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

Twice Grammy Award-nominated Plain White T’s return with a new single, “Rhythm of Love,” out on October 17th, taken from their forthcoming release, “Wonders of the Younger”, released on October 18th. Penned and sung by the Chicago band’s guitarist Tim Lopez, the summery romantic pop single, “Rhythm of Love,” picks up where previous No.2 charting hit “Hey There Delilah” left us swooning two summers ago – #1 song on UK radio for 3 weeks, #1 on iTunes for 2 weeks, UK singles chart Top 10 for 12 weeks. The track, inspired by a bittersweet romance, is in its third week at radio in the US, and has already hit the top 30 on the Hot AC chart – and it looks likely to dominate the airwaves here too. Though the band is leading off with a romantic pop song, Higgenson points out that the group is in a different place than the one that prompted “Hey There Delilah.” An example of the five-piece’s darker, more expansive songs is album track “Welcome to Mystery,” which fans will have already heard as p...

CHECK OUT THE STUNNING VIDEO FOR LAUREN’S NEW SINGLE ‘NOT THE DRINKING’, RELEASED OCTOBER 18TH http://www.youtube.com/laurenpritchardVEVO Lauren also plays the below dates as part of the Island Life New Breed Tour: FRI 01 OCT BIRMINGHAM GLEE CLUB SAT 02 OCT CARDIFF BUFFALO BAR MON 04 OCT BRISTOL COOLER TUES 05 OCT CAMBRIDGE HAYMAKERS WED 06 OCT BRIGHTON AUDIO THUR 07 OCT LEEDS ...

Island Records is proud to announce the launch of a new live initiative; Island Life. Life will provide a platform for the new breed of Island acts. Kicking off the showcases will be a night in East London and a UK-wide tour. On October 8th the Queen of Hoxton will reverberate to the sounds of UK pop’s stellar new pixie Coco Sumner AKA I Blame Coco . Support from Pete Lawrie (more of which below) and this year’s brightest new producer/hitmaker Starsmith. Also on the decks will be the Island Records All Star DJs while our friends at Red Stripe have kindly offered to supply free beer to the first 250 people through the door. The inaugural Island Life UK tour brings together three extraordinary talents. 22-year-old Lauren Pritchard hails from Jackson, Tennessee and has been described by The Sunday Times as ‘wonderful, brooding, strung-out soul’. Produced by Eg White - the man behind Adele’s ‘Chasing Pavements’ - her future is bright. Zimbabwe born, Hackney-raised Tinashé will be bringing...

AMP is back shining its lazer-like attention on the most vibrant new dance music. Annie Mac Presents 2010 collects the biggest tunes she’s been championing on Radio 1 this year into one sub woofer-busting package. From Joy Orbison’s ‘Hyph Mngo’ to Swedish House Mafia’s ‘One’ this mix is going to bring back memories for the Mac faithful that pack out her bleeding edge Presents club nights (responsible for 2010’s sell out parties everywhere from London’s KOKO to Miami’s WMC, Austin’s SXSW, Manchester’s Warehouse Project and all other self respecting international hot spots). The mix flows to some new currents too. The Berlin influenced nocturnal disco-bacchanal of Scissor Sisters ‘Invisible Light’. The resurgent hardcore feel represented by her exclusive Digital Soundboy remix of Magnetic Man’s ‘I Need Air’ or Tensnake’s one man 90s revival with ‘Coma Cat’. As with Annie’s 2009 compilation the mix peaks at the end of CD1 with CD2 drifting down through some softer textures. The Balaeric g...

Kylie Minogue has announced dates for ‘Aphrodite – Les Folies Tour 2011’ Tickets will go on sale for Glasgow SECC, Manchester Evening News Arena, and London O2 Arena on 13th September . More territories will be announced shortly. This tour promises to be an absolute landmark in the career of Kylie Minogue as she intends to create a live spectacular that will surpass even her own previous groundbreaking shows. Kylie has already been working on concepts for the tour and says “ The reaction to ‘Aphrodite’ has been absolutely incredible and has inspired me and my creative team to develop a new show that will take all of us on a euphoric journey of joy, excitement and glamour. I can’t wait to get on the road and see all my fans in 2011 ” As a special thank you to her UK fans, Kylie will ensure that no booking fees will be charged on tickets bought for Aphrodite - Les Folies 2011 UK shows, if purchased from official outlets (see list on Kylie.com ). There will be a one-off transaction fee, c...

The dust has barely had time to settle since the arrival of Body Talk Pt 1, the first instalment of Robyn's ambitious three-part album release plan for this year. Lead single Dancing On My Own, the heartbreaking heir to With Every Heartbeat, went top ten in the UK, while everyone from Pitchfork to the BBC, the Guardian to Stereogum, bestowed effusive praise (and numerous stars) on the album. It's fair to say many are waiting eagerly for part two, and they will not be disappointed. Body Talk Pt 2 offers the clearest example yet of Robyn's pop prowess; 8 songs that crystallize her preoccupation with hypnotic repetition, propulsive beats and infectious hooks, and lyrics which display the kind of unabashed emotional vulnerability that only comes with true self-confidence. Body Talk 2 is further proof that Robyn's understanding and love of pop music is as intrinsic as it is accomplished. Body Talk 2 will be released Sept 13 on Island Records

Multi-talented vocalist, musician and songwriter Tinashé released his new single ‘Saved’ on August 15th. Taken from his self-titled debut album - released on August 23rd – ‘ Saved ’ is a joyous blast of guitar pop so perky it belies its rather weightier subject matter. Written after being accosted by a particularly forthright tramp on London's Oxford Street, its underlying message of defiance and self-belief ("I'll be here until your faith is won!") is deeply personal. " It's a song about trying, and trying, and trying ," explains Tinashé. "This bum tapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'I'm an angel, mate, but don't worry, you'll be saved. You know what thy did to me? They chucked me in the bin!' ” CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER ALBUM "SAVED " (CD )