Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Top pop duo the Yeah You’s have just released  their debut album “Looking through You” on Island Records. The Yeah You’s take the unusual step of releasing a greatest hits compilation as their first album release when their eagerly awaited debut album ‘Looking Through You’ is released on  Island Records. The album was written in keyboard player Mike Kintish’s bedroom in London and recorded in LA with Greg Wells (Mika, Katie Perry & Rufus Wainwright). The Yeah You’s have been tipped for greatness by Popjustice, The Guardian, The Sun and the News of the World amongst others. The album is preceded by the band’s second single “Getting Up With You” sees duo, Nick Ingram and Mike Kintish, at their anthemic song writing best, once again producing a hook filled melody and sing-along chorus that will stick in your head for days.. “ Looking Through You ” contains 12 new songs, including their debut hit single “15 Minutes”, a wry look at pop stardom that, ironically, propelled the d...

‘Soundclashing whirlwind’ V V Brown will release her brand new single “Game Over” on September 21st through Island Records.   V V, whose beautiful debut album ” Travelling Like The Light ” has just been released to huge critical acclaim, has had a busy summer wowing festival crowds at Glastonbury, T In The Park, Lovebox, Camp Bestival and Secret Garden Party.   She will also bring her unique brand of exhilarating pop to V Festival in August and Bestival in September. V V first came to the world’s attention after landing an upfront slot on ‘Later With Jools Holland’.   Her performance on the show won her a lot of admirers including Damon Albarn who invited her to perform on his Africa Express adventure in Lagos , which provided inspiration for the song ‘Game Over’.   Says V V: “ The Africa Express trip inspired me to get more involved in African music so we experimented with African sounds and beats and came up with a lyric about the ending of a relationship. I got th...

Mumford & Sons release their debut album, ‘ Sigh No More ’ through Gentlemen Of The Road / Island Records on the 5th October 2009 . It will be preceded by a new single, ‘ Little Lion Man ’, on the 28th September. Fresh from a series of acclaimed festival appearances throughout the Summer, Mumford & Sons deliver their eagerly anticipated debut album as one of Britain ’s most beguiling young acts in years. Creating a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash with the might of Kings of Leon, the incredible energy of Mumford & Sons draws us quickly into their circle of songs: to the warmth of their stories and to this magical community of misty-eyed men. Since the band formed in late 2007, their primary goal has been to make music that matters. Mumford & Sons are Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, bass drum, and tambourine strapped to his left foot and right), Ben Lovett (keyboards), Country Winston (banjo, dobro, electric guitar) and Ted Dwane ...

NATALIE IMBRUGLIA RETURNS WITH A BRAND NEW SINGLE & ALBUM HER FIRST LONDON SHOW FOR 4 YEARS AT THE LUMINAIRE ON AUGUST 12 SOLD OUT BEFORE IT WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED. Natalie Imbruglia is set to return to the charts with her highly anticipated new studio album ‘ Come To Life ’ released on Island Records on October 5. It will be preceded by the single ‘Want’ on September 28. The album was produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Elbow, Depeche Mode), and features three writing collaborations with Coldplay including the first single ‘Want’, which Natalie co-wrote with Chris Martin. One of the tracks is produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs. Four years after her last studio album “Counting Down The Days” debuted at No 1 in the UK, Natalie’s total album sales now amount to 8 million worldwide, whilst her single sales total over 2 million. “Come To Life”, though, charts an entirely new path for this vastly under-rated artist. The opening salvo of “My God”, “Lukas” and “Fun” immediately establ...

THE RETURN OF THE HEART BREAKER " Break Your Heart " - September 14 on Island Records Group Brit award winning artist, songwriter, and one of the UK's most in-demand super producers, Taio Cruz, marks his eagerly awaited return with the release on September 14th of his brand new Universal Records single "Break Your Heart'". The single, produced by Taio and Fraser T Smith, is Taio's first solo release since exploding onto the UK scene with the massive chart smashes "Come On Girl" and "I Can Be", and his Gold-selling debut album "Departure". The critical and commercial success of the singles and album quickly established the 25-year old Londoner as one of the most exciting British artists to emerge in recent years, 'Break My Heart' is the first release from Taio's hugely anticipated second album "T.W.O. (This Way Out)" which will be released later in the year. Taio's unique sound has continued to oc...

2009 is proving to be a big year for 22 year old, Ghanaian born and East London based Tinchy Stryder. After being tipped as a rising star by the likes of Radio One, Wiley, and (bizarrely) MP Norman Lamb, this Star In The Hood has scored two consecutive top 3 hits, (including the no. 1 single for three weeks 'Number 1'), supported Akon and N-Dubz on sell out arena tours, launched a flourishing merchandise line with the kind of kudos and turnover that would impress Phillip Green, and completed a degree in Digital Arts and Moving Imagery at University of East London. Following these successes Tinchy Stryder is now set to unleash yet another bonafide hit. Never Leave You' featuring Sugababe Amelle is the forth cut to be taken from his album Catch 22. Meanwhile Tinchy Stryder may only be 22, but he's no newcomer to the music industry. He started Mcing with his group 'Ruff Sqwad', aged just 13 and by the time he was 20, Tinchy had recorded his debut solo album, a huge...