin' Solo), recalling a drunken one night stand (Love Hangover) or confronting a cheating partner (Blind), the album strikes a good balance between up-tempos and ballads and, at just ten tracks long, wisely leaves us wanting more. While nothing manages to top the inspired sampling of Imogen Heap's Hide And Seek on Whatcha Say, this is an accomplished debut and suggests that he has a bright future.
Alphabeat The Beat Is...
Updating their B52s-esque 'live' pop sound with a more produced, electronic feel, the second Alphabeat album does little to diminish the Danish six-piece's irresistible charm. While the album's title track and current single Hole In My Heart see the band explore slightly more sophisticated territory than we've heard from them previously, The Spell and sure-fire floor-filler DJ demonstrate that they haven't abandoned their pure pop roots just yet.
Listen to Alphabeat's new album for free on Monkey
Ellie Goulding Lights
She's been unanimously hailed as the 'sound of 2010', but what can we expect from her debut album? Well, a bit of a mixed bag really! Combining elements of folk, dance and pop with her remarkably distinctive vocals, it's not hard to see why she's been getting critics quite so excited.
Listen to Ellie Goulding's new album for free on Monkey
Singles:
Daisy Dares You feat. Chipmunk Number One Enemy
Mixing electronic blips, guitar riffs and er... a rap from Chipmunk, sixteen year old Daisy Coburn's debut single Number One Enemy isn't the most conventional of tracks, which is probably why it works so well. Ignore this girl at your peril!
Boyzone Gave It All Away
Hankies at the ready, as Boyzone return with their first single since the tragic passing of Steven Gately. Written by Mika and featuring the late singer's distinctive vocals, the reggae-influenced Gave It All Away serves as a poignant reminder of the Gately's undeniable talent.
Listen to Boyzone's new single for free on Monkey
Ke$ha feat. 30H!3 Blah Blah Blah
Following up her global No.1 TiK ToK was never going to be an easy task, but Ke$ha just about pulls it off. Blah Blah Blah sees her treading similar musical ground, but her auto-tuned vocals and razor-sharp lyrics can't disguise the fact that it's not as instantly catchy as her debut.
Mary J. Blige I Am
The Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul can do no wrong in our eyes. Recalling her much-celebrated 2005 hit Be Without You, mid-tempo ballad I Am is the perfect showcase for her powerful vocals and serves as a taster for her ninth studio album, Stronger With Each Tear.
Listen to Mary J. Blige's new single for free on Monkey
Amy MacDonald Don't Tell Me That It's Over
The first single to be taken from the Scottish singer-songwriter's second album, A Curious Thing, is an epic string-laden track, complete with an anthemic chorus and a haunting vocal from Amy. What we want to know is: which popstar is she having a dig at in the lyrics? She's staying tight-lipped...
Listen to Amy MacDonald's new single for free on Monkey
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