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

Picking the next single off their critically acclaimed #1 debut album ‘Settle’ was likely a bit of a headache forDisclosure. With a wealth of captivatingly slick cuts to choose from, including collaborations with some of the country’s most unique vocalists, the Lawrence brothers have decided to keep their latest release a truly family affair - ‘F For You’, released August 18th on PMR Records, features Howard Lawrence on vocals, the first time either of the duo has assumed full singing duties on a track. In another first, the accompanying video steps away from the character-led narratives of previous singles like ‘You & Me’ and ‘White Noise’ to bring Disclosure themselves on to our screens. Lending an up-close glimpse at the pair’s exceptional live set-up, ‘F For You’ provides the soundtrack as we witness the kind of performance that has entranced audiences across the planet over the past year or so. Upon release, ‘Settle’ has wasted no time in becoming a global sensation, and ha...

Kelly Rowland released her hotly anticipated fourth full-length solo album, “ Talk A Good Game ” on June 17th, the follow up to 2011’s “Here I Am”. In order to prepare audiences for what's to come on the album, Kelly recently unleashed the seductive and sultry hit " Kisses down Low ", its video has accumulated over 11 million views on http://youtu.be/V0DJUTgkUIA . Kelly has invited a bevy of heavy hitters to join her on “Talk A Good Game”. Wiz Khalifa's breezy flow punctuates "Gone" with smoky elegance, while Pharrell Williams heats up the incendiary "Feet to the Fire". "You Changed" see’s Kelly once again collaborate with her former group members Beyonce and Michelle Williams. Production comes courtesy of Mike Will, Harmony, The Runners, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, and more. As a founding member of Destiny's Child, Kelly has cumulatively sold over 20 million albums worldwide. The former X-Factor UK host has been honored with a to...

Jamie Cullum today announced that ‘Edge Of Something’ is to be the second single to be released from his new album ‘Momentum’. The song will be released on July 15 th through Island Records. ‘ Momentum’ is a confident departure from Jamie’s previous work, hailed by critics as some of his best work to date, experimenting with a more accessible sound; big songs with lots of interesting shades, whilst still managing to inject what Jamie does best as a jazz pianist. ‘Edge Of Something’ epitomises the spirit of adventure and infectious nature of ‘Momentum’; it’s the sound of an artist on a creative roll, bursting with ideas and inspirations. An autumn tour has just been confirmed that will begin on October 14th at the Olympia in Dublin and will take in 16 UK dates including; Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester and the Roundhouse in London. Jamie has also been confirmed to play at Radio 2’s Live In Hyde Park Festival on September 8 th . Tour Dates: 14/1...

The Lonely Island, the Grammy nominated rap trio comprised of Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone, released the highly anticipated ‘The Wack Album’ on June 10th . The group’s third studio effort will include new songs featuring Pharrell Williams, T-Pain, Billie Joe Armstrong, Solange, and more special guests. These artists join previously announced collaborators Adam Levine, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, and Lady Gaga. The group have kicked off ‘Wack Wednesdays’ on their YouTube Channel . Every Wednesday leading up to the release of ‘The Wack Album’, they will debut new content including music videos, exclusive announcements, and world premieres of tracks. These videos will also be distributed on twitter via @thelonelyisland with #wackwednesdays. The Lonely Island recently released the album’s lead single, ‘YOLO’ (feat. Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar), which has garnered over 40 million views on YouTube in only three months. The trio also boasts a staggering 1.2 b...

The Montreal quartet will release ‘Dark Eyes’ through Glassnote/Communion/Island Records on the 1st July 2013. It will be preceded by a new single, ‘Call Me In The Afternoon ’, on the 24th June. Recorded in Montreal, the album was produced by the band alongside Nygel Asselin, Daniel Legace, and Jim Eno. Its release will be surrounded by a handful of UK live shows including two performances at the Glastonbury Festival, and a headline show at Village Underground in London. ‘Dark Eyes’ Tracklisting : Full Circle, Call Me In The Afternoon, No More Losing The War, She Wants To Know, Need It, Give Up, Judgement, Unofferable, Drug You, Nerve, Fire Escape, 21 Gun Salute. Watch the video to ‘Call Me In The Afternoon’ here:   Half Moon Run Live: 25 th June – Village Underground, London 26 th June – The Haunt, Brighton 28 th June – Glastonbury Festival 29 th June – Glastonbury Festival 2 nd July – The Deaf Institute, Manchester 18 th July – Latitude Festival, Suffolk...

Sam Martin, one half of the songwriting team behind Youngblood Hawke’s debut album ‘Wake Up’, which charted at #11 on the iTunes album chart in the US (it was Editors Choice) – describes their sound the best: "It has elements of pop, rock, indie and dance." The band’s first single to be taken from the album ‘We Come Running’ - which will also be released on 5th August, already has a string of accolades behind it including over 1.8 million YouTube video hits, a Top 25 in Billboard’s Hot AC chart, a Gold sales status in Australia and features in an international Coke commercial due to hit the UK this summer, encapsulates that sentiment. A propulsive beat builds alongside shimmering bells as Martin's massive refrain soars. "It's like a personal message to the band," the vocalist reveals. "It announces that if we work our asses off, they're going to hear the sound when we come running. We're going to get our chance." Alongside his lo...